The Best Fishing Rod of 2025

Our Picks of Fishing Rods

Best Overall Fishing Rod

Abu Garcia Veritas PLX

Length Tested: 6'6" | Casting Weight: 1/8-1/2 oz

The Abu Garcia Veritas PLX is a lightweight and sensitive spin fishing rod that has enough backbone for solid hook sets. Weighing in at just 3.9 oz, the action is fast and pleasantly crisp. Abu Garcia says its Powerlux 100 resin places nano particles between carbon fibers to enhance strength. We can't see the particles, but we had no fear on deep bends with this rod, which smoothly arcs into the butt section, giving it fish-fighting control. “This rod is so well balanced it feels extra light, but I loved its power for making quick, long-distance, on-target casts,” said tester Chris Maxcer. “After the cast, the rod recovered almost instantly, ready for me to feel jigs bumping bottom through the exposed blank and reel seat.”

Weight	3.9 oz
Type	Spinning, 2-piece
Length	6'6"
Best Use	Stream, lake, boat, ocean
Materials	Powerlux 100, titanium alloy guides, EVA grips

To reduce weight, the Veritas PLX uses smaller-than-average titanium alloy guides with zirconium inserts. While tough and precise, these guides tended to make it a bit harder to cast with fishing lines with high memory coils. “Basically, one of the fluorocarbon lines I tested this rod with created coils that struggled to get through the guides smoothly. If I stretched the line before casting, it was fine, but I'd recommend almost any supple braided line for optimal casting with this rod,” Chris noted. For those who might prefer a beefy rod that sacrifices finesse in favor of durability and raw power, consider the Ugly Stik GX2. If you want a similar crisp, lightweight feel at about half the cost, check out the Berkley Lightning. Still, if the price is right for your budget, the Veritas is the kind of rod you'll likely enjoy casting for years to come.

Best Bang for Your Buck

PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning Rod

Length Tested: 7' | Casting Weight: 3/16-3/4 oz

If you want a rod that can do it all without breaking the bank, check out the PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning Rod. This rod lacks some of the portability found in our favorite models, but it makes up for this with balance and features. The ergonomic cork handle was one of our favorites, making all-day fishing a breeze. Speaking of the handle, this rod features an excellent reel seat that keeps the reel locked in tightly. It is also a great casting rod, with the line running smoothly through the guides on every cast.

Weight	4.5 oz
Type	Spinning, 2-piece
Length	7'
Best Use	Stream, lake, boat, ocean
Materials	IM6 Carbon Matrix Blanks, Cermic Guides, Cork Handle

We do have some minor complaints, though. While the PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning Rod held up well during our testing, the lightweight materials may not be as durable as some of the other rods we tested, so you may have to be a little more careful when handling this one. It also doesn't pack down as small as we'd prefer. In addition, we sometimes find it's out of stock. If you're having trouble locating one, we also like the KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic, which is more portable than the Plusinno and only costs a few bucks more.

Best Travel Rod

St. Croix Triumph Travel

Length Tested: 6'6" | Casting Weight: 1/4-5/8 oz

The St. Croix Triumph Travel is the best travel spin fishing rod for most people. It has far better balance than clunky telescoping rods, making it suitable for experienced anglers, and its crisp action and consistent casting can help newbies learn faster than cheap alternatives. St. Croix included a thicker resin over the entire blank, which can help improve impact resistance and durability. “While the 4-piece design results in a slightly tip-heavy balance, wow, I'm impressed by how well the performance rivals premium 2-piece rods,” Chris said. “I like how I can keep this rod tucked inside my vehicle so I'm ready to fish anytime, anywhere.”

Weight	4.85 oz
Type	Spinning, 4-piece
Length	6'6"
Best Use	Stream, lake, boat, ocean
Materials	Mid-modulus graphite fiber, Premium-grade cork handle, Hard aluminum-oxide guides

The biggest drawback to the Triumph Travel is the price. It's pretty affordable compared to overall costs for those going on fishing expeditions or vacations, but those new to fishing might also need to stretch their budgets to include reels, lines, and tackle. If affordable portability is your most important buying factor, the PLUSINNO Carbon Fiber Telescopic and the KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic can cast lures and catch fish. In our experience, we'd rather have any rod than no rod when it comes to travel rods and spur-of-the-moment fishing opportunities. The Triumph Travel lets us keep a rod handy that we also love to fish with.

