Baitcasting Rod

T o be a successful angler, you need the right equipment, regardless of you being a professional or a beginner. You will need a well-constructed rod, capable of offering you the perfect combination of power, strength, length, and action, complementing your fishing style. The right fishing rod is what will help you accurately cast heavy lures and enabling you to feel like a professional angler if you’re not already one. So, to help you find the best baitcasting rod for your fishing style, we offer you our best recommendations.

Top 11 Baitcasting Rods Comparison

Photo	Product Name	Sizes available	Rod Materials	Grip Materials	Power Levels	Action	Price
Best Overall	1. UglyStik GX2	5.6 ft, 6 ft, 6.6 ft, 7 ft, 7.6 ft	Graphite and fiber glass	EVA	Medium-light, medium, medium-heavy, heavy	Fast	Check Price
Our Choice	2. KastKing Perigee II	4.6 ft, 5 ft, 5.6 ft, 6 ft, 6.6 ft, 6.7 ft, 7 ft, 7.1 ft, 7.6 ft	Toray 24-ton carbon matrix	High-density EVA	Medium, medium-heavy	Fast	Check Price
	3. Abu Garcia VENGC70-6	6.6 ft, 6.9 ft, 7 ft, 7.6 ft	24-ton high modulus graphite	High-density EVA	Medium, medium-heavy, heavy	Fast	Check Price
	4. KastKing Royale Legend	6.6 ft, 7 ft, 7.3 ft, 7.6 ft	Toray 24-ton carbon	EVA	Medium, medium-heavy, heavy, and extra-heavy	Fast	Check Price
	5. Entsport Legend 2-Piece	7 ft	24 Ton Carbon Fiber	EVA	Medium, medium-heavy	Moderate	Check Price
	6. Lew’s TP173MH-CB	5.9 ft, 6.8 ft, 6.11 ft, 7.3 ft	Premium IM8 graphite	Split-grip Dri-Tack technology	Medium-light, medium, medium-heavy	Fast	Check Price
	7. Abu Garcia Black Max 1365454	6.6 ft, 7 ft	24-ton graphite	EVA	Medium, medium-heavy	Fast	Check Price
	8. SHIMANO FXC 2 Piece	6 ft, 6.6 ft, 7 ft	Aeroglass	EVA	Medium, medium-heavy	Fast	Check Price
	9. Fiblink 4 Pieces	6.6 ft, 7 ft, 7.6 ft	Carbon	Soft cork	Medium, medium-heavy, heavy	Fast	Check Price
	10.JOHNCOO 7′	7 ft	Carbon	EVA	Medium-light, medium, medium-heavy	Fast	Check Price
	11. Lew’s AH1SH610MH	6.10 ft	Multilayered and multidirectional graphite	EVA	Medium-heavy	Fast

1. UglyStik GX2

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Strong and reliable, but lightweight and sensitive, it is constructed from a combination of fiberglass and graphite. The Ugly Tech blanks create a well-balanced, strong and resistant pole while the Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides have a one-piece design, with no pop-out inserts, thus adding durability as well as minimizing line issues. Its handles are made from EVA, so you can use it for a long period of time without feeling tired or any other type of discomfort.

It has an Ugly Stick Clear Tip for added strength and sensitivity. You can use it with any type of fishing line as it will provide you with flexibility and a quick response for lighter, smaller fish, and with a strong and durable backbone for medium to heavy fish. It measures 7 feet and 6 inches in length, but it also has other versions: 6 feet, 5 feet and 6 inches, 6 feet and 6 inches, and 7 feet. Depending on its length, its weight ranges from medium-light to heavy and it comes with a 7-year warranty.

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2. KastKing Perigee II

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It measures 7 feet in length, and is constructed with Toray 24-ton carbon matrix, and has an exquisite finish, making it look professional. It has KastFlex technology blanks, thus providing you with increased power, strength, durability and accuracy when fishing.

