Riverside fishing refers to the practice of fishing on the banks of a river or stream, as opposed to trolling on a boat or any type of sea or surf fishing. There is no single type of fishing pole or rod designed for riverside fishing, but many poles are designed to catch the smaller fish (such as trout) that inhabit rivers or navigate the tighter spaces that rivers offer. Different factors in the poles like reel position, length and action all differ depending on the type of fishing.
Reel Position
Reel position refers to the type of reel and where the reel is located on the pole. Spincasting rods position the reel above the handle, and run the line through eyes on the top of the pole. This gives better control in general and may be more ideal for river fishing where control is important to avoid branches, logs and rocks. Spincasting rods are ideal for beginners. Advanced casters may prefer a spinning rod, where the reel is positioned beneath the handle.
Power
Power refers to the general strength of the rod and how much weight it can handle. Medium to low power rods are more ideal for fishing from a bank, since they are under less stress and are used to handle smaller fish while giving the fisher a better feel for the movement of the fish. High power poles are typically used for large fish more commonly found in the ocean, and may be suitable only during large fish runs, such as the larger varieties of salmon.
Length
Long rods, those greater than 8 feet in length, are typically designed for ocean casting and fishing. Medium rods are flexible and can be used on larger rivers and streams, but shorter rods are ideal for small streams. The issue is again control, since it is easier to snag a long pole on nearby trees or the opposing bank, making smaller rods a better bet for smaller riversides.
Materials
Ocean water's salt content can easily corrode a fishing rod, so ocean rods are typically made from very corrosive resistant materials like fiberglass or PVC. River water is more forgiving, and river fishing rods can be made with a wider variety of materials, including wood and cork. This gives fishers a wide range of choices.
Action
Action is a term used to refer to the bend and pull of the rod when a fish is on the line. Fast action poles will bend easily closer to the tip, while slow poles will bend less easily toward the hilt. When hunting heavy river fish like bass, a slow or heavy action pole is better, since it makes it easier to draw the fish up from deeper waters. When going after lighter fish, or casting to resemble a flickering baitfish, then a fast action pole that can be used to create motion and give the fish play is more useful.
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