Picture yourself as a mature speckled trout basking in the shallows of a barren East Matagorda Bay mud flat. At last, beams of light penetrate wintry clouds and are warming an insulating mud bottom, energizing your lethargic attitude.

All ten pounds of you cruises along the temperate flat soon reaching your familiar feeding ground-a distinct patch of boggy mud and elevated oyster shell. Approaching it sparks memories from seasons ago. Pastimes of gorging yourself with jumbo sized shrimp and feasting over endless schools of finger mullet come to mind and fuel your hunger.

You get into your favorite spot, right where the shell bed meets the mud and wait. Before long, a tempting six inch mullet comes along, oblivious to your presence.

You leap forward, breaking the surface and return to the bottom slowly, mouth filled with your reward.

Almost as soon as you’ve swallowed the first mullet, you see a slow moving, wobbly mullet a few feet away. Looks wounded, you think as you watch it’s brilliant colors sparkle in the water column as it sinks right towards you.

Like a flash of lightning you’re on the mullet and it’s in your jaws – but this one seems to be stronger than you!

A fierce head shake hurls the previous 6-inch mullet from your jaws; but the invisible, pulling force never ceases. You grow tired and succumb to the grip of a Boga at your lip.

“It’s gotta be at least ten pounds!” someone exclaims.

Two other men approach, admiringly looking you over. Is that a camera flash you see?

Finally they unhook you and pit you back in the water, exhausted but relieved to have survived the ordeal.

As you swim away, you hear a voice in the distance exclaiming “That’s a Corky Fat Boy For You.” Are they talking about you? You haven’t even started to bulk up for the year; but you resolve to look closer at your prey next time around.

If trophy trout could have these feelings, they would know someone’s dream had come true.

After James Wallace caught that famous record breaking speck, the news got out in fishing reports in no time and trout fishers everywhere started to use Corky slow sinking soft baits just like Wallace had used. With their wobbly broken-back motion and a size about that of a topwater, these saltwater fishing lures can be just what a big speckled trout is looking for when used with a slow retrieve.

“It got crazy when Wallace caught that fish,” states B&L Corky founder, Paul Brown. “Anglers poured into our shop and literally bought every single Corky off the shelf.” Even after so many years, this Corky craze hasn’t slowed in the Brown family’s Houston-based shop.

Port Mansfield fishing guide, Captain Mike McBride definitely knows a thing or two about Corky’s and uses a unique retrieve to fool lower coast specks.

“Corkys are worked differently across the coast, but I try to pop the knot off, when I’m working Corky’s while trying to keep up with the slack.” Contrary to the popular belief of working Corky’s “slower than slow”, McBride works his soft baits aggressively. “The whole attraction of working an original Corky is unpredictable movements with the irresistible pause,” states McBride.

Matagorda trophy trout guide Captain Jesse Arsola tells us that he has a specific technique for working Corkys saltwater fishing lures.

“When trout are aggressive they will nail anything; but when you have to work for them to bite, technique really comes into play.”

“I use a counting system when I fish with a Corky. It’s actually pretty simple. I count how many seconds until the lure hits bottom, then I try switching up the time I let it sink before I take the slack out of the line. Then I just figure out what count I’m on when I get the most bites. If there’s an easier way to tell where the specks are feeding in a water column, I haven’t found it yet.”

Captain John Havens is an accomplished tournament angler from Clear Lake who tells us that his favorite out of the many saltwater fishing lures he’s tried is the Corky Devil, either in gold, chartreuse or white. He uses a standard retrieve with his Corky lures and claims this has always worked best for him.

“All you have to do is to make sure you keep in constant contact with the lure so you can tell when you have even the littlest nibble,” Havens says. He lifts the rod and gives it one or two twitches before letting his lure fall, the only variation this expert angler uses in his retrieve.

