May 2024
Fishing Rods: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of fishing rods rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2024.
Summary
On 7 May 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 99 fishing rod endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
85 fishing rods were endorsed in total, only 10 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 7 May 2024, St.Croix Triumph takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed fishing rod with 4 expert endorsements. 2 experts out of 4 recommended it as the '#1 fishing rod' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
KastKing: 5 fishing rods
(#1 is KastKing Zephyr Light)
-
Shimano: 4 fishing rods
(#1 is Shimano Saguaro)
-
St Croix: 3 fishing rods
(#1 is St.Croix Triumph)
-
Ugly Stik: 3 fishing rods
(#1 is Ugly Stik GX2)
-
Plusinno: 3 fishing rods
(#1 is Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic)
Price breakdown
At a glance - May Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Fishing Rod |
wired2fish.com
|
boatsafe.com
|
Forbes
|
fishinggearcenter.com
|
BestReviews
|
Field & Stream
|
TheManual
|
OutdoorGearLab
|
Reviewed
|
Wirecutter
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | Check price |
St.Croix Triumph
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
1
|
-
|
7
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
|
2
|
- | $40 |
Ugly Stik GX2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
|
3
|
- | $59 |
Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
|
4
|
- | Check price |
Orvis Superfine
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
+1 | $50 |
Ugly Stik Elite
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
4
|
|
6
|
-1 | Check price |
Plusinno Elite Hunter
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
7
|
New * | Check price |
Shimano Saguaro
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
|
12
|
-1 | $256 |
Bubba Tidal Pro
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
13
|
-1 | $99 |
Wild Water Standard Fly
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
|
14
|
-1 | $38 |
Entsport E Series Camo Legend
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked St.Croix Triumph #1 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked St.Croix Triumph as #1.
fishinggearcenter.com
Best for Budget
|
You don’t have to put a lot of strength while using it.
Beginners find it quite easy to get started with the hobby of fishing.
|
The piece isn’t good for the spin-casting followers. For them, buying a more high-end model will serve.
|
BestReviews
Best of the Best
|
High-quality spinning rod with SCII carbon construction for impressive sensitivity and power.
Cork handle for comfortable grip. Boasts black aluminum oxide guides and double-coated slow cure finish.
|
A little pricey. Warranty will still cost money.
|
OutdoorGearLab
Best Overall Fishing Rod / Editors' Choice
|
Excellent feel
Great casting
Portable
|
Slightly difficult to take apart
Line guides easily bent
|
We ranked Ugly Stik GX2 #2 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Ugly Stik GX2 as #1.
fishinggearcenter.com
Best to Buy in 2022
|
You’ll get the availability of a good Price to value ratio.
The lightweight and durable design make it stand out.
You’ll get lots of weights available.
|
Foam vs. cork handle is a major drawback.
When the package arrives, the 2 piece comes apart.
|
BestReviews
Balanced & Sensitive
|
Several lengths available between 5.5 and 7 ft. graphite and fiberglass construction lasts a long time. Two-piece construction for traveling convenience. Good price point. Well-constructed.
|
Eyes on the rod may come loose or spin out of position. Heavy.
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend fishing rods.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of fishing rods, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for May 2024 ranking
wired2fish.com
boatsafe.com
Forbes
fishinggearcenter.com
BestReviews
Field & Stream
TheManual
OutdoorGearLab
Reviewed
Wirecutter
We ranked Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic #3 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic as #1.
OutdoorGearLab
Best Telescoping Rod / Editors' Choice
|
Easily portable
Excellent sensitivity
Durable construction
Affordable
|
No built-in hook holder
Segments may stick if extended too far
|
Reviewed
|
Reversible handle
Collapsible, telescoping rod
|
Some users report telescoping breaks
Some users report guides snap off easily
|
We ranked Orvis Superfine #4 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Orvis Superfine as #1.
We ranked Ugly Stik Elite #5 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
OutdoorGearLab
Great for Small Fish
|
Strong
Versatile
|
Short handle, short casting distance
|
We ranked Plusinno Elite Hunter #6 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
boatsafe.com
|
Two pieces
Stainless steel guides with ceramic inserts
Comfortable grip
Lightweight
Durable
|
Not as much sensitivity in the rod as other options
|
OutdoorGearLab
Best Bang for Your Buck
|
Great balance
Ergonomic handle
Casting
|
Not as portable
|
We ranked Shimano Saguaro #7 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
We ranked Bubba Tidal Pro #8 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
Field & Stream
Best for Saltwater
|
Nonslip Grip
1-Piece Rod
Corrosion Resistant Guides
|
Grip scratches easily
|
We ranked Wild Water Standard Fly #9 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
BestReviews
Simple yet Solid
|
A good choice for beginners, this set includes a rod, reel, and 9 flies. The 9-foot rod has a comfortable cork handle and a locking reel seat. The aluminum reel arrives loaded with a floating fly line that has a monofilament leader. The set includes the necessary tools.
|
Poor quality control results in incomplete sets being delivered.
|
Reviewed
|
Quality materials
Rod breaks down for transport
Line and flies included
|
Users have reported product defects
|
We ranked Entsport E Series Camo Legend #10 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best fishing rods” rankings.
boatsafe.com
|
Affordable
2 different tips; medium and medium-heavy
Strong
Lightweight
Comfortable
|
Rod tip can break if you have the wrong size combined with the wrong type of fishing line
|
fishinggearcenter.com
Best Warranty
|
You will always get a sturdy solid connection between the casting rod and reel.
The quality of EVA handles will reduce the overall weight and provide pressure strength.
There are guides that will give friction-free flow and cutting performance.
It is an ergonomic design model that allows direct contact with the fingers.
|
Catching big fish is a problematic one.
|