27

Lesson FiveRods and Reels: Cranks and Bends - Part 1

1. When it comes to picking the right rod some considerations are:

1. ____________________________ 4. ____________________________

2. ____________________________ 5. ____________________________

3. ____________________________ 6. ____________________________

2. Most rods are made of graphite or fiberglass. The other type of rod that combines the two

materials is known as a _____________________.

3. The modulus count will tell you about the _____________________ and _____________________

of the rod.

4. A rod with a high modulus rating will have a ___________________, ___________________ and

___________________.

5. Graphite rods will be the _____________________ rod choice and fiberglass will be more

_____________________.

6. What are the benefits and disadvantages of fiberglass rods?

________________________________________________________________________________________

7. Why is a fiberglass rod a good choice for fishing crankbaits? __________________________________

8. The benefit of a shortened foregrip is ______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

5. Cranks and Bends - Part. 1

28

9. A longer handle will give more _____________________ when fighting fish.

a) Strength

b) Leverage

c) Tension

10. Shorter rod handles will give you more _____________________ and allow you _____________________.

11. The advantages to a foam handle are ______________________________________________________.

12. Many anglers claim cork handles offer the best ____________________ for detecting soft-biting fish.

13. A good reel seat should solidly lock the reel down, not loosen over time and use, be strong enough

to handle the stress.

True

False.

14. Guides have a great impact on a rod’s _____________________ and _____________________.

15. Lower quality guides can _________________________________________________________________.

16. Ceramic guides are the best choice when using a _____________________ because they are

_____________________.

17. Nickel-titanium alloy guides are _____________________.

a) Resistant to line wear e) More sensitive

b) Free from corrosion f ) a, d and e

c) Durable and will hold their shape g) a, b, c and e

d) Heavier weight

5. Cranks and Bends - Part. 1

29

18. Stainless steel guides are another type of guide that is often used on a rod. These guide frames are

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

a) Lighter weight, sensitive e) a, b and c

b) Strong f ) a, b and d

c) More easily bent or deformed g) b and d

d) Durable against bending and deforming

19. A great method to check for damage in the guide is to use a _____________________.

a) Paintbrush

b) Cotton Q-Tip

c) Specialty solution

d) Blush brush

20. A damaged guide can cause ______________________________________________________________.

21. Longer rods offer a better _____________________ than short rods, which will help when you are

pulling fish up and out of _____________________ such as _____________________.

22. The definition of rod action is _____________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

23. Fast action rods will bend only in the _____________________ of the blank.

a) Top third or less

b) Top half or more

c) Top fourth or more

5. Cranks and Bends - Part. 1

30

24. Moderate action rods will bend mainly in the _____________________ of the rod blank.

a) Top half

b) Bottom half

25. Slow action rods start their bend in the __________________ of the rod blank.

a) Top third

b) Middle portion

b) Lower third

26. A fast action rod will allow the angler to quickly get into the _______________________ of the blank.

27. A moderate or slow action rod will provide a little more __________________ and better choice for

fishing __________________ hooks when compared to a fast action rod.

28. A rod that has an aggressive taper at the tip will have a __________________ action in this area.

29. A fast action graphite rod will react the same as a fast action fiberglass rod.

True

False

30. The power rating of a rod is basically the ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

31. A rod’s power rating may be described as __________________, __________________,

__________________, __________________, __________________, __________________, or

__________________.

5. Cranks and Bends - Part. 1

31

Lesson FiveRods and Reels: Cranks and Bends - Part 2

1. A general guideline for choosing a rod and reel combo is, for fishing heavier line one should use a

__________________ and for lighter line use a __________________.

2. A reel constructed with ball bearings generally results in a reel that is __________________.

a) Smoother

b) Rougher

3. Two important considerations regarding the ball bearings in a reel are _________________________

____________________________________ and _______________________________________________.

4. The right retrieval speed of a reel is influenced by a few factors, such as _______________________,

_________________________________________ and __________________________________________.

5. As the gear ratio of the reel increases, so will the reel’s ______________________________________.

6. Put the following retrieval speeds in order from fastest to slowest: 3:1, 4.5:1, 7.0:1, 6.2:1

1)__________________ 2) __________________ 3) __________________ 4) __________________

7. The gear ratio of a reel actually represents the ______________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________.

8. Having a spool that does not have enough line can result in a significant reduction to your

____________________________________.

5. Cranks and Bends - Part. 2

32

9. The drag on a reel is a mechanism that applies _____________________________________________.

10. Drag systems use __________________ to provide a smooth and consistent tension when

fighting a fish.

11. On a spinning reel, what drag system typically incorporates larger washers?

a) Front drag

b) Rear drag

12. A drag that is too tight can result in: _______________________________________________________.

13. A drag that is set to light can result in: _____________________________________________________.

14. An effective way to use your drag is to first set your drag a bit on the tight __________________

side for the hook set, then during the fight, __________________ the drag to allow the fish to pull

some line off.