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Autumn is well on its way and you might already be seeing the wildflowers starting to die back, the leaves fading and of interest to anglers, the tides starting to fall. However, drift fishing really comes alive in the fall and from the Lower Laguna Madre to the upper coast of Texas, fall drifting for speckled trout and redfish is getting underway in earnest, with many anglers choosing brown lures to make their catches.

There are different fishing tips which are more applicable to fall fishing conditions. As temperatures cool and tides fall, bait fish leave their summer havens. This fall migration is something to watch for, since you’ll find redfish and speckled trout feeding on these fish in waters which are great for drifting.

Fish attracting structures are the best places to begin drifting for redfish and speckled trout, as Captain Cody Maddox tells us. Maddox tends to do his drifting in the vicinity of the upper West Bay’s shell bottoms with their holes and drops.

“When you’re fishing holes in the shell, you’re talking working a very small area, usually about 7 feet surrounded by 3 foot deep water. I like to drift with brown lures around reef points and shell humps as well as holes and drops,” Maddox tells us.

Maddox favors soft plastics rigged with 1/8 ounce to a ? ounce while drifting in fall. When fishing deep water, he switches to a 3/8 ounce head. “Limetreuse, plum and chartreuse, and morning glory are my go-to’s.”

“As far as fall fishing tips go, I’d suggest working your bait really fast over the bottom and then letting it sit for couple of seconds. If that doesn’t work for you, then try slowing it a little just a bit off of the shell tip; I usually use a weedless hook setup for this. Sometimes the smallest change makes a big difference in your results,” says Maddox.

Bastrop fishing guide, Captain Randall Groves prefers the fall season to drift fish than any other season. “It is all about working water streaks up here on the upper coast,” states Groves. “When it gets really cold and the water gets clear, I do much better fishing muddy streaks rather than the clear water.”

Groves typically focuses drifts over areas rich with deep shell and within deep bayous and creeks where the water is often tea colored. “I typically drift deeper shell in fall; but when the wind starts blowing I seek refuge within nearby bayous and creeks.”

Focusing on retrieval is one of the fishing tips Groves offers. “You’ll hear a lot of people saying you should use a soft plastic and fish slow in fall and winter, but personally, I haven’t found slow to be the best approach. I look for a reactionary bite instead of a hungry bite. You can get results by going slow, but I always do best working my lures faster in cold water.”

“I rig my soft plastics with ? ounce and 3/8 ounce lead heads and use a very whippy rod like the Laguna Texas Wader III to work them through the water column.”

Captain Dwayne Newburn is a Matagorda Bay guide who says the best fishing tips for fall drifting have to do with your motor. “I use a trolling motor for fall drifting. You’ll find yourself fishing around groups of birds; and your trolling motor can actually be your best friend in this situation.” Newburn refers of course to the phenomena of gulls and other birds feeding on swarms of bait fish who swim to the shallows to avoid the speckled trout and redfish found feeding below.

Captain Newburn is also a deep shell autumn angler, adding that he prefers to hit the dips and indentations of shell pads when drift fishing in the fall.

“When drifting, I do well with DOA Shrimp and Cajun Thunder Popping Corks. I’m also a fan of Norton Sand Eel Jr. with laguna shrimp and Saltwater Assassins with new penny and native shrimp,” says Newburn, who prefers 1/8 oz jig heads with his soft plastic brown lures in shallow water and ? oz heads in deeper waters.

Lower Laguna Madre guide Captain Danny Neu is also a fan of fall drift fishing. “Autumn just might be my favorite season, especially for catching bigger speckled trout. When the bait fish head out from the bays, sometimes you’ll have to follow the coastline for a while before you come across a group of bait – but when you do, you can be sure that you’ve got some redfish and trout there.”

When out on a day of fall drift fishing, Neu offers the following fishing tips – “I start out in the morning checking deeper waters to see if there are any bait fish around. I’ll move on to shallow waters once it gets closer to noon and they start to warm up.”

