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10 Best Fishing Rods Under $100 – Reviews and Complete Buying Guide

best fishing rod under 100

Are you gearing for that fishing trip? Then you know that you would need a fishing rod. It is probably the most important equipment needed on that fishing trip. Apart from helping you get your bait into the water, the precision and distance provided by this tool increase your chances of making a big catch. 

To have a successful fishing trip; selecting the best fishing rod brands is essential. You need to look out for some qualities while selecting your rods. Qualities like rod materials and rod length are crucial to the quality of your rod. Other factors include the power of the rod and the type of handle fixed to the rod. 

There are various types and forms of fishing rods. All with their different style, length, and mechanism. These factors further influence the prices of the fishing rod. While some are relatively expensive, others are quite affordable. This article reviews the best fishing rods under 100. These rods are some of the best fishing rod brands. And what’s more, you don’t need to break the bank to get them.

  What Are the Best Fishing Rods Under $100?

  1. PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos

  2. Okuma Longitude Surf Graphite Rods

  3. KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rods

  4. Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod

  5. St Croix Triumph Spinning Rods

  6. Cadence CR5-30 Ton Carbon Casting and Ultralight Fishing Rod

  7. KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods

  8. OKUMA Celilo Graphite Lightweight Ultra Light Trout Rods

  9. Fiblink Surf Spinning Fishing Rod 2-Piece Graphite Travel Fishing Rod

  10. Abu Garcia Vengeance Spinning Rod

10 Best Fishing Rods Under 100 Comparison Reviews

The PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo are among the best fishing rods under 100 available on the market. It is a complete fishing kit that includes basically all the tools – such as a fishing line, hooks, lures, sinkers, and a bag – you will need to start angling. The rod and reel of this fishing equipment are of sturdy build are sturdily built; hence, it will last for a long time.

The telescopic rod uses fiberglass and high-density carbon fiber in its construction, which renders it very strong and durable. Besides, it uses blank graphite construction, which makes it sensitive. It also features stainless steel hooded reel seat, which protects the rod from corroding when fishing in saltwater. Besides, the fishing rod is portable, and it features a closed length design, which combines to make it easy and convenient to transport around. Moreover, it operates at medium power, and its power drive gears are suitable for high strength.

Furthermore, the PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos use aluminum oxide guide inserts, enhancing their performance and durability. It also employs an EVA foregrip, which provides you with comfortability, thereby allowing you to angle for a long period.

Pros

  • The PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo come equipped with all you need to fish.
  • It features rod and reel that are strong.
  • The rod uses EVA foregrip, which renders it comfortable to use for a long time.
  • It is highly sensitive, strong, and durable.
  • It can resist corrosion.
  • It offers excellent customer service.

Cons

  • The case it comes it is cheap
  • While the rod and reel come from good quality materials, the other tools/accessories are of poor quality.

In fishing, the length of your rod often determines the quality of your fishing. If you have a long fishing rod, you are likely to enjoy better fishing. The OKUMA Longitude Surf Graphite rod is an example of a long fishing rod, and it provides you with excellent features at affordable prices. It is available in different lengths ranging from 8 to 12 feet.

This fishing tool features a reel seat that is highly capable of smoothly running the reel to make your fishing more enjoyable. Also, it features a double-foot stainless-steel guide with aluminum oxide inserts that enhance the rod’s performance, thereby making it smoother and capable of handling any fish size. Moreover, the rod is equipped with enough backbone to cast heavy baits.

Furthermore, this fishing rod s constructed using a graphite composite blank, which provides the rod with a lighter weight and renders it easy and convenient to move. The blank also makes the rod highly sensitive and durable.

The OKUMA Longitude Surf Graphite rod uses premium quality components, which are suitable for withstanding harsh weather conditions, among others. Also, it employs an EVA grip as well as a traditional cork tape grip, which makes it comfortable to hold for long periods.

Pros

  • The OKUMA Longitude Surf Graphite rod s constructed using graphite composite blanks, which renders it highly sensitive.
  • It is available in various lengths ranging from 8 to 12 feet.
  • It uses a double-foot stainless-steel guide with aluminum oxide inserts, enhances its performance.
  • It employs an EVA grip as well as a traditional cork tape grip for enhanced comfortability.

Cons

  • It is available in 2-Piece alone

The KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rod is fantastic, and it comes at an affordable price. It comes from 24-ton Toray Carbon, which ensures that the rod performs smoothly and consistently while reducing dead spots. This fishing tool also features an increased number of floating line guides, which further enhances casting performance and ensures a perfect taper and power delivery during angling. It also employs KastFlex Technology, a unique and effective method of multi-layering the carbon fiber cloth, thereby enhancing its performance.

