(Part 2) Best fishing rods according to redditors
We found 261 Reddit comments discussing the best fishing rods. We ranked the 167 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
Hello! I'm pretty much in your same shoes. Sorry if you've already got your gear in order, just tossing out my research in the hopes of helping you or others who may find themselves here. : ) The tone may drift into the general from time to time.
I've been surf fishing for only a month now, but have been successful enough in my trips to keep the dream alive as I continue to gain experience. My current gear is a simple 6' catfish rod running 15lbs braided line tying into a Carolina rigged fluoro leader running a size 6 hook. With this setup I'm able to get bites and pull small surf perch and similar sized species.
Having satisfied the exploratory phase of surf fishing, I can say that I love it. I've decided that I require (at minimum) 2 rod/reel combos to be happy on the beach. One for my long casts and another to fish the troughs just 10-15' off the beach.
While I'm completely unaware of your budget or where St Andrews Park (NW Florida?) is located, I'll share my findings with you... Hopefully they'll give you some insight into what you're looking for.
My location: Bay Area, California
Long Shots...
Rod:
http://www.amazon.com/Shakespeare-Two-Piece-Bigwater-Spinning-11-Feet/dp/B00144CGAS?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_2&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I may consider the 12' option here as well...
Reel:
http://www.amazon.com/Okuma-Speed-Spinning-Orange-Trio-55S/dp/B004F1GTJ6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Main Line:
High (~20-30lbs) test braided, choose your poison. I really am enjoying braided line. The tactile response is unreal and I find it cuts through the seaweed quite nicely. I lost a few riggings until I learned some specific braid knots... do yourself a favor and learn a few rated for high strength with braided line. And as always, wet your knots before cinching!
Rigging:
A High/Low rigging containing 2 droppers connecting 1/0 baitkeeper hooks terminating into a 4-6 oz pyramid sinker. Something clear, ~20-30lbs test. Do not forget to include some shock absorbers or you'll be losing lures all day.
An alternative to this is plugging.
Targets:
For me fishing out of the Bay Area, CA; halibut, stripers, leopards, 7gills, etc.
Bait:
Tossing out live anchovies (hooked through both lips), clams, squid, chicken livers, etc.
Versatility:
I would use this setup for both beach and pier fishing. This would be great for pulling in the sharks and rays caught from the various oceanic and bay piers.
Short Casting...
I've not quite settled in on what I want here... my 6' catfish rod has great action to handle the 3/4 oz - 2 oz of weight I put on my Carolina rig, but I find fighting larger swells with a 6' rod to be annoying.
Also, I'm trying to find a good all around pole for both light surf and some bass fishing. I want more height for surf, less for prowling around a shoreline / boat. The plight of many fishermen, I'm sure. lol
Rod:
I'm likely going to end up with the 8' version of the Shakespeare Bigwater listed above. It supports 3/4 - 4 oz of casting weight which is the sweet spot for short casting the surf.
Reel:
Same story here... Likely to end up with a the 30s version of the Okuma reel listed above.
Main Line:
10-15lbs braided line.
Rigging:
Carolina running 3/4 - 2 oz of weight (pending surf conditions) on ~24" fluoro leader (10lbs test) terminating into a size 6 baitkeeper hook.
Small kastmasters or spinners can also work here.
Targets:
Surfperch mostly. There are a few species that you can hook up on, but they all eat the same bits so... : )
Bait:
I've tried a few options ranging from the ever present sand crabs to rubber worms. I find that in my area, the most hits are coming from Berkeley brand saltwater sand worms. There are similar sand worms that the fish are naturally feeding on. That combined with the smell enhancements to the worms makes for very tempting treats.
Versatility:
This smaller rig can be setup with a floating high/low rig for fishing the top 5-6' of water around the pilings when pier fishing.
I bought a telescoping freshwater rod for fairly cheap and i can attach it to the outside of my pack with the reel still on for fishing wherever i stop for a rest.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07DGWN83G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uVSuDbFSGMCWG
With that budget I wouldn’t mess around with Black Max’s and Ugly Stiks
The Daiwa Fuego CT with a 7’ medium heavy Dobyns Colt comes in right at around $150 and will be really hard to beat for the money. It’s also a very easy reel to learn with due to the magnetic braking setup.
Thanks a bunch!
I read about the reel and it's meh. Given my budget I may go as follows:
OR:
does he have any brand allegiances? Do you think he might want to go to a baitcaster? Lots of Red fishers in Louisiana and some in SC (where I am) are taking up baitcasters for accurate and distance casting, but it isn't everyone's cup of tea.
The likely breakdown will be $175ish for a reel and $100ish for a rod at that price point. My buddy and I like St. Croix and Falcon rods - medium to medium heavy power with fast action and a 7'-0" or 6'-6" length.
St Croix Triumph - have to wash down the rod each time (saltwater is corrosive) - 6'6" rod - spinner rod
Falcon Coastal Clearwater - a little more expensive but I love it. This is a baitcaster rod though, they do make others...
Falcon Coastal Rod - Spinner rod. I would likely go with a 6'-6" or 7' medium with these guys
anywho - If he goes baitcaster, Shimano Tranx200 or the Curado K are both good choices from Shimano while Lews has 2 inshore models that are pretty good. One at $130 and one at $190 (I am getting a lews next, so one of those!)
