im after a general opinion from the forum......

What do you look for in a rod?

What is your criteria when trying one out?

Or what is it about your favorite one that makes it your favourite?

many thanks for your thoughts

It needs to be a Magic Wand that whenever I cast it It get's me fish.Other than that any average 10'-7# (no bounce) rod will do me fine.

Jim

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The Fishermans Friend is the Flirty Fly,Fickle Food for Fleeting Fish.

I look for the rod to have the characteristics that fit the fishing situation(s) where I intend to use it.

There are no set characteristics that I look for or believe are "good" or "bad" when it comes to a rod. It usually takes me several "try out" outings before I determine if and how well a rod suits the given situation that I bought it for. Rods should be matched to the fishing situation, not to the casting style or other subjective preferences of the angler. A good angler simply adjusts his style to fit the rod, but you cannot adjust a rod to fit the fishing, it either fits or it doesn't and this takes a while to determine.

I don't have a favorite rod as such, I have two rods that I like because I think there characteristics are exceptionally well matched to fishing situations that I love.

Grouse

jim, grouse, your right, i asked a subjective question when i was after objective criteria, im after the things you might use in a rod test, where a comparison with like with like will figure.

im trying to define what makes a good rod.

How predictable the rod is and ease of use at say 20,50 and 70ft.
For me turning over a long leader is important as is pick off with a long line. Some top end rods IMO are incapable of lifting a long line with one back cast and the shooting. Something i do often given the way i fish.
I guess it has to do what you want without you having to think about it but Grouse is right, i am not sure for me anyway there is "one" rod. In the hight of summer i want something gentle and delicate and at the start of the season i want something that can punch through the wind and get the fly on the other bank if needs be. Where i do disagree with Famous is that it has to suit your style,like it or not i have a casting stroke that is ingrained and regardless of tuition to iron out any problems its mine and i am stuck with it so the rod has to allow me my foibles. Thats not to say it has to be just fast or slow good rods come in many guises.

So to answer your questions:-

1) I look for a rod that suits my casting style, does what i want it to without having to think, turn over a long leader, lift off a long line and shoot with only one back cast.

2)Criteria is an odd one. It involves so much more than the performance of the rod. The tube, the sock, the colour of the blank, the reel seat, hell the name of the thing might influence whether i pick it up or not. The criteria is there fore do i like it and need it

3) My favorite rods are effortless,efficient, have soul, feeling and do as i want. Some of them have their faults weather is poor cork, a **** coloured blank or a poor reel seat but they all perform as i want and ask of them.

In summary i suppose what i look for is the words "Streamflex" on the blank

spot on buzz especially for me number 1 on your list

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FEAR NO FISH JUST THE WIFE
http://www.sunburstinternational.com/

I only fish small / medium rivers currently, so apart from getting a 10ft rod for french nymphing, I'm in the 8.5ft 4/5 zone.

I look for lightness, an action that is not too stiff and lets me feel the cast, and a cork handle that isnt too thick and is of reasonable quality.

I gave serious thought to getting one made by David Norwich but in these tough times, £450 seemed an unnecessary treat. I might in the future though .....

I'm also far fussier than most on blank colour, whippings and reel seat and dont like very snazzy rods, but cannot understand those who get sandpaper to their rods after purchase.

My current rod is a very well priced Vision 3 Zone ( lovely shiny black blank with redwood ( or similar) reel seat ) and am likely to look at a similar X Flite at the start of next season , because the 3 zone snapped like a swig under minor duress whilst unravelling a tangle, and because the 3 zone handle is a bit thicker than i'd like. And cos I'm a junior tackle tart.

I like well made rods by companies who know what they are doing and dont charge the earth, Like Vision, Greys, and Guideline.

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Irish by birth, Munster by the grace of God.

many thanks all, ill add my own view too as reflective,

i want performance only, if it the wrong colour ill paint it

first consideration is the casting weight, im looking for powerfull and crisp which will have a light casting stroke but still flex smooth and deep,

how it handles/copes with the line - how it flexes is half, how quick it returns to straight is the other half,

i believe we all have individual preferences for the flex and the unflex, but we dont really think about it...so we call it feel.

I am disciple of of the Great Charles Ritz and he was acknowledged throughout the as one of the greatest casters of the modern fly fishing era.
So what would he look for? THis is what he outlines as to what he would demand from a good fly rod:
"Feather light in the hand,
Instantaneous response from the action and extreme sensitivity to the least movement of wrist
Possibility of slow or rapid casting at all distances at will. The length of the rod will naturally modify this condition
Progressive strength in a constant relation to the accentuation of the curve
Complete absence of vibration in the upper part of the rodt tip
Great strength, but balance and suppleness
Great effectiveness against the wind (50% of fishing days are windy)
Great precision in placing the fly
Reduction to the minimum of the castor's effort and general adaptability to the majority of fishing conditions
The handle must designed to ensure the maximum comfort and the minimum of fatigue."
Now I think that still stands 50 years on.

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"A traditional wet fly addict"

Uk representative and Instructor for Fly Fishing Masters - www.flyfishingmasters.co.uk

Distributor for Terenzio Silk and Artificial Silk Fly Lines - Pay distributor retail price.

phil, thats hard to beat, i didnt expect such high quality answers, interesting that he was talking about cane rods(i think) and precicely the same still applies, mr ritz is the dude but i dont like his biscuits