The fishing rod tactic has many different uses that all can be the game changer if applied to the situation correctly. All of these tactics require a lot of practice and can be hard to master.
The first and most common use for the fishing rod is the stun. To do this, you simply right click fishing rod to hit your opponent before you go into a fight, then you quickly switch back to your sword and take him down. This technique will stun them, allowing you to get more hits off before they have a chance to hit you. You have to be really fast at switching between items to master this tactic, but it can save you if you are fighting someone who's has better gear than you.
Another very effective strategy with the fishing rod is to hit them while they sprint. If you are chasing somebody who will not stop running then a fishing rod may be your only chance of catching them. Try and hit them repeatedly to try and make them bump into an object that will mess up there sprint(water, a wall, cobweb, etc...) this tactic requires a good deal of practice to master, but if you do you will be able to win almost every chase.
The final and most challenging strategy for the fishing rod is fishing! To fish effectively you will need: 2 diamonds, 3 pumpkin pie, a fishing rod, green eggs and ham, 7 porkchops and a bone. Burn everything and kill yourself! Bounty all your points and then rage quit! You have just successfully fished using a fishing rod