Understanding Fishing Rods and Basics of How to Buy a Fishing Pole

[@MrCollindpyle]

No one explains it as clearly and efficiently as Nat

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks 🙂

[@carloscarlo9966]

Facts

[@THROES_XK]

fact

[@ComradeChyrk]

Its so nice to find a channel that doesnt pad out a video to explain something that takes under 5 minutes. Love the channel

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks. My time is valuable and so is yours. I'm not a fun of useless fluff in a video. I appreciate the comment!

[@CasuallyJapan]

I’m starting fishing again for the first time in over a decade. I’m relearning things and your channel has been a big help. Thank you!!

[@FishingwithNat]

Thank you for the nice feedback. I'm glad to hear my videos have been helpful to you!

[@Ginsue45]

Two decades for me, and I couldn't agree more.

[@iconforu2c]

Thought I was all alone with my Ugly stick.....my fav by far. TY for the vid.

[@FishingwithNat]

Yeah I don't see a lot of carbons being used for some reason, but I love them. Several of my friends have tried my carbons for the first time and then they went out and bought their own. 😆

[@nickmaguire333]

I have an ugly stick big water. It's pretty versatile for both salt and fresh water.

[@jasonlopez4855]

Got 5- UGLY stick they work great from trout fishing to big tiger musky the power is there for cheaper.

[@vorge1187]

Thank you finally a video that explains this stuff to a novice like me

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad I could help!

[@VerySleepy14]

The wealth of knowledge you provide is greatly appreciated. Thank you for all the great content! You definitely have one of the best fishing channels here on KZbin and I always look forward to your new videos.

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks - I really appreciate that.

[@traindifferentpreme1710]

Just started to dabble in the fishing world this summer. My research led to ugly sticks being a good beginner rod and I just caught my first Smallie on it..

[@FishingwithNat]

I would agree. I didn't like the early Ugly Stiks all that much, but the carbons are much much better.

[@2061526]

i always recommend ML or Medium set for beginners, i own a fishing tackle shop

[@FishingwithNat]

Me too. A ML with 8-10lb line can catch just about anything.

[@NobleKorhedron]

What're the general casting weights for each category in your opinion, ​@@FishingwithNat? My lightest lure rods start at 1g casting weight, and at the heaviest are about 18g - 20g. They have sensitive tips, but still retain some backbone in case I hook a bigger fish than I was expecting...

[@FishingwithNat]

@@NobleKorhedron Ultralight rods can be labeled as light as 1/32-ounce which is under 1 gram, but I've thrown 1/80-ounce (0.3g) jigs with a tiny piece of worm on my ultralights and they are able to cast that a good 30 feet (~10m) or so. I'd consider anything over 3/4-ounce (21g) to be a heavy power rod. Rods can vary quite a bit in between ultralight and heavy power, so it's best to go with what the manufacturer states on the rod. You can usually throw a bit more weight than those recommendations but they are good guidelines.

[@reubenplasencia6530]

@@FishingwithNatthank you!!

[@WileysShenanigans]

Can you tell by looking at a rod with no reel on it if it is a spinning rod or baitcasting rod?

[@krishverma36]

I've watched over 7 videos about fishing, but your video really stands out! Could you please make a beginner-friendly video explaining how to start fishing and how to choose the right fishing rod? Your clear explanations would really help new anglers like me.

[@FishingwithNat]

Done - check out my Beginner's Guide to Fishing Gear kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJnLc4OEir2Mn9U and Types of Lures and When to Use Them kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZLQo5edi8-jh80

[@jfudzguitar]

Me, my brother, and sister have recently gotten really into fishing and this series has been invaluable to us. Thank you so much!

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks - I'm glad to hear that! Good luck out there!

[@HiiiGHLIFE1]

Same! At 30 years old I m disappointed I try fishing sooner. So therapeutic

[@FishingwithNat]

@@HiiiGHLIFE1 It definitely is.

[@vasunandarapu1283]

I want to buy

[@FishingwithNat]

@@vasunandarapu1283 Buy one of the rods in the video?

[@gatordave6629]

Just started fishing a few months ago and have watched non stop videos and your channel is my favorite

[@FishingwithNat]

Thank you, I appreciate that

[@CapnDanTreasures]

Hey Nat, I just love all of my St Croix rods, I have 21 of them between my Musky Trolling and Casting rods to my Bass rods. I have Mojo, Premier, Triumph, (both Bass and Musky), Legend Tournament, Victory, Avid and Panfish series rods. They really are the "best rods on earth" in my opinion anyway. They can be a bit costly, however they make up for it in functionality. I caught a 4lb Smallie, and a 6lb Catfish on my 5'6" Light/Fast Panfish rod, it was bent over so far with both of those fish, I thought it was going to break!! It held up just fine though. It was amazing! Thanks for putting out quality informative videos. Keep up the good work, Tight Lines!!

[@FishingwithNat]

Cool, thanks for sharing. St Croix makes some damn fine rods.

[@CapnDanTreasures]

@@FishingwithNat That they do...

[@wcookiv]

I inherited a half-dozen St. Croix rods, all with reels, and I've decided to learn how to use them. Problem is that I'm so worried about breaking them that I only ever grab the heaviest ones.

[@CapnDanTreasures]

​@wcookiv They stand up pretty well, you should feel confident with any of them...

[@jacarieonbinns1214]

Thanks for all the tip for us to become better at fishing 🎣😁

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Wyattduck55]

New to fishing. Your videos are very helpful

[@FishingwithNat]

Wonderful - thanks for the comment and good luck fishing!

