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I love to test new fishing gadgets and share my opinion.
If you’re planning a fishing trip in the near future, you already know that packing a fishing rod can be a challenge. It would help if you had a solid portable rod that won’t take up too much space and endure the journey to your destination. There are many options on the market, and if you want to treat yourself to a brand-new one, you should be aware of the price tag and whether it’s the right rod for you.
Before you go out on a fishing shopping spree, look at this carefully constructed article we created to help you understand which spinning rod for trout will work best for you. The Internet is filled with tons of irrelevant information, and we don’t expect you to go through it all on your own. Therefore we made a list of the best trout fishing rods!
My Personal Picks
Editor's choice
Shimano Trevala Casting Rod
- Sensitive but sturdy
- Good backbone
- Lightweight
- Well-balanced
Best Rated
Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod
- Great flexibility and durability
- Clear tip design
- Easy to pack, great for traveling
- 7-year warranty
Best Value
Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod
- Affordable
- Works well for light lures
- Great rod action
- Hefty reel mount
Selecting the Ideal Trout Fishing Rod: Ultimate Guide
Length Of The Rod
Don’t underestimate the importance of trout length when you’re looking to buy a new trout rod. The size of your trout rod will affect your accuracy, casting distance, and even your hook set leverage. So, this is where your preferences and fishing style come into play.
If you value accuracy above all else, try getting a shorter trout rod. If, on the other hand, you prefer more leverage and cast distance, longer trout rods will work wonders for you.
Line Weight Of The Rod
The line weight represents the strength of your line. Sometimes, your line can cause you to miss catching tons of trout fish. Why? Because different line weights are meant for different occasions, meaning there isn’t a one-size-fits-all trout solution.
For example, light lines should be used on relatively open waters because it helps you to cast further and more accurately while being stealthier in the water. On the other hand, thick lines should be used where there’s a high chance of your line rubbing against hard structures.
Power Of The Rod
The power of your trout rod refers to its strength and flexibility. It can be rated ultra-light, light, medium light, medium, medium heavy, and heavy. If you’re targeting smaller trout fish, lighter trout rods are the right choice. On the other hand, larger trout fish need larger lures and more powerful trout rods, so it depends on your preference.
Action Of The Rod
The sensitivity of your fishing rod depends on its action. Fast action rods bend very little and are typically used in deeper water, targeting bigger fish. As for medium and slow action rods, they’re usually used in more shallow waters. As for trout fishing rods the recommended action is medium fast.
Rod Pole
Your rod has six main components: rod blank, handle, reel seat, hook keeper, tip, and guides. Furthermore, every pole is made of different materials, each with good and bad sides. Rods made of graphite are the lightest, strongest and most sensitive. Choosing your pole based on your skills and fishing style would be best.
Line Guides and Handles
Your line guides significantly impact your pole’s casting distance and sensitivity. Line guides come in a variety of materials and styles, and you can have multiple on your rod. Having more guides helps with your casting and responsiveness.
Rod handles can also be made from various materials, including cork, EVA foam, wood, etc. When it comes to comfort, you should try what works best for you, as every angler has his preferences.
Material
Fishing poles can be made of many materials like fiberglass, composite, carbon fiber, graphite, titanium, and bamboo. While every material has pros and cons, beginners should start their journey with fiberglass rods, which are very easy to maintain.
As for more experienced anglers, the best option is known to be graphite. These rods help in more challenging conditions and help lure bigger fish. Also, graphite rods are very sensitive, allowing you to notice every strike a fish makes.
Reel Seat
The purpose of your reel seat is to make sure your reel is secured to the pole. To make the rod work its best, you need to choose the right reel seat size. But, before choosing a side, you must consider factors like the inside diameter (I.D) and outside diameter (O.D) of the rod blank.
