A Beginner’s Guide for Deep Sea Fishing

Two rods sit on the back of a boat that's still driving deep into the ocean.If you’re ready for a sea-faring adventure that’s a step beyond the familiar shores of lake or river angling, you may be ready to give deep sea fishing a try.  After all, it’s nice to give yourself a new challenge every once in a while. It should go without saying that you’ll need to prepare before your journey begins. Here’s how to do just that:

Preparing for Your Deep-Sea Adventure

The first thing to understand is that this isn’t your ordinary fishing trip; we’re talking about battling some seriously hefty creatures. So, you’ll need the right fishing gear. A standard lake fishing rod won’t cut it here; instead, you’ll want a sturdy deep-sea rod and reel capable of handling the hard-fighting fish you’ll encounter.

Go for a rod with a high weight capacity to handle the size of fish you’re likely to deal with. And remember, the reel you choose is equally important. Ensure it has a large line capacity and a solid drag system to manage these ocean beasts. You also need the right bait. Live or cut bait is generally preferred in deep-sea fishing.

Knowing What to Expect

Unlike tranquil lake fishing, here, you’ll be contending with rolling waves and a whole new array of species. Be ready for a workout – reeling in a large deep-sea fish is a physical task, requiring strength and stamina. You might even break a sweat, but the payoff is worth it when you’re snapping photos with your catch of the day. Safety should also be top of mind. Life vests, sunblock, hats, and hydration are essential. Remember, you’re out in the open ocean, and it’s best to be prepared for anything. This is why it’s also wise to consider bringing an experienced guide for safety purposes.

Patience is Key

Deep-sea fishing requires patience. It might take time to lure in your first big catch, but when you feel that tug on the line, you’ll know it was worth the wait. Plus, being out on the open ocean offers an incredible, immersive experience with nature that’s nearly worth the trip by itself.

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a beginner, we at Signature Fishing Rods have got you covered when it comes to gear. With our wide selection rods and gear, we’ll have you ready for the fishing adventure of a lifetime. Visit our website or give us a call at 630-234-6214 if you have any questions.

The Benefits of Using a Carbon Core Fishing Rod

Two people fish in a small boat during a sunriseFishing enthusiasts are always looking to improve at their craft. One way to do so is to switch up the rod you’re using. More specifically, it might be time to try the carbon core variety. These rods have been consistently increasing in popularity, for good reason. Here’s why they’re making such a splash:

Lightweight but Mighty

One of the most significant benefits of using a carbon core fishing rod is its lightweight nature. You know that holding a heavy rod for hours on end can be exhausting. Luckily, these rods are made from a high-quality carbon composite material, making them much lighter than traditional rods. This means you can cast with ease and comfort, reducing fatigue, and allowing you to fish for longer periods.

But don’t let the lightweight nature fool you. Carbon core rods are also incredibly strong and durable, capable of handling even the most determined fish. This combination of strength and lightness means you can focus on the thrill of the catch rather than the weight of the rod.

Sensitivity is Key

Another advantage of carbon core rods is their enhanced sensitivity. This allows you to feel every nibble and movement your lure makes underwater, giving you a better chance of detecting when a fish is biting. They’ll allow you to feel more in-tune with the underwater world when using a carbon core rod, and your fishing success rate will likely increase as a result.

Versatility for Every Angler

Carbon core fishing rods are also quite versatile. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting, there’s a carbon core rod out there to suit your needs. These rods come in various lengths, actions, and power ratings, so you can find the perfect fit for your fishing style and target species.

Here at Signature Fishing Rods, we offer custom fishing rods, allowing you to create a carbon core rod that is tailor-made for you. Our carbon core rods include the Fin-S 22 series, Payara, Grandt Slam, and Cuda. With the right rod in hand, you’ll be ready to tackle any fishing challenge that comes your way. If you’re looking for a truly unique and personalized fishing experience, we can help. Visit our website or give us a call at 630-234-6214 if you have any questions.

