Comparison Brain Apex Carp 450-5 vs Brain Apex SW 450-200g

- Spinning. Although in fact this type of rod is one of the most universal, its main purpose is still the spinning method of fishing: the bait is cast over a long distance and pulled out using a reel. At the same time, the movement of live prey is simulated, which allows you to catch various types of predatory fish. Spinning rods are relatively short in length - usually no more than 3 m - and are designed to have good resistance to jerking; at the same time, the elasticity of the rod can provide (with the correct selection of the weight of the tackle) a casting range of up to 100 m. They usually have a plug-in design (see below).

- Carp. Rods specially designed for carp fishing. This fish is distinguished by significant strength even with a relatively small body weight, and the actual weight can reach a couple of tens of kilograms. Accordingly, carp fishing rods are characterized by increased strength and resistance to stress. Also, such models have a fairly clear standard of length - within 300 - 400 cm.

— Feeder / picker. Rods designed for catching fish that live on or near the bottom. When fishing in this way, a special feeder (feeder) with hooks is thrown into the water and lowered to the very bottom. There is no float; to signal a bite, a special thin and soft tip of the rod itself (the so-called quivertip) is used: it has a distinctive color and not...iceably bends when the fishing line twitches. Actually, the presence of a quivertip is one of the distinctive features of feeder rods. Such tops can be either permanent or replaceable; in the latter case, the process of selecting a quivertype for the expected size of prey is simplified. Feeders also have a large number of rings and a design that promotes casting accuracy (this is important when bottom fishing). Length - usually in the range of 200 - 400 cm.
A picker rod can be called a lightweight class of feeder rods. Pickers are also designed for bottom fishing, but they have a significantly shorter length and weight than classic feeders, and can also be used with lighter tackle. This provides a number of advantages: the short length ensures maneuverability in cramped conditions (for example, on overgrown banks, where a longer rod would cling to vegetation when swinging), and a lightweight feeder reduces the volume of the splash and scares the fish less than a conventional feeder, especially at shallow depths . Another advantage is high sensitivity (due to low weight). At the same time, pickers are designed mainly for catching small fish like roach; They are poorly suited for large prey, although such use, with a certain skill, is still not excluded.

- Bolognese. A variety of rods for float fishing, one of the most versatile - suitable for different distances and different types of reservoirs. At the same time, the “lap dogs” are structurally designed for long-distance casting and for ease of tackle control during the current. Therefore, the optimal option for their use is considered to be fishing on rivers with medium and weak currents when using the wiring technique - in other cases they do not have pronounced advantages over float models (see below). At the same time, the use of reels, provided for Bolognese models, by definition, makes it easier to catch large fish - the risk of breaking the line is reduced. Also, such rods are necessarily equipped with rings (see below). The length of the lap dogs is usually from 400 to 700 cm.

- Match. Rod for the so-called match fishing. This technique is also called “long casting,” which fully describes its features - the tackle needs to be cast far and accurately. This method is designed for large fish, which are usually found far from the shore. Accordingly, match rods are initially designed for long range and ease of swing, have a length of about 400 cm (plus or minus) and a plug-in design (see “Design”).

- Surf. Specialized fishing rods for sea fishing. When fishing this way, you have to deal with strong waves, headwinds and the need to throw the tackle quite far, and the prey can have very significant weight and strength. Surf fishing rods are created taking into account all these factors: they have high strength combined with flexibility, withstand loads of several tens of kilograms and allow you to work with heavy equipment, incl. throw with both hands; their rings (see below) are equipped with special rollers for thick, durable fishing line.

- Flywheel. One of the varieties of fishing rods designed for float fishing. Fly models have the simplest design: the fishing line is attached to the end of the rod, and the reel and rings are completely absent from the design. Due to this, fishing rods of this type are distinguished by good sensitivity, but their casting range is very short (it directly depends on the length of the rod). Fly models are designed mainly for amateur fishing in simple conditions; they are also considered a good option for beginners just learning the basics of fishing.

- Universal. Rods of universal design perform many of the assigned functions, regardless of the conditions, equipment and the chosen type of fishing. They cope well with various tasks, but their multifunctionality forces them to make compromises and such rods are still inferior to specialized models. However, they can be used for spinning fishing, trolling, as a side fishing rod, etc. The key advantage of universal options is that the fisherman does not need to carry fishing rods with different characteristics, but rather just take one multifunctional fishing tool. Universal fishing rods are often preferred by amateurs and weekend fishermen.

- Casting. Rods similar in design and purpose to spinning models (see on top), but differing in a number of features. Thus, they are designed for use not with inertia-free, but with the so-called. a multiplier reel, which is also installed not from below, but from on top the rod (as well as rings under the fishing line). The handle of casting rods has a special protrusion for the index finger, similar to the trigger of a pistol - in common parlance “trigger” or “trigger”. It provides a more comfortable grip, better movement and responsiveness of the rod, and reduces fatigue. The advantages of casting models are ergonomics, as well as high casting accuracy (in fact, initially such rods appeared for competitions in the accuracy of throwing bait).