“When it comes to lures for cold weather, I always go for topwater plugs. In fall I can use these all day for redfish and trout; they just work, plain and simple,” says Neu.

Neu throws smaller plugs like the super spook jr. on the lower coast. “I like to keep one rod rigged with a super spook jr. and the other rigged with a soft plastic.” When throwing soft plastics, red and white Brown Lures is his personal favorite.

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Hiking is an enjoyable hobby that is a blend of physical activity and the discovering the outdoors on your own. If you would like to take up hiking, these hiking tips ought to provide some food for thought, and enable you to properly plan for your new adventure. If you’re into golfing, a nice unit to invest in is the Skygolf SkyCaddie SG5.

Decide on your route and end point. This is the primary and most crucial hiking tip and it will determine the gear you ought to pack for a particular hike. You ought to choose your course taking into account your skills, so when you are not sure about your ability to accomplish a particular hike, choose an easier one.

As mentioned, your trail will determine the things you should bring. For hikes on properly-maintained trails, a map and a compass ought to be enough. If you decide to experience more natural surroundings, a GPS-enabled device as well as the map and compass can be quite handy. A backpack is the obvious choice for toting your gear while hiking. Just make sure you fasten the straps correctly. Pack as few items as you can without leaving out any necessities. And if you’re going to go out and golf, invest in the Skygolf SkyCaddie SG5.

Bring a hat and sunglasses when hiking in lightly wooded areas, mountain trails, and other sunny hiking trails. Hiking boots and shoes that include thick soles guard tender feet from rocks and other sharp things on the trail.

Important hiking tips include using clothes which incorporate rugged material. When hiking, it is better to go with function rather than form, so garments that stand up to scrapes snags and are loose enough for comfort are the ideal choices. Keeping this in mind, while shorts maximize movement and comfort, they aren’t able to protect you from ground level vegetation and insects. Protect yourself from these! Chafing will usually be a consequence of long hikes, so avoid your risk by selecting non-chafing fabrics.

Using sunscreen is just common sense when you are hiking under the sun. You may wish to get a tan, but you don’t want to get sunburned. While you’re at it, apply insect repellant on uncovered areas of skin: your arms, legs, and even face.

Understand your allergies. This is can usually ignored by hikers, many of whom quickly realize they?re allergic to certain plants when they are on the trail. Most hiking trails display plant information, but in any case you should complete some personal research. While you?re at it, look up which insects and venomous animals there are along the trail, so you know what a hiker ought to stay away from. Medical Attention is the last thing you would expect out in the wild, so being educated can help you to avoid such risky situations.

Have a few water or sports drinks. Hiking can be a strenuous endeavor, and your body will require fluids to restore what you consume through sweating. Sports drinks have the added advantage of supplying ions which are lost with sweat.

A first aid kit can be critical. This is not simply an important hiking tip, but it also refers to life in general. For the purpose of hiking, though, you have to be prepared for certain injuries such as cuts, bruises, bites, and broken bones. Staying away from danger is a great plan to have, but it’s far more useful to presume that an adventure is going to happen which will help you prepare for it. Being technologically prepared will really benefit you, so look into the Skygolf SkyCaddie SG5.

If you can, hike with a buddy. You could aid one another, whether in times of emergency or just climbing over obstacles. Remember these hiking tips and stay safe. Avoid foolish risks, but don’t neglect enjoying the great outdoors!

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When you look in your tackle box, you are probably greeted by two extremes: trout fishing lures which are battle scarred and faded from frequent use and others which still look as shiny as ever – come to think of it, have you even tried those out yet? Trying to decide which lure will give you the best shot at landing a prize trophy fish can be as baffling as predicting the winning lottery numbers. If you plan on reeling in some trophy trout this season, you’re going to have to get to know your fishing lures very well indeed.

“Personally, I wish I could catch them all with a topwater, but the most important consideration is always how deep the water is wherever you happen to be fishing,” reports Mike Wexielman, a trout fishing expert with the credentials – a wall of prize winning catches to back up the value of his advice.