This fishing rod has a 1-Piece performance in 6-Piece design and can be folded and extended within seconds. It also employs a safety fishhook connector, which works to keep the rig intact without having cause to reassemble regularly. Moreover, this telescopic fishing tool is available in 14 different lengths and actions, ensuring that you have the ideal combination of length and power that is suitable for your fishing purposes. It is also available in both casting and spinning versions that are suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

The KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Fishing Rod is suitable for different fishing applications that make use of baitcasting and spinning. Some of these applications are bass fishing, boat fishing, muskie, pier fishing, and kayak fishing. Additionally, the rod is collapsible and becomes very portable when collapsed.

Finally, this entire fishing tool employs quality products in its construction. Some of these high-quality materials used in enhancing the quality of this fishing tool include reinforced handles, high-quality stainless-steel line guides, and EVA handles, among others.

Pros

  • It is very easy to assemble the KastKing Blackhawk II 
  • It uses high-quality materials in its production.
  • It is convenient and easy to carry.
  • It is available in 14 lengths and actions.
  • It is highly durable and performs well.
  • It uses Soloscopic performance technology that permits the six sections to fold into each other.

Cons

  • It is difficult to find fault with this one.

Purchasing a high-quality product at a relatively low price is a blissful feeling, and it is one you can experience when you purchase this product. The Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod is a highly affordable fishing rod that you might have expected to be expensive considering its different features and functionality. 

The fishing rod uses 35% more graphite than the previous Ugly Stik Elite model (Ugly Stik GX2) which makes it highly sensitive and strong. The increased graphite content also reduces its weight substantially. Besides, the tool features a cork handle which has become less common among the best cheap fishing rods. This handle provides you with comfortability and allows you to enjoy fishing for a long period. 

The rod also features a proprietary Ugly Tuff guide that enhances the durability of the guide but requires cleaning to remove any form of debris. 

The Ugly Stik Elite Spinning rod is available in a wide range of sizes in either a 1-Piece or a 2-Piece design. Although the 2-Piece design seems to be more convenient than the 1-Piece, it retains all the sensitivity available in the blank better than the 1-Piece design. Note that the difference between the prices of the 1-Piece and 2-Piece designs is minimal. Therefore you need to choose based on your preference.

Overall, the Ugly Stik Elite Spinning rod is neither too cheap nor too expensive, and it offers excellent value for the price you would be paying for it. It is available in a wide range of sizes with two different designs.

Pros

  • It features a strong fiberglass core which is guaranteed to last a long time. 
  • It has a highly sensitive graphite body. 
  • It features a cork handle, which enhances comfortability. 
  • It has a clear tip design, which enhances performance. 
  • It has an efficient reel seat and reels. 

Cons

  • The lighter weight and enhanced sensitivity of the rod reduce its durability. 
  • The tip might be a little too flexible. 

The St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rods is ideal for use by people who intend to fish for several hours. One of its distinguishing features is its lightweight as it enables you to sit comfortably with the rod for as long as you want. It uses a premium SCII Graphic core, which combines with its lightweight to ensure that the spinning rod has high sensitivity and notifies you at the slightest touches. Moreover, it employs a finely tuned core with tapers for superior performance. 

The St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rods has several rods with differing tension limits from which you can select your preferred choice. The rod also has a reel seat with frosted silver hoods for its spinning models. Furthermore, the entire rod employs a two-layer flex-coat that provides it with a stunning finish and also enhances its durability. 

The St. Croix Triumph uses a hard aluminum oxide guide which renders the rod more efficient and durable. It also features a cork handle, which enhances its comfortability during long fishing sessions. 

Pros

  • The rod features a graphic core, which renders it highly sensitive to even the slightest touches. 
  • It is a strong tool
  • It is lightweight and easy to hold. 
  • The cork handle is very comfortable. 
  • It features two layers of Flex-Coat slow cure finish, which renders it suitable for long time use. 
  • The St. Croix Triumph offers five years warranty.

Cons

  • Although it is affordable, it is not cheap. 

The Cadence CR5-30 Spinning Rod is a quality rod that is highly versatile and able to serve any function you put it to. It includes a series of rods that employs components produced from high-quality materials. These rods are of different sizes, actions, and power, and they all serve different purposes. 

