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jigging, and longer rods moving longer

for most applications outside of this.

Materials are harder to decipher, as all
companies offer different marketing
strategies to endear their version to
you. Most rods however are made in
the same factories, offering the same
technologies branded differently for

different importers. Very few rods are
vertically manufactured, offering the
customer a product that was custom
made from scratch to solve a specific
fishing problem. Know that more
technology, better components, and

lighter materials make for more
expensive rods. It can also make them
more brittle and prone to breakage as
engineers push the limits of the goods
at hand, making a solid warranty a
necessity when purchasing a high end
rod.

In the second part of this series, I’ll
offer some personal suggestions for
common species and techniques, as
well as a few shopping pointers to
make sure you get the best rod for the
money.

Joel Nelson, Writer, TV/Media Personality, Joel Nelson Outdoors – www.joelnelsonoutdoors.com

Joel is a well-known TV/Media personality in the fishing and hunting industry. A self-admitted “fish
nerd,” Nelson holds advanced degrees in
the natural sciences, including fisheries
and digital mapping, allowing him to
both think like a fish and find them.
Annually, he participates in numerous
TV, Radio, and writing venues,
highlighting relevant stories on his

website - Joel Nelson Outdoors. Joel
works with the biggest names in ice-
fishing, open-water, and hunting; all
while focusing on genuine experiences
and the how-to’s he’s picked up
along the way.