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The Best Travel Fishing Rods of 2024

By Pete Robbins

Updated on May 24, 2023 5:36 PM EDT

13 minute read

Best for Bass

Abu garcia i.k.e. signature series travel casting rod, best budget, shakespeare ugly stik gx2 travel spinning combo, best premium, megabass triza travel rod.

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Travel fishing rods are easy to pack for a trip, and the good ones fish like a one-piece rod. Over the past several decades, rods have gotten longer because more length typically equals better casts and more leverage on big fish. For example, the 5-foot 6-inch pistol grips that dominated bass fishing into the 1980s have been replaced almost entirely by rods that are 7 feet and up. Unfortunately, luggage costs and rules have also exploded at this same time, meaning that it’s not always feasible to take an oversized 7- or 8-foot rod tube on distant trips. That’s doubly true if you’ll be getting on a floatplane or your luggage size is otherwise restricted.

Travel rods aren’t solely for air travel, though. If you’re an urban angler getting on a subway, they may be your best choice. If you want something to keep in your car or backpack in case you pass by a tasty-looking fishery, they’re prime choices. In the past, the options were often limited. Either manufacturers took an existing blank and added rudimentary ferrules, or it was a bargain basement combo that required a staple remover to get out of the package and that couldn’t stand up to farm pond bluegills. Fortunately, many manufacturers have recognized the need for better travel tools, and they’ve heeded the call. 

I get to do a lot of traveling with fishing rods as a writer and host of exotic fishing trips. I’ve been to the Alaskan wilderness, through the Amazon jungle, and on every major bass lake in the U.S. and Mexico. Those destinations require a plane ride, and while I don’t always pack multi-piece rods, it’s given me the chance to test out many of the best. Here are my picks for the best travel fishing rods.

• Best for Bass: Abu Garcia I.K.E. Signature Series Travel Casting Rod
• Most Innovative: Daiwa Ardito-TR Travel Casting and Spinning Rod
• Best for Inshore: Falcon Traveler Coastal Spinning Rod
• Best Budget: Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo
• Best Finesse: Wild Side Light Spinning Rod
• Best Premium Casting: Megabass Triza Travel Rod  
• Most Versatile :  Toadfish Travel Spinning Rod
• Best Bait Finesse :  KastKing Kestrel 3-Piece Rods
• Best Premium Spinning : Shimano Zodias 5-Piece Travel Spinning Rods

How I Tested the Best Travel Fishing Rods

I’ve taken these travel rods all over the globe and all over the country, fishing for species both exotic and mundane. More importantly, though, I’ll admit that I’ve abused them. They’ve been shoved in suitcases, walked through dense forests, and used for lures outside of their supposed range. That’s the nature of the travel game. Coming home from Mexico, officials forced me to check a carrying case that I’d carried on for the trip South of the Border, and my rods returned in one piece—or rather in their original configurations of multiple pieces. When possible, though, I like keeping them at my side, and I’m usually able to do so. It also enables me to bring a rod and reel or the occasions when I travel for a non-fishing purpose but might be able to sneak away to make a few casts.

Best Travel Fishing Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

Key Features

• Length: 7 feet
• Packed Length: 28 inches
• Three pieces
• Comes with both medium (1/4-3/4 ounce lures) and medium-heavy (3/8-1 ounce) tip sections
• Soft travel case included
• Versatility means you only need to carry one rod
• Comfortable E.V.A. handle
• Great value
• Included case isn’t crushproof; should not be checked on airlines

Abu Garcia, worked with Bassmaster Classic champion Mike “Ike” Iaconelli, to design the Ike Signature Series Travel Rod. Ike is known for his wins on the pro bass circuit, but he’s also known for his urban angling adventures. Traveling by bus, bike, plane, and train to those urban fishing spots were the inspiration for his travel rod. 

The best feature of the rod is the included interchangeable tip sections that provide different actions. They are a tremendous value, since the rod doesn’t sacrifice on components. They include 36-ton graphite blanks, stainless steel guides, and a premium Fuji reel seat. Ike carried this rod worldwide on his television fishing exploits for a wide range of species, but his heart remains with bass, and that’s where this rod excels, for everything from soft plastics to crankbaits to spinnerbaits . Anglers who expect to use finesse presentations can buy the spinning version.

• Length: 7 feet 
• Handle converts from spinning to baitcasting
• Three-piece rod, includes six total pieces 
• Lure Weights: ¼ to 1 ounce 
• Extreme versatility
• Handles wide range of lures
• Sensitive yet strong graphite construction
• Included case not crushproof; should not be checked on airlines

Daiwa has built a rod—and specifically, a rod handle—that will accommodate both spinning and baitcasting reels when configured appropriately. That means you don’t have to choose one or the other when you’re limited to one travel rod. What’s most impressive is that they’ve somehow developed a blank that doesn’t feel awkward in either role. It includes X45 graphite construction that prevents blank twisting and truly performs like a one-piece. I took this rod to Zambia for tigerfish, where it performed admirably with a baitcasting reel, and then used it at home to skip Senkos under docks with a spinning rod. It’s not truly a finesse spinning rod, but could handle light baits with plenty of backbone to extract hard-pulling bass from gnarly cover.

• Medium action
• Lure weight: ¼ to ½ ounce 
• Bargain priced
• Durable full cork handle
• High-quality components
• Some anglers may not like the moderate action

If you’re chasing redfish or speckled trout on the Gulf Coast, or bonefish and snook in the Everglades or Keys, you need a rod that will simultaneously make pinpoint presentations that also has the heft to muscle outsized, super-strong fish away from cover. This rod is light but mighty and fits the bill. The Coastal Traveler series also has a baitcasting model in the lineup. They’ll both do double-duty in freshwater, although Falcon also provides Lowrider series travel rods for that purpose. All of them include cork handles (full in the case of the Coastal, split-grip on the Lowriders), Fuji K-Frame tangle-free guides, and a blank through reel seat. All come with a crushproof, three-section Cordura-coated case with the rod’s specifications printed on the outside.

• Lengths: 5 feet 6 inches and 6 feet 6 inches 
• Comes with matching reel
• Three or four pieces
• Rod and reel packaged together for the price of one
• Four-bearing spinning reel
• Strong guides will stand up to braided line
• Cloth rod and reel travel bag cannot be checked

The Ugly Stik brand has been synonymous with strength and value for decades, and Shakespeare continues to refine the products while keeping them at rock bottom prices. These three spinning combos—one light action, two medium action—all come with a four-bearing reel and rods that combine graphite and fiberglass construction. While the cloth carrying case may not be crushproof, this combo will stand up to just about anything you can dish out. That makes it a great option for kids or beginners, but you’ll be surprised at the wide range of species it can handle across the globe without any fear of failure.

• Length: 6 feet 3 inches
• Packed Length: 22 inches
• Action: Light
• Five pieces
• Ultra compact 
• Innovative ferrules maintain one-piece feel
• High modulus graphite

Wild Side’s U.S. distributor Arundel Tackle claims that this rod is “made for the overhead bin, NOT baggage claim.” It comes with a rectangular carrying case that weighs a mere 2 ounces and will slide easily into your carry-on. More importantly, they’ve somehow taken a five-piece rod and eliminated any traditional multi-piece imprecision. That might be because they use refined spigot ferrules that do a solid job of maintaining a one-piece flow. This has become a go-to Ned Rig rod when I’m bass fishing at home, but it has so many other uses where it’ll excel. These include stream trout fishing, pan fishing, and light saltwater use. The high-quality cork and E.V.A. split handle are comfortable for all day fishing and match up with any lightweight spinning reel.

Best Premium: Megabass Triza Travel Rod  

• Lengths (casting): 6-feet, 6-inches; 6-feet, 8-inches; 6-feet, 9-inches; 7-feet; 7-feet, 2-inches   
• Available in five baitcasting and two spinning models
• Lure Weights: 1/32 ounce to 3 ounces
• Wide range of actions for a full range of techniques
• Built one at a time for attention to detail
• Gorgeous peacock wood reel seats and hand-drawn graphics

Megabass makes everything from the best swimbaits to some of the nicest production rods available. The Triza Travel Rod has typical Megabass quality in a rod that fits in a backpack. Megabass has a lot of experience making travel rods for their Japanese customers, who are often more constrained in terms of space and transportation, and therefore demand them. These premium travel rods are now widely available in America and cover just about every bass fishing technique under the sun—while at the same time being superior for some saltwater and multi-species use. They’re a gorgeous piece of art that would look great displayed, but they’re too solid to sit on the sidelines. Megabass claims they are constructed to their “Triangle” ideal—with a tip section that maximizes tension, a belly section that maximizes torque, and a butt section that maximizes torsional rigidity. These are workhorses that present like show horses.

Most Versatile:  Toadfish Travel Spinning Rod

• 7 feet 2 inches
• Medium/Medium heavy action
• Interchangeable mid and tip sections
• Incredible versatility
• Kigan tangle free guides
• Extremely durable
• Included case is strong but quite heavy

This rod comes with one handle section, two mid-sections, and two tip sections, allowing for five different configurations, making it the most versatile travel rod on the market. That uniqueness is also a huge bonus if you slam a section in a car door or otherwise break one – you lose a bit of that trademark versatility, but you’re not completely out of luck. What’s also nice is that it comes with extremely durable components, including soft-touch rubber handle inlays and a handle that will stand up to the most you can dish out, including saltwater exposure. It’s fairly sensitive for a five-piece rod, and the spigot ferrules hold well. The case may be heavy, but you can check it through on the airlines without worrying about damage.

Best Bait Finesse:  KastKing Kestrel 3-Piece Rods

• Light-fast action
• IM8 ultra-high modulus graphite blank
• Extremely reasonable price
• One of the few rods in its category
• Very sensitive IM8 high modulus graphite blank
• No case included

The biggest problem with many travel rods is that they’re too vanilla – understandably made to cover a wide range of conditions and species. That’s fine if you just want one for random use, but it doesn’t help anglers with specific needs. KastKing has entered the market with a lot of BFS options and wisely chose to build a three-piece rod in that category. It can handle lures as light as 1/10 ounce, yet, with a balanced baitcasting reel, still has the winch-like power that spinning cannot provide. The rod comes with quality components, including American Tackle Ti forged guides with aluminum oxide Duralight rings, so whether you’re chasing panfish, Alaskan trout, stream smallmouths, or light saltwater species, it’s meant to stand up to a beating. In Asia and Japan, manufacturers have historically made a wider range of multi-piece rods than they do in North America, so it’s a good sign that KastKing is willing to take a calculated risk on this specialty stick.

Best Premium: Shimano Zodias 5-Piece Travel Spinning Rods

• Medium-Light – Fast
• 1/8 – 7/16 ounce lures
• CI4+ Reel Seat maximizes ergonomic comfort
• Fuji guides hold up to the rigors of travel and different kinds of line
• At 5 pieces, incredibly transportable
• Rod case not included

Shimano and brand partner G.Loomis have dipped in and out of the travel rod market for years, producing some top-notch products. Shimano’s bargain-priced Convergence Series is a great value and quality product, but the Zodias will fill the needs of more demanding anglers. It looks and feels like an expensive JDM product, and despite the multiple ferrules functions like a one-piece rod. I liked the Carbon Monocoque grip, and felt that it enhanced sensitivity, even with light lines. It’s also available in a baitcasting rod if that’s your stylistic preference, or if you want to use heavier lines on bigger fish.

While most standard rods are one or possibly two pieces, most travel rods are three or more pieces. Alternatively, they may be telescoping. Either way, they “collapse” or “compress” or “break down” to lengths that will fit in a suitcase or in a small separate carrying case. That makes them easy to take on a plane or stuff under the seat of your vehicle for impromptu fishing adventures.

Many anglers believe that one-piece rods are superior in all instances and will do whatever they can to take them on long-distance fishing trips. Of course that is possible, and there are hard-sided carrying cases that extend up to nearly 10-feet long to transport them. One problem, however, is that the airlines are increasingly restrictive on checking such bags. Even when they allow it, they may be costly. Furthermore, rough baggage handling may result in destruction of or damage to your valuable gear.

Typically commercial airlines will not allow you to carry full-sized rods on airplanes, but they’ll often allow you to carry properly-cased and appropriately-sized travel rods on board. In fact, the T.S.A. guidelines explicitly state that fishing rods are permitted in carry-on and checked bags but note that “passengers should check with the airline to confirm that the fishing rod fits within size limitations for carry-on items.” Some foreign airports and foreign carriers will not allow the same, so be sure to check ahead of time and carry a crushproof case that can be checked if necessary.

Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Fishing Rod

What will you be fishing for.

The same travel rod that excels for panfish might be a liability chasing big saltwater fish in the surf. Today there are enough specialized options that you should be able to cover most extremes and many technical presentations. The trouble comes when you need to do double duty. That may require the purchase of a second rod, or perhaps even making compromises—using a single rod that is a jack of all trades but a master of none.

How compact must it be?

Fewer ferrules or connectors usually (but not always) means better performance. However, the ideal travel or “pack” rod will fit into a small case, which may or may not need to fit within your suitcase. Take careful measurements of your possible dimensions, adding a slight bit for the padding of the case and any internal rod sock that protects your tool.

How will I carry my travel rod?

The best possible scenario is to keep your rod or rods with you at all times, in a padded, crushproof case. That reduces the chances of loss and breakage. However, in the instance that you need to check it, make sure it fits in your other luggage or run the risk of paying a surcharge. Many of these rods come with tubes or cases. Some are better than others, so don’t hesitate to invest in an aftermarket product for peace of mind.

Why Trust Outdoor Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a leading authority in testing and reviewing hunting gear, fishing tackle, guns and shooting equipment, and much more. We have more than a century-long history of evaluating products, and we’re now bringing that expertise to online reviews. Our editors are experienced outdoorsmen and women, and most importantly, we’re trained journalists. We prioritize field testing and objective data when reviewing products. We conduct interviews with gear manufacturers and engineers as well as outdoor experts so that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Advertising does not influence our gear reviews and it never will. While we always focus our coverage on standout products—because we want our readers to be aware of the latest and greatest gear—we also cover the flaws and quirks of any given product.

Final Thoughts on the Best Travel Fishing Rods

As I’ve amassed an arsenal of travel rods over the past several years, I’ve seen a shift in my thinking. Previously, I reserved them exclusively for exotic travel to places like Zambia, Mexico, Brazil, and Alaska, and then relegated them to a garage shelf when I returned home. Increasingly, however, I’ve found myself using some of them in my day-to-day angling, in places where I could still take a 7- or 8-foot one-piece rod but now choose instead to take the multi-piece tool. 

Many of the more inexpensive multi-piece rods are still notably less fluid than their one-piece counterparts, but that’s not always the case. Furthermore, if you’re a one-piece snob, you may be surprised at how refined these options have become.

Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

Jason sealock.

• Oct 09, 2023

Choosing a travel rod for anglers who like to pack light and carry a fishing rod in their luggage on every where they travel requires a little planning and view of the options and fish you think you might encounter on your travels. We reviewed a wide gamut of rods and came up with a lot of options to consider as well as some great recommendations for which fishing rods we would suggest for a lot of different types of fishing and travel.

Things like size of the rod when disassembled, number of pieces, rod case, roll or bag, type of rod, how you will transport it, whether a telescoping rod makes sense and more need to be considered before choosing the best travel rod for your fishing plans.  

Travel rods can come from 2 pieces up to 5 pieces not to mention the telescoping travel rod options out there. You might want to fit the rod in a suitcase, if so more pieces will break down into a smaller foot print. Or you might carry it with you which might give you more options for rods. You might want a hard case to protect the rod if you’re worried about TSA or some other party damaging your rods in transit. Or a rod wrap may suffice if it’s tucked inside of another hard case suitcase.

OUR TOP PICKS

• Best telescoping travel combo – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• Best travel rod for bass – Buy from FishUSA
• Runner up: Daiwa ardito travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Best all-around / saltwater travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Best telescopic travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Runner up: Ugly stik cx2 4-piece travel combo – Buy from Basspro
• Ark rods genesis rods – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• Zebco 33 spincast telescopic combo – Buy from Basspro
• Shimano Convergence D Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• St. croix triumph travel rod – Buy from Tacklewarehouse

Know Your Travel Rods

Then there are the types of rod to consider including spinning travel rods, casting travel rods, telescoping travel rods as well as travel fly rods or specialty rods like travel swimbait rods or travel trout or panfish rods. Or any combination of the aforementioned.  

If you plan to fish with light lures and light line, then a spinning travel rod might be the best option. If you plan to look for big bluegills or crappies specifically on your travels, then a long telescoping rod might make more sense or a small spinning rod like a trout rod might give you a lot of options for trout and panfish.

If you’re going for larger quarry, you will want a beefier rod that has a reel that can hold heavier line. Usually a baitcasting travel rod makes sense for bass, or big fish like walleye, pike, musky, stripers, etc.  

Specialty rods like travel swimbait rods or extra long jigging rods might be just the ticket for probing unknown waters for specific types of fishing like jigging brush for crappie or casting oversized swimbaits for trophy bass and stripers.  

Of course if you’re in to fly fishing, then a travel fly rod is hard to beat. There are some super high end and middle of the road options that are great rods that make a 9-foot fly rod fit into an over night travel bag with the travel fly rod option.

CONSIDER TELESCOPING RODS FOR TRAVEL

For some, a telescoping rod is an easy spur of the moment travel rod option to probe some nearby waters to see if they have fish available. I have buddies that keep telescoping rods in their trucks at all times and will break it out on their travels or while taking a lunch or after work on a work trip. It’s a quick and simple option.

Most of time telescoping rods are a bit lower quality. Or at least that was the case back when the only option was a low end push button spin cast combo for small panfish. There are, however, some newer options bringing this back as a real viable option for bass and panfish.

A Travel Combo Might Make More Sense

You can buy travel rods that are a rod and reel combo. This is often the case with telescoping options. But there are some better quality options in the multi-piece travel rods with a decent spinning reel. Most of the time. I want the best rod I can get and a good reel in my bag so I’m not fighting my equipment in the limited amount of time I get to fish on my travels. Especially those spur-of-the-moment unplanned fishing trips while traveling.  

But when you get to a location and wished you had a rod and reel, a decent priced telescoping rod/reel combo can get you in the fish on an unexpected hot spot quickly and easily.

You Need a Travel Rod Case, Bag or Roll

Anymore your travel rod is going to come in a hard case, a roll or a bag. Regardless you need to take care to protect the pieces of the rod or the rod while it is compartmentalized so it’s not damaged in your travels.  

A hard case might be a cloth case with a hard shell inside of it that zips closed on the end and the multiple pieces slide into little sleeves inside of it. Or it might be a hard outer shell with a soft interior that keeps your guides and blank parts protected. These are nice when you plan to carry your travel rods separate from your luggage. Or keep them in a vehicle on your travels.

A travel rod roll is just a cloth sleeve with individual pockets for each piece of the blank and then you roll it up with flap that closes on one end and tie it off with the attached ties. These can be nice for putting a rod or two into your other travel bags or a small compartment in your vehicle.

A travel bag can be just a cloth bag or a padded foam bag that houses and protects the rod simultaneously. I’m a fan of these as they keep your pieces from falling out as sometimes happens with rolls. And they keep the blank pieces with a bit of added protection. The padded bags are ideal in my opinion.  

Best Travel Rod Brands

In the freshwater space, the best travel rod makers are often synonymous with the best rod makers. Makers like Daiwa, Shimano, St. Croix, Megabass, Ark Rods, Fenwick, and others have really solid travel rod options. Others that many don’t know offer travel rods have good options like Favorite, Bass Pro, and BnM Poles.  

Here are the travel rod brands we reviewed and liked:

• Favorite Fishing
• B’n’M Poles

Having said all that, let’s take a closer look at some of our personal favorites in various travel rod categories.

Best Telescoping Travel Combo

Daiwa travel combo.

We chose the Daiwa Travel Combo as the best combo because it comes with a good reel, telescoping rod that is better than most and it’s own sling carry bag that is big enough to put several travel rods and reels in. This combo compacts down to 26 inches making it a perfect option for any trip whether it be in a car or a plane.

The rod is a 7-foot, 2-inch Medium power fast action rod. It’s a solid rod and stayed extended as we fished with it. The reel is a 2-bearing Daiwa Crossfire LT 2500. Even though it’s only 2 bearings, it performed very smoothly and effortlessly with a very smooth drag. It’s a solid spinning combo and it’s offered in EVA or Cork grips.

The combo costs $149 but if you just want a good combo without messing around with pairing rods and reels, this is a quick easy choice.

Buy at TackleWarehouse

Best Travel Rod for Bass

Shimano zodias travel rod.

The fact that Shimano took one of their best rod lines and converted it into a high-end bass travel rod got me excited. And when I got the new rod in my hand, I was very impressed. I am a big fan of the original Zodias line and was so excited to see this level of quality in a 5-piece travel rod.  

This travel rod condenses down to 19 inches when packed, meaning you can literally take it anywhere. And when full assembled you have a very high quality rod full of all the features of the high end one-piece blanks. The 5-piece construction gives the rod more uniform bend than a 2-piece model would.  

It has so much power and a steady consistent load when casting. You will forget it’s a travel rod by your second cast. It’s a high end rod that just happens to be in 5 pieces. It has a CI4+ reel seat for lightweight strength and a full carbon monocoque grip which eliminates the use of EVA giving a light rod more sensitivity.

Hi-Power X construction which makes the blanks outermost layer wrapped with carbon tape form that X appearance on the blank that gives more precise actions to the rods with more strength.  

You can really lean into fish with this rod without worry. It’s one of the nicest travel rods we’ve tested.

Buy at FishUSA.com

Buy from Omnia

Runner Up: Daiwa Ardito Travel Rod

This is another high-end rod that has been brought down to a travel rod form factor. This rod comes with a very nice hard case and it breaks down to 30 inches (32 in its case). It features a V-flex ferrule joint system. These ferrules don’t require you to jam the rod pieces all the way together and then struggle to separate them. You simply push them until they snug together and you are all set. You can break down and put the rod together in seconds and be fishing as fast as you can thread your line.  