Wexielman keeps it simple when choosing his initial selection. “If the water is deep I throw subsurface tackle; if I’m wading shallows, a topwater is where I have my confidence.”

Mike Wexielman also suggests that anglers step down when faced with trout who seem disinterested. When he sees this happen, he makes the switch from topwaters to slow sinkers – and if needed, to soft plastic fishing lures. Wexielman has done very well using this approach, adding “If you see swirls going on underneath your lure, then you have to change up your speed; the little changes can make a huge difference.”

Subsurface lures with slow presentations have long been the standby for big specks during cold months. However, when the slow-sinker and topwater bite turns sour, Mike starts “finessing.” The darting presentation of a soft plastic may be the entree to a very big feast.

“Sometimes people forget how much good can come of plastic fishing lures. Sometimes, a plain old red and white paddle tail minnow can get some great big specks interested,” says Wexielman. He’s an angler who goes his own way and despite the advice you may find in fishing reports, tells us that the single biggest trout he has even seen caught was brought in with tails. Mike says if he has one piece of fishing advice it’s this: never fear switching to a jig; it can work out to be the best thing you’ve done all day.

Captain Cody Maddox, a fishing guide based in Galveston says that before picking out a lure for big trout, he studies the water. “I start by checking out the baitfish; I want to know what kind is there and how they’re behaving.” Maddox factors in both the structures in the area and water clarity when choosing.

Great minds think alike when it comes to fishing lures it seems: Maddox shares Wexielman’s enthusiasm for topwaters. “If it’s not working for me, I just switch to a slow sinker like a Corky Fatboy.” Maddox favors soft plastics when he works deep waters with shell pads and rocks in order to stay in the strike zone.

Maddox shares plenty of common ground with Wexielman. “I would have to say topwaters and slow sinkers have the top two spots as the best producers of my big trout, but the largest trout I have ever hooked was with a bass assassin tail.”

Maddox is known for experimenting with his lure arsenal. Painting gills, adding bucktails, and color-dipping tails builds confidence in the sometime frustrating, demanding world of trophy trout fishing.

When gambling for one fish, there are no guarantees; a roll of the dice may be all it takes to trick that 12 pounder.

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Texas fishing in the spring can be a little bit of a challenge along the coast, at least for those anglers who have their sights set on speckled trout and redfish. Spring winds along the Texas coast tend to stir up the water and frustrate fishermen and women in search of these fish. However, there is an entirely different kind of action in store for Texas fishing enthusiasts this spring according to the initial spring fishing reports for the area: the black drum run is getting a lot of attention this year, with many anglers reporting excellent catches last year and eagerly anticipating the upcoming spring run.

“The black drum run usually happens sometime from the end of February to late April. You’ll see them congregating in the channels while they’re making their annual migration. It starts when the water temperatures start reaching about 60 degrees,” says Mark Redd, a Laporte, Texas pastor who regularly fishes at Galveston’s North Jetty in the spring for black drum.

“In the past couple of years we’ve been catching black drum weighing as much as 60 pounds! I find the best bait for fishing on the bottom where you’ll catch the really big ones is cracked crab. I crack off the top shell and halve the meat; it works like a charm for black drum,” Redd continues.

Captain Jake Reaves selects the upper coast of Texas when guiding charters for Black Drum. “I get excited every year during the run. I finally get to part from my leaky waders and sit in the sun.” “During the run, I generally average about 20 fish a day along channels and transitional zones of the fish.”

Using a four to eight ounce egg weight, 50 pound test, and a circle hook, Reaves claims the most important factor for enticing the black brute to bite is getting the bait to the bottom. “I prefer the heavier egg weight to reach the bottom fast.” When the bite turns on, Reaves favors the stronger test line to bring the fish to the boat and get the line back in the water at a quick rate.

