Trout fishing is incredibly entertaining but also intimidating for some people. Trout can easily be spooked so you need precision and patience to successfully catch trout. Whether you like fishing trout in shallow rivers or deep lakes, you need to select the right gear.
In this article, we cover some tips to help you select the best trout fishing rods. Armed with the right information, you can confidently head to the nearest shop to buy the best trout pole or get one delivered to you.
How do I Choose the Best Trout Rods for Fishing?
Picking the best fishing pole for trout is critical if you want to catch the fish. Some of the things you need to consider when buying fishing gear include size, rod power, reel rating, and build quality.
What to Look for in a Trout Fishing Pole?
The best trout fishing poles are small with fast rod action. Pole action determines the location where the rods will bend when under pressure. Rods with fast action bend higher up in the top of the blank.
Rods with fast action are best for luring smaller trout since they have better sensitivity. You will be able to drop the spinner or lure exactly where you want it. A medium or large action rod is not recommended since they have less sensitivity, making it difficult to catch trout.
What Is the Best Size Rod for Trout Fishing?
The size of the water where you intend to fish will determine the ideal rod length for trout fishing. A 6-foot fishing rod is ideal for fishing in small rivers and streams. For fishing in deep rivers or lakes, you should consider a 7-foot trout fishing rod.
Light vs. Ultra Light Fishing Pole for Trout: Which Power Rating is Ideal?
Light trout poles are best for fishing trout in large rivers and lakes. They are usually rated between 7 and 8 pounds.
On shallow waters, you should go for a trout fishing rod setup with ultra-light power ratings. Ultra-light power rods are ideal since you need pinpoint accuracy when fishing for trout in shallow waters. The ultra-light pole is rated between 4 and 6 pounds.
What is the Best Reel for Trout Fishing?
Buying a quality reel is paramount if you want to fish larger trout. Depending on the type of trout and the location where you will be fishing, the spinning reel should be between 1000 to 3500 size. The reel size is perfect for rods that are between 6 and 8 feet long.
Remember that a trout spinning rod is as good as the reel. The reel for trout fishing should be light enough to fly off the spool when pitching small spinners and strong enough to hold the fish.
What is the Best Quality Rod for Trout Fishing?
Rods made of graphite material are the best trout fishing rods. They are lighter and more sensitive, making them ideal for trout fishing.
You may also find rods made of blended materials. Some are blended with fibreglass that results in increased sensitivity and durability. These rods don’t easily break as compared to rods that are made of mostly graphite material.
Our Pick: Best Trout Fish Rods
1. Ugly Stik Elite
- Ultra light weight
- 7’’ size
- Fast action
- Graphite and Fiberglass blend results in increased durability
- Stainless steel guides
- Premium quality cork grip
The Ugly Stik rod is one of the best priced trout rods you can find online. The trout rod is made of graphite with fiberglass composite. The spinning rod is not only durable but also designed to provide precision and balanced experience when fishing.
You will find the rod to be flexible and nimble which makes trout fishing easy and fun. The trout rod delivers extra strength and flexibility in trout spinning. Stainless steel guides eliminate the need for insert pop-outs. This results in less weight and also reduced line wear. The rod is the best value trout spinning gear, which is ideal for spinning lures in different types of water.
Recommended model: Ugly Stik Elite Spinning rod 7′ – Medium
2. St Croix Avid
- Ultra-lightweight
- 6’ size
- Fast action
- Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) technology
- Premium quality graphite construction
St. Croix Avid is a reliable choice for trout fishing if you want the most durable rod. The premium quality cork handle ensures that you get a good grip when fishing. This rod boasts of an integrated poly curve technology (IPC) that eliminates transition points in the rod black. The result is greater sensitivity and smoother action when trout fishing.
You have a lot of options when it comes to selecting the spinning rod. St. Croix Avid is available in sizes ranging from 4’6’’ to 8’ in different power ratings. You should select a 7’6’’ rod with ultra-light power rating for the best trout fishing experience.