[@ryancarmody2168]

Best fishing channel I’ve seen so far

[@FishingwithNat]

Thank you - I appreciate it

[@dinojuice1017]

Nat, uour tips are so clearly explained and factual thank you 😃 you have earned another subscriber

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks - I'm glad you found the video helpful!

[@daveengstrom9250]

I have about 10 rods. Some real heavy because I do salt water. But I also have some real high-end rods for walleye jigging. I have learned that any rod stuck in a rod holder does not need to be sensitive, so one can go cheaper on those. I like to buy blanks and make my own. Its a real fun hobby.

[@FishingwithNat]

I would agree. A sensitive rod is much more important when the rod is being held in your hand. I haven't made any rods myself - that sounds fun.

[@basshunter7181]

I finally got my hands on a Poison Ultima. It is the most amazing rod I have ever owned. Super sensitive and lightweight.

[@FishingwithNat]

Cool - thanks for sharing.

[@lordofthecats9251]

you are so great at making content I dont know why you aren't more popular I love these videos!

[@FishingwithNat]

Thank you for the kind words - I appreciate it! More to come...

[@Quick-Silver206]

I've recently fallen in love with the Shakespeare Catch More Fish series. I got the catfish and bass one and my dad has surd one.

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for sharing - I'm not familiar with that line of rods.

[@bluefish537]

Excellent video. I like how thorough and direct each part is explained. I was looking at the ugly stik gx2 vs ugly stik gx2 elite. I'll check out the carbon one too now.

[@FishingwithNat]

I didn't like my old Ugly Stiks very much, but the carbons are fantastic and I like my heavy power Tiger Elite for big catfish. I also like my Fenwick HMG and St Croix rods, of course. They are more expensive but excellent.

[@jesusgastelum5035]

Awesome video I am new to fishing and this helps a lot, thank you .

[@FishingwithNat]

Great - thanks for the feedback.

[@eddiemolina7629]

thanks for the info, coming from a new fisherman in so cal might not mean much but this helped me alot.

[@FishingwithNat]

I'm glad to hear that and thanks for the taking the time to leave this note. Good luck fishing!

[@MM-vv8mt]

"...to determine which one is right for you." ONE? I too have about 30 rods in my quiver. But this is a very good, informative video.

[@FishingwithNat]

I hear you. I have exactly 30 rods myself.

[@cupse]

Would love to see this same kind of guide on reels

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for the feedback. That is on my list for a future video.

[@yangler9935]

Funny how this was uploaded just recently. I've been looking for a new spinning rod these past few days. Thanks!

[@FishingwithNat]

Perfect. Which one did you decide on?

[@yangler9935]

@@FishingwithNat I've decided to get a 6'9" Shimano Zodias Medium Power Fast Action rod!

[@FishingwithNat]

@@yangler9935 Sounds great. Good luck!

[@warrenkopp6465]

love the videos, i've shared them often with friends who are interested in getting started. Thank you!

[@FishingwithNat]

Awesome, thank you for sharing them with others who might find them helpful.

[@chezpower4]

Great video. I’m getting back into fishing and will taking my daughter along with me.

[@FishingwithNat]

That's awesome - good luck to you both!

[@marke.1021]

Wonderfully done video. Only thing I also tell people is price.. why buy an ok rod for $60 just to find out in a year you want to upgrade that rod to one that costs #120- hard part is will seldom use the $60 and now that $120 actually is $180 as learning to get to it cost you a bit more. $60 is fine but if can streech a bit more to get closer to a $90 do it. Hope didn't ramble to much but most good tackle shops would almost agree, get better stuff for long run.

[@FishingwithNat]

I agree. I started with a lot of $30-$50 combos but eventually upgraded to much nicer equipment as I became experienced enough to feel the difference. As I mentioned in the video, the Ugly Stik carbons are not my most expensive rods, but they are huge upgrades from my earlier, cheaper rods. They're the perfect balance between performance and cost as far as I'm concerned. I'll still enjoy using my St Croixs and HMGs for sure, but the carbons are hard to beat for the price. Thanks for the feedback - I appreciate it.

[@HOOKED-FISHING]

Thank you I was having trouble finding the right rod for me this was very helpful👍

[@FishingwithNat]

Wonderful. Thanks for the comment.

[@jake9705]

2:50 -- Supposedly you can rub a bit of candle wax on the male end of a two piece rod before putting it into the female end. I heard that this trick increases friction and helps the pieces stay together but I've never tried it.

[@FishingwithNat]

I've seen people put the end right into their ear like a Q-tip. It can help the rod come apart without getting stuck. I always rotate the 2 pieces against each other instead of just pulling, and that helps it come apart much more smoothly.

[@stevezytveld6585]

My Dad's trick, which I think he picked up from my Maternal Grandad was to smear the male tip against the ridge around your nostril. The explanation was the grease from the greasiest part of your face was enough to help suction the two parts of the rod together. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@FishingwithNat]

@@stevezytveld6585 My dad did the same thing. Just above the nostril!

[@stevezytveld6585]

@@FishingwithNat I could never figured out if it was for luck or if it actually works. I still do the nose oil.

[@FishingwithNat]

@@stevezytveld6585 Hey, if it makes you feel lucky, keep doing it!

[@bugboy17]

I loved it! It was so fast and simple at the end I sed ' wow that was actually amazing ' ! You are the best at what you do. :)

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks! 🙂

[@camerongreen754]

Exactly what I was searching for in a video, appreciate it!

[@FishingwithNat]

Great - thanks for taking the time to share this feedback.

