Fiberglass or Graphite, Which Fishing Rod Is Best?

The age old debate on which rod is better, fiberglass or graphite, has been going on since both materials were used to make fishing rods. The truth is, each has it's own strengths and weaknesses.

If you're looking for a new rod and can't decide on which rod material to go with, this article will help you decide. We'll tell you the difference between graphite and fiberglass and which applications are best for each.

Graphite Rods

Graphite is a light rod material. It's best used in applications such as Bass, Walleye, Trout and Panfish fishing.

Graphite rods are great for fishing applications where you'll be casting a lot. Graphite is also an excellent choice when you need to feel the lightest of bites. Graphite transmits light bites very well due to its sensitive nature.

While its a tough material, it's not nearly as tough as fiberglass, which is the reason you won't see Graphite Marlin rods.

Graphite rods are generally more expensive than fiberglass rods but technology has made graphite rods affordable in recent years. It's now possible to pick up inexpensive graphite rods in the $20 to $30 dollar range at discount stores. Of course, the quality may suffer. Don't expect them to be as durable or sensitive as a Fenwick rod!

Fiberglass Rods

Fiberglass rods are the ones most people start out with. They are less inexpensive than graphite rods, tough and long lasting.

Fiberglass rods are also used in rods designed to take on hard fighting or fish that tend to grow large like Catfish, Stripers or in Offshore Big Game fishing situations.

If your looking for a fiberglass rod for tough fighting fish, look into e-glass rods. These rods are generally the toughest of the toughest rods made.

Another tough rod on the market is the Ugly Stik rods by Shakespear. Remember the old commercials of a man holding a Ugly Stik bent double? Well, I'm here to tell you that you can bend them double! I seems to me I remember them having a lifetime warranty against breakage, but not any longer.

Some rod manufacturers combine both graphite and fiberglass. Many of these have a graphite core blank that runs through the handle to give it sensitivity. The graphite blank is then surrounded by fiberglass to give it strength. These hybrid rods are sensitive and tough and are a good general purpose rods.

Another nice feature of fiberglass rods is that they are inexpensive. You can get fiberglass rods for the kids and not blink an eye when they step on one!

Whether you're looking for a fiberglass rod or a graphite rod, make sure you match the rod material to the type of fishing you'll be doing. While a fiberglass catfish rod can be used on Crappie, it's not ideal and you'll be more successful when matching rod material to the type of fish you're fishing for.

If you'll be fishing offshore, make sure that you take enough rod. One common mistake that many new offshore anglers make is that they take their freshwater rods offshore. Generally offshore fish are bigger and tougher than their freshwater cousins. You'll need a rod that is built to take on the screaming runs of Kingfish or the bull dog tugs of Grouper. Don't try making your freshwater rod take on these monsters.