How To Choose The Best Fishing Rod For Saltwater
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best saltwater fishing rod. Kind of like shopping for a new car. There are standard features, options, and how you are going to use it.
What saltwater rod you choose depends on what fish species you are targeting, where will you be fishing, and how much you are willing to spend.
This article discusses rod and reel configurations by the length and weight of the most exciting game fish off the coast. What is the best combo for fishing on a pier, in the surf, or on a boat. We also review the rod blank material, length, power, and action.
This article is organized by type of saltwater fishing you want to target, where you want to fish, and an explanation of the key fishing rod features.
The Best Fishing Rods For Saltwater Fishing
Shark Rods
Shark fishing requires heavy duty equipment that can handle the weight and power of the larger sharks and the speed and fight of the smaller ones.
Sizes for shark vary from 10 to 300 lbs usually and get as large as 1000+ lbs. This falls into 3 reel categories that you will want to size your shark rod and reel setup:
Reel Series and line test for sharks:
- 6000 – 9500: 10 – 40 lbs test line
- 10,000 – 16,000: 40 – 70 lbs test line
- 20,000 – 30,000: 50 – 100 lbs test line
Rod specifications by shark length and weight:
For smaller sharks in the 3′-5′ foot range (10-90 lbs) look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 6000 – 9500 / 10-40 lbs class
- Rod Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Heavy (rated for weights in the 1 to 5 ounce range)
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid or Monofilament (10-40 lb test)
For sharks in the 4′-9′ foot (35-500 lbs) range look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Casting
- Reel Size: 10,000 – 16,000 / 40-70 lbs class
- Material: Fiberglass
- Power: Heavy (rated for weights in the 3 to 6 ounce range)
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Roller
- Line Type: Monofilament (40-70 lbs test)
For sharks in the 8′-12′ foot (250-1000 lbs) range look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: casting
- Reel Size: 50-100 lbs class
- Material: Fiberglass
- Power: Heavy/extra heavy (rated for weights in the 6 to 12 ounce range)
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Roller
- Line Type: Braid (50-100 lbs test)
Redfish Rods
Redfish sizes vary from 3 to over 40 lbs usually. This falls into 2 reel categories that you will want to size your redfish rod.
Reel Series and line test for redfish:
- 2500 – 3500: 5 – 14 lbs test line
- 4000 – 5500: 8 – 25 lbs test line
Rod specifications by redfish length and weight:
For redfish ranging from 17-28″ inches (3-10 lbs) range, look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 2500-4000 / 5-15 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Light rated for 5-15 lbs
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid (5-14 lbs test)
For redfish ranging from 29-40″ inches (12-36 lbs) range, look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 4000-5500 / 8-25 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Heavy rated for 8-25 lbs
- Action: Moderate
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid or Monofilament (8-25 lbs test)
Spotted Seatrout Rods
Spotted seatrout (specked trout) sizes vary from 1 to over 15 lbs usually. This falls into a single reel category that you will want to size your speckled trout rod.
Reel Series and line test for spotted seatrout:
- 2500 – 4000: 5 – 15 lbs test line
Rod specifications by spotted seatrout length and weight:
For Spotted Seatrout ranging from 15-35″ inches (1-15 lbs) range, look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 2500-4000 / 10-20 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Light rated for 5-14 lbs
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid (5-14 lbs test / 16-20 lbs fluorocarbon leader)
Tarpon Rods
Tarpon sizes vary from 10 to lbs usually and get as large as 280 lbs. This falls into a single reel category that you will want to size your tarpon rod.
Reel Series and line test for tarpon:
- 6000 – 9500: 10 – 40 lbs test line
- 7000 – 30,000: 50 – 100 lbs test line
Rod specifications by tarpon length and weight:
For smaller tarpon in the 3′-5′ foot range (10-90 lbs) look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 6000 – 9500 / 10-40 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Heavy (rated for weights in the 1 to 5 ounce range)
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid or Monofilament (10-40 lbs test)
For tarpon in the 4′-8′ foot (100-280 lbs) range look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Casting
- Reel Size: 50-100 lbs class
- Material: Fiberglass
- Power: Heavy (rated for weights in the 3 to 6 ounce range)
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Roller
- Line Type: Braid (50-100 lbs test)
Kingfish Rods
King Mackerel (Kingfish) sizes vary from 3 to over 22 lbs typically and get as large as 88 lbs. This falls into 3 reel categories that you will want to size your kingfish rod.
Reel Series and line test for kingfish:
- 2500 – 3500: 10 – 14 lbs test line
- 4000 – 5500: 15 – 25 lbs test line
- 6000 – 9500: 20 – 40 lbs test line
Rod specifications by kingfish length and weight:
For kingfish in the 3-10 lbs range, look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 2500-4000 / 5-15 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Light rated for 5-15 lbs
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid (10-14 lbs test due to sharp teeth)
For kingfish in the 12-36 lbs range, look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 4000-5500 / 8-25 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Heavy rated for 8-25 lbs
- Action: Moderate
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid or Monofilament (15-25 lb test due to sharp teeth)
For larger kingfish in the 2′-5.5′ foot range (10-90 lbs) look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 6000 – 9500 / 10-40 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Heavy (rated for weights in the 1 to 5 ounce range)
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid or Monofilament (20-40 lbs test due to sharp teeth)
Snapper Rods
Red Snapper sizes vary from 3 to over 40 lbs usually. This falls into 2 reel categories that you will want to size your red snapper rod.
