March 2023

Fishing Rods: MetaRanking

This page highlights the aggregate summary of Fishing Rod rankings posted by key online experts, as of March 2023.

Summary

Between 14 Mar 2023 and 16 Mar 2023, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 78 Fishing Rod endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.

59 Fishing Rods were endorsed in total, only 11 made it into this month's ranking (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included).

As of 16 Mar 2023, St.Croix Triumph takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed fishing rod with 5 expert endorsements. 3 experts out of 5 recommended it as the '#1 fishing rod' this month. It is followed by Ugly Stik GX2 and Ugly Stik Elite , with 5 and 3 expert endorsements respectively.

Brand breakdown
Show all brands

Price breakdown
As can be seen in the chart below, lowest high-ranking fishing rods start at $11.63 (Zebco 33 Spincast Reel Combo) and go up to $329.99 (Bubba Tidal Pro). Median fishing rod costs $49.99 (Shimano Saguaro).
$11.63
$329.99

At a glance - March 2023 Ranking

Scroll horizontally to browse this ranking table
Rank Change Price Fishing Rod
boatsafe.com
tripsavvy.com
fishingsrod.com
BestReviews
Field & Stream
bestfishkeeping.com
TheManual
fishinggearcenter.com
Reviewed
OutdoorGearLab
1
- $155
St.Croix Triumph
-
-
-
1
-
1
7
8
-
1
2
- $36
Ugly Stik GX2
-
5
2
4
-
2
-
1
-
-
3
- $50
Ugly Stik Elite
-
3
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
4
4
- Check price
Okuma Celilo Ultralight
-
4
3
-
-
-
-
4
-
-
5
+1 $50
KastKing Perigee II
9
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
+1 $48
Sougayilang Telescopic Combos
-
2
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
7
+1 Check price
Plusinno Elite Hunter
2
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
3
12
-7 $54
KastKing Blackhawk II
-
10
-
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
13
- $99
Wild Water Standard Fly
-
-
-
5
-
-
-
-
4
-
14
- $38
Entsport E Series Camo Legend
5
-
-
-
-
-
-
6
-
-
15
- $120
Fenwick HMG Spinning
-
-
5
-
-
8
-
-
-
-

Sorted by price:

Position in ranking Price Fishing Rod
#2 $36.35 Ugly Stik GX2 [buy] [more info]
#14 $37.99 Entsport E Series Camo Legend [buy] [more info]
#6 $47.98 Sougayilang Telescopic Combos [buy] [more info]
#3 $49.95 Ugly Stik Elite [buy] [more info]
#5 $49.99 KastKing Perigee II [buy] [more info]
#12 $53.99 KastKing Blackhawk II [buy] [more info]
#13 $99 Wild Water Standard Fly [buy] [more info]
#15 $119.95 Fenwick HMG Spinning [buy] [more info]
#1 $155 St.Croix Triumph [buy] [more info]

We ranked St.Croix Triumph #1 in March 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
  • Out of those, 3 experts ranked St.Croix Triumph as #1.
Critic endorsements:
BestReviews

Best of the Best

Pros
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.

Cons
A little pricey. Warranty will still cost money.

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bestfishkeeping.com

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TheManual

Best Double-Handed Rod

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fishinggearcenter.com

Best for Budget

Pros
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.

Cons
The piece isn’t good for the spin-casting followers. For them, buying a more high-end model will serve.

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OutdoorGearLab

Best Overall Fishing Rod / Editors' Choice

Pros
Excellent feel
Great casting
Portable

Cons
Slightly difficult to take apart

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We ranked Ugly Stik GX2 #2 in March 2023 because:

  • 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Ugly Stik GX2 as #1.
Critic endorsements:
tripsavvy.com

Best for Crappie

Pros
Multiple lengths and powers to choose from
Crappie model combines sensitivity and casting distance
Seven-year warranty

Cons
Product information doesn’t specify rod action
Several customers say line guides cannot withstand braid

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fishingsrod.com

Best Fishing Rod Combo Under 100

Pros
The handle is very lightweight.
To feel comfortable to use.
Clear tip and two piece construction.
Graphite and fiberglass combination.

Cons
Not used for sea fishing.

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BestReviews

Balanced & Sensitive

Pros
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.

Cons
Eyes on the rod may come loose or spin out of position. Heavy.

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bestfishkeeping.com

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fishinggearcenter.com

Best to Buy in 2022

Pros
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.