7 Best Trout Fishing Rods
- Shimano Trevala Casting Rod – Editor’s Choice for Trout Spinning Rod
- Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod – Best Rated Trout Spinning Rod
- Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod – Best Value Trout Spinning Rod
- Okuma Celilo Graphite – Best Ultralight Trout Spinning Rod
- Daiwa Megaforce Spinning Rod – Best for Fast Action Trout Spinning Rod
- Sougayilang Trout Fishing Kit – Best for Travel Trout Spinning Rod
- Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod – Best Versality Trout Spinning Rod
#1
Editor's Choice
Shimano Trevala Casting Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: Designed for jigging applications, this trout rod contains high-quality Fuji Alconite guides and reel seats. The Shimano Trevala Jigging – Casting Rod is a powerful, lightweight, and light-action rod great for saltwater fishing.
- Size: 6 ft, 6 inches
- Grip type: Split
- Material: Graphite
Pros
- Sensitive but sturdy
- Good backbone
- Lightweight
- Well-balanced
Cons
- Not suitable for big fish
- It can be prone to damage
- Hard to take it apart
BUYING ADVICE: Shimano Trevala Casting Rod is one of the best trout jigging rods currently on the market, and it’s definitely worth every penny. We used it for off-boat casting and jigging and were satisfied with its flexibility and sensitivity. Also, the weight makes it effortless to manipulate. Therefore it is one of the best trout fishing rods.
FEATURES: The rod offers top-notch performance in saltwater, as it’s very lightweight and highly sensitive. Furthermore, the comfortable handle will keep you fishing for hours without a complaint.
#2
Best Rated
Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: This modern, strong fishing rod appeals to everybody’s fishing style due to its lighter feel and improved components. Ultralight spinning rods are known to be the best option for trout fishing, and Ugly Stik provides tough yet sensitive and lightweight capabilities.
- Size: 6′ – Medium – 2pc
- Line weight: 6-15 lb
- Material: graphite rod combined with fiberglass
- Handle material: Ethylene Vinyl Acetate
- Color: Multi
Pros
- Lightweight spinning rod
- Great flexibility and durability
- Clear tip design
- Easy to pack, great for traveling
- 7-year warranty
Cons
- The reel seat is on the smaller side
- Not the best spinning rod for bigger fish
- Can show signs of bad connection between the two pieces
BUYING ADVICE: The Ugly Stik GX2 is currently the best spinning rod for trout fishing you can find on the market for a reasonable price. We like the clear tip design and the rod length, which improves the rod’s strength and sensitivity, which is a must for trout fishing, and we take it everywhere with us.
FEATURES: The rod weight makes catching trout look simple as the casting rod is easily controllable. The lighter rod, combined with the clear tip design, is a perfect combo for sneaking up on those alert trout fish and luring them in.
#3
Best Value
Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you’re looking for a lighter trout fishing pole, the Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod is an affordable option. Great for beginners, the pole is sensitive and great for throwing lightweight lures.
- Size: 4.6 ft
- Material: Blend
- Grip type: Split
- Color: Multi
- Handle material: Cork
Pros
- Affordable
- Works well for light lures
- Great rod action
- Hefty reel mount
Cons
- Weak backbone
- Could benefit from better material
- Not very durable
BUYING ADVICE: If you’re a beginner, lightweight rods are perfect for you. The pole provides a good grip and can easily cast light lures a long distance. We use it when we go fishing on creeks. All in all, it’s a flexible rod with decent quality that is great if you’re shopping on a budget.
FEATURES: With the variety of lengths and actions available with this rod, you can make fishing trout the most fun experience ever! Because of the lighter rod, you can use lighter lures to attract different fish and not limit yourself to trout.
#4
Ultralight Trout Rod
Okuma Celilo Graphite
WHY WE LIKE IT: Aluminum oxide guide inserts make it sturdy yet sensitive, so this rod can help you throw light lures very far.
- Size: 4-ft, 6-inch ultra light
- Weight: 0.19 lb
- Material: Synthetic
- Grip type: Split
- Handle material: Stainless steel
Pros
- Lightweight trout spinning rod
- Good grip
- Great sensitivity
- Great backbone
Cons
- The rod tip can break from big fish
- The Fuji seat and eye rings don't align very well
- A bit too delicate
BUYING ADVICE: Having a sensitive rod does not mean it’ll break more easily; it just means that you’ll feel every fish bite, adding more to the experience. Do not underestimate this ultralight spinning rod because it has plenty of backbone. We’ve had great results with smaller fish, but we’ve also managed to bag a few prize trout with it.
