When you’re after baitcasting rods for bass, muskie, or pike, you’ll need a high-quality casting rod that delivers lots of backbone.
It’ll need excellent guides and enable you to throw your varying weighted lures on the strongest fishing line you will be using.
Even if you’re after other fish such as catfish, walleye, or landlocked trout.
The best casting rods are designed to cope with the fierce fights many of these fish can dish out as you try to land them. Unfortunately, the budget for premium casting rods can be above what regular anglers can afford.
Luckily, we have scoured the market, and here are the final five best baitcasting rods that can be a great choice. (Read Do I Need a Fishing License for Catch and Release)
By the end of our reviews, you’ll be able to find a great rod at a reasonable price.
Why You Need Good Casting Rods
Rods are more than just something you fasten any reel to. Nowadays, the best baitcaster will suit the best baitcasting reel for your needs and vice versa.
Like spinning reels are paired with spinning rods, the best casting rods use casting reels. The exception being a spin casting reel in spinning or casting configuration.
If an angler searches for a baitcasting rod, they will soon have a casting reel.
Baitcasting rods are made to take heavier lines, mainly if using fluorocarbon as your main line. The best casting rods and reels offer choices for many fishing adventures.
Once you know, you can discover the pros of using a baitcaster for a specific reason: the heavier line and getting longer casts. Even if you used spinning gear, you would achieve a greater distance with baitcasting tackle. (Find the Best Fish Finder for Kayaks)
Top Casting Rods Reviews
1. KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods – Fuji O-ring Line Guides, 24 Ton Carbon Fiber Casting and Spinning Rods – Two Pieces, Twin-Tip Rods, and One Piece Rods
The Kastking Perigee II two-piece fishing rod is made from Toray 24-ton carbon matrix KastFlex graphite blank technology. It will deliver power, strength, and accuracy.
You can get various types and sizes, but a 6’ 7” baitcaster rod ranges from medium to heavy power. They are suitable for bass, trout, walleye, or you can use them as a regular rod for salmon, catfish, or saltwater fishing rods.
The KastKing uses renowned Fuji O-Ring line guides, ergonomic graphite high-strength reel seat, coupled with a high-density EVA grip.
Rod action ranges from baitcasting rods can be fast action rods to moderate or moderate fast-spinning rods. The rod weighs ideal, and you won’t feel any fatigue even after a good few hours.
Pros
- Made from 24-Ton Carbon blanks
- Fuji O Ring line guides
- Suitable for freshwater and saltwater
- Great value for money
Cons
- Reports of breaking tips on individual variations
- May not cope with overly large fish
With a guide price of just below $68, you have a great performing rod. While testing, it was the 6’ 7” we tested, although you may need to select a different variant if you want to use a different lure weight as there are a few variations.
2. Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Fishing Rod
The Ugly Stik GX2 is inexpensive and very durable. Ugly Stik makes rod blanks from ultra-tough fiberglass, which they then blend with graphite.
The GX2’s tip has enough sensitivity for lure action and strike detection. Besides, you’ll be hard pushed to find one breaking.
The rod will flex differently to carbon fiber or graphite blank and tends to be more of a parabolic arc, retaining lots of backbone. The 7’ GX2 configuration of one-piece rod and medium-heavy power makes a perfect all-rounder, especially if you are on a budget.
This GX2 comes with a long, comfortable EVA foam handle; however, it suffers from its guide quality and number when landing a large bass.
Pros
- Great blank quality
- Very tough
- Very cheap
- Sensitive tip
Cons
- Guide quality and number not the best
- Finger hook can cause blisters
With a guide price point of just under $40, this is a budget-friendly rod. If you are new to the sport and need a one-piece rod to deliver a decent casting distance, the Ugly Stik can offer sufficient features and toughness for the money.
3. Abu Garcia Vengeance Casting Fishing Rod
The Abu Garcia casting rod is an updated product from the popular Vengeance series. You can quickly discover construction is matched with balance and a lightweight design.
What you get is a versatile baitcasting fishing rod that suits on-the-water scenarios. The blanks are manufactured from durable 24-ton high modulus graphite to deliver a lightweight and responsive feel.
It comprises stainless steel guides lined with titanium inserts to stand up to heavy line pressure.
For comfort and reduce fatigue is a high-density EVA handle. The 7’ length rod delivers a fast action power rating and can deal with a 12-20 pounds line rating.
You will also find a Texas-rigged hook keeper that suits numerous bait applications.
Pros
- EVA infused handles for comfort and durability
- Ideal for casting heavy baits
- Balanced design & lightweight construction
- Suitable for various baits
Cons
- The reel seat can move
- Ceramic ring liners may break
With a rough guide price of just under $50, you get a decent performing rod for the money, yet facing the rigors of heavyweight fishing can bring durability into question. For casual fishing, the rod has lots of features and is light with great sensitivity.
