Best Budget		Falcon BuCoo	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A high quality rod under $100.
Best for Small Swimbaits		Shimano Curado	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary The perfect rod for flukes and finesse swimbaits.
Best Overall		St. Croix Victory	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A well-balanced and versatile rod.

Savvy anglers know that spinning rods can handle the biggest fish around and throw the lightest lures while being both exceptionally sensitive and extremely powerful. They’re versatile tools with options for everything from pond bluegills to popping for giant trevally in the South Pacific. Of course one rod can’t do it all and there isn’t one best rod, there are rods that are the best for specific purposes. As I’ve started to consider my spinning tackle choices more carefully, I’ve not only caught more fish, but I’ve also had more fun doing it. 

Obviously, there’s a near-endless selection of spinning rods to choose from, and I can’t test them all. Since bass are America’s most popular gamefish, I focused this review on rods that were developed with bass in mind. While they’re bass leaning rods and targeted at the recovering bubba set, they can be applied to trout, walleye, crappie, inshore species, and even big game under the right circumstances. To prove their versatility I also tested the best spinning rods with the help of gear editor, Scott Einsmann, on a striped bass trip. 

• Best Overall: St. Croix Victory VTS73MXF
• Best Budget: Falcon BuCoo SRS BRS-4-17
• Best for Skipping Docks: Douglas XMatrix DXS 704F
• Best for Shaky Heads and Grubs: Dobyns Champion XP DC 702SF
• Best for Dropshotting: Abu Garcia Zenon ZENS-610-4
• Best for Flukes and Small Swimbaits: Shimano Curado CDS70MA
• Best for Panfish: Lew’s Wally Marshall Speed Shooter
• Best Travel Rod: Megabass Valkyrie World Expedition Travel Spinning Rods
• Best for Small Crankbaits: St. Croix Legend Glass Crankbait Spinning Rod 6’10” M

How We Tested the Best Spinning Rods

The great thing about most spinning rods aimed at the bass market is that they can be used for a wide range of fishing applications outside of the bass world. That extends from panfish to walleye to stripers to light saltwater use. It doesn’t mean that certain ones aren’t better for specific applications, but rather that you can get a sense of how light and how heavy they can go. Therefore, in addition to using some of these rods for Michigan smallmouth and others for heavy cover largemouth on home waters like the Potomac, Outdoor Life gear editor, Scott Einsmann, and I took them to the Roanoke River in North Carolina to tussle with some hefty stripers, too. Each rod was evaluated for its intended purpose and specialty with a wide range of lure types and weights.

On those fishing trips I evaluated each rod for the following characteristics:

• Hook setting power
• Sensitivity
• Casting distance and accuracy
• Balance and weight
• Handle comfort

The Best Spinning Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Overall: St. Croix Victory VTS73MXF

St. Croix

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 3 inches 
• Power: Medium 
• Action: Extra fast
• Lure Weight: 3/16 to 1/2 ounce 
• Split grip cork and EVA handle

Pros

• “In-between” length operates well in close quarters and open water 
• Remarkably sensitive
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Action may be too fast for some anglers using fast-moving lures

Despite having similar lure weight recommendations as many of the other rods I tested, the St. Croix Victory seemed noticeably bulkier, so to be honest, I didn’t expect much. That’s why I was so surprised at how light it felt—demonstrating the importance of balance over just absolute weight. Everything about it is refined and purpose-driven, from the comfortable reel seat and handle components to the premium cork itself. I even liked the fact that it was neither 7 feet nor 7 foot 6 inches, but rather smack dab in the middle.

If you’re only going to own one spinning rod (a reality that I caution against but nevertheless know is quite possible), this USA-made option is a great choice, capable of doing a lot of different things extremely well. I’d highly recommend it if you want to buy one really nice spinning rod or are limited to how many rods you can carry, like kayak anglers. Beyond being a do-all rod, the Victory is fantastic at my primary uses for a spinning rod, light plastic and finesse swimbaits. Furthermore, it comes at a mid range price for a top-of-the-line product, meaning that you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Buy This for Other Species If: You want to be able to cast aggressive lures all day without getting tired.

Best Budget: Falcon BuCoo SR BRS-4-17

Falcon

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Power: Medium 
• Action: Moderate 
• Lure Weight: ¼ to 1/2 ounce 
• Split grip EVA handle

Pros

• Weight eliminated wherever possible
• Fuji exposed blank reel seat for sensitivity
• Budget-priced

Cons

• Some anglers might not like moderate action for super-light line techniques

Other than the distinctive gray handles, nothing cosmetic sets the Falcon BuCoo apart from its competitors, but I found myself seeking it out on multiple trips for bass and stripers. It was as sensitive as rods costing three and four times as much, and just “felt right” in hand. At times I paired it with a top-of-the-line spinning reel, and while they may have been mismatched in terms of price tags (this rod clocks in at under a hundred bucks), they nevertheless felt like they belonged together. Frankly, while other rods may handle a specific niche slightly better, I felt like this one could go toe-to-toe with the best of them. It could feel a tiny bait 30 feet down but also held up to big rampaging fish with an attitude.

Einsmann fished this rod as well and had this to say. “Being surprised is a good thing when you think a rod is a fantastic performer in the $200 price range and come to find out it costs under $100. The Falcon was a feather weight and sensitive enough that I could feel my jig tick the bottom. I caught my largest fish of the day on it and that eight pounder was tamed easily. It did help that we had a $400 Abu Zenon reel on the rod. I get it if you’re not willing to shell out that cash for a reel, I’m not either. I would suggest a Daiwa Fuego LT as an alternative.” 

Buy This for Other Species If: You want a rod that you won’t hesitate to test its mettle, but which still has to perform like one costing two or three times as much.

Best for Skipping Docks: Douglas XMatrix DXS 704F

Douglas

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Power: Medium
• Action: Fast
• Lure Weight: ⅓ to 1 ounce 
• Split grip EVA handle

Pros

• Easily handles heavier lures than much of the competition
• Tangle-free tip top
• Fuji Alconite guides with ceramic inserts to handle braid

Cons

• May not be ideal for the lightest finesse lures

Unless you’re magical with a baitcasting rod and reel, you’ll need spinning gear to skip lures under docks and then extract the big bass that lives there. Therein lies the conundrum—sometimes you’ll be skipping little lures, and you need the rod to load properly yet still be able to muscle a fish away from steel cables or barnacles. The Douglas XMatrix splits that difference easily and comfortably. It’s still good for many other techniques, but as a committed and half-decent dock skipper, this is one rod I’ll plan to dedicate to that technique as much as possible. It comes with lots of smart innovations, like tip-top frames that are front welded to avoid wrapping with braid, which otherwise could cost you a fish or lead to a broken rod.

Buy This for Other Species If: You tend to fish around heavy cover and need muscle to extract fish that know exactly where to break you off.

Best for Shaky Heads and Grubs: Dobyns Champion XP DC 702SF

Dobyns

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Action: Medium light action
• Power: Fast 
• Lure Weight: ⅛ to 1/2 ounce 
• Split grip cork handle

Pros

• Tangle-free Fuji K-Guides with Alconite inserts
• Ultra-premium cork handles 
• Covers multiple techniques with no drop off in quality

Cons

• Anglers who prefer EVA may not like the cork handles

Rodmaker Gary Dobyns may have left the spinning rod nirvana of California for the bubba country of Texas, but he’s true to his roots with the Champion XP spinning rod, a fast action, cork-handle rod. Even if a shakey head is your last resort, it’s necessary to have one in your “panic box,” and as VanDam found out at Lewisville it doesn’t discriminate against big fish. The west was the breeding ground not only for the hula grub, but also for darter heads and other fresh-from-Japan techniques, and the exceptional balance makes it feel lighter than its actual weight. 

Buy This for Other Species If: You need to feel the slightest breath of a fish against your lure in vertical presentations.

Best for Dropshotting: Abu Garcia Zenon ZENS-610-4

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Key Features

• Length: 6 feet 10 inches
• Power: Medium light 
• Action: Extra fast 
• Carbon split-grip handle

Pros

• Super-lightweight yet durable
• Comfortable Fuji reel seat
• Strong titanium alloy guides with nitride silicon inserts

Cons

• Carbon rod handle may be slippery or feel odd in some hands

If you’re not dropshotting, you’re missing out on fish. It’s that simple. Regardless of whether the depth requires a 1/16 ounce weight or a ½ ounce model, any spinning rod may do well at times, but few excel across the board. The Zenon spinning rod allowed me to keep a lure in place on shallow largemouths and mid-range smallmouths alike while simultaneously providing lifelike action. I’d also consider it a good choice for shakey heads. Some anglers may consider it too short at 6 feet 10 inches for techniques where you’re making long casts or need to pick up a lot of line in a hurry, but I found it to perform no differently than any of the seven-footers, and it was well-balanced in a manner that should appeal to fishermen and women of different heights.

Buy This for Other Species If: You never know what you’re going to target in a multi-species fishery, from walleye to pike to bass to crappie.

Best for Flukes and Small Swimbaits: Shimano Curado CDS70MA

Shimano

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Lure Weight: 3/16 to 1/2 ounce 
• Power: Medium 
• Action: Moderate 
• Split grip EVA and carbon handles

Pros

• Proprietary CI4+ reel seat
• Diagonally-wrapped carbon tape increases blank strength
• Fuji tangle-free K guides with Fazlite inserts

Cons

• Dense EVA handle may feel odd at first

Every time I get in one of the Bassmaster Elite Series pro’s boats in a clear water situation, and especially in smallmouth country, they seem to have a small jig head with a Keitech or Rage Swimmer on the back. It’s a limit-getting technique that also produced my personal best smallmouth last fall while fishing in Michigan with Shimano pro Keith Combs. The 7 foot, medium power, Curado is perfect for that technique. 

This rod gives you the ability to make long casts with light lures in windy conditions, but also just enough give so the bass can swallow the lure. That’s when the fun begins, as an airborne smallmouth can easily disgorge that hook, and this rod seems to keep them pegged. The specific form of EVA they use took some getting used to, but their proprietary reel seat is comfortable to fish all day. 

Buy This for Other Species If: You want just the right action to let a fish inhale a moving lure and then drive the hooks home.

Best Travel Rod: Megabass Valkyrie World Expedition Travel Spinning Rods

Megabass

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 6 inches
• Medium-Fast
• Lures up to 1.4 ounces
• Four pieces

Pros

• Handles heavy lures
• Comes with a travel case
• Extra length allows for long casts

Cons

• Not inexpensive

Usually, travel spinning rods provide light to medium actions and low-level components. Megabass flipped that paradigm with the Valkyrie World Expedition rods. There are two spinning rods, a 6 foot 10 inch, med-fast and a 7 foot 6 inch, med-fast. The model I recommend is the heavier and longer of the two—it can flip heavy weights or cast big swimbaits. 

It’s made with artistic and functional touches native to the Japanese market. Thanks to a custom molded reel seat, superior foam split grip handle, and bespoke guides, it doesn’t feel like a typical four-piece rod. In fact, it’s so smooth and refined that you’ll probably use it at home, too, even though it packs up easily into the provided case.

Buy This for Other Species If: You don’t know what you’ll be catching. If you need a travel spinning rod for Amazonian peacock bass, pike, and muskies, or even some saltwater use, this has the refinement and brute strength to tame the beasts.

Best for Small Crankbaits: St. Croix Legend Glass Crankbait Spinning Rod 6’10” M

St. Croix

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Key Features

• Length: 6 feet 10 inches
• ¼-5/8 ounce lures
• Fiberglass construction
• Split grip cork handle

Pros

• Moderate action prevents fish losses
• Handles light line better than baitcasting gear
• Fuji K Series tangle-free guides

Cons

• For anglers used to graphite, softer action may take some getting used to

Whether you’re throwing a Shad Rap, a small balsa square bill, or some other diminutive crankbait, it’s easy to overpower them with baitcasting gear. This rod, with its fiberglass construction, creates no such disadvantages. Fish that surge at boatside or slash at a lure at the last minute, won’t get off. Furthermore, the Legend Glass casts those smaller baits long distances, yet at the same time, is short enough to make pinpoint casts in close quarters. For those who find the 6-foot 10-inch length too short, there’s a 7-foot 2-inch version that’s slightly heavier but handles a vast range of moving baits. The cork grips are super-comfortable to fish all day, and the tangle-free guides allow for either fluorocarbon or a braid-to-fluoro combination that flows freely.

Buy This for Other Species If: You’re fishing for light biters or paper-mouthed fish that prevent you from staying hooked up. It’s light enough to employ for panfish or trout, but also heavy enough for everything from pike to light saltwater use.

Best for Panfish: Lew’s Wally Marshall Speed Shooter

Lew’s

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Power: Medium light
• Action: Fast
• Line Weight: 4 to 10 pounds
• Lure Weight: 1/16 to 1/4 ounces

Pros

• Affordable
• Well balanced
• Accurate caster

Cons

• Not the best for crankbaits

Panfish rods are just as technique specific as bass rods, but the Wally Marshall Speed Shooter covers the gamut of the most popular ways to target panfish. The seven footer is perfect for casting jigs or float rigs, which is a favorite spring technique. The shorter lengths are better suited for dock shooting and casting around tight cover. But one thing all the rods have in common is that they are super sensitive for detecting light bites on slack line. The medium light power is also great for pulling fish away from the dock or wood cover. —Scott Einsmann

Things to Consider Before Buying One of the Best Spinning Rods

I’m a hardcore bass guy, but like many of my brethren, for a long time, I was heavily biased in favor of using baitcasting gear whenever possible. I’d buy budget spinning combos, expect them to handle all of their finesse applications, and then be disappointed when it somehow didn’t meet my lofty expectations. 

The first inkling that m.o. was counterproductive occurred when all-world angler Kevin VanDam caught a Lake Lewisville (Texas) record 11-pound largemouth on a shakey head. Subsequently, I started fishing for salmon, sailfish, and tuna and managed to subdue some true giants with silky smooth spinning reels and rods that matched them. Some of the best anglers in the world, in the most trying situations, use spinning tackle not because they have to, but rather because it’s the best option. 

There’s always been a great selection of spinning rods for inshore, panfish, and trout, but the bass rod market has just started to explode. The array has grown due to several factors:

1. Widespread adoption of a continually-growing array of finesse tactics like dropshotting, shakey heads, and Neko rigging.
2. The fact that most of our best fisheries are becoming increasingly pressured.
3. Advanced braids (often used with a fluorocarbon leader) reduced line twist and increased the power inherent in presentations that still remained stealthy.

Whether you’re targeting shellcracker or yellowfin tuna here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re picking your next stick. 

Overall Length

Rod length is a distinctly personal choice, but in recent years the average length of bass spinning rods moved from the 6 foot 6 six inch range to 7 foot and above. A longer rod, built properly, will often provide greater casting distance and leverage on open water fish, but it may not do as well in tight spaces. Shorter rods are also usually better for making short, accurate casts around structure. 

Handle Length and Composition 

All of the rods I tested had split grip handles, some with no foregrips, which is a trend in spinning rods. It’s still possible to find some solid handles, but they don’t add much value while adding substantial weight. Just as important is finding a handle that provides the right amount of leverage and the perfect length for your hands. That may not always be the same thing. For example, when dropshotting, you may prefer something long to grab onto with two hands, while using the same handle to skip docks may end up tangling the rod butt in your shirt. The choice between EVA, cork, and various non-slip grips is also a matter of personal preference.

Rod Power, Action, and Taper

Remember that power and action are two very different things. Power is how much force it takes to bend the rod. Action is how the rod bends. For example a light power and fast action rod is very easy to bend, but it will mostly bend at the tip.  And as I learned from the Seth Feider Daiwa Tatula rod, not every medium-light or medium flexes in the same way. 

Also, consider the best fishing lines for bass you’ll be using with your set-up. Braid-to-fluorocarbon has less stretch than straight fluoro, which has less stretch than mono, and of course, braid alone has the least of all. That means that a rod that has the perfect hook setting power with mono might need to be replaced with something with more flex if you’re using braid—even if everything else remains constant.

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

For years, whenever I’ve needed or craved a new spinning rod, I’ve invested in a mid-range stick semi-indiscriminately and hoped for the best. That’s led to a reasonable success rate, but the occasional preventable heartbreak, too. The rod you need to hook and land open water dropshot fish is often different from one made to extract a bruiser from under a gnarly dock.

Oddly enough, it was chasing big fish like yellowfin tuna with spinning gear that caused me to reevaluate my bass tackle choices. I saw how a properly-functioning drag and an ideally-tapered blank can improve lure presentations and maximize landings. That invigorated my spinning tackle choices, and led me to overhaul some of my tool kit.

• Best Overall: St. Croix Victory VTS73MXF
• Best Budget: Falcon BuCoo SRS BRS-4-17
• Best for Skipping Docks: Douglas XMatrix DXS 704F
• Best for Neko Rigs and Wacky Rigs: Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Seth Feider Signature Series Rod
• Best for Shaky Heads and Grubs: Dobyns Champion XP DC 702SF
• Best for Dropshotting: Abu Garcia Zenon ZENS-610-4
• Best for Flukes and Small Swimbaits: Shimano Curado CDS70MA
• Best Inshore: Shimano Teramar Southeast
• Best for Panfish: Lew’s Wally Marshall Speed Shooter

The post The Best Spinning Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

We found great deals on rods, reels, combos, fish finders, and boating accessories. Check back often as we update this page with new deals throughout Prime Day 2023. Grab these deals quick because Prime Day ends in a few hours.

Fishing Reels Under $50 on Sale During Prime Day 2023

Abu Garcia Max Pro Spinning Reel is 42 percent off and under $35.