All the rods in the Cadence CR5-30 series have a 30-ton carbon core which makes them lightweight and very strong. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the rod breaking when you fish. Furthermore, it uses stainless steel guides with SIC inserts, which further enhances its performance and durability along with others. It also features an exposed blank and adjustable Fuji reel seat, which provides you with a firm and comfortable handhold when you are tugging the fish. 

The Cadence CR5-30 Series is available in both 1-Piece and 2-Piece designs. Moreover, the handles come in two configurations: the carbon split grip and full grip, which is from a premium cork and an EVA foam to ensure you are comfortable, especially when you are fishing for a long time. 

Pros

  • The Cadence CR5-30 Spinning rod is a lightweight and very strong fishing rod. 
  • It features a Fuji reel seat, which ensures your comfortability during fishing. 
  • It features well-built stainless steel guides with SIC inserts. 
  • It is suitable for any type of fishing purposes. 

Cons

  • The handle may seem narrow to some anglers. 

The KastKing Perigee II fishing rod is ideal for use by people who want to capture larger fishes rather than the small ones. The rods provide you with three-line tests to choose from. One of these tests is perfect for capturing fishes between 12 and 20 lbs. And it uses medium power. Another one can capture fishes between 15 and 30 lbs.; it uses medium-heavy power while the last one is good for capturing fishes between 30 and 50 lbs at heavy power. Hence, you can select your most preferred choice without altering the other features of the rod. 

All KastKing Perigee II (both 1-Piece and 2-Piece designs) uses Toray 24-ton carbon KastFlex technology blanks. This enhances the power, durability, accuracy, and strength of the fishing rod. Furthermore, this fishing tool consists of top quality components, such as the world-renowned Fuji O-Ring line guides, high-density EVA grips, Saf-T-Keeper hook holder, among others. 

It features the KastKing Power Transition System (PTS) spigot joints that enhances the smooth transition of power throughout the fishing rod blank. Moreover, it uses specialized computer control wrapping, which is situated at four angles, and they keep the power flowing. 

The KastKing Perigee II features a tubular glass core, which renders it stable, durable, and very strong. 

Pros

  • It has moderate-fast action that allows you to manage mild currents 
  • It is suitable for capturing large fishes
  • It offers versatility with the three-line tests it offers
  • It features comfortable and efficient handles. 

Cons

  • The EVA grip on this fishing rod tends to wear off faster 

The OKUMA Celilo Graphite rod is specially designed to catch small fishes in lakes. The entire rod is constructed from a graphite core, which causes it to be highly sensitive. Therefore, if you like fishing at a lake or fishing for small fishes, especially trout fishing, then this fishing rod is perfect for you. Apart from its high sensitivity, the rod is extremely lightweight. Moreover, it has a light action, which enables it to be flexible and efficiently catch smaller fishes. 

As mentioned above, this fishing rod is ideal for fishing in lakes with small fish species and has no currents. Therefore, if you want to catch larger fish species, you may want to try other fishing rods as this one will break when too much pressure is applied. Furthermore, the spinning rod uses aluminum oxide guide inserts in enhancing its durability. It also features stainless steel hooded reel seats which improve its comfortability, while it enhances its durability and efficiency. 

The OKUMA Celilo Graphite rod uses quality grade fore and rear cork grips which keep your hand comfortable during fishing, thereby allowing you to fish for long periods. 

Pros

  • The OKUMA Celilo Graphite is a fishing rod that is specially designed to catch small fishes such as trout. 
  • The entire is constructed from the graphic core, which makes it highly sensitive to even the slightest touches. 
  • It uses light action, which makes it perfect for use in lakes. 
  • It is hooded to protect the reel from water and water corrosion.  
  • It employs comfortable handles. 

Cons

  • It can easily break as a result of the graphite core it is made of. 
  • It is not suitable for catching larger fishes. 

Perhaps you love to cast your spinning rod at long distances and try out a variation of fishing techniques; then you may want to consider the Fiblink Surf Spinning Fishing Rod. This fishing tool, made of carbon fiber, which is responsible for its ability to be cast at a long distance without causing it to bend or break. Besides, it is capable of holding up fishes that weigh up to 40 lbs. and is therefore suitable for capturing both medium and large species of fishes. 

The spinning rod is available in 2-Piece with both pieces being of equal length. It is also available in different sizes. 

Furthermore, it employs stainless steel mixed with a ceramic guide, which ensures a smooth retrieval of the line during angling. Since ceramic is capable of transferring heat equally, the guide facilitates the frictionless flow of lines. Moreover, it has a graphite core which makes it sensitive. It is also a moderate-fast action fishing rod. 