[@defaultkoala2922]

My favorite rod it a short light to ultralight spincaster with a broken tip that I bought when I was 10. Its comfortable to use and catches most of the fish I am looking for without issue. Its not my best rod and its cheap but I love it anyways.

[@FishingwithNat]

Awesome. I have a cheap 5ft ultralight that I bring with me to catch bait sometimes. It works great!

[@cosmonit]

My favourite rod brand is konger have been loyal to it since i was 9 and currently have a extendaple fishing pole (line at the end of the pole) and a telescopic rod

[@FishingwithNat]

Cool. Thanks for sharing.

[@FiciousCritik]

Favorite rod: _LOOMIS NRX+ JWR 802C;_ paired with Conquest BFS. Weightless Senkos & Ricos.💎 A finesse junkie's dream.

[@FishingwithNat]

That's a pricey setup! I bet it feels great to use though.

[@FiciousCritik]

@@FishingwithNat A retirement gift to self.

[@uniepc8433]

I have been look for fishing rods for a while but don’t know what do get. I’ve thought of ugly stik carbons but they are a little bit out of my budget. I like fishing for bass, pike, catfish, and just most freshwater fish. What rod would you recommend? (Also I love your videos).

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks. I'd look for a rod and reel combo then and shoot for the $60-80 price range for a decent beginner combo. I wouldn't go much cheaper than that or the quality drops off quickly. The Pflueger President line is a good line of rods and reels and they are often sold as combos.

[@brittanihileman811]

Hi Nat! I wanna get a Carbon medium Ugly Stik for a kayak. Hoping for a “catch all” rod for the kayak. I saw in one of your other videos a model number USCBSP662M- is this the one to get?? I’m getting back into fishing as an adult. I did a lot of fishing when I was little, so relatively inexperienced.

[@FishingwithNat]

That model would be a medium-power carbon rod. The model number means Ugly Stik (US) carbon (CB) spinning (SP) 6-foot-6-inch (66) 2-piece (2) medium-power (M). I would definitely recommend a medium or medium-light and the Carbons are great. The cheapest place I've found them is on Amazon and they have a lot of different sizes available. The stores near me all tend to carry just one or two sizes. Here's a link to the carbons on Amazon. amzn.to/3VD0XS0

[@PEACEBRINGER8959]

I discovered all this after buying 5 different rods over the last year, atleast I have a rod for different things now😊 😊😊😊

[@FishingwithNat]

Having multiple rods is actually really nice if you are getting serious about fishing.

[@nasriyahiya]

What is ideal length and kinds of Rod for type of fishing big or small Fish in bout or beach?

[@FishingwithNat]

That's a big question! Rod power is sized accordin to the size of fish you're targeting, so ideally, you would want several rods (light, medium, and heavy) to effectively target a variety of species and sizes. Beach fishing is usually done with very long rods that can give you a lot of propulsion to throw your bait/lure really far out into the surf. For inland fishing from shore or boat, I prefer rods in the 6.5ft (2m) to 7.5ft (2.3m) range.

[@goldenfew8259]

I’m barely getting into fishing like brand new to it what are some recommendations? Anything fishing tips help

[@FishingwithNat]

Check out my "Beginner's Guide to Fishing" video kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJnLc4OEir2Mn9U . I'd also recommend looking at my "Learn How to Fish" playlist for all kinds of beginner videos to help you get started and save you from making lots of beginner mistakes. kzbin.info/aero/PLcXAWxBLRzoLwZtDQEhuaHby0yQM_wHhU

[@kevinerbs2778]

1:36 Man so many people see my 10' & 11' Rockaway SP surf rod here, I'm using it on Lake Erie for walleye. They always see the lbs of the rod & think oh that's a heavy rod, cause it's 10 to 20lbs. Except the power rating is "medium+" & the action of these rods is rated "moderate-fast".

[@FishingwithNat]

It probably just looks heavy because of how long it is (and maybe the base is pretty thick too). I bet it launches your bait a mile from shore though!

[@yangler9935]

Could you make a video going over different types of jigs? Flipping jigs, football jigs, etc

[@FishingwithNat]

I'm working on several others right now but I'd like to do one on jigs in the future too.

[@davidwilliams1805]

Nice video! Appreciate you sharing some great information. Enjoyed the video! Keep up the good work my friend. And as always, #FishingwithNat rocks!!!

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks!

[@Jessie-w9o]

Can you use heavier braid line on a rod then what is recommended on the description on the rod?😊

[@FishingwithNat]

Yes, but if you go too heavy, the weakest link in your setup may be your rod. In that case, you'll want to keep the drag set appropriately to the strength of your rod, not necessarily the strength of the line.

[@Jessie-w9o]

@@FishingwithNat what I do is make the 4ft leader the weakest link .under a heavy swivel and bead and egg sinker similar to a Carolina rig in ocean shoreline. Thanks for your opinion🙂🙂🙂 knowledge is cool.

[@FishingwithNat]

@@Jessie-w9o That works. Better to break a leader than a rod.

[@MrNarutoFanboy246]

0:54 I've read in a few places that "action" refers really to the comparative speed at which a bent rod will return to a neutral position and is approximated by the taper. Could you please comment on that? It sounds a little suspect to me mainly because it wouldn't really have relevance outside of casting the bait and hook out. On the other hand, if it didn't mean anything else, then power and action would be redundant terms and heavier rods would have faster action and lighter rods would have slower action. Great videos as always! Wish more people would see that as well.

