Fishing Rods Reviews

Selecting the right fishing rod can at first seem daunting due to the sheer number of rods on the market. This unfortunately isn't made any easier by the general lack of available fishing rod reviews and comparisons. While fishing and outdoors magazines may occasionally give overviews of new rods or test a certain brand, few provide comprehensive, side-by-side reviews that test and rank available fishing rods, and rods that perform poorly are rarely listed at all.

Of the available reviews, Outdoor Life's coverage is the most dependable, though even its reporting can be less than thorough. A 2006 review tested rods on a wide set of criteria, including strength, casting accuracy, ergonomics, balance and craftsmanship. The article names the top two editors' picks, but only gives a brief description and doesn't list other rods that might have been considered. A 2002 review covers a wider range of fishing rods and offers recommendations for the conditions for which each rod is best. The article does not rank the rods, however, and is light on details. Field and Stream Magazine also provides its editors' top picks in an annual roundup of fishing gear. The article only lists the chosen rods, however, and does not discuss the selection process or other rods that were considered.

Fishing websites and owner reviews can also give helpful, if patchy, information on available rods. TackleTour.com is one of the best resources, with thorough comparisons and reviews. Its editors, all fishing fanatics from a variety of backgrounds, thoroughly test each rod they review, providing detailed specs and descriptions of everything from picking up the rod for the first time, to casting, to the feel of reeling in a fish. Each review contains charts comparing similar rods and gives reviewed rods an overall score. In terms of user reviews, Amazon.com offers a few, but only on certain models. Hunting and Fishing Gear Review has owner reviews of more fishing rods and also provides users a template to list both pros and cons, allowing for more in-depth comments. Cabelas.com, one of the foremost retailers for fishing rods, also offers user reviews on a wide range of models. The site also names its top picks for rods, though it doesn't provide any explanation for its choices.

Note that this report covers spinning rods; depending on reader feedback, we may cover fly fishing rods, reels and other types of fishing gear in subsequent reports.  ... Continued

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

The brand that receives the most attention from both reviewers and users is the Shakespeare Ugly Stik which, in addition to being name twice as a top pick, is strongly recommended by almost all reviewers due to its versatility and low price. It consistently receives the most user reviews and was voted best overall piece of fishing gear in a survey on the Gear Hound blog. The Okuma Guide Select is cited as one of the best values for mid-range fishing rods. If money is no object, the G. Loomis Bronzeback is noted by three reviewers for being the best in luxury rods, with impeccable components and craftsmanship. The Shimano Cumara also receives three picks, and since its awards are more recent, it just edges past the G. Loomis Bronzeback as the pick for best luxury rod, although both are excellent.