The best performing ultralight spinning rods have a high level of sensitivity, are made from graphite, have a fast action, and durable guides.
The St Croix Triumph is my top choice because it has a extremely sensitive tip that can feel even the most subtle bites. It is made from superior SC II Graphite material with Batson Forecast aluminum oxide guides for improved durability. It is ideal for panfish anglers who want a super fast action rod that will never let them down.
Experienced anglers know that matching your fishing gear and equipment to the particular game fish species you plan to go after is essential. If you plan to catch smaller species, using an ultralight rod and reel will not only give you the best chance to land your catch, it will also present new and exciting challenges that anglers of all skill levels can enjoy.
Light tackle is a specialized approach that requires one to use their wits and plan their approach before going in. Understanding which ultralight rod to start out may seem like a tall task for those unfamiliar with light gear, but we’ve taken the time to compile this list of the best 10 ultralight spinning rods to help anglers make the best selection.
This article covers the best ultralight rods, different quality indicators, and characteristics you’ll want to look for when searching for a quality ultralight rod.
St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
- SCII Graphite Material
- Super Fast Action
- Fuji Graphite Reel Seat
- Cork Handle
- Comfortable Cork Handle
- Saltwater and Freshwater Ready
- Stainless Steel Guides
- Flexible with greater fiberglass content
- Made in USA
- Aluminum Oxide Inserts
- Stainless Steel Guides
- Premium Graphite Material
Table of Contents
1. St. Croix Triumph
- SCIII Carbon material
- Premium Cork Handle
- Flex Coat Slow Cure Finish
- 5 Year Warranty
If you have the budget, I strongly recommend choosing the St Croix Triumph as the best performing ultralight spinning rod.
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Fuji graphite reel seat
- Excellent sensitivity
- Lightweight
- Fast action
- Batson Forecast guides
- SC II Graphite
Cons:
- Expensive
2. Ugly Stik Elite Ultralight Spinning Rod
- Comfortable Cork Grip
- Graphite/Fiberglass Composite
- Virtually Indestructible
- Ugly Tuff Guides
I recommend the Ugly Stik Elite for anglers who demand the most durable and robust equipment. The Elite is almost indestructible.
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Extremely durable
- Great sensitivity
- Ugly Tuff guides
- Moderately-priced
Cons:
- One-piece construction
3. Okuma Celilo
- Stainless Steel Reel Seat
- Aluminum-Oxide Guides
- Comfortable Cork Grip
- Graphite Composite Blank
The Celilo is my recommendation as the top ultralight spinning rod for trout.
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Sensitive
- Quality graphite material
- Aluminum oxide guides
- Excellent value
Cons:
- Not quite as durable as other premium brands
4. G.Loomis Trout Series Spinning Rod
- Ultra-light Spinning Rod
- Graphite, Fiber Blend
- Comfortable Cork Handles
- 1 and 2 Piece Designs
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Superior quality
- Highly durable
- Fuji single foot Alconite guides
- Variety of options
- One or two-piece construction
Cons:
- Expensive
5. Fenwick Elite Tech River Runner Spinning Rod
- Graphite Blend Material
- Extremely Sensitive
- Excellent Durability
- Titanium Guides
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Great sensitivity
- Good durability
- Two-piece construction
- Titanium guides
- TAC and cork handle
Cons:
- One length option
- Expensive
6. Shimano Stimula
- Custom Cork Handles
- 2 Piece for Transport and Storage
- Composite Blank Construction
- Handy Hook Keeper Feature
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Great sensitivity
- EVA foam handle
- Two-piece construction
- Quality components
Cons:
- One length
- Expensive
7. Berkley Lightning Trout Rod
- Designed for Trout Fishing
- Multi-Modulus Composite
- Versatile Options Available
- Good Sensitivity
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Great value
- Durable construction
- Specially made for trout
- Multiple lengths
- Good sensitivity
Cons:
- Some issues with reel seat
- Can crack or break under heavy pressure
8. Daiwa Spinmatic Spinning Rod
- SG Graphite Material
- High Level of Sensitivity
- Quality Cork Handle
- Stainless Steel Reel Seat
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Great value
- Durable blank construction
- Variety of lengths
- Quality handle and reel seat
Cons:
- Lower sensitivity
- Less durability
9. Shakespeare Micro Spinning Rod
- Graphite Composite Material
- Comfortable Cork Handle
- Stainless Stel Guides
- Very Durable Build
What I Like About It
Pros:
- Great value
- Durable construction
- Cork handle
- Capable of casting light or heavy lures
Cons:
- Less sensitivity
- Lacks durability against heavy pressure
10. KastKing Perigee II Bass Fishing Rod
- Strong, yet balanced graphite and fiberglass construction
- Durable one-piece stainless steel guides
- 7-year warranty
- Comfortable EVA handle
Don’t let the name fool you, the KastKing Perigee II Bass Fishing Rod is more than capable of catching a wide variety of game fish species, including many types of bass. The KastKing brand is an up-and-coming company known for making surprisingly good quality selections that climb higher yearly in the fishing industry.
