Best Spinning Rod Under $200 for 2024
Are you looking for a spinning rod to use on the water that is under $200? Do you need something that will last, but won’t break the bank?
I have found some rods. They are perfect for beginners and expert fishermen. If you are looking for a new rod, then this article is perfect for you!
Have you ever found yourself in the store, looking for a new fishing rod?
You have no idea what to look for or where it’s located. There are so many different rods on the market and they all seem pretty expensive; some costing up to $300!
What is the difference between them?
Well, we’re here to assist you! In this article, I will discuss everything you need to know about the best spinning rods under $200 as well as give you our top picks.
What is a spinning rod and why do you need one?
A spinning rod is a fishing pole that has no reel on it and is used in rivers or lakes where you are trying to cast out into deeper water. It can be used with baitcasting equipment to catch fish.
You need a spin casting reel if you are going to use worms for bait, but otherwise, you just have live bait on your hook when using this type of pole.
The best poles are usually made from graphite so they don’t break easily when the line is being pulled tight by a fish hooked at the other end.
And if possible, get one with an aluminum oxide coat because this will make it last even longer than graphite alone would do without any coating.
This is because if you are using live bait, it can be difficult at times for your hook to hold onto the worm once it’s been hooked by a large fish.
So having an aluminum oxide coating on your rod will help prevent that from happening as much as possible without adding too much
Top 5 Best Spinning Rods Under $200
Let’s deep dive into every spinning rod mentioned above:
#1 St. Croix Premier Series
Do you want to buy a new fishing rod that comes with a 5-years warranty? This is the St. Croix Series.
The St. Croix Series is where most anglers get their first taste of quality. The premier series, while affordable and with precise tapers that make it great for casual casters alike will handle like a custom rod thanks to its lightweight SCII graphite blanks and aluminum oxide guides!
These rods are designed to be affordable with quality construction that delivers serious performance. Its new super high modulus graphite blanks offer lighter, faster actions and increased sensitivity.
Comes with advanced IPC Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) tooling technology ensuring the highest degree of accuracy in blank creation for consistent action through every model within each line.
St. Croix Premier Series Spinning Rod
Key Specs:
- Length: 4.6 inch- 8.6 inch.
- Action: Moderate/Fast.
- Power: Ultralight/ Medium/ Medium Light/ Medium-Heavy etc.
- Line Weight: 2-6 pounds.
The Fuji Concept Guide System features ultra-lite, ultra-strong titanium-framed guides with slim, strong aluminum-oxide rings and inserts for incredible durability.
The St. Croix Premier Series Spinning Rods are made with premium quality SCI graphite and Kigan Master Hand 3D guides that provide a sleek, strong aluminum-oxide ring for your fishing needs!
The slimming design of these spinning rods means they will fit easily into any tackle box without taking up too much room or hurting the overall balance between weight and power.
With their black frame, their color scheme makes them an extremely elegant addition to almost any wardrobe as well
The blank is precision-formed for greater strength, sensitivity, and hook-setting power than the competition. The rods feature Fuji reel seats with stainless steel hoods, single-leg SiC guides, and hook keepers.
#2 Lews Custom Lite
A new level of value and performance has arrived with the all-new Custom Speed Stick Lite. The advanced performance blank is designed on a multi-layer foundation for increased durability and effectiveness.
The top-grade 85 million modulus graphite provides optimum sensitivity and strength, while Lews proprietary Power Action taper design delivers outstanding casting distance and accuracy.
The best spinning rod under 200 for the money is the Lew’s Custom Lite Speed Stick with its top-grade 85 million modulus graphite that provides optimum sensitivity and strength as well as its advanced performance technology blank.
Lews Custom Lite Speed Stick
Key Specs:
- Length: 6.10 inch- 7.0 inch.
- Action: Extra Fast.
- Power: Medium/ Medium Light/ Medium-Heavy.
- Line Weight: 4.10-6.12 pounds.
The Multi-layer construction and Lew’s proprietary Power Action taper design deliver outstanding distance and accuracy with an extra fast action, line weight of six pounds, and four to six-pound lines.
Lew’s Custom Speed Stick Lite HM85 Spinning Rods are fitted with its SoftTouch graphite reel seats. With titanium oxide guide inserts, you’ll get a straight-line flow.
