Fishing Rods

Experts agree that being specific about what you need is the best way to select a rod. Different rods fit all kinds of different situations, depending on the location, the type of fish and the experience level of the fisherman (or woman). Once you can pinpoint the kind of fishing you plan to do, it will help narrow down the market.

For this article we'll focus on spinning rods, which experts say are generally more versatile than baitcasting rods and can be used by fishermen of all skill levels and ages. Beginners can learn to cast with spinning rods in just a few minutes, yet these models are sophisticated enough for use by seasoned fishermen, and can lure and land all but the largest fish in many different situations. A light- to medium-action spinning rod equipped with a good reel should be able to handle a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater fish. Spinning rods of varying sizes can land fish ranging from two-ounce bluegills to 200-pound blue marlin, but the light and medium models reviewed in this article are best used for fish under about ten pounds.

Anglers can use spinning rods for trolling, bottom-fishing and deep-sea fishing in a pinch, but they work best for casting lures or bait. In fact, spinning rods excel at casting, because they were designed to replace more difficult bait casting rigs, which can easily backlash and cause frustrating line tangles, or "bird's nests." Relative novices can learn to cast great distances with a spinning rod with good control, in only a few minutes.

The rods discussed here aren't sold with a reel, but you can usually find them bundled with a reel as part of a kit.

Cheap, durable fishing rods

Across the wide array of fishing rods, Shakespeare's Ugly Stik (*est. $30; $40 with reel combo) stands out as one of the most popular models for almost 30 years. The Ugly Stik comes up in almost every professional review, and also receives the most comments from users who consistently praise it as one of the best fishing rods on the market, especially in this price range. Field and Stream lists it as one of the strongest rods available and conducted a survey in which readers voted it their number one gear item. Users on Hunting and Fishing Gear Review, Amazon.com and Cabelas.com all give the Ugly Stik high ratings. The reviews all agree that while the Ugly Stik may not have the best components or lightest materials, its versatility and low cost make it a top pick for all skill levels. It features a graphite core surrounded by fiberglass, which means it's a little heavier than an all-graphite rod, but overall is stronger and will last longer. This construction, combined with its low price, makes the Ugly Stik one of the most dependable and usable rods available.

For cheap, durable rods, Field and Stream Magazine also recommends the Berkley Lightning Rod (*est. $35) , saying it offers the same level of strength and usefulness at a low price. The Lightning Rod has received some more attention lately due to the recent upgrade to titanium-footed guides, which decrease weight while reducing wear. Unlike the Ugly Stik, the Lightning rod is made entirely of graphite, making it lightweight and sensitive, but not as durable.

Another Berkley spinning rod, the Berkley Cherrywood (*est. $25) is recommended by MyFishing-Guide.com as best suited for beginners. It is a graphite composition rod with chromium guides and cork grips. One reviewer at BassPro.com bought it because he wanted "a little cheap piece of trash to bump around with," but was won over by its quality construction, finding it "sensitive yet powerful."

One more rod from Berkley that is quite unique is the Berkley Glowstik (*est. $35) . This E-glass fiberglass fishing rod features a built-in LED light system that charges the rod and lets it glow in the dark for hours. Reviewers at Cabela's found this rod especially useful for catching catfish and other fish that bite best at nighttime. The Glowstik is a two-piece rod.

Outdoor Life names Cabela's Whuppin' Stick (*est. $25) as their pick, praising it as a perfect fishing rod for novices and kids. The Whuppin' Stick, however, is completely fiberglass, making it strong, but overall heavier and less sensitive. Furthermore, it is made up of two pieces, which, while allowing for easier transport, also takes away from the rod's sensitivity, a major drawback for many anglers.

Best balance of quality and price

For anglers who want a step up from the Shakespeare Ugly Stik and other inexpensive fishing rods in terms of both quality and price, reviewers say the Okuma Guide Select (*est. $75) hits the balance between higher-end components and cost. TackleTour.com gives the rod a 2008 "Best Value" rating, saying they were surprised at the power of the rod for the relatively low price. Okuma Guide Select fishing rods are made entirely out of IM-8 graphite, meaning they offer a high level of sensitivity, though aren't as durable as fiberglass or higher-grade graphite rods. The Guide Select also features molded cork handles, which reviewers say provide a solid, comfortable grip without sacrificing flexibility in the rest of the rod. Some reviewers think that the rod's balance feels a little off, however, with a heavy tip that can interfere with casting.

Another rod in this price range is the Shimano Crucial (*est. $120), which received TackleTour.com's 2005 "Best Value" rating. Reviewers praise the Crucial for being lightweight (almost half the weight of the Guide Select) and incredibly sensitive, to the point where, as one reviewer on Tackletour.com notes, "You can feel the 'tick' of your rod from simply reeling in the slack." One key feature of this fishing rod is its split-reel seat, which exposes part of the blank (the actual rod) to your finger, allowing for even more sensitivity. The same reviewer does say, however, that the lightness and sensitivity take away from the rod's overall power, making it better-suited for smaller fish and open waters free of snags.

The Team All Star (*est. $95) gets a glowing review from About.com freshwater fishing guide Ronnie Garrison. Garrison says the rod is ideal for bass fishing and praises its stiff feel, which helps in reeling in larger fish. The rod broke accidentally while he was using it, and he also highlights the company's warranty, saying he received a new fishing rod quickly despite losing his warranty card. Team All Star rods feature IM-10 graphite and high-grade cork handles. Several users at BassPro.com have good comments, but this rod isn't featured in any other professional reviews, which for fishing rod reviews may mean there are better choices.