Tips For Getting Someone into Fishing

Two men sit together on a dock, fishing togetherIf you’re a longtime angler, chances are you’ve enjoyed the company you’ve kept as much as the fishing itself. One of the best parts of the sport is that you get to do it with friends, family, and the people you really care about.

Eventually, you’ll have someone in your life that you know would be a great person to fish with and would enjoy themselves, but they’ve never even attempted the sport before and aren’t sure if they want to start now. This could be a friend, coworker, romantic partner, member of your family, but the question remains the same regardless – how do I get them into fishing? Well, here are a few tips:

Keep It Short at First

Once you’ve determined that the interest in fishing is mutual, you can schedule your first outing. Try to keep it short the first time around – while you may be capable of going all day, this may be overwhelming for them as there is so much to learn. You don’t want them to become bored, but instead want to leave them wanting more.

Pick the Right Time and Day

If your first time out on the water was a rainy, cold, and gray day, would you have been excited to go back for a second time? The same goes for your friend. Make sure you pick a day where the weather is supposed to be nice – blue skies, not too hot or cold, no rain. They’ll associate their first fishing outing with pleasant weather.

Be A Patient Teacher

For those who have been fishing since youth, so much of what you do becomes second nature. You do it without even thinking about it. But you have to consider that your friend doesn’t know the first thing about what you’re doing. You’re going to have to explain everything from technique to the utility of baits and lures, to why you’re going to a certain location. And they’ll have a lot of questions, so it’s important to answer all of them patiently.

If you’re looking to get a friend into fishing and want to find them the perfect rod, Signature Fishing Rods is the place to go. Be on the lookout for our shop page feature, which will allow users to enter a price range, rod length, rod type, and type of fish you’re seeking. This will produce a list of rods that have the characteristics you’re looking for. Feel free to give us a call at 630.234.6214 with any questions!

What a Lightweight Rod Can Do for You

A young man fishes off a dock using a lightweight rodNow that we’ve reached the time of year where the weather across North America is finally close to cooperating with our fishing endeavors, many anglers are likely doing some last-minute shopping. This is the time of year when many people choose to check in on their inventory and see what they need and what equipment could use an upgrade.

One such upgrade you might consider is a more lightweight rod. This is an investment that will pay off over the years in a variety of ways. Here are a few things that a new lightweight rod will do for you:

Provide You with Accuracy

Everyone wants to be on point and a lightweight rod will be able to handle basically cast with accuracy. They can cast just as far as heavy rod but are also excellent for shorter casts. Where a heavy rod may struggle in shallow waters and situations where the current isn’t strong, lighter rods will excel.

A Lighter Load

Over the course of a day of fishing, you carry and hold your rod quite a bit – from the house to the car, the car to the boat or wherever you’re fishing, all through the actual fishing, and then back to your car and home. You do even more of that if you’re on an extended fishing trip. So, a rod made of lighter material will makes things easier on you, leaving you with more energy to catch fish.

Catch Any Fish

One of the best perks of a lighter rod is it will allow you to catch so many different types of fish. You’ll be able to use a lighter line, lures, bait, and jigs, which will allow you to catch the smallest of fish, but will still hold up against a larger fish. It will work well in shallow water near shores or even when looking for larger fish.

If you’re looking for a lighter rod, Signature Fishing Rods is the place to go. Be on the lookout for our shop page feature, which will allow users to enter a price range, rod length, rod type, and type of fish you’re seeking. This will produce a list of rods that have the characteristics you’re looking for. Fell free to give us a call at 630.234.6214 with any questions!

Simple Ways to Improve Your Fishing Success

Fishing gear such as a hat, pole, notebook, and more sit on a wooden deskIt doesn’t matter if you’ve been fishing since you could hold a rod or if you’re brand new to the sport this year – every angler wants to consistently improve. Of course, that’s easier said than done. Life is already so busy, not everyone has hours upon hours for practicing and learning about fishing.