I do not have familiarity with spinner rods to recommend. Most i have used are older and have been junky...
I pretty much use a version of this rod for almost everything
https://www.amazon.com/St-Croix-Premier-Spinning-PS70MHF/dp/B000BNMXKQ
(note: dont buy it on amazon).
Its about the best all around rod that can also serve as a cranking rod.
Besides that rod, i carry a slightly lighter meduim shakespere inshore select rod and a berkley lightning m or mh.
All with 4000 reels and a variety of line (mostly braid or 12-15 lb mono, with a flouro baitcaster thrown in maybe).
Mostly a 7'0 M or MH rod will do everything. The st croix i like because its got the best action to power ive seen and is the most versatile (and most expensive).
My boyfriend's cat is in the process too. Other than diet food, we put together a little fishing pole to "cat-fish" with her.
A small retractable fishing pole with elastic string. Tie a catnip mouse & a bell at the end and voila! Cat-fishing.
If I had $250 to spend I'd buy this rod and this reel(I have a thing for baitcasters, some people don't).. I currently have an older abu reel and I've had no problems with it last year or this year. As for the rod, I go with really experienced guys and they all have St. Croix reels, and swear by them.
ah, thanks for the picture this actually explains a lot about why my casts don't go that far. Basically, the situation I'm in right now is that I just started fishing "for real", in a sense. I've been fishing since I was young and was using whatever setup my dad gave me but I recently started researching more about fishing and how to make the best out of it. Finding out the difference in line types, casting methods, what reels, etc. My dad has been using these gigantic reels with rods that are both 10-15 years old so I figured it was time I got my own, but on a budget I could manage.
The current setting I'm looking at is this:
Reel: Okuma Avenger ABF40 or ABF50
Rod: Daiwa Beefstick 10ft 14-40lb
Line: Power Pro, Not sure which yet.
If I go with the ABF50 Reel, and 30lb 300Y braid, the total comes to around $100 USD, whereas the ABF40 with 30lb 150Y braid, comes out to just under $80 USD, and if I come up short on the braid, I can use some of the one I have right now. Would it also be possible to put some of my 30lb braid I'm using right now on the spool first, then attach like a 10 or 15lb braid onto that so my cast gets far?
This rod has been a regular in my suitcase for over 6 years now, traveling to a few countries and over 40 states. Of all my nice casting rods, crappie rods, etc, it’s my favorite just because of the versatility. I pack a lightweight spinning reel with 6 lb test and a 5 wt fly reel. It’s been great!
I don't see a lot of people recommending this, but I love my 11' rod: Maxcatch Tenkara Rod
Thanks for the links. What's your opinion on this one as a cheaper beginner rod? I mainly like fishing for pumpkinseeds and bluegills in the tiny river near home, but there's some ok trout streams (so I'm told) within my typical camping region in Western NC.
KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rods, Casting 6ft 8in-Fast-M Power https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N3V8X5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_lmXFDbAZG6B7F
Im unsure on where to find it online either but there's this link for amazon
https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-Liberty-Club-Pack-20-180/dp/B07FW9T536/
Thats the medium rod i think that supports 10-25lb the one I got was 10-180. For the reel just search up legalis lt2000 xh you should find it
I've got me one of these.
https://www.amazon.com/Eagle-Claw-TML76SF4-Trailmaster/dp/B0032MUHBK
Take it out to a pond for trout every week or so. Its small enough I just strap it to my backpack no problem.
As for tackle, there are plenty of cheap plano boxes in a variety of sizes.
Hey Josh, I'd guess you're in the UK.
While you can get pretty much any fish with some line and a hook, there are different practices and equipment according to where you are.
The kit you linked is for carp. It's a fascinating practice, but for me is somewhat passive: you lay your rig and wait for a bite, you don't do much because carp is easily spooked.
You can start with a VERY basic kit and have lots of fun in lakes and rivers. I'd buy a 6' to 7' telescopic rod with a 2000-3000 series reel, some 6 lb to 10 lb line and an assortment of hooks, weights and lures. This shouldn't cost more than GBP 50.
Take a look at this video for reference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXuEMPMMvpI. Here are a couple other channels from the UK you can get tons of info from. And the odd one with great info but I find Graeme difficult to tolerate.
Here is just an example of a "good enough" kit that only needs more variety in lures/bobbers/etc for $10. You can get lower prices too. But by all means support your local fishing shop, they know their stuff and many act as clubs organizing expeditions if you'd like to find like-minded people.
Would y'all ever buy a package like this? I kinda wonder if the fly line is just worthless
https://smile.amazon.com/Maxcatch-Ultra-lite-Streams-Panfish-Fishing/dp/B075R34QZS/ref=pd_day0_200_7?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B079QSTCM4&pd_rd_r=AW8597DA4ZXBJ1CM297X&pd_rd_w=GtXBJ&pd_rd_wg=PM8VH&refRID=AW8597DA4ZXBJ1CM297X&th=1&psc=1
Also comes with a pretty decent protective case. Here's a link to it:
Fenwick HMG Travel Casting (4 Piece) Medium to Medium-Heavy Handle F 7' Fishing Rod https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075DNHN8V/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ME6hDb49Y59GA
Worth a look: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MZTMP2S/