Fishing is no longer an exclusive pleasure for avid fishermen. In fact, with the right gears and skills, you can certainly bring a goliath grouper and all sorts of sea monsters home. When it comes to fishing rods, it is crucial to look at the brands you want to shop with.
In this article, you will find 5 best fishing rod brands for saltwater and important elements on choosing a suitable fishing rod. Let’s dive in!
Shimano
Shimano inspired by a Japanese visionary called Shozaburo Shimano. It all started on a small fishing boat where Shimano took his very first step to make the best fishing gears in Kansai, Japan.
80 years have passed, Shimano has succeeded in a bigger ocean. The world has now known and recognized the craftsmanship of Shimano’s products.
The company focus on perfection engineering. Coupled with innovation and new design, Shimano brings reliable and well-made fish rods to every fishing lover.
What I also love about this company is the clear environmental statement in which they strive to promote the recreational fishing and conservation of our environment.
When it comes to rods, Shimano offers different types from saltwater to freshwater and jigging. With over 20 products for saltwater fishing, there is no way you can’t find a matchy rod for your hobby.
Okiaya
Okiaya is a new and young fishing gear manufacturer founded by Christopher Christian in 2010. He first started with a small online wholesale who offered high-quality and budget-friendly fishing gear. Over time, the small wholesale has turned into Okiaya with thousands of products sold worldwide.
What makes Okiaya stand out is their design. Emphasizing on the value and exceptional quality, Okiaya’s products deliver users with durable and reliable products.
The company offers 26 types of rods in total, divided into 5 production lines including Black Venon, Blueline, Rebel Series, Sistana, Venon Pro.
PENN
Otto Henze, the founder of PENN Fishing Tackle Company, didn’t realize that he would make a world-renowned company. Over 75 years of production, Penn has gained the trust of millions of skilled fishermen in every corner of the world.
This company has always been the pioneer of modern reel design. With dedication, knowledge, passion, and most importantly resulting skills, Penn is the answer for your every fishing problem.
Penn offers two types of rods: spinning and casting. Their products are user-friendly and wallet-proof, making sure that you enjoy fishing without spending a fortune on the required gears.
Fiblink
Fiblink is a small manufacturer who produces powerful fishing gears. The company offers different travel fishing rods, which are suitable for recreational fishing lovers.
Fiblink concentrates on the lightweight and versatile design, allowing users to bring the robs everywhere. What’s more, most of Fiblink’s products are super affordable – a great choice for fishermen on a budget.
Ugly Stick
Ugly Stick has been in business since 1897 and always been a master in quality and durability. With 115 years of experiences, Ugly Stick knows how to satisfy its customers from the tiniest details. The company is one of the rare manufacturers who offer licensed kid’s products, enhancing the whole family fishing experience.
The motto of Ugly Stick is simple: make fishing as enjoyable as possible. That’s why products from Ugly Stick always rank high for their user-friendliness and durability.
Ugly Stick offers 3 choices of rods: Spinning rods, fly rods and casting rods.
How To Choose The Best Fishing Rod For Saltwater?
Fishing rods come in different sizes and quality. If you aim at larger fish, you need to find the most reliable rod for the job.
Here are some contributing factors for the best fishing rods you need to know.
Durability
Yes, first and foremost, you need to make sure that you don’t spend money for nothing. Some fishing rods work well for a couple of fishing sessions and then snap like a carrot. Your job is to make sure that the fishing rod functions well and is able to handle saltwater condition as well as strain.
When it comes to durability, nothing can really beat fiberglass rods. Fiberglass offers the strength you need to handle big fish like musky, blacktip shark or striped bass.
Carbon fiber isn’t very well-known for its durability. However, it is a perfect choice for most applications such as bait fishing or vertical jiggling.
Sensitivity
A good rod requires a high level of sensitivity. That means you should be able to feel all the way to the handle. For those who are after flounder, sheepshead or other small fish, sensitivity is the game-changing factor.
A sensitive rod will let you know any vibration transferred from the fish’s bites to the handle. That way, you can easily catch a fish as well as sense when your line is tapped.
Most experienced fishermen use carbon fiber since the material transfer good vibrations. It is also lightweight and more flexible compared to other materials such as graphite or fiberglass.
Other buying criteria
Affordability is another buying factor. Would you rather spend a few hundreds on a fishing rod while you can get one with just half the price? We all know expensive rods have more to offer, but some affordable rods do the job well too.
Keep in mind that expensive rods sometimes feature things like reel seats or stainless steel eyelets. They are also corrosion-resistant, which adds time to the using period. With proper care, the rod can last a long time.
Another factor to consider is flexibility. A big saltwater fish can sometimes create a heavy strain that could break any inflexible rods! You need to test the flexibility of your purchase and make sure that it can handle the task.
Choose it wisely.
Summary
In order to choose the best fishing rod brands for saltwater, there are a few elements you should keep in mind. Most importantly, you should put faith in reliable brands so that you can purchase good products as well as receive excellent customer service.