[@FishingwithNat]

I don't think that makes sense in terms of rate of speed because that would just depend on how stiff the rod blank is. A stiffer blank would return to a straight position faster because there is more tension trying to pull it back to straight. I think the "speed" you read about just refers to how much of the rod has to return to a straight position. A fast action would only have a small amount of rod that has to return to straight, and a moderate action would have a lot more rod that needs to return to a straight position.

[@MrNarutoFanboy246]

@@FishingwithNat I see, thank you.

[@MontyCraig-y5s]

Just picked up a 2pc Okuma ultralight. Hoping it works out ok for Crappie fishing.

[@FishingwithNat]

That should work great. If you're after really big crappies (12" or more), you might want to move up to a light or medium-light.

[@Christophersanchez1326]

How abouts a videos that explains what reels too marry what rods.?! 🤓

[@FishingwithNat]

For most people, this can be pretty straightforward - spinning rods with spinning reels, casting rods with casting reels. The size of reel and weight of rod should be appropriate for the weight of line and lure you're using. For really serious anglers (with a really serious budget), it can get much more complicated with matching certain gear ratios with certain rods for specific applications like cold-water crankbait fishing (slow gear ratio to help with very slow retrieves) or topwater frog fishing (fast gear ratio to help with hauling a fish out of heavy cover). It's really about personal preference and how much you want to spend on gear. You can use one rod/reel to go bottom fishing for catfish and then use it to catch bluegills with a bobber and a crankbait for bass. Or you can have a specific rod and reel for each technique that is optimized for that type of fishing. It can give you a slight advantage so you see a lot of big-money tournament anglers doing this (and remember that their sponsors are likely providing all of those rods and reels for free)

[@sickens1799]

Could you make a video on bait casters, if you have one haven’t found it yet, great videos from IN

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for the feedback. I haven't made a video specific to baitcasters yet.

[@mynamedoesntsayanything4318]

Thanks for posting

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for watching!

[@huckkim4411]

Excellent .

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks.

[@camranm.6319]

Does Nat ever miss? Every video is a banger

[@FishingwithNat]

Thank you

[@Whatnonsenser]

Hi nathan can you please do a video on how to interpret reel specs for the different kinds?

[@FishingwithNat]

Are you wondering about a certain spec in particular? I made a video about the different common types of reels that may answer your questions kzbin.info/www/bejne/eWimiHyvrL6grs0

[@Whatnonsenser]

@@FishingwithNat oh wow I honestly didn’t think that you would reply. Yes I say that video. Excellent and informative but I was wondering if you could explain a specs ona reel like bearings, gear ratio, weight and many other specs we need to consider when making a purchase decision. Yes there are others who covered this on YT but nobody explains it so well like you do. So easy to understand with no fluff. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish u the best to ur lovely family

[@FishingwithNat]

@@Whatnonsenser OK, thanks for the clarification. I will make a note of this request and I'll plan to work it into a future video, maybe this fall/winter. I'm working on several others right now.

[@Words-of-encouragement.-.]

What a great video! I have a question. I want to be able to fish the lakes close to home and catch Catfish, freshwater Redfish, Crappie, Bass, and Bluegill, but I also want to be able to go down to the coast and catch saltwater Reds, Black Drum, and other larger ocean fish. Should I buy two separate rods and reels for this, or is it possible to do it all with one?

[@FishingwithNat]

I would suggest two combos. A Medium-light for bluegill/crappie/bass, and a medium-heavy for the bigger fish and for bass in heavier cover.

[@Words-of-encouragement.-.]

@@FishingwithNat Ok great! Thank you for taking to time to answer.

[@ataurrahman2760]

Hey Nat, I am looking for Rod and Spinning Reel for Catfish and Carp; 20 lb max is good enough for me; could you suggest a matching Rod - Reel for me? Would one combo would handle both species in a reasonable manner or need separate combo? I am a fan of Ugly Stick rod.

[@FishingwithNat]

My favorite combo that is reasonably priced is a medium-heavy Ugly Stik Carbon with a Diawa Regal LT 2500 and 20lb braid. It's perfect for carp and channel cats. Links to the parts: Rod amzn.to/3VD0XS0 Reel alnk.to/3U0QgAN Braided line alnk.to/8EJm9AE

[@kamarte]

Nice, short introductory video.

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@sirkraken5140]

My neighbor has like 150+ rods! im not kidding, He was kind enough to give me a couple when i started fishing. So a lot of rods are not a lot lol

[@1989JARR]

It's funny I was going to ask opinion on ugly sticks and that got answered lol. I bought mine so I wouldn't worry about snapping a rod and its been worth it I just now wonder on if it's stiff enough for good hook sets and sensitive enough when I do to detect

[@FishingwithNat]

Whether it's stiff enough to get a good hookset depends on how stout your hooks are and how bony the fish's mouth is. With the majority of lures and fish species, even a medium-light is plenty strong for a good hookset. The big difference comes when you're throwing a bass jig, spinnerbait, big catfish circle hook, or other large hooks. Then you need more power.

[@alexandersantana381]

I just got one of my dad’s old rods but it does not say what action it is. Only that code. It’s a shimano 6’6, medium heavy.

[@FishingwithNat]

What is the code that it has on it?

[@alexandersantana381]

@@FishingwithNat the shimano is JHC66MH

[@FishingwithNat]

@@alexandersantana381 Hmm. I have a couple of old rods that don't have the action rating on them either. You might be out of luck. You could tie your line to something heavy and pull back to see where the rod bends and guess at the action rating. That might be the best you can do with this rod.

[@Tie_Rod_End]

Can you make a video on how to fish without a bobber for the first time?

