Power

Power is the resistance in the blank. The scale runs ultralight, light, medium-light, medium, medium-heavy, heavy, and a few makers add extra-heavy above that. It is printed above the handle next to the line and lure ratings, and it is the first thing to read when you pick a rod up in a shop.

Match power to the size of what you are throwing and what you are pulling it out of. Ultralight and light are panfish and stocked trout rods, built to cast a 1/32 ounce jig and to bend under a nine-inch bluegill so the fight is still fun. Medium is the freshwater all-rounder and the right answer if you are buying one rod. Medium-heavy is the bass standard, with enough spine to drive a worm hook and steer a fish away from a dock post. Heavy is for catfish, pike and pulling baits through matted grass.

Getting this wrong is the most common rod mistake. Too much power and light baits never load the blank, so casts land short and small fish feel like nothing. Too little and you cannot set a hook or turn a fish before it reaches cover.