4. KastKing Speed Demon Pro Tournament Series Bass Fishing Rods, Elite Carbon High Modulus 1 Pc Blanks, Fuji Guides & Reel Seats, Winn Grip, 15 Technique Specific Lengths & Actions-Spinning & Casting
The Speed Demon Pro uses Elite Carbon Blanks & Nano Resin Technology. Doing so reduces weight and can increase braking and lifting strength by more than 30%.
The proprietary blanks are strong and light yet the most sensitive rods you could hold. (Find the Best Fishing Hooks For Catfish)
In addition to this, they come with Fuji Guides and Alconite ring liners. The handle and fighting butt are custom WINN golf-style grips, so you have comfort and grip in any condition.
You can choose 15 Actions & Lengths so you can custom the rod weight, action, and length of handles to your needs. In the casting, the range is 11 models that are all 1-pc design.
Pros
- Very secure Fuji reel seat
- Unique look
- Friction-free guides
- Great blank construction
Cons
- Need to pay for warranty shipment
- Some reports of easy breakage
With a rough guide price of just under $129, you get a premium casting rod full of features. While there are reports of some rods breaking, this may be on the faster action and lower power rating.
With so many options, you need to be wary when you purchase the heavier action rather than the medium-light that could cause issues if you are after larger fish. (Learn How To Boil Lobster Tails)
5. KastKing Royale Select Fishing Rods, Casting Models Designed for Bass Fishing Techniques,1 & 2-pc Fishing Rods for Fresh & Saltwater, Tournament Quality & Performance, Premium Fuji Components
The KastKing KastFlex Royale fishing rod blanks are durable and tough. Construction is Toray 24-ton carbon matrix technology, so each casting rod delivers performance, sensitivity, and power when bass fishing.
You also get premium FUJI line guides, which allow you the most significant casting distance and accuracy. You’ll find less drag from the medium-heavy action and thus less heat in your line. The fishing reel seat is made from high-strength nylon to deliver a solid base and present all-day comfort.
The one-piece lengths & actions have been made with bass anglers in mind to be more successful no matter what technique you use.
Pros
- Lots of high-performance blank power options
- Uses 24-ton KastFlex technology
- Total Peace of Mind 1-year warranty
- Lots of quality features
Cons
- Expensive
- Better options at this price point
With a guide price of just under $73, you get a decent performer, although many options from the same company offer a better option. It does deliver lots of quality, yet the biggest drawback is that it sits in the wrong price range.
Best Casting Rods Buying Guide
There are a few things to consider when you want a baitcasting rod, much like buying a spinning rod, yet higher up the table. Here are some considerations to take into account.
Power
Power is the force needed to bend a rod. Along with action, the power dictates how it will perform.
Baitcasting rods are made to deal with heavier lines and lures and hook fish like large bass. You’ll hardly see many light power casting rods, so start searching for a medium-heavy rod action.
Length
For general-purpose, 7’ or around that length is where you need to begin. Shorter rods may be more accurate, yet you’ll lose distance.
Line and Lure Weight
Medium and heavy action rods are designed to cater to heavy lines and lures.
Guides
Guide quality is vital and more for the fight as well as your cast. Guides help your rod and line take the strain as each guide helps distribute friction and force. Find a rod with as many guides as possible.
Material
Modern fishing rods come in a variety of materials such as carbon fiber, graphite, and fiberglass. Some use a composite construction with more than one material in the blank to deliver a stronger backbone.
Graphite: Strong, stiff, and also light. With its high stiffness, it offers excellent sensitivity, so it makes a great rod choice.
Fiberglass: heaviest of materials and less expensive. It won’t offer the same sensitivity or be as stiff. It does, however, possess strength.
Carbon fiber: The stiffest material and also the strongest and the lightest. It is also a premium material and the most expensive for rod blanks.
Handle
Handle choice is personal, and you generally find two handle materials: cork and EVA foam.
- Cork: Warmer and more attractive, yet not as forgiving when facing rough treatment.
- EVA foam: Much softer and cooler to the touch, it can be tough when it is like the golf club materials.
Final Verdict
When testing these top 5, it was quickly apparent that there was one casting rod winner. The KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods – Fuji O-ring Line Guides, 24 Ton Carbon Fiber Casting and Spinning Rods – Two Pieces, Twin-Tip Rods, and One Piece Rods. There was some stiff opposition, and it wasn’t that this rod’s features were more than others.
What it does, it does better. You get the finest materials to deliver a sleek-looking rod. It offers the best performance without having too many negatives.
You can find enough options in the medium-heavy series to suit your style and size while keeping in the realm of finding the best baitcasting rods for bass. You can find options that are better suited as a spinning rod rather than facing medium-heavy action.
Make sure you order the one that can deal with the heaviest line weight and lure weights, and you’ll discover you are quickly using the best baitcasting rod to deliver excellent performance.
Read more: Fishing for Beginners.