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KastKing Megatron Spinning Reel is 18 percent off

Okuma Avenger ABF spinning reel with baitfeeder is on sale for 34 percent off

Fishing Reels Under $100

PENN Fierce III spinning reel is 24 percent off (3000 size, box)

Abu Garcia Max Pro low profile baitcasting reel is on sale for 22 percent off. Get it for under $70. (Max Pro, New, Left Handed)

Abu Garcia Ambassadeur S 6500 is 22 percent off. This is a great, affordable reel for catfish. (6500, Right Handed)

Read Next: Best Baitcasting Reels

Rods

Abu Garcia Vengeance casting rod is 20 percent off and now under $50. Pair it with the Max Pro for a great combo under $150. (6’9″ MH)

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Penn Battle III Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo is 20 percent off

Tackle Storage

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MotorGuide Transom Mount is on sale for 43 percent off. (30-inch shaft and 30 pound thrust)

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Newport Vessels Kayak Series 55 pound thrust transom mounted saltwater trolling motor with a 24-inch shaft is on sale for 15 percent off

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Line Spoolers

Berkley Portable Fishing Line Spooling Station is 20 percent off at $24

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This patent pending line spooler design features rubber coated clamp points to keep any size rod steady and prevent twists.

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More Deals: Prime Day Deals on Knives

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The post Last Minute Prime Day Fishing Gear Deals appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Spinning Rod	SEE IT
Best Budget		Falcon BuCoo SR Shoal Spin	SEE IT
Most Versatile		St. Croix Victory 7 foot 1 inch Medium	SEE IT

Drop shotting has gone from a fringe technique, looked down upon by some hardcore bass anglers, to a staple for catching largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass. While it’s known as a limit-getting presentation, it’s remarkably effective on giant bass, too. 

The right drop shot rod is a critical element for success whether bass are 2 feet or more than 50 feet deep. While many anglers try to get by with a do-everything 7-foot medium or medium-light spinning rod for drop shotting, the intricacies and nuances of the technique may demand different sticks for different circumstances—and of course, budget is a factor, too.

Whether you’re just getting started drop shotting, or you’re a master of vertical finesse techniques, I’ve made picking your next rod easier by finding the best drop shot rods for a variety of budgets and fishing styles. 

• Best Overall: Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Spinning Rod – Brent Ehrler
• Best Premium: Dobyns Xtasy 723 SF
• Best Budget: Falcon BuCoo SR Shoal Spin
• Best Heavy: Phenix Maxim 7 feet 7 inches Medium
• Best Light: G.Loomis GCX Drop Shot 820S DSR
• Most Versatile: St. Croix Victory 7 foot 1 inch Medium

How I Chose the Best Drop Shot Rods

I’ll admit it—while I’m not afraid of spinning tackle and embraced the drop shot relatively early in time, I still don’t use it as much as I should. That has started to change as I’ve accumulated and tested rods dedicated to the technique—and now I’ve caught largemouths to 7 pounds and smallmouths to 5 on this comparatively new technique. I know that it works in a ridiculously wide range of circumstances and also that the right rod makes a huge difference not only in the number that you hook, but more importantly, in the number that you land. With that in mind, I’ve forced myself to fish them as much as possible to take the guesswork away going forward.

Best Drop Shot Rods: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS Spinning Rod – Brent Ehrler

Daiwa

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 1 inch
• Lure Rating: 1/8 to 1/2 ounce
• Line Rating: 6 to 12 pound mono and 6 to 20 pound braid 
• Split EVA grip
• Price: $290

Pros

• Length should be comfortable for anglers of all sizes
• Lightweight but super-strong
• Lightweight guides and components for all-day use

Cons

• Some might not like the bold color

California bass pro Brent Ehrler is an exceptional tactician across the board, but he made his reputation—and earned some of his biggest wins, including an FLW championship—with finesse techniques. He’s not afraid to use light line in traditional power fishing scenarios, and whether it’s a shaky head or one of the best drop shot baits, he’s uber-confident. 

That shows in the Tatula Elite AGS, which is remarkably lightweight, yet musters incredible strength to move big bass from the depths. At the same time, it’s also forgiving enough that you won’t pull the hook on a smallmouth that surges or jumps boatside. I found the X45 carbon fiber blank to be exceptionally sensitive, even in depths of 30 feet or more whether I was using straight fluorocarbon or braid with a fluoro leader. The AGS (Air Guide System) guides are really light too. 

This rod is exceptional in all aspects, and while it’s not inexpensive, if you’re only going to get one drop shot rod it would be a more-than-solid choice.

Best Premium: Dobyns Xtasy 723 SF

Dobyns Rods

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 2 inches 
• Lure Rating: 3/16 to 5/8 ounce
• Full AAAA-grade cork grips
• Line Rating: 8 to 17 pounds 
• Medium-fast action 
• Price: $550

Pros

• Extremely lightweight
• Kevlar wrapping for extra strength
• Fuji components

Cons

• High price may be a barrier to many anglers

Western legend Gary Dobyns might reside and build his rods in Texas, but he’s never forgotten his California roots. Finesse techniques allowed him to win many of the nearly four dozen boats he claimed in tournament competition, and he was on the scene when drop shotting first started to gain traction on American shores. He knows what it takes to tempt pressured bass of all three species, and this rod is an homage to his excellence. 

It’s an insane balance of lightweight and strength, with a Toray Nano blank, Fuji Titanium Torzite guides, and painted Fuji graphite reel seats. If you’re going to spend the bucks on this sports car, be sure to get an equally lightweight reel, lest you undermine the incredible balance of the rod. I’ve happily fished with some of the Dobyns rods from his less expensive lineups, and I’ve been thrilled with their performance, but this is for the angler who won’t settle for anything less than top of the line.

Best Budget: Falcon BuCoo SR Shoal Spin

Falcon Rods

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Lure Rating: ¼ to 1/2 ounce
• Line Rating: 8 to 15 pounds
• Action: Medium-light 
• Flex: Fast
• Split Grip EVA Handle
• Price: $100

Pros

• Lightweight
• Exposed blank reel seat for direct contact with the blank
• Fuji guides

Cons

• Not ideal for heavier (over 1/2 ounce) drop shot weights

I’ve tested several of the Falcon BuCoo rods over the past couple of years, notably during the Outdoor Life best spinning rod test. I’ve also bought a few more for my own use, and yet I’m nevertheless surprised every time I find myself grabbing for one on a day of “fun fishing” over a rod that costs two or three times as much. 

Despite the low price point, Falcon makes tools that you want to fish that simply feel comfortable in hand and load up right for both the cast and the hook set. This one is no different. The EVA grip is comfortable in hand and the Fuji components—often found only in more expensive rods—are foolproof and failsafe. I’d have no trouble relying on this “bargain” rod with money or the fish of a lifetime on the line. In fact, I think you could be happy with an entire arsenal of BuCoo rods.

Best for Heavy Weights: Phenix Maxim 7 feet 7 inches Medium

Phenix

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 7 inches 
• Lure Rating: 1/8 to ¾ ounce
• Line Rating: 8 to 14 pounds
• Flex: Fast
• Split grip EVA handle
• Price: $129 

Pros

• “Extra” length moves a lot of line on the hook set
• Handles weights in the ¾ ounce class with ease
• Several custom components made expressly for Phenix

Cons

• Some anglers may find 7 foot 7 inch length unwieldy or unable to fit in certain rod storage

Phenix Rods has a long history of making specialty rods on the west coast, starting with “doodling” rods in the 1970s. Since then, they’ve become a respected national (and international) company, making tools for various species and every bass technique conceivable, but their spinning rods still fit the company’s heritage. 

Most of the rods designed for drop shotting are medium-light or medium action. While this one is designated a “medium,” it’s just a little bit heavier than the others in that class. That means if you’re fishing in deep water, heavy current, or other conditions that make the use of a ½ ounce or greater weight necessary, you won’t be overpowered or lose control. The 7 foot 7 inch length allows for long casts if needed, but more importantly, it picks up a lot of line when you need to move a big fish that has grabbed your bait. It features a custom one-piece reel seat and proprietary SiC guides. The camouflage split-grip EVA handle makes them stand out as well.

Best Light: G. Loomis GCX Drop Shot 820S DSR

G Loomis

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Key Features

• Length: 6 feet 10 inches
• Lure Rating: 1/8 to 3/8 ounce
• Line Rating: 4 to 8 pounds
• Action: Extra Fast
• Flex: Mag-light
• Split grip cork handles
• Price: $250

Pros

• Tangle-free SeaGuide Hero One Guide Train
• Premium cork handles
• Made in the USA

Cons

• May be too light for fishing heavier drop shot weights deep and/or in current

This is a fun rod to fish when the bass are being difficult. I liked it with a Ned Rig and shaky head, but it really excelled with a lightweight drop shot. I found that I could use weights as light as 1/16 ounce around riprap, which meant the soft plastic got down, but nothing got snagged or buried in the rocks. Yet I still had enough muscle to get the fish out to safety. 

The comfortable Fuji reel seats and premium cork handle provide sensitivity for all-day fishing, and the carbon blank is just stiff enough to drive the hook home with certainty, while the soft tip prevents you from overworking your lures. A lot of rods on the light side feel like toys or whippy noodles, but the GCX Drop Shot 820S DSR is a purpose-driven tool meant for serious anglers—and if you’re not already a serious angler, this will help you to perform like one.

Most Versatile: St. Croix Victory 7 foot 1 inch Medium

St. Croix

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 1 inch
• Lure Rating: 3/8 to ¾ ounce 
• Line Rating: 6 to 20 pounds
• Action: Fast
• Flex: Medium
• Split grip cork and EVA handle

Pros

• High-modulus blanks are light and extremely sensitive
• Fuji VSS reel seat transmits the lightest bites
• 15-year transferrable warranty
• Made in the USA

Cons

• Some anglers may prefer a longer rod

If you have to pick one do-it-all rod for light to medium range finesse techniques, this would be a solid choice. It sits at the lower end of premium rods in terms of cost, and it can handle shaky heads, Ned Rigs, Neko Rigs, wacky worms, and drop shotting. 

It may not be St. Croix‘s most expensive series, but they don’t skimp anywhere, from the Fuji Concept O guides to the VSS reel seat and even a premium locking nut. They use high-grade cork, too, but there’s a small section of foam right behind the reel seat. The U.S.-made rods are built with care, including an extra layer of Flex-Coat on the guides to make sure that they stay solidly in place. If you’re going in someone else’s boat and only have room for one spinning rod, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Drop Shot Rod

Length

Seven feet is a nice all-around mark for this technique, allowing you to move line on the hook set but still store it easily. At the same time, you might want to go longer in big water or with big fish, while smaller anglers might prefer something closer to 6 feet 6 inches. Yet, more length can be a disadvantage in close quarters, or when pitching the drop shot. 

Power

For the most part, drop shotting is a light line technique, where finesse and stealth provide an advantage, but you still need power. That’s not just for big fish—you’d be surprised at how much chaos a rampaging 2-pound smallmouth can cause. Most of the time, you’ll likely be using 1/8 to 3/8 ounce weights, but when you stray to the edges (or outside) of those margins, it may demand a lighter or heavier rod.

Handle

Some anglers prefer cork, and others prefer EVA foam. Some like split grips, while others like full grips. Choose one you’ll want to keep in your hand all day, preferably with blank-through technology and an exposed reel seat that will enable you to feel the lightest-biting bass.

Budget

You can use a true bargain basement stick and experience success, and it’s also possible to head to the uppermost regions of the rod economy for custom features. It’s eminently possible to get a tournament-ready high-quality rod in the $100 to $250 range. Depending on what you can afford, and how many you’ll need to fill out your arsenal, there’s a reasonable possibility for everyone.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Lots of “bubba” anglers initially resisted the drop shot, preferring to dunk heavy jigs or big worms in those same places. Today, however, all but the most stubborn among them have embraced it, and the few who have not are likely paying the price. A baitcasting rod and reel combo is still more natural and more efficient when it can be used, but they don’t excel for light-line techniques. If you skimp on a drop shot rod, you may end up paying the price when you finally find that mega-school or hook into a fish of a lifetime.

The post The Best Drop Shot Rods of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Best Hard Bait Rod		Leviathan Omega	SEE IT
Best Budget Glide Rod		Dobyns Fury 806HSB	SEE IT
Best Budget Heavy Bait Rod		13 Omen Black XH	SEE IT

From the first time I saw a 15-inch bass eat a 9-inch glide bait I’ve been fully addicted to swimbaiting. I’ve since caught new PBs and witnessed the savage predatory instincts hardwired into bass of all sizes. In my short swimbait career, I’ve learned that when you’re exclusively throwing big baits, it’s essential to capitalize on every rare opportunity at a memorable fish. One missed bite or the fish that shakes loose could have been that double digit you’ve been hunting. That’s why the right swimbait rod can be so important. They’re also necessary for the basic task of throwing unusually heavy baits, which can range in weight from 1.5 to 13 ounces or more. 

I spent the spring throwing a wide range of soft and hard baits on nine swimbait rods to find their ideal lure weight rating and evaluate their casting performance. I also photographed each rod’s action and measured handle length to help you compare them. Then I interviewed Mike Gilbert of Working Class Zero, who provided insight on choosing the best swimbait rod for you. 

Here are the rods I’ve tested so far, and I’ll be adding to this list as I procure more rods.

Premium Rods

• Leviathan Omega
• G. Loomis IMX-Pro 904C SWBR
• Megabass Orochi XX F10-80XX Leviathan
• Shimano Zodias (ZDC79XHA)

Budget Rods (Under $200)

• Dobyns Fury 806HSB
• St. Croix Bass X
• Okuma Guide Select 
• 13 Fishing Omen Black
• Daiwa Rebellion

How I Tested the Best Swimbait Rods

The goal for my testing was to find each rod’s ideal lure weight range and provide specs you can use to compare the rods. I also included feedback based on my experience fishing and catching fish with each rod. 

Specs

I counted guides, measured rods, and measured handle length from the bottom of the reel seat to the end of the handle. You’ll find these specs in the key features section of each review. 

Lure Weight Rating 

Manufacturer-provided lure ratings range from dead on to way off, so I conducted a casting test to find my recommended lure weight range. I cast weights that ranged from 1 to 6 ounces while noting the feel and ease of casting each weight. I also cast each rod with various swimbaits ranging from a 6-inch Magdraft to Deps 250. 

Action 

I put the rods in a rod holder and attached a 5-pound weight suspended 24 inches from the rod tip. I then snapped a photo of the rod’s bend to demonstrate its action. This is important because rods that bend deeper into the blank are best for treble hook lures, and rods with a faster action are best for single hook baits. 

Accuracy 

I set targets at 30 feet and 60 feet and made five casts with each rod at those distances using a lure in the middle of the rod’s weight range. This test aimed to evaluate the rod’s close-range accuracy for throwing lures around docks and cover. 

Distance

Sometimes you need to bomb a cast down a weed line or wall to cover water quickly. I did that with a lure in the middle of each rod’s weight range while evaluating the distance and how easy it was to achieve a long cast. 

Fishing

I spent time fishing the swimbait rods to learn their nuances and to hopefully put a few fish on them. I fished a variety of baits on each rod, including my own hand pours, Grow Design Works Flag, 86 Baits Doomrider, DRT Klash 9, Working Class Zero Citizens, Megabass Magdrafts, Deps 250, Baitsanity Explorer Gill, Baitsanity Explorer, River2Sea S-Waver, and a three-piece PB Rat.

Read Next: Best Baitcasting Reels

Best Swimbait Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

Leviathan Omega Swimbait, Heavy

Leviathan

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Key Features

• Length: 8 feet 
• EVA, full grip
• Line Weight: 12 to 30 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 2 to 6 ounces
• Handle Length: 17 3/8 inches
• Number of Guides: 8+tip
• All double-footed Fuji guides
• Lifetime warranty 
• Price: $340

Pros

• Can cast a wide range of lure weights
• Good balance
• Comfortable ergonomics
• Well finished

Cons

• Daiwa Tatula wiggled a bit in the bottom reel seat connection (Shimano Tranx fit perfectly)

The Omega is light and well-balanced, which makes it a joy to cast big baits all day. I’ve found the ideal lure weight for this rod is 3 to 4 ounces, so your Klash 9, 8-inch Madgraft, and Jointed Claw 230 are all in the sweet spot. But it will easily cast lures in the 2-ounce range and up to a Deps 250. With baits around 6 ounces, you can feel the rod balance shift forward, but a hand at the end of the long handle helps offset the shift. Also impressive was that I could make accurate, short casts with a 6-ounce bait and long over-shoulder bombs. Speaking of long casts, this rod loads up and then launches a bait with very little effort. 

I also really appreciated the handle’s length and grippiness. The length is great for leverage on long casts, and it fits perfectly under my armpit during the retrieve. The Omega has a fast tip, but it also bends deep into the blank when under load. That action is ideal for working a glide and keeping treble hooks pinned in a fish’s mouth. If I could have only one rod for throwing a glide, this would be it.

Read Next: Best Bass Fishing Rods

G. Loomis IMX-Pro 904C SWBR

G. Loomis

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Key Features

• Length: 7.5 feet 
• Cork handle
• Line Weight: 12-25 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 1 to 3 ounces
• Handle Length: 13.5 inches
• Number of Guides: 10+tip
• The first two guides are double footed
• Fuji K-frame guides
• Price: $390

Pros

• Accurate
• Great for skipping
• Can fish a variety of lure types

Cons

• Limited to light lures
• Not the best for distance casting

This is the ultimate rod for throwing 6- to 7-inch swimbaits around docks. It’s effortlessly accurate and great for skipping too. It throws 1- to 3-ounce baits well but can also throw a 4-ounce lure. It has all the quality build Loomis is known for and the performance you’d expect from a premium rod. The handle length is just long enough to use under my arm, but too long for it’s shorter length.