Cons
Foam vs. cork handle is a major drawback.
When the package arrives, the 2 piece comes apart.

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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 March 2023 ranking

We ranked Ugly Stik Elite #3 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked Ugly Stik Elite as #1.
Critic endorsements:
tripsavvy.com

Best for Bass

Pros
Durable, lightweight blank with extra graphite
One- and two-piece options available
Seven-year warranty

Cons
No slow or moderate action option
Some reviewers say line guides are easily grooved by braid

Go to ranking

fishingsrod.com

Best Fishing Rod Under $100

Pros
Light weight and strong.
Very comfortable cork handle.
Clear tip design fishing rod.
Seven year- warranty.

Cons
Many customers are not as like lightweight fishing rods.

Go to ranking

OutdoorGearLab

Great for Small Fish

Pros
Strong
Versatile

Cons
Short handle, short casting distance

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We ranked Okuma Celilo Ultralight #4 in March 2023 because:

  • 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
tripsavvy.com

Best for Trout

Pros
Ultra-light and light models in a range of lengths
Fore and rear cork grips for added comfort
One of the most affordable rods on this list

Cons
Limited warranty is only valid for one year
No crossover for larger fish species

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fishingsrod.com

Best Fishing Rod Under 100

Pros
Strong and durable.
Comfortable.
One year warranty.
Good line weight capacity.

Cons
Some customer not like multicolor.

Go to ranking

fishinggearcenter.com

Best Strength

Pros
Ultralight action rod comes with an awesome 7-foot rod.
It presents the amazing ultra lightweight action and lets you cast all day long without fatigue.
The lightweight quantum 20 reel makes it perfectly balanced.

Cons
Lack of quality control is a major drawback.

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We ranked KastKing Perigee II #5 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
  • Out of those, 1 expert ranked KastKing Perigee II as #1.
Critic endorsements:
boatsafe.com

Pros
Flexible
Strong
Accurate
Powerful
Comfortable

Cons
Pricey

Go to ranking

tripsavvy.com

Best Overall

Pros
Great performance for under $100
29 length, power, and action combos to choose from
Twin Tip option gives you two different power rods in one

Cons
No extra-length rods for long-distance casting applications
Some reviewers report that the rod can be fragile

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We ranked Sougayilang Telescopic Combos #6 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
tripsavvy.com

Best Budget

Pros
Includes rod, reel, and tackle for less than many rods on this list
Telescoping rod in a choice of three lengths
Reel has a high number of ball bearings for reduced friction

Cons
Reel’s low gear ratio is more suited to some techniques than others
Quality is unlikely to satisfy more experienced fishermen

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bestfishkeeping.com

Go to ranking

We ranked Plusinno Elite Hunter #7 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
boatsafe.com

Pros
Two pieces
Stainless steel guides with ceramic inserts
Comfortable grip
Lightweight
Durable

Cons
Not as much sensitivity in the rod as other options

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OutdoorGearLab

Best Bang for Your Buck

Pros
Great balance
Ergonomic handle
Casting

Cons
Not as portable

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We ranked KastKing Blackhawk II #8 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
tripsavvy.com

Best for Backpacking

Pros
Collapses to less than a third of extended length
Can leave reel and line attached when collapsed
Available in spinning and baitcasting styles

Cons
A lack of alignment markers can make it difficult to line guides up
Warranty has significant limitations

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TheManual

Best Telescopic Rod

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We ranked Wild Water Standard Fly #9 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
BestReviews

Simple yet Solid

Pros
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.

Cons
Poor quality control results in incomplete sets being delivered.

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Reviewed

Pros
Quality materials
Rod breaks down for transport
Line and flies included

Cons
Users have reported product defects

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We ranked Entsport E Series Camo Legend #10 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
boatsafe.com

Pros
Affordable
2 different tips; medium and medium-heavy
Strong
Lightweight
Comfortable

Cons
Rod tip can break if you have the wrong size combined with the wrong type of fishing line

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fishinggearcenter.com

Best Warranty

Pros
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.

Cons
Catching big fish is a problematic one.

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We ranked Fenwick HMG Spinning #11 in March 2023 because:

  • 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Fishing Rods” rankings.
Critic endorsements:
fishingsrod.com

Best Fishing Rod for Beginners

Pros
Very sensitive and strong.
Impressive strength and durability.
Light to medium heavy.
Lifetime warranty.

Cons
No

Go to ranking

bestfishkeeping.com

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