FEATURES: Going fishing with this trout rod is sure to result in a great time thanks to the rod’s lightweight, allowing you to cast spinners very far. Furthermore, the hook holder is pretty decent, which ultimately helps you catch trout with ease and precision.
#5
Fast Action Trout Rod
Daiwa Megaforce Spinning Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Daiwa Megaforce Spinning Rod provides excellent action, a high-quality cork, an EVA handle, a graphite backbone, and titanium oxide line guides. Offering many premium features, this telescopic rod is designed for expert anglers and those aiming for bigger catchies.
- Size: 7.87 ft
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Color: Brown, black
Pros
- Flexible and lightweight
- Universal rod
- Fast action
- Large handle
Cons
- The tip section can get damaged
- Not so easily portable due to its size
- A bit pricey
BUYING ADVICE: Being more expensive, it’s clear that this rod is not for beginners. And although it packs excellent features like an HMC graphite core, titanium oxide line guides, and comfortable handles, you’ll have to consider the size when travelling with it.
FEATURES: Sturdy and durable, this high-quality pole can last a lifetime if you maintain it properly. Furthermore, the oversized handles will give you more power when you’re up for long casts.
#6
Full Trout Fishing Kit
Sougayilang Trout Fishing Kit
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Sougayilang Trout Fishing Kit is an excellent solution for trout anglers that love fishing on the go. It comes with a fishing rod, reel, spare spool, 110-yds fishing line, 3 fishing lures, 12 fishing accessories, and a fishing gear carrier bag for easy packing. The mix of carbon fiber and fiberglass materials makes it strong and lightweight at the same time.
- Size: 5.91 ft, 6,89 ft, and 7,87 ft
- Weight: 5.29 oz, 6.88 oz, and 7.94 oz
- Material: Carbon fiber
- Gear ratio: 5.5:1
- Bell bearing: 13 + 1
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Smooth reel seat
- EVA knob provides a comfortable grip
- Corrosion-resistant smooth ball bearings
Cons
- Not as flexible
- Not the best option for saltwater fishing
BUYING ADVICE: If you’re looking for a light rod for the road, this fishing kit is for you. It contains a durable rod that can catch trout in no time, and the additional gear always cuts down on our costs and preparation time for a fishing trip. It’s a ready-assembled set we take when we’re in a hurry. And we always remember to take our light lures for trolling trout!
FEATURES: While other rods may be more flexible, Sougayilang Trout Fishing Kit comes with a lightweight trout rod and fishing equipment that can neatly be packed in a carrier bag for the next fishing trip.
#7
Best Conventional Reel Overall
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod
WHY WE LIKE IT: Flexible, durable, and sensitive, the Ugly Stik Elite provides quality everybody can afford. The rod also comes with a solid fiberglass clear tip that is both durable and highly sensitive.
- Size: 6 ft
- Material: Blend
- Color: Multi
- Handle material: Cork
- Grip type: Split
Pros
- Affordable
- Comfortable handle
- It doesn't require heavier gear
- It can cast lures at a good distance
Cons
- Not very precise
- Could benefit from better quality stainless steel guides
- Ferrule can be a bit loose
BUYING ADVICE: This pole is great for beginners and experts, as it is durable and affordable. Additionally, the premium cork handle provides an excellent, comfortable grip that always allows us you to enjoy a long day on the water.
FEATURES: Besides being sturdy and durable, the pole also features 35% more graphite than poles in the Ugly Stik GX2 series. This results in the rod being slightly lighter but ultimately strong.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best length of rod for spinning?
Spinning rods should be between 6 1/2 ft and 7 ft long.
What are the advantages of spinning and casting rods?
The advantages of spinning rods are versatility, efficiency and sensitivity. As for casting rods, they’re intended for more experienced anglers and perform better with heavy lures.