Rockfishing is a fun and exciting fishing technique that involves stalking a variety of marine predators and rockfish on rocks and other rugged areas close to shore. To be successful in this specific type of fishing, the choice ofrockfishing rod is all about power, length and action. Here are a few tips and tricks to help you choose the right rod for your rockfishing needs.
Characteristics of a good rockfishing rod
Important criteria to consider when choosing a rockfishing rod
1. Power a rockfishing rod must be capable of casting light lures and extracting fish trapped in rocks. The recommended power range is around 3 to 15 grams. But you'll need to make sure that you can quickly restrain the fish during the fight so that you're not a spectator, allowing your catch to come through.
2. Action the action of the rod must be adapted to the type of lures used and the fishing conditions. A fast action is very responsive and ideal for soft lures. A parabolic (or regular) action is better suited to hard bait and current conditions. You'll be better equipped to detect bites and allow the lure to offer all the technicality for which it was designed.
3. Size the length of the fishing rod must allow you to cast accurately and fight fish effectively, while being easy to carry and handle. Rods specifically designed forrockfishing are generally between 2.10m and 3m long. When used from the shore, you generally need to be over 2.50m to be able to cast far and be able to cast easily at long distances.
Choice of materials for optimum performance
The choice of rod material influences the performance of the equipment during rockfishing sessions:
- High modulus carbon high-quality carbon guarantees lightness, resonance, strength and fast action. It's the material of choice for top-of-the-range rockfishing rods. The modernity of this carbon technology now ensures less stiff action than a few years ago while offering at least equal levels of sensitivity.
- Glass fibre fibreglass: Less powerful than carbon, fibreglass nevertheless offers good shock resistance and can be a good choice for entry-level or mid-range rods for beginner anglers. It will also provide a softer action, which can be a big help when you need to be discreet when the fish takes your bait in its mouth
There are also rods that combine both actions. These regularly feature a fibre tip for unsuspecting fish and a carbon tip for sensitivity and control.
Types of rods for rockfishing
There are several categories of rods suitable for rockfishing, depending on your fishing preferences and level of experience.
Spinning or casting rods for rockfishing ?
Spinning rods are the most commonly used for rockfishing, thanks to their versatility and ease of use when you need to cast far. They allow you to master a wide variety of techniques with a single rod.
Experienced anglers can also opt for casting rods for rockfishing. Developments in reels in particular mean that small lures can now be handled and cast with ease. Casting for rockfishing will offer the same advantages as baitfiness in freshwater. The main advantages are speed of action and precision.
Telescopic canes, a wise choice
Telescopic canes, on the other hand, are appreciated for their practicality and compactness, making them easy to carry and store.
However, their performance is often inferior to that of spinning or casting rods. They are ideal for anglers who prefer mobility and simplicity when rockfishing. They are mainly designed for travelling.
Discover all our rods for rockfishing
The best brands of fishing rods for rockfishing
Although there are no exclusive brands for rockfishing rods, some stand out for the quality of their equipment and their technical expertise:
Each of these brands offers a varied range of rods for rockfishing, from beginners to experienced anglers. Don't hesitate to compare the different models and find out about their specific features to find the ideal rod for your shore fishing sessions. You'll find rods at all price points, for expert anglers and novices alike.
The importance of budget when choosing a rockfishing rod
Although price is not always synonymous with quality, it's clear that a more expensive fishing rod is generally made from better-performing materials and technology. The budget allocated to the purchase of a new rod should be in line with your expectations in terms of performance, but also with your level of practice.
Beginner anglers can opt for entry-level or mid-range models to learn rockfishing techniques without investing too much. More experienced anglers, on the other hand, will benefit from selecting a top-of-the-range rod that meets their requirements in terms of feel and precision.
Some top-of-the-range models
- La Spinning rod Golden Mean Aria 68 S Rule The Game, with the Aria 68 S, you'll be able to fish in the best possible conditions. As usual, the brand offers an ultra-light tip that's ready to take on all the challenges of rockfishing. It benefits from Japanese know-how in this field, guaranteeing the very best. With this rod, you'll have total control over your casts and your action, and you'll feel at ease when fighting the fish. A choice for serious anglers who simply want the best.
- La Spinning rod Evergreen Salty Sensation Neo, one of the latest nuggets from Japan'sEvergreen, the Salty Sensation Neo is a jewel of technology. Specially designed for rockfishing, it comes in two models, 2.34 metres and 2.49 metres long. These lengths will ensure you can project your lures to great distances, while maintaining good sensations during animation, the fight with the fish, and during the bites. A wise choice for the most demanding angler.
Some entry-level models
- La Spinning rod Savage Gear SGS2 Light Game, sG2S is the latest addition to the range Savage Gear specially designed for sea fishing. This Light Game version is specially designed for fishing for small rock fish, but retains the reserve power needed to handle marine fish. The choice of versatility, with its contained price it will offer very good performance to any angler wishing to embark on an adventure.
- La Spinning rod Daiwa Legalis Rockfishing BF, this is not to say that the rod is of mediocre quality. That's not to say it's a mediocre rod, but it's a great model that will help you get started, whether you're fishing from harbours or dykes. You'll also be pleasantly surprised by its ability to detect bites and make you feel them. An excellent choice that benefits from the advances of one of the biggest brands in fishing.
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