[@FishingwithNat]

Using a lure or a worm? Or something else?

[@Tie_Rod_End]

Using a lure, I grew up learning to fish with a bobber and I’m see a lot of people using no bobber

[@FishingwithNat]

@@Tie_Rod_End Using a bobber and a worm is how most people get started in fishing. I just filmed a video on worm fishing with and without a bobber. I'll be putting that together over the next couple of weeks.

[@JestKnight]

Hey Nat, I just saw a 20ft+ long rod in Walmart and i was curious as to why or when someone might want this?

[@FishingwithNat]

If it was a skinny rod or cane pole, that was probably meant for bluegill and crappie fishing where you can just tie a short section of line to the end with a jig or a hook and worm, and hang it right where the fish are. If it was a thick rod, it could have been a surf fishing rod, but they usually aren't quite that long (9-12ft is more typical for the surf).

[@JestKnight]

@@FishingwithNat First off, thank you for responding! Second, it was a thick rod that was no joke 20ft long (it went all the way to the roof of wallmart); it had eyes and everything. I live in rural southwest VA so it definitely isn't used for the ocean I don't believe but heck anything is possible haha

[@MoeKnight21]

I love ugly stick it’s my go to rod for catching big game fish.

[@FishingwithNat]

I didn't like the old ones too much but I really like some of the new ones - the Carbon line especially.

[@olakrzysztof7060]

Great video as always! I've got a question. I want to try drop shot and ned rig fishing for perch (preferably medium and large sized) and zander (bigger cousin of walleye), so i ordered two Savage gear rods. Both are SG4 "drop shot specialist", they've got very sensitive front sections and both are fast action rods. Blanks differ only on power and casting weight, first is light with CW of 5-18g and its 7'8" (2.34 m). Second rod is medium power CW of 8-28g and the length is 8' (2.43m). I want to return one of the rods because they are so similar, but I've got a problem with choosing one. I've planned to mostly fish in my local smaller sized rivers (10 to 3 feet deep and 33 to 9 feet wide) and lakes. Zander is more prevalent in bigger rivers here so if I want to increase probability to catch it I would need to make a trip to the closest big river (35 miles away). I've always really wanted to try drop shot and ned rig was afterthought after watching SG videos about perch fishing with it. I really liked the idea and after few conversations with my fiancée I ordered second rod to compare irl. In my mind heavier power rod with bigger drop shot or ned rig weights will do better in faster current, but lighter one will be more sensitive. Medium rod can also help with zanders and occasional pike. I don't know in which direction should i go, light power rod with lighter line and sinkers for more fineness (with ned rig mostly in mind), or medium with bigger weights and stronger line for fishing in deeper water with faster current. Should I stick with lighter rod for better feel of the lure and maybe purchase heavier rod in the future specifically aimed for zander bottom fishing techniques in the bigger rivers? Is a medium power rod with that CW even suitable for ned rig? If you could help me choose better rod for ned rig and drop shot I would be very thankful.

[@FishingwithNat]

To be honest, my choice would be to keep them both since you are describing pretty different fishing conditions. The light power rod will be best for perch or in smaller streams. If you are fishing in strong current or for heavier fish like zander and pike, a medium will suit you well, and the light power rod would likely be underpowered. With that said, I wrestled a 54 inch (137cm) lake sturgeon on a medium-light rod last month with 6-pound braided line and a 1/4oz (7g) jig, from my kayak.

[@CapnDanTreasures]

@@FishingwithNat Holy smokes!!! did it take you for a ride down stream? That must have been a great fight! Sturgeon don't like to come up from the bottom... Did you check on the record for tackle used on a fish that size? Tight Lines!!

[@FishingwithNat]

@@CapnDanTreasures It was in flowing water, so I ended up quite a ways downstream from where I started. The fish pulled me around in all directions. You're right that they don't like to come up from the bottom, although they do surface and even jump in this area, which is really something to see. I haven't checked on any line-class records - I should look into that!

[@CapnDanTreasures]

@@FishingwithNat That must have been fun and frightening at the same time... Well, you never know, it just might be a record... We have some big Sturgeon here as well in the Detroit and St Clair rivers, they both run pretty deep because of the Freighter traffic..

[@lucasgrossi1894]

I have a Okuma Cerros CER-S-563ML, which specifies the following: - 1.68m - Medium light - Nylon 6-14lb - Lure 1/4oz (7g) - 3/4oz (20g) Does this mean that I HAVE to use lines with strenghts between 6 and 14 lbs, otherwise I would be "straining " the rod? For example, if a 20lb line is being used with a 6-14lb rod, the rod would break but the line wouldn't? Thank you very much for all the help you've given until now. Cheers from Brasil!

[@FishingwithNat]

You don't have to stay below 14lb line, but it will increase the chance of breaking the rod if you have heavier line than that. BUT - if you don't allow the rod to bend to its breaking point, it doesn't matter how heavy your line is. You'll see a lot of people lifting heavy fish into their boat with their rods, which can be done with heavy-power rods, but I'd be careful about doing that with lighter rods. It's a good way to break a rod.

[@lucasgrossi1894]

@@FishingwithNat Thank you very much for the answer Nat! This last sunday was my 3rd day gone fishing and I finally managed to catch some (small) fish!!! Cheers from Brasil!!! 🎣

[@FishingwithNat]

@@lucasgrossi1894 Awesome. Best of luck to you!

