Ideal for a lazy day in the sun or an exciting ocean adventure, fishing is a pastime that while it does not always result in a catch is always rewarding. It is the most popular sport in the UK and is enjoyed by a huge variety of enthusiasts of all ages and walks of life from right across the country.

And in essence, it’s a very simple pass time too – all you need is a rod, a reel, some fishing line and a hook and sinker. Nevertheless, there is a huge variety of types and styles of rod out there, adapted for the many different techniques and prey, and made out of a wide range of materials. Here is a basic run down of some of the broad categories of fishing rods

Fly rods – specifically made for the sport of fly fishing, are usually slim and extremely supple. Because fly fishing can at times involve casting a fly long distances, flexibility is important. Fly rods come in a number of different sizes depending on the prey and the size of the fly to be used. The handle is often almost completely eliminated from this kind of rod to aid in the casting action.

Casting rods can cast either lures or bait and come with a spin cast reel placed directly above the handle. These reels have been specifically designed to avoid backlash and cut down on the snaring of the fishing line when casting lures or bait. Excellent for beginners, casting rods are adaptable, powerful, and sturdy.

Spinning rods, made usually from either fibreglass or graphite, come with the reel placed under the rod rather than on top. This allows for greater comfort when fishing. The guides and fishing line also run underneath the rod. Strong and comfortable, these rods are popular with anglers planning to fish for extended periods of time.

Boat fishing rods as the name suggests, are designed for fishing from aboard a boat in coastal waters. Usually of a slightly heavier construction, all the tips, eyes, and handles have been reinforced to accommodate the size of the intended prey.

Another type of sea rod, the beach caster, looks much like a huge casting rod with a long handle. Beach casters are fished from shore or rocks and are generally longer than other types of rods to enable the length of the cast necessary to get the lure or bait out past the surf to where the fish are.

Ultra-light rods, made for catching smaller species of fish, are usually also slightly shorter than other rod varieties. The fishing line and lures commonly used with this rod have to be extremely lightweight. Besides catching small fish, this rod can also be used to generate more excitement and sport when going after larger fish due to the higher degree of skill required to land the fish.

When choosing a rod, the simplest thing to do is head for the area where you intend to use it.  Have a chat to whoever is fishing and see what they’re using to successfully catch fish.

I love writing about the great outdoors

I need to repair my fishing rod and I have a few questions about the materials that I should use.?

I need to repair my fishing rod and I have a few questions about the materials that I should use.
What kind of tying thread should I use, nylon or cotton?
Can I use clear nail polish instead of rod varnish?
And how many coats of varnish or polish should I use?
Thanks for your answers.

Answer
Hello,
The thread which you will be using is generally nylon or silk. I’ve used cotton but as
decorative wraps for my own experimentation . My recommendation for thread is to use “ProWrap” color fast see @http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/ProWrap

You will need to buy nylon thread and choice of color specially for rod wrapping. Many tackle shops these days carry rod wrapping thread or you can search@ http://www.mudhole.com/
I wouldn’t use nail polish because of its poor tensile strength. What I do recommend for a beginner is threadmaster lite build rod finish@http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/ThreadMaster/ThreadMaster-Lite-Build-Rod-Finish . I don’t recommend flex-coat for a beginner, nor do I agree on using acetone as its highly flammable. Rather then acetone you may use denatured alcohol if at all.
You also must learn how to properly mix the above, and the threadmaster brings proper documentation on how to mix. The one reason I suggest threadmaster is of its pot life after mixing, 45 to 60 minutes depending on humidity. As for how many coats, two or three. What you want to do is use the least amount of finish so that you don’t turn the rod by hand for one or even two hours. Don’t worry if you don’t cover the threads at first, on the second coat of finish you will and again use as little as possible and on to the third coat. The least amount of finish controls the amount of bubbles that is introduced into the finish. So use as little as possible of finish recommended an turn every 8-10 minutes for 25-30 minutes, wait 6 hours and start over again till the third coat has been added. For better control of your rod while wrapping make yourself V-blocks from scrap wood example@ http://www.rod-crafting.com/resource/articles/building-vblocks.html

There are many informative videos on the net to help you wrap your rod here is one@http://www.mudhole.com/Rod-Building-101/Videos

You will likely need some tools, scissor, burnishing tool, and thread pick. You may make your own or buy them, see@http://www.mudhole.com/Shop-Our-Catalog/Wrapping-Finishing-Tools/Thread-Tool-Combo-Package Get yourself enough single edge razor blade because you will need them, and a roll of 1/2 inch masking tape.
Many people use a brush to brush on the rod finish, you may do that or try a spatula, whichever you use don’t forget to clean your tools after each use unless they are throwaway. I prefer glass or stainless steel cup to plastic when mixing rod finish. When using plastic cups only use those made specially for rod finish.

As noted above mudhole isn’t the only place you may obtain these products. Mudhole was used to help inform the asker.