Trolling rod: which to choose?

Here are the characteristics of the trolling rod that must be considered at the time of purchase.

The two elements of the trolling rod

The trolling rod is made up of two elements: the handle and the tip. The handle is rigid and has a bottom part in light alloy, or in plastic material covered with neoprene; and an upper part covered with soft material for the hands to grip and carry out the pumping. Between these two parts of the trolling rod there is the lodging for the reel, made up of a fixed part and a mobile part that locks with a double clamping screw. In the lower bottom part of the handle there is a cross that serves the purpose of blocking the fishing rod inside the rod holder. However, the tip is the element that determines the power and quality of the trolling rod. This is made of a stem that inserts into the handle. Generally the stem is made of fiberglass, although the best ones are made of carbon, which is a more resistant and lighter material, with greater "sensitiveness" - that is, with a faster response to return to an upright position.

Passers-by for trolling rods

Trolling rods have the wire loops facing upwards, as the reel is positioned upside down. These can be of two types: ring or pulley. The former has high mechanical strength and is made of light alloy with the interior coated in self-lubricating carbon, or hard stone. Rings are much lighter than pulleys and are mounted on low-weight trolling rods. Being placed at a lower level than the pulleys, rings must be in a greater number to prevent the wire from coming into contact with the rod. Pulleys, on the other hand, have rollers placed inside which facilitate the sliding of the fishing line, mounted on ball bearings or bushings. They are to be preferred when facing a very fast elusive catch, such as tuna.

Traditional and stand-up trolling rods

Traditional trolling rods have the tip the length of about two and a half times the handle, with the reel positioned in the center. You must apply enough power to counteract that exercised by the fish by pulling the handle towards you. Stand-up trolling rods, on the other hand, have a very short tip and a handle that has a longer front than the rear. In this way, it is possible to pump big tunas standing up, by using a fishing fighting waist rod belt. The lever is much shorter and the strength required by the fisherman is less, as pumping comes mostly from the back and legs rather than from the arms. Stand-up rods are designed for strong preys that find shelter on the sea bed.