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Fishing with artificial lures is one of the most popular activities among lovers of recreation on the pond. Spinning fishing is massive, so the industry does not stand still, offering its customers more and more new products and developments. To date, there are many specialized lines of rods for catching zander, which differ in the list of characteristics.
The subtleties of choosing a rod
The first thing anglers pay attention to is the cost. Branded products have a higher price. In many cases, anglers overpay not for the quality of the material from which the rod components are made, but for the brand. This does not mean that it is necessary to abandon the branded products of Japanese or American manufacturers, since it is very difficult to choose a budget option that meets the declared characteristics.
Production technology plays an important role in price formation. Inexpensive “sticks” can have errors, both small and very noticeable.
The main types of marriages include:
- incorrectly installed rings and tulip;
- delamination of blank material;
- poor-quality pasting of the whip and inserts into the rings;
- reel seat play.
A new rod at its first bend can make a characteristic crack. According to the manufacturers, this signal does not indicate the presence of a defect. Cracking comes from an excess of glue, the structure of which breaks under pressure.
When buying, it is important to pay attention to the integrity of the structure, the correct arrangement of the rings. To check the installation of the guides, it is necessary to bring the assembled rod to the level of the head, raise it at 45 ° and look into the first ring. The tulip should be visible through the hole. It is impossible to take a rod in which the rings “fall out”. This affects the distribution of the load on the form and the range of the bait.
Photo: auctionnation.com
Some marriages are more related to transportation. These include delamination and chips on the form. The structure of the material should be even, without notches. In addition, the integrity of the spinning is easy to check with the help of a sales consultant. As a rule, the client holds the rod by the handle, lifting it up, and the seller bends the whip into an arc. Self-testing without experience can lead to breakage of a brand new rod.
It is also worth paying attention to the reel seat. If there is play in it, it will interfere with fishing. A loose reel does not affect casting distance and fishing comfort.
The main parameters for selecting a fishing rod
Every angler who has managed to hold at least a few rods in his hands begins to understand the difference between them. If the main parameters are clear to most, then additional characteristics for many anglers remain a mystery.
Rod features include:
- spinning length;
- test load;
- blank and handle material;
- number and type of rings;
- build and bend point;
- internal structure.
For zander fishing, it is recommended to select a rod based on the fishing conditions. When fishing from a boat and on small rivers, a short “stick” will become a priority, the growth of which does not exceed 240 cm. On large reservoirs, when coastal fishing, longer models are used that allow you to cast to the channel and pits. Their length can reach 300 cm.
The length of the rod affects its power characteristics. According to the laws of physics, a longer lever must be thicker so as not to break under the same pressure that a short lever fails. Therefore, many anglers are wary of long rods, they have more weight and thickness of the blank.
Pike perch is a deep predator and in most cases it is caught on riverbeds and large pits. The current and depth force spinners to use large weights on baits. For small ponds, the depth of which does not exceed 6-7 m, a product with a test range of 10-30 or 10-40 g is suitable. Such rods can withstand casting baits with sinkers up to 30 g, they work out perfectly on many types of postings.
In large water areas, such as navigable rivers and reservoirs, spinning rods with higher test limits are used. If you use a bait that exceeds the upper test of the rod, this can harm the blank, shorten its life.
Modern products are made from high-modulus graphite. The higher the modulus of the material, the more reliable the rod. Carbon fiber models are lightweight, strong and flexible, yet they won’t stand up to abuse or knocks on the blank. The rings on the rod should be evenly spaced so that the blank bends gradually along its entire length. Rings can be on one, two or three legs, with ceramic or other inserts.
Photo: s3.nat-geo.ru
More budget models are made from a composite of graphite and fiberglass. They have good flexibility, considerable weight and low sensitivity.
The build of the rod for zander can be fast if fishing is done with a jig, or medium if wobblers and spoons are used. Fast action gives the blank a good response, sensitive tip transmits any bottom touch or fish poke.
The handle of zander spinning, as a rule, is monolithic. It can be made from cork, EVA, or a combination of the two.
Additional options are:
- sensitivity;
- response;
- sonority;
- viscosity.
Despite the high limits of the test, the “stick” must have good sensitivity so that the angler can get a clear picture of what is happening with his bait. Budget models are too “oak”, they do not transmit the lightest bites, with them you can miss touching the bottom with the bait in the current. The sonority of the rod and its viscosity are parameters that affect the serif and working out of the rod. When biting, the bend or density of the slope of the whip determines the quality of the serif, the same parameter allows the spinning rod to competently “pump out” the predator without damage and wear on the blank.
When choosing and buying a rod, you need to pay attention to both basic and additional parameters. It happens that the model fits perfectly in all characteristics and cost, but clumsily lies in the hand. The same rod may be perfect for one angler but a bad buy for another.
TOP rods for zander
The rating of the best products includes both famous brand models and little-known rods, the reputation of which is growing every day. Unfortunately, there is no universal rod for any fishing conditions, so many manufacturers produce their lines in different variations, changing the length and test, the type of handle.
