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Best Spinning Rods — Our Top 5 Picks in 2023

You might feel a little overwhelmed when you first try a spinning rod. The whole process of choosing the right rod is a bit intimidating.

Do you want to buy the best spinning rod for a better fishing experience but don’t know where to begin?

This article reviews the products you need in one place, so no more endless searching through different websites and forums!

Check out our top five picks on spinning rods to help you decide which one will be the best fit for your fishing needs.

In case you’re wondering, here’s the difference between a spinning rod and a casting rod.

Our Top Picks

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Best Overall
St. Croix Rods Premier Spinning Rod
Most Affordable
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod 7' - Medium - 2pc
Best for Finesse Fishing
Megabass Destroyer P5 F2-66X Whippet Spining Rod
Feature 1
Made of premium SCII carbon fiber rod with a fortified resin system
Made up of 35% more graphite for exceptional strength
Megabass original IBCS reel seat
Feature 2
Features a Kigan Master Hand 3D
Clear Rod Tip design that adds responsiveness and strength
MBCS ergonomic fit
Best Overall
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St. Croix Rods Premier Spinning Rod
Feature 1
Made of premium SCII carbon fiber rod with a fortified resin system
Feature 2
Features a Kigan Master Hand 3D
Most Affordable
Thumbnail
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod 7' - Medium - 2pc
Feature 1
Made up of 35% more graphite for exceptional strength
Feature 2
Clear Rod Tip design that adds responsiveness and strength
Best for Finesse Fishing
Thumbnail
Megabass Destroyer P5 F2-66X Whippet Spining Rod
Feature 1
Megabass original IBCS reel seat
Feature 2
MBCS ergonomic fit

Best Spinning Rods

1. Croix Rods Premier Spinning Rod

Best Spinning Rod Overall

St. Croix Rods Premier Spinning Rod
  • PREMIUM SCII CARBON CONSTRUCTION: The premium SCII carbon…
  • PREMIUM-GRADE CORK HANDLE: Comfortable handle ensures you…
  • MORE FEATURES: Kigan Master Hand 3D guides with slim, strong…

Key Features:

  • 6-feet, 2.6 oz. spinning rod with a line weight of 2-6 lbs., and the weight of the lure is 1/32-3/16 oz
  • Made of premium SCII carbon fiber rod with a fortified resin system
  • A premium cork handle for a comfortable handle that guarantees a firm grip
  • Features a Kigan Master Hand 3D for a slim, aluminum-oxide rings and a black frame finish
  • Fuji reel seat with frosted silver hoods and a Kigan hook-keeper, and a Flex-Coat slow cure finish

The Croix Rods are hailed as the best overall spinning premium rod on this list. You will have no problem using its rod length and weight.

It is made of premium carbon rods for excellent durability. You can use it in medium-heavy fishing or choose from ultra-light to medium light to extra heavy.

With its very affordable price, you can have an excellent spinning rod.


2. Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod

Most Affordable Spinning Rod

Sale
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod 7′ – Medium – 2pc
  • Line rating – 8-17 pounds
  • Ugly tech construction with added graphite for lighter…
  • Ugly tuff one piece stainless steel guides provide maximum…

Key Features:

  • Made up of 35% more graphite for exceptional strength and experience
  • Strong blank construction combined with graphite and fiberglass
  • It comes with a Clear Rod Tip design that adds responsiveness and strength
  • Cork handles to provide comfort during long fishing outings
  • Includes a 1-piece stainless steel guide that eliminates pop-outs and can be used with any line

The Ugly Stik Fishing Rod is solid and sturdy because of the combination of fiberglass and graphite. It comes with a cork grip handle for comfort.

Even though the line guide may be problematic sometimes, it is lighter yet much more sensitive. With its affordable price, it offers a lot of variations for a spinning rod. It’s one of the best trout rods today.


3. Megabass Destroyer P5 F2-66X Whippet Spinning Rod

Best Spinning Rods for Finesse Fishing

Key Features:

  • Megabass original IBCS reel seat gives a new era of comfort, utility, and performance.
  • MBCS ergonomic fit increases grip and leverage for rod work
  • Utilizes a smaller-diameter thread made of unique fiber for tighter and more effective guide wraps
  • Balanced for a tip-up posture for heavy-cover applications

The Megabass Destroyer Spinning Rod is designed to push innovation toward fishing. With its outstanding performance, this is hailed as one of the best rods for fishing with finesse.

