The Best Fishing Rod and Reel
Why you should trust me
I’m a United States Coast Guard–certified master captain, and I have been fishing since I could walk. I grew up working on charter boats in and around Long Island Sound, and reliable fishing gear has been paramount not only to my profession but also to my life. Having fished on a budget in settings as varied and diverse as the spring brooks of the Adirondack Mountains, the brown sludge that is the Hudson River, and the emerald coastal waters of New Zealand, I can say that a careful selection of the most durable all-around tackle has been essential to me.
To supplement my own expertise, I enlisted the help of veteran spinning-reel reviewer Alan Hawk, and also consulted Salt Water Sportsman contributing editor and Discovery Channel television host George Poveromo on what would be the ideal spinning-rod-and-reel setup for a casual fisher.
Who this is for
Like most fishers, I’m not able to carry, store, or afford a different rod and reel for every species of fish or method of fishing. So I picked an affordable, high-quality spinning-rod-and-reel combo that can work in as many fishing conditions and settings as possible—including saltwater and freshwater. This spinning-rod-and-reel setup is approachable enough for a novice to learn on, yet it performs well enough for a seasoned veteran to depend on.
In researching and testing, I prioritized attributes such as durability and build quality—features that anyone, regardless of skill level and intended use, can appreciate—over more specialized features such as multiple-geared reels for using live bait or especially stiff rods that can handle big fish but not smaller ones.
This spinning-rod-and-reel setup is approachable enough for a novice to learn on, yet it performs well enough for a seasoned veteran to depend on.
At the sub-$200 level, our selection for both a rod and a reel represents the most affordable but still reliable pairing we could recommend. You could easily spend $2,000 on a fishing rod if you’d like something ultralightweight or designed for a specific species you’re targeting, but our pick will get the job done almost as well (if not just as well) most of the time. Similarly, you could go cheaper, but then you’d give up reliability.
If you’re more experienced and looking for a specific rod and reel, apart from the size of the fish you’re targeting, you’ll also have to take into account what kind of fishing you’ll be doing: Will you be casting artificial lures (objects designed to look like fish or other prey with a hook attached), or using bait (smaller fish, worms, or other natural prey, either alive or dead)? Most lure fishers will want a stiffer rod composed of graphite (or mostly graphite) so that they can “work” a jig or plug to imitate the movements of prey, while bait fishers might seek out a rod that’s a little looser or more sensitive, so as to detect the slightest strike. Our rod recommendation can do both things decently, but if you know you’ll be doing only one or the other, you should look into a more specialized setup.
How we picked
First off, I had to decide what kind of rod and reel we would focus on, which was an easy choice—if you’re going to own only one fishing rod and reel, a spinning-rod-and-reel setup is the most versatile and the easiest to use.
Compared with a baitcasting or fly-fishing setup, a spinning setup is more comfortable to use and is usually easier to repair; it also requires less finesse to cast. Think of it as the “automatic transmission” version of a fishing rod and reel. If you’re starting from nothing, a spinning outfit offers the highest chance of success. If you’re a beginner, it’s much easier to pick up than either of the other options, and it’s far less likely to become tangled than a baitcasting setup.
Key features of a fishing rod
In my 20-plus years of fishing, I’ve come to learn that when you’re shopping for fishing rods—as for any tool—paying a little attention to a few key features can be telling before you even pick up one. The rod’s material, flexibility, sensitivity, and line-guide construction all make a difference in how well the rod will perform and last.
As mentioned previously, bait-hucking fishers will want something that’s more sensitive and flexible, while lure fishers will want something stiffer (known as “fast action” in fishing jargon). Most rods are made out of fiberglass, graphite, or a mixture of both. The more graphite in a rod, the lighter and stiffer it is, but such rods are also more brittle, so you wouldn’t want to hand one to a 3-year-old. Fiberglass is heavier but more flexible (“slow action”) and nearly impossible to break. For a beginner or an all-around angler, a combination of both materials offers the most versatile package: It gives you enough stiffness to adequately manipulate a lure, while maintaining enough sensitivity for detecting small bites.
The next most important specification you’ll want to consider is the material that makes up the guides—the loops that lead, or guide, the line from the reel to the tip (the skinny end) of the fishing rod. Lower-end fishing rods (and many higher-end ones, too) usually feature guides made of either thin stainless steel or aluminum oxide (ceramic) frames holding cheap ceramic O-ring inserts (rings designed to protect the insides of the guides and prevent line wear) that chip or corrode, and eventually fail.
Additionally, the more pieces that make up the guide, the more pieces with the potential to fall apart. A design with more pieces means more jointing and fastening, which usually requires glue. Since fishing rods are often exposed to sun, salt, sand, dirt, fish parts, and general wear and tear, glue is simply less than ideal (as is plastic); a single piece of relatively rustproof metal is incomparably sturdier.
More expensive (and usually sturdier) guides include inserts made of higher-quality materials such as silicon carbide (SiC) or titanium-framed silicon carbide (TiSiC), which are usually affixed to rods built for performance (longer casting and lighter weight). While these materials are not necessarily stronger than stainless steel or lined aluminum oxide, they are higher-performance materials, and a lot more expensive. You start seeing these only on rods in the $150 range, as opposed to the $40 to $50 range, so they’re beyond the budget of most casual anglers. Also, most anglers won’t even notice the difference—I find that I don’t care one way or the other, and I’ve been fishing my whole life.
The rest, including the grip material and the number of pieces the rod itself breaks down into, is up to you. I will suggest that, if you can accommodate it, a one-piece rod will almost always outperform a two- or three-piece rod. A one-piece rod offers better stiffness and more control—fewer pieces make for fewer problems with durability and performance, although portability suffers.
Key features of a fishing reel
With the rod settled, we looked into reels, which are a lot more complicated since they have so many moving parts. When you’re shopping for a reel, among the first things you need to consider is how much drag you’ll need to handle the type of fish you hope to catch. “Drag” on a spinning reel is provided by a stack of washers, which you can either tighten or loosen against the spool (the part of the reel that holds the line) to build friction to reel in a fish, relieve friction to allow for “play” in the line (so it doesn’t break), or let it swim away in order to let the hook fully set.1
The amount of drag required varies by fishing method and the species targeted—but if you’re not sure, we recommend asking the locals, or going to a bait-and-tackle shop. John Bretza, Okuma’s director of product development, put it into perspective: “Even when we fish North Carolina bluefin [tuna] (which can weigh hundreds of pounds), we use 18 to 22 pounds of drag for the strike and, most of the time, as our full-drag setting as well. That’s still a lot of drag for most...” In other words, you don’t need much drag to cover a wide variety of fish. For the average fisher, the 10- to 25-pound maximum drags on any of our picks will suffice. But to make sure you get what you need, look for the “maximum drag rating” on the spec sheet.
One of the most important features is durability. Cheaper reels come with cheaper drag systems made of felt or lower-quality carbon fiber, which disintegrates quickly. This construction, combined with little or no preventative sealing to keep saltwater and grit from entering the mechanical parts, means that most reels less than $50 just aren’t worth the money.
If you're willing to spend $100 or a bit more, you’ll get all the makings of a reel that’s built to last. That means a semisealed drag—for keeping out water, dirt, and corrosive salt spray—as well as an all-metal body. It will also be repairable should anything go wrong, whereas with cheaper gear, the cost of a repair can often exceed the worth of the reel.
That said, if you plan to do a lot of bait fishing from boats, buy a conventional open-faced reel with a more dependable dual drag system.
How we tested
I tested all of the rods and reels from beaches, rocks, boats, and riverbanks. I fished with lures in rivers for trout and salmon, and I set 1- to 1½-pound live baits from my skiffs, catching ocean fish up to 20 pounds with each rod and reel. I also tested the gear on smaller bottom fish, including summer flounder, sea bass, and porgies (or scup), as well as red drum and spotted seatrout in Charleston, South Carolina. I spent several days fishing freshwater rivers for trout and smaller salmon, and a couple of days fishing private ponds and lakes for largemouth bass. I beat up these rods and reels, from the mouth of the Hudson River in New York to the Cook Strait of New Zealand.
Our spinning-rod pick: Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2
If you’re planning to get only one rod and you don’t want to spend a fortune, it should be a 6½- to 7-foot Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2, available in ultra-light, medium, medium-heavy, and heavy versions. It should be a single-piece model, if you can accommodate it. The size and line rating depend on the species you’re targeting and the type of water you’re fishing (ultra-light, UL, for panfish and small trout; medium, M, for fish weighing 3 to 10 pounds; medium-heavy, MH, for fish in the 10- to 25-pound range; and heavy, H, beyond that). The GX2 is the latest update to a classic line of rods renowned for their versatility and durability for nearly four decades.
The Ugly Stik GX2 was introduced in 2013 as the first major redesign of the Ugly Stik series since its debut in 1976. Compared with the original, it includes more graphite and less fiberglass, giving the rod more of a backbone for working lures and handling heavier fish, while still keeping the soft fiberglass tip that makes it sensitive enough for detecting subtler strikes and smaller catches.
Based on the GX2’s build and the original’s history of durability, the GX2 could very well be the last rod you’ll need to buy. They are seriously tough rods—a fact supported by their industry-leading seven-year warranty (compared with the typical one-year coverage offered on Penn and Shimano rods, and even on Shakespeare’s own, non–Ugly Stik rods). I haven’t found another $40 fishing rod I would trust this much. In fact, if it costs less than $100 and it’s not an Ugly Stik, I’d just as soon use a hand line.
What makes the Ugly Stik GX2 so much more durable and versatile than other rods is that it uses both graphite and fiberglass to provide sensitivity and strength without sacrificing too much of either. It features a primarily graphite shaft for stiffness, along with a soft, clear, and flexible fiberglass tip.