Best Telescoping Rod

PLUSINNO Carbon Fiber Telescopic

Length Tested: 5'11" | Casting Weight: 1/4-22/25 oz

Sometimes, you need to travel to find the big fish, which is where the Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic rod shines. This spinning rod stores down to a minimal 17.5" and extends to 5'11". The process takes just a few seconds. It has a sensitive feel and great balance for a telescoping rod. We had no trouble sensing the lure in the water and detecting bites. Also, this rod is one of the most durable that we tested. Although it weighs a bit more due to the beefed-up metal components, it should last a long time if care is taken.

Weight	6 oz
Type	Spinning, Telescopic
Length	Longest: 6.9'; Shortest: 16.15"
Best Use	Stream, lake, boat
Materials	Fiberglass, High-Density Carbon Fiber, Stainless Steel Guides, EVA handle, Aluminum spool (reel)

Our only real complaint with this rod is its lack of built-in features. While it covered all the basics, it didn't have some of the other rods' standard features, like hook holders. Another often-repeated complaint about this rod is that the segments stick in the extended position. This was only an issue, however, when we used a lot of force to extend the segments. Otherwise, it collapsed without issue. When it did stick, we were forced to encourage the segment to go back in with a pair of pliers, which resulted in some scarring of the rod. In this situation, we would recommend using a piece of cloth between the pliers and the rod to reduce marring. If you're seeking a highly portable and durable rod that casts well and is highly sensitive, the Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic is your rod. The KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic is another telescoping rod we liked. It's versatile and offers great sensitivity.

Most Durable

Ugly Stik GX2

Length Tested: 6'6" | Casting Weight: 1/4-1 oz

The Ugly Stik GX2 is the most durable fishing rod we tested, making it a great option for families and anyone navigating rough shorelines with brush or the chance of falls on slick rock. It has a no-nonsense graphite and fiberglass combination build that replaces the popular first-generation Ugly Stik. For extra durability, the one-piece stainless steel guides add a slick coating instead of inserts. “I can't say that the Ugly Stik GX2 is a pretty rod, but I'm a fan anyway. Why? It's remarkably fishable and capable of long-distance casting. Sure, the action is a bit soft for precision, but that softness helps keep barbless hooks attached to fish throughout the fight,” Chris says. “In fact, I caught three coho salmon on this rod, and it never flinched. Impressive, particularly at its lower price point.”

Weight	7.4 oz
Type	Spinning, 2-piece
Length	6'6"
Best Use	Stream, lake, boat, ocean
Materials	Graphite and fiberglass, stainless steel guides, shrink tube handle

The biggest drawback to the Ugly Stik GX2 is that it's a bit clunky and is not a pretty rod. The Abu Garcia Veritas PLX is graceful, precise, and strong, but costs nearly twice as much. The more affordable Berkley Lightning offers lightweight precision but is not as durable for handing over to kids. As long as you're not offended by the stick-like looks, the GX2 is a worthy update to Ugly Stik's most successful line.

Great for Small Fish

Shakespeare Micro

Length Tested: 5'6" | Casting Weight: 1/32-1/4 oz

The Shakespeare Micro is the best ultralight spin fishing rod for panfish and trout. Its playful action is stiff enough to cast accurately yet sensitive enough to let you feel the most tentative nibbles. For wary trout in spring creeks with clear water, this affordable rod lets you cast small spinners with near invisible 4-pound test. “I could cast near brushy banks on tight little trout streams, and I like the faster action for setting the hook,” Chris noted. “I do like how it flexes to make catching bluegill feel like a fight — definitely good for beginners to learn when to haul and when to let the rod do the work.” This rod is also a good, fun choice for light jigs for crappie fishing or fishing with bait and bobbers for perch.

Weight	3.1 oz
Type	Spinning, 2-piece
Length	5'6"
Best Use	Stream, lake
Materials	Graphite, cork handle, stainless steel guides

The biggest issue with this Shakespeare Micro comes back to its size: It's not a far caster, even with light line. “While you might be able to land a large trout with this rod, you'll have to be smart, patient, and lucky,” Chris says. “However, Shakespeare makes a 7-foot version, which will help if you need to reach a little farther out.” If you want a small rod that's a bit beefier, the Ugly Stik Elite's 5-foot version is a great choice. It weighs twice as much as the Micro, but its durability could be worth the extra weight and cost.

