There are many ways to catch fish. A fisherman can surely catch fish with his hands. He can catch fish with a spear. He could even cast a net over a school of fish, however awkward it may be at first. All of these methods can be effective with practice but they offer the same disadvantage to the fisherman: the catch is restricted to only shallow water varieties of fish.

On the other hand, many believe that it is the fishing rod that is the fisherman's most basic, most important weapon. With a fishing rod, your chances of getting a good catch are very much improved.

When it comes to game fishing, that is, fishing for large, offshore fish, a fishing rod is a necessity. You just can't do without it.

If you're new at fishing, a fishing rod will be your main investment. It is the one, essential tool that makes most fishing possible and enjoyable. Oftentimes, just manipulating a fishing rod can become addictive for many people.

Here are some guidelines that will help you select the right fishing rod for your needs.

▪ Shape. A fishing rod should taper off from its base to its tip. You won't have problems with finding a fishing rod that satisfies this shape. It's quite widespread, practically universal. Advanced designs are introduced to the market every now and then, but the classic and traditional is still the best and finest choice.

▪ Weight. A fishing rod is described by weight. This weight doesn't refer to the actual heaviness of the rod. Rather, this refers to how resilient the rod will be for specific types of lures and for specific types of fish. Therefore, classifications like Ultra-Light, Light, Medium-Light, Medium, Medium-Heavy, Heavy, and Ultra-Heavy are used when describing fishing rods or fishing poles to help the fisherman in choosing the correct one for his objectives.

Fly fishing, for instance, can be managed with Ultra-Light to Medium weight rods. Bass fishing, on the other hand, would require Medium-Light to Heavy weight rods.

▪ Action. A fishing rod is also described by action. Action refers to how much the fishing rod can bend when pulled by a particular force, and how fast it will revert to its neutral position when the force is removed. Action is categorized as slow, medium or fast, although middle-points between levels can be found.

▪ One-piece or Two-piece. Some fishing rods are labeled as one-piece, because they come in, well, one piece. They are said to feel very natural for the fisherman, allowing for a more comfortable and relaxing time.

On the other hand, two-piece fishing rods are, of course, more complicated. But with the proper engineering, these rods can achieve their goals effectively well. However, you'll need to take special care when selecting a two-piece rod. If it's ineptly manufactured, it could be disastrous even for experienced fishermen.

When the time comes for you to choose a fishing rod, you really need to know about the fish you intend to catch. Some fish take a few minutes to catch, while others can take many long hours. Knowing this will dictate what kind of fishing rod you'll need. There'll be no room for guesswork and you'll have the best fishing rod possible. Good luck!