8 Best Inshore Spinning Rods

Inshore fishing or sometimes called bay fishing is the type of fishing that focuses more on areas near the coast or an inlet from a boat. Even when the area is limited to such, it’s still important to have high quality materials to help you. 

In this article, we will go over the most important equipment in inshore fishing — the rods. 

A Quick Glance of the Best Inshore Spinning Rods

PictureName
StCroix Rods Mojo Inshore Casting Rod
Premium quality SCIII carbon with FRS for unparalleled strength and durability
– corrosion resistant
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod
– 35% more graphite for exceptional strength and feel
– Clear tip design
Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod
– Durable Ugly Tuff one piece stainless steel guides
– 7 year warranty
KastKing Estuary Inshore Saltwater Fishing Rods
– Toray IM7 Graphite Blanks
– increased rod length by 22%
Hurricane Calico Jack Inshore Spinning Rod
– Fuji reel seat with stainless steel cushioned hoods
– high quality materials 
Cadence Essence Spinning Rod
– constructed from lightweight 24-ton carbon
– offers high performance and premium features for an unbeatable value
Penn Battalion Inshore Spinning Rods
– Superlight but powerful inshore rod
– new SLC2 construction
PENN Squadron Inshore Spinning Fishing Rod
– Versatile inshore rods at an affordable price
– Has the one- piece stainless steel Dura-Guides 

Importance of Quality Rods

Contrary to what others might think, the type of rod you use for fishing can greatly  affect your productivity. Although inshore fishing does not really require expensive rods and equipment, those that could be on par with different fishing conditions can help. 

It is important to choose high quality rods because it can give you other advantages and the output is also much better than just throwing lines tied to sticks. Each rod also has a designated type of fishing.  In this case, inshore fishing rods are commonly longer and have stronger backbones. 

Paired with skills and experience, a high quality fishing rod can surely get you further. 

The Parts of A Fishing Rod

Before you can make sound judgments on a rod’s performance, you must first know its parts. Here are two of the main parts you need to know:

Rod Guides

Despite its size, rod guides can greatly determine the quality of your angling.

It is usually made out of metal but with an interior of ceramic coating to lessen friction on the line. Some rods, specifically 7′ ones, have between six to nine guides. The more guides, the more even the stress on the line and rod is distributed. 

Rod Handle 

A rod handle is the part of the rod which you will hold the most. Although it’s common, it’s appearance is different in every case. 

  • Material

Rod handles can either be: cork or EVA foam. Cork is used for a more comfortable feel and increased sensitivity.  However, others use foams because it is easier to clean and can last longer than corks. 

There’s  also the carbon fiber handles mainly used for its excellent sensitivity without any major issues. But it is expected to cost more than the first two. 

  • Shape

There are two most common shapes for rod handles. It is the pistol grip and trigger stick. 

For a shorter and more contoured handle, you can opt for pistol grip handles. It also has a hook where you can rest your index finger ideal for casting accuracy and precise jigging movements. 

On the other hand, trigger sticks are much longer and can be held by both hands when casting. This gives you more freedom to cast as further as you can. Trigger sticks are ideal for those who fish for significantly larger species of fish. 

Types of Fishing Rods

In terms of the material used for the making of the rods, they can be classified into three types:

Fiberglass rod

This is like the traditional rod among anglers. It seems like no one even remembers when they came into existence. That’s how old it is. 

These rods are characterized by their strong and enduring nature. These types of rods are also very affordable because of how readily available they are. Its durability and low price makes it ideal for newbie anglers. 

However, its pliable nature also makes it difficult to detect bites and nibbles on your bait. In terms of size and weight, fiberglass rods are also heavier which can add more to fatigue. 

Graphite Rods 

During the 1970s graphite rods were introduced as a lighter alternative to fiberglass rods. They are known for their identifiers of different degrees of stiffness or modulus. You can see it as the marks: IM6, IM7, IM8, and so on. 

These identifiers often indicate how stiff the material used is. The higher the modulus, the stiffer it gets. Meaning, less material should be used to achieve a lighter rod. 