The rod has a high-modulus blank, Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides, unsanded micro-pitch blank, split Eva grip and machined nut hood. It’s a high quality rod that pairs nicely with your favorite bait caster. It comes in 7-foot medium, 7-foot medium heavy and 7-foot, 6-inch medium heavy.

Buy at BassPro.com

Best All-Around / Saltwater Travel Rod

St. croix avid trek rod.

This is a finely crafted American rod with incredible blanks offering uniform performance, strength and ultra-perceptive sensitivity. The premium cork full grip, and quality blanks featuring St. Croix’s IPC mandrels, SCII high modulus carbon, slim profile ART ferrules, Sea Guide Hero hi-grade guides with zirconia rings and stainless gun smoke frames, sea guide hook keeper, and a 15-year-transferable warranty.  

This rod can literally do it all. Going to Louisiana to fish the marshes for bass and redfish, this is your rod. Strong, light, smooth, sensitive and easy to pack. The 3-piece rod is 6-foot, 6-inch MH rod with a lot of power but great castability. This rod is a joy to fish with and you can expect it to last a long time with that kind of warranty.

Best Telescopic Travel Rod

Bass pro aventur1 telescoping rod.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Aventur1 telescoping rod. It features 6 sections but 8 guides for uniform castability and a nice line path while fighting fish. The unique guide system has floating guides as well as guides permanently affixed to the rod sections. So you won’t fight with line on the blank on this travel rod.  

The 7-foot medium power rod fished really well and I was pretty taken aback at how nice this rod fished for $59. A rod that will likely always be in my travel plans. With an RT2 graphite blank, Fuji aluminum oxide guides, Fuji reel seat, with EVA split grips and X-Wrap rubber cork butt cap, this is a pretty functional telescoping rod for travel fishing.

Best Big Swimbait Travel Rod

F5 departure travel rods.

The folks at F5 Custom Rods make some of the nicest big swimbait rods available today. These are custom made rods from blanks to handles to accents. They are often very selective in how they build rods and you usually have to get lucky enough to catch a rod on a drop. However, the F5 Departure Travel Rods are often in stock and I picked up a H and XH rod a year or so back.

These are two of my favorite big swimbait rods that I use for crankdowns like the Bull Shad 4×4 and the Toxic Whippersnappers, for glides like the 86 Baits Doomrider, KGB Swimbaits Chad Shad or the Deps Slide Swimmer 250 and of course for my jointed swims like the Bull Shad 8 inch.

The rods are both 3-piece rods and are custom made with a full extra long camo EVA handle. The ones the often sell are split grips. The rod blanks are solid. Even with three pieces I had no issues heaving big baits like the Slide Swimmer which weighs 6 1/2 ounces.

They are going to run you about $289 a piece for these rods. But I am so happy to have them because I can take a pack of my favorite big baits and a very high-end swimbait rod literally everywhere I go to chase trophies all over the country and out of the country for that matter.

Buy at F5 Custom Rods

Best Travel Rod on a Budget

Favorite fishing army geo rod.

This is an impressive rod not only for the price but for how well this 4-piece rod fishes and fights fish. We caught some really quality bass on this rod this spring and it is a legit fun spinning rod to fish. I love that I threw it in my suitcase, loaded up and went to Arkansas and broke it out and caught a bunch of nice bass that were moving shallow to spawn.  

Even my brother-in-law enjoyed fishing with this travel rod. And at $39, it’s a hard rod to pass up. The 4 pieces in their hard travel tube are 26 inches. The pieces are barely 23 inches. The rod is a 7-foot, 2-inch medium-heavy spinning rod. I used it to skip Senkos around shallow cover a lot this spring. And it sets a nice hook and has a ton of backbone to land big bass. Our biggest on it was 6 pounds, 4 ounces this spring.

Buy at FavoriteUSA.com

Runner up: Ugly Stik GX2 4-piece Travel Combo

At $44 at Walmart, you can’t go wrong with this nearly indestructible travel rod. The Ugly Stik has been the staple of affordable travel rods. They can take abuse and continue to catch and land fish.  

Buy from Walmart.com

Buy at Scheels

Best Trout Travel Rod

St. croix trout series pack rod  .

For the adventurer who needs a light and packable trout rod to get to remote locations, this is the Cadillac of adventure rods. This rod says trout, but it’s a dynamite bluegill, crappie and even smallmouth rod for remote streams and creeks. It’s a beautifully built rod at only 2.9 ounces and 3 pieces, it compacts down to be no added weight in your backpack.  

I paired it with a small 1000 spinning reel and 4-pound line and really enjoyed fishing this rod a lot. It will become one of my staple creek travel rods now. It throws little baits effortlessly and had a nice backbone for such a light rod. A real joy to fish with.

Buy from FishUSA.com

Best Panfish Telescoping Rod

Bnm poles little mighty telescoping rod  .

I have to admit, I’m a little blow away by this rod. I grew up crappie and bluegill fishing with my father in Florida and Arkansas with telescoping fiberglass rods from B’n’M Poles. So I have a lot of nostalgia when it comes to these types of rod. But the new Little Mighty Rod is something special.

While it’s not technically a travel rod, it’s a telescoping rod that reaches out to 20 feet and breaks down to barely 22 inches. It looks like a bright orange track baton but it extends to a masterful reach out and touch a crappie or bluegill telescoping rod quickly.

One word of caution, be sure you extend the rod small sections first. So grab the string tab on the tip and pull it out that way. Don’t slide the sections out by dumping the open end out or you will have issues with sections getting out of order and blocking each other. Same for breaking it down. Big sections first and be sure to leave the string out when you put the cap on.  

Other than that, I enjoyed testing this rod a lot. I honestly didn’t think much of it when I got it. But after using it I can think of all sorts of places I want to take and fish with this rod. Once you get the hang of maneuvering 20 feet of rod with a fish on the end it’s a pretty fun stick to fish with.

Buy at Walmart.com

Buy from BnmPoles.com

Other Travel Rod Considerations

Ark rods genesis rods.

This was my original travel rod and I’ve put a lot of miles on it. It’s caught fish in Nebraska, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. This is a two piece travel rod that comes with a nice padded bag.

Read our full Ark Genesis 2-piece travel rod review

The rod joins together nicely and fishes so well. The very narrow blanks are durable and sensitive. I’ve caught fish just about every way you can on these rods. I have the 6-foot, 8-inch MH and the 7-foot, 6-inch MH rods and have flipped, frogged, spinnerbait fished, jigged, cranked, popped a topwater popper and burned a buzz bait with these rods. A great option that gives no sacrifice in performance in a 2-piece travel rod.

SixGill Argos Travel Rods

A very nicely made travel pack rod, the Argos Travel Rod is a 4-piece rod built on a 24T Toray Carbon blank. Comes with a 25 inch travel case. It fishes like your nicest bass rod but you can tuck it under a jacket and take it with you anywhere. The rod loads nicely on the cast and has enough back bone with it’s 7-foot MH frame to fight any size bass you might tangle with. A very nice travel rod option.  

Buy from Sixgillfishing.com

Zebco 33 Spincast Telescopic Combo

This is an affordable option at $25 but it’s not made to handle big fish in my opinion. It’s a great rod for catching panfish around a campsite, or of the dock on vacation. But it’s not made for fishing for larger fish. The rod bends easily at the tip under load and the line cuts across the rod to the next guide. So just be cautious with bigger fish on this setup. But for $25, you can catch the heck out of a bunch of panfish with this setup.

Buy at Amazon

Hardy Zephrus FWS Travel Fly Rod

I haven’t had a chance to review the latest offerings from Hardy yet, but one of my all time favorite travel rods is my Hardy Zephrus FWS Travel Fly Rod. It’s a 9-foot, 5-weight rod. It is the perfect pack rod for hiking into remote streams and chasing fish on the fly. This is the Ferrari of travel rods in my opinion. Everything is first class from the aluminum case, styled bag, ferrule covers, and beautiful craftsmanship on the Sintrix 440 blank.  

Buy from Hardyrodsandreels.com

Shimano Convergence Travel Rod

This 7-foot, 4-piece rod is another great do-it all travel rod. It’s a great rod for a lot of different species and lures in that 1/4 ounce to 3/4 ounce size. It breaks down to 25 inches so it will fit in almost all your bags and it comes in a nice hard case with a shoulder strap if you want to carry it on your back while you hike. It’s very well made and fished nicely with a variety of reels.

Spinning rod

Casting rod.

Buy at Tackle Warehouse

St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod

This work-horse travel rod serves a ton of different purposes. It’s 6-foot, 6-inch size makes it a great size for tight quarters. I loved fishing some small streams near the house with this rod. A fun little rod for wading creeks or winging around on bigger waters on your travels. It’s small form factor of 24 inches makes it a great pack rod to keep in your vehicle or throw in your bag on long trips. It’s a very nice blank divided into 4 pieces. It’s strong, sensitive and light. A great travel version of their very popular Triumph line.  

Wired2fish Travel Rod Comparison Chart

We review a ton of products and while they don’t always make the best of categories there are a lot of good rods to choose from that can get the job done. We try to give you as many options as possible while identifying some that we think stand out in the array of options. The goal with our guides is to help you be as informed and aggregate as much helpful information and personal experience into helping you with your fishing gear decisions.  

Here is a quick rundown of a lot of travel rod / telescoping rod options:

Currently working as Senior Advisor to Wired2fish. Former COO and Publisher, Jason Sealock came to Wired2fish shortly after inception in January of 2010. Prior to that he was the Editor-in-Chief of FLW Outdoors Magazines. He worked up from Associate Editor to Photo Editor and finally Editor in Chief of three magazines FLW Bass, FLW Walleye and FLW Saltwater. He set the content direction for Wired2fish while also working directly with programmers, consultants and industry partners. Sealock has been an avid angler for the better part of 40 years and has been writing and shooting fishing and outdoors content for more than 25 years. He is an expert with fishing electronics and technologies and an accomplished angler, photographer, writer and editor. He has taught a lot of people to find fish with their electronics and has been instrumental in teaching these technologies to the masses. He's also the industry authority on new fishing tackle and has personally reviewed more than 10,000 products in his tenure. He has a 30-year background in information technologies and was a certified engineer for a time in Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, and HP. He mostly fishes for bass and panfish around the house. He has, however, caught fish in 42 of the 50 states in the US as well as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada and hopes to soon add Finland, Japan, Africa and Australia to his list.

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The 5 Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

Whether you're going on a dedicated trip, or just want to get some casts in during the family vacation, it pays to be prepared

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Travel fishing rods are made for anglers on the go. Wherever you end up, there are new waters to seek out, so the addition of a dedicated travel fishing rod to the arsenal makes sense for aspiring travel anglers. The problem for many years was the lack of quality rods to meet the carry-on restrictions for fishermen traveling on planes. Multi-piece rods were much less common and inferior to more conventional rods; they were also more likely to break.

Thankfully, advances in technology and design have changed the landscape of angling travel. Rod companies are now able to provide traveling anglers with quality options, and the best travel fishing rods fish like their one-piece counterparts. 

• Best Budget & Best Combo: Ugly Stik GX2 Travel Spinning Combo
• Best for Bass: Abu Garcia IKE Signature Series Travel Spinning Rod
• Best for Saltwater: G. Loomis Escape GLX Series
• Best Telescopic: KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rod
• Best Fly Rod: Orvis Clearwater

How We Picked the Best Travel Fishing Rods

My first travel-to-fish trip happened when I was seven. We ventured north to fish for northern pike and bass in the Thousand Islands area of the St. Lawrence River. Since that first trip, my wanderlust has persisted, spanning three continents, five countries, eleven states, and three Canadian provinces. I’ve carried rods to all of those places via airline, bush plane, panga, train, car, taxi, subway and hiking boots. In between those adventures, I’ve spent a lot of time talking with fishing industry professionals about travel fishing rods and other assorted gear. Cumulatively, this distilled experience proves highly useful in evaluating travel fishing tackle. While writing this review, I considered the following attributes:

• Fishing Performance—comparative to one-piece rods
• Packability
• Materials and Construction

Best Travel Fishing Rods: Reviews & Recommendations

• Length(s): 5 feet (light power), 6 feet and 6 feet 6 inches (Both medium power) 
• Numbers of sections: 5 foot rod is 3 pieces; others are 4 pieces
• Line Rating: Light: 4-10 pound; Medium: 6-15 pound
• Strong, durable and sensitive graphite and fiberglass construction
• More economical than buying individual components
• Strong and durable Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides
• Shakespeare four-bearing spinning reel, with double anodized aluminum spool
• Cloth rod and reel travel bag offers only cosmetic protection; not suitable for checked luggage.

According to Shakespeare lore, the Ugly Stik received its now world-familiar moniker when a product management executive took one look at the first prototype blanks and said they were the ugliest he’d ever seen. 

The most updated version is more aesthetically appealing, but it hasn’t lost its rugged durability or the signature clear tip segment. The Ugly Stik Travel Combo comes in three lengths and two power options (light and medium). Each rod is fitted with a solid Shakespeare four-bearing reel with oversized bail wire for added durability. And the entire combo is at a price point that won’t break the bank. 

These travel outfits make a solid choice for those trips focused on activities other than angling where you just might be able to fit in a little fishing anyway. They also make excellent entry-level outfits for kids and fishing rods for beginners . From personal experience, I’ll also say that these rods can handle those unexpected trophies that have a knack for biting when you’re just helping the kids catch a few bluegills.

• Length(s): 7 feet
• Numbers of Sections: Four pieces—butt section, midsection and two tip sections for increased versatility
• Tip Sections: medium light—for 1/8 to 5/8 ounce lures and medium for 1/4 to 3/4 ounce lures
• Line Rating: medium light: 6-12 pound; medium: 8-14 pound
• Two tip sections offers great versatility
• Fishes like a one-piece rod
• Excellent sensitivity 
• Doesn’t include a crush-proof case for checked luggage protection

Abu Garcia was smart to partner with Mike “Ike” Iaconelli in designing this rod. Twenty plus years as a bass tournament professional coupled with his additional experience as a city fishing enthusiast provided the ideal experiential foundation for crafting top notch travel fishing rods. 

The Ike Signature Series Travel Spinning Rod is an exceptional value and an incredibly versatile fishing tool. Quality components are a significant part of the winning formula. The rod blanks are constructed from 36-ton graphite and finished rods have stainless steel guides and a high quality reel seat. The use of a continuous graphite ferrule is key to allowing this rod to fish like a one-piece rod. If all of this isn’t enough, then add in the best feature—the versatility provided with interchangeable tips. This combination allows you to fish an extended range of lures and finesse baits. Anglers looking for a more powerful bass fishing tool should consider checking out the casting rod version .

• Length(s): 7 feet in two power options, medium-light and medium
• Numbers of Sections: three
• Line Rating: Medium-light: 6-12 pound; Medium: 10-17 pound
• Multi-taper design offers a superior blend of durability and performance
• Nickel-Titanium RECOIL guides
• High quality cork grip
• Light weight
• Difficult to find stock, at the moment

Very rarely will I say that a rod has the potential to enable a competent angler to catch more fish. The G. Loomis Escape GLX rods are an exception to this rule. Hands down, these are some of the finest fishing rods made today.

G. Loomis has been making fishing rods focused on performance since 1982. I bought my first GLX rod in 1999 and I still fish it today; I think that says a lot about both the quality and durability of the GLX line of rods. Loomis’ rod building expertise has led to superior travel rods that compromise nothing in a multi-piece design. Their proprietary Multi-taper Design process strengthens potential break points while reducing material application elsewhere. The result is strength and sensitivity. The Nickel-Titanium RECOIL guides used on these rods are amazingly tough and the cork grip provides a comfortable feel over days, months and years of fishing.

These rods are amazingly lightweight, given their strength, durability and ability to subdue large saltwater fish. This lightness in hand translates to greater comfort over a long day of fishing. The last cast of the day feels as effortless as the first.

GLX Escape travel spinning rods are available in two models. The medium power model is what I consider the ideal saltwater rod, able to handle large inshore species such as permit and bull redfish. In freshwater, this rod will handle most of the salmonid species, bass and pike. The medium-light model is also a phenomenal light saltwater rod, ideal for small bonefish, puppy drum and schoolie stripers. This rod is also a great crossover rod, whether for large trout, shad or smallmouth bass.

• Length(s): Casting —7 models from 6 feet, 8 inches to 8 feet; Spinning—7 models from 6 feet, 6 inches to 8 feet
• Numbers of Sections: All models are telescopic
• Line Ratings: 6-25 pound, depending on the model
• Multiple models for diversity and flexibility
• Quality materials and construction
• Quick assembly
• Still not as good as quality multi-piece rods
• Segments can loosen after significant casting/fishing time

Though I’m not a telescopic rod fan, I see the usefulness of the concept, and the KastKing BlackHawk II is the best telescopic rod I’ve seen. These rods are particularly well suited for anglers who need the added convenience provided by a telescopic rod and aren’t logging serious hours of fishing associated with dedicated travel fishing trips. In other words, they’re ideal for when you’re on vacation and, suddenly, you have an hour or two to go fishing.

KastKing has provided an outstanding array of options, in both casting and spinning rod models. This selection is a great service for potential customers who need to find rods to fit a wide variety of angling scenarios, as well as the inevitable personal preferences.

The BlackHawk II rods are built using KastKing KastFlex 24-Ton Carbon Matrix blanks, with a solid glass tip. Snug-Fit ferrules, stainless steel line guides, graphite reel seats and comfortable EVA handles are used to create a nicely finished rod. 

For more information on telescopic rods, we have a rundown of the best telescopic options out there , as well. 

• Length:  9 feet
• Line Weight:  5
• Action:  Medium-Fast
• Pieces:  4
• Warranty:  25-Year
• A bit heavy

The Orvis Clearwater took home the best value award in our fly rod test last year and was a favorite among our group of editors and testers. For starters, the Clearwater is one of the more affordable fly rods on the market, and it can hold its own with the premium rods that often see a price tag north of a grand. This rod went head-to-head with all of the top-end models, and after a quick blind-casting test, most of our editors put the Clearwater ahead of our favorite high-end rods.

As for performance, the Clearwater throws tight loops and can reach almost as far as any other rod. It’s a bit cumbersome, and you might get tired after a full day on the water. Anglers can pick up a Clearwater rod in sizes ranging from 2-weight to 12-weight. So no matter what fish you enjoy chasing with a fly, there’s a Clearwater rod for you. And since this is a travel fishing rod story, it’s worth mentioning that the Clearwater is a four-piece rod and can be carried on any plane in a rod tube. —Ryan Chelius

Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Fishing Rod

Travel fishing can be as exotic as a once-in-a-lifetime globetrotting adventure, or as simple as a subway trip to the city pond or lake. In both scenarios, a more compact, travel-friendly fishing outfit will make transit to the destination easier. Before buying a travel fishing rod, consider what species of fish you’re targeting, spatial limitations, mode of transport and the all important time versus money equation.

Target Species

What type or types of fish will you be chasing, and where will you be fishing? An ideal rod for panfish or trout will be outgunned and frustrating to use when targeting big stripers or redfish. Rods and their counterpart reels (meaning the reel you always use with that rod) may be great in freshwater but not up to the abuse they’ll endure in a marine environment. I like versatility in my gear but not to the point of compromising my overall enjoyment. To this end, I think it best to establish realistic expectations and fully understand what my travel rods can and cannot handle.

Spatial Limitations

The first leg of the journey is a commercial airline behemoth with spacious overhead compartments that will easily accommodate your travel rod case. But the final hop comes via a de Havilland Beaver where space is severely limited. Or, perhaps you’re hiking into the backcountry for a multi-day camping and fishing adventure. In each of these scenarios, spatial limitations are different, and in each case it’s important to identify how compact your travel rod (or rods) need to be. This is a question best asked and answered before you depart.

Mode of Transport

In a perfect world, my rods never leave my oversight when I travel to fish. But often that’s just not realistic. So, I opt to plan for the worst and hope for the best. I like when rods come with a crush-proof case. If they don’t, it’s best to invest in a specialized travel rod case that will accommodate the rod or rods you plan to take. When trips require multiple transfers, the added peace of mind alone merits the investment.

If carrying a rod or rods onto an airplane, I find out the airline’s maximum dimensions for carry-on items. If I have any doubt about carry-on options, I make sure the cased rod I’m traveling with will fit in my checked baggage.

Time versus Money 

This is an important equation that has additional variability based on a person’s disposable income and priorities. I once commented to a guiding client that I thought everyone should have one area of life where they indulge themselves. His response was, “Why just one?”

Realistically though, most anglers need to evaluate how often, and for how long, they’re likely to use a travel rod, and then factor that into their decision about which rod is best for them. An angler who might, or might not, use the rod once a year on a family vacation will want a different rod from the fisherman or woman who embarks upon one or more dedicated destination fishing trips each year.

Q: Can I carry-on a fishing pole?

According to the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), fishing rods can be carried on, as long as they meet the airline’s criteria for carry-on items. However, it’s best to always work with the specific airline you’ll be traveling with to fine-tune your carry-on planning. If you’re traveling internationally, be sure to also check with air carriers you’ll be flying with in the destination country or countries.  Adhere to their requirements, and your rod should remain in your hands from home to destination and back.

Q: How do you travel with a rod and reel?

I always want to travel with my rods in a hard, crush-proof case and my reels safely stowed in my carry-on fishing bag. Even if my travel rods are compact enough for airline carry-on, I still prefer to carry them in the protective hard case, as plans can sometimes change at the flight check-in. If I have to check the rods, at any point in the journey, I know they’ll be safe. Many people think about the flight process but don’t consider the auto travel on either end of the flight. In my experience, the transition points are when unprotected gear gets broken. Careful packing of your rods and reels extends the safety to these travel transition scenarios. In the “for what it’s worth” column, I’d rather arrive at a fishing destination without my clothes than my rods and reels. But happily this can be avoided by using a change of clothes as padding around your rods in the travel case. This way you arrive with your rods, reels and at least one spare outfit. 