Reel Series and line test for snapper:
- 2500 – 3500: 5 – 14 lbs test line
- 4000 – 5500: 8 – 25 lbs test line
Rod specifications by snapper length and weight:
For red snapper in the 3-10 lbs range, look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 2500-4000 / 5-15 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Light rated for 5-15 lbs
- Action: Fast
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid (5-14 lbs test)
For red snapper in the 12-40 lbs range, look for:
- Length: see pier, surf and boat recommendations below
- Reel Type: Spinning or Baitcaster
- Reel Size: 4000-5500 / 8-25 lbs class
- Material: Composite
- Power: Medium-Heavy rated for 8-25 lbs
- Action: Moderate
- Guides: Normal
- Line Type: Braid or Monofilament (8-25 lbs test)
Key Characteristics For A Saltwater Fishing Rod
Rod Blank Material
Fishing rods are made of sections called blanks. There are 3 main material choices for modern saltwater fishing rods.
Typical Rod Materials:
- Graphite: inexpensive, light and fast; most popular material
- Fiberglass: heavy, flexible, very strong and slower than graphite; second most popular
- Carbon Fiber: expensive, very light and extremely strong; best material for saltwater fishing
Rod Length
Typical Rod Length Categories
Pier Fishing
- Length: 7′-9′ foot
Surf Fishing
- Length: 10′ – 12′ foot
Boat Fishing
- Length: 5’5″ – 7′ foot (short for durability)
- Trolling Rod Length: 7′-8′ foot
- Handle: Bent (for boat fighting chair / straight for belt or harness)
Kayak Fishing
- Length: 6″ – 7′ foot (short for accuracy during site casting)
- Trolling Rod Length: 7′-8′ foot
Rod Action
The action of the rod describes where the rod bends when under weight or stress. This is useful for keeping control of the fish from the hit to retrieval.
Taper can be a synonym for action. It measures the thickness of the rod at different sections
Typical Rod Action Categories
Extra Fast Action
Bends at the tip and are stiff rods. Tends to be more sensitive and better feel of the lure location and lighter fish hits.
Noted for shorter distances and provides the fastest power to set the hooks due to rod softness.
Downside is that it’s hard to keep the proper tension with tends to allow fish to spit the hook. Fish with rod vertical initially then horizontal.
Fast Action
Bends in the top third of the rod. Sensitive rod tip allows for quick setting of light nibbles and tugs.
Great for casting short distances with single hooks like worm and jigs with great power for throwing in heavy weeds and grass.
Still fast at setting hooks. Better fish fighting then extra-fast by keeping better pressure on the line.
Medium Action
Bends in the top half of the rod and a more flexible tip. Distance increases as more the rod is used in the cast.
Easier to set the hook which allows for use of treble hooks, crankbaits, top water, or spinner baits.
Most versatile option for good control and hook setting ability. Best for targeting larger fish with aggressive lures.
Slow Action
Bends at the bottom third of the rod and has the most flexible tip that only stiffens towards the handle. Ideal for long casting distance.
Very flexible rod means that it takes a it is much easier to keep the tension to set a hook and keep a fish hooked.
Great for multi hook lures with treble hooks. These hooks are thinner and require less pressure to keep the hook set.
Rod Power
The power of the rod is best explained by how much weight it takes to bend it. The “heavier” the rod rating the more weight the rod can leverage. The following scale will deviate from one manufacturer to another.
Typical Rod Weight Categories:
Ultralight (UL) or 1
Ideal for ultralight test lines and ultralight lures (1/32 to 3/8 oz.). For small panfish, crappie and small trout. Freshwater specialty. Works best with 2-4 lbs test line.
Light (L) or 2
Good for light biting fish such as panfish, walleye and trout with lures in the 1/16 range. Freshwater specialty. Works best with 4-6 lbs test line.
Medium/Light (ML) or 3
Great for slightly heavier lures (1/8 to 1/2 oz.). Ideal for jigs and soft plastics. Medium freshwater and saltwater fish. Works best with 6-8 lbs test line.
Medium (M) or 4
Rod lure ratings (1/4 to 3/4 oz.). Stiffen up quicker and are perfect for spinner baits and popping corks for freshwater and saltwater. Works best with 6-12 lbs test line.
Medium/Heavy (MH) or 5
Lure rated for 3/4 to 1/2 oz. (medium weight). Stiff enough for jig and wide gap hooks. Effective with light weight topwater, Texas rigs, jerkbaits, crankbaits. Works best with 10-17 lbs test line.
Heavy (H) or 6
Rated for heavier lures (3/8 to 1 oz.). Ideal for heavier fishing with heavier lures and deeper water. Works best with 14-25 lbs test line.
Extra Heavy (EH) or 7
Stiffest rod for most manufacturers. Designed for 3/4 to 2 oz. lures or greater.
Other Resources
Here are some other articles that I found useful as well:
Conclusion: The Best Fishing Rod For Saltwater
When choosing the best saltwater fishing rod you want to consider the following factors:
- What fish species you are targeting
- Where will you be fishing: a fishing pier, beach surf, offshore in a boat, or inshore in a kayak or a skiff
- The rod blank material, length, power, and action that addresses the target fish and where you will be fishing