I’ve found the action is a great compromise between a single and treble hook rod. I haven’t pulled a treble yet and haven’t had issues setting Beast Hooks up to 6/0. If you’re in the market for a rod that can handle heavier baits, also check out the 8-foot, heavy IMX-PRO Swimbait (IMX-PRO 966C SWBR).

Megabass Orochi XX F10-80XX Leviathan

Megabass

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Key Features

• Length: 8 feet 
• Cork, full grip handle
• Line Weight: 20 to 40 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 2 to 8 ounces
• Handle Length: 16 inches
• Number of Guides: 9+tip
• All double-footed Fuji Stainless SiC guides
• Price: $325

Pros

• Versatile action
• Good handle length

Cons

• Some anglers might not like its stiff tip section

The Megabass Orochi Leviathan is a rod that can fish a 9-inch glide or Beast-hooked bait. It has a powerful butt section that helps it set Beast Hooks, but it also bends deep enough into the blank to make it forgiving for treble hooks. I fish around a lot of hydrilla and use that powerful butt section to rip baits through the grass.

I found it doesn’t throw baits under 3 ounces exceptionally well, and its sweet spot is in the 3- to 5-ounce range. I’ve also thrown lures up to 8 ounces comfortably. This rod isn’t as accurate or light as the Leviathan Omega, but it is more versatile. If you’re looking for a premium rod that can fish a wide range of baits, the Orochi Leviathan is a great option. 

Shimano Zodias (ZDC79XHA)

Shimano

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Key Features

• Length: 7.75 feet 
• Carbon Monocoque handle, split grip
• Line Weight: 14-30 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 1 to 3 ounces
• Handle Length: 13.25 inches 
• Number of Guides: 8+tip
• The first four are double-footed guides
• Fuji Alconite K Semi-Micro Guides and a Fuji SiC tip
• Price: $240

Pros

• Sensitive
• Quality components
• Light

Cons

• Handle length is shorter than most traditional swimbait rods

This rod can comfortably throw lures in the 1- to 3-ounce range, so if you’re a new Chad Shad 180 owner or a 6-inch Magdraft diehard, this rod will work for you. Like the Daiwa Rebellion, the rod’s balance hinders its ability to cast anything heavier than 3 ounces. I’d describe the action between fast and moderate, making it versatile for various lure types. 

The Zodias has traditional bass rod ergonomics, which can be positive or negative. When throwing big baits, I tuck the handle under my armpit on the retrieve, reducing fatigue. The Zodias doesn’t have a handle long enough for the armpit tuck, so you’ll hold it like a traditional bass rod, which can be a plus if you’re used to those ergos.

Budget Swimbait Rods

Dobyns Fury 806HSB

Dobyns

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Key Features

• Length: 8 feet 
• EVA handle, full grip
• Line Weight: 20 to 40 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 1 to 6 ounces
• Handle Length: 14.25 inches
• Number of Guides: 12+tip
• The first seven guides are double footed
• Price: $140

Pros

• Sensitive
• Fast tip helps with accuracy
• Great for mid-sized treble hook baits and smaller single hook baits

Cons

• Not ideal for baits over 5 ounces

I’ve been fishing a Fury 806HSB for over a year, and it’s been a staple in my rod lineup. I’ve found this rod is happiest around 4 ounces and can cast lighter baits really well. I routinely fish a 6-inch Magdraft with the Fury 806HSB, then swap to a heavier glide without skipping a beat. I find that 6 ounces is my comfortable max, but it can throw 8 ounces on a lob cast.

It has a classic hard bait action with a deep parabolic bend. That action helped me land several barely hooked fish and drive trebles through the roof of 6.8-pound bass. The handle length might be short for some, but it’s still long enough to comfortably fit under my arm. I’ve used the Fury 806HSB to make accurate short-range casts, and sling long casts down weed lines. If you’re in the market for an affordable rod for treble hook baits, this is one of the top options to consider. 

St. Croix Bass X (BAC710XHF)

St. Croix

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Key Features

• Length: 8 feet 
• EVA handle, one-piece grip 
• Line Weight: 14 to 30 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 
• Handle Length: 14 ⅝ inches 
• Weight:
• Number of Guides: 7+tip
• The first two are double
• Price: $128

Pros

• Comfortable handle
• Great action for treble hooks
• Accurate lure weight rating

Cons

• Not recommended for jig or Beast Hooks

This is one of the most impressive budget rods I’ve fished. It’s perfect for throwing a 4-ounce bait, and it’s one of the few rods where I’ve found the manufacturer’s lure weight rating is accurate. It’s definitely a hard bait rod with a deep parabolic bend. Despite its soft action, it has a powerful butt section which I really like for fishing around grass.

The Bass X’s ergos are spot on for me and I really liked the shape and length of the handle. It was one of the more accurate 8-foot rods I casted thanks to its soft tip and good balance. I’ve only caught one fish on this rod but it was a fish that swiped at a DRT Joker and through head shakes and jumps, the fish stayed pinned.

Okuma Guide Select XH Swimbait Rod

Okuma

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 11.25 inches
• EVA handle, split grip 
• Line Weight: 15 to 40 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 3 to 6 ounces
• Handle Length: 15 ⅝ inches
• Fuji K-concept guides
• Number of Guides: 10+tip
• All double-footed guides

Pros

• Powerful
• True fast taper

Cons

• Not the most accurate rod

This was my and many other anglers’ first swimbait rod. It’s been such a popular option because, for many years, it was one of the few affordable big bait rods. We now have a lot of great rods under $200, but this classic is still a great one for fishing soft baits. It has a fast action and powerful backbone for setting hooks with authority, even in deep water. I found the ideal lure weight for this rod is 4 to 5 ounces, so it’s great for 7-inch Citizens or 8-inch Hudds.

13 Fishing Omen Black XH (OB3C8XH-SB)

13 Fishing

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Key Features

• Length: 8 feet 
• EVA handle, split grip
• Line Weight: 20 to 40 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 3 to 8 ounces
• Handle Length: 15.5 inches
• Number of Guides: 9+tip
• All double-footed guides

Pros

• Can throw heavy baits well
• Surprisingly accurate for such a stiff rod

Cons

• Heavy

The 13 Defy Black Swimbait Rod has a thick blank that creates a sturdy backbone for setting hooks on soft baits. I found the extra heavy power to be ideal for casting lures in the 4- to 6-ounce range, but it can cast swimbaits up to 10 ounces. So if you’re looking for an affordable rod for throwing the big stuff, this is a good option to consider.

Daiwa Rebellion (7111HFB-SB)

Daiwa

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 11.25 inches
• EVA handle, split grip
• Line Weight: 14-30 pounds
• Recommended Lure Weight: 1 to 3 ounces
• Handle Length: 14 inches
• Weight
• Number of Guides: 9+tip
• The first two are double foot

Pros

• Light
• Sensitive

Cons

• A longer handle length would help it balance better

This is a great rod if you exclusively throw small swimbaits like a 6-inch Magdraft, S-Waver 170, or DRT Tiny Klash. I’ve found it throws 2-ounce baits really well, but casting anything over 3 ounces is difficult due to the rod’s balance, and it was downright painful trying to throw lures in the 6-ounce range. It has a true fast action, which is great for single hooks, but I’ve had no issues landing fish on trebles.

The Rebellion is accurate at short distances and can bomb a cast. It’s also sensitive enough to feel subtle bites at the end of long casts. The handle length is just long enough to fit under my arm and use as leverage while fighting fish.

Swimbaiting Accessories

Reels, Line, and Accessories I Use

• Board: Working Class Zero Travel Ready Big Bass Board
• Scale: Boga Grip (Check out our review of the best fish scales for more info)
• Reels: Daiwa Tatula 300, Shimano Tranx, and Shimano Curado K
• Line: Seaguar AbrazX

How to Choose a Swimbait Rod

Mike Gilbert is a bait maker, video creator, and owner of Working Class Zero. I talked to this swimbaiting legend about what he looks for in a swimbait rod. 

Swimbait Rod Length

Rods around 8 feet have become the standard for swimbaiting, but Gilbert likes rods a touch longer.

“I like one rod, one length, one power, to throw everything from 3 to 8-ounce baits. That way, when I pick up a rod, I know exactly how it performs every single time,” he says. “My preferred setup is a fast-action, extra-heavy, 8-foot 6-inch rod.” 

Why such a long rod? “I feel like with the longer length, I’m getting a better hookset, and I feel like it’s a catapult,” Gilbert says. The long rod makes it much easier to cast big baits long distances, but there are some downsides. 

“When you get into really tight spots like pitching into dock slips, a long rod is kind of a nightmare,” he says. In those instances, a shorter rod is better for working specific cover and hitting it at various angles. Gilbert also says that the length of the rod should match the angler. He’s 6 feet tall, which is partly why a long rod works well for him. A shorter angler might prefer a shorter rod.

Swimbait Rod Action

A rod’s action is how it bends. If a rod bends mostly at its tip, it’s called a fast action, and if it bends into the middle of the rod, it’s called a moderate action. In my reviews, I’ve demonstrated each rod’s action by inducing a bend in the rod to help you compare the rods and find the one that best fits your preference. 

Swimbait rods usually favor treble-hook hard baits with a parabolic, moderate action like a crankbait rod or single-hook soft baits with a fast action like a jig rod. Gilbert prefers a rod that can do both, but says if he had to choose a rod just for hard baits, he’d go with a softer rod that would be less likely to bend out a treble hook.

For a versatile rod, though, he likes a fast action. “A quarter of the way down the rod is where it should start to shut off, and then you get that deep bend in the rod as it loads up,” Gilbert says. “I prefer that so I can fish a Beast Hook bait. Those big Beast Hooks have thick gauge heavy wire, and you have to be able to drive that hook home.” 

Gilbert likes a tip that sags with the weight of his lure. “I prefer a soft tip, which I think is a little unpopular in the swimbait world right now,” he says. According to Gilbert, the soft tip allows a fish to suck in a bait without any resistance. 

While there are advantages to choosing one rod for soft and hard baits, the compromise comes in how you fight a fish on trebles. When Gilbert hooks a fish on a glide, he hits it hard but doesn’t grind them to the boat. “I have to have a little more patience instead of just horsing them in because my rod has less forgiveness,” he says. 

Sensitivity, Guides, Handle

According to Gilbert, sensitivity is immensely important in a swimbait rod. “You want to be able to feel every little thing,” he says. “There have been times where I feel a subtle change and bring in the slack real quick and swing. Hook sets are free, after all. And low and behold, there’s a fish there. Those fish will eat the bait and swim at the same cadence you’re reeling so you don’t even feel the bite.”

Handle length is another important aspect of a swimbait rod. Gilbert uses the handle trapped under his arm to help him fight fish using his whole body rather than his wrist and arms. 

“I like a handle that can tuck up nicely between my arm and ribcage but not so long that it’s sticking out behind my arm,” Gilbert says. Handles that are too long can get hung up on clothing and hinder maneuverability. His ideal handle length is around 16 inches with a full grip.

Some anglers prefer all double foot guides on their swimbait rods. But Gilbert’s only preference is for traditionally wrapped guides rather than spiral wrapped. 

Final Tips on Choosing a Swimbait Rod

Gilbert says that getting a specific rod for each of your baits, is a luxury, not a requirement. He recommends finding a rod you like at a mid-price point and buying a few of them. “Every time you pick up that rod, it feels the exact same in your hands; when you’re setting the hook, you know exactly what to expect. Everything is familiar; the only thing that changes is the bait that’s at the end of the line,” he says.

When choosing your rod, Gilbert says you need to find a rod that will work for you and how you fish. “Rod stuff is so tailored to the individual who has garnered some experience to know what they like and don’t like,” he says. 

His final word of advice is that a rod isn’t everything. “A swimbait rod can only do so much for the angler,” he says. “Your fundamentals of casting, retrieving, and setting the hook are the most important, and a good rod will only enhance your ability to execute those fundamentals.” 

Mike Gilbert’s Current Swimbait Setup

• Proto Type DRT Artex Mike Gilbert Signature 
  • Length: 8-foot, 3-inch
  • Power: XH
  • Lure Rating: 3-8 ounces
• Daiwa Tatula 300 6:3:1 with 110 mm DRT Varial Handle with WCZ Flat Knobs
• 20-pound Seaguar AbrazX 

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Swimbait Rods

Finding the best swimbait rod for you ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you’re new to swimbaiting, you can choose an affordable rod that will help you gain experience in figuring out what you like. If you’re looking to upgrade from your starter rod, you’ll have to decide if you want different rods for different types of baits or one rod you’ll use for everything. Use the information in this review as guidance, and talk to experienced anglers in your area to learn their preferences. 

The post The Best Swimbait Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Best Distance		Orvis Helios 3D	SEE IT
Best Overall		Scott Sector	SEE IT
Best for the Money		Redington Predator	SEE IT

As we polled into the back of a creek not much wider than the skiff, our guide said you’re only going to get one shot at these fish. We turned a bend and there they were just 50 feet away, tails out of the water and pushing a wake as they fed. In an open field, an accurate 50-foot cast is pretty easy. But it becomes incredibly challenging when you add in wind, adrenaline, being surrounded by back cast snagging tall grass, and line cutting oyster beds lining the creek. That’s saltwater fly fishing. 

To meet those challenges you need a saltwater fly rod with the right mix of power and control—not all rods have that. To find the best saltwater fly rods, three fly anglers spent two days putting a dozen fly rods through a formal accuracy and distance test as well as some of the most technical saltwater fly fishing scenarios. If you’re in the market for a new rod, this review will help you narrow down which you want to buy or test out at a fly shop.

• Best Overall: Scott Sector
• Best Distance: Orvis Helios 3D
• Best Feel: G. Loomis NRX + T2S
• Best Fit and Finish: Hardy Zane Pro
• Best for the Money: Redington Predator
• TFO Axiom II-X
• Orvis Helios 3 Blackout
• Maximum Catch Predator 
• Sage R8 Core
• Orvis Recon
• Redington Vice

How We Tested Saltwater Fly Rods

We used Captain Experiences, which is a service that connects anglers with trusted guides. They helped us find a skilled captain and an ideal test location to give the rods a workout in a limited time. There were several excellent options throughout the country, but we chose Charleston, South Carolina, because sight casting to tailing reds is a perfect test for a saltwater fly rod. 

We fished the rods over two days in Charleston’s marshes. The creek fishing was highly technical, requiring long and accurate casts while also avoiding obstructions like oyster beds and the surrounding tall grass. Throw in the adrenaline of sight fishing, and the best rods shined while others stumbled. 

The Test Team 

Ryan Rodgers

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Ryan Rodgers is a full-time inshore fishing guide and professional outdoor lifestyle photographer. He spends most of his time guiding clients to redfish in technical creeks and river systems. Ryan is an advanced fly caster, and his casting style is powerful but smooth. He likes a precise and firm fly rod due to his preferred casting style of one up-one down. This casting style limits the hauls required to make the cast at fish who are constantly on the move. 

Kevin Hughes 

Kevin Hughes is an Outdoor Life contributor who fly fishes for trout, carp, muskie, and smallmouth bass near his home in Harrisonburg, Virginia. But he often makes trips to the Chesapeake Bay for redfish and striped bass. He also spent most of his saltwater fly fishing career living in Miami, Florida, where he fished for bonefish, tarpon, permit, snook, and a host of other species. Hughes is an intermediate-level fly caster with a fast casting stroke, and he prefers rods with a fast action and quick casting ability.  

Scott Einsmann

Einsmann is Outdoor Life’s gear editor as well as a lifelong saltwater fly angler. He prefers a slower casting tempo and rods with a moderate action that don’t require a lot of snap to cast well. Einsmann enjoys fishing for striped bass, redfish, and speckled trout near his Virginia home.  

The Casting Test

Accuracy 

The accuracy test was performed at 45 and 60 feet, with targets measuring 30 inches wide by 20 inches tall. Each angler cast at the targets and gave a one- to five-point accuracy score (five being the most accurate) based on the rod’s performance. The scores were averaged and listed in each rod’s key features. 

This was a test where we saw the biggest difference among the rods. Some rods were very easy to land a fly consistently on or near the target, while others took more effort to dial in the accuracy and felt less forgiving from minor errors.

Distance 

Each tester made five casts, and the longest of the five was measured. The cast distances were averaged and are found in each rod’s key features section. 

One interesting thing about this test is that the maximum distance remained fairly consistent among all three casters. Rogers’ longest casts were in the 80 to 90 feet range, and Einsmann and Huges’ max distances were consistently around 70 feet. This shows that a better rod will not add a considerable amount of distance to the end of your cast. But, the better rods consistently had longer casts instead of one of the five being a bomb.

Ease of Casting 

In addition to the accuracy and distance testing, we scored from one to five for ease of casting. This score is a significant portion of the review because, as we mentioned earlier, the distances remained fairly consistent. However, how easy it was to cast those distances dramatically differed depending on the rod. 

Oftentimes in saltwater fly fishing, you only have one shot at a fish, and you need a rod that’s going to be forgiving in those situations. When your heart rate is up, and everything is on the line for that one cast, that’s where this ease of casting score is significant.

Equipment Used 

Line 

For the formal casting test, we used Scientific Anglers Amplitude Redfish. While fishing, we also used Scientific Anglers Amplitude Infinity, Rio Redfish, and Orvis PRO Saltwater All Rounder.

Flies

We used a Clouser minnow with the hook clipped off for the distance and accuracy test. While fishing, we used a variety of shrimp and crab patterns of similar size.

Reels

For the casting test, we used a Redington Grande reel. On the water, the rods were also outfitted with Orvis Mirage, TFO BVK SD, and Piscifun Sword.

