The 4 Best Fishing Rods of 2025

Best Overall Fishing Rod

St. Croix Triumph Travel

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

The top spot in our review goes to the St. Croix Triumph Travel fishing rod due to its winning combination of versatility, features, and balance. The great feel of this rod allowed us to sense the tiniest bites and easily set the hook. This rod cast further and with more accuracy than most other models in our test. It's also portable, breaking into four pieces and packing into a travel case, which is a big plus for those who like to go on fishing adventures. The cork composition of the handle offered a comfortable, nostalgic feel in hand and allowed for notable balance. No question, the St. Croix is an unmistakably high-quality product.

So what's the catch? To be honest, we don't have many criticisms to address. Since there are so many pieces, disassembling and reassembling this rod definitely isn't as intuitive as some of the other models we tested. We also noticed that the arms attaching the line guides to the rod are thin metal, and we accidentally bent one of these guides in transportation. It easily bent back, but over time, this could lead to stress breakage. There are also less expensive options in our lineup. If you want something a little cheaper, check out the PLUSINNO Carbon Fiber Telescopic, which offers great sensitivity and is portable thanks to its telescoping profile. Overall, though, we think these are pretty minor issues. The St. Croix Triumph Travel proves to be an excellent all-around rod and our top recommendation.

Best Telescoping Rod

PLUSINNO Carbon Fiber Telescopic

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

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

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

Best Bang for Your Buck

PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning Rod

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

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

We do have some minor complaints, though. While it held up well during our testing, the lightweight materials may not be as durable as some of the other rods we tested, so you may have to be a little more careful when handling this one. It also doesn't pack down as small as we'd prefer. But if these issues aren't enough to deter you from saving some cash, we recommend picking up the PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning rod at a low price for a great product. However, we sometimes find it's out of stock. If you're having trouble locating one, we also like the KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic, which is more portable than the Plusinno and only costs a few bucks more.

Great for Small Fish

Ugly Stik Elite

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

If you need a well-built, lightweight fishing rod that's easy to tote to your favorite fishing hole, look no further than the Ugly Stik Elite. Don't let its small size fool you. It's perfectly strong and has impressive fighting power, which was proven on several occasions when we hauled in fish that were seemingly too big for this rod. This Ugly Stik was also versatile enough for different fishing styles, whether it be dropping a hook with a worm on it or just casting with a lure. It was also one of the best when it came to balancing, sitting comfortably in our hands all day long.

Despite the plentiful perks, this rod has a couple of noteworthy drawbacks. It is on the small end of the spectrum, so the casting distance takes a hit. Due to the size, this is to be expected, but it's still a factor to consider if most of your fishing involves casting. Check out the KastKing Perigee II if you require a longer rod. The handle is also relatively short, making two-handed use a bit more challenging. Even with these shortcomings, we found this rod a pleasure to use during testing. So, if you're shopping for a small rod that can handle the rigors of everyday fishing, you might want to give the Ugly Stik Elite a try.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	83	St. Croix Triumph Travel Best Overall Fishing Rod	$165
	81	PLUSINNO Carbon Fiber Telescopic Best Telescoping Rod	$50
	78	PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning Rod Best Bang for Your Buck	$43
	76	KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic	$54
	75	Cadence Fishing CR5 Spinning Rod	$57
	75	KastKing Perigee II	$82
	73	Ugly Stik Elite Great for Small Fish	$70
	68	Daiwa Aird X	$50
	56	Sougayilang Telescopic	$30

How We Tested

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

These fishing rods were tested across five rating metrics:

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

• Durability & Construction (25% weighting)

• Portability (20% weighting)

• Features (15% weighting)

• Versatility (15% weighting)

Why Trust GearLab

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

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

Analysis and Test Results

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

What's the Best Value?

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

Balance & Feel

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

While telescoping rods don't traditionally provide great balance and feel, the Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic was an exception. It was extremely comfortable to fish with and let us sense every little movement in the water. A stand out amongst the two-piece rods was the KastKing Perigee II, which had excellent balance and a stiffness that lent to long casting.

As far as the most well-balanced and sensitive rod goes, the St. Croix Triumph Travel, the Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic, and the Ugly Stik Elite were neck and neck. While the St. Croix Triumph Travel is the most balanced and sensitive fishing rod we tested, letting you feel everything that was happening underwater, the Plusinno and Ugly Stik was right there with it. With all these rods, we could sense the tiniest nibble and set the hook with ease.

Durabilty & Construction

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

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

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

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

Portability

This is a crucial metric if you plan on traveling with your rod. Of course, it's hard to beat a telescoping rod for portability, but some of the two-piece rods we tested were quite easy to take apart and put back together. The Cadence Fishing CR5 was one of these, and it made transporting a breeze.

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

Although it's not telescopic, the St. Croix Triumph Travel was a standout in this category. This rod breaks down into four pieces and comes with a padded, easy-to-pack travel case.

Features

This metric is sometimes overlooked when considering a fishing rod. Sure, you can get the job done without all the bells and whistles, but smart features can make the experience even better. What kind of features are we talking about? Things like a cork grip, hook holder, and oversized guides. But having a lot of features doesn't automatically make it a winner here. They have to be features that really work and add to the fishing experience. This category's standout is the PLUSINNO Two-Piece Spinning, with an abundance of useful features. A couple of our favorites? The oversized ceramic guides helped guide the line smoothly for long casts, and the double locking structure on the reel seat held the reel tightly in place and never loosed up, even after bumpy boat rides.

With our favorite handle, the St. Croix Triumph Travel also proved strong in this metric. Some of these rods have foam handles, but this one features a premium cork handle that fits perfectly in hand and makes all-day fishing comfort a reality.

Some of the rods we tested had add-on features that were not built into the rod. One such example is the Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic, which comes with a detachable hook-keeper and a tip protector to ensure that your rod survives long-distance travel to your favorite fishing locations.

Versatility

Another important metric to consider is versatility. And in this category, not all rods are created equal. Some are specifically made for fishing off the bottom of a lake, while others are made just for casting in saltwater environments.

The KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic is a clear winner here. With its equally great performance in both fresh and saltwater, exceptional casting distance and sensitivity, and impressive fighting power, it can handle everything from small trout to large sea bass.

In comparison, while it's built with quality in mind, the Ugly Stik Elite is really only made for freshwater fishing. Its fast action and light power design were clear indications of this. With that said, its versatility score took a hit.

Similarly, the (relatively) short and sensitive Plusinno Carbon Fiber Telescopic rod is well-built for rivers and lakes but doesn't have the weight for ocean fishing.

Conclusion

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

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