That flexible tip means it won’t be ideal for manipulating lures, but we think the added versatility is more valuable to most fishers—especially beginners. While the GX2 isn’t better than a specialist rod in either application, it is a capable performer in both—which can’t be said of the Ugly Stik Tiger or the Penn Squadron.
In addition to having a durable shaft, the GX2 is the only rod in its price category that comes fitted with one-piece stainless steel line guides, which can literally be smashed with a rock and still maintain serviceability. During testing, I accidentally planted my foot directly on the guide of a rod that I’d left in the bottom of my boat—as one does—but it was unscathed. Cheap, flimsy aluminum-oxide guides are the industry standard at this price, so it’s nice to see Shakespeare, the maker of the Ugly Stik, take durability seriously. Apart from higher-end models that cost four or five times the price, I’ve never seen this feature in a spinning rod. This design also represents an upgrade from the old Ugly Stik, which had two-piece pop-out guides that were the only weak spot in an otherwise bulletproof rod.
Just in case anything does go wrong, all you need to submit to take advantage of the Ugly Stik’s class-leading seven-year warranty is photographic evidence of the damage, your receipt, and $10 to cover shipping. That’s far better than the one-year warranty coverage from Shimano and Penn, and even from Shakespeare itself on its non–Ugly Stik models. (St. Croix offers a five-year warranty for its Triumph rod, which we tested as a possible upgrade pick.)
One quick shopping note: Make sure you’re buying the spinning rod, not the casting version of the same rod from the same manufacturer. They’re easy to confuse, and our chosen reel won’t fit the casting version.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The downsides of the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 are few but worth noting. First, it’s heavier than more high-performance graphite rods (which usually run about 5 ounces for a medium-heavy 6-foot-6 or 7-foot rod), and some people find that tiring. But if you’ve never held a high-end spinning rod before, you won’t notice the difference.
Another problem with the Ugly Stik GX2 is that the guides are not always perfectly placed. This is something you’re likely to find in any mass-produced base-level spinning-rod model; it’s not something children will notice. Guide placement becomes more essential when you’re fighting trophy-sized fish, which is not something the average angler will put their gear through. If you do happen to be fishing big game, you’ll likely have to step up in price range, or find a good deal at a garage sale.
Runner-up rod: Shimano Saguaro
Shimano’s Saguaro series is every bit as versatile as the Ugly Stik GX2, but the guides are nowhere near as durable as Ugly Stik’s Ugly Tuff guides. While I found the rod itself to be more clunky and cumbersome overall—especially when casting lightweight artificial lures—that’s also what made me recognize and appreciate it as a dependable workhorse.
Compared with the similarly priced Ugly Stik models, the Shimano Saguaro is a stiffer graphite composite. While this design can be advantageous for casting plugs, it offers less “play” or give, which can hinder other applications like setting the hook while bottom fishing with bait and a heavy sinker, where some flex is advantageous.
Apart from the Saguaro’s less durable guides, the primarily graphite rod is more brittle, and less likely to survive a spill or a misplaced foot.
If you plan to fish with care (and not with children), the Saguaro can make an excellent rod for medium-weight jigging and topwater fishing, but it is less than ideal for lightweight artificial lures or bait fishing, and nowhere near as sturdy as an Ugly Stik.
Upgrade rod: Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite
If the Ugly Stik GX2 is unavailable, or if you know you want something stiffer for doing more lure fishing, the Ugly Stik Elite series is a good bet. These rods are available in the same wide range of sizes as the GX2 (for the most all-around versatility, we’d still recommend a medium to medium-heavy rod in the 6-foot-6 or 7-foot range), but they have a cork grip instead of an EVA foam grip and contain 35 percent more graphite, which makes them a bit stiffer and lighter overall. The added stiffness makes the Elite ideal for manipulating lures and giving them “action” (a fishing term for making lures dance or hobble like wounded prey).
The Elite is usually only about $10 more than the GX2 at any given length, which isn’t a lot of money, so you might be wondering why it isn’t our top pick. First off, as a stiffer rod, the Elite isn’t as well-suited to bait fishing for smaller catches. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing if that’s what you know you want, but it’s worth noting if you’re a first-timer trying to start small. Second, while the GX2 is the direct successor to the classic Ugly Stik, which had four decades of acclaim behind it, the Elite series is a whole new line. While that extra 35 percent of graphite sounds appealing on paper, it’s still too early to tell whether that might decrease the long-term durability. For most anglers, however, the GX2 is the better bet.
Our spinning-reel pick: Daiwa BG SW Spinning Reel
The Daiwa BG SW series is our reel pick because these reels are built tougher than any similarly priced competition. Daiwa’s original BG series has been a crowd favorite since its introduction in the 1980s but has fallen short as an all-around choice only because the roller on the bail (which guides the line from the reel to the guides on the fishing rod) was not built to handle braided line. That changed a few years back—in fact, our teardown revealed that it has more in common with $200-plus reels than with others in its price category. (Consider sizes 1500 to 2000 for small freshwater and inshore saltwater species, 3000 to 5000 for medium freshwater and saltwater species, 5000 to 8000 for surf fishing, and 8000 to 10000 for larger fish, including some pelagic fish like mahi mahi and small tuna.)
Mechanically, the Daiwa BG SW reels stand head and shoulders above competitors within the same price range for a handful of reasons.
The ball bearings in the BG SW, for one thing, are the very same Minebea bearings that are loaded into Shimano’s Stella SW series of reels, which typically run for $800 to $1,400. The anti-reverse clutch (which keeps the reel from spinning backward) consists of individual metal springs, as opposed to the cheap plastic clips usually featured in $100 reels.
The drag or “thrust” disc has a rubber seal mounted to it, and according to expert spinning-reel reviewer Alan Hawk, it’s constructed of the same polymer that makes up the thrust discs of the Penn Slammer III (which usually costs about $300).
And finally, one small but brilliant finishing touch: The spool has a small hole drilled in it to prevent rust and allow trapped water to escape. This detail is further testament to the kind of thought that Daiwa put into the research and design of this humble but trusty little $100 reel.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
Daiwa no longer states on its website that the BG SW has a machined aluminum gear, but the company avoids mentioning what material the gear is made of. As Alan Hawk discovered, it’s cast zinc. Nevertheless, although machined aluminum makes for a higher-quality, more durable gear, cast zinc still gets the job done and is the industry standard in reels under $300.
Upgrade reel: Okuma Azores Z-65S
Also great
Okuma Azores Z-65S
Holds more line
This slightly larger, more expensive reel is durable and has a high drag for targeting larger fish. Its large spool size makes it great for surf-casting and open-water applications where extra line comes in handy, but it’s too clunky for targeting smaller fish.
The Okuma Azores reels are simple but powerful, with a design and drag comparable to those of the Daiwa BG SW, but they can be slightly more expensive depending on the size you select (we recommend the Z-65S size for all-around use). Next to other reels with similar line ratings, the Azores reel holds a lot of line because it’s a bit bigger. This means it will perform well in the surf or at greater depths (60 feet or more), where excess line is often necessary. It’s also a capable stand-in if the Daiwa is unavailable, but it’s a bit too large to gracefully handle lighter-action artificial lures.
Of all the reels we tested, the Azores had the highest maximum drag rating at 44 pounds (I didn’t quite get it there, but it came in close enough at 40 pounds on the scale). Forty-four pounds of drag (or tension) is about as much drag as any human can handle before being yanked off their feet anyhow. The Azores is equipped with Okuma’s Dual-Force Drag System, which has one set of washers in the top of the spool and another larger, single washer at the bottom. The reasoning is that the two drags work against each other, which theoretically makes sense and might explain the reel’s formidable drag rating.
After putting sand and salt through the reel and taking it apart, I was surprised to find that the spool was just as clean inside as the Daiwa BG SW and the Shimano Spheros SW. That bodes well for the long-term durability of the Azores, despite the relative lack of internal grease compared with other models. However, while the bearings are sealed, the gear is not, and I’m left with doubts as to whether the gear can outlast those of the Daiwa BG SW or the slightly more expensive Penn and Shimano reels.
Overall, the Azores is a capable reel, but its larger size and slightly higher price mean that the BG SW is both more versatile and a better value for most people.
Care and maintenance
Regardless of what rod or reel you get, salt is the enemy—even with gear specifically designed for use in the ocean. At the end of the day, be sure to give everything a solid rinse with freshwater and loosen the drags (to relieve straining pressure), whether your rig costs $20 or $2,000. If you take this step, our recommended Ugly Stik GX2 and Daiwa BG SW combo will serve you well for years to come.
When rinsing a reel, first tighten the drag, sealing it so that water doesn’t work into the washers. Lay the reel out horizontally so that any water that gets in has an easy path out, and don’t blast a reel with water to avoid blasting out the grease; just make sure it receives a thorough flow. If you want to be particularly diligent when cleaning your fishing gear (it will pay off in the long run), you can soak a cloth in freshwater (even with a little soap—boat soap works) and wipe everything down. Once finished, loosen the drag; if you leave reel drags tight, they tend to get stuck that way and lose their precision.
Additionally, keeping your reel packed with grease will reduce corrosion and improve longevity. You can find reel grease in almost any outdoor-sporting store, but if you’re not confident in taking your reel apart to apply grease, having it done in-store would be worthwhile.
What about tackle storage?
