Rods

Your guide to choosing the right fishing rod

Whether you're a seasoned angler or just dipping your toes into the world of fishing, understanding the difference between each type of rod can make all the difference. Choosing the right fishing rod can be overwhelming with so many options available. Here's a guide to help you find the perfect rod for your next adventure.

Baitcaster Rods

Baitcaster rods are designed for precision and control, so they’re generally more popular with experienced anglers. They pair with baitcasting reels and spincast reels, allowing for more accurate casts. Baitcaster rods are generally short, [1.7-1.8m] to make single-handed casting easier. They suit low-profile and round body baitcast reels and spincast reels. Baitcaster rods are known for accuracy and control while fighting fish, ideal for canoes, kayaks, boat and shore fishing where close-range, accurate casts are required. Baitcast rods are perfectly suited to Australian bass, Murray cod, Yellowbelly and for stream or lake fishing around snags and structure where accuracy and precision positioning of your lures is important. In recent years, we’ve seen longer rods come on to the market as anglers crave longer castings distance. This has occurred from light finesse baitcasting rods for bream and bass fisherman, right through to extra heavy swimbait style rods that often measure up past 2.4 metres, designed for land-based Mulloway, Kingfish or Tuna fisherman.

Beach/Rock Rods

As the name suggests, beach/rock rods (sometimes called surf fishing rods) are long, heavy-duty rods designed for casting long distances from shorelines, beaches or rocks. Beach and rock fishing rods can handle heavy sinkers and baits, making them suitable for catching larger saltwater species. Their length helps you cast beyond breaking waves and achieve greater depth. Beach and rock rods are usually available to suit spinning reels, but in some specialised cases, such as high-speed spinning or live-baiting, are designed to take an overhead reel where greater line capacity, long casting and greater winching power is required. Ask our staff or reference the type of rod you require, depending on your reel choice. Spinning reels and beach/rock rods are generally the preferred style as they are easy to use, will cover most of the needs of location and species sought and conveniently are built in 2 (or more) sections for ease of transport.

Electric Fishing Rods

Electric fishing rods are a modern innovation designed to assist in deep-sea fishing, especially when targeting species that dwell at great depths. These rods have been developed to be paired with electric reels that assist in winding the line. This helps reduce the manual effort required during deep-water fishing. They are particularly useful for commercial fishing operations or anglers with physical limitations, or who quite simply want to bring in their prized catch before the taxman (aka sharks) claim it themselves.

Jigging Rods

Jigging rods are short, heavy-duty rods designed for jigging techniques, where the lure is rapidly moved up and down in the water to mimic an injured baitfish. These rods are typically used in medium to deep water, and the modern technical design reduces effort on the angler but maintains excellent lure action and fish-fighting control once you are hooked up. Today’s jigging rods feature fast taper actions and are specifically designed to suit a spin or an overhead jigging reel. Make sure you select the correct rod style to suit your preferred reel type.

Overhead Rods

Overhead rods are designed to be used specifically with overhead reels, which are mounted on top of the rod. These rods are versatile and can be used for a range of fishing styles, including trolling, bottom fishing, jigging and live bait fishing. They are characterised by their strength and durability, capable of handling large fish and heavy lines.

Sabiki Rods

Sabiki rods are specialised rods designed for fishing with a Sabiki rig, a type of multi-hook jigging rig used to catch baitfish such as yakkas and slimy mackerel. These rods are thin and flexible, allowing for the delicate presentation of the Sabiki rig. A unique feature of Sabiki rods is their ability to house the entire Sabiki rig inside the rod, minimising tangles, accidental body hooking and making storage easier. A serious game changer for anglers who commonly prefer baitfish as their primary bait for Kingfish, Tuna and Marlin, etc.

Spinning Rods

Spinning rods are by far the most popular and versatile fishing rods, suitable for anglers of all experience levels. They are designed to be used with spinning reels, which are mounted under the rod for ease of use. Spinning fishing rods are ideal for casting light, medium and heavy lures and can be used in both freshwater and saltwater environments. Their versatility and ease of use make them a go-to choice for many anglers. Spinning rods come in a vast array of lengths, line classes, lure weight range and either 1 or 2-piece actions. Your choice should be dictated by the style of fishing you think you will do most. Our staff are here to assist in selecting the correct balance of rod to reel, and line will make your fishing experience more enjoyable. DO NOT try to compromise on a “one rod for all” as this will inhibit most of the fishing you will do.

Travel Fishing Rods

Our range of travel fishing rods is designed for portability and convenience, easily breaking down into shorter sections or folding for compact storage. They cater to anglers who are fishing on the go while hiking, camping or travelling. Despite their collapsible design, modern travel rods maintain their strength and performance, offering a great alternative for those seeking adventure without the extra bulk. Finding a rod that feels right and suits your style can turn a good fishing trip into an incredible one. Whether you're casting from the rugged coastline, jigging in deep waters, or travelling to a remote fishing spot, there's a perfect rod out there for your fishing style. Browse our range of fishing rods for sale and get fast delivery Australia-wide with Hot Tackle.

FAQs about our fishing rods for sale

Do you offer buy now, pay later options?

Yes, we do! You can pay off your new rods, reels and outdoor fishing equipment in four easy instalments with Afterpay and also Zip Pay..

I'm not sure whether a certain rod is suitable for me.

It can be a bit daunting if you're new to fishing, especially given how many different models of rods there are in the Australian market. We're more than happy to help you with any questions you may have on product suitability, so if you have questions, feel free to message us on our social media channels, like Facebook or Instagram or simply call the stores during business hours, and we'll be more than happy to help in any way we can. It's much better for all of us to make sure that you're getting the right rod for the fishing you want to be doing, and one that matches the budget you have in mind, also. For store contact, call us during business hours at (02) 4072 0030 (Morisset) or (02) 4959 5276 (Warners Bay). We’re here to help!

How do I care for my rod to ensure it lasts a long time?

Fishing rods are made from varying materials, from heavy-duty fibreglass (common in old school bait fishing rods) right through to super-sensitive lightweight carbon graphite material, which is prevalent in most lure casting models on the market today. Fishing rods are designed to load right through the full extent of the rod - importantly, including the middle and butt section. It's important to note that you should never focus the full load zone onto the upper section of a fishing rod, where the rod blank is the thinnest. The term high-stick is where too much load is placed towards the top of the rod - usually happening when anglers try to lift a fish into a boat, jetty or bank, or try to bend a rod too much whilst snagged in a close proximity to the angler. Often, the result of this is a broken rod, which will ruin a day on the water and, unfortunately, is not covered under warranty. Best practice is to try to avoid lifting the rod beyond 45 degrees to the horizon when loaded up. This ensures the weight is distributed across the entire rod.

Shop our range of fishing rods Australia-wide and take your fishing trips to the next level

At Hot Tackle, we go the extra mile to match you with top-quality fishing rods for your next offshore adventure. We stock a massive range of fishing gear, reels, rods and apparel to suit all types of fishing. Get your next fishing rod online with Hot Tackle — order now! Order online or visit our fishing stores in Morisset or Warners Bay