General Info – Page 2 – Fish Investigator

If you have been fishing long enough, you have probably come to know the answer to the old question, “Do fishing rods float”? Let’s take a deeper look into this question by talking about the science behind the answer, as well as ways to keep you from losing your fishing setup. Do Fishing Rods Float? Most fishing rods float, however, once you add the weight of a reel, they sink without exception. The buoyancy of a rod is dependent upon the materials that make up the rod as a whole. Cork and EVA foam rods are buoyant by nature but are not enough to keep a rod afloat when a reel is added. Fishing rods nowadays are constructed of fiberglass and carbon fiber, these materials do not float on their own, however, many fishing rods are built hollow, adding to their buoyancy. Many fishing rods on their own, including both Cork rods and EVA foam roads, will float on their own, but once a reel is added to the setup, it will undoubtedly sink. Some rods, specifically those designed for trolling and deep dropping, do not float even without a reel. This is because trolling rods are denser by nature, often built with dense plastic or metal butts. Why Do Some Rods Float & Others Sink? To fully understand if a fishing rod would sink or float, we must discuss what makes certain things float, and others sink. In the simplest terms, objects less dense than the body of water they are immersed in will float. On the contrary, objects that are denser than the water they are immersed in will sink. I should also mention that density and weight are not the same things. Density is the measurement of how heavy an object is in relation to its size, whereas weight is a measure of its relative mass. Knowing the difference between the two will give you a better understanding of why objects like steel buoys float. So looking at the above question, do fishing rods float? We can look at the density of water in relation to the density of the fishing rods components. Waters density is .999 g/cm^3 in freshwater and 1.027 g/cm^3 in saltwater, where carbon fiber density is 1.75g/cm^3. Since carbon fiber is denser than water, we know it will sink. Now, without getting too technical, other factors come into play with the overall density of fishing rods, including mainly the different materials. Fishing rods are made of many different materials including, EVA, cork, aluminum, fiberglass, and many others that change the overall density of the rod. The variations of overall rod materials are the reason why some fishing rods float on their own while others sink. Do Cork Fishing Rods Float? On average, cork rods do float. This is because cork has an extremely low density coming in at .24/cm3, which is almost a quarter of the density of water. Though only a portion of the cork rod is made of this buoyant material, it skews the overall density of the rod itself. It is also important to mention that cork is a hydrophobic material meaning it does not absorb water. Having a rod that is hydrophobic is an important factor for buoyancy and overall fishing rod health. Since the rod naturally repels water, it will not absorb liquid. A rod that is not hydrophobic would increase in density upon hitting the water as it absorbs the liquid. Once you add on all the components necessary for fishing, including the reel, line, and lure, your fishing setup will have a higher density than water and will result in it sinking. Do EVA Foam Fishing Rods Float? On average, EVA Foam rods do float. EVA foam rods are slightly higher in overall density than cork rods weighing in at .56 cm3 which is still less than the density of water. One thing that is important to mention is that EVA foam rods are prominently used for heavy fishing tackle, where cork rods are often used for light fishing tackle. The main reason for this is that cork is extremely lightweight, which adds both sensitivity and overall comfort to inshore anglers that are casting all day. Rod sensitivity and comfort are less of a concern on heavier tackle since they are prominently used for trolling, deep dropping, or freelining. Also, EVA foam is hydrophobic as is the case with cork rods. One benefit that EVA foam has over cork rods is the overall durability. EVA foam can last 10 to 15 years if cared for properly, whereas cork handles last approximately 5 to 7 years. One significant drawback for EVA foam is that it tends to be slippery when wet, especially if any fish slim or oils come in contact with the butt of the rod. What Is EVA Foam? Ethylene-vinyl acetate, commonly referred to as EVA foam, is a material with vast practical application, often used for its padding and ability to absorb shock. EVA Foam is cheap to manufacture and is heavily used in the marine industry for its overall durability, water resistance, and low price. Some EVA foam uses include; rod handles, boat decking, life jackets, and fenders. How Do I Keep My Fishing Rod from Sinking? Using a rod float, leash, or rod holder are all effective ways of keeping your fishing rod from sinking. Do Fishing Rod Floats Work? Fishing rod floats work, especially when they are being used for light to moderate fishing rods. Rod floats are an excellent option for kayakers and other inshore fishermen. Rod floats are typically made of polyethylene or EVA foam and work best when attached to the rod 4 to 6 inches above the reel. Many rod floats require simple installation that involves securing 2 to 3 straps around the rod. Now there are some cases where fishing rod floats do not work, and this is especially the case with heavy offshore fishing tackle. In