Although a good rod and reel are crucial for the beginning angler, managing the necessary tackle (hooks, lines, sinkers, floats, and so forth) for your fishing expedition can also make or break your experience. The amount of tackle carried to the boat, watering hole, or river will vary depending on what kind of fishing you’re doing. But to keep things flexible and give yourself room to grow and try out different environments, we think investing in a simple yet multipurpose tackle bag is a good place to start. In comparison with the tackle boxes of old—whose fold-out compartments resembled hardware storage more than outdoors equipment—a well-constructed tackle bag with individual compartments, carabiner loops, and a supportive shoulder strap will lessen the load of hiking to remote spots or bringing necessities with you while wading into a river.
We spoke with senior editor and lifetime angler Grant Clauser about his preferences for tackle storage. And though he agreed that there is likely no single bag that will suit anything from fly-fishing to deep-water trowling, he had a few suggestions for what to look for. His tackle splits its time between a classic (and unfortunately discontinued) L.L.Bean tackle bag (which straps easily to the front of his kayak) and a similarly vintage side-sling number from Piscifun. Costing around $30, the updated version of Clauser’s side-sling model features supportive, padded shoulder and waist straps, as well as enough compartments to easily sort bait from gear, while not overburdening you. The numerous loops and side compartments make it easy to keep essentials like pliers and multi-tools within reach, alongside a convenient water-bottle holder.
The competition
As our former runner-up pick, the Penn Battle II reel offers build quality and durability comparable to those of models costing $150 or more. It’s compact enough to handle small fish gracefully, but it has enough drag to land saltwater fish, as well. Unfortunately, we’re noticing consistent stock issues with Penn’s reels, potentially related to the coronavirus pandemic.
I brought my cheapo Shimano FXS rod on several trips to test beside the others. Though I’ve owned and used these rods for nearly two decades, I won’t recommend them. They’re functional, and I’ve managed to land fairly large fish on them, but they’re brittle and unreliable. If you’re paying $13 to $35, you shouldn’t really expect much, but if you need to have a fishing rod and want to spend less than $20, the FXS will do the trick for smaller fish—just take it for what it’s worth and don’t expect it or its guides to last.
We also considered several high-end models to determine if paying a lot more would get you a much better product. I was a big fan of St. Croix’s Triumph spinning rod as an all-around inshore stick—it’s featherlight, well-balanced, and a pleasure to cast all day long. I found that the tip was just sensitive enough to pass for a bait-fishing rod (though I’d still primarily designate it as a lightweight artificial/jigging rod). I’ve left it soaked in salt and sand, and even in a bit of marsh mud for two weeks, and I’ve seen no rust stains or any other signs of degradation.
The only issue I have with the Triumph (as with almost all other rods that aren’t Ugly Stiks) concerns the guides. While generally sturdy, they still don’t come anywhere close to Ugly Stik’s Ugly Tuff guides.
We also tried the Penn Battalion and the Shimano Teramar SE, which are both great rods. I found the Battalion to be somewhat lightweight for its action and recommended line weight, which you could easily solve by ordering the next weight up (for example, if you want a “medium action” rod, order the Battalion in “medium heavy”). I’m also a fan of the Teramar, which is extremely well-balanced—both in weight and in guide placement—but Shimano rods come with only a one-year warranty, and I prefer the high-end cork on the Triumph and Battalion anyway. On the other hand, if you’re going to spend the majority of your time bait fishing, consider the Teramar, which offers a little more play and would be a delightful tool when you’re fishing cut bait for striped bass from a boat in Long Island Sound.
Shimano’s Spheros SW is among the smoothest spinning reels I’ve ever held, out of the box. It has the same three-part pinion/clutch seal (the most important seal in a spinning reel, protecting the very center of the reel, which is virtually irreparable) as Shimano’s $1,000-plus reels. The line lay is impeccably even, and despite being largely plastic, the Spheros is sturdy where it counts. If you’re looking to spend $200 on a reel, the Spheros is it, with the Quantum Cabo PTSE (more on that model below) so close behind that I’d recommend trying both before making a decision based on your own personal preference. (Note that the Cabo PTSE sizes 60 and up are superior to the 40 and 50 sizes, which have inferior anti-reverse clutches.)
We also tested Shimano’s Saragosa, a supposed upgrade, but didn’t find anything particularly advantageous about it over the Spheros SW.
The Shimano Baitrunner performed well, but its lack of durability took it out of the running after we did our teardown test. After just a few weeks of use, it showed some early signs of corrosion. We expected more out of a $160 reel. Ultimately, I’ve had to repair the secondary (freespool) drags on the Baitrunner, which is another reason why I suggest buying a conventional setup if you’re going to fish bait.
Shimano introduced another $100-range line of spinning reels, called the Nasci. I’m thoroughly impressed, especially with the fact that Shimano includes a cold-forged drive gear (usually cast zinc in reels within this price range), though according to spinning-reel guru Alan Hawk, it’s made more cheaply than the higher-end drive gears. The major issues I immediately had with the Nasci were the slightly uneven line lay (line doesn’t seem to collect on the spool as neatly as on other reels) and the tiny crank handle, which is bolted on and cannot be changed. This design might not affect other fishers as much, but I find it to be a nuisance to have to grab something so small when you’re hurrying to set the hook.
The Quantum Cabo PTSE, which I picked up only after reading a rave review by Alan Hawk, was delightful to cast. It’s featherlight, and I paired it with two higher-end rods, which made for the lightest spinning-rod-and-reel combos I’d ever held; as a result, I didn’t grow tired casting into a stiff breeze from a rivermouth jetty for several hours. The 100 and 120 sizes are absolute brutes. My friend Captain Colin Kelly spent the better part of the fall bluefin tuna run off Cape Cod relying on these modestly priced reels, which compete with the $500 to $700 reels that have generally been the only options for catching fish over 200 pounds on spinning gear. Toward the end of the season, a 400-pound bruiser burned up the clicker on the spool, which isn’t a huge deal but worth mentioning. That said, most 100- or 120-size reels are probably outmatched by 400-pound fish.
About your guide
Further reading
Top 5 Best Trout Fishing Rod of 2021 (Buyer’s Guide)
Trout fishing is one of the most popular forms of fishing the world over, and especially in the USA.
Trout live in often beautiful lakes and rivers that are found in almost every state.
After considering all the options our top picks were…
Not only is trout fishing accessible but a lot of fun too, it’s a great species to target for beginners and pros alike.
Having the right trout fishing rod is the key to enjoying your day on the water; without the right rod, you could miss out.
The Best From The Review
Here are our top three choices from the best trout fishing rod lineup, each one in its own category…
OKUMA Celilo
The best pole for fishing trout on a budget is the Okuma Celilo.
It’s hard to believe that something so great to fish with could be so affordable.
It’s made from top materials, has all the features you’ll need from a dedicated smaller species rod, and your wallet will be smiling at the prospect.
Editor’s Choice
G.Loomis Classic Trout Spinning Rod
My personal choice is the G.Loomis, and it usually is.
G.Loomis are one of the best manufacturers around.
Their quality is almost unbeatable.
If you’re looking for the best performance, with the most durability. This is the one to choose.
Our Best Trout Fishing Rods
Here are all the top rods we reviewed.
Each one’s a winner in its own right and they all have their different strengths…
St. Croix Triumph
St. Croix is one of the best rod manufacturers around.
Their dedication to making quality but affordable fishing rods is what has made them so popular over the years. And you’ll see a lot of people using them when trout fishing.
Available Options
The Triumph range of rods incorporates everything from ultra light spinning rods to heavier longer options for targeting bigger fish than trout.
Each one of the rod is a one-piece, giving them a high level of performance, but this does make it harder to travel with them. Despite that, I would still consider the Triumph as one of the best travel fishing rods.
Build
The rod is made from premium SCII graphite, a mid-modulus graphite fiber that makes the rod light, durable, sensitive, and affordable.
You’ll be able to cast well, feel every bite, and have some backbone for a good hook set, the key ingredients to a successful day out on the water.
Made with a premium grade cork, it features aluminum oxide guides that are great at reducing friction, while the Fuji DPS reel seat is excellent at resisting corrosion.
Real Seat
The Fuji reel seat does seem to come loose and can drop your reel at critical points when fighting a fish.
This could be a user error, however, it is worth thinking about as having your reel fall to the floor while fighting the trout of your life, is nothing any fisherman wants to go through.
Power
The rod model chosen below has a medium-light power, with fast action and a length of 6ft 6 inches.
This combo is awesome for trout fishing and also targeting larger, stronger fish like bass. You can also see this is the case when looking at the line you can use.
The largest line to use on this rod is 10lbs, which is a heavy enough line for those trophy targets.
Specs
- Model: TRS66MLF2
- Power Rating: Medium-light
- Length: 6’6”
- Line: 4-10lbs
- Lure Weight: ⅛-½ oz
- Action: Fast
Pros
- The range of rods covers lots of combinations of action, power and length
- High quality rod made with graphite for sensitivity and strength
- The model chosen will work well for trout and larger fish
- This trout fishing rod is excellent in terms of performance and casting
- Made with premium grade cork
- The Fuji reel seat is excellent at resisting corrosion
- Comes with one awesome 5-year warranty
Cons
- Reel seat comes loose from time to time, dropping your reel at critical fish moments
- One-piece rod is harder to travel with
Okuma Celilo
The Okuma Celilo is a range of ultralight trout spinning rods that is incredibly affordable for the quality.
They come in a range of lengths from 5-8 feet, and the model we have chosen is 6ft 6inches, the best trout rod length, ideal for fishing near close snags.
Build
The fishing rod is made from graphite making it durable, sensitive, affordable and lightweight rod. All the ideal things for fishing gear.
It comes with aluminum oxide guides and a stainless steel hooded reel seat. The rod is easy to maintain, but don’t let that stop you from doing so anyway.
Other Features
Both the guides and the reel seat are durable and perform well, but you might need to keep checking if the reel seat is tight.