Rods

We tested all 8-weight rods, and the length of the rod we tested will be listed in the key features section.

Best Saltwater Fly Rods: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Scott Sector

Ryan Rodgers

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Why It Made the Cut

While we tested many great rods, the Sector was without question the best because of its incredible ease of cast and accuracy. 

Key Features

• Max Cast: 76 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 5/5
• Accuracy Score: 5/5
• Length: 9 feet
• Two, three, and four piece options

Pros

• Forgiving of casting errors 
• Very easy to cast accurately and far
• Excellent balance of touch and power

Cons

• None 

Product Description

The Sector feels like an extension of your arm. Tight loops form effortlessly, and the fly lands where you’re looking. Even our bad casts somehow hit the 60-foot target. Despite our different casting styles, we all cast this rod the best, and it was noticeably better than the others. 

The Sector’s double locking reel seat is made from aluminum, and it never came loose during the two days of fishing. The blank has nickel titanium and Zirconia CeRecoil stripping guides and Recoil nickel titanium snake guides. The Flor modified wells cork grip was comfortable and finely finished. 

The Sector has a soft feel when you’re casting it, but it also produces a lot of line speed for punching through wind and carrying a fly a good distance. During the distance test, we were consistently over 60 feet with each of our five casts. Compared to the other rods where we would have one or two casts that would reach our max range. 

The consistently amazing performance carried over to the accuracy testing as well. We described the Sector as forgiving in that it made the task of throwing long and accurate much easier, and it saved bad casts. Some high-end rods are best suited to advanced fly casters, but the Sector is unique in that it seems to work for a wide range of skill levels and casting styles. 

We tested five rods that retail for around $1,000, and it was surprising that the Sector was clearly better than the others in that pool of premium rods. When three anglers with three different casting styles all agree that one rod is the best, it’s worth taking notice.

Best Distance: Orvis Helios 3D

Scott Einsmann

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Why It Made the Cut

The Helios 3D had a considerably farther casting distance than the other rods in the test and it was easy to cast it at those ranges. 

Key Features

• Max Cast: 81 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 5/5
• Accuracy Score: 4.5
• Length: 9 feet
• Recoil snake guides
• Made in the U.S.A. 

Pros

• Very easy to cast 
• Low swing weight 

Cons

• Balanced more toward power than touch 

Product Description

The Helios 3D is a powerful rod that makes casting beyond 60 feet easy, even for intermediate casters. We felt like the Helios 3D was the easiest to cast far and well suited for a range of casting styles. If you’re going to spend all day throwing bombs, then this is the rod you want. It was also an impressively accurate rod at close and far distances. 

“While the looks are not my preference, I can’t help but love this rod. It’s one of the most enjoyable fly rods to throw on the market,” Rodgers said. “I think this rod can perform for almost all levels of fly caster. With that being said, I could cast all day with ease using this rod.”

The rod features silicon carbide and titanium stripping guides with black thread wraps. One of the test rod’s stripping guides had a significant gap in the thread wraps. It’s a minor fit and finish demerit that won’t affect performance, but it’s not something you expect to see on a rod of this price point. 

In addition to dropping shrimp patterns in front of tailing reds, the H3D is a rod that also excels at casting large flies. Einsmann uses an 11-weight H3D for muskie fishing, and it throws 6- to 9-inch flies with ease. 

The Helios 3D is a nice rod, and it’s definitely worth casting if you’re in the market for a high-quality saltwater rod. It didn’t blow us away like the Scott Sector, and it doesn’t have the impressive finish of the Zane Pro. But if you need to punch long casts in high winds, this is the best rod for that task. 

Best Feel: G. Loomis NRX + Fly T2S

Ryan Rodgers

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Why It Made the Cut

The NRX + T2S has a unique feel that’s hard to describe, but we loved it and thoroughly enjoyed fishing this rod.

Key Features

• Max Cast: 77 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 4.5/5
• Accuracy Score: 4.5/5
• Length: 8 feet 10 inches
• Two piece

Pros

• Easy to cast far and accurate
• Low swing weight 
• Powerful rod for fighting fish and punching through wind

Cons

• Hard to find in stock
• Not easy to pack

Product Description

If you need a powerful rod for fighting big fish in tight quarters or punching a cast into a stiff breeze, then the NRX + T2S will do that. You can feel the power it has in its butt section, and that’s why we reached for it when we were in tight quarters. It also excelled at picking up line and shooting it back out with one false cast. This rod takes very little effort to generate good line speed, and a nice relaxed casting stroke produces casts over 60 feet. It was one of the easiest rods to cast at extended distances. We also tested the NRX + Fly Saltwater four-piece, and it casted like a completely different rod. All three of us preferred the two-piece over the four-piece.

“This two-piece rod is absolutely incredible,” Rodgers said. “It’s unlike the four-piece, which felt clunky and somewhat heavy in hand. Once you get past the weird configuration of the two pieces and start to cast, you realize you’re holding onto a canon.”

The two-piece NRX+ doesn’t come apart in the middle like you would expect from a two-piece rod. Instead, just the butt section is removed. This retains the feel of a one-piece rod in a slightly more travel and shipping-friendly package. The rod has a AAA cork full wells grip, recoil snake guides, and titanium SiC stripping guides—premium components for a top-of-the-line rod. 

The NRX+ deserves to be on every serious fly angler’s shortlist, but they are also one of the hardest fly rods to find in stock. But, if you do find one at a fly shop, cast it. 

Best Fit and Finish: Hardy Zane Pro

Ryan Rodgers

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Why It Made the Cut

The Hardy Zane Pro is nothing short of remarkable in terms of build quality, and it has the casting performance to match. 

Key Features

• Max Cast: 73 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 4/5
• Accuracy Score: 4/5
• Length: 9 feet
• One or four piece 

Pros

• Beautifully finished
• High quality rod tube, bag, and ferrule protectors 

Cons

• Heavier swing weight than other premium rods 

Product Description

When unboxing this rod, there is no doubt you’ve bought something special. Every piece of packaging is dripping with class. The rod tube has details like a circle of cork with Hardy logo burned onto it. Not only does it add a warm—and attractive—touch to the black tube, but it’s also padding for your rod. The rod bag is made from a heavy denier cloth and is nicer than any other rod bag. Then there are the metal ferrule protectors, which have tangible quality and add protection few manufacturers offer. 

Rogers described the Hardy as a “true rod,” which means what you put into it, you get out of it. A light touch results in a finesse cast. When you put power into the rod, you generate good line speed and long casts. It performed well in both short- and long-range accuracy testing. The Zane Pro is slightly heavier than some of the premium rods, and you can notice the swing weight difference between it and NRX +, but it’s not what we would consider a heavy rod. 

I also took the Zane pro on a false albacore trip to Morehead City, North Carolina. Fast and accurate casts were needed to land a fly on busting albies and then a powerful rod was needed to bring them to the boat. An 8-weight is on the lower end for catching albies, but the Zane Pro performed flawlessly.

The rod’s finish is faultless, and it casts damn well too. From butt to tip, every wrap and component is perfect. Spending a grand on a rod is a treat for most people, and the Zane Pro makes you feel like you’ve gotten a lot for the money.

Best for the Money: Redington Predator 

Redington

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Why It Made the Cut

This is a budget rod that feels like rods more than double its price. 

Key Features

• Max Cast: 70 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 3.5/5
• Accuracy Score: 4/5
• Length: 9 feet
• Lifetime warranty 

Pros

• Powerful rod
• Responsive feel

Cons

• Not light 

Product Description

The Redington Predator was the unanimous pick for the best budget rod. Many budget rods feel like a budget rod when you’re casting them, but not this one. The only tell that gave away the price point is its heavier swing weight. 

“I have a ton of experience with this rod because I use it daily with my clients,” Rodgers said. “For the price point, there is no better rod. I find myself comparing it to the most expensive rods on the market. It’s just that dang good.” 

We tested the 9-foot, 8-weight, but the Predator comes in several species-specific models and up to a 16-weight Bluewater model. Each has aluminum oxide stripping guides with ceramic inserts and anodized snake guides. 

Another thing that all three of us agreed on is that we would absolutely buy this rod for any type of saltwater fishing. It lacks the sticker shock of the high-end rods, and nearly matches their performance. If you’re looking to get started in saltwater fly fishing, this is, without a doubt, the rod that we would recommend, and it would be a long time before you would need to upgrade to a better rod.

TFO Axiom II-X

Scott Einsmann

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Why It Made the Cut

The Axion II-X was right behind the Predator in our favorite budget saltwater fly rod, and it did very well for distance and accuracy.

Key Features 

• Max Cast: 79 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 3/5
• Accuracy Score: 4/5
• Length: 9 feet
• Action: Extra fast 

Pros

• Powerful rod for punching casts far and into wind 
• Accurate 

Cons

• Lacks finesse 

Product Description

The TFO Axiom II-X is right behind the Redington Predator for performance for the money. It takes effort to cast this rod farther, but when you put power into the rod, the rod performs and generates good line speed. We found this rod likes a snappier casting style, and once adapted to it, the rod casts well.

The Axiom II-X was one of Hughes’ top-performing rods. “The Axiom requires more force to cast well, but that helps balance out my faster casting style,” he said. “Despite a lack of finesse, it can reach where I need it to and is accurate at range.”

Orvis H3 Blackout

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Why It Made the Cut

This is a rod you’ll either love or hate, but it’s a fantastic rod if it agrees with your casting style. 

Key Features 

• Max Cast: 73 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 3.5/5
• Accuracy Score: 4/5
• Length: 8 feet 5 inches
• Made in the U.S.A. 

Pros

• Shorter length makes the rod handy in tight quarters
• Accurate 
• Very light 

Cons

• Doesn’t match all casting styles. 

Product Description

The Orvis Helios Blackout is a unique rod that you should cast before you purchase. Einsmann and Rodgers had a hard time getting along with it, but Hughes loved this rod and it matched his casting style perfectly. “It’s less obtrusive and allows for faster presentation to moving fish,” Hughes said. 

One characteristic we all liked was the very low swing weight. This rod is a feather in the hand, and you barely feel the rod’s weight as you’re casting. We also agreed that the Blackout would be an excellent all-water rod for casting poppers for bass and jumping to saltwater for redfish or striped bass.

Maximum Catch Predator

Scott Einsmann

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Why It Made the Cut

The cheapest saltwater fly rod on Amazon, was surprisingly not terrible. 

Key Features 

• Max Cast: 70 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 1
• Accuracy Score: 3
• Length: 9 feet

Pros

• Accurate 
• Good action for new fly anglers

Cons

• Lacks power
• Heavy

Product Description

The Maximum Catch Predator was the least expensive rod in our test and it was noticeable from the moment we put it together. The rod has the action of a wet noodle, but we included it in the review because we wanted to see what one of the cheapest saltwater fly rods from Amazon could do. 

It’s not a bad rod, especially if you change your casting style to one like you would use with a fiberglass rod. It was fairly accurate at 60 feet and it has a lot of feel. But, in any kind of wind this rod struggles to cast through it. 

Sage R8 Core

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Why It Made the Cut

The Sage R8 core is an all-water rod that performs well when lined with one weight lighter line.

Key Features

• Max Cast: 77.3 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 2/5
• Accuracy Score: 3/5
• Length: 9 feet

Pros

• Accurate at close distances
• Can cast far when lined with one weight lighter line 

Cons

• No alignment dots
• Underpowered 

Product Description

The Sage R8 Core is a rod that is best for accurate short-range casts and delicate presentations. We found it underpowered for most saltwater applications, and we had to work exceptionally hard to cast beyond 60 feet. All the effort that went into throwing the cast hurt accuracy at 60 feet. 

During the casting test, Rodgers said that he thought a 7-weight line would be more appropriate for the rod’s action. He later tested that theory and said it became a completely different rod that easily hit 90 feet. 

If your fishing takes you from casting streamers to trout one day and to the salt the next, then this would be a rod to consider. Especially if you buy a heavier weight than you need and use one weight lighter line.

Orvis Recon

Scott Einsmann

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Why It Made the Cut

The Orvis Recon is a mid-priced rod with middle of the road performance. 

Key Features 

• Max Cast: 72 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 3.5/5
• Accuracy Score: 3.5/5
• Length: 9 feet  
• Made in the U.S.A. 

Pros

• Accurate at 40 feet 

Cons

• Not the best performance for the dollar 

Product Description

The Orvis Recon is a good rod but we feel that for the price point that it doesn’t have much better performance than some of the less expensive rods like the Redington predator. The $400 to $700, price range is a place where you don’t see much performance over the better budget rods, and still not the performance of the $1,000 rods. We just don’t think that you’re getting double the performance for your money.  

Redington Vice

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Why It Made the Cut

This is one of the best fly rods for beginners because it has an approachable price and has good performance for the money. 

Key Features 

• Max Cast: 76 feet
• Ease of Cast Score: 3/5
• Accuracy Score: 3/5
• Length: 9 feet
• Saltwater grade components 

Pros

• Affordable
• Forgiving action for new fly anglers 

Cons

• Heavy swingweight 

Product Description

The Redington Vice is in the $200 price range where you don’t expect much from a fly rod. But for Hughes, it was his best distance rod. “The Vice is a firm rod with a lot of power, and it casts surprisingly far,” he said. 

If you had your eyes closed while casting you would know that you were casting a budget rod. It just doesn’t have the refined feel of more expensive sticks. But it has good performance, and we think that for a new angler that this rod isn’t going to hold you back. It’s also a good all water rod, so if you need one 8-weight for both freshwater and saltwater, especially if you’re on a budget, the vice is an excellent rod for the money.

How to Choose a Saltwater Fly Rod 

Price

Fly fishing is crazy expensive. You can buy a really nice spinning rod for $200, but that’s the entry point for fly rods—and a drop in the bucket compared to the best saltwater fly reels. Expensive rods have a nicer fit and finish, and they’ll be lighter than cheap ones. But the main difference is that an expensive rod makes casting far and accurately much easier. When you need to make that one perfect cast, or you’re spending all day casting, a nicer rod is what you want in your hand. 

Rods can be purchased for under $200, but they lack the casting performance needed for saltwater. Budget rods we recommend land in the $200 to $400 range. Those rods include the Redington Vice, Redington Predator, and the TFO Axiom II-X. All will throw a fly in the wind and with accuracy. 

If you want to upgrade from there, we recommend skipping past the $400 to $700 price range to the best of the best. The top rods are all around $1,000. In that arena, you have several fantastic options, and the best way to find out which is going to work for you is to cast them at a fly shop. 

Fishing 

Fly rods come in various weights and lengths. The standard fly rod length is 9 feet, and it’s a great place to start unless you need a rod for a specific situation. A rod in 8 or 9 weight is ideal for most inshore saltwater fly fishing. If you’re getting into throwing big flies or larger fish like bull reds, cobia, tarpon, jacks, and 40+ inch stripers, you’ll need to step up to a 10- or 11-weight. Rods in the 12- to 16-weight range are for big game like billfish and sharks. 

FAQ

Final Thoughts  on the Best Saltwater Fly Rods

Testing 12 of the best saltwater fly rods side-by-side allowed us to see each rod’s nuances and gave a clear picture of the top performers. We had a clear overall winner in the Scott Sector and a clear best budget rod winner in the Redington Predator. Those rods will work well for most people, but it’s still best to test out a few for yourself to see how they work for you.

The post The Best Saltwater Fly Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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Best Overall		Dobyns Champion XP 764CB	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A premium rod that can handle a huge variety of baits.
Best Bargain Deep Diving		13 Fishing Omen Black OB3C74C	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Good performance for at least half the price of the competitors’ deep cranking rods.
Best Bargain Shallow Diving		Falcon LowRider Mansfield	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Great for roll casting small and medium crankbaits at a reasonable price.

Perhaps more than with any other general technique, choosing the best crankbait rod for bass is a highly variable and personal decision. The same rod you use to finesse a lightweight balsa Shad Rap over a pea gravel bank is far different from what you’d choose to bomb cast a massive deep-diving Strike King 10XD over a stumpy roadbed in 20 feet of water. To pare down the massive list of great crankbait rods, I tested the best crankbait rods—with the help of some experienced anglers—I could get my hands on and made my top picks for different use cases. 

• Best Overall: Dobyns Champion XP 764CB
• Best for Throwing Light Crankbaits: Douglas Matrix 763MF
• Best for Close Quarters: G. Loomis IMX Pro 843CBR
• Best Bargain Deep Diving Crankbait Rod: 13 Fishing Omen Black OB3C74C
• Best Bargain Shallow Diving Crankbait Rod: Falcon LowRider Mansfield
• Best for Lipless Crankbaits: St. Croix Victory VTC72MHM
• Best for Launching Deep Divers: iRod Genesis III Crank Launcher

How We Tested Crankbait Rods

The crankbait rod testing sessions took place on Lake Anna in Virginia during the transition from pre-spawn to spawn. It was around the full moon, and the fish were scattered anywhere from ankle-deep out to 15 feet. While conditions were good, the bass were finicky and everything from a lightning-fast retrieve to a slow crawl through cover was necessary to get them to chew our crankbaits. The test panel included Bill Roberts, Ron Hohenstein, Scott Einsmann, and myself. Bill and Ron are seasoned tournament anglers with decades of experience. They’ve seen rods go from glass to graphite and back again, with every step along the way. Einsmann is the gear editor at Outdoor Life and a workaday bass angler who provided the perspective of a weekend bass angler. We tested rods with different types and sizes of crankbaits, in deep and shallow water, with various brands of reels. That also meant using different line sizes and styles—because the rod that performs perfectly with fluorocarbon might not offer the same sensitivity with mono. Meanwhile, a rod that does well with mono might repeatedly pull hooks free with the same reel but substituting fluorocarbon.

