The Best Spinning Rods to Help You Catch Big Bass, Trout & More
There are many things that factor in to successfully catching fish—so many in fact, that at times it can make any angler go crazy. You need to find the right fishing location, you need to use the right bait, and the weather plays a pretty important factor too. Even the spinning rod you choose to use is important.
And that’s why I am writing this article—to help you learn how to find the best spinning rod for all types of fishing. Take it from your old fishing pal expert: your choice of spinning rod can make or break your pursuit to consistently catch fish.
So how do you go about finding the best spinning rod for your needs? I certainly can help you there. I will review some of the most reliable and trusted spinning rod models out there, and I will also point out the main things to look for when you shop for a new spinning rod.
Table of Contents
- 5 Best Spinning Rods - Comparisons
- Reviews of the Best Spinning Rod Models
- 1. Cadence CR7 Spinning Rod, Fishing Rod with 40 Ton Carbon
- 2. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod
- 3. KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods - Fuji O-Ring Line Guides, 24 Ton Carbon Fiber Casting Spinning Rods
- 4. Okuma Scott Martin Tournament Concept Rods TCS-C-691MH
- 5. Entsport E Series - Sirius Spinning Rod 2 Piece 7' Graphite Portable Fishing Rod
- Handy Spinning Rod Buying Guide
- Summing Up Thoughts on the Best Spinning Rods
5 Best Spinning Rods - Comparisons
Image | Product Name | Different Sizes | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  | 5'10"-7'6" | Fast | ||
  | 4'6"-6'6" | Medium | ||
  | KastKing Perigee II (Currently unavailable) | 6'7"-7'1" | Medium/Light | |
  | 6'6"-7'2" | Fast | ||
  | 7' | Medium |
Reviews of the Best Spinning Rod Models
Cadence makes a wide variety of spinning rods suitable for different types of fishing. I really like this light and fast 6’3” spinning rod from them.
It’s great to use in lakes and rivers to go after bass or trout, and you can even use it to get quite the thrill when catching river salmon. It’s a fun spinning rod to use because even if you have a small fish on the line, this rod makes it feel like you’ve hooked a monster.
The single-piece Cadence rod is extremely well-built and durable. It all starts with its tough 40-ton rated carbon fiber blank.. This rod is features a skeletonized Fuji reel seat and a one-piece cork/EVA grip, and you can even use it with no worries in salt water thanks to its stainless steel guides.
This top-of-the-line rod from Cadence is rated out at 4-8 lb. test, but you can easily land bigger fish than that with it without any worries. It really is built that well.
What we liked
- Made using a 40-ton rated single-piece carbon blank
- Corrosion-resistant stainless steel guides with SiC Inserts
- Quick taper
- Fuji skeletonized reel seat
- Combination cork/EVA one-piece grip
- Fast action
What we didn't like
- Grip may seem small for those with large hands
What do you get when you combine fast and lightweight spinning rod action with a great price point? You get this very nice Ugly Stik GX2 6’ single-piece spinning rod. Once again, Ugly Stik keeps their super reputation intact by offering another superb fishing product at an affordable price.
Despite this freshwater spinning rod being a lightweight 0.75 ounces, it’s still built tough enough to handle some pretty good-sized fish. Its line is rated out at 8-20 lb. test. It’s nicely reinforced at all the stress points on it too. The graphite/fiberglass construction in this rod blank helps keep it strong yet light, and you will also appreciate how nicely balanced it is when you’re using it.
You can use this spinning rod to cast lures, baits, or drop a line towards the bottom. It can handle even the biggest freshwater fish.
What we liked
- Reinforced where you need it most
- Graphite/Fiberglass
- Ultra-sensitive/Fast
- One-piece stainless steel guides
- EVA one-piece grip
- Nicely balanced
What we didn't like
- Not recommended for salt water use
- Reel seats may be too flimsy for a heavier reels
KastKing is known for putting out some of the best spinning rods out there, and they also offer a wide selection of rod lengths and rod types. This one will help you do a good job of catching any type of freshwater fish, and will work equally well whether you’re using lures with it or live bait.
The Perigee II is a single-piece rod that has a lot of fast action—it’s light enough that you will feel even the smallest hits you have on the line. You can really get some nice lure action with it too. It’s rated out at being compatible with 6-12 lb. test line, which means you can easily handle some bigger-sized fish with it.
It’s one tough spinning rod too—the blank is made out of a Toray 24-ton carbon matrix blend. It also features highly rated Fuji O-ring line guides and a sturdy graphite reel seat.
This is an excellent spinning rod for catching bass, catfish, and trout. It even comes with a full lifetime warranty on its Twin-Tip top ends.
What we liked
- Toray 24-ton carbon matrix blend
- Fuji O-ring line guides
- Graphite reel seat
- Single-piece performance
- Lifetime warranty on the Twin-Tip top ends
- Comfortable, strong, high-density EVA grips
What we didn't like
- A little stiff for long-distance casting
- The reel seat on it could be a little stronger
Here is a signature spinning rod from the popular manufacturer Okuma that is endorsed and designed by one of the best pro bass fishing competitors, Scott Martin. You know a spinning rod has to be good when it’s designed by a professional fisherman that has been named FLW Angler of the Year and added a FLW Cup to his resume.