Even when your hands are wet, the Dri-Tac handles by Winn give you an ergonomic benefit.
These rods offer tournament-grade performance at a reasonable price while also providing an abundance of technique-specific models, making them ideal for any angler wanting to take their fishing game to the next level.
#3 Shimano Teramar South East
Shimano Teramar South East Rods are designed for the angler who wants a quality spinning rod at an affordable price point. It is one of the best saltwater spinning rods for under $200.
Shimano TC4 blanks are constructed with a dynamic core of T Glass material, which is over-wrapped with a spiral pattern of high modulus graphite to create a blank that provides outstanding strength-to-weight ratios.
The premium-grade cork handle enhances comfort and helps provide a superior grip when fighting fish.
Shimano Teramar South East Spinning Rod
Key Specs:
- Length: 6.6 inch- 7.10 inch.
- Action: Extra Fast.
- Power: Medium/ Medium Light/ Extra/ Extra Heavy.
- Line Weight: 4.12-20 pounds.
Shimano Fuji O style guides & Fuji reel seats provide smooth line flow and durability.
The Shimano Teramar South East Fishing Rods are the perfect spinning rods for fishing in small ponds, lakes, and streams. With their lightweight construction, these spinning rods are easy to handle and ideal for anglers who prefer a light spin rod.
Overall, this is one of the best cheap options but still receives great value for its performance.
Pros
- Easy to Use.
- Enough Power.
- Affordable.
- High Sensitivity, and Durability.
- Great for Inshore Species.
- Best Saltwater Pole.
Cons
- Little Heavy.
#4 St. Croix TRS66MLF2 Triumph
Another one of my top favorites is the St. Croix Triumph Fishing Rod. This rod offers unbelievable value and it is one of the best budget-friendly spinning rods on this list without hitting a small amount of performance.
The TRS66MLF2 Triumph from St. Croix is a premium-grade freshwater fishing rod that delivers exceptional strength, sensitivity, and hook-setting power.
St. Croix TRS66MLF2 Triumph
Key Specs:
- Length: 5.0 feet- 7.0 feet.
- Action: Fast.
- Power: Ultralight-Heavy.
- Line Weight: 4.10 pounds.
Constructed with a hard aluminum-oxide guide system and two coats of Flex-Coat slow cure finish for added durability, the Triumph’s design also includes a Fuji DPS reel seat with frosted silver hoods on spinning models.
The casting seat is a Fuji ECS or TCS reel seat with a frosted silver hood.
Overall, the St Croix Triumph is one of the most well-known fishing rods on the market. Its strength and durability make it great for handling even larger fish, its lightweight design makes it easy to carry around all day without tiring you out.
#5 Abu Garcia Ike Signature
The Abu Garcia Ike Signature Finesse Spinning Rod is a lightweight 36-ton graphite fishing rod designed for increased sensitivity and performance.
The Fuji reel seat provides greater comfort and durability, while the durable stainless-steel guides with Zirconium inserts provide smooth, consistent line flow.
The EVA-grip handles add comfort during long days on the water. This rod has been designed by Mike Facinelli to deliver an exceptional feel and precise hooksets every time you cast your line.
Abu Garcia Ike Signature Spinning Rod
Key Specs:
- Length: 6.6 feet- 7.8 feet.
- Action: Medium Fast/Fast.
- Power: Medium Light-Medium Heavy.
- Brand: Abu Garcia.
- Material: Other.
Abu Garcia Ike Signature is one of the most sensitive rods under $200 that provides anglers with an excellent blend of power and sensitivity, making it the perfect option for fishing small lures.
However, the fast action design allows you to feel all your line’s nuances while providing enough backbone to turn big fish away from structure or cover.
Overall, it is much more compared to St. Croix Triumph and Shimano Teramar costly but the action is very fast and provides smooth, consistent line flow.
You May Also Like:
- Best Fishing Rods Under $50
- Best BASS Rod Under $100
- Best Spinning Rod Under $150
- Best Rod For Jigging Raps
- Best Soft Plastic Rod and Reel
- Best Switch Rod For The Money
Buying Guide: Things to consider when buying a new spinning rod
When you are fishing, it is easy to forget what time it is. If you are out on the water with kids or friends, this can be especially true.
When you have the best spinning rod, which will help to keep your mind focused on what you are doing and not let your thoughts drift away from fishing.
