Fishing pole vs. fishing rod – What’s the difference? Most anglers, today, use the two terms interchangeably, but there is a difference or two. A fishing rod has eyes or line guides and a reel seat to attach a reel to it. A fishing pole has none of those things. Before mass production, a fishing pole was referred to as a cane pole. It was a long-cut pole, likely of bamboo or other similar material. You tied the line to the end and swung the bait out into the water. A fishing rod is a casting rod with a reel attached and line guides to help manage the line. Those are the biggest differences.
What Is a Fishing Pole?
A fishing pole is a very capable way to catch many types of fish. They are simply in their design, you can make them at home, and when made correctly, they can land big fish. So, what is a fishing pole? It is a cured piece of wood or bamboo. Bamboo is an excellent material to construct a fishing pole. Keep in mind that the difference between a fishing pole and a fishing rod is that a fishing pole is not meant to cast the line. Instead, you swing the line out and drop or plunk it into the water 10–20 feet from where you stand. A fishing pole also does not have a reel or line guides.
A fishing pole is an awesome tool for targeting fish in rivers, backwater pools, deep holes, or along riffles. The pole is set up by wrapping the line around the pole’s base five or so inches above where you would hold the pole while fishing. You spiral the line up the pole to the tip and whip-finish the line in place several times from the middle of the pole to two feet below the tip.
A whip-finish tool is helpful. Whip-finish simply means that you wrap or coil the line around the pole, then bring the line down over the coil and wrap it a few more times. This binds the line to itself so that the coil cannot come undone. Then you continue to spiral the line up the pole and repeat. At the tip of the rod is the “swing” line, the amount of line that you will use to fish.
It is important that you cure the pole. To do this, pick your piece of bamboo. It needs to be around 12 feet long. Once it is dried you will trim the pole to ten feet. The dried pole will be flexible, but strong. You can use a fishing pole to target many kinds of fish, including bluegill, smallmouth bass, catfish, and crappie.
Are There Any Advantages to Using a Fishing Pole?
They are easy to use. The biggest advantage to using a traditional fishing pole is that they are just so easy to use. Swing out the line and bait and pull in the fish. The method is so simple that when you hit a pocket of hungry fish, you can fill up a bucket in no time.
Cost is another benefit. If you are the DIY type or a prepper looking for ways to survive off the land, then a DIY fishing pole is an amazing tool They will cost you the price of a roll of fishing line and a little time.
They are easy to make. A good straight piece of bamboo, fishing line, and some time are all the ingredients that go into creating a quality fishing pole.
They last a lifetime. If you care for your handcrafted fishing pole, it will last a lifetime. You will need to replace the line but otherwise, the pole will remain strong and flexible. To do that, store the rod flat and in a dry, warm location.
They are perfect for anglers of all skill levels. If you want to get your kids into fishing, then teach them how to make a traditional pole. Even for younger kids, these poles are so easy to use that they don’t have to mess with a reel.
What Is a Fishing Rod?
A fishing rod is a modern approach to a fishing pole. It also enables anglers to fish in different environments. It is much more appropriate to use a fishing rod to fish in the ocean rather than a fishing pole. A side from fishing in tide pools or shallow holes on the shoreline, a fishing pole is almost useless in saltwater. For charter boat fishing, like that offered by the Finest Kind, a fishing rod is essential.
The difference is that a fishing rod is made to house a reel and uses line guides instead of coiling the line around the rod to manage the line. Fishing rods may come in one or two sections, sometimes more. They are designed for anyone who needs to cast fishing line, generally for longer distances, and also who needs to be able to retrieve the line easily.
Fishing Rod Parts
The fishing rod itself is referred to as a blank. It is made out of wood, graphite, or fiberglass. It has line guides called eyes and a reel seat where the reel attaches to the rod. It also has grips and comes in a variety of grip styles including single-handed, split grips, and two-handed. You can also choose a fishing rod that is manufactured for left- or right-handed anglers.
Advantages of Fishing Rods
Why are fishing rods so convenient and commonly chosen? There are so many anglers these days, and that’s a good thing, that having access to the components to make a fishing pole might be difficult. Fishing poles are best used in still water and for other types of water, you want a fishing rod.
Casting Long Distances – some fish are shy, and you would never get close to them with the short line on a fishing pole. To target these fish, you want to be able to cast your bait out to them.
Fishing is Moving Water – Sometimes you want to feed line out while the bait drifts, or you may need to go deeper than ten feet and for those times, a fishing rod is a better option over a fishing pole.
Handle Big, Big Fish – You would never be able to plop a big shark out of the ocean like you would a bluegill out of the stream. You would need the advantage of tiring the fish out, which comes from playing the fish and using the drag setting on the reel. That is only achieved by using a fishing rod.
Fishing rod or fishing pole, which is the best for you? Answer this question based on what kind of fish you want to target and the type of environment in which you will fish. For most of us, a fishing rod is a good choice as it allows us to fish in many environments and target many types of fish. A fishing pole is also a great way to enjoy fishing in still waters without a huge upfront cost.