15. The instant anti-reverse system is the mechanism on the reel that will prevent

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

16. A reel that has any backwards movement of the spool can reduce your chance of making an

instant hook set and a fish may even spit your bait out before you make contact with the hook to

the fish’s mouth.

True

False

17. An overrun or backlash usually occurs when the spool is _______________________ than the bait is

moving through the air or the spools continues __________________ when the bait comes to a stop.

5. Cranks and Bends - Part. 2

33

18. The purpose of a reel’s braking systems is to apply __________________________________________.

19. Mechanical braking systems control the spool rotation by applying ____________________ to the spool.

20. Another type of breaking system on some baitcasting reels is a _____________________ assembly.

21. When increasing the breaking, the weights are pushed __________________ and to decrease

breaking, the weights are moved __________________.

22. When using a reel with a weight and pin assembly, if you are getting backlash during the beginning

of your cast, you will need to adjust the __________________. If, however, you find that backlash is

occurring near the end of the cast, you should adjust the ___________________________________.

5. Cranks and Bends - Part. 2

34

Lesson SixLine: The Tug of War - Part One

1. The typical characteristics to consider in choosing a fishing line include the _____________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does it mean when a fishing line’s strength rating is determined at 12 pounds? ____________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

3. As the air temperature drops, __________________ and __________________ lines have been

shown to break more easily.

4. The benefits of a line that has a smaller diameter are _______________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

5. Line memory can have a negative impact on _______________________________________________.

6. What are some of the objects that can cause damage to your fishing line when fishing?

a) __________________ e) __________________

b) __________________ f ) __________________

c) __________________ g) __________________

d) __________________ h) __________________

7. What are some other products that can compromise the strength of your fishing line?

a) __________________ d) __________________

b) __________________ e) __________________

c) __________________ f ) __________________

6. Tug of War - Part. 1

35

8. When checking your line, you should be looking for __________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

9. Fishing line that is on or off your rods should be stored in a ____________________________ place.

10. List the advantages and disadvantages of having stretch in your fishing line.

Advantage Disadvantages

_______________________ _______________________

_______________________ _______________________

_______________________ _______________________

11. Different _________________________________ may have a line color that will be a better choice.

12. List the recommended line colors for the following water conditions:

Fishing in muddy or stained water: __________________ or __________________

Fishing in very clear water: __________________ or __________________

Fishing in moderate to heavy weed: __________________

13. One of the benefits of having a high visibility line is __________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

14. Red line is popular because the color red begins to disappear in _____ to _____ feet of water.

15. Using a buoyant line when fishing a topwater presentation will help ____________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

16. When you want to use the line to help your bait get down quicker, a great choice is

__________________ line.

6. Tug of War - Part. 1

36

Lesson SixLine: The Tug of War - Part Two

1. How does water absorption effect monofilament fishing line negatively?

a) ______________________________________________________

b) ______________________________________________________

2. Monofilament line typically has the most __________________ of all the common lines.

This can make this type of line beneficial when fishing for species that are known for

_____________________________________________________________________________________.

3. Co-polymer line can offer increased _______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

4. The benefits of a fluorocarbon line are _____________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

5. The disadvantages of using a fluorocarbon line ______________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

6. Lead core line has a change in color every __________________.

a) 5 yards

b) 10 yards

c) 15 yards

6. Tug of War - Part. 2

37

7. Full core is the term used for lead core line that comes on __________________, with 10 different

colors spaced at __________________.

a) 50 yard spools a) 2 yard intervals

b) 100 yard spools b) 8 yard intervals

c) 150 yard spools c) 10 yard intervals

8. When using lead core, you can estimate that each 10-yard segment of color will take the bait

__________________ deeper.

a) 2-3 feet

b) 4-5 feet

c) 7-9 feet

9. Other variables that can affect the depth your lure will run at are ____________________,

____________________, ____________________, ____________________, ____________________,

____________________.

10. The two main choices in today’s superlines are __________________ and __________________.

11. Superlines can achieve a comparable pound-test rating, while having a diameter that is about ____

of the size of that of monofilament line.

a) one half

b) one third

c) one fourth

12. A benefit of using a thinner superline is that you can put more line on your reel and that you can

__________________________, while still having a thin enough diameter to work your bait properly.

6. Tug of War - Part. 2

38

13. Another important characteristic of superline is the _________________________________ and the

resulting _________________________________.

14. The disadvantage of the heightened sensitivity and no stretch characteristics of superline is that

you may have the tendency to ____________________________________________________________.

15. The two considerations in using your rod and reel that you can incorporate to help minimize the

possibility of missing fish are ____________________________ and ____________________________.

16. One of the disadvantages of tying knots with superline is the line ____________________________.

17. The claims are using a line conditioner can improve __________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________.