That’s why it’s important to do the simple things that can lead to more success when you’re out on the water. Here are a few examples:

Choose the Right Location

This is less about the body of water you choose to fish in and more about where in that body of water you set up. Fish will not be spread out equally throughout a lake, pond, or river. Chances are you’re going to have to move around a lot until at least one fish gives you a clue as to where the others might be. This may mean traveling further and going deeper than other anglers are willing to go.

Plan Ahead

Before you can catch a fish, you should have some sort of mental plan that you’ve thought through. Once you’re in the right location, what are you going to do when a fish tugs on your line? In what manner will you reel it in and land it? Do you plan to throw it back or keep it? Is there a certain species of fish you’re looking for? And, if so, do you know how to identify it?

Keep A Journal

Veteran anglers may scoff at this notion, but a journal can help anyone of any experience level improve and learn. Human memory is fallible. Keeping a journal will allow you to accurately track your progress. It will also serve as a record for what worked and what didn’t, allowing you to come back later to refresh your memory. Plus, you can keep track of details such as weather conditions, type of lure, where you fished etc. so you can either repeat what worked or try something new.

Invest in A Custom Rod

A good angler is more than just his equipment. But the equipment you use can positively influence your success rate. These rods can be customized to your needs, rather than the other way around. They tend to be more lightweight, making them easier to handle. Plus, you can add whatever components you want.

If you’re in the market for a custom rod, Signature Fishing Rod has a large selection available. We have more than a half-dozen different series available for sale on our website, so it should be easy to find something that works for you. Plus, they all come with a lifetime warranty and are made in the USA. If you have any questions, feel free to give us a call at 630.234.6214.

Why You Should Go on A Fishing Trip in 2023

Two people fishing on a boat as the sun risesSince it’s so early in the year and lakes and rivers in many places are still frozen or close to it, it’s likely you haven’t fished at all yet in 2023. This time of year is defined by great anticipation. Anglers all over are making plans to get back out on the water as soon as the weather allows for it.

While you’re waiting, consider planning a fishing trip or excursion of some kind this year. Most anglers want to do it at some point in their life, so keep pushing it off? Why not do it this year? If you haven’t thought about it yet, here are a few reasons why you should:

Challenge Yourself

Like mostly anything else, you get better at fishing by doing it more. Through repetition, you learn not just the techniques of fishing, but how to fish certain bodies of water. There’s likely one close to home you frequent, and there’s a good chance you know it pretty well by now.

So, taking a trip to a body of water you’ve never been to can provide a bit of a challenge, as well a valuable life experience. You can fish for species you’ve never seen in person in a different style of body of water than you’re used to, in a climate different than yours, hundreds or even thousands of miles away from home. It will make you a better angler.

Create and Strengthen Bonds

Any experienced angler knows that half the fun of fishing is the company. This is why so many people get their kids involved and form lifelong friendships around the sport. You can further enhance those bonds with an extended fishing trip, where you’ll spend day after memorable day out on the water with your friend or loved one.

Unwind From Life

Stress is something that nearly every adult deals with on a regular basis. It’s also something you can leave behind on a relaxing fishing trip, where you can unwind and enjoy the beauty of nature around you. A few hours of fishing is normally enough to relax you after a stressful period. Imagine what a few days or even a week could do for you.

If you’re going on a fishing trip this year, you’re going to want to ensure you have the right equipment. Signature Fishing Rods can fit you with the perfect custom rod for you. Call  630.234.6214 to learn more about products!

What You Should Know About Fishing Calendar Periods

Two men begin fishing in a small boat as the sun risesEvery angler knows that time of year has a major impact on fishing. But it may be difficult to nail down how exactly each part of the year changes the equation.