How We Tested

Our testing grounds spanned the California coastlines, rivers, and lakes from north to south, to the Mountain West, and even ranged to the great northern lakes of MN, where our testers fished from both shorelines and boats to determine how each rod performed in different environments. Hundreds of fish were hooked in the process of testing these rods, helping us decipher key performance differences between the contenders. Each fishing rod was taken out into the fields and streams over a season to gain insight into the features that affect performance, the versatility, and portability. Professional anglers were also consulted, and their feedback was taken into consideration. We assessed these rods side by side to figure out how they measured up to one another.

These fishing rods were tested across five rating metrics:

• Balance & Feel (25% of overall score weighting)

• Durability & Construction (25% weighting)

• Portability (20% weighting)

• Features (15% weighting)

• Versatility (15% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

Kit Smith, our lead reviewer, has been fishing for most of his life. He grew up fishing for salmon and halibut in the San Francisco Bay and the nearby Pacific Ocean. He also spent time fishing streams and lakes in Bear Valley, a small mountain town in the Central Sierras, where his family had a cabin. Later, he continued perfecting his angling craft in Colorado, where he attended college.

Chris Maxcer started testing spin fishing rods for Outdoor Gear Lab in 2025, but he's fished for decades in the Western U.S., catching dozens of species through seven states, including brown trout in Nevada, coho salmon in Alaska, and cutthroat trout in Colorado. He's an expert fly fisher and has reviewed many fly rods, but he doesn't hesitate to grab a spinning rod whenever it's the best way to cast to — and catch — any fish.

Jon Oleson, joined the rod testing team in 2023. Jon grew up fishing the lakes and streams of the Mountain West. Some of his best memories are of drifting the Green and Snake Rivers in Utah and Idaho, fly fishing for trout with his dad. More recently, Jon has been enjoying getting out to fish the lakes and rivers with his two young children, who are already landing decent-sized bass with full-sized rods.

Analysis and Test Results

With the right gear, Mother Nature offers countless ways to adventure, exercise, and bond with friends and family. Having the right fishing rod for the day can make or break your adventure, so it's essential to carefully consider the type of rod you need, whether it's a top-of-the-line high-performance model or a budget-friendly model to be used by a beginner.

What's the Best Value?

As the old adage goes: When you buy cheap, you buy twice. Case in point here is the KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic. Its glass tip broke after a few uses, and we had to order another one. We didn't have any problems with the second rod, so we'll chalk it up to getting a lemon. Overall, we ended up really enjoying this rod for its versatility, portability, and exceptional balance. The real stand-outs for their great price-to-performance ratio were the PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning Rod and the Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic rod, which are ultra-affordable and surprised us with their great functionality on the water. If you're looking for a lightweight winner, the Shakespeare Micro has one of the lowest price points but feels like rods that cost twice as much.

Balance & Feel

A rod's balance is a crucial component to consider. It not only helps with casting, but it also makes fishing a whole lot more comfortable. If the balance is off, the weight of the rod will be shifted to the rod tip or handle, and you'll notice it. Feel is also an important metric here. Feel comes down to the sensitivity of the rod. If a rod has a great feel, you can sense the smallest bites and the action of a lure in the water.

Our favorite, most balanced rod is the Abu Garcia Veritas PLX. Not only did it weigh a scant 3.1 ounces, but its exposed blank around the handle and reel seat made it easy to feel as jigs bounced along the bottom. Even though it was slightly tip-heavy, the St. Croix Triumph Travel was also a standout, blending a sensitive tip with a predictable backbone that launched casts and hauled in trout.

We were also impressed by the balance and feel packed into the budget-priced Shakespeare Micro and midrange Berkley Lightning, proving that you don't need a premium rod to get good performance.

While telescoping rods don't traditionally provide the most sensitive balance and feel, the Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic was an exception. It was extremely comfortable to fish with and let us sense every little movement in the water. At the other end of the spectrum, the Sougayilang Telescopic felt far less balanced and precise than most other rods we tested.

Durabilty & Construction

Construction informs Durability, which is why we coupled them for this metric. Some of the contenders stood out for being composed of high-quality materials, yet lost points for features that lessened the durability. Conversely, some rods were made from cheaper materials but stood out in terms of durability due to reinforced components.

In addition to noting construction and durability advantages and failures from our field testing, we conducted objective in-house testing to ensure these rods measured up to the manufacturer's claims. One such test was the weight test, where we used a force meter to bend the rod to the maximum line-weight force listed to ensure that it didn't break.

The burliest rod we tested, the Ugly Stik GX2, is heavier than most and uses additional material to make it stronger. More specifically, the blank is manufactured using both graphite and fiberglass.