[@stevezytveld6585]

Thank you, this was wonderful. I use my Northern Ontario's Granddad's fiberglass fishing rod that dates from the late 50's. I actually prefer it to the modern carbon ones for casting. Then again, I use a Mitchell 300 for my reel - guess I'm in the vintage end of the fishing game... Do you have any recommendations for line weight for a fiberglass rod? Mine was unfortunately manufactured without a recommendation for a weight-range on the line. - Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for the comment. Does the rod have a power rating on it?

[@stevezytveld6585]

@@FishingwithNat No, unfortunately it seems to be early enough for power ratings not being listed on the rod. All it says is "AL&W Power Fiber - Greenfell Model Number P4970. Tubular Glass - Spinning"

[@stevezytveld6585]

I think that means that this is a lighter-weight rod. But I have pictures of my Grandad and some pretty big fish (about the size of a canoe paddle head).

[@FishingwithNat]

@@stevezytveld6585 If it's a pretty flexible rod, I'd say go with 6-8lb monofilament or 10-15lb braid. If it's a stiff rod like a medium-heavy or heavy would feel, go higher like 10-12lb monofilament or 20-30lb braid. The line weight also depends on what you want to catch with it though. No need to use 30lb braid if you're just looking to catch a few walleyes and panfish.

[@stevezytveld6585]

@@FishingwithNat Thank you So, so much for this. I'm about to go have some line wound on the old reels and I've been looking for what kind of weight I need to be considering. I'm fishing two of the local rivers that run through the city - the Ottawa and the Rideau. The fish range from panfish to musky. There's no real guarantee of who'll be stopping by for dinner. According to my Dad I almost caught a musky when I was ten - the fish won that one when the line snapped. But I also don't want to snap the rod with too heavy weight a line...

[@carneythegamer]

ive been using 6ft rod, but i am deciding to switch to 7ft for longer casting? is it worth the switch if i am always freshwater lake shore fishing?

[@FishingwithNat]

A 7ft rod of the same weight will give you a longer casting distance. If you fish primarily from shore, the extra casting distance can be a big advantage.

[@Cotex-t8q]

Can you make a topwater lures ? That will be great😀

[@FishingwithNat]

I haven't made one on topwater lures in general, but I have a video on topwater frog lures and how to use them effectively kzbin.info/www/bejne/mau3paSvebB3maM . I also just posted a video on the water where you can see how I'm using frogs and how I'm finding the bass. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pH27i2Cliq2geac

[@mrceooohiforget4810]

You should try iron man the throne baitcaster rod pe8 its a very good heavy setup rod able to use in salt n fresh

[@erickescueta]

Is it ok to spool higher line exceeding the rod line specs

[@FishingwithNat]

It is ok to do that, just be aware that at some point, your line will overpower your rod and it could cause the rod to break. Ideally, you want your line to be weaker than your rod and reel so if something breaks, it's just the line.

[@Turtle_Man-bt9nk]

What type rod should I use fishing from the bank on a lake?

[@FishingwithNat]

If you are just getting started with fishing, I always recommend a medium-light power or medium power spinning rod, but the proper setup will depend on the type of fish you're targeting and the habitat. I made a Beginner's Guide to Fishing Gear video that gets into this more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJnLc4OEir2Mn9U

[@05_caoquangbach21]

Hi, i am totally new to this hobby and consider buying my first fishing gear. I usually do salt water fishing. Can you recommend me some combo that is around $100 to $200 that i can cast and bait. I am interested in shimano sienna 4000 reel. Is it a good reel?

[@FishingwithNat]

I think the Pflueger President combo is one of the best a beginner can buy. It's usually under $100. If you're fishing open saltwater or beach fishing, you'd probably want a longer rod though. I'd recommend picking a rod that is the appropriate length for what you need (depending on where you will fish and species targeted), and then pick up a Pflueger President reel or a Diawa Regal LT. Those are both inexpensive reels that perform very well for the price. Keep in mind that higher-priced reels tend to be sealed against the elements and can keep saltwater out of critical components of the reel, making it last much longer.

[@05_caoquangbach21]

@@FishingwithNat Thanks

[@FishingwithNat]

@@05_caoquangbach21 Happy to help. Good luck!

[@pgsibilo]

Thanks alot 👍🏻

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad you liked it - thanks for the comment.

[@TranslucentJuice]

I just got a Sensilite by Shimano and i would recommend that to anyone for fun fishing :D

[@FishingwithNat]

Cool, thanks for sharing

[@Nonce746]

Do you have any recommendations for a first timer that's good but not really expensive? Going with friends to a small lake in Illinois

[@FishingwithNat]

@@Nonce746 Plan on spending $50-$100 on a decent rod. You can certainly spend a ton more than that, but 50-100 bucks will get you a good one. I really like the Ugly Stik Carbons, which are generally about $80 for any size or power.

[@muneerkm1903]

Could you please suggest me a shore fishing rode . I want long cast . Currently my Shimano rode is heavy a i got both shoulder pain .

[@FishingwithNat]

You'll get a longer cast with a longer rod and lighter line. What are you fishing for and what types of baits/lures will you be using?

[@LewyAstroPhotography]

My favorite rod is the ugly stik g2x

[@FishingwithNat]

GX2s are nice rods and pretty inexpensive. I have a couple. I think the Ugly Stik carbons are quite a bit nicer though for a slight increase in price.

[@mikelabelle420]

Thanks good info

[@FishingwithNat]

I'm glad it was useful to you. Thanks for the feedback!

[@kevinle5962]

which rod and reel could you recomended please ? I am beginner for pier crabbing and I am looking for heavy rod and power reel to handle snare and crabs weight . Thanks

[@FishingwithNat]

I haven't done any pier crabbing so I can't offer much advice for that - sorry!