Here are the parameters we looked for while testing each rod:

• Action: Does the rod have the proper action to rip crankbaits through cover? Does it have the right action for keeping fish hooked? This is a matter of feel, and it’s highly individualized, but a rod with the wrong feel will make an angler less confident and therefore less effective.
• Hookup Percentage: Did the rod consistently keep fish hooked up on the tiny crankbait trebles? Were they solidly hooked at the strike, and did those hooks come loose when they jumped or surged at the boat?
• Casting Accuracy and Distance: How well did the rod cast small and large crankbaits of different sizes, styles, and levels of wind resistance?
• Feedback: Can you feel the crankbait’s wobble when it deflects off cover or when a fish changes its direction but does not get hooked? Too much feedback and you pull the lure away from the bass. Too little and you miss key clues to the day’s patterns.

Best Crankbait Rods: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Dobyns Champion XP 764CB

Dobyns Rods

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet, 6 inches
• Full cork handle
• Lure weight: ¼ to 3/4 ounce 
• Action: Medium moderate fast
• Line weight: 8- to 14-pound test

Why It Made the Cut

The Dobyns Champion XP 764CB is a premium rod that can handle a huge variety of baits, from square bills to deep divers. 

Pros

• Premium-quality cork
• Giving blank without being a noodle
• Crisp casting feel

Cons

• 7 feet, 6 inches length may not be best for short anglers or in tight quarters

Product Description

The Dobyns Champion is a rod that was precision built with mid-range divers like Wiggle Warts and the Rapala DT10 in mind. It tackles that application, but it can also branch out to shallow or deep divers. If you’re comfortable with a 7-foot 6-inch rod on your shallow divers, the crisp blank will allow you to both finesse and power those lures through gnarly cover. 

During the test I powered a KVD 1.5 over, through, and around big stumps while always maintaining control and a sense of feel. It also handled all but the biggest and hardest-pulling deep divers. The premium cork handle is long enough for bomb casts without being overwhelming, so if you need to crank a 6XD all day, this is your tool. It might not be ideal for the massive 10XD, but it can handle that in a pinch. All of the other components are top notch, too—that includes Fuji Alconite guides and Fuji graphite reel seats.

I really liked the Champion XP for a wide range of crankbaits, but Roberts felt like it excelled for crankbaits that dive 6 to 12-feet deep. He noted that when he threw a 1.5 square bill the rod didn’t load well and accuracy suffered. But, it casted a 2.5 crankbait just fine. He also said he experimented with throwing heavier line on the Champion XP and it performed well, so you’re not limited to throwing 10-pound test line around heavy cover.

We chose the Dobyns Champion XP 764CB as the best overall crankbait rod because it runs the most popular crankbait range exceptionally well and it can branch out to shallow or deep divers. It’s also very well made. If you had to choose one crankbait rod to have on your boat, this is a great choice. 

Best for Throwing Light Crankbaits: Douglas Matrix 763MF

Douglas Outdoors

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet, 6 inches
• Power: Medium light
• Action: Moderate fast
• Line weight: 8- to 15-pound test
• Full or split high-density EVA grips
• Lure weight: 3/16 to 1 ounce 

Why It Made the Cut

The Douglas Matrix 763MF’s incredible strength-to-weight ratio gives comfort when throwing small lures to giant fish. 

Pros

• Ergonomic comfort
• Proprietary carbon matrix blanks
• Premium components throughout

Cons

• Price

Product Description

Despite being rated for lures up to 1 ounce, I found the Douglas Matrix’s EVA really excelled compared to the others we tested with the little stuff—crankbaits that I might even otherwise throw on a spinning rod. Maybe that prejudice derives from the fact that it’s so light and balanced—I didn’t want to put it down. It’s almost like driving a sports car; even in wind and current, I could feel light-wobbling lures and what they were contacting. When a fish changed the lure’s direction, I was able to react and steer him away from cover.

Beyond the Douglas’ amazing feel, its EVA grip also set it apart. Cork grips were the gold standard for many years, and I always preferred it. But, the silky smooth and super comfortable EVA grip on the Douglas Matrix made me change my mind. Whether I was flinging a tight-wobbling balsa lure or something that thumped harder, my hands never tired and I could always feel what was going on. Combined with the Fuji guides and reel seat, it’s premium from butt to tip. All the testers like the 7-foot-6-inch length in open water, but in tight quarters we would have preferred the 7-foot length. It’s great to have a rod that can be used for multiple applications and this rod could also double-up for other comparatively light-line techniques, like throwing a fluke or a floating worm.

Best for Close Quarters: G. Loomis IMX Pro 843CBR

G Loomis

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Power: Medium
• Action: Moderate fast
• Full cork handle and foregrip
• Lure weight: ¼ to 5/8 ounce 
• Line weight: 8- to 14-pound test

Why It Made the Cut

When you’re fishing shallow, tight cover in the spring, reach for the G. Loomis IMX Pro 843CBR. It throws small crankbaits with good accuracy and has the backbone to wrestle big fish up close. 

Pros

• Fuji K-Series tangle-free guides
• Extremely lightweight
• Moderate action without sacrificing extreme accuracy

Cons

• Pricey

Product Description

Loomis has decades of experience building superior rods for uncompromising anglers, and the IMX-Pro series reflects a continuation of that trend. I felt comfortable throwing small lures like Bandit crankbaits around trees, docks and in other tight spaces. That’s one of the hardest things to do consistently well, particularly when it’s windy or your hands are cold, and I found that the blank’s crisp action was particularly helpful in maintaining my accuracy with smaller lures, down to ¼ ounce.

Einsmann tested this rod extensively and it was his favorite for throwing squarebills, especially the Megabass Knuckle LD, which weights 3/8 ounce. He commented that this rod was exceptionally accurate and allowed him to easily place a crankbait around right cover and under overhanging limbs. He also used it for throwing a Whopper Plopper 75 and it found it worked very well with a 100 percent hookup ratio on the three topwater bass he caught.

This rod is surprisingly powerful and beefy for a rod that feels so light, and I wouldn’t feel uncomfortable using it to muscle a giant away from the cover that attracted them. There are also additional lengths, strengths, and actions for cranking in this same series.

Best Bargain Deep Diving Crankbait Rod: 13 Fishing Omen Black OB3C74C

13 FISHING

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet, 4 inches
• Action: Moderate
• Line weight: 10- to 20-pound test
• Split grip cork handle with mini-foregrip
• Lure weight: ¼ to 1 ½ ounce 

Why It Made the Cut

The 13 Fishing Omen Black offers good performance at half the price (or less) of the competitors’ best deep cranking rods.

Pros

• Great versatility at a remarkably reasonable price
• Japanese 36 Ton Toray blank with Poly Vector graphite technology
• Five year limited warranty

Cons

• Not ideal for anglers who prefer EVA and/or full-grip handles

Product Description

At a bargain price, this rod performs like those costing substantially more. It feels refined when casting everything from hard-charging square bills to maximum-divers, but I especially liked it with the latter group. The Omen Black series offers split grip Portuguese cork handles, ALPS 316 stainless steel guides with zirconia inserts, and a customized ported reel seat. It is also an incredible choice for lipless crankbaits, with the power to rip the lure free from the grass without losing sensitivity or fish-fighting finesse.

Einsmann tested this rod as well and when the crankbait bite got tough, he rigged up a lizard on a shaky head and dragged it around main points. The same power that aids in ripping a lipless crankbait, helped him set the hook in deep water. He noted that it lacked the refined feel of the Loomis IMX Pro, but it was a stick that was perfect for weekend anglers like himself. He said with a DT-10 or small squarebills he could feel them bang of rocks and wood cover. Einsmann and Roberts also said they would prefer a one-piece grip, instead of the split, for the two handed casting employed while fishing crankbaits. I tried this one out with lipless baits, too, and that and bigger, harder-pulling shallow- and mid-depth divers is where it’s in its wheelhouse.There are also 7-foot-1-inch and 7-foot-11-inch versions in similar actions, with slightly different lure weight ranges for those who need shorter or longer cranking rods.

Best Bargain Shallow Diving Crankbait Rod: Falcon LowRider Mansfield

Falcon Rods

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Action: Medium
• Line weight: 12 to 25 pounds
• Lure weight: ¼ to ½ ounce 
• Split grip cork handle with no foregrip

Why It Made the Cut

The Falcon LowRider Mansfield is great for roll casting small and medium crankbaits at a reasonable price.

Pros

• Engineered to reduce weight at every opportunity
• Fuji guides and reel seat
• Mission designed for smaller crankbaits

Cons

• Action may be too light for heavier or harder-thumping lures

Product Description

Falcon was one of the pioneers of finding ways to reduce weight and maintain quality in technique-specific rods. They introduced the LowRider series in 1995 and have continually refined them, with multiple crankbait-oriented models included. This version includes all of the modern amenities and benefits, including Fuji’s K Frame Tangle-Free guides with extra-durable FazLite guide rings. With a lightweight reel atop it spooled with 10- to 14-pound test fluorocarbon, this is a rod that won’t tire you out, and has sufficient bend to allow bass to fully engulf treble-hooked lures. I found that I could even use it to throw a balsa Shad Rap, a lure that often acts like a potato chip in even a small breeze, leading many anglers to throw it on spinning gear. This isn’t the rod to throw a deep diving crankbait, but when you’re throwing small shallow divers, this rod allows you to stick with a baitcaster instead of a spinning rod. I avoid going to spinning rods for my light crankbait work because I want power and accuracy of baitcasting tackle, but you need a rod like the Falcon that minimizes backlashes and frustration.

Best for Lipless Crankbaits: St. Croix Victory VTC72MHM

St. Croix

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Key Features

• 7 feet 2 inches
• Power: Medium heavy
• Action: Moderate
• Line weight: 12 to 20 pounds
• Lure weight: 3/8 to 7/8 ounce
• Split grip cork handle with EVA foregrip

Why It Made the Cut

Casts a mile and ultra-sensitive, with just enough “give.”

Pros

• Maximum power with minimal weight 
• 15-year transferable warranty
• Hook keeper placed for specific techniques
• Fuji hardware

Cons

• Some anglers like a longer rod for this purpose for taking up line

Product Description

St. Croix calls the Victory their “Power Target Cranker,” but I found it excels when throwing a lipless crankbait, particularly in submerged aquatic vegetation. Whether you’re using mono, fluoro or braid, it has the power to rip a lure free from the grass without pulling it out of the strike zone, triggering otherwise-hesitant bass. I found it loaded perfectly on a wide range of lure weights, allowing for both long coverage casts and quick roll casts around targets. The Victory series includes Fuji Concept “O” guides with deep press inserts for durability. It’ll serve double duty with square bills, which is apparently what it’s meant for, but to me it seems just right for “trapping.” I tried ¼, ½, and ¾ ounce traps on it and found that it allowed me to feel their vibrations but was not too fast, allowing the fish to stay pegged when they jumped and tried to use these lures’ leverage to escape.

Best for Launching Deep Divers: iRod Genesis III Crank Launcher

iRod

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 11 inches
• Action: Moderate
• Line weight: 8 to 20 pounds
• Lure weight: 3/8 to 1 ½ ounces
• Contoured removable EVA handle

Why It Made the Cut

Crisp graphite construction and length allow for maximum distance and sensitivity without compromising just the right amount of flex.

Pros

• Length allows for long casts and fish-fighting flexibility
• Reasonable price compared to other premium deep crankers
• Down loop style hook keeper

Cons

• Length may preclude roll casting in tight areas or be tough for shorter anglers

Product Description

iRod updated their best-selling rod series with tournament-oriented, technique-specific rods. The Genesis III will manhandle the largest, deep-diving crankbaits like the 10XD, and even those that pull harder, without giving up any sensitivity.  I didn’t like fishing the iRod Genesis III in close quarters where I like something closer to 7 feet long, but for anything that requires long casts and taking up line quickly I’d reach for this rod in a hurry.

For such a powerful rod the Genesis III has impressive sensitivity. I could feel a bass breathe on my lure or push it sideways at 25-feet deep, and at 15 feet it was exceptionally responsive. It also scored high in the keeping fish hooked category. When hooked fish surged boatside, it had just enough flexibility to keep the treble hooks lodged without pulling free. The premium EVA handles are comfortable in a physically-demanding environment, and the reinforced Fuji Alconite tip resists damage. If you need a rod that can pull double duty, the Crank Launcher is also an excellent rod for light swimbaits.

Honorable Mentions

We would have loved to test all of the best crankbait rods, but with today’s supply issues we weren’t able to get our hands on everything. Here are some fantastic crankbait rods to consider that we weren’t able to test.

• Lew’s XD Series Crankbait Casting Rods – Made to keep casting the biggest deep-divers effortless, with graphite/glass hybrid blanks
• Daiwa Tatula Elite Glass Crankbait Rods – Four actions designed by pros Takahiro Omori and Brent Ehrler for specific cranking situations
• Shimano SLX Glass Crankbait Rods – Bargain-priced sticks that don’t skimp on components, which include EVA grips and titanium oxide guides
• Ark Brandon Cobb Glass Rod – Stylish camo grips pair with premier components as part of an overall system of rods
• Spiralite Rogue Glass Rod – Seven foot cranking stick includes proprietary technology and spiral-wrapped guide system for better performance

Things to Consider Before Buying a Crankbait Rod

Four-time Bassmaster Classic winner, Rick Clunn, famously led the charge to composite rods for crankbaits in the 1980s, noting that he often pulled the lure away from striking fish when he used graphite. At that time, there was also a move from the 5-foot-6-inch pistol grip rods of old up to 7-foot-plus models. That longer rod trend continues today, but the best crankbait rod length ultimately depends on you. 

Rod Length

Choose a blank design and a length that fits your body. A hyper-intense angler with a quick trigger finger might need a different rod than one with more slow-twitch sensibility. A 6 foot 6 inch musclebound angler might benefit from different lengths—in terms of both the blank and the handle.

Type of Lure

Most of all, think about the baits you’ll be using and where you’ll be using them. A heavy, hard-pulling bait may be usable on a medium-action casting rod, but it will wear you out over the course of a day. Similarly, even if you can throw a small lure passably on your heavy cranking rod, you’ll sacrifice distance and accuracy. Casting around thick stands of cypress trees might benefit from a different handle style and length than bomb casting over open water ledges. Some of us like solid handles, and others like split grips—find which camp you fall into.

Matching Your Rod to the Reel and Line 

Finally, consider line type and reel size. Will you be using monofilament or fluorocarbon, or even braid? That might change the amount of “give” you want in your blank. Also, when casting with the wind with a giant lure across open water, you might be able to “spool” a small reel, but if you go too heavy, you’ll throw your combo out of balance—and balance can be as important as the absolute weight itself.

FAQs

Read Next: Best Bass Lures of 2023

Final Thoughts on the Best Crankbait Rods

Picking a crankbait rod for someone else is like trying to pick their spouse. It’s not just a matter of personal preferences and eccentricities but also involves a certain sense of “feel” and knowing what’s right. We tried to recognize that in making our analyses, focusing on objective factors while pointing out the subjective differences that might make a rod good for us, but not for you. In determining the right crankbait rod for your next fishing outing, take full stock of where and how you fish—and the crankbaits you’re likely to throw.

The post The Best Crankbait Rods of 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Douglas LRS C715F	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Its action and versatility set it apart from other rods.
Best Mid Range		Dobyns Rods Kaden KD713C	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Workhorse rod with top-quality components.
Best for Deep Water		Abu Garcia Fantasista X FNXC73-6	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A comfortable, ultra-sensitive rod that can feel the turn of a blade at 25-feet deep.

The spinnerbait may have fallen slightly out of favor with the rise of swim jigs, vibrating jigs, and swimbaits, but savvy veteran anglers never put it away. If you want to have success with spinnerbaits you need to have the right spinnerbait rod. Of course, there are a variety of spinnerbait applications that demand specialized sticks—everything from finesse lures around cypress trees, to burning gaudy lures for clear water smallmouths, to slow rolling the lures through deep hydrilla. To help you navigate the murky waters of spinnerbait rods, I tested the best spinnerbait rods I could get my hands on and reviewed each with the help of three other experienced anglers. 

• Best Overall: Douglas LRS C715F
• Best Finesse: G.Loomis IMX Pro 812 SBR
• Best for Burning Spinnerbaits: St. Croix Victory 72HM
• Best for Mid-Range Spinnerbaits: Dobyns Rods Kaden KD713C
• Best Value: 13 Fishing Omen Black OB3C74MHM
• Best for Deep Water: Abu Garcia Fantasista X FNXC73-6

How We Evaluated Spinnerbait Rods

The spinnerbait rod testing sessions took place on Lake Anna in Virginia during the transition from pre-spawn to spawn. It was around the full moon, and the fish were scattered anywhere from ankle-deep out to 15 feet. While conditions were good, the bass were finicky, and everything from a lightning-fast retrieve to a slow crawl through cover was necessary to get them to chew our spinnerbaits. We caught fish around shallow stumps, in the slips of boat docks, on brushy points, and slow-rolled over flooded roadbeds.

The test panel included Bill Roberts, Ron Hohenstein, Scott Einsmann, and me. Bill and Ron are seasoned tournament anglers with decades of experience. They’ve seen rods go from glass to graphite and back again, with every step along the way. Einsmann is the gear editor at Outdoor Life and a workaday bass angler who provided the perspective of a weekend bass angler. We tested rods with spinnerbaits from 1/8 to 1 ounce, with varying blade configurations, with various brands of reels. That also meant using different line sizes and styles—because the rod that performs perfectly with fluorocarbon might not offer the same sensitivity with mono. Meanwhile, a rod that’s stiff enough to make up for the forgiving nature of mono might repeatedly pull the lure away from a short-striking bass with the same reel but substituting fluorocarbon. 