- Fly fishing. Rods designed for fly fishing. In this kind of fishing, a bait is used that looks like an insect (“fly”), and the fisherman uses gear to imitate its characteristic movements. The key difference between fly fishing and most other fishing techniques is the casting principle: since the fly has negligible weight and is unable to provide sufficient inertia, a special heavy cord is used for casting, to the end of which the bait is attached. The operating principle of this system resembles the action of a whip - hence the name. All this determined the characteristics of fly fishing rods. They are characterized, in particular, by their fairly light weight, the presence of rings, and the location of the reel in the back of the rod, behind the handle, almost at the very end.

- Winter. A type of fishing rod designed for ice fishing in winter. They have the shortest length among all types - usually up to several tens of centimeters - because. When fishing in winter, the fisherman sits almost right on top the ice hole, and excessive length only complicates the matter. Due to their short length, winter fishing rods usually have only one ring for the fishing line - at the top; The coil can be either removable or built-in. Some models come with interchangeable whips of different lengths and stiffness, which allows you to choose the best option taking into account the fishing conditions and the gear used. Note that this variety can also be used in the warm season - for example, for fishing from a boat.

- Marker. Such rods are in many ways similar to the carp rods described on top and can also be used for carp fishing. However, their main purpose is reconnaissance of the bottom of a reservoir, in particular, measuring depths using special marker floats, as well as determining the features of the bottom surface using weights. The main differences between marker rods and classic carp rods are a softer blank (for ease of working with loads) and a low line test (see below), usually up to 2.5 - 3 pounds.

- Spode. Another type of rod used in carp fishing. However, spod models are used not during fishing itself (although this is technically possible), but when casting “missiles” - special gear for baiting prey. Such rods usually have quite high strength, and the line test is at least 4 - 5 pounds.

— Boat / catfish / power. Powerful fishing rods designed for catching catfish and other large fish from a boat or from the shore. The main features of rods for this type of fishing are their short length (about 2 m) combined with strong guides and a large margin of safety - the jerks of the prey can be quite strong and short rods can withstand them better.

- Plug-in. Fishing rods of a special design, different from traditional options. Initially they appeared as equipment for sport fishing, from there they were “adopted” by amateur fishermen. Outwardly, they differ in their enormous length compared to other types: in the shortest models it is about 9 m, in the longest it can exceed 18 m. Note that the design (see below) of such rods can be either plug-in or and partially telescopic (part “telescope”, part plug); both options allow you to adjust the length of the rod by removing or adding intermediate sections. Such models are used for float fishing, in which the tackle is attached to the tip of the rod, and there are no rings for fishing line in the design. All these features provide a number of advantages. So, with the help of a plug fishing rod you can accurately determine the depth and features of the bottom, as well as reach places that are inaccessible with shorter fishing rods. Such a fishing rod does not need to be cast in a big way, which allows you to fish in confined spaces (for example, under low tree branches), as well as in bad weather. And the equipment is short, which contributes to accuracy and sensitivity. The main disadvantages of plug rods are their high cost, bulkiness and long preparation times for fishing.

The action the rod matches. This parameter is often associated with spinning models (see “Type”), but it can also be indicated in other varieties.

Action characterizes the overall rigidity and elasticity of the rod blank - the main working part located between the handle and the upper end. In practice, the characteristics of bending and straightening during casting depend on this indicator. The “faster” the action of the rod, the stiffer it is, the smaller part of it (counting from the upper end) bends when casting and the faster the structure returns to its original state. Conversely, a slow action means that the rod bends almost along its entire length and returns back at a relatively low speed.

If we talk about specific numbers, then models that bend 1/3 of the length or less are considered fast, and models that bend 2/3 of the length or more are classified as slow. Between these numbers there are intermediate indicators: medium-fast, medium and medium-slow.

The progressive or complex system stands apart from others. The main feature of such rods is that when casting, they work as a fast-action rod, and when fishing for large prey, they exhibit the properties of a medium or even slow action, bending as t...he load increases in the shape of a parabola and at the same time dampening the jerks of the fish. Progressive rods combine the advantages of fast and slow blanks in one bottle, but they are more expensive than their traditional counterparts.

The choice of fishing rod depends primarily on the expected fishing conditions. Thus, fast models are well suited for situations where there is no space for a swing - they allow you to throw the bait quite far due to just one movement of the wrist. Such products are considered more accurate; with a fast rod it is easier to throw the bait into a “window” among the algae or other small place. In addition, the rigidity provides good sensitivity when retrieving and playing. In turn, a slow action requires space for the swing, but allows for greater casting distance and reduces the likelihood of line breakage during sudden jerks of prey. Well, we should also not forget about the personal preferences of the fisherman - after all, the effectiveness of casting largely depends on the overall convenience of the rod.

The maximum weight of the entire rig (including bait, weights, hooks, etc.) that the rod can handle. This parameter is not recommended to be exceeded: the structure will be subjected to off-design loads and wear out a lot, to the point that the rod can simply break during a normal cast. In addition, the off-design weight of the casting significantly reduces the range and accuracy of the cast, which is critical, in particular, in spinning and match fishing (see "Rod type").

