Best Baitcasting Rods in 2022 – Top Models After Thorough Tackle Test

Everyone knows that picking the right rod is a lot like picking the right best friend. It is something you are going to spend a lot of time with, and you want to make sure it will always be there when you need it. The great thing, of course, is that a fishing rod has no ego, so you can always pick more than one if you want...because who has just one fishing rod? If you are like me, you want to have a nice collection, a good assortment of tools for the job.

Let’s say you want get to into baitcasting. You have heard all the hype and seen the videos, the reels look really nice, and you want to give it a go. Or maybe you want to get one as a gift for that angler in your life. Perhaps you are a seasoned veteran and are like me, just looking for something newer and possibly more advanced due to growth in tech.

To make life a little easier, I have complied a list of 10 rods for baitcasting that I highly recommend. What I like to do is try and cover a lot of bases, give a little something for everyone; this way there is something for every budget. After all, not all of us are sponsored #prostaff with five hundred thousand followers on Instagram....

9 Best Baitcasting Rods - Comparisons

Best Baitcasting Rods - Reviews

I like to start with what is good, but still affordable for entry level or the more budget angler. In most cases, people will tell you that you get what you pay for, and I would be one of those people. However, this rod is very good and comes at a very reasonable price. It has a good action and is excellent for going after bass and other fish in that same weight range. The line guides are strong, the rod is sensitive yet very durable, and even with a medium action you can feel every contour of the bottom on those retrievals.

This rod is comfortable with its cork handle fitting well in most hands, although some complain it is a little small for their hands. Having a nice baitcasting rod used to require spending a lot of cheddar, but Berkeley has offered us an opportunity to get our hands on a great rod for a price that will still let us afford adult beverages and lures. 

For those of us that go after some more of the piggy-sized fish like catfish or even some inshore salt water fishing, it will be hard to beat this Fiblink rod. This one is strong and able to handle some of those bigger fish under 20 or so pounds, and gives you a pretty good action to go along with its strength. The rod’s stiffness is perfect for jigging on the bottom for those rockfish at 150+ feet with 8 ounce weights.

Now, she is a bit heavy. This rod is not the best choice if you are going to be casting all day, or else you might need to invest in some anti-inflammatories for your sore shoulders. This will be a good rod to get you started, but it’s a good idea to go for a lighter one if you are doing a lot of fishing.

Some of us are pretty steady anglers that spend a lot of time on the water, and we require that workhorse of a rod that is going to keep up with our habits. Ugly Stik is a name anglers have trusted for generations. In fact, I still use an Ugly Stik rod my Gramps bought back in the 1980s. It has caught flounder in North Carolina and trout in Montana. This baitcasting rod lives up to the name and reputation, and you get exactly what is advertised, it is a medium-heavy rod and yet it is extremely sensitive.

This rod is tough and durable, and it can handle those hard-mouthed fish that require you to really grip it and rip it. So this does make it a bit stiff, which can turn some people off. 

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Fiblink makes great rods at a good price, and this rod is no exception. This one is clearly an upgrade from the previously mentioned rod made by Fiblink. It is a heavier action rod, which makes it perfect for inshore fishing and going after those stripers. Having this rod in your arsenal will give you a nice and sturdy addition that will not fold under pressure from those more feisty inshore species. You can comfortably take this rod out on a pier and use it to land some big reds, and with the right reel you will be able to cast for miles.

This is advertised as a saltwater rig and you can use it for freshwater (I would use it for catfish or fish of that nature), but it really is more of a saltwater rig and should be used for that only. For most anglers, this will not be a problem as most of us have rigs separate for fresh and saltwater.

Getting into the more mid in price range area for baitcasting rods, this rod from Entsport gives you a lot of the same qualities you would expect out of bigger names with bigger price tags. Out of the box, this rod comes with a very nice case, and you can tell the quality is good just by giving it a once-over. This rod was designed for the angler on-the-go, and does not sacrifice durability for portability. Performing great for both fresh and salt water.

Another great feature of this rod comes from within the company itself. Despite being a smaller and lesser-known name, Entsport have excellent customer service and put out a very good product. This rod will go where you need it to go and will help you harvest either stripers on the shore or bass on a lake on a hot summer day. 

Everyone likes to have one of the nicer, more name brand rods, and not just because of the warm and fuzzy feeling associated with that. We also want them because they are actually good. Abu Garcia is one of those names every angler knows and has trusted to land those trophy fish. The Veritas rod is an excellent piece of gear giving you another great tool to fill that box. Durable and stiff, yet still giving you a lot of sensitivity and action. Being able to use a variety of tackle, this rod is a great option for your jack-of-all trades.

It is light, but light for a medium-heavy, so that means it won’t be very good for pitching or flipping. 

For me, Falcon is a newcomer to the scene and really has earned its spurs as a company. This rod is solid and durable and is great for experienced anglers and beginners alike. It has a solid action and a well-built design, fitting comfortably in most hands. And what I meant by it being suitable for experienced anglers, these rods have been used on tournament trials which require a lot of use and abuse—not to mention a lot of traveling. These rods hold up.

This rod has a great backbone and a comfortable action that is easy to master. You will enjoy this rod for years. 

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Now we are getting into more of the big daddies of baitcasting rods. As mentioned before, Abu Garcia is a name people have grown to know and trust for a myriad of reasons. The Veracity rod is tournament-ready, just slap on the right reel and you are ready to compete. With this versatile rod, you will land those trophy fish with ease, and have all the action you require to feel your way through the water to entice a strike. And if the fish drags you through the grass, you’ll be able to pull him right through with no problems. 

If you are looking for a rod that is medium-light but functions more like a medium-heavy, then St. Croix has you covered. While it feels and looks like a lighter action rod, but it holds up and performs like a heavier one. This rod will give you a lot more finesse, but still has the brute force needed to land those bigger bass. You’ll be able to flip those smaller lures out there and still dig deep and set that hook like a boss. It’s a great rod that can cover a good area in any angler’s baitcasting collection.

Despite being strong, this rod is medium-light, and as such, it might feel a bit more “whippy”.

Final Thoughts

As you could see, there is a lot of variety out there and I have not left you without some options. Add these rods to your wish form our best baitcasting rods list and get the one you can afford, they are all good. And eventually, when things work out and you can afford more higher-end models you will be better prepared.

Finding the right rod that works for you and your budget is a daunting task and I hope this list I have compiled will assist you in making your next purchase. Good luck, and tight lines! 

Relevant Resources:

• Best Spincasting Rods - Complete Buyer’s Guide
• Best Surf Fishing Rod – Complete Buyer’s Guide
• Best Bass Fishing Rod - Complete Buyer’s Guide
• 8 Best Catfish Rods – With Buying Guide & Comparisons
• Best Ice Fishing Rods – Excellent Selections by Expert!
• Best Fishing Line – Available in Market [Comparison Included]