Q: Can you carry-on a 4-piece fly rod?

Yes, most conventional 4-piece fly rods will meet airline criteria for carry-on luggage. I’ve traveled with 4-piece, ten foot fly rods to Chile, Mexico, England and remote north western Canada. I’ve never had any difficulty carrying-on my fly rods. That being said, it’s still always best to check with the airline in-question in advance. If you’re working with an experienced fishing travel service, they can also provide their experience traveling to your destination. For additional thoughts on this topic, check out our in-depth breakdown of the best fly rods .

Q: Can I fly with fishing lures?

According to the TSA, fishing lures are defined as “sharp fishing tackle that may be considered dangerous.” They recommend sheathing or otherwise securing hooks; the lures should then be securely wrapped and packed in your checked baggage. Based on this information, any hooks, lures or flies in your carry-on could be confiscated. For anglers, the problem with this approach is the fear of arriving at a remote fishing destination with nothing to fish. To alleviate this concern, I pack a small selection of must-have flies or lures that I put in my carry-on bag—think of it as an emergency kit. I keep the selection small enough that I can accept the loss if it’s ever confiscated. The bulk of my fishing lures are packed safely in my checked bag and include duplicates of the essentials.

Q: What is the difference between a travel rod and a standard rod?

A travel fishing rod can break down into small sections or telescope into one small piece. A normal fishing rod is often one, two, or four pieces. This makes it a bit more difficult to travel with.

Q: Are travel rods worth it?

Having a fishing rod that can break down into small pieces is definitely worth it. You don’t necessarily need a “travel fishing rod,” but rather something that breaks down into three or four pieces so it’s easier to travel with.

Best Traveling Fishing Rods: Final Thoughts

Whether you’re embarking upon a bucket-list adventure fishing trip or hoping to get in a little fishing while traveling with the family, it all depends on your tackle getting to the destination unbroken and functional. That defines why travel rods have become so important for modern anglers, and the importance extends beyond airline travel. Try carrying a one-piece rod on a busy subway and you quickly realize the value of travel rods for close-to-home fishing. 

Though many travel rods still fall short of their one-piece counterparts’ performance, advances in technologies and economies of scale have closed this gap. In some cases, the best travel fishing rods are indistinguishable from one or two-piece rods. To decide which travel rod is right for you, evaluate your target species, consider spatial limitations, mode of transportation and time versus money. Then, just add water and enjoy the fishing.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

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9 Best Ultralight Fishing Rods and Why

Captain tyler brady.

• October 24, 2022

This is our review of the best ultralight fishing rods in 2022.

So, you’re looking for the best ultralight fishing rod on the market. An ultralight rod is ideal for freshwater fish like trout and panfish, and there are plenty of anglers who would argue even bigger fish like bass and walleye are more fun to catch on an ultralight rod.

At the end of the day, you want something that is ultralight, durable and gives you the ability to make long casts with light baits. You want the sensitivity to detect light bites, but you don’t want to be overpowered if a big fish takes the bait. It’s a tough balance, and the best ultralight spinning rod needs to offer the best of both worlds.

The problem is: there are so many fishing brands out there! To make things easier for you, we have compiled this comprehensive list of reviews on some of our favorite ultralight rods to help with your decision-making process.

After testing rods from the top brands, the St. Croix Panfish Ultralight Rod revealed itself as the best ultralight rod on the market.

That being said, it’s far from the only quality option. Every angler is different, so we’ve taken the time to build a list of the 9 best ultralight rods with reviews and answer frequently asked questions to help you know what to look for when buying an ultralight fishing rod.

Let’s get started!

Our Picks for Best Ultralight Fishing Rods

KastKing introduced the Perigee II with the novice in mind. Beginning anglers who are looking for a good performing rod appreciate the lower cost of this glass composite rod.

A beautifully crafted rod from one of the most trusted rod manufacturers in the fishing world, the G.Loomis Classic Trout Panfish Spinning Rod is a great rod that earns every penny of its admittedly high price tag. It’s the type of rod that gives you confidence every time you hit the water.

The ultralight style is perfect for smaller fish or light-hitting species. The rod is durable enough to provide plenty of action if a larger fish hits your bait.

Best Ultralight Rods Reviewed

St. croix panfish ultralight spinning rod—best overall.

As its name suggests, the St. Croix Panfish series of spinning rods are ideal for panfish anglers. They excel at tossing dainty jigs for crappie, bluegill, and perch but have enough strength for a solid hook set and good fighting power. It’s hard to argue with it as the best ultralight fishing rod overall.

The rods are made with specialized high-modulus SCVI carbon and premium quality SCII graphite construction, which is what gives them that just-right balance between strength, durability, and the ability to flex and the rod bends smoothly when needed. The graphite blank is also cured with a fortified resin material for extra strength.

St. Croix makes their Panfish Ultralight Rods in several lengths and weights. We tested out the ultralight/fast-action spinning rod and found it to be supremely user-friendly and responsive. It has a great rod bend and flexes to the rod tip, and its 5′ rod length is convenient and great for travel.

This ultralight rod has sleek stainless steel guides and a natural cork handle that provides a secure, comfortable grip. The solid graphite reel seats hold an ultralight reel snugly in place. In use, the St. Croix Panfish Ultralight Rod has outstanding sensitivity for detecting the lightest biters.

Like most ultralight fast action rods, it works best when paired with ultralight monofilament or fluorocarbon line between 1 and 6 lb (2.72 kg) test. St. Croix has been making quality fishing rods for over 70 years now, and it’s clear that the Panfish series are worthy ultralight additions to their lineup.

Shakespeare Ultralight Spinning Rod—Best on a Budget

One of the great things about an ultralight spinning rod is that a good one doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. While you can certainly shell out for a premium fishing rod that’s worth every penny, budget-friendly fishing rods like the Shakespeare Micro spinning rod are also excellent choices.

Shakespeare is known for making fishing rods that are great for beginners, but their Ultra Light Micro Series rods are most definitely not just for beginners. Despite their remarkably low price point, these fishing rods have some surprisingly high-end features, like comfy cork grips and stainless steel guides.

This ultralight rod comes in several lengths, from 4’6” to 7’6”. The action is not specified, but the 6′ model feels like a moderately fast action ultralight spinning rod, with a good amount of bend yet plenty of backbone for solid hook sets.

It’s sensitive enough for sunfish, but you can do some ultralight bass fishing without feeling too overmatched. If you’re an experienced fisherman just dipping your toe in the ultralight waters for the first time, this is a great rod to start with.

If there’s one area where the Shakespeare rod falls short of its more expensive counterparts, it’s strength. It’s a graphite rod, and—while you’re unlikely to break it while fishing—it is a bit brittle. This is definitely not a rod that you want to accidentally shut the car door on your way to the lake. But at this price, you probably wouldn’t be too upset if you did.

G.Loomis Trout Panfish Ultralight Spinning Rod—Premium Pick

With a strong carbon fiber blend blank that gives it an ultralight moderate action, this is a versatile ultralight fishing rod that excels in all kinds of situations. It’s great for casting tiny spinners on a trout stream and just as well-suited to tossing jigs for panfish.

You can be sure that this rod has the power to take on hard fighters too. If a 5-pound bass decides to make a meal of your crappie jig, you can bring it in without fear of snapping the rod.

The G.Loomis Classic Trout Panfish ultralight rod has a cork and foam handle with smooth, strong Fuji Alconite guides that keep even the lightest of lines safe from unnecessary abrasion and tension. The rod casts smoothly when paired with the right reel and spooled with a 2 to 6-pound test line.

Whether you’re the sort of angler who prefers longer or shorter rods, there’s a G.Loomis trout rod series ultralight model with your name on it. This particular rod comes in 5′ up to 7′ lengths. The 5’6” model we based this review on is a great compromise, and you can get some serious distance with dainty 1/16 and 1/32 oz. baits.

Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Rod—Best for Durability

The Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Rod is one of the more budget-friendly options on this list, but don’t let that trick you into thinking it’s low quality. It’s actually a rod and reel combo that costs less than most fishing rods we’re looking at here today but will probably outlive them all.

Ugly Stik rods come in just about every size, weight, and action, from these 5″ ultralight spinning rods to heavy-duty rods that are more in line with the needs of your average steelhead angler. But they all have one thing in common: they’re darn tough.

Let’s put it this way. I would never advise you to intentionally step on a fishing rod, but if you were to accidentally do so, it would probably be fine. This rod is made of graphite and fiberglass, with a clear fiberglass tip to give the rod even more strength where it’s needed most.

No action is specified, but the 5′ ultralight rod from Ugly Stik could best be described as a medium-fast action rod. It’s a one-piece spinning rod with stainless steel guides, an EVA handle, and a handy hook keeper. I do tend to favor a cork handle, but it’s a small quibble with an otherwise outstanding item.

The Ugly Stik GX2 ultralight rod isn’t one of the most sensitive ultralight rods in the world, but its design favors strength over sensitivity. It handles light tackle beautifully and is an excellent choice for jigging. You can bring in freshwater game fish species from bluegill to bass with ease. In fact, it’s one of the best ultralight rods for situations in which you expect to battle larger fish.

Okuma Celilo Graphite Lightweight Trout Rod—Best for Trout Fishing

Trout fishing brings its own particular set of challenges, especially with ultralight spinning rods. Chief among them is detecting the barely-there nibbles of these notoriously finicky fish. The other is casting in tight quarters on tree-lined streams.

The Okuma Celilo Graphite Lightweight Trout fishing rod gets top marks on both counts. First and foremost, the graphite blank of this rod is amazingly sensitive, allowing you to feel every pebble on the stream bed. You’ll know if a trout so much as sneezes near your bait.

Additionally, the short stature of this rod (it comes in 4’6” and 5′ sizes) makes it ideal for casting light lures under overhanging trees alongside your favorite trout stream. It’s a reliable fishing companion in tight quarters.

Granted, if you expect to catch larger fish, you might want to choose the 6′ or 6’5” model. Either way, the Okuma Celilo ultralight trout rod is great for chasing brooks, browns, and rainbows in your neighborhood creek.

These rods also feature a sturdy stainless steel reel seat, cork handle, and aluminum oxide guides that resist corrosion. They have the look and feel of high-end rods without the high-end price tag. Of course, they’re perfectly suitable for all sorts of smaller game fish, but at the end of the day, they’re among the very best ultralight spinning rods for trout.

St. Croix Triumph Ultralight Spinning Rod—Best for Traveling

When you’re ready to hit the road on your next fishing trip, you need a fishing rod that travels well. The St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod is that fishing rod.

It’s available in sizes from ultralight all the way up to medium-heavy, and all are four-piece rods that break down for easy transport. You even get a handy carrying case with it.

The ultralight model of the St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod is a 5′ rod with a fast action tip. It’s made of premium quality SCII graphite with a cork handle and guides with aluminum-oxide inserts. The rod and the carrying case it stows away in are even small enough to meet the carry-on requirements for most airlines.

Of course, the big question is, how does it fish? As it turns out, quite well.

You’d be forgiven for assuming that a four-piece rod is a bit of a chore for real-world fishing, but this one actually performs admirably. The fast action tip is slightly stiffer than many ultralight spinning rods but gives you excellent hook-setting power and surprising sensitivity.

Overall, this is an ultralight rod to take with you on camping trips. Stow it away in your car or RV, and there will always be a fishing rod handy when you need it the most. These rods are very durably made and come backed by a 5-year warranty.

Fenwick Eagle Ultralight Spinning Rod—Best for Panfish

With the classic look you might expect from a company that’s been making quality fishing equipment for more than 65 years, the Fenwick Eagle Spinning Rod certainly gets top points for beauty. But in addition to its simple, timeless design, it’s also an effective rod that gives you a real edge at your local pond.

The ultralight version of the Eagle Spinning Rod measures 5’6″ and has a flexible, moderate action with a great balance between bend and backbone. It’s one of the best ultralight spinning rods for panfish, perfect for tossing light jigs and flies for bluegill, perch, and crappie.

In addition to strong-yet-sensitive graphite construction, these rods have a cork handle and stainless steel guides. With an ergonomically designed reel seat, it’s comfortable and easy to fish with. The no-frills reel seat also adds to the rod’s sensitivity, helping to transmit even the lightest bites.

When paired with the right spinning reels, the Fenwick Eagle Ultralight Spinning Rod offers smooth casting with a 1 to 6-lb. test line. The guides have an aluminum oxide coating to further reduce friction and keep your line from fraying. The rod also comes with a 5-year warranty.

Ugly Stik Elite Casting Rod—Best Ultralight Casting Rod

It almost goes without saying that the majority of ultralight rods—the overwhelming majority, in fact—are spinning rods. But there will always be those who favor a casting rod and reel over a spinning combo. Fair enough!

If that sounds like you, then the Ugly Stik Elite Casting Rod is the fishing rod for you. The ultralight version of the Elite is a versatile choice for all kinds of freshwater fish and offers a comfortable grip for anyone who favors the simplicity of a casting combo.

The rod measures 7′ and has medium-fast action. That places it among the longer and more flexible rods on our list, which means it gives you great casting power for light tackle. The rod has a great bend to it, which provides some cushion when fighting bigger fish.

With cork handles and stainless steel guides, the Elite Casting Rod is also a handsome fishing rod that pairs well with most ultralight casting reels. It’s a favorite among ultralight bass fishermen in particular, as it excels at pitching light jigs and soft plastic baits.

Like most Ugly Stik rods, it’s also darn near indestructible. And bear in mind, if casting rods aren’t your thing, the Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod is virtually identical, except that the reel seat is designed to accommodate a spinning reel instead.

KastKing Pedigree II Fishing Rod – Best for Bass Fishing

Bass fishing on ultralight tackle brings its fair share of challenges, not the least of which is the real possibility of tanging with feisty game fish that far outweigh your light line and featherweight rod. The KastKing Pedigree II Fishing Rod is up to the challenge.

The Pedigree II is available in 5’6″ and 6″ultralight spinning rod sizes (as well as several heavier models) that offer a bit more power and backbone, which is a huge help when you’re bass fishing.

The rod is constructed with an incredibly durable and sensitive carbon fiber blank. Details include high-end Fuji O-Ring line guides, a graphite reel seat, dense EVA grips, a hook holder, and a beautiful bare finish to the carbon fiber blank.

That bare finish isn’t just for looks (although it looks great) but also for added sensitivity. That will come in handy for finicky bass who barely make a move when they slurp up your finesse jig. The KastKing Pedigree II Rod really gives you next-level sensitivity for bass fishing.

The rod also has medium-fast action, which offers a pretty good balance of flex and strength. If you’re used to heavier rods, it can be an adjustment. But there are few items better suited to ultralight bass fishing than the Pedigree II.

Common Questions Related to Ultralight Fishing Rods

Even when you know what the best ultralight fishing rod is, you may not have necessarily found the best fishing rod for your specific needs. Ultralight fishing can be a lot of fun, but it can also be a frustrating experience if you’re not prepared and don’t have the right fishing gear and tackle.

Even for experienced ultralight fishermen, there’s always a lot to learn. Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the most frequently asked questions about ultralight rods.

What is ultra light fishing rod?

Simply put, an ultralight fishing rod is a type of fishing rod that is designed for catching smaller fish. Most are spinning rods, and an ultralight spinning rod is typically smaller and lighter than your average spinning rod and is made to be paired with a similarly downsized spinning reel.

What are ultralight rods good for?

The best ultralight rods excel at casting small, and light lures longer distances. This is a major asset when pursuing smaller game fish species like panfish and trout, which tend to favor light lures.

An ultralight fishing rod is also meant to be paired with a light line. They are usually designed with an especially sensitive tip, which helps the angler to detect light bites.

How long should an ultra light rod be?

Ultralight rods are available in a wide range of lengths, and there isn’t really a ‘best’ rod length. It’s more a matter of your needs and how you intend to use the rod.

Generally speaking, longer rods are better for casting long distances, but shorter ultralight rods often give you more power when fighting a larger fish. The best ultralight spinning rod should be between 5′ and 7′, though longer and shorter rods are available.

Is an ultralight rod good for trout?

Ultralight rods are great for trout fishing. Not only do ultralight trout fishing rods excel at casting the types of dainty lures favored by trout, but they also have the sensitivity to detect light bites.

Shorter ultralight rods are also great for fishing in tight spaces with a lot of overhanging trees, which is a common problem faced by trout anglers. Keep in mind, though, that if you’re fishing for a larger trout, you might want to upsize to a light or medium-light rod.

What is the most sensitive spinning rod?

That’s a tough question to answer, but spinning rods with a graphite blank are generally considered to be more sensitive than fiberglass rods. That’s not a firm rule, but graphite construction usually means good sensitivity.

An ultralight spinning rod is, for the most part, thought to be more sensitive than heavier rods in general. That being said, there is also an old saying among fishermen that sensitivity is in the hands, not the rod.

Can you catch bass on an ultralight?

You can absolutely go bass fishing with an ultralight fishing rod! In fact, there’s a whole subset of anglers who specifically target bass using ultralight fishing gear.

Ultralight rods are especially well suited to catching stream smallmouths and for going after largemouths in small ponds, and they’re great fun for bass fishing from a kayak or a float tube. If you’re planning on bass fishing with an ultralight rod, look for one with fast action and a bit more power.

How big of a fish can an ultralight rod handle?

That depends on a lot of factors, including your skill when it comes to fighting big fish! Realistically, ultralight rods are designed for bringing in smaller fish, typically weighing 2 lb (0.91 kg) or less.

But at the end of the day, there’s no reason you can’t bring in a larger game fish if one should happen to strike. Plenty of anglers have brought in 10 lb (4.54 kg) fish using light line and ultralight tackle… but it might take a while.

So, which ultralight fishing rod is the best?

It depends on what your needs are. We think the best overall is the St. Croix Panfish Ultralight Fishing Rod . If you’re looking for a heavy-duty reel that will stand up to tough abuse and last for years of use, we recommend the Ugly Stick GX2 Ultralight Fishing Rod . For those who want something more affordable with quality features without breaking the bank, try out the Shakespeare Ultra Light Micro Series Spinning Rod . Whatever your budget or skill level might be, there’s an ultralight rod perfect for you!

Before you head out on your next fishing trip with your new ultralight rod, be sure to use this map to find a new fishing hole, boat ramp, or tackle store. It’s also important to protect our natural resources by purchasing a fishing license in your state. Use this map to easily navigate to your state’s license page.

For more resources on finding your next fishing rod, check out the pages below:

• Best Rod and Reel Combo for Beginners
• 11 Best Inshore Spinning Rods
• 11 Best Surf Fishing Rods
• 11 Best Baitcasting Rods
• The 10 Best Telescopic Fishing Rods

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7 Best Ultralight Fishing Rods Reviewed

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Read our review guidelines

Bonjour! Welcome to my review of the best ultralight fishing rods!

Quality, lightness, sturdiness, durability, and affordability. These are what separate the best ultralight fishing rods from the rest. I relied on my 21 years of fishing experience to judge these ultralight fishing rods objectively using those criteria.

Before we go any further, in the interest of time, I’d like to direct your attention to our best overall pick – the St Croix Triumph Spinning Rod . It’s not only one of the lightest, but also the strongest and most durable ultralight fishing rod on the market.

If you’ve got a bit more time to read, or you’re looking for other types of ultralight fishing rods, let’s begin.

Best Splurge

St Croix Premier

As light as it gets

Impressively durable

Lengthy warranty

Overall Score: 9.6

Best Overall

St Croix Triumph

Incredibly light

Overall Score: 9.4

Best Budget

Shakespeare Micro

As affordable as it gets

Overall Score: 9.2

Our top 8 picks.

• St Croix Triumph Spinning Rod (Best Overall) [9.4]
• St Croix Premier Spinning Rod (Best Splurge) [9.6]
• Okuma Celilo Spinning Rod (Best For Casual Anglers) [9.4]
• Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod (Best Budget) [9.2]
• Troutboy Black Warrior Spinning Rod (Best For Travelling) [8.9]
• Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod (Best 2-Piece Rod) [9.6]
• KastKing Perigee II Spinning Rod (Best Ugly Stik Elite Alternative) [8.4]

Best Ultralight Fishing Rods Reviewed

Before we get started, I’d like to clarify that you may see a different range of rod lengths on the product page than listed here. That’s because I’m only including the ultralight options.

With that out of the way, let’s begin.

1. St Croix Triumph Spinning

Effectiveness For Task

Versatility

Customer Service

User Reviews

*Not all metrics have equal weightings. Learn more about our scoring system here .

• Blank Material: Carbon Fiber
• Guides: Aluminum Oxide
• Handle Material: Cork
• Rod Length: 5-5.5 ft
• Warranty Period: 5 Years

For the overall best pick, the St Croix Triumph Spinning Rod was the obvious choice. Made with the finest components, it’s unbelievably sensitive, and somehow still manages to be both strong and durable.

Starting off with the components, it features aluminum oxide guides and a cork handle. Aluminum oxide is one of the best materials for guides. Not only is it durable, its smoothness virtually eliminates tangles and provides great line control. The cork handle is no slack either. Cork handles provide secure grips and feel comfortable to the touch.

Now on to the rod blank. Carbon fiber guarantees maximum sensitivity so you can feel everything that goes on underwater. 

To top it off, St Croix’s exclusive Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology makes the rod 33% stronger than normal ultralight fishing rods. This means that compared to other rods, you’ll have the same sought-after sensitivity. But you’ll be able to take on larger fish.

As for durability, having been in business for more than 70 years, St Croix has a well-earned reputation for building quality premium rods. With such a reputation on the line, St Croix would never risk jeopardizing its good name. Rest assured your St Croix Triumph Spinning Rod will last as long as almost any other rod on the market.

I also like that St Croix also took extra care with the packaging to surround the rod with bubble wrap and protect it further with a sturdy tube.