18. Other important benefits using line conditioner are:

a) _________________________ c) _________________________

b) _________________________ d) _________________________

19. If using a barrel swivel to help prevent line twists created by your bait moving through the water,

the diameter of the metal used on the ring of the barrel swivel should closely match the

________________________________.

20. To help minimize the issue of line twists you should:

a) _________________________ c) _________________________

b) _________________________ d) _________________________

6. Tug of War - Part. 2

39

Answer Key

Lesson Five - Rods and Reels: Cranks and Bends - Pt. 11. composition material / handle design / line guides / length / action / power2. composite3. strength / density of the fibers4. lighter weight / faster action / greater sensitivity5. lighter / more sensitive / durable6. benefit - durability and flexibility / disadvantage - lower level of sensitivity and heavier7. flexibility of the rod will help prevent a small treble hook from pulling free8. allows your finger to make direct contact with the rod blank allowing you to experience a rod’s sensitivity to the greatest possible extent9. leverage10. directional control / quicker hook-set11. dense, durable, comfortable in the hand, ability to resist stains, minimize compression and less slippery when wet12. sensitivity13. true14. castability / sensitivity15. interrupt the feel or deaden the vibrations16. superline / slightly more resistant to wear17. resistant to line wear / will not corrode / durability / retains its original shape / more sensitivity because there is no insert18. lighter weight / very resistant to corrosion / sensitive / strong but susceptible to breaking if bent or deformed19. cotton Q-Tip20. reduced casting distance, damage to your line21. leverage / thick cover / vegetation22. the point of deflection or bend when pressure is applied to the tip23. top third or less24. top half25. lower third portion26. backbone27. casting distance / treble hooks28. faster29. false30. strength of the backbone of the rod, or its lifting power

31. extra heavy / heavy / medium-heavy / medium / medium-light / light / ultra-light

Lesson Five - Rods and Reels: Cranks and Bends - Pt. 21. baitcasting / spinning2. smoother3. materials they are made from – stainless the best / number of bearings4. how quickly you reel, the gear ratio / the size or amount of line on the spool5. retrieval speed6. 3:1 / 4.5:1 / 6.2:1 / 7.0:17. number of times the spool revolves during one complete turn of the reel handle8. casting distance

Answer Key - Lessons 5 & 6

40

9. adjustable pressure to a turning spool10. washers11. front12. fish breaking the line13. not burying the hook on the hook set14. tight / slightly loosen15. the handle and the bail from moving backwards16. true17. allowed to spin faster / to spin18. slight amount of tension to the spool and therefore help manage the rotation speed19. adjustable amount of direct tension20. weight and pin21. outward / inward22. internal weights / external friction

Lesson Six - Line: The Tug of War - Pt. 11. strength rating / the diameter / the ability to resist abrasion / the stretch characteristics / the color / the buoyancy / the strength of the line at the knot2. line will break at just over 12 pounds of weight pressure3. monofilament / fluorocarbon4. tie smaller knots / allow you to make longer casts and present your bait more natural / less visible5. casting and lure presentation6. stumps / trees / rocks / weeds / zebra muscles / docks / rod guides / fish’s teeth7. oil / bug spray / suntan lotions / sunlight / water / line memory8. abrasions, fraying, cuts, bends, discoloration and memory problems9. dry and cool10. Advantages — shock absorber / knots cinch down / treble hooks stay in Disadvantages — getting solid hook set when lots of line / difficult to detect bite / pull fish from cover11. water environments12. brown or green / clear or clear-blue / green13. able to watch the line and detect subtle bites that may otherwise be difficult to feel14. 15 / 3015. the bait sit properly when at rest and allow you to pick the line up off the water surface while working the bait16. fluorocarbon

Lesson Six - Line: The Tug of War - Pt. 21. Increases the stretch / decrease the sensitivity2. stretch / fierce fights or lone runs3. increased knot strength, lower stretch, increased sensitivity and greater flexibility4. low-visibility, low stretch, does not absorb water, dense so sinks faster, abrasion resistence5. the line is stiffer/brittle making it more difficult to tie knots and more breakable, known to hold memory6. 10 yards7. 100 yard spools / 10 yard intervals8. 4-5 feet deeper9. wind / the speed of the troll / length / design of the lure / thermocline / pound test of lead core line10. braided / fused

Answer Key - Lessons 5 & 6

41

11. one third12. increase the strength of your line13. lack of stretch / high level of sensitivity14. set the hook too quickly and pull the bait out before the fish actually has it in its mouth15. rod and reel that slower action and a lighter power / using a lighter drag setting16. slipping17. your casting distance by as much as 30%, and help keep your line more manageable18. its ability to reduce line memory / help improve knot strength / aid in preventing backlashes / protecting your line from UV-rays19. diameter of the line20. do not over spool / change your line regularly / using barrel swivels when fishing with certain baits / do not reel when a fish is pulling drag

Answer Key - Lessons 5 & 6