Spinning rods are a great tool for any angler to own since they work for any type of fishing. These versatile rods are convenient and easy to use, plus they work for any size fish depending on the reel that you use. Here are a few tips on how to pick the best spinning rod for fishing and a few reviews to help you start shopping.
The Best Spinning Rods
Types of Spinning Rods
Heavy Spinning Rods – These types of rods are more suitable for fishing out at sea where you need to be able to do long distance casting and have the power to pull in strong fighting fish such as the kingfish.
Medium Spinning Rods – A medium spinning rod is a good rod for fishing on large surface water, particularly for trout or salmon. This rod type can cast a heavy lure and will have a length of around ten feet so that it can cast a heavy lure a long distance. You can also use it for landing large fish in harsh conditions like strong water currents.
Light Spinning Rods – A light spinning rod will be able to cast lures that weigh between five and ten grams while using a six-pound line. Usually, this type of rod will have the finesse you need to toss a small lure while retaining the power that you need to pull in a large fish as well.
Extra-Light Spinning Rods – With an extra-light spinning rod, you can throw out very lightweight lures that are similar in weight to a wet fly making it a great choice for fly fishing.
With the lightweight design of the extra-light spinning rods, you will also need very light lines typically around four pounds, plus you will need a small reel with a restricted line capacity, so you will need the fishing skills to not break the light line while having the fish play well into the hook.
Consideration for Choosing a Spinning Rod
Length
The rule of thumb is that the longer your spinning rod is, the better it will work for fishing in large surfaces of water like a large lake or the sea. With a longer pole, you will also feel the additional weight that is necessary to pull in a heavyweight fish.
In comparison, a short pole is a better choice for small water surfaces like rivers or ponds, although keep in mind that it is more difficult to use a spinning rod in a river because of the water current.
Also, a short rod can have more sensitivity and flexibility since it is usually a one-piece rod while long rods tend to be two or more pieces. Short poles also tend to be good for precise location fishing while long poles are good for fly fishing.
Weight
What you want to catch and where you plan to fish will dictate the weight of the spinning rod you should choose. With a heavier weight rod, you will be able to pull in stronger fish since it will have the power you need to withstand the pull and the capacity.
A heavier weight rod is also better for water that has a higher current and will allow you to cast the rod a longer distance. Medium or heavy weight poles are good for larger water surfaces like a lake or sea while lighter fishing rods will break or snap while trying to haul in a bigger fish.
Just make sure that the rod you are choosing has a reel that matches with its line capacity.
Action
This is pretty much the power or the amount of capacity that you need to withstand pressure before it breaks. Action is connected with the speed that the rod shaft will spring back to its original position when it is at rest.
There are three different categories of action including slow, medium, and fast.
With a fast action pole, you will see that it can bend a third of the shaft segment when it hooks a fish.
Medium action will have the shaft segment bend at the middle and slow action rods will see it fully bend the entire length of the shaft when something is hooked.
Since a slow action rod has so much bend to it, there is the possibility that it will snap if it catches a large fish, so make sure to do your research before buying your product to determine if the action suits the type of fish you'll be catching.
Material
It's very important to know if the spinning rod you are using is the right type for the environment you plan to fish in as well as for the type of fish you want to catch.
Water terrains can include saltwater, freshwater, lakes, rivers, and the sea while there is a huge range of fish species to catch.
If you do your homework, you can determine the material that the spinning rod is constructed of to see if it will work for the type of fishing you have planned.
Stainless steel is a good material as it will not corrode from the constant contact with water since salt has the tendency to react with certain metals, which can trigger corrosion.
So, if you are fishing in freshwater, pretty much any type of materials like carbon fiber, graphite, fiberglass, and aero glass will work. For those fishing in saltwater areas, make sure to look for materials that are made with anti-corrosive materials like stainless steel for a longer lifespan.
Like choosing your rod, be aware that fishing reels are affected by the tipe of water you're fishing in. So be carefull when picking a reel, and make sure it's made for either freshwater fishing or saltwater fishing.
Weight
The material that is used will also determine the weight of the rod. For example, the lightest component you can use to make a lightweight rod is graphite with fiberglass being the next lightest and most commonly used.
Graphite is more sensitive than fiberglass, carbon fiber, and aero glass but they also allow pressure points and weak spots to develop.
Sensitivity
Rods with a mix of material have a better balance of sensitivity so that you aren’t alerted at the wrong time to reel in your rod. A mix of materials is also less likely to have pressure points and weak spots, so it is better to mix graphite with another material like fiberglass.
