Are you ready for a deep sea fishing trip? Dropping a hook into the depths of the ocean means your rod and reel will be subject to serious strain. The weights used combined with ocean currents put a bend on the rod—and that’s all before a fish is on the line! That’s why your choice of a deep sea fishing rod is critical.
Fishing through deep waters requires a rod that can handle stress while providing serious lifting power. You’ll quickly find that deep sea rods have very specific and distinct designs when compared to other rods.
But fear not! I’m here today to talk you through the ins and outs of deep sea fishing rods. Together, we’ll go through their characteristics, how to use them, and more. Hopefully, by the time you’re done reading, you’ll be ready to go get yours and hit the waters. Let’s dive in already!
What makes deep sea dishing rods unique?
Imagine having 100 feet of line out with a 300 lb Halibut on the hook. You need some serious lifting power to raise that fish from the depths. What about a giant Marlin that’s jumping and making the reel scream? Putting the brakes on such a large and fast fish is no easy task. That’s why deep sea fishing rods are designed to handle extraordinary weight and pressure.
While most rods are built with different actions for casting, a deep sea rod is centered exclusively around fighting power. Casting isn’t a factor and action really doesn’t matter. It’s all about the ability to fight powerful fish in heavy currents and at great depths.
Deep Sea Rod Styles per Fishing Technique
If you’ve been on a deep sea fishing trip, you’ve likely seen a collection of boat rods and heavier trolling rods already. That’s because the exact rod build varies based on the technique you choose. While power is important, some deep sea fishing methods involve a bit of finesse. Your rod choice will generally fall into three categories:
Conventional Boat Rods
These are your go-to, do-anything boat rods. They’re stout but not over-built and they’re pretty versatile. While deep sea boat rods aren’t great for casting, they can sling a line if needed. Generally, you’ll use them for trolling, dropping bait rigs, jigging, and other general fishing tactics. They can handle everything from Grouper to Tuna and other big game species.
Your typical conventional rod will run under 7 feet in length and have a top-position reel seat. The guides are few and they’re large to prevent hang-ups while fighting big game species. Solid blanks made from glass and graphite offer lifting power without breaking.
Many models also come with a gimbal (fighting butt) to seat in a fighting belt as well. The action is fast on most models and the power ranges from medium to heavy.
Most deep sea fishing vessels have an arsenal of conventional rods to handle the day-to-day fishing needs. For most purposes, conventional boat rods (also called overhead rods) get a workout. However, when the time comes for heavy-duty trolling, they’ll step up to a serious trolling rod…
Trolling Rods
There is some crossover between conventional overhead rods and trolling rods, as you can troll effectively with most conventional rods. That being said, there are trolling rods designed specifically for the rigors of deep sea fishing. Using a downrigger to troll the depths is tasking on rods and it’s nice to have a stick built to manage this task.
Deep sea trolling rods typically run between 5 and 7 feet in length with power ranging from medium to heavy. Like most overhead rods, they have a gimbal, large guides, and a single blank piece for maximum power. Roller guides are also common to stabilize the line while reducing heat and overall friction when the line is peeling off the reel.
The key difference for trolling the deep seas lies in the butt shape. A curved butt is used on some models to assist with fighting as the angle is advantageous for lifting the fish. You can also opt for a straight butt as well. As with most things fishing, it’s down to personal preference!
Casting Crossover Rods
When I said action for casting isn’t a consideration, I might have fibbed a bit. For true deep sea fishing, heavy trolling and overhead rods are standard. But every so often, the fish are higher in the water column or conditions are optimal for a casting rod.
Deep sea casting rods are essentially heavy-duty spinning rods. They have more sensitivity than the models I’ve already listed and the reel seat is positioned on the bottom rather than top of the rod. For the sake of deeper waters and open ocean conditions, rods in the 7-foot range are ideal.
When you encounter a reef or structure between trolling and bottom bouncing sessions, you’ll be happy to have a spin rod ready. They’re also excellent when fish are pushing bait closer to the surface.
Managing Your Deep Sea Rod Collection
As I’ve already said, it’s not uncommon to jump on a vessel and see piles of rods stashed beneath the gunnels. Deep sea anglers are always ready to replace and switch out rods on the fly. Ideally, you’ll carry multiples of each style and have several pre-rigged for the day with rigged backups.
Tying knots and rigging leaders is also critical, and it’s best to have multiple rods ready before you even hit the water! Carry a few backup rods and you’re ready for deep sea fishing success.
Deep Sea Fishing Rods FAQs
Are you ready to chase monsters in the deep sea?
Every moment of deep sea fishing is filled with anticipation. You never know what species and size group you might encounter. Of course, you can plan ahead but there are always surprises from the unseen depths. In some places, a Marlin might explode on the line while others will have a Goliath Grouper.
The rods used are often similar between the cold waters of Alaska and the warmer tropical waters further south. While the species, rigging, and tactics change a bit, your core collection of the three rod groupings discussed here can cover a large range of fishing situations. Tight lines!
How do you approach your deep sea fishing rods? We’d love to hear about the rods on your vessel. Share away in the comments below!