Luckily, fishing experts Ron and Al Lindler used their knowledge to divide the year into 10 calendar periods and published their findings in their magazine, In-Fisherman and their pamphlet “The Secret Teachings of In-Fisherman: Angling Wisdom and Knowledge.”

Of course, the dates these periods begin and end are not set in stone and will vary based on a number of factors, particularly the region you’re fishing. For example: if you start at the Southern tip of the US, spring will usually arrive one week later for every 100 miles you proceed North. However, the opposite is true of fall. It’s additionally important to remember that species won’t necessarily share the same periods, especially as it relates to spawning.

The 10 periods are broken up into three sub-categories. Here’s what you should know about each of them:

Periods Determined by Fish Behavior

The fishing calendar essentially kicks off in the spring, which will tend to begin in April or May in the Northern United States. Over the course of a month and a half or so, we’ll go through the pre-spawn, spawn, and post-spawn periods. This will begin when fish are on their way to spawning areas, a good fishing time. The spawning period will feature significantly less feeding activity. Then, in the post-spawning period, male fish will be much more responsive.

Periods Determined by Ecological Conditions

Following the post-spawning, you’ll have a period called pre-summer, which is when the fish will begin their summer patterns. Once those patterns are established, you’ll have the summer peak, which tends to begin after several days of hot weather. In this time, competition for food spurs fish activity, making this one of the best times of year to fish. This will slow down during the summer period however, as algae blooms, cold fronts, and other factors make fishing difficult. Things pick back up again in the post-summer, when the weather begins to cool down.

Periods Determined by Water Temperature

The final few periods of the year begin with the fall turnover, which is when the cold surface water and warmer water below mix, homogenizing the lakes and making for poor fishing. Then begins the cold-water period, which occurs on either side of the winter period. In these times, fish establish specific patterns, making for good fishing. In the winter, the water can be frozen or close to it in much of the country.

No matter what calendar period you plan to fish this year, it’s important to have the right equipment. Signature Fishing Rods has dozens of custom rods and other gear available to give you the best possible experience. Call  630.234.6214 to learn more about products!

Reflecting on the Fishing Lessons of 2022

A young kid is heading out to fish with an older manAs we begin a new year, Signature Fishing Rods would like to wish you and your family a happy holiday season. We hope you enjoyed time spent with loved ones and that you receive all the fishing gear on your wish list.

Before we begin a new year, it’s important to reflect on the lessons of 2022. If you’ve been reading this blog all year, you’ve likely learned quite a bit about fishing. If not, we’ll summarize some of the most important posts of 2022 in an effort to help you become a more successful angler in 2023.

Tips On Fishing

Winter is not always the most active fishing season for most of us. But spring will be here before you know. Use the time in-between to brush up on our spring fishing tips. 2023 might be the year you take your child fishing for the first time. Now is a good time to give them some cursory information about the sport and to invest in some equipment for them. These winter months are also a perfect time to get your equipment organized and to figure out what needs replacing.

If you’re looking to take your angling to the next level in 2023, consider investing in a custom rod. They’re lighter, tailored to your needs, and are capable of adding any components you want or need. And if you desire enhanced sensitivity and a lighter rod, we have quite a few carbon core rods on sale now.

Going Deeper

If you’re an experienced angler looking to go beyond just basic tips, a good way to do so is reading our posts summarizing the fishing wisdom Ron and Al Lindner originally published in their magazine, In-Fisherman decades ago. You can read about how the success of your fishing outing comes down to three factors: the nature of the species you’re fishing, the body of water you’re in, and your presentation. You can also learn more about what the age of a lake or river will tell you about how you should fish it.

Plus, if you really miss fishing during the winter months, you can attend a sportsman’s expo, to learn more, find new equipment, and commiserate with like-minded people.

Perhaps the most important lesson of 2022 is that it’s never too late  to get into fishing, so long as you have a willingness to learn and maybe some help along the way.  If you’re planning on getting into fishing for the first time in 2023, Signature Fishing Rods has dozens of custom rods and other gear available to give you the best possible experience.