Although this is one of the most expensive rods, it has advanced qualities and materials.


4. Shimano Terez Spinning Rod

Best Moderate Action Spinning Rod

Key Features:

  • Shimano’s Spiral-X and Hi-Power X Construction for an enhanced torsional rigidity
  • A very responsive rod that provides instant power transmission and enhances fishing capabilities
  • With Shimano Aluminum Reel Seats and wrapped with all new Fuji BKW Alconite frame guides
  • Covers a broad spectrum of offshore angling techniques

The Shimano Terez is a highly responsive rod, perfect for moderate-action fishing. It is also 250% more structurally rigid, 180% less prone to twisting than other standard blank construction, and can use a braided line. 

Designed to be the perfect companion for your next fishing trip. It comes complete with Shimano’s most advanced blanks, fitted with all custom components so you can maximize performance. With its kind of high price, it is worth investing in.


5. Okuma NT-S-703M-MH Nomad Travel Spinning Rod

Best Travel Spinning Rods

Key Features:

  • A three-section breakdown rod for an easy travel
  • Comes with two tips with different activities for each rod
  • Features a European spigot ferrule connections for one piece rod feel
  • Made of ALPS 316 SS guide frames with zirconium inserts, ALPS 2-tone anodized aluminum triangular reel seat, ALPS anodized aluminum gimbal

Okuma Nomad Travel Spinning rod is an excellent rod, constructed in three pieces for anglers who want a wonderful fishing experience.

Each one includes two tip sections to increase versatility. And it is also secured in a custom padded and waterproof case. Rod length is not an issue with this. It is made to be carried more easily than long rod tubes.


best spinning rod
Source: Canva Pro

Things to Consider When Buying Fishing Rods

Power

This factor describes how much power is required to bend when casting rods. The rod’s power tells a lot about how it will perform when fishing.

There are a lot of variations that you can choose, like ultra-light, medium light, medium-heavy, and many more. Ultra-light and medium-light don’t necessarily mean that it’s weak in power.

While heavy rods are designed for bigger fish, understanding what you’re going to fish is a must. Find a durable rod to match it.

Length

The length of the rod can alter the distance you can cast a lure or bait. Although, this is not correct in all instances. It should be noted that the blank of your rod (the core of the rod) also impacts the casting distance. Longer rods are also typically more difficult to store and transport. 

Guides

A guide’s quality is an aspect of saying that a rod is a good rod. The best way to test a guide’s quality is to see the line against an extensive guide. If it snaps, that’s not a good rod.

One of the best guides you can find on the market now is stainless steel guides.

Handle

Handles are also crucial in finding the rod you will use in fishing. A solid and firm grip is vital in choosing. Also, a rod that gives the angler comfort is a plus.

Materials

There are a lot of rods available on the market right now, and checking the materials used is essential. Rod materials affect your fishing performance.

Choose a rod made of fiberglass, graphite, or composite (a mixture of fiberglass and graphite).

Line and Lure Weight

All rods have designated lines and lure weights near the seat for reels. Also, this factor may vary depending on the rod’s power and action.

Action

Action and rod length are connected. This factor describes how it will bend when under load. If you want to match your technique, find the right rod length for it.

Final Thoughts

The best spinning rods are one of the essential parts of any angler’s fishing gear. Please don’t buy a popular spinning rod when you don’t know a lot about it.

A well-invested rod makes you more aware of what’s happening to your lure. Find if there’s a suitable spinning reel for it. This enables you to catch more bites and catch more fish. 

Use this guide to help you choose the excellent rod that will suit you and your style of fishing.

Diana Nadim
Fishing Expert
Diana began fishing at the age of seven, as it has been a long-time family tradition. From catching small bullheads to catching strippers on the backwaters of Bighorn, she loves to get out in the wild and have a marvelous day on the water. Her dad was an expert angler, and he taught her fishing along with her two siblings. They used to go to the Bighorn River in Montana and Henry’s fork, Idaho. As a pragmatic person, she is obsessed with creating well-researched and practical guides and reviews of the best fishing methods and gear.
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Articles » Gear Reviews » Best Spinning Rods — Our Top 5 Picks in 2023