Specs
The fishing rod model below is a two-piece, ultralight with medium power.
This is one fun fishing combination, as you’ll feel every pull of the trout while still having the action’s sensitivity.
It might be better as a fast action rod but that combination isn’t available in this range of rods.
It can take line weights from 2-6lbs, ideal for fishing for shy fish, as the small diameter of this light line makes it inconspicuous.
Although the limited line range does make targeting larger fish a bit of a no-no.
Specs
- Model: CE-S-662-UL-1
- Power Rating: Ultralight
- Length: 6’6”
- Line: 2-6 LBS
- Lure Weight: 1/32-3/8
- Action: Medium
Pros
- One of the best trout rods if you’re on a budget
- Graphite rod, giving you all the best trout rod features you might need
- The power and rod action make it a fun pole for trout fishing
- Two-piece rod makes it easier to travel with
- Ideal as a dedicated rod for smaller fish
- Comes with aluminum oxide guides and a stainless steel hooded reel seat
Cons
- Reel seat loosens on its own
- The trout rod is a bit bendy for medium action
- This will have to be a dedicated rod for smaller fish and trout
Cadence CR7
The model chosen below is the best trout combo, giving you the strength but fun of a medium-light power with the supersensitivity of extra-fast action.
Cadence CR7
Cadence is another manufacturer who knows how to make some of the best affordable rods.
Their range covers every combination you might be looking for, allowing you to pretty much hand select your action, power, and length to build your ideal rod.
Specs
The model chosen below is the best trout combo, giving you the strength but fun of a medium-light power with the supersensitivity of extra-fast action.
Fishing with this will be a lot of fun, you feel every bite and every part of the fight without fail.
Build
The rod is made from 40-ton graphite, again an ideal material for ensuring the rod is durable, light, sensitive, and affordable, covering all your fishing needs.
The rod is a one-piece, ideal in terms of performance, but not ideal for traveling with.
If you’re looking for portable rods you might want to consider checking out this review.
Guides
There are some drawbacks to this rod, but only a few.
The guides are very small in diameter and your line can get stuck, especially when connecting mono to braid, as the knot is quite bulky.
Rod Tip
The tip of the rod is also a little delicate and some people have had it snap in moments when it shouldn’t.
These negatives are few and far between and they shouldn’t deter you from taking a good look at the CR7.
Overall it’s one fun fishing pole that is ideal for targeting trout and smaller species.
Specs
- Model: CR7-631S-MLXF
- Power Rating: Medium-light
- Length: 6’3”
- Line: 4-8lbs
- Lure Weight: 1/16-3/8 oz
- Action: Extra Fast
Pros
- The range covers a great amount of rod action, power, and lengths
- Made from great materials to make it light, sensitive, and durable
- The rod casts beautifully for trout fishing
- One-piece gives it great spinning rod casting performance
- It’s affordable considering the quality
Cons
- The guides are very small and the line can get stuck
- Rod tip is a little delicate and snaps in some cases
- Comes in 1 piece making it hard to travel
Shimano Solara
The Shimano Solara is one great fishing tool. Made with a special material called Aeroglass. The rod is also extremely light compared to others, ensuring your arm doesn’t suffer from casting fatigue
Shimano Solara
The Shimano Solara is one great fishing tool and a lot of this comes down to the material it is made from.
Unlike the other fishing poles in the review, it is made from aeroglass.
Build
Aeroglass is like a hybrid of fiberglass that instead of being soft and sluggish, is tough, durable, and sensitive, great for fishing for trout.
It actually provides the middle ground between carbon fiber, graphite, and fiberglass giving you the best of both worlds.
Guides
The rod’s guides are made from aluminum oxide inserts to ensure no friction when you’re casting. This will help with both your distance and accuracy and improve your fishing.
Locking Mechanism Feature
It also comes with a locking graphite reel bed, one of the only trout rods with a locking mechanism to ensure your reel doesn’t pop off.
Specs
The action, power, length, and line range on the rod is aimed at smaller fish, ideal if you want a dedicated rod for them, but it does reduce its versatility.
The rod is also extremely light compared to others, ensuring your arm doesn’t suffer from casting fatigue on those long days hunting for your trophy fish.
Specs
- Model: SLS56UL2
- Power Rating: Ultra Light
- Length: 5’6’’
- Line: 2-6 lbs
- Lure Weight: 1/32-3/16 oz
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Aeroglass material used makes the rod very sensitive to all bites
- The rod is light and you won’t get tired casting it all day long
- The ultralight and fast combination makes fishing for small fish a lot of fun
- Ideal as a dedicated rod for smaller species
Cons
- A little too light to handle larger species
Editor’s Choice
G.Loomis Classic Trout Spinning Rod
Loomis are one of the best at making rods in my opinion, and if I had the money, I would only buy from them.
This spinning fishing rod, in particular, is designed specifically for trout, unlike any other rod in the review.
Build
It uses a carbon fiber blend only G. Loomis uses and is an amazing performance spinning fishing rod.
The fiber blend makes it tough, durable, sensitive, light, and expensive. But, if you want your fishing experience to be the best possible fishing experience, then it might be worth spending a bit extra on this rod.
Other Features
The guides and the reel holder are all top-notch.
Your line will flow through the guides effortlessly and you’re reel once tightened in, isn’t going anywhere.
This means you can fish and catch trout in peace without the worry of your reel landing by your feet.
Weight
The spinning rod is light to ensure you don’t get tired casting all day, and it also casts beautifully thanks to the design and balance.
This means that less effort is required from each cast, and if you cast 300 times a day, that’s going to make a big difference to your arm and your state of mind.
Available Options
The spinning rods for trout are available in a large range that mixes length, rod power, line weight, and action, so you can find the ideal match for your fishing needs.
Whether you want some dedicated rods for trout or some all-rounders, is up to you.
Specs
- Model: SR781-1 IMX
- Power Rating: Ultralight
- Length: 6’6”
- Line: 2-6lb
- Lure Weight: 1/32-3/16 oz
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Made from carbon fiber, it’s one of the toughest rods in the review
- The rod comes in a large range to pick what suits you best
- Top-quality guides and reel holder makes for stress-free fishing
- Perfectly balanced for great casting and fishing
Cons
- The rod is very expensive compared to the others
Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod
Well-Known Brand
The Ugly Stik from Shakespeare is a bit of a legend in the rod market.
The Ugly Stik rod has been around for years and has made a name for itself as one of the hardest rods to break the world over.
Some say it’s unbreakable, which is a sure sign of lasting durability.
The only concern is that some Ugly Stik veterans have seen a drop in quality and believe the build is a bit different and not as tough as it used to be.
Build
The Ugly Stik spinning rods are made from a composite of fiberglass and graphite.
This makes the Ugly Stik spinning rods very strong but still quite sensitive.
You’ll be able to feel every bite that comes along but still have the backbone you need for a good hook set.
The composite is also what allows this Ugly Stik rod to be so affordable but it also makes it heavy.
Weight
Heavy spinning rods cause fatigue when fishing on the water, especially when doing your best trout fishing, as you’ll be casting and retrieving the entire time.
Length
The series has quite a large range of rod lengths and the model below is the best trout rod length at 5’10”.
This will give you the length you need for casting well while trout fishing but not be too long to see you snagging yourself on the bank.
Specs
This is a fast action rod for trout that has great sensitivity in the tip to help your trout fishing excel. It comes as a two-piece that packs up pretty small making it much easier to travel with.
The line rating on the model below is a bit of a higher line rating than all the others.
The top end of the line is perhaps a little high for trout fishing but is ideal in terms of versatility. You could very easily find yourself fishing for larger species with this rod.
Specs
- Model: USSP5102M
- Power Rating: Medium
- Length: 5’10”
- Line: 6-15lb
- Lure Weight: 1/8-5/8 oz
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Made from strong fiberglass/graphite composite
- Comes in a variety of models to suit your differing needs
- Excellent stainless steel guides to ensure long-lasting durability
- Exceptionally affordable for the quality your getting
- Comes in two pieces making it easiest to travel with
Cons
- The rod is a little heavy and you might get tired fishing with it all-day
- Some are concerned they are not maintaining the quality they used to
Why Do You Need A Specific Rod For Trout Fishing?
Trout are a relatively small species, the average size you’ll be catching is around 1-2lbs.
Catching small saltwater or freshwater fish on heavy gear isn’t fun at all; without feeling the fight or the fish you won’t get to enjoy the challenge.
Feeling the eat and the battle is all part of the joy of trout fishing.
The aim is to experience the excitement of catching trout, rather than just winching them in. You want the trout to give you a run for your money.
How to Choose a Spinning Rod Specifically for Trout
The best spinning rods for trout are designed to provide as much contact and feeling as possible.
If you recently bought a trout spinning reel, you’ll want the best possible rod to go with it.
The best trout spinning rod is light, with a length around 6-7ft, and has the right power and action ratings, which we will discuss later.
Trout spinning rods are also designed for using lighter lures and a light line.
NOTE
You’ll use small or light lures because trout eat small things, and fool them into eating it with the light fishing line they can’t see.
Length
The length of the rod of a trout spinning rod defines a few things and can range from 5-8ft long.
The longer the rod, the further you can cast as you’ll get a bigger load and therefore more momentum.
But, you’re often fishing tight to trees or bushes when trout fishing and a long rod length could mean you end up hooking shrubbery on your backcast.
Ideal Length
The ideal length of a spinning rod for trout is around 6-7ft, in the middle of the range.
This will give you a long enough cast while being short enough to fish tight to any snags that might be behind you when trout fishing.
Power Rating
The spinning rods power rating defines how stiff, thick, and therefore how powerful it is.
