As an angler, you probably know that redfish and speckled trout are two of the most loved fish in the US. A lot of anglers dream of catching these fish because they are prized and challenging. But, in order to catch them, you need to find the best rod for redfish out there.
Once you have the best rod and reel for redfish, your chances of actually catching them increase exponentially. That’s why I’m sharing some of the best redfish rods and reels out there to help you on your journey to catching this prized fish while staying within your budget.
I’ve also compiled a short buyer’s guide with quick tips and tricks on how you can find the best deals. Keep reading for more!
Table of Contents
Best Redfish Rods
If you’re looking for the best redfish rods and reels then you’ve come to the right place! Keep reading for a selection of the best options on the market!
1. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod
First up, we have Ugly Stik’s GX2 model which is the best rod for redfish and other aggressive fish species. With its one-piece design, this spinning fishing rod is well made and perfect for inexperienced or novice anglers.
It’s also well priced and doesn’t represent a significant investment if you’re just starting out. It has a simple design that’s easy for anyone to understand and use.
Its features include stainless steel guides and EVA handles for comfort and ease of use over long periods of time.
It’s six inches long as well which makes it ideal for long-distance casting and the rod itself offers 6-15 lb of power. Use it with the perfect redfish fishing tackle and you’ve got the perfect combo.
2. Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Rod
If you’re into using high-quality baitcasting reels and homemade carp baits to catch difficult prey like redfish then you’ll love Piscifun’s torrent bait caster rod.
It’s a good rod because it’s made from IM6 carbon which is one of the best materials that you can use for baitcasting specifically.
It comes with 9 well-placed guides for your convenience because they will ensure that you’re able to consistently get the smooth power transition you need at all times.
Not only that, but this affordably priced rod even features an EVA high-density grip with a graphite reel and carbon blank to give you the most comfortable angling experience ever, even over long periods of time.
3. Okuma Celilo Graphite Salmon/Steelhead Spinning Rod
This is yet another option that definitely needs to be on the list as the best fishing rod for redfish. It’s built from high-quality materials by one of the most reliable brands on the market. Okuma has hundreds of positive reviews online and their products are known for their high-quality performance.
So, if you’re looking for easy casting then this is the rod for you. The great thing about this spinning rod is that you can use it in any weather condition and it comes with a bunch of great features as well.
A lot of users love its durable graphite black construction with aluminum oxide guide inserts that make it possible for you to enjoy a smooth ride when casting.
Not only that, but thanks to its stainless-steel reel seat, this spinning rod will stick with you through the seasons and it even comes with rear cork grips that are ideal for casting.
4. Cadence Spinning Rod
Cadence is another well-known manufacturer of rods and all things fishing gear and they’re particularly known for making some of the best redfish rods and reels.
They certainly don’t disappoint with this high-quality model which is reasonably priced but comes with a lot of great features for beginners. This includes built-in SiC inserts and a CR-5P construction.
Overall, it offers a pretty quick response and this is partly due to how lightweight and easy it is to handle. You’ll also notice how easy it is to reel fish in with this rod thanks to its Fuji reel seat. It makes even the harshest water conditions much easier to navigate.
Not only that, but this spinning rod even comes with ring line guides and a stainless-steel body that’s perfect for bringing in a challenging catch such as other similar species.
5. Ugly Stik Elite Casting Fishing Rod
The Ugly Stik Elite casting rod is the best fishing rod for redfish. It’s suitable for use by the whole family from kids to grandpa as it’s known to reliably help the angler catch fish when trout and redfish casting.
It’s made from the best materials on the market with fast-action construction that gives you that added edge when angling in difficult environments. It’s also specifically designed for difficult fish species like redfish and it’s even built to handle large lures and heavyweights too.
The Elite is also quite sensitive and we think you’ll enjoy it for that as well and it offers great value for money considering the level of balancing it provides. This is the type of rod that’ll enable you to feel the very first bite which is why it’s so ideal for kids as well because it’s really easy to use.
Plus, you won’t need to change guides because this rod comes with its own well-made guides which are of very impressive quality.
How to Pick the Best Rod for Redfish
Well, there are certain specifications and features that you must look out for if you want to get the best value for money.
Here’s what we considered in our search:
Rod Action
Rod action refers to how quickly your rod can get back into place after casting it and this is largely determined by how bendy the rod is.
A fast rod typically bends towards the tips while a medium-speed rod bends along its length. The rod’s bending quality is known as a taper and its actions range from slow, moderate, fast to extra fast.
For best results, it’s best to stick with a slow-action rod if your plan is to cast over long distances.
However, for soft trout bites and rigging purposes, it’s recommended to use a fast action rod, you’ll do well to stick to a fast action rod. It all depends on what your goals are.
Catch Size
A fishing rod’s power determines its ability to help you reel in different sizes of fish. Your options range from ultralight to light, medium, medium-heavy, and heavy. That’s the general power rating that you should look out for.
A lot of times, ultralight, light, and medium power ratings are recommended for smaller fish while large redfish should ideally be caught with medium-heavy rods.
Anything less than this will diminish the amount of power at your disposal. Keep in mind that redfish are quite aggressive so you really need to go all out and use something that’s really powerful to catch them.
Line Rating
A lot of anglers don’t really prioritize line rating when looking for the best rod for redfish yet it could make or break your angling experience not to mention your chances of success with carp fishing baits.
For best results, it’s important to ensure that your rod has the ideal line rating for this kind of fish.
This is in addition to lure rating of course, which is often depicted in ounces or fractions of an ounce. When fishing for redfish and speckled trout specifically, it’s best to stick to a rating of between 1/4 oz to 5/8 oz.
Length
It’s important to know what your length should be when fishing for redfish and speckled trout.
It’s highly recommended to use something that is easy to manipulate when jigging for speckled trout specifically, which means you’ll want something that’s just right. Not too long but not too short either. A size of 6ft 2 inches offers the perfect sweet spot here.
Although, a longer rod can be useful when using popping cork. It makes it easier for you to exert the necessary power required for powerful and challenging fish like redfish. This also makes it easier for you to cast over long distances.
But, there are also times when you want to use a longer 7 ft rod such as when you’re sight fishing redfish. That’s because a longer rod makes it easier to control lure depths while aligning your fishing line.
Conclusion
If we were to pick just one option it would be the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod. It’s lightweight, well designed, and comes with stainless steel guides.
It’s also very smooth and easy to handle and offers decent lure weight which as mentioned above, is a very important spec.
Tony you are a waterhead I don’t think you have fished for redfish a day in your life. How about a mention of the St Croix Mojo Inshore or the Tidemaster, gloomis Inshore rods or even better TFO rods which are a great value for the money.