How to Set Up a Fishing Rod for Sea Fishing
The fishing rod is the most important and largest part of a fishing assembly. It is also a major determinant of how well you will be able to fish at sea. Whether you are a beginner or an expert angler, you should know how to correctly set up your fishing rod for sea fishing.
As modern rods come in different types and often have distinct parts, the process of setting up a rod does not look exactly the same for all of them. However, there are some common steps which we’ve included here.
Construction of a Standard Fishing Rod
Whatever the differences there are between fishing rods, they all have the same basic characteristics. The first is the tip which comes from the top line guide to just below the second line guide and is usually about 1 foot long. From the end of the tip section to about the last line guide is considered the mid-section of the rod.
From there, down to the end of the handle, is called the butt section. The butt contains the handle from where most operations of the rod take place. The handle itself has three pieces. The handle butt is the part where you hold the rod while sea fishing. The reel seat is in the middle where the reel is mounted. Lastly, the grip is the far end where your finger or thumb should ideally be gripping.
Accessories to Attach
The line is a primary component to be put onto the fishing rod. It goes all through the length of the rod from the reel in the butt section to the tip and further on to the hook. The reel is another part which is crucial to operating the line. This is mounted on the provided reel seat in the middle of the butt section. The last part of the setup is the hook at the end of the line which is attached using a simple knot.
Making the Rod Ready for the Line
The first step to setting up a fishing rod is to put all of its pieces together. If it consists of two pieces, insert the mid-section and butt piece into the tip section. While you do this, make sure that the guides line up correctly as this is important for smooth gliding of the line. If you have a telescopic rod, you will want to open it up to its fully open position before setting it up.
Mounting the reel on the rod is usually easy as there are dedicated snaps provided on the reel seat. You’ll need to buy a compatible reel if one didn’t come with the rod when you purchased it. You put this on by snapping the reel foot onto the reel seat.
Putting on the Line
Once your rod is ready, you can start putting on the line. Getting a line of the correct weight is very important. If your rod has a recommended strength of 8-10 pounds, don’t go for a line which is heavier than the maximum strength. This is to be strictly followed as you want the line to break before the rod breaks if you catch a really large or heavy fish in the sea.
To start, grab the end of the fishing rod and pass the line through the tip guide. Work the line through the guides all the way down to the butt. Now, it’s time to tie the line off to the reel-end. Wrap the end of the line around the reel and make a simple knot, just like the first knot you tie on your shoelaces. Do this a couple of times to make sure it is nice and tight. Cut off the excess end of the line.
Following this, flip over the bail arm, which is the thin curved rod that looks like the handle of a bucket. The line is secure and ready to be wound up on to the reel. Reel the line in by holding the fishing rod by the handle and rotating the reel handle. Once you have enough line on the reel you are ready to attach the hook.
Attaching the Hook
With the rest of the rod setup, you finally have to attach the hook to the end of the line to complete everything. This is done by passing the end of the line through the little hole on the top of the hook and turning it so that it matches the shape of the hook.
Holding this in one hand, wrap the line around the top part of the hook 7-8 times and let go. Pass the end of the line through the hole and tighten from both ends of the line. Cut off the extra line at the end and your fishing rod is now ready for sea fishing.
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