The last and arguably most important factor is price. No matter how good a rod is, if it’s too expensive, no one will buy it. Lucky for you, the St Croix Triumph has a very attractive price tag. If you’re looking for a top-notch ultralight fishing rod at a very reasonable price, look no further.

2. St Croix Premier Spinning

• Rod Length: 4.5-7 ft

If you were impressed by the St Croix Triumph, prepare to be mind blown by the St Croix Premier. It has the exact same first-rate components, but lighter, handcrafted, and with a coveted extra feature. You’re in for a treat with the St Croix Premier.

My favourite part about it is that in addition to the FRS technology, it’s handcrafted in the USA. The excellent craftsmanship is what allows it to be lighter than the St Croix Triumph, while still being every bit as sensitive, strong, and durable. I measured both rods’ 5.5 ft options and found that the St Croix Premier was about 10% lighter.

Aside from that, it’s also equipped with a Kigan hook-keeper. This will secure the hook and protect your rod from being damaged during transportation and storage. 

With these sweet upgrades, it should come as no surprise that it’s about 1.5 times more costly. In my opinion, the St Croix Triumph’s lightness will already more than suffice. A hook-keeper is also more of a want than a need. That’s why I ultimately chose the St Croix Triumph as the best overall pick. It already has everything you need. 

Nonetheless, if you want nothing but the best, and have the money to spare, St Croix Premier is the rod for you.

Best For Casual Anglers

3. Okuma Celilo Spinning

• Blank Material: Graphite
• Rod Length: 4.5-5.5 ft
• Warranty Period: 1 Year

Even as affordable as the St Croix Triumph is, it may still be a tad too pricey for your liking. It’s normal for casual anglers who don’t go fishing often to not want to spend so much on a fishing rod. If you’re one of them, the Okuma Celilo is perfect for you.

Crafted with graphite, it’s as sensitive as St Croix’s rods. And similar to St Croix’s rods, the Okuma Celilo comes with aluminum oxide guides and a cork handle. As mentioned earlier, aluminum oxide guides are top-of-the-line . Unfortunately, the cork handle is a different story. I found the Okuma Celio’s cork handle to be rather thick. There’s no need for a rod handle to be this thick. It just adds unnecessary weight. 

Another small issue is the product page. This isn’t a problem with the rod, but the product sales page is really unclear. Unlike normal fishing rod sales pages, it doesn’t let you choose options based on length and power. Instead, it lists model numbers and expects you to Google the models to find out yourself.

In the long run though, these are small issues. The rod handle just takes some getting used to, and you’ll spend at most a few minutes Googling the model number. 

As a whole, despite its tiny flaws, the Okuma Celilo Spinning Rod is a pretty well-made and good quality ultralight rod, providing great value for casual anglers. At roughly 1.5 times cheaper than the St Croix Triumph, it’s a steal.

4. Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod

• Blank Material: Composite
• Guides: Stainless Steel
• Rod Length: 4.5-5 ft

Incredibly lightweight

If you still found the Okuma Celilo to be out of your budget, I’ve got just the rod for you – the Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod. For literally the price of a few cups of coffee, and less than half the price of the Okuma Celilo, you can have yourself an actual working ultralight fishing rod.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. How can the price be this low? 

Well for starters, fiberglass is cheaper than graphite. Since composite replaces some graphite with fiberglass, it’ll be cheaper than pure graphite. Stainless steel guides are also cheaper than aluminum oxide guides. All these add up to significant reductions in costs. 

Compromises were also made in the rod assembly to keep costs down. It isn’t very durable, and I’m quite sure after a few months of usage, at least one of the parts will break. On the bright side, the 1-year warranty will cover these broken parts.

If you’re just looking to have a bit of fun with ultralight rods, this will do just fine, although your happiness will be short-lived. Despite the lower quality, it’s sensitive enough to give you the full ultralight experience.

Here’s a fun fact. William Shakespeare Jr founded the Shakespeare brand. It’s been around for more than a century, and more or less all anglers know it.

All things considered, the Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod is decent, and dirt cheap . It’s the lowest possible price you can get for a functioning ultralight fishing rod.

Best For Travelling

5. Troutboy Black Warrior Spinning

Overall Score: 8.9

*Not all metrics have equal weightings. Learn more about our rod scoring system here .

*Not all metrics have equal weightings. Learn more about our reel scoring system here .

• Handle Material: EVA Foam
• Rod Length: 5.8-11.8 ft
• Warranty Period: 6 Months

When it comes to telescopic ultralight fishing rods, the Troutboy Black Warrior Spinning Rod dominates the category. Even though telescopic fishing rods are notorious for slow action, the Troutboy Black Warrior is sensitive enough to be an ultralight fishing rod. It’s also durable, portable, and well-made.

I found the rod’s action and power to be borderline ultralight. This is commendable since composite is less sensitive than graphite.

It comes with pretty good stainless steel guides and a comfortable EVA handle too. 

What I liked most were its durability and collapsing smoothness. Over the years, telescopic fishing rods have gotten a bad name for having short lifespans. But the Troutboy Black Warrior is built properly and will last for years . I also had no problems extending and collapsing, further proving that it’s constructed well.

Like all telescopic fishing rods, it’s also portable. It collapses down to a mere 18.8 inches for the 5.83 ft option, and 26.3 inches for the 11.83 ft option.

In short, it’s the best telescopic ultralight fishing rod available. You’ll also be glad to know that it’s extremely affordable. In fact, it costs roughly the same as the budget pick. It’s less sensitive than the budget pick but more portable. If you value portability in a rod, there’s no better ultralight rod than this.

Best 2-Piece Rod

6. Ugly Stik Elite Spinning

• Rod Length: 6.5 ft
• Warranty Period: 7 Years

As durable as it gets

As sensitive as it gets

Some people prefer 2-piece rods over telescopic rods. It’s faster to set up 2-piece rods and they’re definitely less hassle. If this sounds like you, you’ll want the Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod. 

There isn’t too much to say, but in short, the Ugly Stik Elite is durable, portable, and of good quality. Ugly Stik rods are known for being unbreakable. Their special “Ugly Tech Construction” makes their rods tough as nails. This rod also has good quality components like stainless steel guides and a cork handle. Safe to say, it’s one of the best 2-piece ultralight fishing rods on the market.

It’s somewhat heavier than the higher-end rods on this list, but aside from that, it’s got few other flaws. Check out the Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod for a modestly priced, portable, and good-quality 2-piece ultralight fishing rod.

Best Ugly Stik Alternative

7. KastKing Perigee II Spinning

Overall Score: 8.4

• Guides: Fuji O-Ring
• Rod Length: 4.5-6 ft
• Warranty Period: Limited Lifetime

Great customer service

Lifetime warranty

For the final contender, the KastKing Perigee II exists only as an alternative to the Ugly Stik Elite. It’s just like the Ugly Stik Elite, good-quality and portable. However, it’s lighter and less durable.

It comes with top-grade Fuji O-ring guides and a great EVA handle. Both are excellent for fishing rods.

For its rod blank, carbon fiber is actually lighter than composite. This allows the KastKing Perigee II to be lighter than the Ugly Stik Elite. Alas, you can’t find Ugly Stik’s special technology anywhere else except at Ugly Stik, so Kastking’s Perigee II is less durable.

All in all, the KastKing Perigee II is 15% less costly, but lighter and less durable. If you value lightness and you’re willing to give up some durability, you’ll love the KastKing Perigee II.

Comparison Table

Why do people use ultralight fishing rods.

It’s definitely possible to catch trout and other smaller species even with light rods. With light rods, you can also target larger fishes than ultralight rods can. So the question is, why would anyone want an ultralight rod over a light rod? 

One word – fun .

Sure you could reel in trout with a light rod, but it’s way more fun with an ultralight rod.

Ultralight rods aren’t just more sensitive. They also enable you to work with lighter lines and lures. 

You’ll be able to cast lighter lures further and with more precision. In other words, you can cast almost weightless lures a good distance.

With lighter lures and lines, when trout, or anything smaller bites, you’ll also be able to feel it more strongly. 

Combined with the increased sensitivity, when reeling small fishes in, you’ll have more of a challenge, making it much more enjoyable.

Buying The Right Ultralight Fishing Rod

By now, you should have decided on which ultralight fishing rod you want to get. The thing is, the ultralight fishing rod you have in mind might have multiple options. It could and likely will have different lengths and even different power choices.

Here’s how to choose the right option for you.

Rod Power and Action

First off, no I’m not tripping. Yes, your ideal ultralight fishing rod can have different power options.

It goes without saying that since you’re buying an ultralight fishing rod, your rod power should be ultralight. However, oftentimes aside from ultralight, rods have other options too, like light and moderate light. As such, you’ll want to make extra sure you choose the ultralight option.

Next, for rod action, since the point of ultralight fishing rods is to have the best time fishing for smaller fish species, you’ll want your rod to be as sensitive as it can be. This means you’ll want fast action or even extra fast action for your rod. Basically, you’ll want the action to be as fast as possible.

The length of your rod will determine how far you can cast. The longer your rod, the further you’ll be able to cast.

For ultralight fishing rods, 7 ft is a great starting point because it casts far enough to accommodate most fishing styles. 

If you feel you won’t be needing the extra casting distance, you can always opt for a shorter length which will be lighter and easier to handle. Vice versa, if you need to cast further, for something like surf fishing, then you’ll need a longer rod.

Line Guides

Nowadays, it’s rare to find bad guides on rods. The fishing industry has come a long way since a century ago. Even the worst guides now are at least good enough for a decent fishing experience. Whatever the case, this is good news. 

Some of the better materials for line guides are aluminum oxide, stainless steel, titanium alloy, and ceramic. These tend to be the smoothest, most durable, and corrosion-resistant. In particular, titanium alloy is the most resistant to rust.

As any experienced angler would know, graphite, aka carbon fiber is the most sensitive and lightweight material. As you would expect, it’s the most expensive. 

Conversely, fiberglass is less sensitive and heavier, but also stronger and more durable. 

Composite is when you throw both graphite and fiberglass into a rod, making it a well-balanced mix of sensitive, light and strong. 

For ultralight fishing rods that have to be the most sensitive, clearly graphite is the ideal choice. You’ll be catching really small fish, so you won’t be needing the strength that fiberglass provides. Thus, graphite tends to be the best material for ultralight fishing rods. 

As for the other materials, fiberglass is definitely out of the question. It’s just too stiff for ultralight rods. On the other hand, composite is still a feasible option.

Composite will be less sensitive than pure graphite to some degree. But it’s strong enough for you to take on larger fish than trout, and still sensitive enough to be an ultralight rod. Overall, it will be a little less sensitive than graphite, but you’ll be able to target a wider range of fish.

Ultralight fishing rods are a whole different breed. No other fishing rod has to be made so precisely.

Being so different from normal rods, people often have many questions about it. Here are the most common ones.

What Is An Ultralight Fishing Rod?

For seasoned anglers, this may seem redundant. When I first heard the term “ultralight fishing rods” though, I thought it meant a rod that was super light in weight. For those just starting out, it’s normal to not know exactly what ultralight fishing rods are.

The ultralight in ultralight fishing rod actually refers to the rod’s power and not its weight.

Rod power, in layman terms, refers to how hard it is to bend a rod.

Ultralight fishing rods are the easiest to bend and are the best rods for light lines and lures. The optimal pound test for ultralight fishing rods is 1-6 pounds, and the optimal lure weight is 1/32-1/4 oz.

Can you catch bass with an ultralight rod?

Yes, you can catch bass with an ultralight rod, but only the smaller ones.

Bass are a good deal larger than trout, so you won’t be able to catch all the species of bass. Even so, there are species like the yellow bass that don’t go over 2 pounds.

Ultralight fishing rods will hold up against smaller bass species like yellow bass.

What’s the heaviest fish that ultralight rods can handle?

The heaviest fish that ultralight rods can handle is 3-pound fish.

For most ultralight fishing rods made with pure graphite, you’ll be sacrificing toughness for sensitivity. This means your rod will be more flimsy.

As such, 2 pounds is the max for usual ultralight fishing rods. For ultralight fishing rods made with composite, you can go up to 3 pounds.

Alternatively, for special cases like St Croix with advanced technology, you can also go up to 3 pounds. These are also not hard and fast rules.

At times, you may exceed the weight limit by a little and it’s fine, but go too overboard and you’ll end up with a broken rod.

Why don’t I see any ultralight baitcasting rods?

If you’re asking a question like this, chances are, you haven’t used baitcasting rods before.

Baitcasting rods do not work well with lines lighter than 10-pound test, so there really isn’t much to explain. Baitcasting rods simply cannot be ultralight.

Ultralight fishing rods open up a world of possibilities. They allow you to feel the smallest fishes, and make any form of fishing more fun.

As a general rule of thumb, the more sensitive an ultralight rod is, the better. Still, there is no one size fits all ultralight fishing rod. Some people prefer less sensitivity for more strength, and others prefer more weight for further casting distance.  

Notwithstanding that, you can’t go wrong with the St Croix Triumph . It’s the perfect balance of lightness, strength and durability. I found it to be my favorite ultralight fishing rod, and I think you will too.

P.S. For those looking for a good reel to pair with your ultralight fishing rod, here are the best ultralight spinning reels .

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Home » Gear » The BEST Travel Fishing Rods – Cast Off in 2024!

The BEST Travel Fishing Rods – Cast Off in 2024!

I love to fish all over the world. Fishing somewhere new is always fun, but the exciting uncertainty of fishing in a totally new country or biome is unbeatable.

I’ve had some of my most raw and authentic travel experiences with local fishermen in remote locations. It’s so rewarding bonding over such a primal activity and commonly shared passion, all whilst spending time in nature. Nothing beats enjoying a well-earned meal at the end of it too!

Fish of all shapes, sizes and colours can be found in each of the world’s waters. Spending time in some unbelievable and serene off-the-beaten-path spots is what makes travel and fishing such a match made in heaven.

Talking as someone with plenty of experience, travelling with bulky fishing gear isn’t ideal. The best travel fishing rods, however, bridge this great divide and allow me to combine my two favourite activities effortlessly – fishing and travel.

If you’re wondering how to travel with fishing rods, the number one piece of advice I’ll give you is to invest in a travel rod! I’m going to share with you some of my personal favourite travel rods in this post, some of which fit INSIDE my backpack.

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The 5 BEST Fishing Rods For Travel

5 more great travel fishing rods, how to travel with fishing rods, ethical and sustainable travel fishing, final thoughts on travel fishing rods.

Travel fishing rods are better for backpackers as they take up far less space than your standard rods – without compromising on quality. Fitting a rod into your bag or strapping it to the outside of your pack makes for a more realistic approach to fishing on the road.

Travelling the world with a fishing rod opens so many doors. You can catch your dinner in the smallest of streams by the roadside, or hop on a local’s boat and explore the ocean. Different fishing rods are good for different things, so here’s a list of my favourite travel rods , and what I think they’re useful for.

Overall Best Travel Fishing Rod – X5 Adventure by Rigged and Ready

Image: Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.90m – 2.20m (41 cm transport length)

• Weight: 160g to 163g

• Price: £75 or $91 (£129 or $161 With Reels)

• Type: Spin and Fly

The X5 Adventure is my number one travel companion. The rod packs up so small it fits INSIDE of my day pack. I mean, the thing is bonkers.

For a rod so small, it packs a serious punch. It comes with five different combinations and four unbreakable rod tips. It’s my favourite travel rod because, thanks to the interchangeable rod tips, I basically have four different rods. This lets me do all my types of fishing, all with just the X5 (fly, cast, bait-cast, spin and bait).

I recently took this rod along with me on my brief stay in Malta and had a great time. I caught lots of different fish and it fit in my easyJet carry-on luggage. Yep, it’s that small.

There is also an X5 MAX version of this rod, which I would recommend to anyone who wants a great travel rod with a bit more backbone for heavier lures, or surf/sea fishing. There is an option to get an X5 package with a great spin (RR3000) and fly reel included too which is what I did. I love it.

One of the main reasons I love Rigged and Ready products so much is their unbeatable warranty and parts replacement service . They have a no-questions-asked part replacement or money-back policy that lasts for two years! This is valid if you lose or break a part on the road, for ANY reason.

There is a five-year support system too (you basically just pay for postage) on all products which is very easy to claim too. In short, investing in a Rigged and Ready Travel is a safe bet by definition. Not only do you get multiple rods in one, but it pretty much comes insured!

Second Best Fishing Rod for Travel – Shimano STC

Image: Shimano

• Length: 2.40m (64cm transport length)

• Weight: 142g

• Price: £107 or $131

• Type: Spin

The STC series is a classic travel rod range of spinning rods with lengths from 2.4m up to 3m and casting weights from 10 to 100g. I like the 20-60 gram STC rod as a good all-rounder (stats listed as 20-60g variant).

The transport length of the rods is kept to a maximum of 65cm, ensuring that you can fit the rod in your backpack, suitcase, car or wherever you want to store it!

The Shimano STC is a great option for any traveller looking to purchase a travel rod for a specific usage such as spinning and knows the weight of lures they want to use. Shimano is a great brand, and this lightweight, ultra-strong rod is one of my favourite pieces of Shimano kit.

The rods come with a two-year manufacturer’s warranty – but it can be difficult to claim.

Best Collapsable Travel Fishing Rod – Infinite Ultimate by Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.07m to 2.80m (49cm transport length)

• Weight: 125g to 245g

• Price: £130 or $163

• Type: All Types

The Infinite Ultimate by Rigged and Ready is essentially the most comprehensive rod package out there.

If you are looking to just buy one rod and use it for all your fishing, look no further than the infinite ultimate. This rod is a 25-in-1. Yes, there are 25 different ways to use this fishing rod – it truly is one of a kind.

The numerous parts and combinations can be a little confusing at the beginning, but that’s the only remotely negative thing I can say about this rod. It’s not as small or compact as some of the other travel rods on this list, but you won’t find a more complete travel fishing set out there, I promise. This thing is a unique piece of kit for any avid all-round angler who loves to travel.

It’s not the cheapest travel rod on the internet, but when you consider the fact that you’re buying 25 rods in one, all of a sudden, it becomes astonishing value!

Best Telescopic Travel Fishing Rod – KastKing BlackHawk II

Image: KastKing

• Length: 1.98m t0 2.84m (53.4cm transport length)

• Weight: 115g to 163g

• Price: £100 or $49 (USA Only)

• Type: Spin, Cast

The Kast King Black Hawk II sells like crazyyy on Amazon, it’s probably the most popular travel rod out there.

With 14 length options to purchase, this one-piece telescopic rod is one of the best telescopic travel rods on the market . It compresses to just one-third of its total length telescopically. I like the shortest option (6’6″ or 198cm) as I like my travel rods to be as compact as possible.

I love telescopic rods – they are so quick and easy and I would recommend them to beginners. They are not the most sturdy things though (sometimes). A multiple-piece rod could be a better option for some more keen anglers.

It’s one of the most affordable travel rods available, so I would recommend it on that alone . KastKing makes some quality stuff, and this rod is a good option for almost anyone.

There is a useful one-year ‘total peace of mind warranty’ available with this rod too which is great, but it can be tough to redeem.

Best Lightweight Travel Fishing Rod – Fish Rig 180 by Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.60m t0 1.80m (48cm transport length)

• Weight: 90g

• Price: £67 or $84

This is my personal go-to light rod, I must have caught hundreds of fish on this thing and call it my ‘pocket rocket’. Don’t underestimate its power and capabilities because of its size.

Whilst I wouldn’t really recommend this rod for all types of fishing, this rod stays in my car… ALWAYS. I can set it up in about one minute thanks to its telescopic system, and it’s the perfect travel rod for opportunists.

The Fish Rig 180 is a super-lightweight travel rod that comes with two rod tips. It’s my favourite rod for hikes and treks due to its weight.

The thing weighs just 90 grams! That’s lighter than some lures.

I wouldn’t recommend the Fish Rig 180 for sea fishing though. It’s light and can handle some decent fish, but something with a bit more backbone is better for sea fishing in my opinion. The Fish Rig 180 is perfect for mountainous lakes, small rivers and maybe some shallow or micro jigging.

If you haven’t found what you’re looking for, here are more of the most popular travel rods out there. They are popular for a reason – they’re EPIC!

The World Traveller by Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.90m to 2.15m (43cm transport length)

• Weight: 146g to 150g

• Price: £90 or $110

• Type: Spin, Bait-Cast and Bait.

The World Traveller is Rigged and Ready’s original travel rod. It is the perfect travel rod for an all-around fisherman who wants to combine efficiency and functionality.

This rod has been popular for a reason, and as the name suggests, this thing was made for you world travellers. The rod actually comes with a great reel too (RR3000), so it really is the full package.

The World Traveller comes with two interchangeable rod tips as part of a six-piece rod. The rod tips are a standard lure weight (10-20g) and a heavier short tip for 15-40g lures. I’ve caught pike, perch, chub, carp and a handful of saltwater fish like mackerel and sea bass when using this rod in the UK.

Abu Garcia Diplomat V2 Travel Rod

Image: Abu Garcia

• Length: 2.13m to 3.04m (58cm transport length)

• Weight: 114g to 213g

• Price: £89 or $110 (With Reel)

Abu Garcia is one of my favourite fishing brands. It is world-renowned, and their tackle has NEVER let me down after over 15 years of usage.

In the words of Abu Garcia themselves, “The famous DIPLOMAT range stands for mobility and travelling.”

Abu Garcia’s Diplomat V2 travel rod range has four different rod lengths ranging from 2.13m to 3.04m (Light-Heavy). Depending on the length you opt for, this rod can be either a four or five-piece set. It can cast lures as heavily as 55g and as light as 3g.

Whilst this flexibility does sound great, it lacks the flexibility of interchangeable rod tips offered by competitors such as Rigged and Ready rods – so you’re kind of stuck with what you choose.

It’s sold as an exclusively freshwater rod, but the heavier variants will work fine in saltwater. The 5-21g version is competitively priced at $110 WITH an Abu Garcia WFS reel which is a marvellous piece of kit.