these cases, the use of a fishing leash is best. Rod Float Pros: It keeps your rod from sinking (obviously) Inexpensive Lightweight Easy installation Rod Float Cons: It won’t work on heavy tackle Bulky Reduces rod sensitivity Less overall balance on the rod Low to moderate usable life Do Fishing Rod Leashes Work? Fishing rod leashes work and are used in both offshore and inshore fishing applications. Rod leashes are typically hooked on or above the reel. Many conventional fishing reels come with an area on the backside of the reel where the leash can be easily attached. I recommend that all offshore anglers have a leash attached to their trolling setups. I have personally seen a $4,000 fishing setup slip out of the hands of a beginner angler into the ocean, never to be seen again. Now I have also seen expensive fishing setups saved from the ocean’s depths by the simple use of a leash. It is important to note that not all rod leashes are the same. Some are lightweight and only suitable for inshore fishing applications. Fishing Leash Pros: It saves your rod (obviously) Inexpensive Easy installation Reliable with heavier fishing setups It can be unclipped quickly if the angler needs to reposition Fishing Leash Cons: It can feel bulky, especially when inshore fishing Restrictive; can disturb overall castability Using Your Rod Holders Using rod holders can effectively limit the chances of losing your fishing rod in the water. Keeping your rod in the rod holder is not possible with certain types of fishing that require continuous casting, but is common in other forms of fishing, including trolling, bottom fishing, and deep dropping. If you keep your rod in the rod holder, your chances of losing that rod in the water are slim to none. Unless your boat or kayak capsizes. Now, there is one exception to this that I have personally witnessed, and it has happened to many anglers. This exception is when anglers are trolling with rods setup on outriggers. If your drag and outrigger clips are too tight, when a fish strikes, it can pull your rod up and out of the rod holder and into the ocean. Rod Holder Pros : Lessens chances of losing the rod If fishing from a boat or kayak, the rod holder assists in the overall fight of the fish Rod Holder Cons: No castingIt takes away from the overall sport of fighting fish How To Recover A Lost Fishing Rod? Recovering a lost fishing rod that has fallen into the water can be a daunting task, but here are a couple of techniques I have successfully used in the past to retrieve a lost fishing rod. Jump in the water: If you are in shallow clear water jumping in after your fishing rod will probably be the fastest and most effective way of retrieving your fishing rod. This retrieval technique can be difficult if the water is murky or you are fishing in depths exceeding 15 feet. Get out the treble hooks: If you are uncomfortable jumping in the water or if the water is too deep for a hand retrieval, using a treble hook and a 1-ounce weight is another effective technique. It is important to mention that the size of your weight will significantly affect your success in retrieving your rod. If your weight is too light, the treble hook will start to rise off the bottom upon the retrieval limiting your ability to hook any part of your rod. The first time I used this technique, I wasn’t feeling hopeful about my chances of retrieving my rod, but after only 5 minutes of dragging the treble hook on the bottom of the water, I was able to save my entire setup. Use your deep-diving crankbait: If you do not have any treble hooks with you, a deep-diving crankbait can effectively hook into your rod setup. What To Do After You Recover Your Rod From The Water? So if you are lucky enough to have saved your fishing combo after dropping it in the water, you are not entirely out of the woods yet. Depending on the salinity level of the water and the length of time your setup was submerged, you may have some additional work to do to get everything working properly again. Typically your rod won’t experience any damage from the submersion, but your reel is a different case. Here is a step-by-step guide to getting your reel back up and running after submersion. Quickly rinse your entire reel down with fresh water. Break your reel down into smaller components to allow small areas to dry quickly. Hand dry the reel using a small towel or cotton swab.When the reel is completely dry, begin to oil and lube all moving parts of the reel. Once oiled and lubed, reassemble your reel and begin to rotate the reel’s handle to work the new lubricants throughout the reel’s inner gears. If you drop your reel in freshwater, there is a good chance you’ll be able to get your reel back up and running as good as new if you follow all the above steps. Now, this is a different story when your reel is submerged in saltwater. The chances of your reel remaining smooth is highly dependent on the quality of the reel being used and how well the inner gears are sealed. Conclusion Though most fishing rods float, all fishing setups will sink the moment a reel is added to the setup. As I have mentioned, a couple of solutions will solve your fishing from rod sinking, including rod floats, leashes, and the use of rod holders. When it comes to kayak fishing, I always recommend a rod float no matter the angler’s skill level. In the case of fishing from shore or boat, this is up to the individual angler. Personally, I do not have any form of float or leash when fishing the backwater. In the case of trolling, rod leashes are an absolute necessity even if you keep the rod on the rod holder.