BEST SPINNING RODS UNDER $100 [2023] EDITION]

Thanks to its graphite and fiberglass construction, Shakespeare’s Ugly Stik GX2 delivers durability and a nice level of sensitivity. Designed with a clear tip, this spinning rod will ensure accuracy, solid responsiveness, and strength.
Its EVA handle is so lightweight that it feels super-comfy no matter how long you’ve held the rod. You can rest assured this spinning rod will provide smooth navigation thanks to its 3-ball bearings and the one-way clutch that offers instant, anti-reverse bearing. Its improved durability is due to the machine-made, double-anodized aluminum spool with large ball wire. Its two-piece construction makes this model easy to store and travel with. And last, but not least – this rod is also perfect for women who aren’t afraid to show some flex when out fishing. Among our top best spinning rods under 100 dollars.

LENGTH: 6′
ACTION: Fast
POWER: Medium
LINE WEIGHT: 30 lbs

This 2-piece baitcasting rod is designed with graphite-fiberglass composite which ensures durability, yet creates a nicely well-balanced and sturdy rod that’s practically bullet-proof. Thanks to its tip design, the Torrent is extra-sensitive and super lightweight. The EVA handle is designed to offer the ultimate comfort of grip, so fatigue is out of the picture, and it comes in quite handy when struggling to bring in the fish. The Torrent prides itself on its zirconium inserts and stainless steel, high-quality guides, enabling firmness, and minimizing friction, plus, this particular rod works well with all types of lines. Among our top best spinning rods under 100 dollars.

LENGTH: 7′
ACTION: Fast
POWER: Medium Heavy
LINE WEIGHT: 10 – 20 lbs

The Fenwick HMG Spinning Rod allows you to obtain an affordable piece of equipment with compromising on quality. From tip to butt, this rod is constructed utilizing components rarely found in spinning rods under $100. The blank is constructed of 100% graphite spiraled with carbon thread for increased strength at a reduced weight. The deep pressed titanium guides are virtually indestructible, and the Fuji reel seat is both comfortable and lightweight. Even the handle is groundbreaking with an EVA and TAC blend for increased durability and grooved for greater comfort. The HMG spinning rod offers the strength, durability, and comfort needed for long days on the water with a price tag that makes it attainable for the recreational angler, our choice for best spinning rod under $100.

LENGTH: 6′ to 7’6″
ACTION: Fast
POWER: Light to Medium-heavy
LINE WEIGHT: 4 -12 lbs

Surf anglers will appreciate Okuma’s Rockaway Spinning Rod thanks to its combination of quality, sensitivity, responsiveness, and economical price tag. Each rod starts with a lightweight 24-ton carbon blank, Ultimate Flex Reinforcement rod tip, and tip over butt ferrule connection for improved strength and balance. XQ series 316-stainless steel guides and Zirconium inserts provide superior performance with either braid or monofilament. While the tapered shrink tube / EVA grips provide a non-slip grip even when wet and the rounded EVA butt cap provides improved leverage for long casting. Available in lengths from 8′ to 12′, all incorporating a one-piece design, the Rockaway is perfect for the surf angler with limited transportation space who still want a rod that will provide the length needed to reach out and touch those fish that are just out of reach of others. Without a doubt, one of the best surf fishing rods of 2023 for under 100 dollars. For additional surf fishing options check out “The Best Surf Fishing Rods 2023”

LENGTH: 10′
ACTION: Medium -fast
POWER: Medium-light to Medium
LINE WEIGHT: 8 – 20 lbs

Being 5-foot-6-inch long, this casting rod is perfect for the females in the fishing world, since the length offers maximum maneuverability that women prefer. Being a 2-piece rod means that it’s easy to transport and store. Its EVA handle ensures long-lasting comfort, reducing fatigue.
Zebco’s trademark Z-Glass technology is used, featuring a lasting, durable and flexible fiberglass construction that offers medium to light power, allowing anglers to cast longer distances while not losing grip. Thanks to its twist-lock reel seat and the 4+ tip sturdy shock-ring guides, the Z-Cast rod can withstand even the toughest struggle between you and your game. It’s absolutely perfect for catching light to medium-sized fish such as panfish and trout, but even bass won’t escape you.

LENGTH: 5’6”
ACTION: Medium
POWER: Medium Light
LINE WEIGHT: 6 – 10 lbs

The CR7 is one of the lightest spinning rods available for under $100 thanks to a groundbreaking combination of technological advances and modern construction materials. Each blank is constructed utilizing 40-ton carbon with a wrapped veil for increased strength and rigidity. Stainless-steel guides coupled with SIC inserts, improve casting ability while also withstanding corrosion even in saltwater. Finally, the FUJI reel seat and premium cork/EVA handle provide a firm, comfortable grip regardless of conditions. In the end, the Cadence CR7 ranks as one of the best bargains when it comes to spinning rods for under 100 dollars.