Daiwa Travel Combo

Image: Daiwa US

• Length: 2.18m (71cm transport length)

• Weight: 450g (With Reel)

• Price: £120 or $147

This Travel Combo by Daiwa is a great option for opportunists. It’s a highly functional telescopic rod that can be set up and packed away in just minutes. It also comes with a Daiwa Crossfire 2500 spinning reel included in the price.

This is more of a freshwater combo, but it can be used in saltwater too – just don’t expect greatness.

That being said, this is a great telescopic rod, and one of the best travel rods that exists. It’s great value, Daiwa is a great and reputable brand, and the fact that this set comes with a reel makes it a great full-package option.

The thing feels great to use and it’s very strong for a telescopic rod. I would recommend it to most anglers who want to opt for a brand they trust.

My favourite thing about the Daiwa Travel Combo is the carry case. It’s compact, functional and more importantly… it looks the part.

Shakespeare Ugly Stik Travel

Image: Shakespeare UK

• Length: 1.98m (54cm transport length)

• Weight: 302g

• Price: £45 or $55

This four-piece travel rod is a classic. Shakespeare holds a special place in my heart as it is the brand that introduced me to fishing. As a kid, I owned tons of Shakespeare gear and it is ALL really good shit.

The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Travel is a four-piece travel rod which is perfect for beginners.

Shakespeare is always a great option for affordable fishing gear without compromising on quality and the Ugly Stik Travel is no exception. At £45 (under $60), this is a steal that fits in your carry-on luggage.

It’s a little heavier than the other rods out there but is still a great choice for freshwater anglers. The cast weight is 5-15g so it’s a bit optimistic to use this for most types of saltwater fishing.

Unfortunately, despite a great 7-YEAR guarantee being on offer for this rod, it’s extremely tough to claim – I wouldn’t bank on it. I would recommend this travel rod for beginners, children or as a gift.

The Predator by Rigged and Ready

• Length: 1.85m to 2.20m (65cm transport length)

• Weight: 144g to 147g

• Price: £80 or $100

• Type: Spin, Bait-Cast

The Predator by Rigged and Ready is a great option for those who fish to hunt for magnificent and marvellous beasts. It is a slightly larger travel rod than other options on this list, but it has the strength and backbone to justify its bulkiness.

This is the perfect rod for anyone who wants to do some more heavy-duty spinning or lure fishing. It has a unique spin or bait cast microtrigger handle and I have caught some MONSTERS on it. For a travel rod, this thing is strong. 

Paired with the RR3000 or a bait caster (sold separately), this thing feels so well-balanced and nice to use. I recommend the Predator to any… predator anglers… obviously.

If you want the strongest of strong travel rods, I’d recommend the S MAX by Rigged and Ready . But the Predator is my pick for the best rod that combines the convenience of travel with the ability to sea fish, cast big heavy lures, or target behemoths.

Travelling with a fishing rod can be challenging at times. You’re also gonna need some more gear, or as fishermen call it, tackle. 

You’ll need a reel, some line and other basics like some hooks, lures, baits and weights. Buying a durable and compact tackle box to fit all your gear is my advice, but a basic food storage box will do.

Compact travel rods reduce the inconvenience of travelling with long poles, but you still may run into a few issues. Theft is a minor concern, as some of the gear isn’t cheap.

Keep your eyes on your tackle and treat it as you would any other valuable belongings.

Taking rods, hooks and tackle on buses, planes and other transport shouldn’t be an issue. Big rods may have to be checked if they don’t fit in your carry-on bag. I have been stopped at airports for having MASSIVE treble hooks in my box though  – avoid this. 

When travelling with a travel rod, it still may be slightly too big (depending on what rod you choose) to fit in (or strap onto) your bag. In this case, I would recommend storing it in places such as behind hostel/hotel desks to keep it safe. Overhead lockers, under hostel beds, with bus drivers, and on balconies are all places I’ve stowed my sticks.

One final recommendation I have for travellers is to CLEAN and pack away any rods and tackle in between sessions. Avoiding fishy smells is a must. I’ve had times where I didn’t decamp my rigs and ended up breaking rod tips, hooking bus seats and snagging line on passing pedestrians. It’s just not worth it.

Fishing ethically and looking after fish (fish care) is non-negotiable. Sport fishing is ethically questionable already, so it’s important to take extra care. Fish are living things and they’re worthy of respect.

If you are fishing for food, do so sustainably and only ever take what you need. Practice catch-and-release fishing where possible and do not target vulnerable species or fish in conservation/marine protected areas. Always follow laws and bylaws – wherever you’re fishing.

Stay prepared with a way to unhook fish quickly or cut line or hooks (plyers/wire cutters). You may also need somewhere to rest or land fish. A net, a mat, a rockpool or some wet grass will do fine.

Killing fish ethically is important. I usually give ‘em one swift and powerful strike to the back of the head before bleeding them out. Never let fish suffocate . If you are releasing the fish you catch, take your photo and get them back in the water ASAP.

Sometimes accidents happen, I’ve hooked stingrays, snapping turtles, and even birds all accidentally. In this case, it’s best to release the animal as quickly as possible, sometimes you’re able to do so easily and hassle-free. However, sadly, just cutting the line is sometimes the best option.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Before You Cast Off!

Fishing can be dangerous and accidents do happen – not to mention the possibility of losing gear! Some good quality travel insurance is never a bad idea – just make sure it covers fishing as a sport/activity.

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Travel fishing rods are simply amazing, they’re the perfect invention to accompany any keen angler abroad. I never travel without them now, and I go carry-on only! 

It’s important to decide which type of fishing you want to be doing BEFORE you buy a rod. 

Smaller rods will be good for dropping off piers and sussing out small rivers, lakes, ponds and streams. They are more easily transportable, but won’t be able to cast far or fight big fish.

I use the Fish Rig 180 by Rigged and Ready for my occasional, opportunistic and quick sessions.

If you want to do some beach/surf fishing or hop on a boat, I’d recommend a bigger travel rod, with a larger casting weight. The X5 MAX Adventure by Rigged and Ready is my go-to for this. The Predator or S MAX would be good for larger fish too.

If you’re not sure what type of fishing you’ll be doing, grabbing a good all-round option would be the safe shout. Something like the Shimano STC would be good . The Infinite Ultimate by Rigged and Ready will be great as it is so versatile and flexible. It just has so many rod tips, making it great for different types of fishing.

As a final note, I want to say something realistic. It’s called fishing not catching for a reason. It’s important to understand that when fishing in totally new places, (or anywhere really) it’s normal to sometimes not to catch anything (blank).

Connecting with locals, connecting with yourself and connecting with nature is what it’s really all about.

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And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Joe Middlehurst

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Best Ultralight Fishing Rods (for ALL Anglers)

If Mother Nature ever took up fishing, we bet she’d choose ultralight.

Glide with the breeze, feel the river’s heartbeat, and embrace the delicate dance of light tackle fishing.

Whether you’re pursuing panfish in serene lakes or finesse fishing in tricky spots, the best ultralight rods are your ticket to success.

Want to cut to the chase? The best one is the G. Loomis Trout Series rod because it’s tough and has a high level of sensitivity to catch even the most skittish fish.

Quick Look: Ultralight Fishing Rods

• G. Loomis Trout Series (Best Overall)
• St. Croix Premier (Best For Small Bodies Of Water)
• Okuma Celilo Ultralight Fishing Rod (Best For Surf Fishing)
• St. Croix Triumph (Best Value Ultralight Rod)
• Ugly Stik Elite (Best Budget Rod)

Table of Contents

Top 9 Best Ultralight Spinning Rods

1: g. loomis trout series ultralight spinning rod (best overall).

• Length: 5 ft. 8 in.
• Line weight: 2 to 6 pounds
• Materials: Carbon fiber blend with cork handle and Alconite guides

The G. Loomis Trout Series is an ultralight spinning rod that’s designed specifically for trout fishing. This is one of the most sensitive rods out there. But it doesn’t come cheap.

Featuring tough carbon fiber construction and a lightweight cork handle, this is a quality fishing rod. It also has Fuji single-foot Alconite guides to prevent line snagging.

This moderate fast action rod is designed to work best with four-pound line and small lures.

This can be an ideal choice for fishing for trout and panfish in small streams and backcountry creeks. It also has a decent casting distance, letting you get your lures to the fish hiding on the other side.

• Incredibly sensitive
• Great for trout fishing
• Allows for longer casts

2: St. Croix Premier (best for small bodies of water)

• Length: 5 ft. 6 in.
• Materials: SCII carbon with aluminum-oxide guides and cork handle

The St. Croix Premier is an ultralight fishing rod with a highly sensitive tip to detect even the most subtle bites. However, it’s not the most durable and may not be the best choice for large fish. This is a one-piece rod that can be more difficult to transport than two-piece rods but it’s relatively short. This makes it a great option for targeting panfish and bass in smaller bodies of water, such as ponds and creeks.

This fishing rod features a carbon blank, Fuji DPS reel seat, and tough aluminum-oxide guides. Another great feature of this American-made ultralight rod is the Kigan hook-keeper. This can help to protect your rod from damage by securing the hook during transportation.

• Made in the USA
• Kigan hook-keeper
• Very sensitive tip
• Not the most durable

3: Okuma Celilo Ultralight Fishing Rod (best for surf fishing)

• Length: 6 ft. 6 in.
• Materials: graphite with aluminum-oxide guides and cork handle

The Okuma Celilo is a durable ultralight rod that’s a good choice if you’re after versatility. This can be an ideal ultralight fishing rod for surf fishing, for example for panfish. But it can also be used for freshwater fishing.

The Okuma Celilo features a durable graphite blank with strong aluminum-oxide guides. However, the split grip cork handle is not the most comfortable to hold.

Another nice feature is the stainless steel hook keeper, which can let you keep your hook or lure secure during storage and transportation.

• Sturdy, durable blank
• Quality components
• Versatile ultralight rod
• Handle is not the most comfortable

4: St. Croix Triumph (best value ultralight rod)

• Length: 5 ft.
• Materials: carbon fiber with aluminum-oxide guides and cork handle

The St. Croix Triumph is similar in style to the St. Croix Premier but with a slightly lower price tag. This one is an ultralight fishing rod with a moderate action, rather than fast action, making it a great choice for fishing in small waters with crankbaits or other moving lures. 

The rod features carbon construction with a Fortified Resin System for added strength and durability, which can be useful when targeting bigger fish.

The contoured cork handle is easy and comfortable to hold, allowing for maximum grip and control. This ultralight one-piece rod is not as sensitive as some of the others, so you may not be able to sense light bites as easily.

• Durable construction
• Comfortable handle
• Ideal for moving baits
• Not as sensitive as others

5: Ugly Stik Elite (best budget rod)

• Length: 7 ft.
• Materials: graphite and fiberglass with stainless steel guides and cork handle

The Ugly Stik Elite is a budget-friendly ultralight fishing rod that comes in two pieces for ease of use. This is a very tough and durable rod that can be great for beginners. But it’s not as light as some of the other more expensive rods.

This Ugly Stik Elite is a moderate fast action rod with Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for increased sensitivity. It features a lightweight cork handle with an exposed blank reel seat and Ugly Tuff stainless steel guides for corrosion resistance.

This is a good length to accommodate longer casts and it can be a good choice for targeting trout or panfish.

• Very durable
• Budget friendly
• Great for beginners
• Not as lightweight as some others

6: Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod

• Materials: graphite composite with stainless steel guides and cork handle

The Shakespeare Micro is another budget-friendly rod that can be a good choice for new anglers or kids and anyone trying out fishing with ultralight gear. However, this is not for catching big fish. This can be best suited to fishing for small fish, such as bluegill or small trout.

This is one of the lowest-priced budget rods out there. It’s not the lightest of rods because of its composite graphite construction. But its short length can make it an ideal addition to your fishing gear, especially for kayak anglers.

This is a basic rod but it does the job. If you’re looking for an ultralight rod that’s going to stand the test of time, this is probably not it.

• Budget ultralight rod
• Great for kayak fishing
• Ideal for beginners and kids
• Not very durable

7: Temple Fork Outfitters Trout Panfish Ultralight Rod

• Length: 6 ft.
• Materials: carbon fiber with stainless steel guides and cork handle

The Temple Fork Outfitters Trout and Panfish rod is a quality fishing rod that’s built for targeting small panfish and trout. These rods come in a range of lengths to suit your fishing style. And some come in both one and two piece options.

The cork handle features a split grip and a reel seat designed to minimize weight. However, the style of the cork grip handle isn’t the most comfortable to hold.

This rod is sensitive enough to feel subtle bites from small or timid fish. It’s a fantastic rod for panfish and trout but it can also be a good bass fishing rod.

The stainless steel guides add durability and keep your line smooth, preventing tangles. 

• Good sensitivity
• Great for bass and trout
• Variety of lengths available
• Cork grips aren’t the most comfortable

8: KastKing Perigee II Ultralight Rod

• Materials: carbon fiber with Fuji O Ring guides and EVA handle

The KastKing Perigee II is a moderate fast action two piece ultralight rod that’s made for durability and versatility, with an affordable price tag. It can be an ideal choice for both freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing, with corrosion-resistant components.

The EVA grips on the handle are comfortable and durable. And the carbon fiber blank is designed to offer a combination of strength and sensitivity.

This ultralight fishing rod is designed to be used for a variety of fish, including bass, walleye, and salmon. However, this rod is not as lightweight as some of the other rods on the list.

• Strong components
• Not as light as others

9: Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Fishing Rod

• Materials: graphite and fiberglass with stainless steel guides and EVA handle

The Ugly Stik GX2 is an affordable ultralight rod that comes in two pieces. It’s ideal for lures weighing between 1/32 and ¼ ounces.

It has a durable EVA handle with a split grip that’s comfortable to hold. The graphite and fiberglass construction adds strength but this tends to be heavier than carbon fiber rods.

This is a compact fishing rod that can be a good choice for targeting trout and small panfish in ponds, streams, and creeks. It can also be an ideal choice for kayak fishing, as it’s convenient to transport and store on deck.

Like other Ugly Stik rods, this one comes with a seven year warranty.

• Ideal for kayak fishing
• Stainless steel guides
•  Heavier than more expensive ultralight rods

What Is An Ultralight Spinning Rod?

An ultralight spinning rod is pretty much as it sounds; it’s lightweight. But not only is the rod itself light, the rest of the gear that you would use with it is also lightweight, such as the line, reel and lures.

The rods will tend to be shorter in length than those used for surf fishing or offshore fishing . This means they can be more suitable for smaller bodies of water where casting distance is not a priority.

The shorter rods can give you more control and more accuracy over where you’re casting your bait, allowing for a more precise style of fishing.

Much like finesse fishing, where you’re trying to present your lure as irresistible food, ultralight fishing can rely on the presentation of the bait.

Why Use Ultralight Over Light Rods?

Fishing with ultralight rods can be useful for targeting smaller fish and can make your fishing trip a lot more fun and can even result in you catching a lot more fish .

With ultralight gear it can feel like you’re catching a much larger fish than you are, because of the way your rod setup will respond to minimal pressure, which can make for an exciting day.

This type of fishing can be ideal for targeting a range of species, including trout, bluegill, crappie and even bass . The ultralight gear can mean increased sensitivity so you can feel the bite of a small fish more easily.

Similar to finesse fishing, you would use light line and small, lightweight lures, which can be useful for catching fish in clear water or in heavily fished waters. The smaller lures can attract more fish because they can appear more like natural food, which can be less suspicious to the fish.

While you can use ultralight gear for fishing in saltwater, it may be more suited to freshwater fishing in streams, ponds, rivers and other small bodies of water.

Video: Ultralight Saltwater Fishing

This is because the shorter rods that are generally used for ultralight fishing may not be able to cast as far as you might require for ocean fishing, as they tend to be designed more precision casting. Oceans also tend to have larger or stronger fish and a larger area to swim in.

Features Of Ultralight Rods To Look Out For

The action of a rod is how and where it will bend when there’s pressure put on it. You’ll probably find that most ultralight rods will have a fast action rating, or moderate to fast action.

This means that the rod will be more likely to bend at the tip, which can mean improved sensitivity and can let you set a hook more quickly than if you were using a slower action rod.

The power of a fishing rod is generally how strong it is and how much weight it’s able to handle. For example, a heavy rod is designed for bigger fish and can take heavier line and lures.

For ultralight fishing you should aim to look for a rod that is rated as ultralight or light. This means that it will take less weight to make it bend, so that when you’re catching smaller fish they can feel more like big fish.

The lighter rating a rod has, the lighter the line it is usually able to take. The heavier rods are generally able to take heavier line because they are able to catch larger, heavier fish.

By using a line heavier than the recommended limit on your rod, it can result in your line breaking or can even cause your rod to snap if there’s enough force behind it.

You’ll usually find that most ultralight fishing rods will be under 7 feet in length because longer rods may sacrifice accuracy over casting distance, which could then affect your control over the rod for targeting smaller fish.

The body of water where you plan to fish may also affect the length of rod that you might need or prefer. For example, you might find that in smaller bodies of water where casting distance is not important, a shorter rod can be preferable, such as in creeks and streams or ponds.

You’ll find there are many rods dedicated to trout fishing in streams that are under 6 feet in length. These shorter rods can give you more of an accurate cast, as well as allow you to use finesse fishing techniques.

Construction Material Types

Ultralight rods are generally made from lightweight materials, such as graphite, carbon fiber and fiberglass. Sometimes you can get rods that are made with a combination of two or more of these materials.

Graphite can be a good choice of rod material and can be found on many ultralight rods because of its lightweight feel, durability and strength. It can also provide a good level of sensitivity for fishing rods.

You’ll also find lots of ultralight rods that feature carbon fiber blanks, or a carbon fiber blend. Carbon fiber rods can be more expensive because of the added performance you can get from this type of construction, as it’s very lightweight, strong and very sensitive.

Fiberglass rods can be less expensive because fiberglass can tend to be a little heavier than graphite, for example. These types of rods may not be as sensitive as other ultralight rods but they do tend to be strong and durable, and could be a good choice for beginners.

Because the lures you will be using will generally be smaller and lighter, the line you will need should also be lighter. Ultralight fishing tends to call for thin, light line that can allow you more of a finesse style of fishing and let you detect the when a fish tries to take your bait.

Ultralight line can usually be considered anywhere from around 2 to 6 pounds . The type of line you will need will often be down to personal preference. Thin braided line can be favored by some anglers because of its high sensitivity.

Fluorocarbon can also be a good option to choose because of its invisibility under the water, meaning you can be less likely to scare away the fish you’re trying to catch.

However, you may prefer to combine the advantages of two types of line by using a fluorocarbon leader on a braided line, for example, which can work well even in clear water.

Monofilament line can also be used but can be less sensitive than braided line, which may not be ideal for ultralight fishing when sensitivity can be more important than stretch.

Number Of Guides

The guides or eyelets found on a fishing rod are there to help “guide” your line and can increase the sensitivity of your rod. The more you have on your rod, the better you should be able to cast.

When you’re looking at the guides on an ultralight rod, the material may be more important than with other types of rods because of the lighter line you will be using.

If the guides are not smooth or if they are susceptible to nicks or scratches, it could damage or even break your line.

Tips On How To Use An Ultralight Fishing Rod

Transporting around.

Ultralight rods can be easier to transport than standard ones, especially if they come in two pieces. This can also mean they may take up less storage space when you’re not using them.

You may also be able to get carry cases for two piece rods that can help you store and transport them safely. Or if you like a bit of DIY you could make your own, which could work for one piece rods.

Video: DIY Fishing Rod Carrier

Unlike when you’re fishing with heavier gear, ultralight gear requires a little more patience. You’re not so much wanting to fight the fish by reeling it in, it can be more about waiting for the right moment after the fish has worn himself out.

It can be a good idea to keep the tip of your rod pointing upwards after you’ve hooked the fish, as this can cause the fish to tire out faster. If you reel in your catch like you might with a heavier, slower action rod, you could risk breaking your line or rod and losing your fish.

While the drag system on your reel could come in handy if it’s set right, if you’re fishing for bass you may not need to use the drag at all and instead use your reeling skills, but this may take some time to master.

What Line To Use

You will likely discover you have a preference for a certain type of line. If you want a greater casting distance you might find that monofilament line can work well . Its added stretch might also reduce the chance of your line breaking under pressure but it may lack the sensitivity needed for your ultralight lure.

Braided line can work well for ultralight fishing because of its strength and reduced stretch. Its sensitivity can also improve your catch rate as it can let you feel the slightest of hits. However, it’s not as invisible as fluorocarbon, which may affect your fishing if the water is clear.

How To Cast

Casting an ultralight rod can sometimes be different than casting a standard rod, as it can be less about maximizing distance and more about where your bait will land.

There are a few casting techniques that are designed for more accurate casting, which can let you target your fish more precisely and let you get your bait exactly where you want it.

Video: Ultralight Spin Casting

The flip cast can be one method of casting that can be useful in small bodies of water, as it can let you target a specific area where the fish are hiding.

A lot of the ultralight fishing rods are designed for spinning reels, as spinning reels can be more suitable for the lighter line that ultralight rods require. Spinning reels are also better designed for handling​​​​ the small lures you’ll be using, compared to baitcasting reels.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ultralight Fishing Rods

How far can an ultralight rod cast.

The distance you can cast will generally depend on the length of your rod and the weight of your lure.

Most ultralight rods won’t cast as far as heavier rods. Expect to cast in the region of 15 to 30 yards at best.

What’s The Heaviest Fish That Ultralight Rods Can Handle?

Generally, ultralight rods are made for smaller fish that are more likely to take smaller bait.

Fish around eight or nine pounds can be considered heavy for ultralight setups.

However, the record from 1992 was a 40-pound trout caught on a four-pound line.

Which Brands Are Known For Producing The Best Ultralight Fishing Rods?

