Image via WikipediaWhen I am fishing I don’t use the same ole fishing rod for every occasion. I use the rod and reel that fit the water, obstacles and species I am fishing. Fishing for small brook trout doesn’t require a heavy rod or line as that tends to take the fun out of fishing and the same thing goes for Chain Pickerel or Smallmouth Bass, don’t go so light you lose everything.

Knowing the difference between rods can make for far more exciting fishing in my books, although as a kid I only had one fishing pole and it was really a not a fishing pole at all, just an electric fence pole and it worked great for catfish.

In my case my fishing pole was actually a pole but for the most part fishing rod and fishing pole mean pretty much the same thing.

Even when I finally got a real fishing rod my dad always referred to it as a fishing pole.

That was many years ago but today I don’t use a thin metal pole, instead the rods are made up of various materials like, graphite, carbon, fiberglass, bamboo or composites making for some pretty cool rods.

Today I spend most of my time on the water with my fly rod in my hand. It’s just so much more fun when I land a big Chain Pickerel using my fly rod but I still have a blast using my spinning gear for these toothy monsters of the shallows.

Image via WikipediaThere are fishing poles, and then there are fishing poles. There is a pole for every fishing situation, and knowing the difference will certainly pay off in the long run.

While many may argue that the term “pole” refers to a relic of a tool while a “rod” is a more sophisticated piece of fishing equipment, the fact remains that the two terms are generally interchangeable. Whether called a pole or a rod, the tool has been fashioned in the same manner for many years, with the basic materials of graphite, carbon, fiberglass, bamboo or composites proving to be the main improvements. Another is in design, with different poles being used for different purposes. While there are many, the main types of fishing rods are fly fishing poles , spin casting poles and bait casting rods.

Fly fishing poles or rods need to have a lightweight and flexible feel. Bamboo fly fishing rods offer best quality, but generally are an costly purchase. Graphite rods are the most highly sought types on today’s market as they are strong, lightweight and yet flexible. Usually between 7 and 9 feet on length, the size of the stream or lake dictates which pole length should be used. The term “rod weight” actually describes the line size used on the pole, and can range between 1 and 15. This method of fishing is generally for a more experienced level, as it requires a fair deal of effort for the angler. This is because it is the line being cast rather than the lure.

Spin casting is a relatively easy skill to acquire, and is recommended to many beginners primarily for that reason. Shorter than most, the spin cast rod also requires high flexibility. The reel is the tool that needs the most practice, as it is a technique; however, it takes most people just a few minutes to learn. Located on the top of the fishing pole, the spin cast reel is within easy reach and control of the angler. The size of rod and line will vary depending on the type of fish being pursued; bass would need a heavier weight than a panfish would require.

During professional fishing tournaments, bait casting is the common method. Bait casting rods are heavier and longer, and stronger to be able to combat the fighting foe at the end of the line. This type of fishing pole is also very popular with bass fishermen due to the short time it takes to land their bass using the strong and powerful line. The reel also sits on the top of the pole, and is able to handle the heavyweight line needed to bring in “the big one”. Bait casting poles and reels take much more practice to master, and is considered to be more for the experienced angler.

Fishing poles vary widely to meet many needs, as is evident by those on the market today. There is a rod for every situation, and for many fishermen, having several poles means they are prepared for any situation.

I think Jamie and his twin girls had a great day of fishing Smallmouth bass. Here is another little post from Jamie.

After talking to James and sharing the day I had with my girls I asked him if he would like to go fishing for the day. I know it is hard to believe but he said yes.

I strapped my canoe on my car and picked James up early in the morning and we were off to try to catch some pickerel and bass. I went to Cassidy Lake earlier this summer and caught a few small pickerel so I was excited to go to some water that had pickerel that would be more plentiful and larger in size.

We arrived at the location and of course we were both excited to get fishing that we fished off shore for a few minutes. James had one follow his lure after just a few casts which got my heart pumping. We put the canoe in the water and made our way to where James said he normally fishes.

I had an excellent time trying to catch these fish. It was great fun watching them chase after the lures in the water. I quickly realized that they are quite a predator. We caught a few, but that did not matter, as I told James it was just as much fun watching them chase and hit the baits. If not by the end of this fishing season, I am truly hoping that James and I will be back to try for some more pickerel very soon.

The day was actually very winding and it came to a point where we decided to leave and try for some bass. We loaded up our gear and the canoe and in a short time we were fishing bass. This was non-stop action for about three hours, I would say we caught and released about sixty bass. They were not monsters but that made no difference to me at all as I am someone who just has a great time catching fish no matter the size.

James was a great help teaching me how to fish in the weeds for pickerel. I am hoping to practice lots more very soon. I am very thankful that an evening surfing the internet led me to James’ fishing site. It led to a great day with my girls and also to another great day fishing for pickerel and bass with a new fishing buddy!

Image from WikipediaA few years ago my good fishing buddy Roland took me to a spot along the side of the road where he used to stop every time he drove by and dropped a line in to see if there was a brookie sitting there. That’s as far as he ever went at this spot and never ventured into the thick under brush to see what was on the other side.

He always seemed to catch a few nice trout in the early part of fishing season but nothing much later on. I am glad he at least showed me the spot.

I was talking to another fishing buddy and we were talking about going out to catch a few trout and that it would be good to try a few new spots.

I started telling him about Roland’s little brookie spot and said that he had never fished beyond the road and that it was less than an hour away. In just minutes we were ready and on the road.

I didn’t bother taking my fly rod with me because the brush was just too thick. It was going to be tough just using a spinning rod. We fished the road, caught a couple of little brookie and then we headed in.

It was farming country but it looked more like a war zone in there. Downed trees, old cars, garbage. What’s wrong with people anyways?

I am not sure how long we had been fishing or at least trying and we were talking about heading back when the trees opened up and the river widened into a brook we could both walk and fish.

It was like we had been teleported to an entirely different river it looked so different. At that moment I wish I had my fly rod with me but I wasn’t fighting my way back.

It was only a few minutes later that I hooked a trout that didn’t seem quite the same as the brookies I have caught over the years and when it jumped it didn’t look the same.

I had just caught my first brown trout and both of us were blown away. We didn’t even know there were brown trout in New Brunswick and I have been down here living for about 15 years at that point.

Our day just got even more exciting that it was when we came out of the bush to such a nice river to fish. It’s easy to lose track of time when you are having a day like we were having.

We fished all day and caught many fish and before we knew it the light was fading and we had no idea how much further it was to the next road. At that point we heard voices up a head and though it was the road.

It turned out it was a father and son having a little fishing fun. They had access to the river from the road and told us that the bridge was about 20 minutes ahead of us and that when we were done they would pick us up and take us back to the car.

We measured the distance back to the car and we would have had to walk just about 5 miles to get back there. Thanks for the ride buddy.

Sport fishing brown trout in New Brunswick is a new pass time now. Just a few more weeks and I will be out there again, but I don’t go in the same way now and I do take my fly rod with me and always a friend.