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You do not want to be hauling in a blue marlin or a goliath grouper and have your rod shatter while pulling these giants in.
Some saltwater rods can be pricey. However, most of the more expensive rods come with a no questions asked lifetime guarantees. This will ensure you have a rod for life.
Purchasing new rods can be a difficult proposition, and trust me I have made my share of mistakes.
In this article, I am going to cover several of the best saltwater rods, as well as what makes them better than most on the market.
What Makes a Good Saltwater Fishing Rod?
Saltwater rods come in a variety of sizes. Obviously, if you are going after larger fish you will need a larger rod than you would for smaller fish.
This is the same principle that applies for example to surfcasting rods, which are longer than the average saltwater rod you would use from a pier.
Durability and Sensitivity
When you go looking for a good fishing rod you look for two of the more important things, durability, and sensitivity.
Durability means the rod will hold up well to more than just a couple of fishing trips as well as withstand saltwater condition and strain.
Sensitivity means the rod has a good feel all the way down to the handle. This allows you to feel the slightest nibble.
Buying Criteria
These are the two main factors to take into account when shopping for a new fishing rod. Cheaper rods, that are produced more regularly, will not have the same feel or reliability as the more fine-tuned custom or expensive rods will.
The more expensive rods have stainless steel eyelets, reel seats, and cork or PVA foam handles for grip. All of these choices aid in corrosion resistance and with appropriate care will last lifetimes.
An added feature to take into account is flexibility. If a rod is not flexible enough to bend under the heavy strain of most saltwater fish, it will break!
Rod Sensitivity
When fishing for smaller fish like flounder or sheepshead, sensitivity is a key factor. This is crucial in feeling the bite caused by the fish or when your line is being tapped by the rocks.
The more sensitive the rod is the more vibration is transferred to the rod from the light bites of the smaller fish. Carbon fiber is the way to go when it comes to sensitivity.
Carbon fiber rods transfer more vibrations through the shaft of the rod when the fish bites.
Compared to fiberglass or graphite, carbon fiber is more lightweight and flexible. Which adds to the vibrations from the small nibbles from the fish. Always remember the lighter rod the more sensitive it becomes.
Rod Durability
Carbon fiber is more lightweight. However, what it lacks in is durability. Fiberglass rods are king. Especially when it comes to big fish such as musky, pike, striped bass, etc.
When you need a very strong durable rod for heavy fighting fish such as Grouper, Blacktip Shark, or Sailfish, fiberglass rods are preferred. This is more so over the stiff brittle carbon fiber rods.
Most professional fisherman, myself included choosing a good carbon fiber rod to use when fishing the ocean. They work well for most applications from swim baits, topwater, vertical jigging, to simple bait fishing.
Best Saltwater Fishing Rods Reviews
Best Inshore Rod
UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod
- Durable, lightweight fishing rod offers a balanced...
- Virtually indestructible blank construction with a...
- Clear Tip design delivers added responsiveness and...
The UglyStik GX2 rod is the pinnacle of versatility, it is very sensitive as well as very, very strong. I have never seen one of these rods break unless of course they are damaged due to user error.
These rods are made out of a fiberglass blank with paralleling glass fibers in a resin to add sensitivity and durability to the rods.
These rods work very well if you are targeting fish up to 15-30 lbs. Anything bigger and you can expect some wear and tear on your rod.
Best Saltwater Spinning Rods for the Money
Shimano Terez Spinning Rod
- Model: TZS69XHBLK
- Length: 6'9"
- Power: X-Heavy / Action: Fast
This Rod is made out of a composite carbon fiber blank for the best of both worlds when it comes to durability and sensitivity.
It features Fuji Alconite guides to keep your line from snapping on bigger fish when reeling in. it has foam grips for comfort as well as a good grip when your hands are wet and slippery.
This rod is very good for trolling for much different larger fish including Wahoo, Dolphin, and tuna. It is a very dependable rod that will not break when you need it and stands the test of time.
Best Inshore Spinning Rod
Shimano Talavera
- Passionate saltwater anglers choose the Shimano...
- Built upon top-notch high-composite graphite...
- Lowering price without sacrificing performance,...