The best spinning rod for trout is designed to provide enough bendiness to enjoy catching them, and because trout are on the smaller side, the best trout rod for fishing will be a one that bends easily.
Ideal Power Rating
The best spinning rod power rating for trout is either ultralight, light, or medium-light power rating. This means you’ll feel the fight and have a great time trout fishing.
You can pick between any of the three when looking for a trout fishing rod.
For most trout fishing, aim for an ultra light to light action fishing rod. If you’re targeting extra large trout, you can opt for a medium or heavy rod.
Ultralight
Ultralight spinning pole power will be the most sporting and maybe the best for fun, but it would have to be used as a dedicated rod for trout fishing and other fish of similar size.
Medium-Light
A medium-light rod power will allow you to enjoy trout fishing for smaller fish and be more versatile as it will handle larger fish species.
Action
Rod action defines which part of the rod will bend.
Rod action is measured between slow and extra-fast, with the medium in the middle.
Slow action rods will bend near the butt section, a medium in the middle, and a fast action rod at the tip.
But what does this mean for one’s fishing?
How Action Affects Fishing
The faster the action, the more sensitive a rod is, meaning you’ll feel any fish bites a lot more. This is especially useful when fish like trout are likely to bite very subtly.
Fast Action
Fast rods are the best for trout, especially when using an ultralight spinning pole.
You feel every bite and still have the fun of a bendy fishing rod.
Slow Action
Slow rods bend at the butt and are helpful when casting.
The rod bending near the butt section allows the full length of the rod to load, giving you extra momentum for your cast, and hopefully increasing your distance.
Slow rods are a bit sluggish when it comes to sensitivity though, and more suited to heavy weight fishing where currents are prevalent and the longest of casts required.
Materials
The fishing rod materials used for the best trout fishing rods vary quite a bit. The main three materials trout fishing rods are made from are fiberglass, graphite, and carbon fiber, graphite is one of the most common.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is one of the least expensive materials and bends a lot.
It is handy for use in a slow action rod for trout where presentation is key, but it’s got nothing on graphite or carbon fiber when it comes to strength and sensitivity.
Slow action is not something we want, as it will make the rod sluggish and harder to feel bites. In the end you may end up missing a lot of opportunities with a slow rod.
Graphite & Carbon Fiber
Graphite and carbon fiber are much stronger, powerful, and more sensitive materials.
They are the best for a trout fishing rod, as they will provide the fast action, strength, and sensitivity that is best for trout fishing.
You’ll feel more bites, have a better hook up rate, and cast more accurately.
Graphite
Graphite is a bit less expensive than carbon fiber, and you’ll find the most affordable performance rods are made out of graphite.
If you’re on a budget you could look to a graphite composite fishing rod, which is when graphite is mixed with fiberglass.
You would still get the benefit of the graphite in the spinning rod but for a smaller price.
Weight
The weight of the fishing rod you choose is an important thing to think about.
When fishing for trout, you are inevitably casting all day long, trying to cover as many pockets of fishing water as you can.
This does get tiring no matter what rod you choose, but the last thing you need is for your rod to hold you back.
TIP
Weight is also affected by the reel you choose and is worth thinking about when looking for a reel to pair with your rod.
Consider Other Features
My advice is not to focus on weight as a buying factor initially but to focus on all the other more important features first. Maybe you use spinnerbait lures a lot and might benefit from investing in one of the best spinnerbait rods on the market.
Then once you have found a few trout rods that make the cut, begin to look at the weight of each one to make your final decision, knowing that the lighter the rod, the better your long days on the water will be.
Now that you know what to look for when choosing a great rod for trout, here’s a quick recap of our top three trout fishing rods.
Here’s a quick recap of our top three picks…
Top Pick
If you want a rod you can rely on, has high standards and is still pretty affordable, then the St Croix Triumph is your best bet.
The range covers all rod lengths, powers, and actions for trout, allowing you to choose if you want a dedicated setup or something a bit burlier that’s more versatile.
Best Value
If you’re looking to spend as little as possible but still want a setup worth having, the Okuma Celilo is the one to go for.
Light, powerful, sensitive, and ideal for smaller species only, it’s amazing that it’s so affordable.
Editor’s Choice
Looking for the best trout fishing rod that might be with you forever?
Then G.Loomis is the pole to go for. The quality, performance, and durability are undeniable.
You’ll have to spend a bit more, but you’ll understand why it’s better than the rest once it’s in your hands.
From the Author
I hope you learned a thing or two from choosing the best trout rod from the review. You might want to match your trout rod with the best trout fishing reel for a great trout fishing experience.
Feel free to check out my other articles and don’t forget to share this with your friends or fellow trout anglers. You can also share your trout fishing experience by dropping a comment below.
Trout Baitcasting Rods
Trout baitcasting rods are an outgrowth of the Bait Finesse System (BFS), which allowed bass anglers to cast light lures accurately with baitcasters. It did not take long for Japanese anglers to adopt BFS reels for trout fishing, and rod manufacturers were not far behind that. There are now a number of excellent trout baitcasting rods that can handle light lines and light lures.
To reiterate a point made on the BFS page, purists consider BFS to be specifically a bass fishing method. BFS reels, for example the Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS, can be used quite effectively for trout. BFS rods, though, - rods that have BFS written on the rod - are bass rods and will be too stiff for trout fishing. The Japanese companies who make baitcasters for trout fishing call them "trout" rods, not BFS rods. (Trout rods are broken down into spinning and bait, or S and BC.) Thus, while you can refer to all the baitcasting reels on this site as BFS reels, to be precise, the rods on this site are trout baitcasting rods, not BFS rods.
As with spinning rods, JDM baitcasting rods for trout can be divided into rods for stocked trout in Areas (managed pay-to-fish ponds) and wild (native) trout in mountain streams. In a sense, the two different rod classes illustrate the two different sides of the finesse coin - micro lures and ultra light lines in the Areas, and extremely accurate casting in the mountain streams.
There will be a gap. It is supposed to be like that.For any of the rods sold on Finesse-Fishing.com, when you put the sections together there will be a gap. It is supposed to be like that. Please don't force it.
Trout Baitcasting Rods - Wild Trout
Tenryu
Wild trout rods offer a wide range of rod lengths, from rods under 5' designed for smaller mountain streams up to rods over 8' long for big fish in wide rivers. At least for now, Finesse-Fishing.com will concentrate on the shorter models for smaller streams.
Daiwa and Shimano offer baitcasting rods for trout but I have to admit I am drawn to the Tenryu Rayz models. Tenryu is a name not well known in the US, at least not yet, but their rods are well known in Europe, and of course, in Japan. I started importing their tenkara rods a few years ago and have been very impressed with the quality. Not only are the blanks and actions excellent, the fit and finish are absolutely unsurpassed.
Tenryu Rayz RZ542B-LThe Rayz RZ4102B-UL and RZ542B-L, newly introduced in 2020, are upgrades to the Rayz models pictured below. The new rods are a little firmer, a little faster, and few inches shorter than the previous models. I loved my RZ53UL-BC but I can tell the new RZ4102B-UL is a lot nicer.
Tenryu is a small company and they have only one production run per year for their trout rods. I try to forecast demand for the entire year, but if (when) I run out of stock it may be months before I can get more. Each year I've had the Tenryu baitcasters, I've run out before the end of the year. This year, I've ordered more than ever before, including their new, top-of-the-line Rayz Spectra RZS51LL-BC. The Tenryu LL designation is between L and UL.
Tenryu RZ53UL-BC, Calcutta Conquest BFS HG reel, 2.5g Daiwa Crusader spoonTenryu's trout baitcasting rods are rated for a wide range of lure weights, 1 - 6 g (1/32 - 1/5 oz) for the RZ4102B-UL, 2 - 8 g (1/16 - 1/4 oz) for the RZ542B-L and 1 - 8 g for the RZS51LL-BC. That is both as light and as heavy as you are likely going to want to use for either trout or panfish.Their light and ultralight baitcasters are probably the nicest you will find anywhere.
Tenryu Rayz RZ53UL-BC, Shimano Aldebaran BFS XG, 18" smallmouth bass.And although they are trout rods, even the UL rods can handle modest bass. Their 7'1" MLM (medium light medium and 7'5" M rods, designed for Japanese sea-run trout and salmon, would be ideal for our steelhead and lake run browns.
Click here for more information about the Tenryu Baitcasters.
Shimano
Shimano makes Cardiff Native Special rods for wild trout. For anglers who love to fish the little blue lines, the Cardiff baitcasters come in 4'2" and 4'7" lengths. Even better, they are 3-piece rods so they will fit in or on a backpack rather than towering over your head as you hike in and out.
Before Shimano released the 3-piece Cardiff Native Series rods, my "go to" backpacking baitcaster was the Daiwa Wise Stream ULB-3. The Cardiff rods are a bit softer, making them a better choice for fishing smaller lures.
Either of the Cardiff trout baitcasting rods will do very nicely when matched with one of the Shimano BFS reels.
Shimano's CI4+ "fighting grip" is a proprietary carbon reinforced resin that is lighter and stronger than conventional resin.
Model
Type
Length
Sections
Breakdown
Length
Rod Weight
Line Weight
Lure Weight
Price
Cardiff NS B42UL-3
Wild (stream)
4'2"
3
18"
2.6 oz
2 - 6 lb
1 - 7g (1/32 - 1/4 oz)
$385
Cardiff NS B47UL-3
Wild (stream)
4'7"
3
19.7"
2.7 oz
2 - 6 lb
1 - 7g (1/32 - 1/4 oz)
$390
Daiwa
Daiwa Wise Stream 45ULB-3, Daiwa SS Air 8.1LDaiwa's Wise Stream 45ULB-3 is another 3-piece ultralight baitcaster that packs down easily. The Wise Stream rods are a bit stiffer than the Cardiff rods, so if the streams you hike to hold 20 inch browns, it may be the rod you want. If you want a longer rod for wider streams and slightly heavier lures, consider the Wise Stream 62LB-3
Model
Type
Length
Sections
Breakdown
Length
Rod Weight
Line Weight
Lure Weight
Price
45 ULB-3
Wild (stream)
4'5"
3
19 1/4"
2.5 oz
2 - 6 lb
1.5-7g (1/16-1/4oz)
$215
Made in Vietnam
Shipping
Domestic shipping is $10 via USPS Priority Mail (2-3 day delivery).
