PORT O’CONNOR

Reported by CAPT. KIM GOULDEN

The Role of the Rod

LISTEN: (4 Min, 48 Sec)

WITH SPRINGTIME CLEARLY in our sights, fishermen along the middle Texas coast are looking forward to warmer weather and opportunities to target many different inshore species. Your rod choice plays an important role in your success.

Custom rod builder, Steve Henriksen of Henri Rods, LLC, graciously agreed to answer questions to help you hone in on the right rod. Steve is an avid fisherman and spends quality time prowling the waters of the Texas coastal bend for big trout and bruiser redfish.

What factors should be considered when choosing rod length? First and foremost, what type of fishing one typically does. For fishing from a boat, a longer rod will help make longer casts, 6’9” to 7’. For a wade fisherman throwing lures with a casting rod, slightly shorter is the optimal choice, 6’6” to 6’9”; this length rod imparts better action on lures.

What rod material is used and what are the benefits? The rod blank a manufacturer uses determines everything from performance to durability to price. Lower modulus graphite rods are lower in price and more durable but lack the qualities an experienced artificial lure angler demands. Super high modulus graphite rods are higher in price, significantly more brittle (susceptible to breakage), lighter and more sensitive, which are the qualities experienced lure anglers want. Mid-range modulus graphite rods make up the majority of mass-produced rods.

What makes a rod slow, moderate or fast action and why? A rod’s action is how much the rod bends from the tip when under load. In a fast action rod, the rod bends in the top 1/4. While in a slow action rod, that bend extends to maybe the top 1/2 of the rod. Within the graphite rod universe, nearly all manufacturers produce rods with fast and even extra fast action. While this action works a light soft plastic lure most effectively, it is not the optimal action for suspending or topwater lures as each twitch moves the lure too fast. A moderate fast action rod would be the most effective action for that type of lure. So, while rod action does influence casting distance and accuracy, matching a rod’s action to the type of lure being used is the most important factor.

What is rod power and how does one know which one to pick? Rod power identifies the degree of “backbone” a rod has in its lower half. The type of fish you target is the biggest consideration in choosing the right power. For most inshore species, something in the medium to medium light power range works best.

What are rod markings and how are they read? The markings question is hard to answer as there is no uniformity amongst the manufacturers. Some use line weight vs power, some use lure weight vs action and some use a combination. Henricksen tells people when buying a new rod to ask for help. Let them show you several rods with different powers and actions.

What type of rod guides/eyes do you recommend and why? There are numerous types of rod guide material. The harsh saltwater conditions that we experience on the Texas coast limit our choice to stainless steel or titanium. After that, the choice becomes a guide with a ceramic insert or no insert. Recoil eyes have proven to be most durable.

Which rods does Henricksen recommend as a great all-around choice? pause 1secDemand from the single-rod buyer led Henricksen to develop the Henri Rod 6’9” Ultra ML F TS (medium light power, fast action rod). It works most lures almost as effectively as their specialty models, which allows wade fishermen to exit the boat with one rod and several options in the lure box.

For more information, Steve Henriksen can be reached at 713-829-2702 or shenriksen6@gmail.com.

Email Kim Goulden at KimGouldenFishing@gmail.com

Online: PortOConnorFishingTrip.com