One of the advantages of using graphite rods is its high sensitivity. Bites and nibbles are easier to detect with these rods. Since it’s also lighter, fatigue is also experienced less.

Unfortunately, it also has some cons. Because they’re stiffer, graphite rods can be a lot more brittle, too. It is also more expensive than fiberglass rods. 

Composite Rods

As the name suggests, composite rods are a mixture of graphite and fiberglass. This is ideal for anglers who put performance as their top priority. 

Aside from its impressive sensitivity and light weight, composite fishing poles are also extremely flexible. In fact, it can even handle 100-test lb lines on a 20–30 lb frame rod. They are also very versatile making it a good option for fishing a variety of different waters.

However, it has one issue. Composite fishing rods are more expensive than the other two. 

How Do I Know Which One Is For Me?

Sometimes, anglers get confused as to why they do not get their target output even with their skills and experiences. This is due to their tendency to keep an eye more on the reel and forget about the quality of their rod. Rods are the ones your hands touch. This means that poor quality rods affect not only your detection to bites but can also damage your control on the cast, distance and accuracy. But how do we really pick the best rod for us? 

These are some of the information on yourself and the type of fishing you do that can determine what rod suits you best:

  • Budget

How much are you willing to spend? Are you planning to buy an expensive one or a cheaper one? 

  • Durability

How often do you fish? If you fish on a daily basis, pick something with a higher durability. 

  • Species of fish 

Get to know your target fish first. Know its size, species, and where you’ll find them.  Is it in the freshwater or saltwater? 

  • Rod Power 

This refers to what it takes to bend the rod

  • Rod Action

This refers to where the rod bends with a load


How Do I Choose The Right Inshore Rod? 

Inshore angling can be very hectic and demanding. By saying this, you need to find a rod that can keep up with its demands and as well as meet all your needs. Here are some of the qualities you should look at when purchasing inshore rods:

Action

The action of a rod describes where it begins to bend under weight along its length. Fast action rods are strong for the majority of their length before bending at the tip. Slow action rods, on the other hand, begin to give closer to the handle and reel seat, curving over a considerably larger percentage of their length.

In general, a rod with a fast action will have increased sensitivity at the tip, making it easier to detect impacts. In general, a slower action rod will provide greater cushion on the hookset. When fishing with a single hook, faster is the better option. Slower can frequently be beneficial when you need a little more time for the fish to engage or you’re throwing a treble-hooked bait.

Power

The amount of force required to bend a rod is referred to as its power. A rod’s power, together with its motion, tells you a lot about how it will perform. A stiffer blank, all else being equal, will improve the power of your hookset and allow for longer casts.

Ultralight rods are those that will bend under light loads. This means that a two-pound fish can still bend your pole even when your rod has a rapid action. On the other hand, heavy power rods are designed for fishermen who target the largest species of fish like lake trout, shark, monster pike, huge muskie. 

If these don’t necessarily meet your needs, you might want to look at medium power rods. These rods are capable of giving a stiff backbone for excellent hooksets and work really well on species like redfish, striper, and specks.

Length

If you want to cast in a farther distance, you should go for a longer rod. However, the longer a rod gets, the less precise it also becomes. So if you only want accurate rods, you can just opt for shorter ones given that your casting distances are also shorter.

For inshore anglers,  7’ to 7’6” rods are already great choices for all-rounder rods. Majority of fishermen also prefer their rod length to be this way.

Line and Lure Weight 

If you don’t want to sacrifice your performance, you should also look at the line and lure weight of the rod. Always make sure to check the line and lure weights marked near the reel seat.


Top 8 Inshore Spinning Rods Reviews

St. Croix Rods Mojo Inshore Casting Rod

If you’re the type of fisher to put much importance on strength and durability, the St. Croix Rods Mojo Inshore Casting j is ideal for you. It is a well-balanced rod that can surely meet your needs.