This means that when a fish bites, you’ll have a better chance of catching it because you won’t have missed any bites due to being distracted by something else.
To find the best spinning rod under $200 for your needs, read our guide below!
We’ve included which rods work well in rivers versus lakes as well as what kind of baitcasting equipment works best with different types of spinners. Check out our buying guide now!
Type of fish you want to catch
The first thing to consider when buying a new spinning rod is the type of fish you want to catch. If you’re going fishing for trout, bass, bluegill, etc. make sure your rod can handle those types of fish.
Also, consider where and how you’ll be fishing – do you want a spinning rod that’s easy to use with one hand or one that takes two hands?
If it’s just for casual fishing then there might not be as much need for a high-end spinning rod, but if this is what you do for a living and it’s your livelihood then don’t go cheap because quality matters and so does the number of fish.
How much are you willing to spend on a new spinning rod?
The second thing to consider when buying a new spinning rod is how much cash you’re willing to spend. If you have a small budget, you might want to stick with a cheaper rod that will still do the job.
A good middle-of-the-road spinning rod would probably be around $150-$200 and it can go up from there.
Materials:
Fiberglass rods are a good choice because they have moderate sensitivity and stiffness.
Graphite rods are considered by many to be the best option available, as these materials provide superior action with increased sensitivity.
If you’re looking for a great quality spinning rod under $200 for the money, take a look at this graphite option.
Another good choice is this fiberglass model because it has an extra fast action and sensitivity as well as durability which makes it very easy to use without worrying about breaking easily.
Power:
I’ll give you an example of a question that I would use the power spinning rod for.
A lot of people might think that using a spinning rod is going to be hard, but it’s not too difficult with the right power rod.
The way you aim it is different than if you were fishing on land. I would use this type of spinning rod to catch some fish!
If you’re looking for a spinning rod that is lightweight with an ultra-sensitive tip, large fighting butt, and high-quality guides, then you should go with the St. Croix TRS66MLF2.
What size and weight are best for your needs?
The size and weight of a spinning rod depend on a variety of factors. If the environment is mostly small streams and lakes, a light spinning rod will work best.
On the other hand, if you’re fishing in larger rivers and oceans, a heavier rod would be better.
A light spinning rod would also be better for catching smaller fish such as bass or trout. A heavier rod would offer more power for catching bigger fish such as catfish or salmon.
Where will you be keeping your new spinning rod?
If you are going to be putting it away in a garage, storage unit, or some other place where the sun doesn’t shine as often as you would like – then I recommend that you invest your money into buying something built with higher-quality features.
FAQ: People Also Asked
Why it’s important to have a good spinner on your fly line?
A good spinner will help you get more distance out of your fly line. It also helps prevent tangles when you’re fishing.
Which rod is best for a spinning rod?
The most common rods are graphite, bamboo, fiberglass, and aluminum. Graphite rods are the lightest and strongest, and they are used by many top-level anglers. Bamboo rods are also very strong and lightweight. Fiberglass rods are more flexible than graphite, and they are often used for. Aluminum rods are usually heavier than other types of rods, but they are still quite strong.
How much do spinning rods cost?
Spinning rods are used for fishing and fly fishing. They are usually made from aluminum or graphite. The price depends on the type of rod you want. For example, a spinning rod that has a light action will cost less than one that has a heavy action.
What is the best spinning rod length?
The best spinning rod length depends on your personal preference. If you are a beginner, then a shorter rod will be easier for you to learn. However, if you are more advanced, then a longer rod will allow you to spin faster.
How far can a 12-foot rod be cast?
A 12-foot rod will cast about more or less 100 yards.
What is the most sensitive spinning rod?
The most sensitive spinning rod is the one that has the least amount of weight attached to it. This means that the rod will be more responsive to your casting motion.
Conclusion:
If you’re like us, then you love to fish. But if you’re like most people, then the cost of fishing equipment can be a bit prohibitive.
We all know that having quality fishing gear is important for catching more fish and making your time on the water more enjoyable.
We got sick of paying $300-$400 for spinning rods each year so we decided to see what was out there in terms of high-quality but affordable spinning rods under $200.
After careful research and testing, we found these excellent options that are perfect for anyone who loves to fish! hope this helps you to decide to buy a quality spinning rod.