Please note: All packages are shipped via USPS. If you have a PO Box, please list ONLY the PO Box in your address, not the PO Box and your street address.
The charge for international shipping depends on the destination country, the weight of the package, the overall length of the package and the value of the package. Packages under 24" long and under $400 in value will go via USPS First Class International. Packages over 24" or over $400 will go via USPS Priority Mail International. The International shipping charge will be calculated at checkout.
Import Duties and Taxes
International purchases may be subject to import duties and taxes. I cannot keep track of all import regulations in all countries written in all languages. Understanding and paying import duties and taxes is the responsibility of the buyer.
Finesse-Fishing.com no longer ships to the UK. The new VAT regulations are too onerous for a one-man shop that rarely ships anything to the UK anyway. I apologize.
Warning:
The hooks are sharp.
The coffee's hot.
The fish are slippery when wet.
These specialty actions cover the needs of anglers fishing the lakes and streams of the Northern U.S. for a broad variety of fish species. Each is built with the optimum combination of blank design, materials and components demanded by their specialized tasks. Heartland
Heartland� Trout Features:
| Model | Length | Pieces | Line Weight lb. | Lure Weight oz. | Power | Action | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trout rods daiwa
Welcome
First sample of a brand new budget range of rods from Daiwa. This comes in a lightweight canvas bag, no tube; three sections so in the bag this is a bit longer than most of my modern trout rods, a lot shorter than my salmon rods; the cork grip is turned from modest cork, shapely enough – just; all metal reel-seat, double-locking rings – very solid! Then fit a line.
In the hand this is a light rod, the action is firm and relatively fast. If you can haul, my goodness this inexpensive rod can throw a long long line! Cast without hauling and this feels a little stiff, I want a heavier line or, better, a casting lesson to bring my line-hand into action. Then go back to casting normally, for me that means hauling, throwing a long straight line, the sort of work I use a 10ft rod for, and this is a very effective rod. Casting with the wind at my back, typical of boat fishing, I could punch line into the back-cast. Similarly, casting into a headwind this has the guts (stiffness) to punch my line through a good breeze – helped by a slim, light blank.
At short range, where I would not normally use a 10ft #7, this is a little numb, a little too stiff. Then with more line outside the tip ring, simple lightness means I have easy rod speed, ideal for Spey and roll casts. Try picking line up off the water and this Daiwa lets me lift the head of my WF line with ease.
Daiwa have placed one patch of colour on this rod, just above the butt, otherwise they have concentrated on getting the basics right. The outcome is a rod which, frankly, punches well above it's weight, or at least well above it's price point. My one caution, this comes alive when I double-haul, making this a rod for a more able caster, or, a rod on which to learn how to haul when casting and you will be shocked how much easier your casting becomes.
(At the time of writing this range had only been available to dealers for a few weeks.)
Factfile
Daiwa Trout Fly
10ft #7
Sections: 3
Action angle: 72 degrees
Stiffness: 166.8g
Weight: 126.6g
Rings: One lined butt ring, single leg snakes
Handle: Full-wells
Fighting butt: Small
Cork quality: Modest
Reel seat: Metal
Blank: Gloss carbon grey
Thread: Black
Build quality: Good
Rod bag: Canvas
Rod tube: No
Price: £39.99 (or less!)
From: Daiwa stockists
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Daiwa Wise Stream Rods
The Daiwa Wise Stream rods were designed with two primary goals in mind: portability and great casting feel.
For portability, all the Wise Stream rods are either three piece or telescopic. Personally, I think portability is a very important feature in a rod designed for stream fishing.
Daiwa Wise Stream 45UL-3 is a great choice for smaller streams that aren't right next to a road.In most places, the best fishing is not right next to the road! Being able to break down or collapse the rod to a convenient length is very nice. For backpacking or bike-packing (or traveling) a rod that packs down to 23" (53UL-3), or 19.25" (45UL-3), or just 17" (50TUL) is a huge advantage over a two piece rod!
For casting feel, particularly with the three-piece rods, the Daiwa designers adjusted the material and hardness for each of the three sections. When you pick up and wiggle the rods, they will feel a bit stiff. That feeling is misleading. The butt section gives you all the stiffness you would want to fight a fish in current. The middle section provides a very smooth transition and the tip section is fast enough and flexible enough that you can cast lures quite a bit lighter than the lower end of the recommended range.
Although lures as light as the .8 gram Daiwa Presso Vega spoons are not used when fishing streams in Japan, I have found that the Daiwa Wise Stream rods will cast them as far as you would want on a small stream. Heavier lures, though, like the Daiwa Crusader spoons or the Dr. Minnow plugs will cast more easily and with greater accuracy.
The Wise Stream 50TUL (telescopic ultralight) rods share the same 1.5 - 7 gram recommended lure weights as the three piece rods. I have fished both the three piece and the telescopic rods with a range of lures and I think they both cast just fine. Understand that these are well made rods that are nothing at all like the cheapo telescopics that have given that style of rod a bad name. They cast well and fight fish well.
Daiwa Wise Stream telescopic rod.There is both an advantage and a disadvantage to the telescopic Daiwa Wise Stream Rods. The biggest advantage is being able to keep the reel, line and lure attached when the rod is collapsed. It is much quicker to extend the rod than it is to thread the line through the guides and tie on a lure. If you want to fish at several spots along a trail while backpacking, having to completely rig the rod each time may make you pass up spots where you'd make a few casts (and maybe catch a fish or two) if you could just extend the rod and cast.
With the Daiwa Wise Stream 50TUL you can keep the rod rigged.It's not quite that simple, but almost. The Daiwa Wise Stream telescopic rods have three "floating" guides that slide (allowing you to telescope the rod). When you extend the rod you slide them down (in the direction of the rod butt) until they tighten against the taper of the blank. Once you snug them down, they do stay put.
You have to line them up as you slide them in place, just as you have to line up the fixed guides when you extend the sections. A great tip is to get the sections and the guides lined up perfectly, and then mark them with a line at each joint and at each floating guide using a white or silver permanent marker. Then it will be very easy to again get the perfect alignment each time you extend the rod.
The only disadvantage I see with a telescopic rod is that if you happen to break any section other than the tip section, the whole rod will have to be returned to Daiwa in Japan (at the buyer's expense). With the three piece rods, it is easy to just replace the broken piece. Most people never break a rod, but it is worth knowing.
Please be EXTREMELY careful when removing the rod cap and plastic tubing. If you bend the tubing to the side it is easy to break the rod tip. Please note that I will have checked the rod thoroughly before shipment, and when shipped the rod tip will be intact. Also, given the way the rod is packed, the rod tip cannot be broken in transit.
Daiwa Wise Stream 50TUL rod, Daiwa Iprimi 1003 reel, Daiwa Presso .8g Vega Horizon spoon.Daiwa Wise Stream Rods
Model
Type
Length
Sections
Breakdown Length
Rod Weight
Line Weight
Lure Weight
Price
45UL-3
Three Piece
4'5"
3
19 1/4"
2.5 oz
2 - 6 lb
1/16 - 1/4 oz
$215
50TUL
Telescopic
5'0"
4
17.7"
3.0 oz
2 - 6 lb
1/16 - 1/4 oz
$220
Personally, I think the designers and engineers achieved their goals with the Daiwa Wise Stream Rods. They are extremely portable compared to two piece rods and they feel good when casting and when playing fish.
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Finesse-Fishing.com no longer ships to the UK. The new VAT regulations are too onerous for a one-man shop that rarely ships anything to the UK anyway. I apologize.
Home > Finesse Spin Fishing > JDM Spinning Rods > Daiwa Wise Stream
Warning:
The hooks are sharp.
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Spinning rod
MORETHAN BRANZINO AGS 902MH-AD Shadshaker
Thanks to the great demand for a Morethan Branzino AGS version with a higher casting weight, we and our japan engineers in Tokyo developed a version which is made for medium sized soft plastic lures for fishing for pike and zander. The use of SVF Compile-X carbon fiber material in connection with the exclusive DAIWA AGS carbon fiber guides enables the construction of an incredible light and fast rod - you probably won`t find this quality and these features anywhere else. An exceptional feeling in combination with best components - made by DAIWA!
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Spinning rod
MORETHAN BRANZINO AGS SPIN
Morethan – this brand stands as synonym for the most modern technology at rod design, premium processing and strictly best rod components from DAIWA. With the newest rods of the Morethan Branzino AGS series DAIWA presents four special rods, which meet the highest expectations. By applying and combining exclusive DAIWA technologies like Super Compile-X carbon fiber, 3DX carbon fiber material, X45 carbon fiber construction, Nanoplus material and ultra-lightweight AGS carbon fiber guides extremely fast and distortion-proof rods have been created, which are incredibly lightweight and well-balanced.
This model is available in 4 specifications
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Spinning rod
TOURNAMENT AGS SPIN
Due to the use of SVF carbon fiber, X45 construction and the Nanoplus technology, we were able to develop incredibly light and fast blanks for our Tournament AGS rods, which instantly resile to their starting position after the cast! The spigot joint with V-Joint technology enables the design of especially slim rods with enormously improved bending curve and increased resilience regarding the connections between all different parts. The X45 construction improves the compression of the blank and makes the whole rod even more distortion-proof – more precise casts and a reduced risk of fractures are the result!