The Fiblink Surf Spinning Fishing Rod features a special rubber shrink tube handle that provides you with a comfortable grip and prevents the rod from slipping from your hand while in use. It also has a special reel seat made from stainless steel. To prevent corrosion, thin hood transitions covers the reel seat above and below the reel seat protecting cap. 

Pros

  • The Fiblink Surf Spinning fishing rod is constructed using carbon fiber which renders it strong. 
  • It uses graphite, which makes it highly sensitive. 
  • It allows longer casting and is good for both medium and large fishes. 
  • It features a special rubber shrink tube handle that prevents it from slipping. 
  • It employs frictionless stainless steel mixed with a ceramic guide. 

Cons

  • It is available in 2-Piece alone. 
  • There is no short variant.  

The Abu Garcia Vengeance is a fishing rod with two styles, which makes it flexible and adaptable to capturing small, medium and some larger fishes on occasion. It has a braided line which combines with its innovative design to produce a strong, durable and comfortable fishing rod. Moreover, it has a 24-ton graphite core, which renders it lightweight, highly sensitive and strong. Due to its lightweight feature, the fishing rod can is easy to move. It also employs stainless steel guides with titanium oxide inserts which further enhances its performance and durability. 

The handle of this fishing rod employs a high-density EVA foam which provides you with a comfortable grip and allows you to fish for a long period. The fishing tool is a piece of versatile equipment that can be used for both fresh and saltwater fishing. However, it requires easy handling for it to last for a long time. 

Pros

  • The Abu Garcia Vengeance features high-density EVA foam handles which ensures comfort while the rod is in use. 
  • It also features stainless-steel guides as well as titanium oxide inserts which allows the rod to be fully flexible. 
  • The fishing rod comes from graphite which makes the rod lightweight and sturdy. 
  • It is available in a wide range of sizes from which you will choose your preferred size. 
  • It is suitable for both fresh and saltwater fishing. 

Cons

  • Some models of this fishing rod have their eyelets a little bent. 
  • The stainless steel guides can be slightly misaligned. 
  • It requires careful handling. Otherwise, it would break. 
  • It could break if it pulls too much weight. 

Fishing Rods Under 100 Comparison Table

Fishing Rod Buying Guide

Before you set out to purchase your fishing rods, you should answer some questions. These questions help you streamline the search for the type and features of the fishing rod appropriate for you. These questions include:

Where are you fishing?

The location and type of water body you intend to fish from will affect the type of fishing rod you buy. Are you fishing at saltwater, a deep-sea or a freshwater?

What type of fish are you hunting for?

The size and species of fish you intend to catch also affects the type of fishing rods you will get. Are you looking for big games or small species of fishes?

What position are you fishing from?

Are you going to be fishing from a boat, kayak or a pier near the water body?

fishing rod buyer's guide

Factors to Consider when purchasing your fishing rods

Certain qualities must be at the back of your mind at the point of buying your fishing rods. These factors affect the quality and ease of use of the rods. While none of these factors ranks above the other, paying equal attention to them goes a long way in ensuring you get the best bass rod brands. 

Length

This is the foremost factor that you must consider. It is rather conspicuous and easy to notice. A fishing rod can measure up to 14 feet at most. The least length possible for a rod is 4 feet. However, the majority of rods range between 6 and 8 feet. The length of the rod determines how far and how deep your bait goes. In other words, the casting range of your rod is a function of its length. 

Just in case you are wondering why this is important, the answer is simple. Using shorter fishing rods allow you to catch fishes within short-range easily. Due to the length of the rod, the stretch and bend also reduce. This gives you an edge overfishes within short distances as you can easily overpower them in combat. The reduced stretch and bend also make short fishing rods perfect equipment for catching bigger fishes. So if you are fishing from a kayak and you want to save some space or to seek to catch a big game, short rods are your best bet.

Longer rods, however, also have their uses. They allow you to cover more water distance while fishing. These rods also expand your options by extending the reach of your bait. Therefore, deep-diving crankbaits and walking baits work very well with longer rods. So you may want to buy a longer rod if you would be fishing in saltwater from a pier or walking baits are your preferred types.

Material

There are two major materials used to make fishing rods. There are fiberglass and graphite and carbon. Rods made from fiberglass are generally heavier and stronger. They have higher flexibility and are very good for fishing long distances. If you are seeking to catch a big fish, you may want to get one. However, fiberglass-made rods have low sensitivity. This means that they cannot detect light tugs or bites at the bait. This happens to be their only downside.

Comparatively, fishing rods made from graphite are lighter and less flexible. They tend to break easily under heavy load. However, they are more sensitive to light bites. This property makes them a preferable option for fishermen looking for a light game within short distances.