Best Spinning Rods for Fishing Reviews
KastKing Royale Legend Fishing Rod
For a quality product at an affordable price, the KastKing Royale Legend Fishing Rod uses a 24-carbon matrix blank that features KastFlex technology which is a special process that makes the rod stronger and more beautiful simultaneously.
KastFlex also guarantees that you will get better power and bite sensitivity from this spinning rod, plus it uses an infrared laser to guarantee the straightness of the rod. Using high-quality raw materials, the KastKing Royale Legend features a Fujr O-Ring line guide that will dissipate heat efficiently to guarantee better durability.
Available in several sizes, the KastKing Royale Legend guarantees better accuracy and casting distance. It also features an ergonomic reel seat with a comfortable base, and it has a comfortable handle with an EVA sure-grip handle that you can hold for a long time.
The two-piece design also gets its power from the KastKing Royal Legend 2transitions and the KastKing PTS throughout the blank making this is one of the best spinning rods on the market.
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
One of the best options for beginners, the UglyStik GX2 Spinning Rod is very affordable making it one of the more popular spinning rods on the market.
Even though it is available at a cheap price, it still comes with a ton of features. This lightweight rod is a great choice for those that aren’t fans of those heavy spinning rods, but it still offers great durability.
With a good amount of balanced feel, the UglyStik has a pretty much indestructible blank construction that uses fiberglass and graphite. It features a clear tip design that gives you a lot of strength and responsiveness. You also have the choice of several sizes to meet your fishing needs.
The UglyStik GX2 also features an EVA handle so you have a comfortable experience while holding the rod for long periods of time, especially in comparison to using a traditional handle.
The two-piece rod construction allows you to use it with pretty much any type of line and has a one-piece stainless steel ugly tuff guide that stops insert pop-outs.
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
Available in three different sizes, the Shimano Solora is a two piece rod that gives you fast action with medium power. It features aero glass blank construction that makes it incredibly durable. This is a simple but nice quality rod that is made by a Japanese company that specializes in making great gear for rowing, cycling, and fishing.
With aluminum oxide guides that are reinforced, Shimano also features a very functional and solid locking graphite reel seat. With both comfortable rear grip and a cork fore grip handles, you will have a very comfortable experience while fishing. It also comes in your choice of seven feet, six feet, and five feet.
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
If you are looking for a specific freshwater spinning rod, the Daiwa Triforce is worth checking out. This rod features aluminum oxide guides and IM-6 graphite construction. This is an easy to handle rod that is smooth to use thanks to its blank-through-handle construction.
You also get a sturdy and strong reel seat that features a stainless steel hood, and it comes equipped with a cork grip that includes natural split foam for a better grip on the rod.
This rod comes with a ton of features that anglers prefer for fishing trips. It is also available in three sizes to choose from including seven feet, six feet, or six feet six inches.
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
Another choice for the Japanese manufacturer Shimano, the Shimano FXS Spinning Rod features a two-piece spinning rod that has fast action and medium power.
It has a blank made of durable aero glass and can be used in pretty much any fishing spot including lakes, rivers, and streams although it is not designed to be used in saltwater. This is a great choice if you aren’t too sure what your skill level is as it has been designed to be used by any skill level.
It also includes a graphite reel seat with solid locks and reinforced aluminum oxide guides. Using a comfortable EVA, the rod’s handle is very comfortable to use for long periods of time. Shimano FXS Spinning Rod is available in five different size choices.
PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
Conclusion
The winner of the best spinning rod roundup is the KastKing Royale Legend Fishing Rod with its great casting distance and accuracy. With its durable 24-carbon matrix blank, the unique KastFlex technology not only makes the rod strong but also beautiful at the same time. This process guarantees better power and bite sensitivity, plus it uses an infrared laser to guarantee the straightness of the rod.
The KastKing Royal Legend uses high-quality raw materials and uses a line guide that dissipates heat efficiently to guarantee better durability. It is also available in several sizes and has a comfortable handle with an EVA sure-grip handle that you can hold for a long time.
The definite winner of the spinning rod roundup is the KastKing Royale Legend Fishing Rod hands down.
Want to find out if you're a spinning or baitcast rod type of person? Check out our fishing rod review here. After you've selected the rod, you can take a look at our fishing reel review, where we take a look at some of the best spincasting, spinning and baitcasting reels on the market.