Walk into any well-stocked fishing tackle store, and you might be overwhelmed by the assortment of fishing rods available to the modern angler.

How do you choose the best rod for your personal use?

The choice is difficult for a novice angler. How long does the rod need to be? What about material — graphite versus fiberglass? Does fishing rod action really matter? Should you buy a spinning rod or a casting rod?

Rod selection largely depends on where you fish and what kind of fish you like to catch.

If the answer is sand bass, crappie and bluegills, it’s hard to beat a light-action spinning rod that’s about 5 to 5 1/2 feet long and made of graphite or a graphite composite.

In Texas, the largemouth bass is king of the freshwater lakes, and Alton Jones of Waco is one of the top Texas bass pros. When Jones launches at a tournament, his boat’s rod box is generally loaded with about 25 rods.

“Fishing rods are like golf clubs,” Jones said. “You wouldn’t attempt a putt with your driver, and you shouldn’t try to cast light lures with a heavy rod made for Carolina-rig fishing. I have rods that I use for different types of fishing. I have multiples of every style rod in case I break a rod.”

Also, when Jones has determined that flipping a heavy jig is the best bet for winning a tournament, he may keep three identical jig rods rigged on his deck. If he breaks off or hangs up a lure in a place where he expects to catch a fish, Jones can quickly grab another jig rod and make another cast.

In tournament fishing, time equals money, and efficiency can mean the difference in a six-figure payday or a second-place check. Recreational anglers aren’t that serious, but they can still learn from the pros.

If you’re serious about bass fishing, said Jones, steer clear of spincast fishing equipment. Spincast gear is great for kids, but spincast reels lack the power and the smooth drag required to handle a big fish.

Jones uses 100 percent graphite rods for jig fishing or fishing with plastic worms or other soft plastic lures. This type of fishing requires a delicate touch because fish may bite the lure very subtly. Otherwise, he uses a composite fiberglass rod for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits and topwater fishing.

Rod length boils down to how the rod will be used. Jones uses longer rods to propel crankbaits or spinnerbaits long distances.

He uses a long rod for Carolina-rig worm fishing because a Carolina-rig is difficult to cast and requires a sweeping hook set.

Jones uses shorter rods for pinpoint casting around heavy cover.