[@borrero-md1196]

Hey, what about telescopic rods?

[@FishingwithNat]

Telescopic rods are neat. I just didn't specifically show one in this video. They come in all different weights and lengths and are great for sticking in a backpack, keeping in your car all the time for that random fishing opportunity, or shoving into a small kayak.

[@ryancrandall4543]

Fenwick!

[@FishingwithNat]

I do love my Fenwick HMG

[@bosinnpashalka]

Никто не объясняет это так ясно и эффективно, как Нат

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks 🙂

[@goop2861]

Looking to get two rods, one 50-75$ and one 100-125$. Any suggestions. I mainly fish saltwater and I want to be able to fish with bait and lures. Want to be able to hold atleast 20-80lb braid.

[@FishingwithNat]

Honestly, there are a ton of good rods out there. I have 31 fishing rods and considering weight, performance, and price, the Ugly Stik Carbon rods are my favorites. They're about $80 each. The 7' MH carbon is what I use with 30lb braid - I have that model in a casting rod and a spinning rod. I don't have any affiliation with Ugly Stik. I just really like their Carbon rods. I don't do any saltwater fishing so I can't recommend a good one for your 80lb setup.

[@goop2861]

@@FishingwithNat alright I’ll check out that rod and see if it’ll work out for me. I mainly just want to have 80lb on a rod just incase it’s a big fish but I doubt I’ll ever need that much. I think the max lb line I need for now is 30lb to 50lbs maybe. Thinking of getting a Nasci, Sedona, or some kind of daiwa reel. I’ve heard Penns are pretty reliable though so might look into them.

[@goop2861]

@@FishingwithNat also whenever a rod says the lure weight is 1 and a half ounce for example. Does that mean that’s the max weight I can use for a sinker as well?

[@FishingwithNat]

@@goop2861 Yes, it's the rating for your entire rig, whether that's a single lure or a hook/swivel/sinker/bait combo. You can safely exceed that rating by a bit, but it's the rod manufacturer's way of saying "don't blame us if you exceed this weight and something bad happens".

[@goop2861]

@@FishingwithNat ohh okay I got it now. Thanks for taking the time to help me out and being thorough with your explanations. Have a good day/night.

[@DawnBailey-cr8jp]

Ty for the video i have 2 questions i have one medium light rod that doesn't say the action on the side of the rod what do i do? Question 2 my other rod doesn't say anything on the side of the rod😮 help what do i do if u have any tioplease let me know

[@FishingwithNat]

Good question. For the medium-light rod, you can estimate the rod action if you run your line through all of the guides, and about 10 feet extra, then tie it to something heavy that you won't be able to move with the rod. Point the rod up and start walking backward, and see how much of the rod bends without much effort. With a fast -action rod, you can expect about 1/4 of the rod to bend fairly easily, and then the rest will take a lot more force to bend. A moderate action will bend pretty easily 1/2-way down the rod or more. Fast and moderate are the most common rod actions, so it's probably one of those. For the unknown rod, you could get some idea of the rod power by the length of the rod butt - the section at the very bottom, below the reel seat. Generally, the longer the rod butt is, the higher the rod power is. This section is used to put under your arm or into your belly to provide leverage against a hard-pulling fish. A typical medium-power rod will have a butt that is 8-11" long, but this does vary depending on manufacturer. Longer than 11" is probably a medium-heavy or heavy, and shorter than 8" is probably a medium-light or lighter. Also try comparing it to your known medium-light - is the other rod thicker, thinner, or the same thickness just above the reel?

[@DawnBailey-cr8jp]

Tysm your videos are very helpful and I'm ready to take bigger steps in fishing

[@FishingwithNat]

@@DawnBailey-cr8jp Wonderful - thank you for the feedback

[@Deception96]

Is there a big difference between a heavy and medium heavy rod?

[@FishingwithNat]

That depends on the manufacturer. But usually, yes. A heavy will be very stiff and strong, and be rated for much heavier lures.

[@Deception96]

@@FishingwithNat ok I currently have the ugly stik gx2 combo. But I ordered the medium Heavy baitcaster elite combo. Is there a big difference between the two?

[@FishingwithNat]

@@Deception96 What weight is your GX2 combo? Is that one a heavy power?

[@FishingwithNat]

It looks like the GX2 heavy 6'6" rod is rated for the same lure weight as the Elite medium-heavy (1/2 to 1 1/2 oz), but the recommended line weight is 10-20lbs on the Elite MH vs 20-50 on the Heavy GX2.

[@Deception96]

@@FishingwithNat no medium

[@BB-fj5ye]

Thank you

[@FishingwithNat]

Glad you liked it. Thanks for the comment.

[@iuploadforfun9587]

Dobyn fury series, powerful and fragile

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for sharing

[@SimonRoss-tc7ig]

Nice Video

[@FishingwithNat]

Great - thanks!

[@sergeipepper7213]

Mine was the pin battle four

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for the comment

[@brettellis1837]

Easy 8 to 15 7ft one piece. Had Abu for 10years best fish 1.4m barra gp custom 8 foot one piece again xx6 raider 5 to 10kg had it 14 years best fish reef 19kg red and 33 kg cobia on reef jig can also use it for estuary anything bait or soft plastics that's sublayer 30 ton hd graphite for ya both rods do go over limit kill a fish in seconds.And the parabolic are of the chart that's the key.

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for the feedback

[@brettellis1837]

@@FishingwithNat all good for me Abu custom miss the middle man and ya get what ya want for lure bait world.