St. Croix, Ugly Stik, and G. Loomis are some of the brands known for their high quality ultralight fishing rods.

How Does the Price Range Vary For Top-Rated Ultralight Fishing Rods?

The price range varies widely between brands and models of ultralight fishing rods.

This is because of the components used in the construction of the rods.

The lighter the materials, generally the more expensive the rod.

What Types Of Fish Are Best Targeted With Ultralight Fishing Rods?

Panfish, trout, walleye, bluegill, and often bass are some of the species that are best targeted using ultralight fishing gear.

Can I Use My Ultralight Fishing Rod In Both Freshwater And Saltwater?

Yes, as long as your ultralight fishing rod is designed to handle saltwater environments. Some ultralight fishing rods can be ideal for surf fishing for schooling fish.

Casting Off – Ultralight Fishing Rods Rounded Up:

The best ultralight rods have one thing in common: they’re highly sensitive. And if you want to combine the highest sensitivity with superior quality components, the best ultralight fishing rod is the G. Loomis Trout Series .

This is an excellent fishing rod for catching trout, panfish, and other finicky fish. It’s a decent length for casting and short enough for fishing in smaller backcountry areas.

Coming in at a close second is the St. Croix Premier . This ultralight fishing rod can be the ultimate game-changer for bass fishing in creeks and ponds. 

Remember to choose a suitable lure and line for your ultralight setup. And let us know how you get on.

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6 Ultralight Fishing Rods to Feel Like You Caught the Kraken

Sometimes as an angler, you want to head out and just have some fun. This is where you would want to have the best ultralight fishing rod in your arsenal.

Using such rods, your hook would feel like it has caught the Kraken every time.

The reason behind this is straightforward. The design idea behind ultralight rods renders extreme sensitivity to it. You would be feeling the slightest tug even from small-sized bluegills, but still, the fight will be exhilarating.

If you are in a hurry and just want to find out which is the best ultralight fishing rod, then we’d recommend the St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod as the best one.

Best Ultralight Rods for Fishing

• UglyStik Elite Spinning Rod
• KastKing Calamus Ultralight Spinning Rod
• St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod (Top Pick)
• Shimano Stimula 2-Piece Spin Rod (Budget Buy)
• UglyStik GX2 Spinning Rod
• Cadence CR5 Spinning Rod

Compare Top Ultralight Fishing Rods

Detailed analysis of the best ultralight fishing rods.

Ultra light fishing rods magnify your fight tenfold.

If you and your angler buddies do a lot of back-country trekking, hiking etc. to find your next favorite fishing spot then you do realize how a heavy fishing pole can ruin your day.

We aim to tire ourselves after a good day of fishing and not by carrying fishing gear around.

Luckily for us anglers, ultralight rods exist to make our lives easier. From being light as a feather to slim like a stick, they make it super easy for us to travel around with them.

However, finding an ultra light spinning rod that does the job well is not a child’s play. Even the most experienced anglers tend to struggle with so much information in hand.

I also understand your frustration with so many options around. If you’re here to find the best ultralight rods, then you need not look further.

After comprehensive testing and the research, I have a list of best ultralight rods   currently topping the charts in the market. Here are my prized picks.

It is evident from the comparison table above that St. Croix Premier emerged as the winner among the best ultralight fishing rod competitors.

Scoring high across various parameters, it took home the ‘Top Pick’ award. Let us try and understand in detail why did it stand out and how other rods fared.

1. UGLY STIK Elite Spinning Rod

Overall Score: 86

• Lightweight
• Strong and durable
• Easy to travel with

Disadvantages

• Small reel seat
• Cork handle feels uncomfortable to some
• Braided line tears apart the guides

Comes with a great soft cork handle that provides a comfortable grip all day long while fishing. Though the cork handle has a gap in between which has caused discomfort in a few cases.

Being more lightweight than the GX2 model, they are definitely an upgrade. Also, its size makes it easy to transport and carry around.

Made with 35% more graphite, the Ugly Stik Elite is notably tough, refined and sturdy. High-quality guides allow this rod to take a lot of hits and we will never have to worry about popping out of inserts.

Claimed to be “virtually indestructible” by the company, it is almost impossible to believe when this rod impresses us with its sensitivity and flexibility.

But Ugly Stiks are not a made of graphite completely, rather they have a fiberglass-graphite hybrid composition.

This has been done so as to keep the cost lower and also to make sure that the rod indeed shows “indestructible construction” with substance. Thus the result is a small performance hit.

Catch your favorite fishes like the jacks, snappers and sharks without worrying about the rod snapping into two.

It can pull in large fishes comfortably and have been known to accommodate the likes of trouts below one pound and salmons weighing roughly around twenty-eight pounds.

Functioning

The Ugly Stik not only casts well but is known to provide plenty of sensitivity at the tip and can detect a slight nibble too.

Additionally, the signature ‘Clear Tip’ by Ugly Stik makes it even more sensitive despite the presence of a stiff and sturdy construction.

The reel seat might be a simply exposed blank and that can be a cause of concern to some but we also need to consider cushioned stainless steel hoods.

They firmly keep the reel in place when it is required during the most crucial times. Ultralight to medium-heavy is the range of the rod action in this series.

However, the main problem area are the guides and a braided line. If you are someone who really prefers using braided line, then you might want to consider a different rod. This one is not for you.

Moreover, a small reel seat causes frustration to the anglers when they realize the reel that they would absolutely love to use doesn’t even fit.

Ugly Stik promises to give you an awesome feeling, making even Sparkling gourami feel like a Beluga.

Maintenance & Repair Cost

Since it is extremely durable, the manufacturers have literally termed this rod as “bomb-proof”. A graphite-fiberglass construction makes it both strong and sensitive at the same time.

And lastly, one-piece stainless steel guides (Ugly tuff) impart this rod the ability to resist corrosion.

Thus, this rod has been found to be very durable with an extremely rare occurrence of the rod breaking into two and that too due to mishandling.

Hence, you can practically forget about the cost of maintenance and repair.

An extremely affordable rod that offers impressive performance for both amateurs as well as experienced anglers.

Termed as an all-rounder by some, the price point is pretty savvy and it becomes really difficult to choose some other option given the features and its market reputation.

I also suggest you check out my detailed Ugly Stik Elite review for more cool info on this rod.

2. KASTKING Calamus Ultralight Spinning Rod

Overall Score: 88

• Extreme sensitivity
• Unique appearance and feel
• The lower handle can bother you

Kastking Calamus’s USP is that it is a lightweight rod. Anglers just love the fact that the rod is so light.

With the exception of the 4’6″ rod, all other models are two-piece designs which make it extremely easy to carry around.

Some of my testers were uncomfortable with the lower handle when they used the rod for a long period.

Weighs approximately just three ounces despite such a robust construction.

All the credit goes to its ultra-light IM7 blanks (micro-polished) which not only have a graphite core of high-density but are also reinforced by the second layer of carbon tape.

And this is not all, the Calamus further boasts a 2-piece SKSS reel seat which accompanies a split-type handle. The material used in the handle?  Premium quality EVA.

Due to premium titanium and similar high-quality materials used in construction, I haven’t heard any complaints about its longevity yet except a couple of cases of snapping tips while the rod was in use.

Available in a lot of lengths (4’6″ to 7′), the KastKing Calamus Ultra-Light Weight Spinning Fishing Rod powers in the ultralight to medium-heavy range.

Rated for 2-6lbs line weight, the rod also has a capacity for one-by-sixteen to one-by-four ounces of lure weight. Additionally, the sensitivity is commendable.

Modified spigot ferrules deliver exceptional performance.

The guides (including tip) are made of premium V-Mark titanium frames and rings which help increase its sensitivity to an extent where it can detect even slight nibbles.

Just a handful of users found it to be stiff for the action it is rated at.

With no occurrences of damaged rods and KastKing’s incredible ‘Total Peace of Mind Warranty’, these beauties are a force to reckon with and score really high in this area.

Being in the price range similar to Ugly Stik Elite, these two were bound for a head-on collision and the ratings above aren’t different from each other.

Overall, KastKing’s Calamus is a great and fairly-priced option.

3. ST. CROIX Premier Spinning Rod

Overall Score: 90

• Superb casting experience
• Comfortable handles
• Impressive guides
• Great sensitivity
• A bit pricey but worth every buck

Despite facing tough competition from the likes of the trusted Fenwick and other brands, St. Croix has been able to carve its own niche.

Now I’m not saying that Fenwick’s rods aren’t good–they are excellent to be precise–but St. Croix is getting better and better day by day.

With a superb quality cork furnishing the rod’s long handle, there is plenty of space for even a giant’s hands to cast comfortably.

The presence of premium cork handles, braided superline ready aluminum oxide eyelets, this rod is an angler’s dream. And what about frequent travelers like me, you ask?

St. Croix series includes the finest four-piece travel rods which are something you will not find anywhere else in the market.

Now if you are someone who prefers split handles, Fenwick should be your most preferred alternative.

This rod is everything you have been trying to find till now. Not only it is strong and well-balanced. It uses a high-end graphite manufacturing process.

Fishing for bass , walleye, trout or any other similar ones? This rod is your go-to rod and will handle them all, no worries. 

Despite being ultra-lightweight it packs in some serious strength. How long will it last? Your line will snap way before the Premier does.

Features a fast action, it is equally capable of providing the sensitivity you strive for. Moreover, it comes with a cushioned hookset for fish like crappie.

The premium-quality aluminum oxide guides pamper our line like a newborn baby.

To top it all, a finely tuned fast action sensitivity is like the icing on the cake. Casting is expectedly outstanding, irrespective of the lure size.

Standing out in all the departments above, it includes with it a very generous warranty, thus making it a killer deal.

If you have some extra bucks to spend, don’t save them unnecessarily because this is arguably the best ultralight rod available. St. Croix doesn’t find a competitor easily.

Edging out premium competition like the G. Loomis rods, with its fast action, these rods are available at half the price. 

St. Croix Premier has been a provider of luxury fishing experience at prices which might seem a bit high at first but are worth it when you look back at the times you had problems with other cheap and popular alternatives.

4. SHIMANO Stimula 2-piece Spin Rod

Overall Score: 75

• Amazingly sensitive
• Flexibility with fast action
• Known durability issues
• Better rods available in terms of balance

The Stimula series is yet another great option available to you. The Stimula 2-piece spinning rod series has only one ultra light fishing pole with the length being 5’6”.

The other one is a medium and is 7′ long. The ultra light rod is a two-piece which makes it easy to travel with. 

Unlike Shimano’s FXS collection, this series comes with cork handles. With a fore and rear grip on the long handle for extra control, it fairs well in the comfort department.

Consisting of a bright red blank and light-colored cork handle, it promises a unique look than most rods out there.

Though the Stimula rod series was created by Shimano to ensure durability, there have been some cases of the rod snapping into two pieces.

The rod does win some points for flexibility and sensitivity but loses a lot more due to durability issues. One has to be fairly gentle with the rod and guides, else all hell would break loose.

The rod is capable enough to take on a variety of fish. It packs in fast-action, that too while being flexible.

Composed of lightweight aluminum oxide guides and a hook keeper for convenience, expect this rod to perform really well.

Shimano specifically introduced this rod for anglers who love to hook in fishes like smaller bass, panfish, and trout.

A super-simple, no frills-type rod, it gets the job done at the end of the day.

Although made for smaller fishes, there have been several instances where the rod held up pretty well under the weight of larger fishes.

A heads-up though: make sure to measure the reel you’d like to use as the reel seat is not large enough to accommodate all sizes.

Expect some more bucks to be spent on the rod over time as durability is not one of the rod’s strongest point despite the company specifically bringing out the series for the same.

It comes along at a particular price point which can be considered high by some and still fails to deliver on the durability aspect.

Other than that it is an awesome buy considering the balance between flexibility and rod action.

If you are looking for a good light spinning rod or as a beginner your first one, this can be a good option but there are better options out there. 

5. UGLY STIK GX2 Spinning Rod

Overall Score: 85

• Many lengths to choose from
• Good sensitivity
• Impressive eyes
• Not suitable for braided lines
• Some users find it a bit stiff
• Thick foam grip takes out some sensitivity factor

With a modern and sleek design, the long handles are made up of EVA foam, which makes it lightweight and soft.

Made with good quality materials you can expect a fair performance in this area. The rod is a graphite-fiberglass combo, and comes with sensitivity, strength, and durability.

Featuring stainless steel guides, the Ugly Stik GX2 eliminates insert pop-outs.

Since Ugly Stik is known for its durable rods, GX2 series lives up to this reputation. Although you would find it a little bit stiff, it isn’t to the limit which can be a ‘no-no’ point for you.

This rigidity is fairly important as you will be able to use this rod for a variety of fishing styles without having any fear whatsoever that the rod will break or crack.

The Ugly Stik GX2 spinning rod is available in several different lengths that are rated to be ultralight in power.

Ranging from 4’6” to 7-foot, it allows tremendous versatility depending upon the fishing style of an angler.

Being better balanced than the ones before, this series has its own downsides, namely the thickness of the handles and inability of the stainless steel guides to work with all types of lines.

Also, sometimes the halves won’t stay seated and you have to screw them back tightly.

With the Ugly Stik series being known for its durability, the GX2 is no exception. You won’t be harassed with constant demands of repair from the rod as it has been designed to serve you for a long time. 

But some users have reported that the rod developed grooves with a braided line and thus needed regular repairs.

Comes at an extremely low price point which has made it supremely popular among the masses.

If you are only starting your fishing experience then it can be a pretty decent buy, but it is probably not the best option out there for serious anglers.

Do check out my Ugly Stik GX2 Review to know more about this wonderful rod!

6. CADENCE CR5 Spinning Rod

Overall Score: 87

• A great bang for your buck
• Its sensitivity will impress you
• Eyelets leave a lasting impression
• Fore-grip will get loose over time
• Not as aesthetically pleasing
• Reel seat gets loose

Whether you are trying to catch a bass, a walleye, or a trout or whether you are going for those high-demand inshore lures, namely the redfish, flounder and spotted trout, this rod magnifies your freshwater catching ability.

With two variants in handles, you can either choose the split grip or go with a full grip system.

The Cadence CR5 has been made with both cork and EVA to make it very functional and super comfortable. Apart from being very light in weight, it also comes in various length and sizes.

Long hours of use has known to cause some discomfort though. Otherwise, it is a pretty comfortable one.

With the construction material consisting of 30-ton graphite which imparts durability and the stainless steel guides put in the ability to resist corrosion significantly.

I was amazed by the fact that this rod has been with its owners for a relatively long time than most rods in this price range.

Needless to say, high-grade materials that have been used in the construction deliver royal quality and supreme fishing experience.

Designed to provide multipurpose fishing functionality, the performance and durability are increased exponentially with easy to adjust Fuji reel seat and SiC guides.

You might see a bend when hauling a lure, but still, the rod has enough power to pull in nice fish.

But the annoying fact is that the reel seat gets loose pretty often and the fore-grip on the handle can hamper the way the rod functions.

A sturdy construction and durable designing minimize the cost of repair and maintenance. There have been no known issues yet with this rod which can be termed as a deal breaker.

Despite being from an unpopular brand, the performances of this rod have far exceeded the expectations of all the anglers.

Packing in features and value almost twice the price, you are guaranteed to have a pleasant experience with the Cadence CR5.

Know the Fish Type You’re After

Hope I was able to explain what would be our preferred rod when it comes to ultralights and why I chose the St. Croix Premier Spinning Rod   as our top choice among all.

Choosing the best ultralight spinning rod should no more be a difficult and brain busting chore. Just remember to know the type of fish you aim at targeting.

Most anglers do not think about the obvious and often buy ultralight rods to target the fish they’re not meant for.

You cannot expect to haul a trailer with a thread meant for flying kites!

Shailen Vandeyar

A proud Indian origin Kiwi who loves to plant trees and play with my pet bunny when not freshwater fishing in the nearest creek or enjoying saltwater fishing by taking boats far in the ocean.

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Daiwa Presso Ultralight 4-Piece Travel Spinning Rods

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• Daiwa Presso Spinning Rods are a series of 4-piece, ultra-light power spinning rods that are designed for easy travel and transport.
• IM-7 Graphite blank construction and micro pitch blank taping.
• Minima black ring guides and reel seat with machined clamp nut, woven graphite insert.
• Hook keeper and lightweight split-grip cork handles.
• Rated for lures down to 1/32 oz (great for Ned rigs and finesse on-the-go).

The Daiwa Presso rod is optimized for ease use and extreme portability - allowing every aspect of your fishing game - from casting to drift control, drop shotting, or finessing a jig through the weeds - to be smooth and enjoyable. The Presso excels in all settings - kayak, boat, shore, or up to your hips in waiters - t his will be your new go-to, favorite rod.

These superior ultralight actions come in lengths up to 7 feet for a combination of casting power with light lures' shock absorbing action to handle strong fish on ultra-fine lines. Micro-pitch taping of the blank during curing assures even distribution of resin and graphite for maximum power and sensitivity. 

Overall, these rods are great for those who like to target smaller gamefish species (e.g., trout, perch, crappie, juvenile bass), travel a lot, and need a rod that can break down into a soft travel case (included with purchase) that's less than 2 feet long (22 inches to be exact).

Customer Reviews

A true ultralight rod, not a flimsy noodle. I love it and plan on buying one more!

This is my second Daiwa Presso 4 piece ultralight travel series rod. I fish lake clear wablers for brook trout in the Adirondack mountains, Throw Bobby Garland soft plastics for Crappies and finesse fish big jack Yellow Perch wirh it. Its super sensitive and responsive. This rod feels like a 1 peice!! One of my favorite parts is it packs down so small it fits on the side of my pack, under the seat of my truck and can even be snuck on the golf course. Ive been looking for a second one for 6 years and finally found it on Discount Tackles website. This rod paired up with a 1000 size reel, and some good 5 pound braid will sling a 1/32 ounce jig a country mile and feel the slightest takes. This rod would be perfect to throw Zman Micro TRD plastics. I might buy a third one!!

I ordered some items from Discount Tackle for early season preparation and also a Diawa UL spinning rod that I can travel with when I work out of town. I was very pleased with the shipping speed and good packaging on my lures, rod, and terminal tackle. It arrived about a day before the original shipping date and was all in the box with my list of items. I even got a cool sticker! I will be using Discount Tackle for future purchases and great sales on the brands that I have used before!

Most items I purchased here have lower prices than other places. Shipping cost is reasonable and super fast.

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Added to your cart:, let customers speak for us.

The colours are amazing, the skirt keeps moving around though and I got 2 jigs one in black and blue one and the other as shown in the picture. They both had the rattle break within the first few uses, but still a nice jig

One amazing lure. Have caught some monsters. Using these baits. Great big bass catcher.

i caught so many fish with the 17mr i lost count this is a excellent lure.

But a Whopper Plopper from Discount Tackle. Product didn't arrive (not their fault) so I contacted them. They were super fast in resolving my issue by sending me a new lure. Super recommended.

I have had great results with the joy stick. It works well on a drop shot or a shakey head, and can wackey rigged as well. I think the rabbit ears add to the presentation and the donkey sauce scent draws them in. The only negative is the durability, they only last 2 or 3 bites before tearing.

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BERRYPRO Ultralight Spinning Fishing Rod, Travel Spinning Rod with Solid Carbon Tip Fast Action(6', 6'6'',7',7'6'')

6'-ultra Light-2pc

6'6''-ultra Light-2pc

7'-ultra Light-2pcc

7'6''-ultra Light-2pc

Purchase options and add-ons

About this item.

• Solid carbon tip & Sensitive - Berrypro Smart snipper fishing rods are constructed with solid carbon tip section and 36-ton X-Carbon technology blanks which gives the rods incredible sensitivity and light weight.These extremely light spin rods are perfect for crappie,trout,panfish,smallmouth bass,largemouth bass and many other fresh water species.
• Excellent Performance - These new rods are perfect for ultralight or finesse fishing techniques. Enhanced Stainless steel fishing guide with ceramic ring makes it more smooth.Minimize friction between the line and the guide.The guides are precisely aligned, along the bottom of the spine of the blank,so when make a cast ,the sensitiity will be transferred from the line to the rod and then to your hand perfectly
• Quality Components- We use split reel seat with carbon fiber tube insert to make it comfortable to hold while reducing weight. Comfortable and high density EVA perfectly wraps the handle and split fighting butt, providing perfect balance and comfort
• Professional Design - Precise data calculation makes the sensitivity and flexibility combined perfectly on this pole
• All Berrypro Smart snipper fishing rod have One Year Warranty , please feel free to contact us directly if there is any question

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Product Description

The Smart Snipper sery fishing rod is designed as an ultra-light spin rod which are perfect for crappie,trout,panfish,smallmouth bass,largemouth bass and many other fresh water species. The Solid-carbon Tip design makes it much more sensitive and give you a perfect experience in fishing. Dont wait ! Go Fishing with our smart snipper rod and enjoy your fishing time !

Specifications：

• 6' Rod
• Piece: 2 | Length of each piece: 3.12’ | Net weight: 3.3oz | Power: Ultra-Light
• Action: Fast | Guides: 8+1 | Line weight: 2-8lb | Lure weight: 1/32-1/8oz | Rod Material: Carbon
• 6’6'' Rod
• Piece: 2 | Length of each piece: 3.5’ | Net weight: 3.5oz | Power: Ultra-Light
• 7' Rod
• Piece: 2 | Length of each piece: 3.6’ | Net weight: 3.8oz | Power: Ultra-Light
• Action: Fast | Guides: 8+1 | Line weight: 4-10lb | Lure weight: 1/16-3/8oz | Rod Material: Carbon
• 7’6'' Rod
• Piece: 2 | Length of each piece: 3.87’ | Net weight: 4.1oz | Power: Ultra-Light

Product information

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BERRYPRO Ultralight Spinning Fishing Rod

Customer Review: Professional quality priced for Professional Cheapskates

Howard Nichols

Berrypro Ultralight Spinning Rod with Solid Carbon Tip

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Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the weight, comfort, and color of the fishing rod. For example, they mention it's very light, has a very custom feel, and attractive color. Customers are also happy with the quality. That said, some complain about the lock and size.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the fishing rod very light and sensitive. They also say the casting is smooth.