It features 9+ Fuji O-Ring line guides – for both tips, tuned, ergonomic graphite high-strength reel seats, and high-density EVA grips for a more comfortable grip during your fishing sessions. Additionally, it has a Saf-T-Keeper hook holder, to provide you with more support, and comes with two tips to provide you with more versatility. Thus, both tips can be used in freshwater and saltwater, and they come with medium and medium-heavy power, making it the perfect rod for catching bass, trout and other types of fish.

While both tips have fast action, the medium one can hold a line weighing between 10 and 17 pounds, and a lure weighing from ¼ to 5/8 ounces, and the medium-heavy one can sustain a line of 10-20 pounds and a lure of 3/8-3/4 ounces. Moreover, if you require different models for different types of fishing styles, it has spinning types, ranging from 4.6 feet to 7.6 feet in length, casting types, ranging from 6 feet to 7.6 feet in length and twin-tip rods, for both casting and spinning. Depending on the chosen type, it is able to hold a line weight ranging from 4 to 20 pounds, and it can support lures weighing from 1/8 up to 5/8 ounces.

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3. Abu Garcia VENGC70-6

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It is made from durable and sturdy 24-ton high modulus graphite, providing you with versatility for on-the-water applications. It measures 7 feet in length and is for medium heavy fishing, but it does have other models and sizes as well. Thus, it has 6’6” medium and medium heavy, 6’9” medium heavy, 7’ medium and 7’6” heavy, so you can easily choose the ones you need according to your fishing style.

The guides are made from stainless steel, thus they are durable and rust-resistant, while the titanium inserts can easily withstand heavy line pressure. Additionally, it comes with high-density EVA handle which offer you comfort and durability, while thanks to the Texas-rigged hook, not only will you have a firmer grip, but you can use a wide range of bait applications, as well. It comes with a lifetime warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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4. KastKing Royale Legend

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It is made from Toray 24-ton carbon, with matrix kastflex technology blanks, which provides you with sensitivity and power. It measures 7 feet and 3 inches in length, and it has a medium power, with fast action. It is available in other lengths as well, ranging from 6.6 feet, up to 7.6 feet, the power level varying from medium to medium-heavy, heavy, and extra-heavy. Thanks to the EVA handles you won’t feel tired even if you spend the entire day fishing.

Additionally, it is equipped with Fuji O-ring guides which allow you to not only use different types of lines but also help get rid of any hassle that might appear from setting up the line. It has a reel seat which is made from high-strength nylon, providing you with a solid and sturdy base for spinning reels as well as casting ones. It allows a line with of 8-80 pounds, and a lure weight of 0.26 pounds, and it can resist fish up to 3 pounds. It comes with a lifetime warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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5. Entsport Legend 2-Piece

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It measures 7 feet in length and comes not only with a unique and professional design, but it also offers you two different tips, a medium and a medium-heavy, the weight ranges going from 0.1 to 1.1 ounces. The rod is made from 24-ton structurally enhanced solid carbon fiber, thus it is sturdy and durable but lightweight, flexible and sensitive. It has an Extreme Exposure reel seat, whit corrosion resistant aluminum hoods and a soft touch finish.

The handles are made from high density EVA thus it offers you a durable and comfortable grip, regardless how long you use it. The 6+1 corrosion resistant “K-R” and “FINESSE” guides are perfectly spaced for a virtually friction-free line flow and maximum casting performance and sensitivity. It also has unique camo pattern all over it, with a stainless steel hook keeper, while its 2-piece design allows for easier storage and transport.

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6. Lew’s TP173MH-CB

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It is made from premium IM8 graphite, with one-piece blanks, therefore providing you with a lightweight, less than 4 ounces, sensitive and strong fishing rod. It features a TP-1 Cast C handle, which comes with a patented split-grip Dri-Tack technology, allowing you to easily control the rod. Additionally, it has skeletal graphite reel seats, and it features a professional style hook keeper, to provide you with an enhanced experience.

