Understanding the Forces in Fishing: How Rods Counter Fish Weight

When a fishing rod is being used to catch a fish, it is going against the force of the water. The water exerts a buoyant force on the fish, which is equal to the weight of the water that the fish displaces. This buoyant force acts upwards, while the force of gravity acts downwards on the fish. The fishing rod is used to apply a force to the fish that is greater than the buoyant force, so that the fish is lifted out of the water.