Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The 10 Best Fishing Rods for 2022

By
Image used with permission by copyright holder

You can’t fish without a rod. Okay, technically you can spearfish, throw a net, or even tie a string and some bait to your finger like Huck Finn. But we like to pull in trout, bass, salmon, and more with a proper pole and fishing gear. The right pole will allow you to present your fly or lure in a way that’s irresistible from a fish’s point of view.

What separates a great rod from the rest of the pack? A lot of things. The best of the bunch tend to be lightweight, flexible, and downright sturdy. Some pack well for backcountry treks to small mountain streams while others stand up to the abuse of larger bodies of water where a steelhead is necessary.

Recommended Videos

The reasons to fish are many, from the reward of catching your own meal to the simple therapy of being in or near the water. Regardless of why you do it, you deserve a quality rod that will set you up for success. We can’t promise 50-fish days on uncrowded blue-ribbon rivers (you have to work for that), but we can promise a good time with a dependable tool in hand.

Related

Keep in mind that you’ll need line and a good reel before you hit the water. Some outfits offer kits that include all of the above but oftentimes, it’s best to customize to your liking. But it all revolves around the rod, so here are some of the best on the market.

Related Reading

Best All-Around Fly Rod: Orvis Superfine Glass

Orvis Superfine Glass Rod
Image used with permission by copyright holder

A classic angling device, this rod from Orvis does it all. You can get it in a variety of weights (we suggest 5 if you want one all-purpose rod), it breaks down for convenience, and it casts like a charm.

Best Budget Rod: Shimano Saguaro

Shimano Saguaro Fishing Rod
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the money, it’s hard to best this rod. It’s great for those just getting into the sport but performs at a high enough level that even avid sportsmen will appreciate. Light and responsive, you’ll like how it handles.

Best Telescopic Rod: KastKing Blackhawk II

KastKing Blackhawk II Fishing Rod
Image used with permission by copyright holder

An extend-o-rod of sorts, the telescopic rod is great as it is portable and also functions like a one-piece. It assembles quickly, boasts stainless steel guides, and is available in a wide variety of lengths depending on what size and species of fish you’re after.

Best Saltwater Rod: Ugly Stik Tiger Spinning Rod

Image used with permission by copyright holder

This rod works in freshwater too but it functions particularly well in ocean waters, whether you’re casting from shore or out on a boat. It touts a strong graphite core and, better still, a seven-year warranty.

Best Splurge: Orvis 1856 Bamboo Fly Rod

Orvis 1856 Bamboo Fly Rod
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The pros tend to say nothing fishes quite like a bamboo rod. The Rolls Royce of the fly fishing community, it’s luxury that you’ll pay for but find immediately gratifying upon first cast.

Best Shorter Fly Rod: L.L. Bean Double L

LL Bean Double L Fly Rod
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ideal for smaller streams where there’s plenty of brush and other obstacles in the way, this rod is just 7-feet 5-inches in length but offers all of the strength functionality of one much bigger. As a four-piece, it travels well, too.

Best Double-Handed Rod: St. Croix Triumph

St. Croix Triumph Fishing Rod
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the spey casters out there, or those simply fishing for bigger and stronger species like salmon, the double-handed rod is pretty much the only way. This one is worth your time, as it moves with the finesse and grace of a significantly smaller rod.

Best Warranty: Moonshine Rod Company

Moonshine Rod Company Rod
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The chances are good you’ll snap a rod once or twice in your life. Hopefully, it’s the work of a monster fish but it also might be a tree branch or a clumsy step with your stream cleats on. Solution? A lifetime warranty, something Moonshine offers.

Most Lightweight: Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Casting Rod

Bass Pro Shop Johnny Morris Rod
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This Bass Pro Shops rod sold through Cabela’s is a featherweight, yet tough as nail when it needs to be. It’s so light, in fact, you can cast all day, upping the odds you set a new personal catch best during your day out on the water.

Best Fly Rod Kit: Redington Path Fly-Fishing Combo

Redington Path Fly Rod Kit
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This kit from Redington is a great deal and will set you up perfectly for long days on the water, especially if you’re just wetting your toes in the sport. It’s well-built for the price and can handle pretty much all sizes of trout.

Editors' Recommendations

Mark Stock
Mark Stock
Contributor
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
A beginner’s guide to fly fishing: Everything you need to know
fly fishing

For getting out into nature, learning about river ecosystems, and building up rapport with fellow enthusiasts, one of the great delights of outdoor hobbies is fly fishing. Learning the skills to fish and spending some time around your local waterways is a relaxing and rewarding pursuit, and it straddles the line between sport and hobby in a way that means it can be as challenging or as relaxing as you choose. Before you run out and buy all the best fishing gear, however, it's worth learning the basics of fly fishing and some of the skills and aspects involved.

There’s an artistry to the activity, for sure. Some of the best scenes in A River Runs Through It (a film worth watching and a book worth reading) depict the beauty of casting amid some of the prettiest stretches of water in Montana. It’s enough to make you change up the priority order of your hobbies entirely.

Read more
Rods, reels, and rooftop racks: Get the best fishing gear to elevate your angling game
This gear is guaranteed to help you reel in the big catch
Person fishing from a canoe at Buntzen Lake in British Columbia, Canada.

Fishing is an age-old pastime — the perfect excuse to hop on a skiff, crack open a cold one, and spend a quiet day away from the hustle of life. Now that we’re fully into summer, there's nothing more exciting than heading out to the lake to fish and spend the day basking in the warmth of the sun and drinking some beers.

But, as you probably know, you can’t count on a hefty haul (or any haul at all, really) without the right gear. So to help you prep for your next fishing outing, we’ve rounded up the best fishing gear for amateurs and experienced anglers alike. Get ready. It's time to update your angling gear closet.

Read more
The 7 best mountain bike brands in 2024
A man riding a Specialized mountain bike down a difficult trail.

If you want to choose the best mountain bike of any given day or month, one of the better ways to do so is to look to great brands and see what their newest bikes are. But what brands are consistently trusted year over year? There are certainly famous bike brands like Schwinn, but nowadays we're featuring them more for things like their recumbent stationary bikes for seniors and less so for their mountain bike prowess. Instead, check out the following brands that have stand out mountain bikes on a recurring basis.
Specialized

With prices that range from the hundred to the thousands and names ranging from 'Rockhopper' to 'Stumpjumper', the Specialized line is built to endure a tough mountain or trail. While each of their mountain bikes are specialized in some way or another to take a beating on the trail, there are some features you should know about that appear time and time again. The first is their SWAT technology, which appears on their biking apparel and mountain bikes. This puts a storage pouch inside the metal frame of your bike without sacrificing frame integrity. It's perfect for your energizing snacks. The other is their 'Body Geometry' system, which designs bicycles to fit the specifics of the human body. Check out their mountain bikes by tapping the button below and you'll see a ton of information about each mountain bike's specific measurements and parameters. They really care about this stuff.

Read more