Here are the parameters we looked for while testing each rod: 

• Action: Does the rod have the proper give to allow a fish to inhale the lure but sufficient backbone to drive home a single hook? Is it giving without feeling too heavy or too mushy?
• Hookup percentage: Did the rod consistently keep fish hooked up? Can you drive home the hook on a shallow bass that eats the lure coming at you as well as you can on one that simply engulfs it 15-feet down? When they jump, does the leverage provided by the lead head disengage the hook and leave you disappointed?
• Casting accuracy and distance: How well did the rod cast small and large spinnerbaits with different levels of wind resistance due to differing blade configurations? Can they be bombed out into the wind as easily as they can be roll-cast beside or under a looming boat dock?
• Feedback: Can you feel the blades vibrating and any subtle changes in those vibration patterns? Can you tell when the lure bounces off hard cover, pulls through vegetation, or gets swatted aside by a hesitant bass?

We put the full range of spinnerbaits to the test with these rods, everything from ⅛-ounce single willows that barely pull to 1 ½ ouncers that fight harder than your average keeper, and everything in between. Even at the same weight range, no two lures behave the same. For example a ½-ounce single Colorado is much different than a compact-bodied ½-ounce double willow. Some rods do better than others at the various extremes, while some handle a wider range with deftness. Your reel will have to match the rod you choose, as will your line, so take all of that into account in building a balanced combo.

The Best Spinnerbait Rods: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Douglas LRS C715F

Douglas

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet, 1 inch
• Lure Weight: 3/16 to 3/4 ounce lures
• Power: Medium heavy
• Action: Fast
• Line weight: 12 to 20 pound
• Split grip EVA handle

Why It Made the Cut

The Douglas LRS C715F has a perfectly tapered blank, which means better casting and more successful fish landings.

Pros

• Enough length for long casts, yet comfortable in tight quarters
• Sensitive without being “too fast”
• Corrosion-proof Fuji Fazlite guides

Cons

• Some anglers may prefer a longer rod

Product Description

The blue blank of the Douglas spinnerbait rod stands out among a field of cookie cutters, but it’s the action and versatility that really sets it apart. Lure ratings on a handle are often generous, but this rod excelled at all ranges of the spectrum—from the smallest finesse spinnerbaits up to hard-thumping giants that’ll rattle your fillings out. It’s a wonderful blend of sensitivity and give with a perfectly-sized handle and premium components from tip to butt. During the test I flicked a 3/16 ounce finesse model around boat slips in the morning, and then used it in the afternoon to slow roll a spinnerbait that weighed ¾ ounce, and in both cases I felt like I had the perfect rod. Everyone that fished the Douglas LRS liked the rod’s perfectly-sized handle, and appreciated the premium components. The Douglas LRS took the best overall award because of its ability to throw everything from finesse to deep working spinnerbaits and it doesn’t sacrifice feel for versatility—it’s a rare rod that fishes everything well.

Best Finesse: G.Loomis IMX Pro 812 SBR

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Key Features

• Length: 6 feet 9 inches
• Lure Weight ⅜- to ½ ounce
• Power: Medium
• Action: Extra fast
• Line weight: 10 to 17 pounds
• Full premium cork handle

Why It Made the Cut

The G. Loomis IMX Pro 812SBR is a shorter rod with crisp action ideal for corralling big fish in tight spaces.

Pros

• Specifically made for spinnerbaits
• Extremely lightweight
• Handcrafted in the U.S.A.

Cons

• Shorter length can be a disadvantage in some situations

Product Description

While the label lists this rod as ideal for 3/8- to ½-ounce lures, I found that it also dealt admirably with much lighter baits, allowing me to place them in tight spaces, even in a headwind or crosswind. Once in the water, I could feel every turn of the blade or blades, even noticing when a bass had “pushed” the lure rather than striking aggressively. The proven Loomis track record for technique-specific excellence makes this a solid choice for those who prefer a full cork handle and want extreme accuracy. It was especially good in the backs of pockets and around overhanging trees, where my range of motion was limited. One little flick and the lure rocketed into position, although it might not have been as good with something at the upper end of the advertised range. Einsmann also fished this rod and he used a 1/2 ounce Z-Man SlingBladeZ. He noted that the rod casted the 1/2 ounce spinnerbait with exceptional accuracy. When he had a fish eat boat side the rod had plenty of umph to set the hook while the fish charged the boat. For those who prefer a full cork handle and want extreme accuracy, the proven Loomis track record for technique-specific excellence makes this a solid choice.

Best for Burning Spinnerbaits: St. Croix Victory 72HM

St. Croix

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 2 inches
• Lure weight: ½- to 1 ¼-ounce lures
• Action: Moderate
• Power: Heavy
• Line weight: 12 to 20 pound test
• Split grip cork handle with EVA foregrip

Why It Made the Cut

Exceptionally lightweight blank and components make heaving and burning hard-pulling lures a joy.

Pros

• Handles larger spinnerbaits without becoming a chore
• Fuji guides and reel seat
• Extremely sensitive, yet had a moderate action

Cons

• Too heavy for some finesse spinnerbaits

Product Description

Anytime northern smallmouth are in play, or whenever bass are aggressively chasing shad or blueback herring, the best way to trigger strikes is by retrieving a magnum spinnerbait at warp speed. This rod takes what is often tiring work and makes it a joy. Not only is casting and winding all day enabled by lightweight and balanced components—including Fuji Concept “O” guides and SK2 reel seat—but also the action is tapered just right to ensure a perfect hook set. The rod does well with mid-range spinnerbaits but it really stood out when working with bigger models. It’s light, yet every aspect of it is precision-built to be abused. During testing, I found the Victory 72HM did well with mid-range spinnerbaits, but it really stood out when working with bigger models. With a ½ ounce double willow I could make extra-long casts and then quickly take up line to get the bait moving, and keep it moving without getting fatigued. The point of personal preference that will split anglers—including our test group—is the two-part grip. But, if you like the split grip and you throw heavier spinnerbaits, this is a great rod.

Best for Mid-Range Spinnerbaits: Dobyns Rods Kaden KD713C

Dobyns Rods

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 1 inch
• Lure weight: ¼ to ¾
• Power: Medium heavy
• Action: Fast
• Line weight: 10 to 17 pounds
• Premium cork full grip handle

Why It Made the Cut

Workhorse rod with top-quality components does a lot of jobs well, but excels for all-around spinnerbaiting.

Pros

• High-modulus graphite blank with Kevlar wrapping
• Premium full cork handle with no foregrip
• High-quality Sea Guide XO Guides

Cons

• Faster action than some spinnerbait anglers prefer

Product Description

Dobyns Rods jumped into the spinnerbait rod scene with a wide variety of series at various price points and this one approximately in the middle may make you question why someone would spend more. It’s an exquisitely built rod that feels like a more expensive product. While it can handle some smaller lures, and definitely does fine with the big ones, true to its workhorse nature, anglers should rely on it most often for the most commonly used sizes of spinnerbaits—3/8 and ½ ounce. I used a ½ ounce single Colorado blade model for a while and yo-yo’ed it across a ledge and felt every change in direction. When a fish struck in a tentative manner, I was able to get a solid hookset in the deep and recover line quickly. I found it beefy enough to power spinnerbaits through the thickest cover, and land bass, yet also precise enough to handle roll casts and pitch casts with grace. The Kevlar wrapping makes it feel like a space-aged tool, yet it’s also ready for old-school hand-to-hand combat.

Best Value: 13 Fishing Omen Black OB3C74MHM

13 Fishing

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 4 inches
• Lure weight: ⅜ to ¾ ounce
• Power: Medium heavy
• Action: Moderate fast
• Line weight: 12 to 25 pound test
• Split grip cork handle and foregrip

Why It Made the Cut

The 13 Fishing Omen Black works well for spinnerbaits, vibrating jigs, topwater, crankbaits, and small swimbaits. It’s a highly versatile rod that’s perfect for anglers that want one rod for everything. 

Pros

• High-quality ALPS guides—10 plus tip
• Custom Evolve ported reel seat
• Moderate action provides solid hookups

Cons

• Might be too long for shorter anglers or in tight quarters

Product Description

Various iterations of the Omen Black rod series have been in the 13 Fishing lineup for a long time and with good reason—they stand up to a beating and are mission built for serious anglers. When I tested the rod I didn’t love it with smaller finesse spinnerbaits, perhaps because of its length. I found that on flats and across points I had surprising distance and accuracy with anything from a 3/8 to ¾ ounce spinnerbait. What I really wanted to throw, however, was a chatterbait. The moderate action will bomb a spinnerbait a long way, and has just the right taper to its Japanese 36 ton Toray blank to ensure positive hookups, but at the same time it’s a great rod a chatterbait. Einsmann also fished this rod and said he could not differentiate the performance difference of the Omen from the high-end rods he tested. He thought the casting distance and sensitivity were superb. If you need a rod that’ll excel with vibrating jigs, larger topwaters, buzzbaits and for some cranking, as well as smaller swimbaits—this is a do-it-all option that doesn’t sacrifice anything.

Best for Deep Water: Abu Garcia Fantasista X FNXC73-6

Abu Garcia

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 3 inches 
• Lure weight: ¼ to 1 ounce
• Power: Heavy
• Action: Fast
• Line weight: 12 to 20 pounds
• Molded carbon split grip

Why It Made the Cut

The Abu Garcia Fantasista X is an ultra-sensitive rod that can feel the turn of a blade at 25-feet deep, yet provides ergonomic comfort for casting larger spinnerbaits all-day

Pros

• Sensitive enough to be a worm or jig rod
• Titanium alloy guide frames with ultra-light zirconium inserts
• ROCS (Robotically Optimized Casting System) precisely spaces guides on the blank

Cons

• Pricey

Product Description

The Fantasista is made to be lightweight and ultra sensitive, from the blank construction and components to the handle, which allows you to keep a finger on the blank at all times. It’s a space-age-looking product with top-flight materials, including 36-ton graphite with the company’s proprietary Powerlux 500 resin system. Whether you’re trying to maintain the bottom with a current-laden river ledge or ticking the tops of deep hydrilla and occasionally ripping the lure free, this rod keeps the angler in touch with a lure to know what it’s doing at all times. At the same time, it also has the power to cast deeper-running lures and then muscle big bass away from cover. I felt like this could have been a worm rod, but with spinnerbaits it was best when I threw fluorocarbon and stuck to slower retrieves.

Honorable Mentions

We weren’t able to test all of the best spinnerbait rods due to today’s supply chain issues. Here are some rods to consider that we weren’t able to test.

• Lew’s American Hero Speed Stick – Budget-priced rod with quality components: with a portion of the profits pledged to veterans
• Daiwa Steez AGS Casting Rod – Ultra premier and super-lightweight—but pricey—bass rods aimed at the angler who wants the best of the best
• Shimano Convergence 2-Piece Casting Rods – Solid sticks for the angler on the go, at a price that’ll make you buy two of them
• Berkley Lighting Shock Casting Rods – If you like to fish your spinnerbaits on braid, this bulletproof rod should get the call
• Duckett Fishing Jacob Wheeler Casting Rods – Designed with the input of the hottest angler on either tour, these blue blanks stand out, and they come in a variety of lengths and actions

Things to Consider Before Buying a Spinnerbait Rod 

Where and how you fish a spinnerbait will determine your choice of rod, as will certain personal preferences: Do you like a cork handle or EVA? Split grip or solid grip? 

Then, there are more technical considerations like the rod length and the type of line you’ll use. 

Length

When you’re choosing a rod length think about if you’ll be fishing away from shore or around tight cover. A 7-foot, 6-inch rod that’s great for bomb-casting lures along ledges and offshore channels might be a liability around tightly-packed cypress trees. 

We all have different reaction times, too, so the semi-limber rod that works for someone with fast reflexes might cause missed fish for someone with slower reaction times or more patience. 

Sensitivity 

You’ll want to be able to feel the blades of the lure turning at all times and also know when something is amiss, which could be a sign that the spinnerbait is fouled, or conversely, it could be a sign that you have a light-striking fish.

Line Type

Also think about the size and type of line you’ll be using. While braid is rarely a good choice for spinnerbaits, the difference in diameter and sensitivity of fluorocarbon versus monofilament or copolymer will impact your choice of blank, and possibly, your guide setup.

FAQs

Final Thoughts on the Best Spinnerbait Rods

As with just about any technique, spinnerbaiting means different things to different anglers. Depending on where you fish and what you throw most commonly, rod choice can make the difference between a comfortable and enjoyable day of filling your livewell and an absolute train wreck. It comes down to personal choice, but just because it’s a moving bait where fish allegedly “hook themselves” doesn’t mean that you can skimp on quality components. Buy the best that you can afford and figure out which componentry and characteristics fit your skillset and most-visited fisheries.

The post The Best Spinnerbait Rods for 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Medium Weight Conventional		PENN Carnage III	SEE IT
Best Striped Bass Rod		St. Croix Seage SES106MHMF2	SEE IT
Best Surf Perch Rod		Okuma Rockaway SP	SEE IT

Twenty years ago, I started surf fishing for big red drum with a hand-me-down fiberglass surf fishing rod that was yellowed with age and abuse. I fished for an entire year without catching a trophy redfish.

After twelve months of dogged defeat, I saved up some money and purchased a modern graphite rod with high-grade components. I landed a red drum over 40 inches on my first trip with the new rod. My success wasn’t due to skill or luck; it was the rod. The combination of materials and design resulted in the fish of a lifetime and ignited a lifetime of surf fishing for red drum. 

Surf anglers ask the most of their fishing rods. The best surf rods focus on distance, accuracy, power, and finesse. To meet the need, rod manufacturers combine cutting-edge materials and designs with tough components to create action-specific rods focused on surf fishing.

Whether you’re looking to catch your first fish in the surf or you’re an old salt, the best surf fishing rods put it all together to make surf fishing easier and more enjoyable. 

• Best Medium Weight Conventional: PENN Carnage III
• Best Medium Action Lure Rod: Shimano Tiralejo XX TRJXS96M
• Best Striped Bass Rod: St. Croix Seage SES106MHMF2
• Best Surf Perch Rod: Okuma Rockaway SP
• Best Heavy Bait Rod: Century Drum Gun

How I Tested the Best Surf Fishing Rods

Choosing the single best surf rod is impossible. Surf fishing rods are specific to fishing tactics, location, conditions, and personal preference. Comparing a bait rod to a lure rod is apples and oranges. 

I started with five general categories of surf fishing. 

• Medium-action spinning rod for lures
• Medium-action spinning rod for bait
• Medium-action conventional for bait
• Light lure or bait rod
• Heavy-action bait rod

Then, I queried my surf-fishing friends across the country for their favorite surf sticks.

For a second opinion on each rod, I called in my friend Ryan White, owner of Hatteras Jack Bait and Tackle and a world champion long caster. We spent an afternoon casting each rod and considering the construction, materials, and feel of the rod. 

The best surf rod doesn’t mean the most expensive. Yes, some of the rods in my review are high dollar. Quality and performance cost money. Other rods in the review are a bargain. As rod technology improves, it trickles down to lower-price models. While top-of-the-line rods use every advantage at any cost, you can get a high-quality and solid action surf rod for a reasonable price.

I started with the most important questions. 

• Is the rod sensitive to feel a light bite? 
• Does it have a stiff backbone to stand up to a big fish? 
• Are the grips grippy? 
• Does the reel seat fit my hand?

To determine the sweet spot where the rod is most comfortable and efficient. I cast each rod using a variety of lures and sinkers within the rod’s recommended weight range. In addition to distance and accuracy, I noted the rod’s build and fit.

The next test is the most difficult. How does the rod feel while casting and retrieving? Does it load up and snap the lure like a whip? Will the rod bend and sway under the action of a swimming plug?

In surf fishing, there is a direct correlation between the quality of the equipment and the chances of success. Fishing from the beach requires a long accurate cast, hyper-sensitive action, and solid power to make it all come together. 

Best Surf Fishing Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

Best Medium Weight Conventional: PENN Carnage III

PENN

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Key Features

• Length: 11 feet
• Power: Medium heavy
• Action: Medium fast
• Line Weight: 20 to 40-pound test
• Lure Weight: 2- to 6-ounce
• Fuji K SIC guides
• Fuji DPS Reel Seat
• S3SL Carbon and Fiberglass Blank

Pros

• Quality blank and guides
• Low price

Cons

• Heavy
• Reel seat difficult to tighten

Every surf angler needs an all-around medium-weight bait rod for long, accurate casts. PENN’s Carnage III is the third generation of their top-of-the-line model with great components at a reasonable price. “You get a lot of bang for the buck,” says White. 

High-quality components like Fuji K guides with SIC inserts reduce tangles with smooth silicone rings for a long cast. PENN is proud of its S3SL construction, sandwiching layers of graphite and fiberglass for sensitivity and durability. The rod is rated for a 2- to 6-ounce lure, but I felt comfortable throwing a 5-ounce sinker and bait. The Carnage III is a little on the bulky side, but the extra weight translated into extra strength, making the rod tough enough to serve as a reliable medium-action rod for striped bass, redfish, and black drum.

Read Next: Best Surf Fishing Reels

Best Medium Action Lure Rod: Shimano Tiralejo XX TRJXS96M

Shimano

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Key Features 

• Length: 9 feet, 6 inches
• Power: Moderate fast
• Action: Medium
• Line Weight: ¾- to 3-ounce

Pros

• 70/30 split 
• Spiral-wrapped carbon fiber
• Rubberized grip
• Reel seat with locking nut

Cons

• Expensive

I’ve slowly been replacing the fishing rods in my arsenal with Shimano XX rods. I started with my boat and kayak rods, and now I’m stoked to add Tiralejo XX rods to the surf fishing quiver. 