The 9 guides are made with the American Tackle Microwave system, which not only eliminates wind knots, but it also improves the casting distance as well as the accuracy. It measures 7 feet and 3 inches, and it is medium-heavy, with a moderate taper. It supports a line weight of 10 up to 25 pounds, and it can be used with lures that weight ½ up to 1 3/8 pounds. It is available in other sizes, 5’9”, 6’8”, 6’10”, 6’11”, and, depending on their length, the weight ranges from medium-light to medium-heavy. It comes with a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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7. Abu Garcia Black Max 1365454

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The rod measures 7 feet in length, and it is made from 24-ton graphite, which provides you with a lightweight supple feel, and high responsiveness. It has a medium-heavy power level, and it is available in 6’6”, as well. It comes with a compact EVA handle which will allow you a comfortable grip throughout the entire day.

It has a fast action, with a mono capacity of 145YD/12LB and a braid capacity of 140YD/30LB. Moreover, it comes with an easy-to-usee reel, which provides you with a bent handle for ergonomic use, and it has a one-piece graphite frame. The reel’s MagTrax braking system uses the magnetic force to create consistent pressure to allow you extensive range and increased accuracy. Thus, you’ll be able to easily catch even the most stubborn fish, and it can support a max weight of 15 pounds,therefore, making it ideal if you wish to catch small to medium-sized fish.

Additionally, to amplify its sensitivity, thus allowing you to feel even the slightest nibble, it has an extreme exposure reel seat, and 7 stainless steel guides with titanium oxide inserts. It is recommended to be used in freshwater, and it can easily withstand trout and bass fishing. It should be used with a line that has 10 up to 20 pounds, and 3/8 or ¾ lures.

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8. SHIMANO FXC 2 Piece

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It is 6 feet and 6 inches in length and it has medium-heavy pressure when flexing it. It has a sturdy and durable aero glass construction, with reinforced aluminum oxide guides, a solid locking graphite reel seat and EVA handle grips. Its design can be separated into 2 pieces, thus offering you a quick and faster transport. There are other sizes and weights available, as well: 6 feet and 7 feet with medium to medium-heavy builds.

Its rear grip length varies from 7.5 inches to 9 inches according to what type of rod you have, while the line weight can go from 6 to 20 pounds. It has excellent sensitivity and flexibility, with a fast action tip which throws lures far away. Thanks to its medium power, it can be used for a variety of medium to heavy fish, from lakes, streams, rivers, and even light saltwater.

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9. Fiblink 4 Pieces

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It measures 7 feet in length, and its 4-piece design allows you easier transportation and storage. Each piece is 1.9 feet long, while it is made from solid carbon fiber for enhanced sensitivity. Medium-heavy, tough and solid, it has stainless steel with ceramic inserts 8+1 guides, offering you a smooth line, while minimizing friction when you cast long.

It has an enhanced real seat, with corrosion-resistant stainless steel hoods and an ultra-premium-grade cork grip with non-slip design, providing you with a comfortable and durable grip, regardless of how long you use it. It has 2 other sizes: 6 feet and 6 inches and 7 feet and 6 inches, their weight varying from medium to heavy. Its action is fast and supports a line weight of 12-20 pounds and a lure weight of 3/8-1 oz. The pack contains the fishing rod and a protective bag for easy storage and transportation.

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10. JOHNCOO 7′

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It measures 7 feet in length and it is made from a strong and structurally enhanced mix of solid carbon and fiber. It has high-density EVA grips for durability, comfort, and control, allowing you to use it for a long period of time without feeling tired. It has 3 different tips, of different powers – medium-light, medium, and medium-heavy – giving you the freedom of switching them up whenever you want. According to what tip you choose, they can hold lures and lines of different weights: 4-21g lure with 4-10 pounds line (medium-light), 7-21g lure with 4-12 pounds line (medium), and 8-35 g lure with 8-16 pounds line (medium-heavy). It comes with a bag and a cloth cover to store them easily.

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11. Lew’s AH1SH610MH

It is made from a multilayered and multidirectional graphite construction, which provides it with strength, and it also has premium IM6 one-piece graphite blanks for increased durability. It measures 6.10 feet in length, and it comes with a medium-heavy pressure when flexing it. It comes with graphite reel seats which are equipped with cushions, providing you increased comfort and stability.

It comes with a premium, double-shielded stainless steel Speed Spool baitcasting reel which provides you a Magnetic Cast Control, while the reel comes with a lightweight graphite construction. The spools are made from aluminum and anodized blue, therefore you don’t have to worry about rust or corrosion, while the main gear and crankshaft are completely made from high-quality brass.