Luxury fishing rods

Shimano's Cumara (*est. $210) receives both a 2008 Best of the Best award for spinning rods from Field and Stream Magazine and a 2008 Best Value award from TackleTour.com. Its thin-walled IM-10 graphite makes it incredibly flexible and light, though the feature that has reviewers really taking notice is the custom-carbon split reel seat and split handle. Reviewers say this design, while decreasing the overall weight of the rod, makes for a comfortable grip that sends crystal-clear signals to users' hands. The Cumara uses an EVA foam handle which, while more durable, tends to be not as sensitive as cork (which some say is an odd choice for a rod in this price range). Both users and reviewers praise Shimano's limited lifetime warranty.

For high-end luxury rods, G. Loomis's Bronzeback (*est. $250) consistently tops reviewers' lists. Both Outdoor Life and Field and Stream magazines rated it as their top rod of 2006, with Field and Stream saying that the Bronzeback "may be the best rod ever built for light lures." Outdoor Life cites the rod's high level of sensitivity while still maintaining a decent level of power due to the rod's super-high-modulus GLX graphite. Reviewers all mention the rod's extra-sensitive tip, which allows fishermen to feel even the smallest bites. TackleTour.com awarded this rod an Editor's Choice award in 2007. Users posting to Cabelas.com also say that the rod is very versatile and holds up in a variety of fishing environments. The Bronzeback also features a high-grade cork handle and a split-reel seat.

The G. Loomis IMX (*est. $195 to $295 , depending on model) is also rated highly by users. On Cabelas.com, owners say the rod is sensitive and light; some even say it matches the Bronzeback in terms of quality. Some anglers don't like the rod's long cork handles, though, saying the grip feels awkward. Most say that for this price range, the Shimano Cumara offers an overall better experience.

One new rod that's drawing attention from many fishing magazines and websites -- though, oddly, few reviews aside from a couple of user comments -- is the E21 Carrot Stix LTX (*est. $150). The Carrot Stix gained notoriety last year after winning "Best in Show" at the 2007 International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST). The fishing rod utilizes a new biofiber derived from carrots (hence the name), that allows for stress to be evenly distributed throughout the rod, reducing the chance of failure but also increasing sensitivity. The rod provides the best attributes of both fiberglass and graphite rods while eliminating the drawbacks of each, making for a light, sensitive, durable rod. Carrot Stix also sports a split-grip "Velvet Touch" handle, which users say gives more sensitivity than cork or foam. One commenter on Cabela's insists the rod is "the new wave in fishing."

None of the fishing rods here come with a reel (although you can often buy them as part of a kit that includes a reel). Like fishing rods, reels come in a wide variety of brands and styles so matching the right rod to the right reel is key. For the most part these combos are for beginner’s rods such as the Whuppin’ Stick, though Cabelas.com offers combos its editors recommend. It should be noted that these combos almost always include one of Cabela’s products. The best and most widely available combo is the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Freshwater Ugly Spin Combo (*est. $30; $40 with reel combo) . Like the Ugly Stik rod, the Ugly Stik reel finds a balance between lightness and durability. The reel itself is manufactured from lightweight graphite while the spool is made from aluminum.

If you can’t find a combo for your fishing rod, experts agree that ideal reels will have a line capacity that matches the fishing rod they will be paired with. Both fishing rods and reels are rated for different line weights, so it’s crucial to find a pair that can handle the line you intend to use. Experts also recommend reels with easily adjustable drags -- which refers to how slowly the reel lets out line once a fish is caught -- and reels that offer anti-reverse handles that only spin in one direction. For buyer's guides on selecting reels, please see our "Best Research" section.

Important Features: Fishing rods

Reviewers say the following about shopping for fishing rods:

• Experts all agree that knowing what kind of fishing you plan on doing is the key to selecting a rod. Aside from the wide array of rods available, each rod comes in different styles and lengths depending on its intended use. Before purchasing, consider where you plan to fish, how often and which kinds of fish you're targeting.

• A good all-around spinning rod for freshwater and light saltwater fishing should be around 5.5 to 6.5 feet long and capable of casting 1/4-ounce to 3/8- or 1/2-ounce lures and baits.

• If you go for graphite, look for a high-modulus model (IM-8 or IM-10). The higher the modulus of elasticity, the more stiffness per ounce of rod weight. High-modulus rods are stiffer, stronger and cast more accurately.

• Several experts say cork handles offer the most sensitivity for detecting nibbling or soft-biting fish. They also have greater aesthetic appeal. Cork can begin to wear and chip, however, so if you're looking for more durability, EVA Foam handles might work better.

• Check to see if rod blanks run through the handle, which ensures extra sensitivity. Split-grip handles, which expose part of the blank, offer even further sensitivity.

• Don't scrimp on the guides through which the fishing line runs from the reel to the tip of the rod. Look for stainless-steel or other high-quality guides that won't rust or chip, thus damaging the fishing line and limiting your casting range.

• While mutli-section rods are a good buy for travelers short on space, they tend to be less sensitive than single-piece rods, causing many experts not to recommend them.

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

# of Picks	Model (with Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Shimano Cumara (*est. $210)	-
3	G. Loomis Bronzeback (*est. $250)	details
2	Shakespeare Ugly Stik (*est. $30; $40 with reel combo)	details
1 each	Berkley Lightning Rod , Berkley Cherrywood , Cabela’s Whuppin’ Stick, Shimano Tiralejo , Shimano Clarus , G. Loomis GLX , G. Loomis Greenwater, Shakespeare Agility , Fenwick Eagle , Fenwick HMX , St. Croix Triumph , Okuma Guide Select

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.

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