Recommended model: St. Croix Avid Series Spinning Rod
3. Sage Fly Fishing
- Lightweight
- 7’6’’ size
- Fast action
- Metallic grey trim wraps
- Fuji ceramic stripper guides
- aluminum up-locking reel seat
- Cork fore and rear grip
Sage Fly Fishing spinning rods have been included in the list due to excellent build and durability. Sage spinning rods are popular among professional fishermen. The rods have been used by many fishermen, as mentioned in the IGFA World Records.
If you want premium quality trout fishing rod, Sage Fly Fishing spinning is probably the best. The spinning rod is pricy but it boasts excellent precision, power, and performance. KonnecticHD technology allows greater blank recovery.
The fishing rod also has decreased media movement and vibrations as compared to other less pricy options. The result is a more precise and fast action blank when fishing trout.
Recommended model: Sage Fly Fishing 590-4 Foundation
4. G. Loomis NRX+ fly rod
- Ultra-light
- 7′ size
- Fast action
- Graphite-fibre blend
- Composite cork and species cork
G. Loomis NRX is a more refined and improved version of the GLX Trout series spinning rod. The latest NRX is one of the best ultralight fishing rod models that offer exceptional performance in catching trout on lures and baits. With the fast action and soft mid-sections, you will have an enjoyable fishing experience catch trout in both shallow and deep waters.
The fishing rod is designed to be durable but powerful enough to allow long-range casts and positive hook sets. The fishing rod is available in both one-piece and two-piece models. Apart from trout, the fishing rod is also perfect for catching pinfishes and bass fishes.
The fishing rod uses a unique fibre blend that gives a light feel but mains powerful enough when required. The fibre blend also results in high durability. This expensive fishing rod is not suitable for beginners.
Recommended model: G. Loomis NRX+ 790-4 fly rod
5. Fenwick Techna Fishing Rod
- Fast action
- Ultralight power
- 5’8” size
- 3M Powerlux
- Ergonomic reel set
- Kegan hook keeper
- Stainless steel frame
- Full cork grips
Fenwick is a reliable brand that has been manufacturing fishing rods since 1952. Fenwick Techna Fly rod is an affordable fishing rod that is lightweight and an excellent choice if you want performance and power.
The fishing rod is lightweight and has an impressive build quality. Boasting 3M Powerlux® technology that is claimed to be 30 percent stronger than an identical fishing rod, it is lightweight for trout fishing.
The custom ergonomic reel seat and the unique Kigan hook keeper allow casting any type of bait. Another praiseworthy feature of the Fenwick Techna is the Seaguide® XO guides with sloped frames made of stainless steel. The quality build of the rod results in increased durability and casting performance.
Recommended model: Fenwick Techna Spinning Rod
6. Shimano Sojourn
- 7’6” size
- Fast action
- Medium power
- Graphite composite blank
- Shimano reel set
Shimano Sojourn is a great fishing rod that is great for trout fishing. The rod feels a little heavy as compared to other rods in the list. But anglers will not have a difficult time catching fish due to the flexible graphite material.
The guides made of aluminium oxide are solid that prevents snagging and also allows more precise casting. They won’t corrode easily and last for a long time providing endless fun. The quality construction of the fishing rod ensures that the rod doesn’t easily snap when fishing. But you should note that the rod can get heavy after fishing for a long time.
Recommended model: Shimano Sojourn 7’6 Muskie
Conclusion
Buying the right fishing gear can make a positive trout fishing experience. The top rated rod in our list for trout fishing is the Ugly Stik. The fishing rod has high sensitivity, smooth casting performance, and quality build. And the great thing is that it is affordably priced, resulting in great value for money.
Brands, such as St. Croix, Sage, and G. Loomis, are also trusted by a large number of professional fishers. Shimano and Fenwick brands offer great value for money due to their affordable pricing and quality build. You should be able to make up your mind after reading our review of the best rod for fishing.
You should determine your requirements when selecting a trout fishing pole. The cost is also an important criterion when buying gear for trout fishing. With the right rod for trout fishing, you will have an easier time catching lots of fishes.