It comes with EVA split grip handles which will provide you with increased comfort as well as anti-slip properties, so no fish will be able to escape you. It has a durable Rulon drag system that will provide you with up to 15 pounds of drag power, while the stainless steel guides will make sure your wire never gets tangled. It comes with a limited 1-year warranty from the moment of your acquisition.

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Casting VS Spinning Rods

You have to know what type of fishing rod you are looking for and what type is compatible with your fishing style before you decide to invest in one. While they bear similarities to the extent that some might confuse them altogether, casting rods and spinning rods are very different, not only because of their design but also in the way you use them.

Design

Firstly, an easy way to differentiate them is by taking a look at the way the guides are placed. If the guides are on top of the rod, having approximately the same diameter, from top to bottom, then you are looking at a casting design. The spinning design has the guides placed under the rod, with the first guide – the one closer to the handle – visibly larger than the rest.

By having such specific designs, each is better than the other for certain types of fish. For example, a casting rod will help you pull up medium to heavy fish, as their weight is sustained not only by the line but by the rod as well, whereas a spinning rod can support only light to medium-light fish, the line being the one that supports the fish’s weight.

Secondly, to be able to distinguish them better, you have to take a look at the handle, where the reel attaches. Since castings are used to catch heavy fish, they will have a trigger-like seat, for a better and firmer grip, the trigger which a spinning rod will lack. It also has a limited, 1-year warranty from the moment of your purchase.

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Baitcasting Rod VS Spinning Rod

Casting Rod	Spinning Rod
Offers accuracy for distance	Best for beginners
Requires time to master	Easy to operate
Used with heavier baits: jigs, crankbaits and spinner baits	Used with lighter baits: soft plastic and live baits
Can launch far	Can launch far
Has backlash if you don’t tension the line correctly	No backlash
Better to be used only when fishing locations are demanding – lily pads or dock pilings, for example	Can be used in all areas

While both versions can be used by professionals and beginners alike, it is advised for beginners to start with a spinning one because it is less prone to tangling the line and easier to master.

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Verdict

When going fishing, you need gear that can enhance your fishing experience, providing you with a hassle-free, relaxing activity. No matter if you’re a professional or a beginner in the field, we’ve got you covered as the above-mentioned products cover a wide range of skill levels. By now we’re sure you’ve already selected the fishing rod that best suits your needs, but if you’re still not sure which one to pick, let’s review the top picks quickly:

Best Overall : UglyStik GX2
UglyStik GX2 will help you achieve a well-balanced and rewarding fishing experience. It has several lengths available, to complement your preferences and needs, and it provides you with a fast action for different types of fish. It is made from a combination of fiberglass and graphite, therefore it is sturdy and durable, and it comes with EVA-made handles for comfortable use during long hours.

Our Choice : KastKing Perigee II
With several sizes and lengths to pick from, KastKing Perigee II features a powerful Toray 24-ton carbon matrix which will provide you with medium and medium-heavy power levels. Additionally, it comes with fast action, while the line it can be used with can accommodate from 10 up to 17 pounds. Even more, it comes with 2 tips to provide you with versatility and flexibility.

Best Baitcasting Rod for Bass : KastKing Royale Legend
Perfect for catching bass, KastKing Royale Legend measures 7.3 feet making it ideal for using buzz baits and spinnerbaits. It provides a generous casting distance and leverage, as well as the ability to easily pick the line. Best used with shallow waters, it comes with a reel seat made from high-strength nylon and it can resist fish up to 3 pounds.

Best For Crankbait : Lew’s TP173MH-CB
If you plan on using crankbaits, then you need a long rod that comes with medium power and fast action, and Lew’s TP173MH-CB is a choice you should consider. Made from premium IM8 graphite, it features a split-grip dri-track technology which ensures you’ll have a comfortable yet strong grip on it. Even more, it comes with 9 guides that feature the American Tackle Microwave system which will help prevent the wire from tangling as well as improving your casting accuracy and range.