The XX stands for Shimano’s Spiral X and High-Power X blank construction. The blank starts with vertical carbon fibers wrapped inside and out with spirals of carbon fiber tape. This allows Shimano to precisely balance power and sensitivity in exact sections of the blank to achieve performance requirements. Carbon fiber rods are inherently more fragile than fiberglass rods, but the spiral construction keeps the blank from twisting or compressing under pressure without adding weight. 

My first Tiralejo XX addition was the 9-foot, 6-inch spinning rod. This model is perfect for an angler casting heavy lures from a rock jetty or pier, where accuracy and crowd control are the most important qualities. A medium power rod has flex to allow a lure to swim freely, but the Tiralejo’s Spiral X wrap’s fast recovery keeps the cast snappy. 

With a big fish on the line, I can feel the power translated into the fight allowing the rod to beat the fish. And, when I’m landing a heavy fish, the High Power X construction allows me to hold the rod tip high without snapping the rod. 

The rod is rated for a lure up to 3 ounces, but I found the 3-ounce mark a comfortable starting point with the capability to cast a 2-ounce bucktail and rubber jig tail or 3-ounce swimming plug. 

Best Striped Bass Rod: St. Croix Seage SES106MHMF2

St. Croix

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Key Features

• Length: 10 feet, 6 inches
• Power: Medium heavy
• Action: Medium fast
• Line Weight: 15- to 40-pound test
• Lure Weight: 2- to 6-ounce

Pros

• 70/30 split grip
• Winn comfort grips
• 15 year warranty
• Sea Guide Hero High-Grade Guides
• Sea Guide NPS reel seat

Cons

• Heavy for a medium-heavy power

Narrowing down the best surf fishing rod for striped bass isn’t easy, so I hit up my friend Nick Honachefsky, host of Saltwater Underground and a New Jersey based surf angler. Without hesitation, Honachefsky recommended the St. Croix Seage Surf spinning rod. “The beauty of the 10-foot, 6-inch model is its versatility,” Honachefsky says. According to him, the rod is capable of working a 3-ounce wooden plug, a 1-ounce StingSilver, or throwing a chunk of clam with a 3 to 6-ounce sinker. 

Honachefsky adds that the 10-foot, 6-inch medium-heavy model can beat a 20-pound bluefish or 40-pound striped bass. In my testing, the medium-fast model snaps out a cast and still has enough play to allow a lure to work. St. Croix’s Advanced Reinforcing Technology carbon fiber and Fortifying Resin System work together to create a hearty rod with a striking blue finish and premium wraps. Honachefsky appreciates the low-profile butt section and light blank. “I can throw the rod for hours without bumping into my side every cast,” he says.

Read Next: Best Baits for Striped Bass

Best Surf Perch Rod: Okuma Rockaway SP

Okuma

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Key Features 

• Length: 8 feet, 6 inches
• Power: Medium
• Action: Medium fast
• Line Weight: 8- to 17-pound test
• Lure Weight: ¼- to ⅝-ounce

Pros

• SeaGuide XQ stainless steel guides
• 24/30 ton carbon fiber
• EVA split grip
• Price

Cons

• Feels fragile

When you think of surf fishing, you imagine a warrior angler dressed in GoreTex armor charging the crashing breakers with a long, heavy surf rod clutched in his hand like a lance. Or, you picture a white sand beach, blazing sun, and fishing rod resting in a sand spike while you rest in a folding chair, drink in hand. But there is another side of surf fishing. I’m talking about light tackle fishing in the shore break for small game. 

Okuma designed the Rockaway SP for West Coast anglers targeting surf perch with small baits and lures. When Ryan White and I tested the rod, we got excited about using it for pompano, speckled trout, and redfish. The Rockaway SP is an ultralight, super sensitive 24/30 ton carbon fiber blank with a split grip and low-profile guides to transmit every nibble to the angler’s hand. The split 24/30 ton carbon is the key to its versatility. Twenty-four-ton graphite is forgiving, which makes it durable and powerful. While 30-ton graphite is sensitive, light, and fragile. 

The reel seat leaves a section of the blank exposed so you can feel the slightest tap. This is important for feeling a light bite and helps me feel the lure bouncing along the bottom. The Rockaway SP is rated for ¼ to ⅝ ounces, but I think it could handle a rig up to one ounce without losing distance or accuracy. Okuma squeezed every ounce of technology into a lightweight, super-sensitive rod capable of fishing light lures for smaller fish. 

Best Heavy Bait Rod: Century Drum Gun

Century Rods

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Key Features 

• Length: 13 feet
• Power: Heavy
• Action: Fast
• Line Weight: 17 to 20 pounds
• Lure Weight 8- to 12-ounce

Pros

• Titanium components
• Autoclaved rod blank
• Graphene infused resin
• No taper butt section

Cons

• Expensive
• Has a learning curve 

I’ve been driving a car for 30 years, and I’ve never had an accident, but that doesn’t mean I would last ten minutes behind the wheel of an F-1 race car. That’s how I felt casting the Century Drum Gun for the first time. I’ve been throwing a Hatteras heaver for almost as long as I’ve had my driver’s license, but this was my first time casting a super rod. In fact, my first lob cast ended in a backlash. Luckily, competition-long caster Ryan White was there to walk me through my first day behind the wheel of the Century Drum Gun. 

Based on Century’s long-casting blanks, the heavy-action fishing rod has scored distances up to 700 feet in White’s capable hands. Once I realized I could control the power and give it all I got without the rod complaining, I exceeded my best casting distance. 

White grew up on the Outer Banks in the middle of the most competitive beach fishing on the planet. A premium drum rod is expected to achieve maximum distance and accuracy with the backbone to fight a 50-pound redfish through the pounding surf and build quality to survive for years. 

The best surf rod starts with a high-tech blank. Century uses the same autoclave process as the aerospace industry to bond the carbon fibers together with graphene-impregnated resin. Applying heat and pressure at the same time squeezes out any excess resin for the strongest and lightest base material. 

The tip section incorporates fiberglass to improve recovery time, durability, and bite detection. “This is a heavy-action rod, but the tip remains sensitive to feel a fish biting over 100 yards away,” says White. The Drum Gun uses a non-tapered butt section that meets performance requirements by varying the amount and type of material, which is where White says the rod’s power comes from. 

When I cast the rod, my right-hand acts as a fulcrum; the left hand produces the force to launch an 8-ounce sinker and a chunk of the bait as far as I can muster. I feel the power translating all the way to my left hand on the rod butt. With all the technology and design in the Drum Gun, the rod remains light enough to hold for hours while fishing the crowded beach at Cape Point. 

How to Choose the Best Surf Fishing Rod

There’s a reason why an old-salt’s beach buggy bristles with a dozen surf rods: Choosing the best surf rod isn’t easy. Instead of expecting to find one rod to do it all, experienced anglers have a rod for each tactic and target species. 

To find the best rod for bait fishing or casting lures, consider how you will fish, how much you have to spend, and how you will transport and store the fishing rod.

Local Surf Fishing Info 

Large numbers of surf anglers often gather at a popular beach, jetty or pier. While fishing, competitive anglers check out each other’s rods, reels, tackle, and tactics. The best way to choose the best surf fishing rod for a specific tactic or species is to watch other anglers in action. If the anglers are friendly, strike up a conversation. Better yet, hire a local guide to show you the ropes.

The next best source of information is a local tackle shop. The in-house experts know the best tackle and have a variety of options to fit your needs. As you search for the best surf rod, you’ll quickly realize the most successful anglers have carefully chosen high-quality fishing rods matched to the local fishing.

Tactics

The first step in choosing the best surf rod is matching the rod to the tactic. A bait rod needs a strong backbone to launch a heavy rig and hold a sinker in the bottom. Lure fishing requires more sensitivity to work the lure.

A longer rod provides extra casting distance, while a shorter rod offers better control. Fast action produces an extra kick on the cast, and a slower action loads for a heavy lure. Bait rods emphasize power to bring in the heavy sinker and a big fish. Lure rods are fine-tuned to swim a plug or streak a spoon with fish-attracting action. Whatever the tactic, there are several rods perfectly suited for the scenario. Matching the rod to the tactic is the first step for success.

Storage and Transport

Surf rods are long and delicate. Most rods come in two pieces to make storage and transport easier. However, you still need to choose between a 50/50 or 60/40 break.

A 50/50 rod breaks down into two equal parts. This is great for shipping and storage. Not only is it easier to fit in a closet or a hatchback, but the 50/50 rod is easier to carry to the beach.

For the best casting action, choose a 60/40 or similar break. This type of rod has a shorter butt section and longer tip. For example, a 10-foot rod would have a 4-foot butt section and a 6-foot tip. The longer tip produces a more even bend through the rod length for a more powerful cast. 

Price

No way around it; good fishing rods are expensive, and really good fishing rods are really expensive. Surf anglers face many challenges, and the best surf rod improves the odds of pulling a fish from shore. Serious anglers will pay any price to get an advantage over their adversary.

That said, the best surf rod is the one you can afford. In recent years, features previously found on expensive fishing rods are now available on mid-range models. 

In the end, ask yourself what you expect of the fishing rod. Are you going to cast out a couple baits, kick back in the beach chair and crack open a cold beverage? Then a solid mid-range rod provides hours of beach fishing fun. 

But if you plan to go toe-to-toe with the best surf jockeys, charging the shore break in any weather to target the biggest, meanest fish in the sea, then investing in the best surf rod will feed the passion.

FAQs

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts on the Best Surf Fishing Rods

Boat and kayak anglers will never understand the excitement of fighting a fish from shore. Standing stationary, heart racing, while a big fish empties the reel. The breaking waves pound the line. The fish uses the shallow water to its advantage, running through sand, rocks, and reefs like a linebacker. You use the long, powerful rod as a lever, feeling the rod slowly work against the fish. With each run, you watch the tip surge and bow. The surf rod is beating the fish. And then, you run backward out of the surf using the rod to drag the catch up the beach. 

The best surf fishing rods put together distance, power, and durability ultimately puts more fish on the beach and a smile on your face.

• Best Medium Weight Conventional: PENN Carnage III
• Best Medium Action Lure Rod: Shimano Tiralejo XX TRJXS96M
• Best Striped Bass Rod: St. Croix Seage SES106MHMF2
• Best Surf Perch Rod: Okuma Rockaway SP
• Best Heavy Bait Rod: Century Drum Gun

The post The Best Surf Fishing Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best for Bass		Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A versatile rod that features multiple tip sections and a comfortable E.V.A. handle.
Best Budget		Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A durable rod-and-reel combo available in three actions at a bargain price.
Best Premium		Megabass Triza Travel Rod	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary A gorgeous rod with a wide range of actions for a full range of techniques.

Travel fishing rods are easy to pack for a trip, and the good ones fish like a one-piece rod. Over the past several decades, rods have gotten longer because more length typically equals better casts and more leverage on big fish. For example, the 5-foot 6-inch pistol grips that dominated bass fishing into the 1980s have been replaced almost entirely by rods that are 7 feet and up. Unfortunately, luggage costs and rules have also exploded at this same time, meaning that it’s not always feasible to take an oversized 7- or 8-foot rod tube on distant trips. That’s doubly true if you’ll be getting on a floatplane or your luggage size is otherwise restricted.

• Best for Bass: Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod
• Most Innovative: Daiwa Ardito-TR Travel Casting and Spinning Rod
• Best for Inshore: Falcon Traveler Coastal Spinning Rod
• Best Budget: Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo
• Best Finesse: Wild Side Light Spinning Rod
• Best Premium: Megabass Triza Travel Rod 

Travel rods aren’t solely for air travel, though. If you’re an urban angler getting on a subway, they may be your best choice. If you want something to keep in your car or backpack in case you pass by a tasty-looking fishery, they’re prime choices. In the past, the options were often limited. Either manufacturers took an existing blank and added rudimentary ferrules, or it was a bargain basement combo that required a staple remover to get out of the package and that couldn’t stand up to farm pond bluegills. Fortunately, many manufacturers have recognized the need for better travel tools, and they’ve heeded the call. 

I get to do a lot of traveling with fishing rods as a writer and host of exotic fishing trips. I’ve been to the Alaskan wilderness, through the Amazon jungle, and on every major bass lake in the U.S. and Mexico. Those destinations require a plane ride, and while I don’t always pack multi-piece rods, it’s given me the chance to test out many of the best. Here are my picks for the best travel fishing rods.

How I Tested the Best Travel Fishing Rods

I’ve taken these travel rods all over the globe and all over the country, fishing for species both exotic and mundane. More importantly, though, I’ll admit that I’ve abused them. They’ve been shoved in suitcases, walked through dense forests, and used for lures outside of their supposed range. That’s the nature of the travel game. Coming home from Mexico, officials forced me to check a carrying case that I’d carried on for the trip South of the Border, and my rods returned in one piece—or rather in their original configurations of multiple pieces. When possible, though, I like keeping them at my side, and I’m usually able to do so. It also enables me to bring a rod and reel or the occasions when I travel for a non-fishing purpose but might be able to sneak away to make a few casts.

Best Travel Fishing Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

Best for Bass: Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod

Abu Garcia

SEE IT

Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Packed Length: 28 inches
• Three pieces
• Comes with both medium (1/4-3/4 ounce lures) and medium-heavy (3/8-1 ounce) tip sections
• Soft travel case included

Pros

• Versatility means you only need to carry one rod
• Comfortable E.V.A. handle
• Great value

Cons

• Included case isn’t crushproof; should not be checked on airlines

Abu Garcia, worked with Bassmaster Classic champion Mike “Ike” Iaconelli, to design the Ike Signature Series Travel Rod. Ike is known for his wins on the pro bass circuit, but he’s also known for his urban angling adventures. Traveling by bus, bike, plane, and train to those urban fishing spots were the inspiration for his travel rod. 

The best feature of the rod is the included interchangeable tip sections that provide different actions. They are a tremendous value, since the rod doesn’t sacrifice on components. They include 36-ton graphite blanks, stainless steel guides, and a premium Fuji reel seat. Ike carried this rod worldwide on his television fishing exploits for a wide range of species, but his heart remains with bass, and that’s where this rod excels, for everything from soft plastics to crankbaits to spinnerbaits. Anglers who expect to use finesse presentations can buy the spinning version.

Most Innovative: Daiwa Ardito-TR Travel Casting and Spinning Rod

Daiwa

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet 
• Packed Length: 28 inches
• Handle converts from spinning to baitcasting
• Three-piece rod, includes six total pieces 
• Lure Weights: ¼ to 1 ounce 

 Pros

• Extreme versatility
• Handles wide range of lures
• Sensitive yet strong graphite construction

Cons

• Included case not crushproof; should not be checked on airlines

Daiwa has built a rod—and specifically, a rod handle—that will accommodate both spinning and baitcasting reels when configured appropriately. That means you don’t have to choose one or the other when you’re limited to one travel rod. What’s most impressive is that they’ve somehow developed a blank that doesn’t feel awkward in either role. It includes X45 graphite construction that prevents blank twisting and truly performs like a one-piece. I took this rod to Zambia for tigerfish, where it performed admirably with a baitcasting reel, and then used it at home to skip Senkos under docks with a spinning rod. It’s not truly a finesse spinning rod, but could handle light baits with plenty of backbone to extract hard-pulling bass from gnarly cover.

Best for Inshore: Falcon Traveler Coastal Spinning Rod

Falcon Rods

SEE IT

Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Packed Length: 28 inches
• Medium action
• Lure weight: ¼ to ½ ounce 
• Three pieces

Pros

• Bargain priced
• Durable full cork handle
• High-quality components

Cons

• Some anglers may not like the moderate action

If you’re chasing redfish or speckled trout on the Gulf Coast, or bonefish and snook in the Everglades or Keys, you need a rod that will simultaneously make pinpoint presentations that also has the heft to muscle outsized, super-strong fish away from cover. This rod is light but mighty and fits the bill. The Coastal Traveler series also has a baitcasting model in the lineup. They’ll both do double-duty in freshwater, although Falcon also provides Lowrider series travel rods for that purpose. All of them include cork handles (full in the case of the Coastal, split-grip on the Lowriders), Fuji K-Frame tangle-free guides, and a blank through reel seat. All come with a crushproof, three-section Cordura-coated case with the rod’s specifications printed on the outside.

Best Budget: Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo

Ugly Stik

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Key Features

• Lengths: 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 6 inches 
• Comes with matching reel
• Three or four pieces

Pros

• Rod and reel packaged together for the price of one
• Four-bearing spinning reel
• Strong guides will stand up to braided line

Cons

• Cloth rod and reel travel bag cannot be checked

The Ugly Stik brand has been synonymous with strength and value for decades, and Shakespeare continues to refine the products while keeping them at rock bottom prices. These three spinning combos—one light action, two medium action—all come with a four-bearing reel and rods that combine graphite and fiberglass construction. While the cloth carrying case may not be crushproof, this combo will stand up to just about anything you can dish out. That makes it a great option for kids or beginners, but you’ll be surprised at the wide range of species it can handle across the globe without any fear of failure.

Best Finesse: Wild Side Light Spinning Rod

Legit Design

SEE IT

Key Features

• Length: 6 feet 3 inches
• Packed Length: 22 inches
• Action: Light
• Five pieces

Pros

• Ultra compact 
• Innovative ferrules maintain one-piece feel
• High modulus graphite

Cons

• Pricey

Wild Side’s U.S. distributor Arundel Tackle claims that this rod is “made for the overhead bin, NOT baggage claim.” It comes with a rectangular carrying case that weighs a mere 2 ounces and will slide easily into your carry-on. More importantly, they’ve somehow taken a five-piece rod and eliminated any traditional multi-piece imprecision. That might be because they use refined spigot ferrules that do a solid job of maintaining a one-piece flow. This has become a go-to Ned Rig rod when I’m bass fishing at home, but it has so many other uses where it’ll excel. These include stream trout fishing, pan fishing, and light saltwater use. The high-quality cork and E.V.A. split handle are comfortable for all day fishing and match up with any lightweight spinning reel.

