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The Major Components of a Rod<\/span><\/h2>\n
Before we go into how best to hold a rod, we’ll go over some terminology to get you better acquainted with your most important piece of equipment regarding the hobby and profession.<\/p>\n
Butt Cap<\/span><\/h3>\n
Typically made with rubber, aluminum, plastic, cork, or wood, you’ll find the butt cap over the rod and around the handle.<\/p>\n
It’s designed to add another layer of protection, especially around the bottom of the handle, the middle of the rod, and the end.<\/p>\n
Ferrule<\/span><\/h3>\n
A simple but crucial component to every rod, the ferrule is the component that connects the two parts of the rod.<\/p>\n
If the ferrule is damaged or destroyed in some way, the rod is broken and effectively useless.<\/p>\n
Handle<\/span><\/h3>\n
Probably the most important part of the fishing rod for this article, the handle is where you’ll be placing your hands when holding your rod.<\/p>\n
Typically made from a softer material such as foam or cork, handles come in various styles, shapes, and sizes, depending on the manufacturer.<\/p>\n
The length of the handle is one of the more important and deciding factors when deciding on a rod, as it plays a significant role in how effectively you can control the rod when reeling.<\/p>\n
The Seat of the Reel<\/span><\/h3>\n
The reel seat is designed to hold the reel next to the handle to minimize the distance you have to travel when switching between holding and reeling.<\/p>\n
How well you make use of this design and get that added efficiency and advantage is determined by various factors, such as how you hold the rod and which mechanism was used to install the reel.<\/p>\n
Different people use different mechanisms, such as a hooding mechanism to screw the rod’s reel foot.<\/p>\n
![\"youth](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/holding-rod-demo.jpg\")
Young angler is showing how they hold a fishing rod.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n How to Hold an Open Face Reel<\/span><\/h2>\n
There are a few steps that you’ll have to get acquainted with before you can comfortably and adequately hold an open-face reel spinning fishing rod.<\/p>\n
Step One: Find The Center of Mass<\/span><\/h3>\n
The first thing you’ll need to do is find the center of mass for your rod’s handle.<\/p>\n
This gives us a guideline on where we place our index finger when holding the rod.<\/p>\n
Step Two: Positioning Your Fingers<\/span><\/h3>\n
With the most straightforward step out of the way, you’ll now have to position your fingers and grip the rod<\/a>.<\/p>\n
With an open face reel, you’ll want to grasp your rod in hand and wrap your fingers around the handle so that the seat of the reel attaches to the rod between your middle finger and ring finger.<\/p>\n
Step Three: Casting<\/span><\/h3>\n
Now that you have the rod in your grasp, you can prepare yourself to cast.<\/p>\n
First, open the bill bail, then hold the line with your index finger.<\/p>\n
Prepare yourself to cast and then let loose, letting go of the line as you cast.<\/p>\n
Make sure to close the bill bail after you’ve cast to save your line from any unnecessary damage.<\/p>\n
How to Hold a Baitcaster<\/span><\/h2>\n
The beauty of a spinning rod is that you never have to switch hands when casting and reeling.<\/p>\n
It can all be done with one hand.<\/p>\n
Baitcasters are a bit more nuanced and require more coordination, but you can quickly get it down pat with a little bit of practice.<\/p>\n
Step One: Placing Your Dominant Hand<\/span><\/h3>\n
You’ll notice that, on a baitcaster, the reel is positioned on top of the ride.<\/p>\n
This makes holding it a bit more awkward than an open-face spinning rod, but it’s easy with some know-how.<\/p>\n
You’ll want to hold the rod’s handle with your dominant hand so that the webbing between your thumb and pointer finger slides under the baitcaster.<\/p>\n
Step Two: Holding the Rod<\/span><\/h3>\n
Once your dominant hand is in place, place your other hand below it.<\/p>\n
With both your hands on the rod this way, you will have enough leverage and control to cast and switch positions with your hands without fumbling properly.<\/p>\n
Step Three: Using Your Thumb<\/span><\/h3>\n
Your thumb should be in a position to nicely sit on the spool so that you can click the bail release and catch and hold the spool in place.<\/p>\n
Try experimenting with finding the best positioning so that you can comfortably hit the release and hold the spool without feeling any discomfort.<\/p>\n
At this point, you can do your cast, but remember to keep your thumb on the spool.<\/p>\n
Otherwise, the entire spool might become undone, and you’ll end up with a big mess to clean up.<\/p>\n
Once you’ve cast the line and the lure has hit the water, you will switch hands, holding the rod in your offhand in the same manner as you did in your dominant hand.<\/p>\n
This frees up your dominant hand to reel the lower end, hook the fish, and land it.<\/p>\n
In essence, you are casting with the rod<\/a> in your dominant hand and reeling with the rod in your other hand.<\/p>\n
Which Hand Should You Use?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Of course, whichever hand you are dominant with will slightly impact how you hold your rod, so our first step will be describing how holding your fishing rod changes based on whether you are left- or right-handed.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the type of fishing rod you use will also decide which hand you use and how you hold them.<\/p>\n
Spinning rods are pretty simple to use.<\/p>\n
You’ll be using your dominant hand entirely and you won’t need to switch your hand off your grip to do so.<\/p>\n
![\"rod](\"https:\/\/www.outdoorsniagara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/rod-holding-instruction.jpg\")