THE ROD FOR BAIT-CASTING in 



wood rods slightly more; the steel rods are the heavi- 

 est. A six-foot split bamboo casting rod should weigh 

 about six ounces; one of noibwood or greenheart, 

 seven ounces; steel, eight ounces. 



Bait-casting rods are made in one-piece style with 

 independent butt; in two joints and in three joints. 

 One-piece rods are obviously the best 

 and, also obviously, the worst. That 

 such a rod will have the finest attaina- 

 ble action and the greatest strength goes without say- 

 ing but the rod doesn't " go " without trouble. 

 They are very unhandy things to carry. For ordinary 

 use they are not desirable. Personally I always sus- 

 pect a two-piece rod with ferrules directly in the mid- 

 dle where the greatest strain comes; but many costly 

 rods are made in this way by makers who are sup- 

 posed to know their business. However, the two-piece 

 rod is not here advised. The rod in three joints is the 

 best for the everyday angler; it is handy to carry and 

 preferable in other ways. 



In regard to ferrules and ferrule material, hand- 

 grasp material, and the like, the reader is referred to 

 Chapter 3. Guides for the casting 



rod are very different from those for the ^.7;? 

 _ ..-.,. Fittings, 



ny-rod and demand separate discussion. 



The short casting rod as it first appeared generally in 

 the tackle stores was fitted with very large guides, 

 made of one or several turns of wire, the diameter 

 of the guides being sometimes as large or even larger 