However, there are composite fishing rods. The two materials, fiberglass and graphite, have been combined in making this type of fishing rod. As a result, the composite rod combines the quality of the two material. You may want to get it if you fish in varying location and conditions.

Weight or Taper

The weight (also called power) of a fishing rod refers to the required force necessary to bend the rod. A rod with more taper requires a lot of force to bend it. This means that it is not easily bent. The reason for this is the stiff backbone that the rod possesses. This quality makes high power rods the preferred option for deep-sea fishing and heavy games. 

Rods with less taper, however, have less stiff backbones, making it easier for them to bend under the lightest force. They are perfect for fishing small species of fish. You can get the better of the two types of the rod when you go for a medium weight rod. 

Action

This property is quite similar to the taper of a rod, as it affects the bending action of the fishing rod. However, it refers to the part of the fishing rods that bend under load. A fast action rod bends near the tip of the fishing rod while a slow action bends close to the handle. This implication of this disparity is simple. Fast action fishing rods, as they have a stronger backbone are better suited for bigger fishes. Slow action rods are best suited for smaller fishes, although they are suitable for hunting big fishes too. 

Hunting big fishes with slow action rods gives you an interesting fishing experience, as you get to feel the fish fight. 

Handle

This is also an essential property to be considered in purchasing your best fishing rods under 100. The materials used in making handles for fishing rods are foam and cork. Some rod handles comprise of the two materials. None of the materials is better than the other. The choice of handle material rests majorly on the user’s preference. However, the length of fishing rod handles also matters a lot. It works the same way the overall rod length works.

buy fishing rod

Getting the best of out your fishing rods

Your fishing rod and reel is a piece of important equipment for your fishing exercise. Hence you need to take care of it. This is necessary to put it in the best working condition and get the best out of it. Below are some tips that will help you maintain the optimal performance of your fishing rod. 

Protect your rods during transportation

Whether you are carrying them in your hands or the locker of your boat/kayak, you should ensure that you protect the fish rods with mesh covers. This rod cover prevents the entanglement of the lines on the fishing rod.

You also need to ensure that during a boat ride, the fishing rod is kept securely in a locker. Leaving the rod to bump around in the boat can cause damage to its reels.

Detach hooks after fishing

You must remove the hook attached to the fishing line once fishing ends. This will help prevent the entanglement of the line. This will also protect you as the hook can also injure you if not properly removed and stored away. Another safe way of keeping your hooks is by using the Fuji Black Chrome Hook Keeper. It is an affordable and handy piece of equipment.

Wash and store properly after use

You should use clean and fresh water to rinse off any dirt or debris found on the fish rod. It is advisable not to use salt water, especially if you just finished fishing from one. Store your fishing rod in a rack and an upright position. If you have two or more rods, store them separately and desist from making them lean into one another as this can damage their parts.

FAQs

Where can I buy the best fishing rods under 100?

You can get your fishing rods from online stores like Amazon or Alibaba (B2B Marketplace) Express. These are reputable stores so you can be assured of quality when buying from them. Some many land-based outlets and shops provide services for fishers and fishing enthusiasts. These shops sell fishing rods. Some of these outlets also have online stores where you can purchase your fishing rods.

Which fishing rods are the best?

The best fishing rod brands are numerous. However, what makes a fishing rod best or perfect for you depends on the peculiarities of your fishing experience. Only when you answer the question regarding the location of fishing, types of fishes and style of fishing can you select the best fishing rods for yourself.

Are best fishing rods under 100 expensive?

The quality and features of a fishing rod determine its price. As a rule, the higher the quality and desirable features available on a fishing rod, the higher the price. This, however, doesn’t mean that all quality fishing rods are expensive. You can get very good fishing rods at really affordable prices. 

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the best fishing rod brands, there are several factors to consider, such as grip, construction material, lightweight, design (1-Piece or 2-Piece), and many more. Of the list mentioned above, St Croix Triumph Spinning Rods (Best fishing rod on the market), Cadence CR5-30 Fishing Rod (Best Product for the money), and KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic Rod (Best Cheap fishing rod) are our top picks. Note that this does not, in any way, suggest that the other options are not good enough as they are all great investments. 

Since you have taken the time out to conduct your research on the best spinning rods under 100 you can purchase, you need to reward yourself by purchasing high-quality rods. The options we covered above fit the criteria and will serve you optimally both as a fallback option and as a starting option. 

These are some of the best casting rods under 100. We wish you good luck with your choice! 

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