Best Fishing Rods of 2025

"This was my first fishing rod, and I got it for a steal on Amazon! It's a cheap and functional rod that fits perfectly in my backpack. The build quality is incredible, and the reel is even smoother than my expensive rods!"

"I bought this rod and reel combo over a year ago, and it’s been great for travel. The assembly is easy, and it's built strongly. I caught some mean-sized fish without any issues, though I did break the tip due to my error."

"I got this as a gift for my Grandson, and he was absolutely thrilled! The rod and accessories come in a sturdy case, and I couldn’t be happier with this purchase."

"This rod is truly excellent for performance. I love how small and easy it is to travel with while still being able to cast a good distance. It feels amazing to cast with one hand!"

"I use this rod frequently off the jetty in Corona Del Mar. I've caught a variety of fish including mackerel and barracuda. It’s lightweight for its length and offers plenty of sensitivity. I paired it with my Penn Fathom 15 reel, and even though it’s a bit overpowered, it works fantastic!"

"As a weekend fisherman, I appreciate this rod's durability. I own six Ugly Stiks, and they're all reliable for my dock fishing. The grips feel just right in my hand, and I’ve never worried about breaking one, even when I’ve caught decent-sized fish!"

"I find this rod to be incredibly light yet tough. It casts smoothly with minimal effort, and I appreciate the comfortable grip. It's perfectly balanced for my lakeside and seaside fishing. The sensitivity is impressive, making it my go-to rod for all situations, even with heavier fish. I'm planning to buy another one soon!"

"As a beginner in inshore fishing, I was recommended this rod by a family member. Upon opening it, I was struck by how lightweight it is, but it has a nice flex and feels very strong. While fishing, I could easily feel the nibbles and bites, which was a pleasant surprise. Although I broke the line due to my excitement, I'm very pleased with this rod and would certainly recommend it!"

"This rod has become my favorite for shore fishing. It has handled an impressive number of catches, including a 3 1/2 foot shark and a 32-inch snook! The action is superb, and I would 100% recommend it to anyone looking for a reliable fishing rod."

"I have several KastKing products, and this rod might be my favorite. It's lightweight and has great backbone, perfect for fishing in NH. I love the fast action for my soft plastics, and it performs beautifully in the lilies. I've landed good bass and rarely break off. Unfortunately, I came home to find it in four pieces due to contractors, but I plan to buy the same rod again!"

"I've owned two of these rods and caught my biggest bass with one. They excel in casting light lures and feel incredibly nimble. However, the hook keeper design is frustrating; it tends to get stuck with slack line. Despite this, they are fantastic rods for under $50."

"I really wanted to love this rod since I'm a huge KastKing fan, but after just three trips, the epoxy on the bottom eye cracked, and a thread is hanging out. It feels wrong to give it a low rating, but this quality issue is disappointing."

"I find the 7'3" medium/fast-action KastKing Spartacus II to be a fantastic dropshot and jigging rod. I’ve used it for night walleye fishing and caught over a dozen walleye ranging from 2-9 lbs, and many smallmouth bass too. These rods offer the perfect length and sensitivity I prefer for all my bass and walleye fishing. KastKing got everything right with this rod, and it’s well-priced for all its features!"

"As a budget fisherman, I've tried a few KastKing rods and appreciate the extra tip they provide. The Spartacus line has held up well against nice-sized bass, meeting my expectations. Although I’ve lost a few tips, it’s great that they include a replacement. Overall, KastKing is a solid option, with the Royal Select being my top choice among their offerings."

"I've recently paired the Kastking Spartacus II with a Penn Battle III 3000 reel, and it’s quickly become my favorite all-around fishing setup. It’s sensitive enough for trout and crappie, yet has enough backbone for larger bass and catfish. I love how it comes in a sturdy, reusable rod tube with an extra tip. However, I’ve been jabbed a few times by the hook holder when carrying it, but that’s a minor issue for me."

"I never liked Ugly Stik before, but this rod surprised me. It casts as far as my ultralight setup. After catching a couple dozen smallmouth, I’m considering a longer model for larger lures. This rod is a fantastic finesse option."

"I've always returned to Ugly Stik because of their value. The carbon series feels custom-made, and I’ve successfully tackled larger fish with it. However, the finish seems to rub off more than older models, but I trust their durability."

"This rod is absolutely stunning. It's light, strong, and incredibly responsive. It pairs perfectly with my reel, and I can't recommend it enough!"

"I was genuinely impressed with the KastKing fishing pole. The lightweight design and superb sensitivity made it a pleasure to use, enhancing my overall fishing experience. The balance of strength and flexibility is just right, which gives me confidence in its durability. I’ve had great success casting accurately and fighting larger fish with it."

"When I needed a new 7' medium heavy spinning rod for an upcoming trip, I decided to try this KastKing rod, and I'm so glad I did! It arrived in a well-packaged tube. The extra tip was a welcome surprise; it’s a complete second piece, making it easy to replace if something breaks. The rod has good sensitivity and performs well with various line and lure weights. I highly recommend it!"

"As an avid fisherman, I have to say this rod has blown me away. It comes with an extra tip, but I haven't even needed it! I primarily fish for largemouth bass with topwater lures and find this rod incredibly durable. Its length gives me the ability to make accurate casts, especially when setting hooks. I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone who enjoys bass fishing!"

"I purchased the 7' Moderate Fast and 7'6' MH Moderate Rods, and I absolutely love them! They handle 4 to 7-pound bass perfectly, whether I'm fishing from the bank or a kayak. The 7'6" rod throws baits super far with ease, especially when paired with my Shimano Scorpion DC reels. I also got the 8' Tournament Heavy Fast rod for swim bait and umbrella rigs, and I'm really enjoying that one too!"

"Overall, I’m very happy with my 7-foot two-piece ML fast rod. It’s comfortable to hold, lightweight, and the guides are firmly mounted. I’ve found it to be quite durable, even after getting slammed in the tonneau cover."

"I really love this rod! I’ve paired it with a low profile Abu Garcia baitcasting reel and it's been fantastic. The sensitivity is impressive, and it's robust enough to handle bass under docks."

"I've always relied on an Ugly Stik. It's my favorite rod, and I buy one for every fishing spot I visit. Easy to assemble and durable—definitely worth the price!"

"I recently bought two medium heavy duty rods. They are much sturdier than my older ones, although they arrived without protective packaging. A couple of guides were bent, but overall, the rods are excellent!"

"This rod is a great all-around option. I chose the two-piece version for convenience, and it's perfect for my sedan. I'm using it for inshore and lake fishing, and I've already told my friends about it!"

"I absolutely love this rod; the quality is amazing! It feels super lightweight and incredibly durable. I took it out for the first time and it’s quickly becoming my favorite rod. I'm already planning to get another, maybe the MH from this lineup next!"

"This rod has the backbone for offshore fishing at wrecks and reefs. Among family and friends, it’s considered the lucky rod. It’s only ‘lucky’ because it can really pull the big ones off the wrecks and bring them to the boat. I’m definitely picking up a few more of these."

"Although this rod is rated for a 5500 reel in the 12-20 class, it didn’t feel right to me. It feels better suited for a 4500 size reel, so I returned it and got the 15-30 inshore class, which is perfect for the 5500!"