This particular rod is geared toward delivering a high-performance model that is lightweight and sensitive for anglers who prefer a smaller setup for fishing freshwater lakes and rivers. The rod is made from 24-ton carbon matrix material that’s highly durable and provides a good degree of sensitivity that allows anglers to feel even the most subtle bites when fishing with lightweight lures.
What I Like About It
It comes in either a one or two-piece construction depending on whether or not the user wants to have a more portable version of the rod. The KastKing Perigree II Bass Fishing Rod offers Fuji O-ring guides that are made to be highly durable for bass fishing or any other type of species you happen to catch.
This rod sports a comfortable EVA handle and comes with KastKing’s lifetime warranty that combines for a surprising rod model that might fly under the radar of most anglers looking for the more prominent brands.
Pros:
- Great value
- Fuji O-ring guides
- 24-ton carbon matrix material
- One or two-piece construction
- Lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Less sensitivity
Ultralight Spinning Rod Buyer’s Guide
The fishing industry is filled with new and advanced products every year as companies work hard to out-do one another and produce the best equipment for their customers. This high level of competition creates some outstanding new models that any angler can appreciate.
Most anglers understand what to look for when purchasing a conventional rod or even one specifically purposed for baitcasting. When it comes to ultralight rods, however, there are some key aspects that you’ll want to pay close attention to to make sure you’re getting a quality product that will last several seasons if taken care of properly.
Ultralight spinning rods are designed to cast lightweight lures and baits in a way that bigger, heavier tackle can’t match. The types of material these rods are made out of goes a long way in whether or not they’ll be capable of launching a small lure out to considerable distances and possess the ability to catch and land the species you’re after.
Here are some key factors to consider when shopping for the best ultralight spinning rods available.
Construction Material
Traditionally, ultralight rods have been made of a material that is either fiberglass or composite structure. In recent years, companies have been seeking to manufacture rods with considerable strength, yet are remarkably lightweight compared to other materials. Most of the top brands in the fishing industry now produce ultralight rods made of graphite material as it is incredibly strong, but still able to cast a lightweight lure out to a considerable distance.
These graphite rods are made through a meticulous process that involves wrapping sheets of graphite fiber material on top of one another and heating it to produce a hardened blank that is both limber and strong enough to handle most moderate-sized fish.
Most popular rods on today’s market are produced in this manner with either a graphite body, or a combination of certain materials that offer the same stiffness and strength levels that can combine for an ideal combination.
These rods must also be fitted with high-quality components that combine to give them the ideal strength and resilience that anglers look for in a solid ultralight rod capable of catching just about any small to medium-sized fish in fresh and saltwater. Manufacturers are now using guides made of material capable of handling friction in a way that doesn’t dampen the rod’s ability to cast any type of fishing line, including braid.
The reel seat is another important part of any good ultralight fishing rod that must be paid attention to by anyone looking to get a quality product. A rod that features a graphite reel seat is considered standard in today’s market and anglers should be wary of other materials that might seem to be cheaply made to cut corners.