LENGTH: 5’10 -7’06”
ACTION: Medium -fast to Extra -fast
POWER: Medium-light to Medium-heavy
LINE WEIGHT: 4 – 20 lbs

Shakespeare is known for producing quality, but lower-priced, entry-level rods, and the Micro Series not only fit into that category, it takes it to another level. Lower prices are no longer sought only by those entering the sport. They are also desired by experienced anglers who paddle or travel when fishing – activities sure to result in high incidents of broken or damaged equipment. While many would look down on the stainless-steel guides, others will appreciate the return to basics when their new rod slips overboard or between a closing tailgate. But the lack of flare does not mean a lack of quality. The graphite blank offers the sensitivity needed from an ultra-light set up, and the traditional cork handles are both comfortable and attractive. This rod may not cost a million bucks, but it does look and perform as if it does, making the Micro Series one of the best budget spinning rods.

LENGTH: 4’6″ to 7’6″
ACTION: Medium to Medium- fast
POWER: Ultralight to Light
LINE WEIGHT: 2 – 10 lbs

Each rod is constructed using a graphite composite material, 70% graphite, and 30% fiberglass. Thanks to the graphite, the sensitivity is far greater than expected from a large surf rod, while the fiberglass provided the strength and power needed to fight the tide and fish alike. The Fuji aluminum oxide guides offer the perfect combination of lightweight, strength, and smoothness, allowing for excellent casting with either monofilament or braided lines. The Fuji reel seat is strong, lightweight, and backed by a proven track record. The rubber shrink tube handle is a unique component, designed to provide maximum security when making a long cast with wet hands. The 2-piece construction makes this surf rod easier to transport, even when selecting the 12′ model.

LENGTH: 8′ – 12′
ACTION: Moderate-fast to Fast
POWER: Medium-light to Heavy
LINE WEIGHT: 8 – 40 lbs

Designed as a 2-piece, the Sirius is easy to transport and store, even if it’s a 7-foot long fishing rod. This rod is made with sturdy carbon blanks that will elevate the strength levels while reducing the overall weight of the rod.
Thanks to its enhanced reel seat with a lock-down mechanism that’s also cushioned and with a stainless steel hood, the line will stay in place. Because of the steel guides and inserts being corrosion-resistant, saltwater fishing won’t damage the rod, plus, its design makes it possible for nibbles to be felt all the way to the handle.
The high-density EVA handles ensure a comfortable grip and here’s a hook holder that can serve many purposes. Also, a protective rod bag comes with the purchase, so your fishing gear can be nicely and securely stored.

LENGTH: 7′
ACTION: Medum
POWER: Medum Heavy
LINE WEIGHT: 6 – 20 lbs

When purchasing a spinning rod, there are three main features you need to consider- action, power, and length. These features, along with overall construction, is far more important than how much money you spend. With the right combination of these three features, you will cast farther, be more accurate when doing so, and better control the fish you hook. The best rod is not always a matter of how much money you spend.

Action refers to how easily the rod will bend and how far from the tip it will do so. Most manufacturers describe the action as slow, moderate, fast, or extra fast, although some will use light, medium, medium/heavy, or heavy. The latter will also be used to describe power, which we will discuss in a moment. An extra fast, or heavy, the rod will bend 3-4″ from the tip. A slow, or light, the rod will bend approximately 1/3 of the from tip to handle.

The action determines how the rod will react when under stress, either when fighting a fish or casting a lure. A lighter action will allow casting of lighter lures and bend under the initial pressure of a fish striking, which lessens the chance the fish will detect your line. However, this lighter action will also make hook set more difficult and not provide the combination needed to wrestle large fish to the surface or out of thick cover.

Power, sometimes referred to as weight, is the pressure needed to bend the rod. The most common terms used to describe power are light, medium, and heavy, with heavy rods requiring more pressure to bend. Some manufacturers also offer mid-range power levels such as medium/light or medium/heavy, while higher-end rods often utilize a number rating (1 to 5) with lower numbers being lighter power. This latter method is used when describing fly fishing rods.

Length is, of course, the measurement of the rod from base to tip. While shorter rods allow for easier use in confined spaces or aboard a boat, they limit casting and do not provide as strong a hook set. A longer rod not only increases casting distance & it also allows the angler to take up more line during the hook set. Plus, the increased length provides additional control when a fish is hooked. Most experts would recommend using the longest rod the angler can handle, and conditions allow. The key is finding the length that provides you the perfect combination of distance and accuracy.

As always, we create our content with you, fellow adventurers, in mind. So, how’d we do? Did you find this informative? Did it help you make a decision? Did we miss anything? We’d love to hear from you below. Thanks for reading and we hope your next adventure is a great one!