Best Premium: Megabass Triza Travel Rod 

Megabass

SEE IT

Key Features

• Lengths (casting): 6-feet, 6-inches; 6-feet, 8-inches; 6-feet, 9-inches; 7-feet; 7-feet, 2-inches   
• Available in five baitcasting and two spinning models
• Three pieces
• Lure Weights: 1/32 ounce to 3 ounces

Pros

• Wide range of actions for a full range of techniques
• Built one at a time for attention to detail
• Gorgeous peacock wood reel seats and hand-drawn graphics

Cons

• Expensive

Megabass makes everything from the best swimbaits to some of the nicest production rods available. The Triza Travel Rod has typical Megabass quality in a rod that fits in a backpack. Megabass has a lot of experience making travel rods for their Japanese customers, who are often more constrained in terms of space and transportation, and therefore demand them. These premium travel rods are now widely available in America and cover just about every bass fishing technique under the sun—while at the same time being superior for some saltwater and multi-species use. They’re a gorgeous piece of art that would look great displayed, but they’re too solid to sit on the sidelines. Megabass claims they are constructed to their “Triangle” ideal—with a tip section that maximizes tension, a belly section that maximizes torque, and a butt section that maximizes torsional rigidity. These are workhorses that present like show horses.

FAQs

Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Fishing Rod

What will you be fishing for?

The same travel rod that excels for panfish might be a liability chasing big saltwater fish in the surf. Today there are enough specialized options that you should be able to cover most extremes and many technical presentations. The trouble comes when you need to do double duty. That may require the purchase of a second rod, or perhaps even making compromises—using a single rod that is a jack of all trades but a master of none.

How compact must it be?

Fewer ferrules or connectors usually (but not always) means better performance. However, the ideal travel or “pack” rod will fit into a small case, which may or may not need to fit within your suitcase. Take careful measurements of your possible dimensions, adding a slight bit for the padding of the case and any internal rod sock that protects your tool.

How will I carry my travel rod?

The best possible scenario is to keep your rod or rods with you at all times, in a padded, crushproof case. That reduces the chances of loss and breakage. However, in the instance that you need to check it, make sure it fits in your other luggage or run the risk of paying a surcharge. Many of these rods come with tubes or cases. Some are better than others, so don’t hesitate to invest in an aftermarket product for peace of mind.

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts

As I’ve amassed an arsenal of travel rods over the past several years, I’ve seen a shift in my thinking. Previously, I reserved them exclusively for exotic travel to places like Zambia, Mexico, Brazil, and Alaska, and then relegated them to a garage shelf when I returned home. Increasingly, however, I’ve found myself using some of them in my day-to-day angling, in places where I could still take a 7- or 8-foot one-piece rod but now choose instead to take the multi-piece tool. 

Many of the more inexpensive multi-piece rods are still notably less fluid than their one-piece counterparts, but that’s not always the case. Furthermore, if you’re a one-piece snob, you may be surprised at how refined these options have become.

• Best for Bass: Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod
• Most Innovative: Daiwa Ardito-TR Travel Casting and Spinning Rod
• Best for Inshore: Falcon Traveler Coastal Spinning Rod
• Best Budget: Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo
• Best Finesse: Wild Side Light Spinning Rod
• Best Premium: Megabass Triza Travel Rod 

The post The Best Travel Fishing Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed appeared first on Outdoor Life.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Daiwa Proteus Winn Boat Rod	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Lighter and durable that most other rods with a plethora of new tech.
Best Casting		St. Croix Seage	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Stainless steel guides that reduce line friction for long casts and hard battles.
Best Jigging		PENN Carnage II Jigging	SEE IT	LEARN MORE	Summary Lightweight and sensitive, yet strong enough to go deep for big fish.

The best saltwater fishing rods are not only tough enough to survive the rough and tumble world of ocean, bay, and backwater, but are also sensitive enough to detect subtle bites in deep water. Sturdy blanks, corrosion-resistant components, and advanced materials allow saltwater rods to detect the lightest bite and still have the power to beat a pissed-off ocean predator. For this review, I tested the best saltwater fishing rods to see how they performed on the water. 

• Best Overall: Daiwa Proteus 
• Best Offshore: Shimano Tallus Blue Water
• Best Jigging: PENN Carnage III Jigging  
• Best Surf Rod: St. Croix Seage 
• Best Budget:  Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod
• Best Inshore: Shimano Teramar Southeast TMSF74M

How We Chose the Best Saltwater Fishing Rods

To test the best saltwater fishing rods, I spent the past year fishing with the ones on this list. I targeted speckled trout, striped bass, and redfish with the Daiwa Proteus. Then, I trolled for tuna, dolphin, and wahoo with the Shimano Tallus, and when I marked fish deep, I broke out the Carnage III for some jigging. While testing the rods, I took notes on how well components and construction stood up to hard fishing. Cast after cast, drop after drop, I noted how the rods performed in both power and sensitivity. Through this process, I caught lots of fish. All of the rods I tested will work a lure and fight a fish, but they’re also a joy to fish with.

The Best Saltwater Fishing Rods: Reviews and Recommendations

Best Overall: Daiwa Proteus

Daiwa

SEE IT

Key Features 

• Weight: 1 pound
• Material: Graphite
• Line guides: Fuji K guides with aluminum oxide rings
• Conventional rod

Pros

• Carbon bias construction
• Fuji back-stop locking reel seat
• Winn grips

Cons

• Winn grips only on select models

Leave it to Daiwa to throw all the latest rod-building advancements into a series of high-quality saltwater rods anyone can afford. When I received a test sample, I had to call Marc Mills, Daiwa’s field marketing manager to explain all the bells and whistles this rod contains. The HFV Nano Plus blank’s design has an incredible weight-to-strength ratio that helps prevent the rod from twisting under pressure. I can feel the result when I’m fighting a big fish instead of fighting the fishing rod. More power is transferred from the rod to the line to help lift the fish and keep the line guides perpendicular to the water when you’ve got a big one hooked. And the blank uses Daiwa’s Braiding X combination of resin and material that makes the rod incredibly strong yet durable. 

Daiwa added Fuji’s latest FazLight Tanglefree guides with ceramic center ring for longer casts and less friction. One of my favorite features is Fuji’s back-stop reel seat that uses a lock nut to keep the clamp from loosening while the reel is under pressure. Several Proteus models feature Winn grips which are dense polymer grips that offer more grab and a softer feel while still being tougher than EVA and cork. The Proteus Boat Rod is one of my favorite models, but the series covers inshore and offshore fishing with the same blank technology and the most advanced components. 

Best Offshore: Shimano Tallus Blue Water

Shimano

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Key Features 

• Weight: 1 pound
• Material: Fiberglass and graphite
• Line guides: Fuji Aluminum Oxide
• Conventional rod

Pros

• Durable, rugged blank
• Solid Fuji O guides
• Braided line and monofilament compatible

Cons

• Flimsy reel seat

You can spend thousands of dollars on offshore rods and the money will be well spent if you fish every day or you’re trying to show off. But if, like me, you fish hard every weekend and a couple days after work, Shimano’s Tallus Bluewater Series is a sturdy, powerful, and good-looking option for offshore fishing. I’ve been using the Tallus series since the first series came out, and I even upgraded to the most recent model. 

Shimano’s Tallus series uses proprietary TC4 construction, which wraps a T-glass fiberglass core with high-modulus graphite fibers for an offshore fishing rod that’s both strong and light. Fiberglass provides durability and fighting power while the graphite makes the rod lighter and more sensitive. Fuji O guides reduce friction and heat and are certified friendly for braided line and monofilament. 

I’m nitpicking, but the Casting model uses Shimano’s stock reel seat that’s difficult to keep tight, and the heavier Tallus Blue Water models feature AFTCO roller guides and aluminum gimbels and reel seats. The EVA foregrip is contoured to fit the tight hold of an angler fighting a big fish. Shimano designed the Tallus Blue Water series for weekend warriors who just want to grab their gear and go fishing, but these rods are designed for hard life on and off the water.  

Read Next: Shimano Nasci: Saltwater Spinning Reel Review

Best Jigging: PENN Carnage III Jigging

PENN

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Key Features 

• Weight: 3 pounds
• Material: Graphite and fiberglass
• Line Guides: Fuji K Guides with Alconite inserts
• Spinning rod

Pros

• Durable carbon and fiberglass composite blank
• Responsive and sturdy line guides
• Aluminum gimbal

Cons

• Only available in one size

Vertical jigging opened up offshore fishing to a new generation of anglers, and PENN’s Carnage III makes the sport even more accessible. Before vertical jigging hit the water, if you wanted to target tuna or wahoo you needed a dozen heavy action trolling rods. Vertical jigging allows you to target the same fish with a single lightweight fishing rod and high-power reel. PENN’s Carnage III Jigging rod is more than up to the test. Even though the Carnage III is one of the more affordable jigging rods, PENN didn’t skimp on the components with Fuji K guides with durable SiC (silicon-carbide) inserts to handle the heat of a big fish. 

The weak point on most jigging rods is the reel seat. I’ve seen a pissed off tuna rip a reel right off a jigging rod. But not with the Carnage III’s Fuji graphite and aluminum reel seat. The reel seat is shaped to cup with one hand that provides a comfortable hold while jigging. I’ve also seen tuna yank a jigging rod from an angler’s hand, but PENN gave the Carnage III rubberized shrink-wrapped grips that are durable and sticky even when covered with fish slime and sweat. My favorite feature is the aluminum gimbal, a high quality touch that pays off when the rod is bent double and jammed into a fighting belt. Currently, the Carnage III only comes in one size that’s appropriate for medium-sized tuna and big bottom fish. Still, this rod is an excellent choice for saltwater jigging. 

Best Surf Rod: St. Croix Seage

St. Croix

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Key Features 

• Weight: 1.49 pounds
• Material: Carbon fiber
• Line guides: Stainless frame with aluminum oxide eyes
• Spinning rod

Pros

• Cool color
• Next-generation carbon fiber compound
• Comfortable Winn fore grip

Cons

• Expensive

For the least friction and the most strength, St. Croix added their stainless steel line guides with slim aluminum oxide rings to their Seage rod. The reel seats are low profile and provide a lightweight feel when holding the reel that reduces fatigue when casting in the surf all day and through the night. 

Like all St. Croix rods, the technology comes packaged in a cool-looking rod. The deep, dark blue color really sticks out on a crowded beach. And, the integrated hoods on the reel seat and slim line guides look like they mean business. The shrink wrapped butt and Winn foregrips have a minimalist design, yet they provide maximum traction and a little give for comfort. Cork accents in the butt add a classic look to the modern rod. But the real test comes on the beach when you cast to striped bass or schooling red drum. 

St. Croix’s dedication to details became evident when I casted the Seage. On the back cast, I felt the rod loading but not overloading or lagging. And on the cast, the power transferred through the rod like a whip to launch my lure toward the horizon. The stiff and responsive SCII carbon fiber returns to a straight position that reduces friction that might otherwise affect distance and accuracy.  

Best Budget:  Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod

Ugly Stik

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Key Features 

• Weight: 7 ounces
• Material: Fiberglass
• Guides: One-piece stainless steel
• Spinning rod

Pros

• Affordable
• Durable
• Comfortable padded grips

Cons

• Less sensitive than graphite

This heavy-duty spinning rod has been updated with even tougher components and construction. Ugly Stik swapped their famous unbreakable fiberglass blank with graphite composite to add sensitivity and reduce weight while maintaining durability. The Bigwater adds sturdy, one-piece stainless-steel line guides that don’t have a ceramic insert to break, and the material is corrosion resistant for years of wear-n-tear. 

With models from medium to heavy, and lengths from 6 feet, 6 inches to 15-foot long, the Bigwater has a model for everything from casting to trolling to surf fishing. I have a set of Bigwater bottom fishing rods on my boat, and the 7-foot, medium-heavy rods are perfect for dropping an eight-ounce sinker and bottom rig to sea bass and triggerfish. The Bigwater is a great bargain, so I purchased four of them to keep rigged with different bottom rigs that I can just hand to guests who don’t have their own rod. The Bigwater has the backbone to lift a double-header of sea bass off the bottom with a forgiving backbone that absorbs the runs and dives of big bluefish or stubborn shark. These rods are tough, so I don’t worry about banging them around the boat. In fact, Bigwater rods have probably caught more fish than any other rod on my boat. 

Best Inshore: Shimano Teramar Southeast TMSF74M

Shimano

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Key Features

• Length: 7 feet, 4 inches
• Power: Medium
• Action: Moderate fast
• Line weight: 6 to 15 pounds
• Lure weight: ¼ to 3/4 ounces
• Spinning rod
• Cork grip

Pros

• Affordable price
• Lightweight
• Well balanced
• Quality components

Cons

• Some anglers might prefer a split grip

My summers are spent throwing small swimbaits around docks and oyster beds for redfish, stripers, and speckled trout. The rod I reach for that application is my 7-foot-4-inch Shimano Teramar with a medium power and moderate fast action. It’s perfect for slinging those light saltwater lures with distance and accuracy. I also like the rod when using a ½-ounce Tsunami Tog Treat tipped with shrimp. I can cast that jig around structure and feel the difference between the subtle taps of an interference fish and the more pronounced tap of a speckled trout. Once I register that bite, the rod has plenty of power to drive the hook home and the right amount of give to keep fish hooked during boat side surges. While I like the medium power for most inshore species, if you’re targeting sheepshead, you might want a heavy power to horse them away from structure.  

I currently have a 3000 size Daiwa BG on my Teramar, but it also balances well with a 2500 size spinning reel. With that combo you have an ideal inshore rod that will catch everything from stripers to spanish mackerel. —Scott Einsmann

Things to Consider Before Buying a Saltwater Fishing Rod

After years of fishing saltwater, I’ve seen rods fail, fall apart, snap, and explode. In my experience, the best saltwater rods don’t have to be fancy, cool looking (though this is a plus), or expensive to get the job done. Whether they give the slightest bump of a speckled trout or the explosive strike of a speeding wahoo, the best saltwater fishing rods can suck it up and dish it out. Here are some things to consider before you buy one.

Blank

The blank is a fishing rod’s backbone. It’s the tapered tube of composite fibers that is the foundation for the grips, reel seat, and line guides. First, consider the blank material. Fishing rods are made of fiberglass or graphite, also called carbon fiber. And some rods are made of a combination of materials. In short, fiberglass is cheaper and stronger but less sensitive. Graphite is lighter and more sensitive, but is also more expensive and less durable than fiberglass and is often labeled with weight ratings like 24 ton or 30 ton to indicate the rigidity of the material. A higher number is lighter and stiffer, but also more brittle. I don’t put too much weight into this designation. To me, rod construction is more important than properties of the raw materials, and I haven’t found any correlation between weight numbers and rod quality. 

Here are some rules you can follow: A longer blank makes a longer cast, while a shorter blank offers more accuracy and fighting power. Blanks are rated from light to extra heavy weight to match the size of the lure and the size of the target fish. Rods are also rated slow to extra fast to indicate how deep the rod tip bends towards the rod butt. A fast rod only bends at the tip, while a slow rod offers a deeper bend. In general, fast rods are more sensitive and accurate while slow rods provide a longer cast and more fighting power. Finally, a fishing rod is rated by lure weight and line weight. In my experience, this classification is taken with a grain of salt. A ½- to 1-ounce rod may be perfect for a 2-ounce lure and there’s nothing wrong with using 10-pound test line with a rod rated for 20- to 50-pound line.

Line Guides

Line guides are the most important component that affect casting distance and fighting power. They’re also usually the first thing to break. When you cast, the line guide’s job is to collect line as it leaves the reel and direct it out of the rod with the least resistance. To fight a fish, the line guide transfers fighting power from the reel to the fish. The toughest rod guides are single piece stainless steel or titanium. Line guides with a ceramic or composite insert cast farther but seem to break faster. Advanced line guides with ceramic inserts are more sensitive to telegraph every nibble.

Reel Seat and Grips

The reel seat and grips are often overlooked, until a big fish takes off and rips the reel from the rod or pulls the rod from your hands. For light action rods, the reel seat and grips improve sensitivity. In my experience, the best reel seat is light and stiff and even exposes part of the rod blank to feel the slightest bite. The grips are also light and narrow with a comfortable feel for casting all day. On heavy rods, the reel seat and grips prevent a big fish from breaking up the party. Metal or high-impact graphite reel clamps connect the reel securely to the rod.

Feel

When I go rod shopping, I take my reel to the tackle shop. I gather all the rods in the appropriate class, and then I test the weight, balance, and grip of the reel on the rod. In fact, I don’t hesitate to thread the line through the eyes and tie on a lure to test the action. When I think about the hours I’m going to spend with a fishing rod, I put a lot of effort into picking a perfect match. If you can, get your hands on one before you buy it.

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Final Thoughts

No matter what type of saltwater fishing you plan on doing, there are plenty of options for different scenarios and budgets. Consider how you’ll spend most of your time fishing, and choose the best saltwater rods that work best for you. If you can, get your hands on a few different ones to try them before you buy them. 

• Best Overall: Daiwa Proteus 
• Best Offshore: Shimano Tallus Blue Water
• Best Jigging: PENN Carnage III Jigging  
• Best Surf Rod: St. Croix Seage 
• Best Budget:  Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod
• Best Inshore: Shimano Teramar Southeast TMSF74M

The post The Best Saltwater Fishing Rods for 2023 appeared first on Outdoor Life.

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