"This is a nice rod in general, light weight and attractive. The problem is you can not fish this rod with a slip bobber...." Read more

"Rod feels great, very light .Reel seat (top) came right off, not good...." Read more

"seems like a great ultra light rod , can't wait to try it" Read more

"...husband and he loves it compared to his walmart rods he said its very lightweight and sensitive,his first UL rod but he accidentally broke it when..." Read more

Customers find the fishing rod comfortable with a great action, feel, and balance. They also say the rod has a very custom feel to it, with sensitivity and smooth casting.

"...tough to please when is come to my equipment this rod has a very custom feel to it...." Read more

" Solid rod feels good not too whippy , oddly enough I really love the hinged hook catch" Read more

" Rod feels great , very light.Reel seat (top) came right off, not good...." Read more

"...it compared to his walmart rods he said its very lightweight and sensitive ,his first UL rod but he accidentally broke it when he yank it too hard..." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the color of the fishing rod. They mention that it is a great looking rod, attractive, and light. Some say that it's a perfect little panfish rod.

"This is a nice rod in general, light weight and attractive . The problem is you can not fish this rod with a slip bobber...." Read more

"...Super glue is holding nicely and sure is very nice fishing rod " Read more

"...Great for casting and hooking with ease. The color is beautiful and the rod is balanced perfectly. The eyelets are very small but also very sturdy...." Read more

"Great little rod light as can be, attractive color ...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the speed of the fishing rod. They mention that it has a fast action tip and is a true fast action ultralight rod. Some are also pleased with the performance.

" Great action ! Fast action tip. Only used a couple of times...." Read more

"I was pleasantly surprised to find that this rod is truly a fast action as advertised...." Read more

"...I'm blown away by the lightness and the light, fast tip while having a solid backbone down the rod...." Read more

"Love the rod. Fast action quick tip . Ultralight or light I am not sure but the top bend like an ultra light with a rigid backbone...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the fishing rod. They mention that it is an excellent ultralight fishing rod, an awesome trout rod, and the best panfish rod you'll find under 50 bucks. They also say that it works well for their trout setup.

"... Awesome trout rod . Just wish it would last longer but can’t complain when I abuse it" Read more

"This rod is the best panfish rod you'll find under 50 bucks...." Read more

"...It’s been fine ever since and the rod works good for my trout setup . I took 2 stars off because of the issue with the front reel seat coming undone." Read more

"...a little larger eyes so I could use slip bobber but it is good for casting light lures ...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the lock of the fishing rod. They say that it comes loose as they tighten the pole and close around the reel. They also mention that the reel will fall off.

"Rod feels great, very light.Reel seat (top) came right off , not good...." Read more

"...I used it for the second time with a half-Senko and no weight, the tip snapped while catching a three pound bass...." Read more

"DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN REEL SEAT IT WILL COME LOOSE THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO REGLUE NOT VERY WELL DONE BY BUILDER" Read more

"The first time I went to use this, the glue that holds the reel seat broke loose ...." Read more

Customers are dissatisfied with the size of the fishing rod. They mention that the guides are very small on the upper portion of the rod, it is hard and perhaps a little small in diameter for those with larger hands, it's a thin, tiny rod, smaller than a match stick, and that the line guides are too small for the bobber stop to pass through.

"...The line guides are too small for the bobber stop to pass through. if it had the correct size guides it would be a very nice rod...." Read more

"...It is a thin, tiny rod, smaller than a match stick . So if you buy one baby it, because it's very fragile and wouldn't last at all." Read more

"...It is hard and perhaps a little small in diameter for those with larger hands...." Read more

"...Very unhappy with the quality of the pole because it was not a very big rainbow trout at all...." Read more

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Home » Fishing Gear » Fishing Rods » 24 Best Ultralight Spinning Rods

24 Best Ultralight Spinning Rods

Being a successful angler involves knowing exactly what gear to use and how to best incorporate each piece of equipment into your overall fishing strategy. If you plan to go after smaller species of fish, using an ultralight spinning reel is a wise and productive decision that can make your efforts pay off in a way that helps you land more fish.

Using a larger, heavier rod for pitching small lures puts anglers at a significant disadvantage as you’ll only be able to cast them a short distance. A quality ultralight rod will have just the right action and power to launch smaller baits and lures much farther and will also help you be more accurate in your casts.

Ultralight rods might seem to be relatively simple as they are much smaller in size when compared to heavier baitcasting reels or sturdy spinning reels. Finding the right kind of ultralight rod will take a bit more research, especially if you’re largely unfamiliar with ultralight rods and reels. It’s important to take into account what kind of lures you plan to throw with your rod, as well as the type of game fish species you intend to catch.

When catching fish under 3 pounds it is often more fun to be using a lightweight setup. This is true for both adults and kids. Using light tackle makes lading the fish a bit more challenging but also more fun. Also using light ling help catch more fish especially leader-shy fish like trout and snapper .

Here Are the Best Ultralight Spinning Rods

1. st croix panfish series rods.

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St. Croix designed their Panfish Series Rods to function as the ideal fishing rod for fishing enthusiasts who like to target crappie, sunfish, perch, and other kinds of popular panfish species that are both tasty and fun to catch. These rods are made with specialized SCVI and SCII graphite that gives them outstanding strength and durability, as well as the ability to flex and bend just when you need them for catching and landing your limit on whatever fish you happen to be targeting.

The rod blank is cured with a fortified resin material that creates a rod that’s 33 percent stronger than other types of ultralight rods. These rods are also made with stainless steel rings and frames, which help provide a reinforced level of durability when fighting larger fish.

The St. Croix Panfish Series rods also are made with moderate action to help give anglers the right amount of action to keep their catch hooked while fishing with lighter monofilament or fluorocarbon line. The rods are made with a premium cork handle to make sure your hands stay dry and to also provide you with an extra bit of grip. The reel seat design helps to ensure that your rod will provide the ultimate sensitivity and comfort.

2. St Croix Trout Seris Rods

St. Croix’s trout rods have a reputation that precedes themselves in the fishing industry. As one of the highest-quality ultralight rods in the industry, this one is made to the same outstanding St. Croix standards that the company has become known for over the course of the last few decades.

These rods are crafted with St. Croix’s proprietary high-modulus SCVI graphite material, which means they’re extremely durable, as well as very sensitive for anglers who prefer to use a variety of finesse tactics for fish. The trout series of fishing rods are made to be super lightweight, as well as tough thanks to the premium features and components.

St. Croix’s trout series of rods are made with an advanced guide system, which creates an exceptionally smooth experience when compared to other ultralight rods on the market. This one comes with St. Croix’s 5-year warranty.

3. St Croix Triumph Ultralight Rods

As one of the most high-quality ultralight rod models made by the St. Croix brand, the Triumph rod line is one of exceptional durability and super lightweight feel and performance. Made with the brand’s super high-quality SCII carbon material, these rods are made to have an extra level of toughness and sensitivity that truly sets them apart from the competition within the fishing industry.

Crafted with high-performance slim aluminum-oxide guides the rod has a sleek, black-framed appearance. Anglers will appreciate that St. Croix has thought to include high-quality reel seats along with a premium cork handle for outstanding sensitivity.

This product comes with St. Croix’s 5-year warranty that covers any type of problem imaginable which might go wrong. Anglers have praised the St. Croix brand for its incredible toughness in the face of a number of different scenarios and situations where large game fish species might normally destroy a rod.

4. Ugly Stik Elite Ultralight Spinning Rod

Ugly Stik is known for producing rods that are seemingly indestructible and the Elite Ultralight Spinning Rod is no exception to this brand’s quality line of products. This particular rod model features 35 percent more graphite than its cousin the Ugly Stik GX2. The addition of more graphite creates an exceptionally lightweight rod that is perfect for smaller sized game fish species like crappie, bream, perch, and many others.

These rods feature Ugly Stik’s Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity that will help anglers maintain a high level of sensitivity when needed. This model has one-piece guides without inserts. Not having inserts make the rod more durable but having ceramic incites is better when using braided fishing lines.

The cork handle and exposed blank-style reel seats help to add extra comfort and durability to an already rock-solid product that will last many years on the water. The Ugly Stik Elite Ultralight Spinning Rod is one of the best ultralight rods on the market today.

5. Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Rod

The Ugly Stik GX2 is a popular fishing rod for freshwater and saltwater fishing. This one comes as a combo but the reel is a low-cost add-on. What you are really getting is the quality durable fishing rod. The rod uses one-piece stainless steel guides without insets. Not having inserts can be a problem when using a braided line but these work well with monofilament and fluorocarbon lines that are typically used with ultralight rods.

A standout feature of Ugly Stik rods is the graphite and fiberglass materials used in the fabrication process which makes them extremely durable. For this reason, the rods come with a 7 years limited warranty. Other features include EVA Grips, a hoop keeper, and a clear tip for added sensitivity.

Ultralight rods are going to flex and be less rigid than high power rods. This allows the rod to spring back and cast light lures a far distance. When reeling in a big fish the rod will bend over drastically and it is important to have a quality rod that can handle the rod flexing. Longer rods will cast lures further and shorter rods work well for jigging.

6. Shakespeare Micro Ultralight Spinning Rod

Shakespeare is well-known for producing some of the best fishing rods in the industry at prices that are much more affordable than other premium fishing tackle brands. The Shakespeare Micro Ultralight Spinning Rod is a great choice for anglers who are looking for a solid ultralight rod that won’t cost an exceptional amount. This rod is also a good option for young anglers, as well as older fishing veterans.

This graphite rod offers the same composition that Shakespeare has become known for in the fishing industry and features cord handles that provide a decent grip for young and experienced anglers. The rod also offers tough stainless steel guides and inserts that mean it will stand up to just about any kind of fish you manage to hook.

This rod breaks down into two pieces which is ideal for anglers who might want to pack it in as part of their full gear array on hiking or long fishing trips. Anglers can find this rod for about an excellent price for the level of quality offered by this product.

7. Berkley Lightning Trou t Spinning Rod

Berkley has established itself among the best of the best in the fishing industry when it comes to baits and fishing tackle. As the name entails, the Berkely Lightning Trout Spinning Rod is specially designed for trout fishing with its longer frame and ultralight rating.

This particular rod design is constructed with 24-Ton Multi Modulus graphite, which is known to be extremely strong and sensitive and stacks up quite well when compared to other rods from top manufacturers. This rod is made with a carbon composite blank that is lightweight, sensitive, and durable. The rod is designed to specifically be used with lightweight lures and bait, as well as a lighter pound test line than other rods of similar dimensions. Berkeley has included its patented locking reel seat and stainless steel guides with ceramic inserts to create one of the best trout fishing rods.

8. Fenwick HMG Ultralight Spinning Rod

Fenwick is among the longest-standing fishing rod makers in the industry. The HMG Ultralight Spinning Rod is one that most anglers will find to be capable of delivering a great on the water performance for small-size game fish species. The Fenwick company revolutionized the fishing industry when they produced the first graphite rod nearly 45 years ago and the brand has since remained as one of the top fishing rod producers in a highly competitive industry.

The Fenwick HMG is lightweight, as well as comfortable, and durable which makes a highly effective product that many of the most seasoned anglers feel a sense of brand loyalty. Anglers can order this particular rod to special length options to get the exact size rod they need without any unnecessary components.

9. Fenwick Eagle Ultralight Spinning Rod

The Fenwick name is synonymous with top-quality products in the fishing industry and the brand’s Eagle Ultralight Spinning Rod is another great option for anglers seeking a high-quality ultralight option. This particular model isn’t quite as expensive as the Fenwick model listed above, but still offers an exceptional level of outstanding quality that is hard to match.

Made with 24-ton graphite, this rod is among the toughest ultralight models you’ll find anywhere. Fenwick’s engineers have painstakingly worked to perfect the ideal ultralight fishing rod with decades of experience designing rods. The high-quality stainless steel guides with aluminum oxide inserts provide increased casting performance.

The handle’s through-blank construction combined with the minimal reel seat create a rod that allows anglers to feel even the most subtle bites. This particular model makes a strong case for being the top ultralight rod on our list when you factor in the price and the outstanding level of quality it’s made with.

10. Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Glass Rods

Bass Pro Shops has long been in the business of producing fishing products that provide exactly what anglers need, without the overly large price tag that’s so often associated with high-quality products. The Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Glass Rods might be one of the most affordable ultralight rods on our list, but it makes comes with an array of top-notch components that combine for a great overall performance.

This rod is specially made by Bass Pro’s engineers to serve as the perfect panfish and trout rod. The rod’s bonded high-density tubular glass construction creates an exceptionally strong product that is perfect for small-sized game fish species like trout and panfish. Users say this rod is a combination of the right amount of flexibility and muscle to hold up against the occasional larger-sized trout.

11. Sougayilang Ultralight Spinning Rod

The Sougayilang Ultralight Spinning Rod is an excellent choice of ultralight rod for anglers who are looking for a budget-friendly product that can still provide a good experience on the water. Made with sensitive graphite composition blanks, this rod is made for fishing for smaller species of fish that require a higher level of sensitivity in order to feel those small, subtle bites that might otherwise go unnoticed. Despite being priced low, this rod actually offers an exceptionally good level of durability and overall performance.

The Sougayilang brand might not be as well-known to anglers in the United States, but this particular company has garnered quite a following across the world as they continue to produce solid products that will get the job done. The graphite composition rods are ideal for trout fishing and are very highly-rated across many different online retailers.

Made with stainless steel guides and inserts, this small Sougayilang rod is a great choice for young anglers or anyone looking to get their hands on a solid budget-friendly option that won’t require you to sacrifice too much on the performance side of things.

12. Eagle Claw Ultralight Spinning Rod

Eagle Claw is known in the fishing industry for producing some of the best products without the hefty price tags found with many top brand. The Eagle Claw Ultralight Spinning Rod is arguably one of the best ultralight fishing rods on the market as it offers a plethora of positive aspects that set it apart from other rod models of similar pricing.

The classic Featherlight spinning rod model cones in a large variety of lengths.  Thanks to an outstanding fiberglass construction that offers a surprising amount of flexibility and toughness, many ultralight enthusiasts reach for this rod when fishing for a variety of gamefish species. With six stainless steel guides and a super ultralight design that truly lives up to its Featherlight namesake.

13. Cadence Ultralight Spinning Rod

Cadence is unlike any other brand when it comes to producing top-notch rods at bargain prices. Their Cadence CR5 Ultralight Spinning Rod is among the most popular ultralight rods on the market since it offers an exceptional level of reliability without the high price tag.

This small, graphite fishing rod is an exceptionally good selection for anglers looking to fish for trout, crappie, bream, and other smaller species of game fish. The stainless steel inserts provide good quality and toughness for harder fights and a longer-lasting experience than other brands that are priced at the same level.

The rod has an excellent combination of length, action, and power to combine for outstanding performance. Many anglers use this rod for bass or even walleye fishing as it offers a high level of sensitivity and allows anglers to maintain control over their catch from beginning to end.

14. Okuma Celilo Ultralight Trout Rod

When it comes to Japanese-made fishing products, Okuma has carved a path straight to the top of the country’s most popular fishing rod manufacturers and makes rods that rival any other brand across the world with outstanding performance and reliability. The Okuma Celilo Ultralight Trout Rod is specially made to function as the perfect trout fishing rod but also works exceptionally well when used as an ultralight rod that’s made for targeting other small-sized species.

Okuma’s Celilo lineup offers rods that start at 4 foot 6-inches in length and go up to 7 foot 6-inches. This allows anglers to select the rod length that’s perfect for their particular needs when it comes to throwing any number of trout fishing lures and baits. The graphite rod is made with aluminum-oxide inserts and offers plenty of reasons why anglers should give this model a closer look.

The Celilo also comes with a stainless steel hooded reel seat and thru-blank handle design for excellent durability and comfort that lends to the one-year warranty that Okuma provides customers who purchase this model.

15. KastKing Perigee II Ultralight Spinning Rod

The KastKing Perigee II Ultralight Spinning Rod is among one of the most popular for both spinning and baitcasting rods . KastKing’s rods are well-known for decent low-cost products that are durable. The carbon fiber blank rod material creates an exceptionally sensitive fishing experience while also offering a strong rod that will catch small and medium-size fish. The premium Fuji O-ring guides and solid graphite reel seats are two aspects that work well for ultralight rods.

16. Widow Maker Ice Fishing Rod

Ice fishing is a sport that’s unique to all other types of angling and those who participate in this form of fishing know full well that there are a lot of things that are different when you compare ice fishing to your usual angling experience. The Widow Maker Rod for Ice Fishing is considered an ultralight rod that’s well-suited for ice fishing. In cold water, fish are lethargic and go fight very hard. This means that small rods and light fishing ling can be used to land big fish. This rod is set up for spinning reels with the reel positioned below the rod.

17. Quantum Ultralight Telescopic Rod

The Quantum Ultralight Telescopic Rod is a cheap short rod that is good to use small freshwater fish. A telescopic rod is nice as you can pack along with your other gear for long-range hiking trips, or stash away for a quickly accessible rod that can be used at a moment’s notice. This graphite fishing rod features a split-grip EVA foam handle for optimal comfort. The rod is durable but telescopic rods like this one are known to break with heavy use.

18. Eagle Claw Telescopic Spinning Rod

This Eagle Claw Telescopic Rod is a classic that has been around for many years. It is built to be small and lightweight but is not strong enough to catch large fish. It will work for panfish and trout fishing.

The telescopic rod extends out to 5 feet 6-inches in length and offers plenty of reasons for anglers to be satisfied with its overall performance. It is a spinning rod and works with small spinning reels. The rod’s fiberglass construction and EVA foam handle combine for a sturdy and capable fishing rod that’s ideal for fish you mind find in remote streams and mountain lakes.

19. Pflueger President Spinning Rod Combo

The Pflueger brand name is one that’s been known to stand for products that will offer outstanding performance and long-lasting capabilities. The Pflueger President Spinning Rod Combo is another excellent choice for anglers looking to get their hands on a quality ultralight rod and reel combo .

This particular model comes with all the familiar characteristics that have made Pflueger one of the top brands when it comes to fishing rods and reels. The rod is made with high modulus graphite blank construction which offers high sensitivity for feeling what is happing with the line.

Anglers will also appreciate the reel as it offers a braid-ready spool, corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball-bearing system, and a sealed drag system that will rival most other

20. Pflueger Monarch Ultralight Spinning Combo

The Pflueger Monarch is another top-quality ultralight spinning combo. This rod and reel offer the same exceptional performance that Pflueger has garnered a reputation for and is available for a surprisingly low cost.

The rod is made with graphite blank construction and features stainless steel guides that will create an exceptionally smooth casting and reeling experience. This super lightweight rod and reel combo is an ideal choice for anglers looking to target trout, as well as panfish and other small species.

The reel is made with the same familiar quality of Pflueger products. It features a graphite body and rotor that are lightweight and durable. The five ball bearing system creates a smooth reeling experience.

21. Shakespeare Amphibian Spinning Combo

The Shakespeare Amphibian Spinning Combo is a great low-cost setup that comes ready to fish. This combo is perfect for young anglers as it offers an excellent reel and the ultralight rod is capable of handling moderately-sized freshwater fish a youngster might encounter. The tubular glass spinning rod is not as lightweight or sensitive and graphite rods. However, the setup is durable and works to catch fish.

22. Shakespeare Micro Spinning Combo

The Shakespeare Micro Spinning Combo is an average quality fishing setup. It does come spooled with a 4-pound test line. This is perfect for panfish and trout. The 4 foot 8-inch length is good for kids when casting distance is not important. The 7-foot length version allows for light lures to be cast long distances. This would be a great setup for trout fishing in streams and crappie fishing in lakes.

23. Ugly Stik Dock Runner Ultralight Combo

The Ugly Stik Dock Runner Ultralight Combo is perfect for kids and anyone looking for a capable rod and reel combo that can be used to catch small game fish species. This combo offers a decent ultralight fishing rod that can serve as a great option for catching bream, panfish, or bass. I love to use the dock runner when fishing for snapper as even small fish pull drag and it feels like you are fighting a monster. My nieces and nephews are 2-11 years old and also like using the dock runner rod and reel.

The rod is only 36 inches but it functions as a great option for youngsters as it is easy to handle and tough enough to withstand anything a rough and tumble kid might get into around a lake, stream, pier, or dock. Like most other Ugly Stik products, this combo is exceptionally tough and able to last a few good years in the hands of just about anyone. This setup lasts much longer than the small spincast combos that break after a few days. My brother even took the rod and reeel into the ocean when snorkeling and caught a fish underwater.

24. Zebco Spyn Light Spinning Rod Combo

The Zebco name is synonymous with excellent combos that are well-suited for kids and young anglers. The Zebco Spyn Light Spinning Rod Combo is another model in a long line of rods and reels that function as ideal ultralight fishing tools in the hands of both novice anglers and seasoned veterans of the sport.

The reel features an instant anti-reverse clutch, as well as an aluminum spool and incredibly tough titanium-nitride plated bail wire and line roller. This spinning reel is a quality pick that pairs nicely with the graphite blank rod that also offers durable reel seating. It doesn’t take much to see the value in this Zebco combo as the rod and reel are both capable items that are able to be used in catching trout and panfish.

Information About Ultralight Rods

Construction materials .

Many years ago, fishing rods were made out of different materials including bamboo and steel. Today, they’re mostly made from graphite, fiberglass, or a combination of the two. Some companies used to make rods out of boron, which is extremely flexible and has good strength, but now boron is mostly used in the butt of rods to stiffen the handles.

Many rods today are made of fiberglass, which is considerably heavier than graphite. Most of the ultralight rods on our list are made from graphite. Fiberglass rods are usually slow to medium action rods that bend with the full length of the rod. These kinds of rods are generally preferred by novice anglers as they are more flexible and are less likely to break.