Scott Martin’s input has helped to create a fishing rod that is ultra-sensitive to even the lightest hits on your line. It’s also versatile enough that it can be used with braided, monofilament, or fluorocarbon lines. Even big bass won’t stand a chance against you if you learn to maneuver this rod right.
This is one tough spinning rod as you would expect for one that’s designed to be used around heavy cover. Its strength is ensured by the 30-ton carbon fiber rod blank it’s made with. Adding to its durability is a carbon fiber reel seat and a split EVA grip. Its stainless steel guide frames that feature corrosion-resistant aluminum-oxide inserts are as good a guide frames as you will see on any spinning reel model.
One of the absolute best features of this spinning rod from Okuma is its limited lifetime warranty—that’s a lot of peace of mind you get when purchasing it.
What we liked
- Ultra-sensitive
- 30-ton carbon fiber rod blank
- Can be used with braided, monofilament, or fluorocarbon lines
- Carbon fiber reel seat
- Stainless steel guide frames with corrosion-resistant aluminum-oxide inserts
What we didn't like
- Best used in heavy cover
- A little stiff for some users
Are you just an occasional fisherman that does not want to invest a lot of money into your fishing equipment? Luckily, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a spinning rod that has good feel and performance. This following spinning rod from Entsport has great action to it and you can buy it at an affordable price.
This is a 7’ spinning rod that has medium action and is on the light side for a two-piece rod. It is rated for 8-20 lb. test line, so you can handle some larger size fish with it for sure.
The Sirius is really well-built for an inexpensive spinning rod—it’s made from a rugged carbon fiber and graphite composite blank. That is how they managed to keep the weight on it down without losing strength. It also features an enhanced reel seat and stainless steel guide frames. The split grips on it are made out of comfortable and weather-resistant EVA material.
Since it’s a two-piece spinning rod, it will conveniently break down for easy storage and travel. For the friendly price tag, this is a very hard freshwater spinning rod to beat.
What we liked
- Strong high-tensile carbon fiber/graphite blank
- Rated for 8-20 lb. test line
- Easy travel and storage
- Enhanced reel seat
- Stainless steel guide frames and inserts
- Comfortable EVA material on its split grips
What we didn't like
- Some users do not like the feel of split grips
- The guides on this rod are a little flimsy
Handy Spinning Rod Buying Guide
Here are the some of the most important features you need to consider when shopping for a new spinning rod:
Length
Length is very important factor when selecting a spinning rod. Longer rods will help you cast further and are best for fishing from the shore in open areas such as beaches and lake shorelines. A long fishing rod generally has a quicker response time than a shorter one does.
On the other hand, shorter rods work great when you’re fishing in tight areas like riverbanks, or when you’re in a boat with lots of tree and vegetation growth around you. You can also cast more accurately with a shorter fishing rod, and they are lighter and easier to maneuver.
When you are unsure what size spinning rod you want to use, you can’t go wrong with picking one that is 7’ to 8’ long—it’s a good size as far as versatility goes.
Weight
The more weight your new spinning rod has, the stronger it will most likely be. Heavier rods are useful for going after bigger fish species, and the added weight will also help you cast further. Keep in mind that the heavier your fishing rod is, the faster you will get tired using it too.
Construction
These days the majority of fishing rods are made out of carbon fiber, graphite, or fiberglass—and you have some rods that are made up of a combination of these.
Fiberglass rods tend to be a little cheaper than carbon fiber ones, but they also break easier and are slightly heavier. If you are going after bigger fish with your spinning rod, carbon fiber is definitely the choice here.
The number of pieces in your spinning rod’s construction is another factor to consider. If you are planning on taking your rod with you in a compact car, you’ll be better off getting a two-piece rod. But if space is not a concern, one-piece rods seem to have more action, and they are also lighter.
Guides
Not every type of guide is compatible with every type of line, so you want to make sure you that the guides on the rod can be used with the type of fishing line you prefer.
Also, some guides will corrode if they come into contact with salt water, so make sure the fishing rod you are buying can be used for fishing in the type of water body you’re planning to fish in.
Action/Feel/Sensitivity
These are all important characteristics when it comes to catching fish. Action is the amount of bend you get in a rod when a fish is on the line—and the more action a spinning rod has generally means more fun, but it can also be harder to land bigger fish with them.
Feel and sensitivity are kind of one and the same—they refer to the amount of rod movement you feel in your hand when you move the line or when a fish hits it. You want a more sensitive rod if you are going after smaller species of fish that don’t strike your lure or bait as hard.
Water Used in
I briefly mentioned above that not all spinning rods can be used in any type of water. This is especially true if you will be surf fishing or ocean fishing. If you put a spinning rod in salt water that’s not made for it, then it could ruin the rod in as little as a month or two.
So if you are going to be fishing with your new spinning rod in salt water, make sure the manufacturer of the rod says it’s ok to do so.
Summing Up Thoughts on the Best Spinning Rods
Having the right rod is a crucial part of your fishing rod and reel setup, and there is certainly much that goes into choosing the right spinning rod for yourself. Don’t be intimidated by it though—it’s all part of the learning curve and in time choosing the perfect spinning rod for your fishing needs will become second nature.
Follow the advice here when shopping for a new spinning rod, and remember you can never go wrong by purchasing any of the best spinning rods we have reviewed in this article.
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