This rod is made out of a carbon blanks that offers added pulling power without the loss of sensitivity.
It has Fuji components. The grips are made of high-density EVA foam for added comfort and a sure grip no matter the conditions.
This is a good rod for any type of application whether you are on a charter in the middle of the ocean or fishing from a pier.
Best Off Shore Fishing Rod
Okiaya Composite Blueline Series Saltwater Big Game Roller Rod
- Offshore Stand Up Trolling Rods
- Premium Quality Rod
- Designed in the USA
This rod is made of composite fiberglass for added strength as well as increased sensitivity.
It features 5 rollers as well as an EVA grip for comfort as well as a slip-resistant butt handle.
This rods guides and rollers are made out of corrosion resistant stainless steel and will never rust and seize up while using it.
The reel seat is made out of anodized aluminum for weight reduction and corrosion resistance. This rod is very good for trolling as well as jigging given the correct circumstances.
Best Salt Water Rod and Reel Combo
Penn Squall 30 Level Wind Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
- Level wind trolling reel for big game fish in a...
- Durable construction with lightweight graphite...
- HT-100 carbon fiber drag system provides powerful...
This rod is made out of a glass blank.
This support system allows for good flexibility as well as retaining its memory. Even when bent almost double.
It comes with stainless steel rollers with ball bearings to aid in a smooth reel in of even the biggest fish. It has an aluminum reel seat that is very corrosion resistant as well as very durable.
This rod is rated for 50-80 lbs which are perfect for trolling and pulling in big mahi-mahi, as well as yellowfin tuna!
Best Dea Sea Fishing Rod
Fiblink Saltwater Offshore Trolling Rod
- Sensitive and Solid Construction - Carbon and...
- High-Quality Roller Guides - Smooth polished line...
- High Density EVA Handles - Non slip high density...
This rod has a very sensitive and solid construction. It is made from carbon fiber and is reinforced with fiberglass for improved action and increased sensitivity. The solid blank offers great pulling power.
It is equipped with high-quality roller guides. These polished smooth stainless steel roller guides keep the line flowing. They are also very saltwater corrosion resistant.
This rod is equipped with high-density EVA foam handles for a non-slip gripping surface. As well as a hook keeper to make sure your rod can be rigged up before and after you leave your favorite fishing area!
This aluminum alloy reel seat is very corrosion resistant without any loss of reliability.
Best Saltwater Fishing Rods Final Thoughts
The winner of this is going to have to be the Shimano Terez.
This rod is meant for big fish and if you are fishing deep into the ocean on a charter this rod is for you!
This rod is designed to last for years if taken care of correctly.
Whether you are fishing inshore, on a jetty, or out on a charter, all of these rods we have featured today will handle the job at hand.
They are all versatile as well as dependable for anything you can throw at them.
FAQ
Q: What is the best saltwater fishing gear?
A: As with any fishing gear it all starts with the rod. The best is the Shimano Terez.
Q: What is the best fishing rod brands?
A: The best fishing rod brands are as follows: Uglystik, Shimano, Lew’s, and Shakespeare.
Q: Who makes the best ocean fishing gear?
A: The best ocean fishing gear is made by Shakespeare, Fiblink. (But Opinions vary).
Q: What is the best two-piece fishing rod?
A: The Fiblink Saltwater Offshore Extra Heavy 2-Piece Conventional Boat Fishing Rod(30-50lb/50-80lb, 6-Feet) has to be our pick.
Q: Are custom saltwater fishing rods worth the money?
A: In my opinion, custom rods are nice but they are not really worth the hype or necessary for the everyday fisherman.
Some if not all are higher on the price spectrum, and can run into the thousands of dollars.
The Anglers Behind This Article:
Johnny Harvill
Angler
Jon Stenstrom
Founder
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Love how detailed your post is. But what’s the main difference between a freshwater fishing rod and a saltwater fishing rod? Is it possible to use a saltwater fishing rod when fishing on fresh waters? I’m thinking if I should by just one rod or two.. Thanks!
If you plan to fish both saltwater and freshwater, I’d go with a saltwater rod. It’ll be able to stand up to the harsher saltwater conditions. What type of fishing are you going to do?