This model is available in 5 specifications
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Jig spinning rod
TOURNAMENT AGS JIGGERSPIN
The Tournament AGS Jig-Spinning rods are characterized by their particularly distinct tip action. The rods are perfectly made for fishing for zander, perch, trout and chub – the fish can easily soak in small and medium softlures with jigheads up to 12g and you instantaneously feel the bite!
This model is available in 4 specifications
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Baitcasting rod
TOURNAMENT AGS BAITCAST
The Tournament AGS baitcasting rod with 14-42g casting weight is perfect softlure rod for fishing for zander, pike and big perches. The super-strong and fast blank allows aggressive jigging of soft plastic lures over great distances and submit the “Tock” of a bite clearly and instantaneous. The blank action is also ideally suited for the use of cranks and twitchbaits!
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Spinning rod
AIRITY SPIN
Fantastic spinning rods with Japan rod style! For the Airity spinning rod series, our engineers have drawn on some of the best DAIWA technologies and components ever. The fast HVF Nanoplus blanks with X45 technology is marked by its distinct tip action with strong backbone and thus is especially suited for usage with all kind of soft lures.
This model is available in 5 specifications
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Spinning rod
AIRITY LIGHT SPIN
The blank of the Airity model with 2-9g is combined with a Tubular-tip and thus is perfectly suited for light fishing for trout, perch or chub with mini-spoons, plugs and soft lures.The rod with a casting weight of 3-12g is equipped with a sensitive, spliced-in carbon fiber blank and a powerful backbone – ideal for fishing with finesse lures for perch or with small lures in strong currents. Perfect lure control and bite detection are guaranteed!
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Jig spinning rod
AIRITY JIGGERSPIN
The jig spinning rods of our Airity series are especially made for softbait fishing for zander and perch with braided lines. Under the use of casting weights of 15g or 20g, these rods reach their optimal casting performance and lure presentation – ideal for fishing with softplastic lures of 8-12cm and jigs of 7.5-15g!
This model is available in 4 specifications
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Spinning rod
MORETHAN SHAD ATTACK
Premium shad rods from DAIWA! The Morethan Shad Attack rods have been especially designed for fishing with shads and feature strictly components of highest quality. The extremely fast and lightweight SVF carbon fiber blank transmits every lure action as well as contact with fishes and ground straight to the angler – perfect for scanning the bottom structure and react to soft taps instantly. The X45 technology at the blank reduces torque to a minimum and allows very long and accurate casts. The V-Joint spigot joint enables the manufacturing of extremely slim blanks and additionally provides a perfect bending curve.
This model is available in 6 specifications
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Zander rod
DAIWA PRO STAFF ZANDER
The DAIWA Pro Staff Zander rods are perfectly made for both – fishing with soft- and hardbait from the shore or from the boat. Casting performance and contact to the lure are outstanding!
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Spinning rod
DAIWA PRO STAFF BIG BAIT
Big Bait – Big fish! With our DAIWA Pro Staff Big Bait rods even biggest pikes with heavy soft plastic lures or plugs are no problem!
This model is available in 3 specifications
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Baitcasting rod
DAIWA PRO STAFF PELAGIC BAITCAST
The Pro Staff Pelagic is equipped with a very strong blank and Spiral-Guide-Position. Big and heavy softlures can be fished perfectly and the special guide position prevents tangling of the line at the tip guide at strong wind and waves – pelagic fish can thus been targeted fast and accurately! The 1+1 devision of the blank offers extra stability and a perfect bending curve even under extreme strains.
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Spinning rod
PROREX X SPIN
The action of the Prorex X spinning rods is made for the special demands of modern spin fishing with soft and hard baits. The elevated concentration of carbon fiber material at the HVF blank cares for a light weight, extreme power reserves and resilience as well as an outstanding bite detection.
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Perch rod
DAIWA PRO STAFF PERCH
The perch models of the Pro Staff series have been designed for two different fishing styles.The Finesse Perch with a casting weight of 3-12g features a spliced-in solid carbon fiber tip and a powerful backbone, leading to a perfect transmission of soft taps, lure action or bottom structures right to the angler. The model with 5-25g casting weight is equipped with a tubular tip and due to the resulting tip action is the proper choice for aggressive jigging with softplastic lures of all kind, but also does a great job at twitching small and medium-sized hardbaits. Perfect when large perches have to be targeted in deeper waters or at currents.
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Vertical rod
DAIWA PRO STAFF VERTICAL
The Pro Staff Vertical has been finetuned to the needs of the modern vertical fishing for zander, perch and pike from the boat. The blank’s tip action has been adjusted to be able to present even lures with heavy jigheads in strong currents and deep depths seductively. At any times the strong backbone offers enough power to set the hook effectively! This is of biggest importance when catching huge zander or pikes! The 1+1 segmentation of the blank offers a perfect bending curve under load and makes this rod nearly unbreakable under common fishing conditions.
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Spinning rod
POWERMESH SPIN
With this special rod range, DAIWA offers spinning rods, which are particularly designed for modern spin fishing for pike, zander and asp. Thanks to their strong backbone, these rods care for a vivid action of twitched hardbaits and reliably transmit the lure action as well as bites to the handle section. The stiff action of the HVF carbon fiber blank allows the angler to choose from all modern presentation styles. Thanks to its lateral cavities, the Fuji TVS reel seat allows direct contact to the blank and thus also to the lure.
This model is available in 3 specifications
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Spinning rod
POWERMESH UL SPIN
Perfect rods for modern light and ultra-light spin fishing with small shads, plugs, spinners and spoons. The stiff backbone of the HVF blank transmits every action of the lure as well as bites straight to the handle. The Fuji TVS reel seat allows you to detect everything, what happens at the end of the line and to react accordingly. The soft tip leads to very good casting distances and reliably prevents losses and material overload. Fantastic rods for catching perch, trout and chub!
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Baitcasting rod
POWERMESH BAITCAST
The Powermesh series comprises a range of premium and lightweight baitcasting rods with premium components and latest rod design, which are especially adapted for particular fields of application. Modern HVF carbon fiber material and X45 carbon fiber design have enabled the development of lightweight, resistant and distortion-proof blanks.
This model is available in 3 specifications
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Baitcasting rod
POWERMESH UL BAITCAST
The Powermesh Ultra Light baitcasting rods have especially been designed for the use of micro and mini lures and perfectly match with our baitcasting reels, which are also made for the use of small and smallest lure. The premium and very lightweight HVF carbon fiber blanks feature the X45 technology and catapult lures of 3-10g or 5-14g over long distances with ease, thus ensuring a perfect presentation and control. Maximum fun is guaranteed!
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Baitcasting rod
POWERMESH BAITCAST JERK
These classic jerkbait rods are excelled by their low weight. The very stiff action allows the optimal presentation of jerkbaits up to 120g.
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Spinning rod
TATULA SPIN
The accurate scanning of bottom structures is of enormous importance when fishing for perch and zander with softplastic lures. The recognition of extremely hard and soft ground is a huge advantage when it comes to finding the right spots! Also the presentation of softbaits and twitching with hardbaits is considerably easier with a fast and stiff blank. The Tatula rods unite particularly these features. The fast and very stiff blank made of SVF carbon fiber combined with the exclusive X45 technology of DAIWA allow the design of fast and very tough rods, which almost leave no wish unfulfilled.
This model is available in 5 specifications
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Baitcasting rod
TATULA BAITCAST
The baitcast models of the Tatula series offer exactly the properties modern anglers expect. A very hard backbone in combination with a very fast action enables astonishing casting distances, perfect lure control and allows setting the hook without delay.
This model is available in 4 specifications
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Spinning rod
BALLISTIC LTD SPIN
The characteristics of the Ballistic Ltd rods with 15-50g and 30-70g casting weight are perfectly matched with the requirements of fishing with heavier soft lures. When the target fish are hiding down deep or in strong current, these rods allow you to search them with deep running cranks or with heavier jighooks. Also perfectly applicable for using chatterbaits.
This model is available in 4 specifications
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Jerkbait rod
PROREX X BAITCAST JERK
The Prorex X Jerkbait baitcasting rod is characterized by its extremely powerful blank. With this rod, aggressive presentation of big jerks up to 120g is no problem. During the fight the backbone buffers escapes and jumps of pikes perfectly and thus prevents losses.
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Vertical rod
PROREX X BAITCAST VERTICAL
The extremely lightweight, very well balanced and powerful blanks of the Prorex X Vertical Baitcast ensure effortless fishing for hours. The light Fuji Skeleton Baitcast reel seat enables a direct contact to the blank – an extraordinary bite detection and lure control are the consequence.
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Spinning rod
PROREX X BIG BAIT
The Big Bait models are equipped with very strong blank as well as the extremely robust Fuji Fazlite double leg guides to sustain even most powerful casts with loads of up to 165g. The backbone’s action perfectly absorbs headbutts and jumps of large specimen – losses during the fight with the fish are prevented almost completely.
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Spinning rod
BALLISTIC LTD LIGHT SPIN
The large lineup of the Ballistic Ltd series provides appropriate fishing rods for all kinds of modern spin fishing. For light and ultra-light fishing at small streams or ponds for trout, chub and perch you can choose between two perfectly-balanced rods of either 1-6g or 5-14g casting weight. These fast rods with tip action are perfectly suited for fishing with small soft baits, small plugs and spoons!