Instead of adding heavier materials, the St. Croix Triumph Travel gains durability through more technical manufacturing. Built with a unique graphite fiber, this rod provided an incredible blend of sensitivity and fighting power. Of course, that quality doesn't come cheap — it also comes with a high price tag. This rod also received a lower score in durability due to the plastic reel seat. We also had some issues with the line guides bending due to the thin metal that affixes them to the rod. These features cut down on weight and also lessen the amount of abuse this rod will take. This rod is well worth the cost, but you may have to baby it to last a lifetime.

There were other standouts in this metric. The Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic was clearly built to last among the telescopic poles. Its carbon fiber construction combines strength and sensitivity to pick up little nibbles on our lures and bait. We were also impressed with the reinforced line guides, which are certainly constructed for a lifetime of fishing use and abuse. One thing to note when using this rod is that the segments may become stuck in the extended position if too much force is used to extend the rod. This only happened once during testing, and we had to use a set of pliers to coax the rod tip back into the collapsed position.

Portability

This is a crucial metric if you plan on traveling with your rod. Of course, it's hard to beat a telescoping rod for portability, but they can sometimes stick together at their joints and weigh more than multi-piece rods.

Although it's not telescopic, the St. Croix Triumph Travel is our favorite travel spin fishing rod by a long shot. It breaks down into four pieces and comes with a padded, easy-to-pack travel case that protects it from dings and cargo. Plus, once assembled, it fishes as well as most two-piece rods.

One of the most portable rods we tested was our award-winning Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic. It was one of the smallest and easiest to transport of our test fleet. But some of the other telescoping rods were just as portable, including the KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic. If easy portability is most important to you, we suggest trying out one of these rods.

Of course, there are some one-piece spin fishing rods, but we tend to prefer and recommend rods that break down for storage and travel. Two-piece options tend to balance cost and performance in acceptably portable packages.

Features

This metric is sometimes overlooked when considering a fishing rod. You can get the job done without all the bells and whistles, but clever features can make the experience even better - things like a cork grip, hook holder, and oversized guides. But having a lot of features doesn't automatically make it a winner here. They have to be features that really work and add to the fishing experience.

With its premium cork handle that feels comfy and grippy wet or dry, the St. Croix Triumph Travel proved strong in this metric, outperforming foam handles for all-day comfort. Of course, the included travel case gives it a substantial boost, making this rod easier to store and protect than others.

Some newer spin fishing rods have reel seats and handle designs that expose the rod blank. This design isn't just created to look futuristic and cool — it allows you to better feel what's happening underwater. The line can transmit nibbles to the blank, which can be felt more easily without cork or foam padding to absorb small vibrations.

Some of the rods we tested had several handy features. For instance, the PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning has oversized ceramic guides that help guide the line smoothly for long casts. The double locking structure on the reel seat held the reel tightly in place and never loosened up, even after bumpy boat rides. We also appreciated this rod's detachable hook-keeper and tip protector, which ensures your rod survives long-distance travel to your favorite fishing locations.

Versatility

Another important metric to consider is versatility. And in this category, not all rods are created equal. Some are specifically made for fishing off the bottom of a lake, while others are made just for casting in saltwater environments. In addition, it's important to understand that most spin fishing rods come in multiple size options — they have the same rod name but come in different lengths and actions. For instance, an ultralight action 5'6" version will be designed for small fish, making it less versatile than a stronger 6'6" medium action rod with the same name.

The portable St. Croix Triumph Travel offers both finesse and power, making it one of the most versatile rods we tested. The KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic was also a clear winner here. With its equally high performance in both fresh and saltwater, exceptional casting distance and sensitivity, and impressive fighting power, it can handle everything from small trout to large sea bass. Likewise, the Ugly Stik GX2 proved it was capable of fighting well above its weight, helping us land coho salmon with ease.

One rod that's simply more single-purpose minded is the Shakespeare Micro. While it comes in different lengths, they're all ultralight or lightweight options aimed at smaller freshwater fish. That said, its versatility score took a hit.

Conclusion

Selecting the right fishing rod puts the odds in your favor. Your personal fishing style and local bodies of water are important considerations. Do you plan to spend most of your days dropping a line off a boat, or will you be casting from the shoreline more often? Whatever it is, there's a rod here designed just for you. We hope this article has been helpful in selecting a rod for your next adventure. Now, all that's left to do is plan that next fishing trip, get out there, and hook that trophy fish.

You might also like to check out our cooler review to help you keep your catch fresh, and if you're camping out and planning to have your catch for dinner, take a look at our picks for portable grills.