Casting rods are designed for use with a baitcasting reel, unlike a regular spinning rod, which is used with a spinning reel. They are specialized fishing tackle because this feature determines the casting dynamics of the rod as well as its construction. There is no fundamental difference between an ordinary spinning rod and a casting rod. The main distinction is that a casting rod has a special trigger grip for convenient use with a baitcasting reel and low-mounted guides placed on the opposite side of the rod blank relative to the reel seat.

Using a casting rod has several advantages over a spinning rod, particularly when fishing with jerkbaits. In this case, a casting rod provides a much more ergonomic design, better control over the lure and catch, and increased sensitivity. It also allows for a powerful and timely hookset and minimizes the time required to reel in a fish. Casting rods are highly versatile and can be used for jig fishing, wobblers, and even lures weighing several hundred grams. They are often used in saltwater fishing, where strength and power are needed to handle large fish. For example, in the United States and Canada, casting rods are very popular due to different fishing conditions.

In our region, the popularity of casting rods is still relatively low. They are mostly used for trolling with baitcasting reels equipped with line counters. However, some anglers prefer casting rods. These fishermen—often sport anglers—can present many arguments in favor of casting setups. The most important advantage is that the angler can feel the bite directly by placing a finger on the braided line, which is crucial when the fish are inactive or biting lightly. Fighting a fish with a casting rod combined with a baitcasting reel is also much easier and more convenient than with a traditional spinning rod. The only drawback of casting rods is that they are difficult to use with ultra-light lures.

A casting setup consists of the rod itself (also called a blank), line guides, a reel seat with a baitcasting reel that has a handle and spool, and a handle grip.

Most casting rods have a specialized handle design called a "gun handle" or "pistol grip." The "trigger" (also known as the finger rest) helps maintain a proper grip, which is important for the correct functioning of the setup and to prevent premature hand fatigue.

Modern fishing rods must meet somewhat contradictory requirements: strength and power must be combined with sensitivity and lightness. This is why current production technology primarily involves making hollow, thin-walled rods from composite materials. These materials mainly consist of high-strength synthetic fibers embedded in a resin base (typically polyester resins).

Key Rod Materials:

Fiberglass – Flexible and durable but heavy, with a low modulus of elasticity.

Carbon fiber (graphite) – Lightweight, with a high modulus of elasticity. It has higher tensile strength than fiberglass.

Graphite – A hard material with increased stiffness, often combined with carbon fiber. It is produced by high-temperature treatment without oxygen.

Kevlar – A high-strength synthetic fiber. Thanks to its impact resistance and ability to absorb energy, it is used to dampen vibrations and reinforce the rod blank.

Boron – Typically used in graphite reinforcement. It has high tensile strength and an extremely high modulus of elasticity. The presence of boron in a rod’s construction usually increases both its value and cost.

Whisker fiber – Used as a filler to enhance resistance to lateral loads. It is a very short, elastic, and rigid fiber.

Choosing a Casting Rod

One of the first parameters to consider when selecting a casting rod is its length. While the choice is largely a matter of personal preference, there are some basic principles to keep in mind.

First, shorter rods allow for easier casting and retrieval along heavily vegetated shorelines. They offer greater sensitivity and reduce fatigue for the angler. On the other hand, longer rods provide greater casting distance, better fish control, and improved shock absorption when a fish makes sudden movements.

Second, if you plan to fish from a boat, a longer rod loses most of its advantages.

Due to the typical length of casting rods, it is rare to find one-piece models. Instead, rods usually come with either a ferrule (jointed) connection or a telescopic design. The latter has numerous drawbacks, and high-quality models are usually produced only by well-established manufacturers such as Shimano and Daiwa. Therefore, when selecting a professional casting rod, it is best to opt for a jointed model, with fewer sections being preferable since each joint is a potential weak point.

Rod Action and Flex

One of the most important characteristics of a rod is its action, which determines how much of the blank bends under load. Some rods flex only at the tip, while others bend all the way down to the handle. The first type is referred to as fast action, while the latter is called parabolic, slow, or English-style action. There are also intermediate types.

Rod actions are classified into four main types, based on the American notation:

Extra Fast (ExFast) – The top 1/4 of the blank bends.

Fast – The top 1/3 of the blank bends.

Moderate – The top 1/2 of the blank bends (also known as semi-parabolic action).

Slow – The entire blank bends (also known as parabolic action).

A semi-parabolic action is considered the most versatile for casting rods. However, some models also feature Extra Fast action. The choice ultimately depends on the angler’s fishing conditions and personal preferences. It is important to test the rod with a baitcasting reel installed, as this will provide a more realistic feel of how it handles.

Fast-action rods offer greater sensitivity, allow for a quick hookset, and provide better control over lure movement. Parabolic rods, on the other hand, are better suited for long casts, prevent light lines from snapping during casting, and allow for delicate, accurate casting of fragile baits (such as a rig with a dead baitfish). They also perform better when fighting a fish.

However, the concept of rod action is somewhat relative. Can a rod that bends from the butt section but instantly straightens after a flick really be considered slow? Internationally, rod action is often referred to as "action" (reaction speed) rather than just "flex," which better reflects its behavior. After all, a rod's response during motion and when stationary can be quite different.

Many high-end modern rods feature a hybrid action, combining the advantages of both parabolic and fast-action designs. When retrieving a lure, such a rod behaves like a fast-action model, ensuring high sensitivity. However, when fighting a fish, it flexes like a parabolic rod, absorbing sudden movements effectively.

Rod Power and Lure Weight

When selecting a rod based on power (the range of lure weights it is designed for), follow this simple rule:

If possible, it is best to have two rods – one for light lures and another for heavy lures.

If you must choose only one, opt for a heavier power rating, as it will provide greater versatility and durability.