Modern fishing rods are amazing things. Good fishing rods can hold immense weight without breaking, they can bend to shocking angles without snapping, and they can be used to catch all kinds of fish in almost any environment. However, saltwater and freshwater fishing rods are not made from the same materials, which leaves some anglers wondering if any rod can be used in saltwater.
Not all rods can be used in saltwater. Freshwater rods are made from materials that easily corrode in saltwater. Saltwater rods are corrosion-resistant and designed to last for years of saltwater fishing. Freshwater rods can technically be used in saltwater but will not last long.
The rod you use determines the type of fishing you can do and the size of fish you can catch. The rod you choose is arguably the most important part of your fishing gear. There are some important differences between rods designed for freshwater and those made for saltwater, but can you use these rods interchangeably? Let’s find out!
Can All Rods Be Used In Saltwater?
Not all fishing rods are made equal. Fishing rods can be made for specific environments and applications, or they can be made for general-purpose use, but one thing that sets all rods apart is that some rods are made for freshwater, and others are made for freshwater.
Not all rods can be used in saltwater. Freshwater and saltwater fishing rods can be made with the same strengths, weight capacity, speeds, and designs, but the main difference between these two rod types is that saltwater rods are made from corrosion-resistant materials, and freshwater rods are not.
Saltwater rods are made from materials including titanium, fiberglass, graphite, carbon fiber, and stainless steel. These materials are used for the man shaft and for all fittings on the rods. These materials are very resistant to corrosion from saltwater and therefore last much longer when fishing in saltwater.
Freshwater fishing rods are not typically made from the same materials as saltwater rods, even if they are the same speed or have the same weight capacity. Freshwater rods are typically made from carbon fiber, fiberglass, or composite materials, but the fittings used on these rods can be made from various materials, including various metals that are likely to rust in saltwater.
Any fishing rod can technically be used in saltwater, as any fishing rod will function in saltwater, but not all fishing rods can be used in saltwater for extended periods, as those made with non-corrosion-resistant materials are likely to rust and fall into disrepair quite quickly.
It is always best to use saltwater rods in saltwater, for the sake of keeping the rod useable for as long as possible.
Saltwater Vs. Freshwater Fishing Rods
The most prevalent difference between saltwater and freshwater fishing rods is the materials that the rods are typically made from, but are there any other factors that set these rods apart from one another? What makes saltwater and freshwater fishing rods different?
The reality is that saltwater and freshwater fishing rods are functionally the same. They can both be used for same applications, and they are comparable to one another on a functional level, but these rods are designed for very different fishing styles and techniques and are made to catch very different fish.
Let’s briefly explore the most prevalent differences between saltwater and freshwater fishing rods to understand each rod type better and to help determine which rod you should be using.
The differences between these rods that we will highlight here are the following:
Fishing rod materials and construction.
Fishing rod size and length.
Fishing rod strength and speed.
Fishing rod applications.
Fishing rod cost.
Materials And Construction
As we have learned, the most significant difference between saltwater and freshwater fishing rods is the materials these rods are made from.
Saltwater rods must be made from materials that will not rust in saltwater. Every component of the rod must be made from non-corrosive materials and made to withstand the constant punishment of corrosive saltwater.
These rods are usually made from carbon fiber or graphite for lighter rods and fiberglass from tougher and stronger rods. The fittings are made from stainless steel, carbon fiber, or various plastics to avoid corrosion.
Saltwater rods are also typically stringer and slower than freshwater rods, as they need to withstand harsher water conditions.
Freshwater rods can be made from almost any material and with almost any design. The materials used for these rods are less focused on anti-corrosion and more focused on performance.
Freshwater rods are typically faster ad lighter than saltwater rods, and some modern versions are stringer while maintaining a lighter overall weight and better sensitivity than saltwater rods, as they can be made from more versatile materials.
Size And Length
Saltwater and freshwater fishing rods are typically made to different lengths, depending on the application they are used for.
For example, trolling and jigging rods made for off-shore saltwater fishing are shorter, thicker, and very strong, while saltwater rods made for surfcasting are immensely long and have very tapered designs for maximum casting distance.
Freshwater rods are typically thinner and shorter than the larger saltwater rids, but there are some freshwater rids made for casting very long distances in large lakes.
The rods used for freshwater fishing are typically smaller than saltwater rods and made with more lightweight materials that can be made thinner and less rigid.
Strength And Speed
Saltwater fishing rods need to be stronger than freshwater rids. These rods are subjected to rougher waters and are often used to catch much more aggressive fish.
This fact, combined with the materials that saltwater rods are made from, makes these rods very strong and able to bear a lot of weight but also makes them significantly slower than freshwater rods.
Freshwater rods do not need to be as strong as saltwater rods in most instances, but they are usually significantly faster than saltwater rods and much easier to use. Freshwater rods are lighter weight but maintain the same strength and power as saltwater rods, only with more speed.
Applications
Freshwater fishing rods tend to be more versatile, and one rod can be used for almost all freshwater fishing applications, apart from specific styles such as fly fishing.
Saltwater fishing rods are less versatile, as each rod type is typically made for one application. Some rods are made for trolling or jigging, others are made for surfcasting, and some are made for spin casting from docks and piers.
The application that the saltwater rod is designed for determines its construction and materials, while freshwater rods are all very similar in most instances, and they are much more versatile.
Cost
The last difference between saltwater and freshwater rods that we will highlight here is that saltwater rods are typically more expensive than freshwater rods, as they must be made from more specific materials and with more specific construction.
Versatile, one-size-fits-all freshwater fishing are inexpensive and can be very good value for the money. These rods are made from cheaper materials and made to be as versatile as possible, bringing the price down.
Single-application or specialized saltwater rods are typically very expensive as they are made for one purpose and made with more expensive materials.
With that said, saltwater rods can last significantly longer than freshwater rods due to the materials they are made from and the way they are constructed.
Conclusion
All fishing rods can be used in saltwater, but freshwater rods will corrode and rust very quickly if used in saltwater. Freshwater rods are not made for use in saltwater, even though they have the same practical function.
It is always best to buy a rod for the type of fishing you do. If you only fish in freshwater, use a freshwater rod. If you only fish in saltwater, use a saltwater rod, but if you fish in fresh and saltwater, use a saltwater rod for the sake of versatility, as saltwater rods can be used in freshwater.
Hi, I’m Tommy Bull. I can safely say that this was one of the best days of my adult life. The weather was perfect, not too hot or too cold, the lake was peaceful and still, and my bounty was impeccable.
This day is what started my love of fishing. Since then, I’ve been traveling around different lakes to see if I can match the magic of Irvine lake. No luck yet, but I remain hopeful. Until then, I can always count on Irvine lake to remind me of that feeling.
Anyway, I created Irvine Lake to teach people how to fish so that they feel more confident to go out and find their own fishing spot to embrace that feeling.
From then on, the site has grown to encompass my love of all things camping and outdoors too.