[@brettellis1837]

And at a top price after sale service is spot on rod replaced asap every time if it fails.

[@brettellis1837]

@@FishingwithNat all good mate top stuff.

[@FishingwithNat]

@@brettellis1837 Cool

[@mr.random8447]

I thought rod power had to do with lure weight

[@FishingwithNat]

Yes. A heavier rod power will increase the weight of lures that it can throw. Rod action is different than rod power.

[@SystumPhad-kf2yx]

Heey am from india i dont know anything about fishing rods, i have done fishing many times but from a bamboo stick, fishing lines and hooks attached to it, from a long time a i was thinking to buy a fishing rod, can you please help me to get a fishing rod for my needs, i actually want a rod that can catch any fish from 500 grams to 10-20 kg, plz suggest me a good fishing rod that i can buy. Thank you

[@FishingwithNat]

That's a big range in the size of fish, but if you can only have one rod to do all of that, I'd suggest a medium power rod with a fast action. The brand is not that important. Any type of medium-fast rod will do the trick. It will be challenging to find a one reel and one type of line that will be light enough to catch a 500g fish but strong enough to handle a 20kg fish. I would definitely consider getting at least two rods so you can have one setup for smaller fish and one for larger fish.

[@ovaiskhan4671]

​@@FishingwithNat thank you so much..

[@jake9705]

3:48 -- I agree that Ugly Stik rods are excellent rods for the money, however Ugly Stik rod & reel combos are a terrible value. The little Shakespeare spinning reels that come on those Ugly Stik GX2 rod/reel combos are garbage and should be avoided entirely or replaced immediately.

[@FishingwithNat]

I feel the same way. I would much rather buy the rod on its own and pair it with a good reel instead of having a crappy reel on such a nice rod. I'm not sure why they chose those reels.

[@wwfchriswwf]

I have had success on tha combo to point I bought one more for a total of 2. Whats wrong with it in your opinion. Curious. Asking genuinely.

[@johngarnett8293]

Go pack go!

[@FishingwithNat]

Woo woo

[@Footballboys2]

I have i 12ft 3.75

[@FishingwithNat]

For surf fishing?

[@i1bike]

every broken rod can be fixed, no need to waste money for new one. I have rod that broke in 6 sections, still lives and still catches

[@FishingwithNat]

I like to turn broken light/ultralight rods into ice fishing rods. They work perfectly as long as you have at least 20" of the top section intact.

[@i1bike]

@@FishingwithNat Yea i watched that video, its a great idea. Unfortunately, closest ice fishing is around 3000 km from me haha. Im from south europe XD. But if i have to guess, you have to use blanks that are very parabolic , i dont know how would you fish with stiff blank on a light spin rod. It would snap on a 5kg fish, maybe even on 3kg fish

[@FishingwithNat]

@@i1bike I'm using those homemade ice rods for bluegills, crappies, and yellow perch. Even a 1kg fish would be a giant.

[@i1bike]

@@FishingwithNat Btw. regarding crappies, ive had pleasure to watch how garmin livescope shows things, especially in squid fishing. Some people also commented that it is revolutionary for crappie fishing, cuz it was officially thought that they are bottom species, WHILE people started to find them above the middle of water. Mind that i dont know that fish and i never fished in water

[@FishingwithNat]

@@i1bike Crappies do like deep water, but they very often suspend in open water or near structure.

[@Wordupdoe]

After watching this I went out and grabbed a carbon lol

[@FishingwithNat]

I love them. There's a reason I have 8 of them.

[@Wordupdoe]

@@FishingwithNat so far I really like it ! really appreciate the recommendation:) I’ve been using the Penn fierce rod and the diawa bg rod and I’d say the ugly stik carbon is a definite upgrade IMO.

[@FishingwithNat]

@@Wordupdoe Cool. Good to hear that you're enjoying it.

[@Wordupdoe]

@@FishingwithNathey Nat update just bought my second ugly stik carbon today haha thx again for the video I always look forward to watching them!

[@FishingwithNat]

@@Wordupdoe Did you get another of the same power or a different one?

[@jeffhinkle736]

I’ll explain what United is doing. I flew from Charleston to Ohare on August 4 2023. I was charged 35 for my pole case. On my return flight on August 13 2023 they charged me 235!!!!!!!! W T F?

[@FishingwithNat]

Yikes. That sounds outrageous.

[@blackhills7626]

Ugly stik 🔥💪🏾

[@FishingwithNat]

I really like the Ugly Stik Carbons. I didn't care for my old Ugly Stiks from 20+ years ago, but the carbons are really nice.

[@Gus.Dawsonn]

How to get pinned …Read more

[@FishingwithNat]

Thanks for watching.

[@lordfyita2096]

Nothing but bs to waste money on.

[@FishingwithNat]

What is nothing but bs?

[@chrome7893]

Best budget spinning reel, best budget casting combo?

[@FishingwithNat]

I'd say a Pflueger President spinning combo (medium power rod, size 30 reel) is hard to beat. I think the combos go for about $75-80. The Pflueger Trion is a bit heavier but also cheaper at under $70 for the combo. As far as a budget casting combo, casting gear is generally more expensive and you're looking at probably $120 minimum for a decent combo. My first casting rod was a Fenwick Eagle medium-heavy paired with a Diawa Tatula CT and I still use that one all the time.

[@Cornelius798]

@chrome7893 I have a Shimano Nexave, 2500 $50.00. Paired it up with a St. Croix 6' 6" medium power, fast action Triumph around $100.00. Perfect for bank fishing.