The 11 Best Fishing Rods, According To Anglers

If you had to select only one fishing rod to use, the KingKast Zephyr is a killer choice. It’s an affordable, lightweight and strong spinning rod that will serve you well in a variety of conditions. This fast-action rod uses a multi-layer carbon build to make it light but reactive in hand, which makes it ideal for targeting almost any species of fish. The rod breaks down into two pieces and stainless steel guides, while the bright green color is an added bonus that stands out on the water.

When it comes to getting a lot of rod for a little money, the Ugly Stik Elite is hard to beat. This rod sells for around $50, which is cheaper than a tank of gas these days. And while it is an economical fishing rod, it still casts great and stands up to abuse. With a line rating of 8 to 17 pounds and graphite technology, it’s virtually indestructible. At the same time, it is still sensitive enough to feel a fish on the line, which makes it an ideal budget-friendly rod for anyone looking to get into fishing. 

The Orvis Superfine Glass Rod has a silky, smooth-as-butter cast that enhances accuracy as well as the feel of the rod on the water. Fiberglass is a reactive material that can flex and bend to cast that fly for better glide and overall presentation. It comes in a 6 and 8 weight and has a crisp, black type III anodizing aluminum reel set with wooden inserts. Having this rod in hand on a variety of water enhances confidence in your casting ability.

When it comes to spinning rods, Bubba’s Tidal Pro slays. This medium-action rod can cast what seems like a mile with a flick of the wrist. At the same time, when you hook into a giant carp in the weeds, the Tidal Pro can rip it right out without breaking a sweat. The well-engineered ergonomic fiber handle has a non-slip grip and the Fuji reel seats and guides are top-notch. With 30T Toray graphite construction, this spinning rod can stand up to anything on the water. Not that you will need it, but this rod also includes a limited lifetime warranty for some peace of mind. 

People who fish Tenkara love it for its simplicity. It simply consists of the rod, the line and the angler—and this rod’s focus is fishing. Tenkara is Japanese for “fishing from heaven,” which is what the Teton Zoom delivers. This is Tenkara’s first length-adjustable rod, with 10.5- and 12-foot options. The rod telescopes or collapses into itself, making it easy to pack in your pack and travel with. The Teton offers one minimal rod so that anglers can go from a softer, more responsive experience on small streams to targeting larger fish. It’s a sort of “twofer” with one rod that works as two.

If there’s one thing the G Loomis GCX is great at, it’s reeling in a big angry bass. The fast action rod can cast on a dime and makes you look good doing it. A feature of this rod that sets it apart is the multi-taper design. This creates a nice balance to the rod which also makes it lighter and more responsive. The G Loomis has its SeaGuide Hero One guides that are fixed on the carbon rod, making casting easier and more efficient. The rod has Fuji reel seats and a plush cork handle, all hand-built in Washington State.

A solid fishing rod is key when backpacking—dinner can depend on it, after all. When backpacking deep in the wilderness, you need a reliable, lightweight rod that is easy to carry and will land a fish. The Redington Classic Trout delivers on all fronts. The four-piece graphite rod breaks down small enough to easily fit into any pack, but when assembled, it boasts dart-like accuracy. It’s a medium-action fly rod that will perform on the smallest of streams to high alpine lakes. It can cast a light dry fly or a big wooly bugger with ease.

Temple Fork Outfitters, or TFO, Professional series of rods are ideal for a day fishing saltwater for big fish. The durable rods have moderate fast action and stellar casting range. When you do hook into a monster, the stout butt section of the rod comes in clutch to help reel in any fish. The cork handle is easy to grip and the entire rod weighs less than 6 ounces, so it’s easy to work with on the water. And the price point of less than $130 means that you get a rod that can last a lifetime without breaking the bank. 

You don’t really appreciate a good fly fishing rod until you’re faced with windy conditions that can blow a fly right back into your face, but the Sage R8 fly rod is stout enough to punch right through the strongest of winds. Sage uses a special R8 Core Technology for fast-action rods, creating a powerful transfer of energy from you to the cast. Sage has long been a leader in the fly fishing game, and the R8 Core rods come in 3-line weights up to 9 weight. The key here is the axial fiber construction offering a powerful yet sensitive rod. Sage also uses Silver Pine blanks with the R8 Core that not only cast well but look good on the water. “Those rods have been able to do anything that I’ve needed them to do,” notes Bob Reece. “In my opinion, they’re the perfect fly rods for chasing Wyoming trout.”