Gear

 For my fifth blog post I will be outlining some commonly used gear in fresh water fishing. Since starting the blog I have done hours of research into what kind of gear to use to improve my overall fishing experience. When I moved to Chico I was using a small, light weight, and very old rod and reel combo. While this combo worked well for catching trout in mountain streams and small fish, the age of the reel finally let me down, causing a lot of tangles, jams, and headaches. In search of a new rod, I researched the many types of rods and reels, in search of the best fit for me. 

https://irp.cdn-website.com/0a3bd12b/dms3rep/multi/fishing+rods+on+racks.jpeg


The first thing that I researched was what kind of rod I wanted. My old rod was a 5’5” rod with light action, which worked well with small fish and in brushy and cramped fishing spots. For my new rod, I wanted something with a little heavier action, and a little longer so that I could cast farther. I originally considered a 7’ rod with medium heavy action. I wanted the stiffer rod to feel sturdy when hooking larger fish, and I thought the longer pole would help me cast to deeper waters, where the bigger fish are usually found. After some consideration however, I wanted something more versatile, with sensitivity to catch some smaller fish and a shorter length to allow me to fish in more spots. I eventually upgraded to a 6’6’ poll with medium action, which is the perfect combo of length and sensitivity for me. 

https://www.slammingbass.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/lews-mach-2-baitcaster-reel-front-view.jpg

The next thing I had to consider was what kind of reel I wanted. The two types of casting reels I was looking at were spinner reels and baitcaster reels. The baitcaster reel was very intriguing to me because I had never used one. Baitcaster reels allow for more precise casting than spinner reels, as well as having less resistance, allowing you to cast farther with less effort. A spinner reel is what I am familiar with, allowing for very versatile fishing experiences, which can be used for casting lures, trolling, bait fishing, and drop lining. Although I considered a baitcaster reel, the familiarity, reliability, and affordability of spinning reels ultimately led me to buy one, and I could not be more satisfied with my purchase. 

https://www.bestfishkeeping.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/spinning-rod-reel.jpg



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