There’s even good news for anglers who don’t have access to a boat: all of the indicate that some of the best black drum spots are easy to get to even for the landlocked. “We see a lot of people catching black drum across from the boat launch and at the pier by the Texas City Dike,” says Mark Redd. Captain Jake Reaves adds that Sylvan Beach Pier and Sea Wolf Park Pier are also excellent spots. In the lower coast, texas fishing experts indicate that the Aransas Pass Jetty and the Fin & Feather Pier, both located in Aransas Pass are good places to catch black drum during the annual run as well.

One thing that experienced anglers recommend is “venting” larger drum before release. While these fish are indeed good eating, there are many who prefer catch and release with drum. Mark Redd advises depleting the air bladders of larger black drum before releasing them, having seen a lot of these fish die due to their full air bladders preventing them from swimming down after release. “Use a needle and insert it gently at a 45 degree angle under one of their scales by the tip of the pectoral fin. This will vent gas trapped in their air bladders so they can get back in the water and have a better chance to survive,” says Redd. This is an excellent tip to keep in mind for a spring Texas fishing season which the currently available fishing reports indicate will be a big one for black drum.

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Whether you’re new to fishing or you’ve already been fishing before, you may need to update your fishing tackle. This can sometimes be hard because there’s so much available on today’s market that it can seem hopeless when it comes to finding the right things for your needs. However, there’s also a lot of information on the web so you can use that to your advantage when you shop online.

Whatever you’re looking for online, you should have no problems finding what you need. There are a huge range of options available so you shouldn’t have any trouble at all getting good deals that are suitable for your needs. You’ll have to take your time while you’re browsing the web to ensure that you’re aware of everything on today’s market.

There are lots of options to choose from and you may find it difficult to make up your mind. Well, if that’s the case then you should read on to learn how to choose the right services for your needs. You will also need to set yourself a budget so that you don’t overspend and waste your money on a deal that’s not worth it.

Buying online is a good way to ensure that you get a good deal. There’s a lot more available and you should find what you’re looking for in no time. Once you’ve done all your research, you should then start to find some products so that you can compare prices. Most fishing rods are easy to find but there are many different types to make sure you’re looking for the right ones.

You will then need to think about the fishing equipment you’re looking for. There are a huge range of options available on the web but you will need to consider your specific needs. Take your time while you shop online and make sure that you don’t end up wasting money on a deal that’s not worth it.

If you have a good look around on the internet you should find that there are plenty of options available. Have a browse and do some searches on Google to see what comes up. You’ll probably be surprised at the amount of choice for such a simple purchase.

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Whether you’re new to fishing or you’ve already been fishing before, you may need to update your fishing tackle. This can sometimes be hard because there’s so much available on today’s market that it can seem hopeless when it comes to finding the right things for your needs. However, there’s also a lot of information on the web so you can use that to your advantage when you shop online.

Whatever you’re looking for, it shouldn’t be a problem to find items that are worthwhile. There is so much available on today’s market that you’ll be spoilt for choice. It can sometimes be hard to decide on what is right for your needs though. You’ll have to take your time while you’re browsing the web to ensure that you’re aware of everything on today’s market.

There are lots of options to choose from and you may find it difficult to make up your mind. Well, if that’s the case then you should read on to learn how to choose the right services for your needs. You will also need to set yourself a budget so that you don’t overspend and waste your money on a deal that’s not worth it.

The first thing you should consider is the type of purchase you’re planning on. This will be an important aspect of your decisions so make sure you understand what you’re looking for before you buy anything or agree to anything. It’s important that you’re made aware of everything available on today’s market so that you can make informed decisions.

You will then need to think about the fishing equipment you’re looking for. There are a huge range of options available on the web but you will need to consider your specific needs. Take your time while you shop online and make sure that you don’t end up wasting money on a deal that’s not worth it.