Major Craft Restive
The manufacturer positions its offspring as a universal tackle covering a wide range of fishing conditions and baits used. The model range is represented by 5 variations. The rod has a monolithic butt made of cork wood, which has a narrowing in the middle. Rings with high quality inserts, located on a double leg.
The model has a fairly low price for its category, has a reliable but simple reel seat. In its development, high-modulus graphite was used, so the product turned out to be light and flexible. The fast action allows you to fish with soft plastic lures.
Lamiglas Certified Pro
High quality blank with cork butt. The line consists of many rods for every taste, while you can choose a long spinning rod for coastal fishing in the vicinity of large reservoirs.
The product has high sensitivity, it is able to transmit the softest bites of a passive zander or touching the bottom with a light bait. The blank is equipped with high-quality access rings and a reliable reel seat. Near the beginning of the handle is a ring for hooking the bait.
SHIMANO CATANA EX
One of the inexpensive rods, the quality of which far exceeds the price set by the manufacturer. Of the features of the blank, high sensitivity, viscosity and known power can be noted. The rod is made of high modulus graphite, has reliable guides with ceramic inserts and a monolithic cork butt.
A wide range of models makes it possible to choose a “stick” of the required length and test borders. The fishing rod boasts a modern reel seat, which not only looks stylish, but also correctly fixes the leg of the inertia-free product.
Favorite Zander
An elegant rod for connoisseurs of truly beautiful rods. The colored blank made of high-modulus graphite combines power and sensitivity, which allow you to catch zander in the middle reaches. Particular attention should be paid to the butt, made in a modern design. It is made of EVA polymer with the addition of graphite inserts. The reel seat is screwed onto the leg from above, securely fixing the inertialess reel.
The sensitivity of the blank plays into the hands of the angler when the predator is full or passive. His light pokes are perfectly transmitted to the tip of the rod, after which the hooking occurs instantly.
DAIWA Crossfire
A reliable rod that has won the trust of many spinners. The model from the Japanese company quickly conquered the fishing world, becoming one of the leaders in its price category. The rod is equipped with a modern set of guides with inserts, has a hook for bait and a simple, convenient reel seat.
The butt is made of dense cork, retains a presentable appearance for a long time. During development, the material of the blank was carefully selected, since the manufacturer’s goal was to create a sensitive and sonorous rod.
Norstream X-Crosser
Casting rod with attachment for a multiplier reel. The features of this tackle are associated with the power of spinning, which is able to pump out especially large fish, get zander from the depths and snags. High-modulus graphite serves as the main material of the blank, the handle is made of EVA polymer, has a narrowing towards the middle.
Along the entire length of the structure there are access rings with a reliable fastening and a dense insert. The rod has excellent viscosity and cuts through the hard mouth of a predator when fishing at great depths.
Maximus BLACK WIDOW
A model from the middle price category, which is perfect for any arsenal of gear for zander. Spinning has a fast action and good response, it is used for coastal fishing in large water bodies and where long-range biting casting is needed. The rod length is 270 cm with a test of up to 40 g – ideal parameters for fishing on channel edges with a depth of up to 10 m.
The handle is made of polymer materials, has a monolithic design and a presentable design. The spool holder has a simple design, securely holds the leg of the inertia-free product.
Salmo Power Stick
Inexpensive plug-in type product made of high modulus graphite. The design of the rod attracts the attention of many anglers, but even more fans of spinning appreciate the characteristics of this model. Rings on three legs are mounted along the entire length of the blank, the spool holder has a simple design and securely holds the spool.
The butt of polymeric materials warms the hand in the cold season, it is preferable for fishing in autumn and winter. The product has a relatively small weight and does not burden the hand during fishing.
Fish Season DEEP WHIRLPOOL 2
Enough budget model for catching zander from the shore and boat, suitable for both beginners and experienced anglers. The product is made of graphite, has a snap on the cast, good response when the bait falls to the bottom. Some bites can be felt “in the hand”, others – the rod will pass along the sensitive tip.
The spaced handle is a non-standard solution for spinning rods of this direction, while the blank in the butt area has a large thickness. The rod is equipped with a modern reel seat and reliable guides.
Mifine CYBERPUNK
A novelty designed for lovers of inexpensive but stylish gear. The name of the rod speaks for itself. The blank has a fast action, good whip and long-range throw. This model has a spaced handle type, which combines cork wood with EVA polymer. Stylish modern reel seat has no backlash, securely fastens the reel leg.
The blank is hollow, made of high modulus graphite. Pass rings made of a dense metal alloy are mounted along the entire length.
Sprut High
Multi-layer carbon fiber as the base material is made into a blank using high temperature sintering and pressure laying technologies. An inexpensive blank with excellent characteristics has long-range casting and high accuracy of bait delivery. He is able to fight with a large predator at great depths, to pull out a fanged trophy from snags and rubble.
The rod has a spaced handle made of polymer materials, as well as a well-thought-out reel seat. Along the entire length, there are rings on two legs, which have a ceramic insert.