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Spinning rod
BALLISTIC X SPIN
The Ballistic X series offers a large range of spin and baitcast rods and covers most demands of modern spin anglers. The extra-fast blanks of the jigger models are perfectly suited for fishing with softbaits – lures like soft plastic lures, creature baits or no/low-action shads can be presented excellently. The Ballistic X spin rods for heavier casting weights are ideally suited for twitching of hardbaits and jigging of heavy plastic lures.
This model is available in 12 specifications
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Spinning rod
PROREX AGS SPIN
The spinning rod series from the Prorex predator range for anglers with highest demands – equipped with almost all highlights from modern Japanese DAIWA rod construction technology. The Prorex AGS rods especially impress by their light weight, stiff and tight blanks and a sensitive tip action. The range of this exceptional series offers the matching rod type for almost every particular spin fishing technique. The SVF nanoplus material cares for lightweight blanks with optimal resilience. Thanks to the integration of nanoplus technology at the carbon fiber material the rods have become even more lightweight and strainable at the same time.
This model is available in 9 specifications
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Spinning rod
PROREX AGS LIGHT SPIN
The Prorex AGS rods with spliced-in solid carbon fiber tip and UL action are designed for the application at fishing for trout, perch and chub with soft- and hardbaits. The fast blanks with tight backbone and sensitive tip provide a perfect lure control also at challenging fishing conditions. Lure action, contact with the fish and the bottom are instantly transmitted to the handle section. With these exceptional rods also very small lures can be cast to far remote spots at trout ponds!
This model is available in 3 specifications
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Spinning rod
PROREX XR UL SPIN
With the ultra-light models of the Prorex XR series, DAIWA offers highly specialized rods for spin fishing with ultra-light lures, which is gaining popularity. Latest rod technology made it possible to design extra-light rods with outstanding actions – fast blanks with tip action, which enable extremely precise cast and feature a semi-parabolic action during the fight with the fish, thus providing maximum fun!
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Spinning rod
PROREX XR SPIN
The Prorex XR spinning rods offer exclusive DAIWA components and latest technology! The extremely lightweight HVF nanoplus blank features outstanding handling properties and enables permanent fatigue-free fishing. The HVF nanoplus technology forms the groundwork for the light weight as well as the stiff and fast action of the blank and allows long casting distances and precise casts.
This model is available in 13 specifications
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Baitcasting rod
PROREX XR BAITCAST
Fishing with baitcasting rods is highly popular! At specific fishing techniques the application of this rod type offers numerous advantages compared to spinning rods. Especially at fishing with large and heavy lures baitcasting rods facilitate casting considerably and provide a better contact to the lure.
This model is available in 7 specifications
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Baitcasting rod
PROREX XR LIGHT BAITCAST
This rod completes the range of the Prorex XR Ultra-light spin and jiggerspin series with a rod, which is perfectly suited for modern baitcasting reels. Equipped with original DAIWA baitcasting reel seat, this rod enables the application of nearly all kind of common light and ultra-light lures like mini-plugs, spoons, spinners and softbaits from 5g on. The blank is equipped with premium technology, loads perfectly during the cast and shows an extremely fast resilience - very precise and long casts are the consequence!
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Spinning rod
PROREX S SPIN
The Prorex S series offers a wide range of spinning rods for diverse fields of application, especially within the sector of fishing with soft plastic lures. The slim and stiff HVF carbon fiber blanks display an impressive casting performance and are pleasant to handle. The HVF material, exclusively used by DAIWA, is characterized by a very low resin content, allowing the design of lighter and faster rods. The cork/EVA handle forms a perfect unit with the ergonomically shaped reel seat and considerably contributes to the convenient handling of these rods.
This model is available in 13 specifications
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Spinning rod
PROREX S EXTRA FAST SPIN
The extra-fast models of the Prorex S series feature casting weights of 60g or 90g and are designed for the use with large or very deep-running hardbaits. They also can be applied perfectly for aggressive jigging of heavy soft plastic shads. The power backbone combined with the distinct tip action in the upper blank section allows to present even heavy lures over large distances and is of great advantage when fighting heavy predators. These rods are also perfectly suited for applying medium and large chatterbaits at fishing for pike!
This model is available in 4 specifications
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Spinning rod
BALLISTIC LTD EXTRA FAST SPIN
The Ballistic Ltd with a casting weight of 20-60g features a blank with extra-fast taper. The characteristics of this rod are a distinct tip action in the upper quarter, followed by an extremely stiff backbone. The action of this blank comes best into play at uncompromising twitching of hardbaits, presenting deep running crankbaits and at aggressive jigging with heavy shads!
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Baitcasting rod
BALLISTIC X BAITCAST
With the Ballistic X baitcast rods, DAIWA offers two very universally applicable fishing rods. The light and extra fast blanks are suitable for twitching of hardbaits like small to medium poppers and plugs, as well as for vertical jigging.
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Spinning rod
BALLISTIC LTD BIG BAIT
This model with a casting weight of up to 110g will thrill the Big Bait scene! The lightweight and slim blank perfectly loads during the cast and provides particular characteristics in its tip and backbone to perfectly set the hook but also buffer quick escapes of large pikes.
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Sea trout rod
BALLISTIC X SEA TROUT
These blanks have especially been built for fishing for sea trouts and thus perfectly load even when used with castings weights of 10g and reach great casting distances with spoons and plugs. During the fight the fast blanks opens up to a semi-parabolic bending curve and thus absorbs flights and headbutts of powerful salmonids. The V-joint spigot joint ensures a very even bending curve under strain.
This model is available in 3 specifications
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Jig spinning rod
BALLISTIC LTD JIGGERSPIN
The Jiggerspin models of the Ballistic Ltd series are particularly designed for light to medium-heavy fishing with soft lures. The distinct and fast tip action of these specialty rods allow the exact scanning of bottom structures using softlures on a jighook or other techniques like the Carolina rig or drop shot rigs. Hunting perches, zanders or pikes can perfectly swallow the lure and the fisherman can react to the "Tock" quickly.
This model is available in 3 specifications
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Spinning rod
CALDIA SPIN
The Caldia spinning rods perfectly match with the successful Caldia LT reels. The high-modulus HMC+ carbon fiber blanks feature a very pleasant handling and are distinguished by their exceptionally fast action – perfect hardbait and softbait rods for fishing for pike, zander, perch and trout!
This model is available in 7 specifications
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Jig spinning rod
CALDIA SENSOR JIG SPIN
The Caldia Sensor Jig models with 3k woven carbon fiber handle section feature an extra-fast taper action. The carbon fiber handle section offers great advantages especially when fishing at warmer temperatures and with thin clothing: Lure action, contact to the bottom or soft taps of the fishes are transmitted straightly to the lower arm by the Sensor Jig! Thanks to the carbon fiber handle section every information is forwarded directly to the arm. Additionally, these rods allow utmost accurate scanning of the bottom structure.
This model is available in 5 specifications
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Spinning rod
CALDIA EXTRA FAST SPIN
With the Caldia Extra Fast models DAIWA offers two rods especially for the use of large and heavy softlures as well as for applying deep-running and heavy cranksbaits that are presented best in an aggressive manner. The action is characterized by a strong backbone with an appropriately soft tip in the upper quarter of the rod. As a result, the presentation of heavy lures and the fight with large specimen under ambitious conditions are no problem! Also a perfect choice for fishing with the popular chatterbaits! Ideal rods for fishing from the boat!
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Spinning rod
CALDIA LIGHT SPIN
The two Caldia spinning rods with casting weights of 1-6g and 3-12g are especially designed for the requirements of fishing at rivers, streams and trout ponds. The lightweight rods with tubular tip perfectly load also when using small lures and catapult small soft plastic lures, plugs and spoons to large distances. Due to the stiff backbone, full lure control and bite detection are ensured also at strong currents – perfect for effective and accurate fishing for perch, trout and chub!
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Jig spinning rod
CALDIA JIGGERSPIN
Rods with distinct tip action for fishing with soft plastic lures. The actions of the Caldia Jiggerspin allow you to scan the bottom very precisely and offer the necessary elasticity to enable perch, zander and pike to swallow the lure without feeling too much resistance. As a consequence, the hooking of fishes works reliably, no matter whether you are classically jigging or using Texas, Carolina or Drop Shot rigs.
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Spinning rod
PROCYON SPIN
The perfect choice for ambitious specialists! With the Procyon spinning rods DAIWA offers an extensive range of premium spinning rods for many different target fish and fields of application.
This model is available in 12 specifications
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Spinning rod
PROCYON UL SPIN
The UL rods from the Procyon series are equipped with spliced-in solid carbon fiber tip and power backbone. Consequently, these rods exhibit the perfect characteristics to target remote spots also with small lures of only 3–12g and to set the hook over long distances. The soft tip is ideally suited for sensitive bite detection with the Cheburashka rig. Any contact with the lure, bottom or fish is instantly transmitted to the handle section, enabling the scanning of bottom structures and the immediate reaction to even softest taps.
This model is available in 2 specifications
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Travel spinning rod
PROCYON TRAVEL SPIN
The Procyon rod series also comprises four shortly divided rods, which can conveniently be stored at travelling. The compact pack size of 67cm or 75cm allows easy transportation in the suitcase or rucksack. Perfectly designed V-Joint connections care for an even bending curve and provide additional toughness. The balance and action are hard to distinguish from a premium two-sectioned spinning rod.
This model is available in 4 specifications
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Spinning rod
EXCELER SPIN
With the Exceler series DAIWA offers a comprehensive range of classic spinning rods. Premium HMC+ carbon fiber material enabled the design of very slim blanks with harmonic actions. Quality components, like the lightweight titanium oxide guides with slim inlays and the AAA-grade natural cork handle significantly contribute to the pleasant balance of these rods.
This model is available in 11 specifications
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