If you have a good look around on the internet you should find that there are plenty of options available. Have a browse and do some searches on Google to see what comes up. You’ll probably be surprised at the amount of choice for such a simple purchase.

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If the weather has ever discouraged you from a day of fishing, the inflatable pontoon fishing boat will guarantee that you never have to worry about that again. For those in the know, the inflatable pontoon fishing boat is the absolute top choice for fly fishing. It is challenging to sneak up on the fish when approaching in a gigantic motorboat or clamorous peddle boat.

This small boat has a V hull with two pontoon feet on either side. This boat makes it possible to briskly maneuver with little labor and marginal water resistance. When fishing, you absolutely want to cause as little commotion in the water as possible. It is particularly convenient that your inflatable pontoon fishing boat can be deflated and saved in your trunk. Taking a pontoon out into remote bodies of water by oneself is very possible when you choose the inflatable variety.

You can expect to do some preparation necessary in order to use your inflatable pontoon boat. This can be a bit of a nuisance, but with a motor powered air pump it is not going to take too long.

Syntax Error: Please check that all spins are closed For example, the boat needs to be rated for the type of water in which it will be used. This is of critical importance. If the boat is taken out on rough waters and isn’t rated to handle them, there could be serious problems. Choose a boat that is rated for all of the different uses that can be anticipated.

The size of the boat is important as well. Contemplate the amount of weight that you anticipate to be carried in your boat. If you can keep your weight limit lower, that is generally more preferable, but if you are a larger fisherman, you want to be sure that your boat can support the load. There are also different options as to how the storage compartments are configured. This is something to consider as well.

If you are sincere about catching some fish, then a pontoon boat is the boat that will get the job done. An inflatable pontoon boat can readily assist you in getting to those out of the way fishing spots. Assembly can be managed independently. This is our favorite part about an inflatable pontoon fishing boat. Thorough investigation will ensure that you purchase the best inflatable pontoon fishing boat to accommodate your needs.

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Numerous lures noted for their big trout potential rest motionless in the tackle box. Some are fused with fading colors and teeth scrapes while others gleam with the shine of a corvette fresh off the assembly line. At times, knowing which lure or presentation a fish desires can be as predictable as choosing the winning lottery numbers. However, getting familiar with which lure works best combined during certain conditions can pay big dividends for seekers of trophy trout.

“Personally, I wish I could catch them all with a topwater, but the most important consideration is always how deep the water is wherever you happen to be fishing,” reports Mike Wexielman, a trout fishing expert with the credentials – a wall of prize winning catches to back up the value of his advice.

Wexielman keeps it simple when choosing his initial selection. “If the water is deep I throw subsurface tackle; if I’m wading shallows, a topwater is where I have my confidence.”

Wexielman has some simple advice for dealing with trout who disinterestedly snap plugs: step down. In these situations, he switches from the topwater to slow sinkers; and from there he reaches for soft plastic. This is the approach which has always served Wexielman well, though he adds “If you’re having swirls appearing under your lure, then you need to change your speed – it can make a bigger difference than you might think.”

What most will tell you about catching big specks in cold weather is to use subsurface fishing lures and present slowly. Mike, however tells us that he does not always find this to be true. When he isn’t getting bites with topwaters and slow sinkers, he uses soft plastics instead and alters his technique accordingly to make his lures look like fast moving prey – often too tempting for speckled trout to pass up in winter months.

“Sometimes people forget how much good can come of plastic fishing lures. Sometimes, a plain old red and white paddle tail minnow can get some great big specks interested,” says Wexielman. He’s an angler who goes his own way and despite the advice you may find in fishing reports, tells us that the single biggest trout he has even seen caught was brought in with tails. Mike says if he has one piece of fishing advice it’s this: never fear switching to a jig; it can work out to be the best thing you’ve done all day.

Galveston based fishing guide, Captain Cody Maddox reads the water when selecting the proper big trout lure. “I look at the bait first. I watch to see what kind it is and if it is flipping on the surface of the water.” Water clarity and the type of structure are the deciding factors that help make Maddox’s pick.