What most people like about this lightweight and well-built graphite rod is how smooth and effortless the cast can be. They are also impressed with how they can place the bait in places they exactly want with its awesome action.

Its corrosion-resistant black frames are also one of the many features that the market loves. Aside from that, this is made up of premium quality SCIII carbon which immediately makes up for its price.


Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod

In any and every angler, the quality of the rod influences the majority of the performance. The Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod is the type of rod capable of promising and delivering high output rate.

Fishermen who mainly work with saltwater are very fond of this rod too since it has stainless steel material and graphite body parts. The stiffness of the fishing rod also creates balance which makes casting and retrieval  easier. Factors that saltwater fishermen really look for.

On top of that, the fishing reel attached to it is also of high quality. Amazing, isn’t it?


Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod

At such an affordable price, the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod surprisingly lives up to the expectations.

It has refined features like the dual EVA grips that work excellently in wet conditions and are fairly easy to clean that make the fisherman’s experience full. Both casting and spinning variants are also available for this rod. Hence, meeting all of our possible needs.

Pro-anglers and beginners can both benefit from this rod too. With its price, multiple units can be bought at once which is ideal for tournaments. Plus, it can even replace the main rod you’re using!


KastKing Estuary Inshore Saltwater Fishing Rods

Five inshore spinning rods and one inshore casting rod in this series are designed to be game changers for inshore fishing. 

This lightweight rod is very easy to carry which makes casting all day and even all night easy too. You no longer have to worry about body aches from carrying a rod all day but you definitely have to prepare yourself for a big catch.

One of the greatest feats of this rod is its reasonable price. You can get this for around $120 complete with excellent features as well as its true nano resin technology. A tangible proof that buying high quality rods does not mean emptying your bank.


Hurricane Calico Jack Inshore Spinning Rod

If versatility without having to pay heaps is your goal, this Hurricane Calico Jack Inshore Spinning Rod is for you!

It has excellent features such as non-slip cork wrap handle,  ring style hook keeper, and many more. It also did a good job in both casting light jigs and heavy cut bait.

This has proven again that great rods can also be affordable ones. It does not only help you save money from the costs but also ensures durability that will last a long time. This is best for those who fish using their kayaks or paddle boards.


Cadence Essence Spinning Rod

Fishing for a long time, especially without the proper equipment, can leave you with fatigue and blisters. Hence, fishermen look for rods that can offer comfortability and efficiency at a reasonable price. The Cadence Essence Spinning Rod has easily passed all these criteria.

Fishing is also made easier thanks to its sensitivity. With this rod, you can immediately notice if a fish nibbles on your bait. Due to this, catching just about any fish you like is made possible.

Make your trip easier and smoother with this all-rounder and excellent Cadence Essence rod.


Penn Battalion Inshore Spinning Rods

Every person who fishes absolutely hates battling with harsh fishing conditions. Good thing the Penn Battalion Inshore Spinning Rods does it for you now.

This 70% graphite with 30% fiberglass is able to give you the ideal combination of power, strength, and lightweight performance perfect for any fishing condition. Even with its size, we love that it still remains lightweight and very sensitive too. 

Without any doubt, this surf rod is ideal for regular basis fishing. Without spending a lot, you can now have a high performance rod you can use every day.


PENN Squadron Inshore Spinning Fishing Rod

This next generation PENN Squadron Inshore Spinning Fishing Rod has surely blown the minds of many fishermen. Who would’ve thought that a superlight rod can still maintain such power?

Its inner spiral carbon wraps and outer layers of longitudinal carbon fibers are complete with their new SLC2 construction. These qualities can definitely help you experience both strength and balance in a rod. Thus, hitting action, balance, and durability all at once.

What are you waiting for? Get yourself  this durable and premium inshore fishing rod now!


Bottomline

When you find a rod that works best for you, your skills are more evident too. Output also increases when you use the right type of rod for the type of fishing you do. It can be intimidating to choose from a wide list of options but it is always worth it to do so.

Inshore fishing isn’t always about the equipment but it sure helps to have something reliable and high quality.

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