Have a wonderful holiday season and a happy New Year.

What To Do with Your Fishing Equipment During the Winter

A bunch of fishing equipment laid outWe’re nearing the official beginning of winter in the next week. While this is a joyful, celebratory time of year, it’s not usually a fun period for fisherman. Unless you’re going ice fishing, this time is considered the offseason for many across the United States and Canada.

However, if you’re one of those anglers who really takes pride in their work, there’s more of it to do in the offseason. Here’s what you should do with your equipment during the winter:

Take Care of Your Rods and Reels

It’s important to keep your rods and reels in good condition in the offseason. If you use smaller spinning or conventional reels, you won’t have to perform as much maintenance, but you should still take the opportunity to clean them in the offseason. It doesn’t require too much effort – just wash them down with soapy water. You can then oil them by applying a small amount of a good reel oil to moving parts. Do the same for your rod as well. If you’re unsure of how to do this, there are many videos on YouTube that can show you. This is also a good time to check your rod for any imperfections. You can coat any nicks and make sure the material on the handle is solidly attached to the rod.

Examine Your Gear

The offseason is the perfect time to take stock of your gear and make any necessary changes or improvements. If you have any hooks, snaps, or snivels that are bent, corroded, or damaged in some way, throw them away and replace them. The same goes for all other equipment – jigheads, bucktails, lures, etc. that are imperfect in some way. Winter is also a good time to check your line. If it’s old, replace it. If you feel nicks by using the tips of your forefinger and thumb, remove any line to that point. It’s better to do this now than to realize there’s a problem when you’re out fishing next year. It’s always nice to go into the year fully stocked on all the gear you need.

Get Organized

It always feels good to be organized heading into a fishing season. You can help your future self out by starting now. You can sort things by putting them in some kind of category – the style of fishing the item is involved in or what species it’s used for. Regardless of how you choose to do it, getting organized will result in you being able to travel lighter and to more quickly locate what you need in a given situation.

And if you find yourself in need of near fishing gear, such as a new custom rod, Signature Fishing Rods is the place to buy. Call  630.234.6214 to learn more about products!

The Benefits of Going to A Sportsman’s Expo

A fishing expoSportsman’s expos are a perfect place for enthusiasts of hunting, fishing, and outdoor life to gather, especially over the winter months when you’re not as likely to be outdoors. These expos tend to feature vendors, seminars, and activities related to these interests. The best part is they happen all over the country, so you should be able to find one happening near you at some point during the year.

These expos are great for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds, but we’re going to focus on why they’re especially beneficial for fishing enthusiasts to attend. Here are a few reasons why:

Find New Products

One of the best parts of attending an expo is seeing what all the vendors have available. Rarely do you get a chance to see so many different vendors in just one area, all looking for new customers. This gives you a chance to compare them, but also to find new products. Technology is always evolving so there are always ways to improve your equipment and give yourself an edge.

Learning Opportunity

Another common sight at these sportsman’s expos is seminars on different topics. There’s a good chance that the expo happening near you will have at least one seminar on fishing. You’ll have the chance to learn about new techniques, methods, and equipment from all kinds of professionals and experts. You’re all but guaranteed to come away from it a better angler.

Talk Shop

One of the most enjoyable aspects of going to any expo is getting the chance to meet all kinds of like-minded people from all walks of life. You’ll get the chance to relax, talk shop, hear some stories, learn a little, and maybe even impart some wisdom of your own. If you’re lucky you might even find a new fishing buddy.

Here at Signature Fishing Rods, we support all efforts to learn more about and improve at the sport of fishing. We sell custom rods for anglers of all skill levels, complete with some of the latest advancements in fishing technology. Call  630.234.6214 to learn more about products.

If you’re interested in attending an expo, our supplier Grandt Industries will be at the Ultimate Fishing Show at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI Jan. 6 through Jan. 9.