Great minds think alike when it comes to fishing lures it seems: Maddox shares Wexielman’s enthusiasm for topwaters. “If it’s not working for me, I just switch to a slow sinker like a Corky Fatboy.” Maddox favors soft plastics when he works deep waters with shell pads and rocks in order to stay in the strike zone.

Maddox shares plenty of common ground with Wexielman. “I would have to say topwaters and slow sinkers have the top two spots as the best producers of my big trout, but the largest trout I have ever hooked was with a bass assassin tail.”

Maddox isn’t afraid to experiment with different lures, even adding to them by painting on gills, coloring tails and even adding bucktails. For Maddox and others who pursue trophy quality trout, it’s all part of the fun.

The message here is that just as in life itself, you can’t be entirely sure of anything in trout fishing. You can pick out the right fishing lures, read up on all the fishing reports, but success may be waiting for you where you least expect it – and so might a record breaking speck.

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Any serious hobbyist or professional fly fisherman knows that their rod is a tool, selected to meet whatever challenges their environment and catch may send. Yet, for the casual hobbyist hoping to take the craft of fishing more seriously, the qualities that transform a plain rod into an extraordinary one aren’t obvious. If you’re hoping to purchase a quality rod for fly fishing but aren’t sure where to begin, here are a few pointers to help.

You should know your fishing environment and your likely catch. You won’t fish in the same place all the time, but you probably have your favorite spot that you return to time after time. The more you fish the same location, the more familiar you become with the waters and type of fish you catch. This can help you determine the type of fly fishing rod to buy.

You need to buy a rod based upon the size of fish you are targeting. Big fish require a heavy rod and light fish need a light rod. Fly fishing rods are rated according to the weight of the line, which is different from the way traditional rods are rated. Fly fishing rods are rated on a scale of 1 through 14. If you are going for the big fish, you should use a 14. Rods with heavier lines are not for beginners though because they are much more difficult to master. It is usually recommended that beginners stick with fly fishing rods rated at 5 or below.

The length of the fly fishing rod is another consideration. The average rod length is about eight to nine feet. The environment you are fishing in may require a shorter rod. In fact, some people may have difficulty manipulating and casting a rod that is too long. Children especially do better when fly fishing with a shorter rod.

Another quality important to your purchase is the rod’s material. Rods are often constructed of graphite, with fiberglass and more traditional materials such as bamboo. For your first semi-serious rod, graphite is an excellent choice that makes the decision slightly less complicated.

Rods are often described in terms of their action. That is, a rod with a faster action bends more toward its tip, with the degree of the bend decreasing rapidly as it nears the handle. Slower action rods bend throughout their length, with the bend ending much nearer the handle. Each type of action has its relative advantages. As a beginner, and to make the decision less complicated, it is usually best to choose a rod with a moderate action. This tends to both help improve your cast, and to help you determine which type of action fits your style better.

Perhaps the best advice for your first somewhat serious purchase, however, is to not invest much until you are more sure of yourself. Nothing says that the next rod you purchase must be your last, or indeed your only, rod. It is one of several that you will own over the years as you hone your craft, discovering your preferences and style.

If you buy expensive fly fishing tackle when you are a beginner, you may feel obligated to stick with it even if it has disadvantages and does not work well with your style of fly fishing. You may even develop bad habits that will be difficult to break simply because you are forcing yourself to use the wrong rod. Do not spend a lot of money on a rod if it will make you feel trapped into getting your money’s worth out of it. You can certainly learn fly fishing techniques with less expensive rods that are designed with beginners in mind.

Here is an example of a good fly fishing rod. It is the St. Croix Avid Series 4-Piece Fly Rod. This rod versatile, with a new and improved smoother action and a crisp casting stroke with a measure of feel typically reserved for rods twice the price. This fly rod is prices at under $150.

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