This parameter describes the compatibility of the rod with various fishing lines, but its role is not limited to this. Typically, the line test is specified as a range of values, such as 8 – 15 pounds (1 pound — 454 grams). The breaking load of the line used should be within the range specified for the rod. With a lower load, it is likely that the line will break during a sharp movement (for example, during hooking or even when casting), and with a higher load, the rod may break under a load that the line itself would withstand without problems.

Thus, the test on the line characterizes a kind of "power" of the rod, which includes two characteristics: elasticity (the force developed during jerking due to the flexibility of the structure) and the maximum weight load.

The length of the rod when folded. This parameter primarily affects the convenience of transportation: the shorter the folded rod, the easier it is to carry / transport.

— Fiberglass. One of the earliest synthetic materials used in modern rods appeared in the middle of the 20th century. It is a substance consisting of thin elongated filaments of ordinary glass. However, unlike the usual form of glass (for example, window glass), fiberglass is a soft and fairly shock-resistant material — for example, rods made of it are much more unpretentious than graphite and carbon fiber (see below), less sensitive to bumps and falls, and are significantly cheaper. The main disadvantage is the significant weight, which creates inconvenience if you need to often cast the bait (for example, when fishing with a lure from the shore). In addition, fiberglass is less resilient and less resistant to bending than the mentioned "carbon" materials.

— Composite. Most often, composite rods are made from a mixture of carbon fiber and fiberglass. The first material has good rigidity and bending resistance, but is rather brittle; the second is not so hard, but at the same time less sensitive to bumps, falls, etc. The combined design allows you to combine the advantages of both materials and compensate for the disadvantages. Note that the proportions of this mixture are different, and therefore composite rods can differ greatly from each other in terms of characteristics; it is desirable to clarify this point separately before purchasing.

— Carbon (graphite). A type of carbon fiber is a synthetic material made up of thin strands of carbon. The main advantage of carbon is its high resistance to bending, which is very important when pulling large prey. In addition, this material is quite light and resistant to bad weather, temperature changes, etc. On the other hand, such rods do not tolerate shocks, falls on a hard surface, etc. and require careful handling — in particular, it is highly desirable to use covers during transportation. However, the advantages of carbon far outweigh its disadvantages, and therefore it is one of the most common materials for modern rods of various types.
This item also includes graphite rods. This is one of the varieties of carbon fiber, somewhat simplified compared to carbon fiber and, accordingly, less expensive. Graphite tolerates heavy bending loads worse, and therefore is used mainly in Bologna and float rods. In addition, due to its plasticity and "biting", this material is also suitable for match models.

— Cork. Handles made of natural cork. This material has many advantages: due to its porosity, it is light and poorly conducts heat (“warms the hand” in the cold), at the same time it does not get wet, and cork handles look quite elegant. The main disadvantage is the relatively high cost, as a result of which cork handles are found mainly in rods of the middle and higher price range (although there are also inexpensive models with such handles).

— Foam rubber (EVA). Handles made of finely porous ethylene vinyl acetate, a synthetic material. Initially, EVA was used in rods designed for sea fishing — this material is much more resistant to salt water, ultraviolet radiation and other negative influences than cork. However, now it is very common in all types of fishing rods. The advantages of EVA, in addition to the above, are low cost, as well as a variety of designs — unlike cork, this material can be given almost any colour. On the other hand, EVA is significantly heavier, which can be critical for professional anglers who balance their rods to the nearest gram (especially when using ultralight rods). Therefore, such pens are mainly characteristic of inexpensive amateur models.

— Cork / foam rubber. Combined handles, combining both of the above materials in the design. Thus, the advantages of cork and foam rubber are combined, and the disadvantages are partially compensated (for more detai...ls about the advantages and disadvantages, see above). At the same time, this option is quite rare, because. for a number of reasons, it is still considered more justified to use one specific material.

— Styrofoam. Styrofoam handles — "foamed" plastic (usually based on polystyrene). It consists of individual microscopic cells filled with gas, while the volume of gas can be up to 98% of the volume of the entire material. This determined the main properties of the foam: it is very light, resistant to moisture, in addition, it poorly conducts heat and does not “cool” the hands. Due to the latter, foam handles are well suited, in particular, to winter rods (see "Rod type"). On the other hand, the strength and durability of foam plastic is somewhat lower than that of cork and foam rubber.

— Plastic. Classic plastic is inexpensive, and it is often noticeably stronger than the cork, foam rubber or foam plastic described above. On the other hand, this material is noticeably heavier and has a relatively high thermal conductivity (that is, it can cool hands in cool weather). Thus, plastic handles are mainly used in ultra-compact winter rods. The weight of such tackle is small even taking into account the handle, it does not need an perfect balance, the high strength of the handle is important for technical reasons, and fishing is still supposed to be in warm gloves that reliably isolate hands from the cold.

— Carbon. A variant found in rods made of the same material (see above). The handle in such models is usually a thickening of a special shape on the body. This design allows you to reduce weight and provide maximum responsiveness of the rod, however, it is not cheap. As a result, it is found predominantly among high-end casting models (see "Rod Type"). Like the rods themselves, carbon handles are very resistant to bending, but are sensitive to strong impacts (may crack).