Graphite rods can come in a variety of different degrees of stiffness. These different degrees of stiffness are referred to as modulus. Graphite is known to be more sensitive and the increased stiffness in the rods helps to create better hook sets in species like largemouth bass .

Power Rating 

A rod’s power rating is simply its ability to bend under a certain amount of weight. Power refers to a rod’s stiffness or ability to bend against a given weight. The different levels of rod power are often labeled as ultralight, light, medium, heavy, etc.

Many anglers select rods based on a specific job or action that they want to accomplish with certain lures. Knowing how much bend you’ll have in your rod will help give you an idea of which one you want to use when popping a frog across the surface or the water, or when you’re ripping a jerk bait through the water in the early pre-spawn period.

Action Rating 

A rod’s action rating simply refers to the specific area on the length of the rod where it will bend the most when pressure is applied. A fast action rod will bend a great deal along with the top third of the blank, while a medium action rod will bend in the top half or around the upper middle portion. A slow action rod will bend the entire length of the rod into the lower third and the handle.

Fast action is preferred by anglers in many cases because it allows them to have a greater sensitivity to certain lures. Fast action will also allow users to “load up” for a heavier hook set. Quick action rods are generally recommended for beginners and anyone looking to try a variety of lures and techniques with one single rod. Slower action rods are more ideal for casting lighter, smaller lures as you might for trout or panfish.

Lure Weights for Ultralight Rods 

As you might imagine, you’d be ill-advised to use a heavy lure rig with an ultralight rod. This is mainly because the rod itself is not stiff enough to properly cast a heavy lure, and is also not stiff enough to retrieve heavy lures. Trying to do so will only result in an awkward series of casts and retrieves in which you likely wouldn’t even feel a fish bite if one were to strike.

Ultralight rod use has skyrocketed in recent years because many different lure presentations seem to work better on a smaller scale than what fish typically see them as. Lots of fishing tackle companies have begun producing scaled-down lures like buzz baits, crankbaits, jerk baits, and others to work more efficiently with ultralight rods as anglers have started opting for them. Kayak anglers have specially bought into the ultralight fishing method.

There’s no specific lure weight that you’ll need to stick to with an ultralight rod, but it’s often a good idea to not go above a 1/8 oz or 1/32 oz lure.

Ultralight Spinning Rods Vs Fly Fishing Rods 

Many different anglers have likely compared or thought about the differences between fly rods and ultralight rods as they have quite a bit of similarity and are used to fish for many of the same species. It’s fair to compare the two, but there are some stark differences in both kinds of rods that should also be noted.

Fly rods are made to fulfill a specific niche of fishing and are to only be used to pitch flies to whatever kind of fish you’re intending to catch. These are long rods that have been proven to be highly effective in trout fishing, as well as going after other types of game fish species like bonefish and other saltwater species. In fact, there are lots of anglers who relish the challenge of landing a monster catch on a fly rod as doing so is extremely difficult.

Ultralight rods are generally shorter and considered a multi-function tool in which the angler can fish for the same basic species you might go after with a fly rod, but an ultralight rod and reel allows an angler to use a wider variety of lures and bait presentations than simply lofting a fly back and forth onto the surface.

As far as their structural differences, fly rods are much longer because they are expected to be able to cast a tiny fly a considerable distance. An ultralight rod can achieve a similar distance on a slightly heavier lure and does not typically require the same length as a fly rod.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an ultralight fishing rod .

An ultralight fishing rod is generally smaller and lighter than most other rods. The ultralight rod is preferred by hikers and kayak anglers, as well as anyone else who wants to use a smaller, lighter rod to use that can be more effective than larger rods.

The term ultralight refers to the rod’s power rating as it is often required to be highly flexible in order to cast lures the needed distance to catch fish. Using an incredibly stiff rod to cast a light lure will prove to be wildly unproductive as the rod is unable to bend enough to “launch” the lure any considerable distance.

An ultralight rod is able to bend to a much greater degree than other rods, which means it will act much like spring in launching the lightweight lure out to a decent distance that will allow it to be retrieved in a manner that will entice a fish to bite. In the same sense, casting a very heavy lure from an ultralight rod will result in a shorter cast as the rod will bend too much and will not have the stiffness needed to properly cast the bait.

What is the lightest fishing rod?

Many different fishing rod manufacturers are working to produce lighter rods than their competitors as ultralight fishing has truly taken the angling world by storm. Abu Garcia recently debuted the world’s lightest spinning reel and there are several rod manufacturers that are testing and engineering lighter rods that will achieve greater distances when casting super light lures such as flies, spinners, and other lightweight objects.

Finding the lightest rod on the market is a tall task as there are many different options that are continually popping throughout the angling world. While some manufacturers don’t typically include the actual weight of their rods, paying attention to the length and the material should give you a good idea of the lighter options.

What are ultralight rods good for?

As you might have guessed, ultralight rods are best used for smaller fish that feed on smaller insects and baitfish. Ultralight rods are designed to cast these small lures farther than their larger, heavier cousins and will therefore result in being much more useful in catching fish that target smaller prey.

Many trout fishing enthusiasts have begun opting for ultralight rods as opposed to fly rods since these models will allow anglers to throw a much larger variety of lures than simple flies. With the growing number of technological innovations, new ultralight rod models are being produced each year that are geared more toward catching a specific type of fish.

How do I choose a rod length for ultralight rods?

As with any other piece of fishing tackle or equipment, it’s best to start out with a goal in mind. What kind of fish do you want to catch? Once you’ve established an answer to this question, you can then begin to work toward the best way to accomplish that goal by researching the best ways to catch that particular fish.

Using a shorter rod is often recommended if you plan to fish in an area that has limited casting space such as a small creek or an overgrown lakeshore. If you expect to be able to throw your lure a long distance, you can opt for a longer rod, but keep in mind you’ll need to properly retrieve the lure you’re using, so make sure your rod length doesn’t cause the lure’s action to suffer.

What is the best trout rod?

Trout fishing is generally done in smaller rivers and streams where anglers have little room to cast their lures due to overhanging tree limbs and other types of vegetation. Trout are also known to have incredibly good eyesight, which means anglers will be better off using smaller lures and baits. In order to cast these baits in a small space, you’ll likely need to stick with a rod length from 5 foot to 7 foot in length.

There are a number of ultralight rods that are specially designed for trout fishing. As with any other piece of fishing gear, you’re likely to get a better product if you’re willing to spend a bit more money.

What is the best crappie rod?

The best crappie fishing rods will generally be ones with a sensitive tip and that will allow for longer casting of lighter lures. Professional crappie anglers generally use rods that have fast action and light to ultralight power which will allow them to cast jigs and other small lures a much farther distance than other rods that are longer and heavier.

Do longer fly rods cast further?

Short answer: yes. A fly rod is designed to function in the same way an ultralight rod does by propelling a small, lightweight lure a farther distance than heavier rods are able to. Having a longer fly rod will create more of a spring-loaded action and will allow the lure to be cast much farther than a shorter rod of similar power and action.

What is the best fishing line for ultralight rods?

Fluorocarbon is generally considered the best fishing line for most ultralight rods as it is under a four-pound test and it also has low visibility. A fluorocarbon line is also abrasion-resistant and is still flexible enough to cast a far distance. It is also preferred by trout anglers as it has a better ability to become camouflage in the water, making it harder for trout to see the line itself.

A monofilament is also a good option in some cases. Depending on the types of lures used, monofilament can be a more productive option than fluorocarbon due to its ability to stretch. Braided line is often not the most highly recommended, but can serve as a good option for some cases when a line strength over 10 pounds is needed.

Can you use a fly on and ultralight rod? 

Yes. Using flies on a spinning rod might sound crazy to anyone who hasn’t tried it, but it can be highly effective. Some anglers have discovered the ability to cast flies on a spinning rod simply by experimentation. You’ll likely need to add a small weight like a split shot to give your lure enough weight to be cast out to a considerable distance to unsuspecting trout. Many times, using flies can be a productive strategy for catching trout and other game fish species because it allows anglers to throw a more natural-looking lure.

Can you ice fish with an ultralight rod? 

Yes. In fact, ultralight rods are the most popular types of rods used in ice fishing as they allow anglers to feel the subtlest bites and to quickly begin reeling and set the hook in many cases. Ultralight rods are also shorter and therefore allow ice fishing enthusiasts to sit closer to their fishing spot to reel in a catch.

What are the best reels for ultralight spinning rods?

There are lots of reputable reel manufacturers that are also known for producing outstanding fishing reels including Shimano, Penn, Okuma, Cadence, Pflueger, Lews, and KastKing. Most ultralight rods and reels are designed for freshwater use, but there are a number of quality reels that are capable of being used for saltwater fishing. The best ultralight reel currently on the market are made by Shimano.

The Shimano Stella is arguably the best ultralight fishing reel , but the price tag makes it much more expensive than most anglers are willing to spend. This makes it a less viable option for the average angler. Other brands that produce great ultralight reels that offer more than 30 pounds of drag are Cadence and KastKing. Generally speaking, ultralight reels don’t need to have high drag values though in order to be effective.

Captain Cody has worked on charter fishing boats in the Florida Keys, Virgin Islands, and Alaska. Growing up in Pennsylvania Cody has also done extensive freshwater fishing including bass fishing tournaments. Cody strives to provide detailed information about the best fishing gear and tactics to help both novice and experienced anglers have a more productive and enjoyable time on the water. Cody also has a background in aerospace engineering and neuroscience but really only takes pride in being good at one thing and that is fishing!

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April 17, 2024

Best Ultralight Spinning Combo: 10 Top Rod and Reel Choices (2024)

Ultralight fishing rods and reels are probably the most commonly used type of rod and reel used in fishing. It’s the average angler’s rod, and the most common type of …

Ultralight fishing rods and reels are probably the most commonly used type of rod and reel used in fishing. It’s the average angler’s rod, and the most common type of fishing is done with these rods.

Tactics like using live bait and bobbers along with small lures that we used as kids are used with ultralight spinning rods and spinning reels. Let’s take a look at some of the best ultralight rod and reel combos on the market today, what ones we think are best in three important categories, along with answering some frequently asked questions in regards to ultralight rods and reels and ultralight fishing .

For those interested in buying an ultralight rod or ultralight reel separately, check out our guides in these links.

Table of Contents

Best Ultralight Spinning Combo: Our Top Picks

Best Budget Ultralight Spinning Combo

South bend microlite spinning combo.

It’s pretty hard to beat the price of this spinning combo, and or the price you can even pick up a few of them for any guests you may have in your boat, for your kids, or to just run multiple rods for live bait situations.

South Bend is also a household fishing brand name, and their products, while far from being top tier, are generally reliable for the price paid for them.

Best Overall:

Cadence cc5.

The Cadence CC5 is the best ultralight spinning combo on our list. It is jam-packed with high-quality components and features, and you get this high-quality ultralight spinning reel and spinning rod for well under 100 dollars.

The price alone is worth the buy, so if you’re serious about your ultralight fishing, this one is going to be the best ultralight spinning combo for your money.

Editor’s Choice:

Zebco dock demon.

The fish that you will be targeting with an ultralight setup love using heavy cover as well as man-made structures like docks, piers, and swimming rafts.

The reason I pick the Zebco Dock Demon is that it’s specifically made to effectively fish in and around this really tight cover. To catch panfish like crappie and even trout , you don’t need to cast a mile away, and you typically don’t need a spinning combo that can either.

It’s small and compact, weighs next to nothing, and will pull crappies and other fish out of the brush and other covers like no-ones business. And more importantly, its short spinning rod design allows you to pitch jigs and other lures accurately in very precise fishing spots .

Best Ultralight Spinning Combo: Reviews

Pflueger Monarch Combo

The Monarch rod and reel combo from Pflueger is a great ultra-light rod and reel combo that will suit any angler from the novice angler to the avid angler.

The Rod is constructed from IM6 mid-modulus graphite for great strength and sensitivity, and also features stainless steel guides for smooth retrieves and corrosion resistance.

The Reel on the monarch combo features 5 bearings, an interchangeable retrieve handle for both left and right-handed anglers, an aluminum bail, and a graphite body and rotor to keep the whole rod and reel setup very light and easy to handle.

Key features

• IM6 mid-modulus graphite rod
• Graphite bodied reel
• Stainless steel line guides

Quantum Optix Ultralight Spinning Combo

The Quantum Optix is a rod and reel combo that offers anglers a two-piece rod at 5 feet in length and is constructed of graphite and features an EVA foam split grip design for great comfort in any weather conditions and overall lighter weight.

The spinning reel for the Optix features all-metal gears for great reliability and a4 ball bearing system for smooth retrieval. A TRU balanced rotor, and brass pinion gear round the reel off to create a great ultra-light combo option.

• 4 ball bearing count
• Graphite constructed rod
• EVA split grip

Okuma Safina Ultralight Spinning Combo

The Okuma Safina rod and reel combo feature a comfortable neo-cork full-grip design, which is actually pretty impressive for the price of this rod.

Something different in terms of construction to many of the ultra-light rods on the market today is that this rod is made of fiberglass, making it incredibly flexible and great for species with soft mouths like crappie, and the rod also features dura-flow stainless steel guides for incredibly smooth casting and corrosion resistance.

The reel features a 1BB drive for smooth retrieves, a good drag system, and a machined two-tone anodized spool.

Key Features

• Machined Spool
• Neo cork grip and handle
• Machined spool

Lew's Mr. Crappie Slab Shaker

While the Lew's Mr. crappie rod and reel combo are tailored towards crappie fishing, it will work for a wide range of species including other panfish and it will work especially well for trout as well.

The rod comes in at 5'2" and is a two-piece design. It also features stainless steel guides and inserts, durable EVA foam split grips, and a lightweight graphite reel seat, and the rod is made of a very light graphite blank.

The reel is constructed of a lightweight graphite body and rotor with dual bearing construction, chrome-plated spool, and drag knob, and is even pre-spooled with Lew's Mr crappie fishing line.

• Reel comes pre-spooled
• Great rod materials and construction
• Chrome-plated spool and drag knob

Zebco Dock Demon Ultralight Spinning Combo

Great for game fish like panfish, and being a pretty unique design, the Zebco dock demon rod and reel combo is perfect for casting into really tight spots like in and around brush and docks.

The rod is a one-piece design that is only 30 inches in length , making it ideal for making short pitches around cover and docks. The rod blank is constructed of fiberglass and has great flex as well and improving accuracy for those shot underhand casts and has an EVA grip and handle as well as a twist-lock reel seat.

The spinning reel can be changed for either left or right-handed anglers, and the reel also features all-metal gearing and quick-set anti-reverse. Zebco even adds a one-year warranty against defects.

 Key features

• one-year warranty
• all-metal gearing
• rod design that is perfect for tight casting

Abu Garcia Revo Elite

No fishing rod and reel combo would be complete without at least one Abu Garcia combination.

The 6' ultralight rod is constructed of RT3 graphite and features sea guides with titanium oxide line guides for superb durability as well as smooth and long-distance casting. EVA split grips are included with X-wraps for amazing grip in any weather condition.

Ultralight rod combos need an ultralight reel, and the reel featured in the Revo Elite combo is constructed using IM-C6 carbon graphite, making it incredibly light while maintaining a good level of durability.

The reel has a braid-ready aluminum spool, stainless steel main shaft and internals, and an ultra-smooth 7-ball bearing system which includes 6 HPCR bearings plus one roller bearing.

 All these reel features are topped off with a very strong and very smooth carbon matrix drag system.

• Carbon graphite reel body
• X-wrapped grips
• TR3 carbon fiber rod

Cadence CC5 Ultralight Spinning Combo

This rod and reel combo is full of quality materials and has a very well-thought-out design. Making it our top pick on this list.

The CC5 rod is a graphite rod made of from 24-ton graphite, giving you an incredibly durable and highly sensitive rod. It also features corrosion-resistant stainless steel guides & inserts, and a lightweight and comfortable EVA split-grip handle design.

The spinning reel doesn't skimp out on features either. it's constructed using a carbon composite frame and side plates to keep the whole combo very light in the hand, an oversized ergonomic EVA handle knob for great grip and comfort, and a reliable stainless steel main shaft and aluminum pinion gear for exceptionally smooth operation and long term reliability.

To top all this off, the reel comes with an 8-ball-bearing system and one bearing for the instant anti-reverse, making it the smoothest reel on the list. This is a great outfit for ultralight bass fishing .

• 24-ton graphite rod
• high-quality reel components
• 8 stainless steel ball bearing count

South Bend Microlite Ultralight Spinning Combo

The south Bed Microlite is a two-piece fiberglass constructed rod with a graphite reel seat, chrome guides, and a premium cork handle.

The reel for the microlite features an aluminum spool for durability and well as being lightweight, and a 2-ball bearing system., with instant anti-reverse.

Overall the microlite is a great ultralight spinning rod and reel combo for panfish, it's very affordable in price and created by a company that has been in the fishing industry for a very long time.

• Fiberglass rod
• Chrome line guides
• Aluminum spool

Shimano Sedona Combo

The Shimano Sedona combo features a 6' ultralight rod with an RT3 graphite design for ultra sensitivity and durability and features sea guides with titanium oxide line guides for superb durability as well as smooth and long-distance casting. EVA split grips are included with X-wraps for amazing grip, and the rod features a minimalist reel seat.

The reel features a lightweight G3 body construction, and a super lightweight magnumlight rotor. On top of the reel features Hagane gears for the ultimate in reliability and smooth reel operation.

The Reel features a higher gear ratio and drag power over other reels in the same category on the market.

• RT3 Graphite rod
• G3 body construction
• Hagane gearing

Ugly Stik GX2 Ultralight Spinning Rod and Reel Combo

The Ugly Stik GX2 is a great ultralight spinning rod and reel option for both novice and avid anglers. The rod is made of both carbon composite and fiberglass materials which offers both lightweight durability and sensitivity.

Along with the great selection of materials selected to construct the rod blank, It also features a lightweight and comfortable full-length grip made of EVA.

The Ugly Stik utilizes a Shakespeare reel that has a 3-ball bearing count made from stainless steel for smooth operation, along with a one-way anti-reverse clutch for solid hook sets.

• Spinning rod is made of a hybrid material
• One-way anti-reverse clutch

Ultralight Gear Buying Guide:

Not sure what you need in an ultralight spinning rod? Let’s go through the parts of a rod and reel that all ultralight spinning rods will feature and how they affect performance.

What to Look For in an Ultralight Rod

Power is the strength of a spinning rod , and in this case, we only want one power of the rod, and that is Ultralight power. Ultralight rods are about as light as you can go in the fishing rod world and are niche rods specifically tailored to fishing for smaller species like panfish and trout.

In most cases, you are going to want to choose a rod with moderate to fast action . It won’t be hard to find an ultralight spinning rod with this action, as most rods on the market are created with this action in mind.

The Action of a rod determines the amount of flex in the rod when it’s under a weight load like a fish or even just your lure. Action can give hard and fast hooksets to softer hooksets with the same power rod, depending on that action.

Most rods in the ultralight spinning rod category are all created at similar lengths, this is due to the action and power of the rod. If the rod is too long, it will be too floppy without enough backbone, too short, and it will be very stiff without having the proper flex.

Exceptions to the average length of these rods can be made. For instance, the Zebco dock demon was specifically designed to be short, but the spinning rod’s blank design and construction will reflect its short length.

What to Look For in an Ultralight Spinning Reel

Since ultralight spinning combos have both a rod and reel, the job of finding a suitable reel is made simple by having one already included that works great with the rod it is paired with.

When choosing a combo with a great spinning reel , look for spinning reels with a large number of ball bearings for the ball bearing drive; bearings that are made from stainless steel are preferred, as an instant anti-reverse clutch, all-metal gears, a good drag like carbon fiber drag, and stainless steel components. It is always good to ensure that these smaller reels have enough line capacity.

These options will ensure the reel will withstand the test of time and the fight when you hook into larger game fish.

Ultralight Fishing FAQs

What is ultralight fishing.

Ultralight fishing is when you target small fishing like bluegill, crappie , small trout , and other small species using an ultralight spinning rod. The use of the Ultralight spinning rod means that you are limited in the size of lures you can use.

Typically you are running a 6-pound test line or less, and your setup is best suited to light lures like small jigs, spinners, and crankbaits, as well as the standard traditional bobber style of live bait fishing.

What Species Can You Target?

Species typically targeted when fishing an ultralight would be bluegill, perch, crappie, sunfish, smaller trout like those found in small streams, tilapia, or any other fish that are of a similar size with light lures or live bait.

Quality ultralight rods are very sensitive, and anglers will be able to feel even the lightest bite from small fish like panfish, whereas when fishing with a medium action rod, you might struggle to feel these small bites.

Can You Land a Big Fish on Ultralight Gear?

You can land larger fish like bass or pike with an ultralight, but it typically is not an easy affair. These larger fish are usually caught by accident, and in many cases, due to light lures and light lines, the fish is lost due to the breaking of the fishing line due to the power of the fish, or the line is cut by sharp teeth.

If a large fish is caught, the only real option is to adjust your drag and try to play the fish out or fight the fish until it is exhausted; this can take a long time and depends on the line capacity, which is not high even with the best ultralight spinning reels.

In many cases, the fish may tangle you in branches or bury in the weeds, and without the power to pull them out or control them, your line will most likely break.

Final Thoughts on the Best Ultralight Fishing Combos

Fishing with an ultralight spinning combo is a fairly simple form of fishing, and there is no need to complicate things when it comes to setup. It is the style of freshwater fishing you most likely grew up with as a kid, and even for professional and avid anglers of larger sportfish, it’s nice to go back to ultralight fishing from time to time and break away from other forms of fishing.

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As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Keep in mind that we may receive commissions when you click our links and make purchases. However, this does not impact our reviews and comparisons. We try our best to keep things fair and balanced, in order to help you make the best choice for you.

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