Rod Length
Another main factor that should be considered by anyone looking to get their hands on a quality ultralight fishing rod is the length of each product. Many anglers consider rod length to be the most important factor when dealing with ultralight equipment as they are typically using very lightweight lures that are required to cast out a significant distance.
When selecting a quality ultralight rod based on the length, it’s important to consider how far you’ll need to cast to attract a fish and entice them to bite without being too close and spooking them away. The consensus is that longer rods can make much longer casts and shorter rods are more ideal for short pitching casts or even nymphing for species like trout.
Longer rods will also be an advantage against hard-fighting fish as they provide extra leverage that can cause fish to tire out more quickly and shorten the time you’ll need to play them carefully before landing your catch. Shorter rods are more suitable for fishing small streams and areas where anglers might need to have greater accuracy in casting as they allow for precise throws into tight corridors.
Another main point to consider when observing the length of your potential ultralight fishing rod is the type of lure you’ll be casting. If it’s very small and light, go for a longer rod unless you plan to be limited in space.
Power and Action
Two of the most misunderstood categories of fishing rods pertain to the power and action of any blank. Beginners and novice anglers might have a tough time understanding what these two words mean when it comes to fishing rods and how they perform. Still, it’s fairly easy to remember once you’ve had some experience shopping for rods and using them on the water.
Simply put, the power of a fishing rod refers to the overall stiffness and to what degree it can bend from top to bottom. A ‘light’ powered rod can bend considerably when pressure is put on the end of the line. A ‘heavy’ rod will have a much greater level of stiffness and less bending ability.
Regarding action, this refers to the specific area of the rod where this bend occurs. Fast action rods will bend closer to the tip while slow action rods will have a more gradual bend throughout the entire length of the rod.
Most anglers will want a fast-action choice for ultralight fishing rods since this will give them enough stiffness to handle their catch and make a decent cast when needed. Ultralight rods derive their name from their power, which is considered to be ‘ultralight’ or capable of bending to a more significant degree than other types of rods.
The ultralight capability is more important for the rod’s ability to cast a lightweight lure out to a farther distance than you would be able to with a heavier option. If you try throwing a rooster tail with a heavy rod, then throw the same lure with an ultralight rod, you’ll quickly gain a more full understanding of this concept.
Cost
Lastly, when buying your first ultralight spinning rod, the price is one of the main factors to consider. For anglers who don’t know much about ultralight rods, you can rest assured that the consensus of any fishing tackle and gear is still true with ultralight rods.
You get what you pay for.
In other words, a more expensive rod will almost always present a higher quality level than a cheaper option. In rare instances, you can find good deals on quality products priced at a discounted rate. If this is the case, don’t pass up a great deal!
How We Rate Products
Russ Egan and Donny Karr have over 40 years of combined fishing experience. We know the difference between a high-quality reel and a poor alternative.
I thoroughly review all products to measure their performance, durability, and value for money. I conduct bench and field testing to check how the product performs. Each reel is tested for at least 8 hours, with a full test taking 2 weeks. This testing results in an overall score that I give to all products. All metrics are scored out of 5.
Performance
The performance score is how well this product fulfills its primary purpose. Does it have all the features and optional extras you need to catch the target species? I also interview expert anglers on their experience to build a more comprehensive view of the performance under multiple conditions.
I take all reels down to my local freshwater lake for bass, or inshore fishing off the beach for redfish.
- Test 1: I confirm that the max drag meets the manufacturer’s specifications using a calibrated scale.
- Test 2: I test the maximum casting distance using a 1.0-ounce lure.
- Test 3: I test the accuracy by casting 10 times into a 3 ft diameter circle at 30 yards.
- Test 4: I check the versatility and the ability to handle multiple uses by field testing with 3 different lures and baits, by actually going fishing.
Durability
Durability refers to how long the product will continue functioning. I twist, bend, and break all the products to check their longevity. This score is for the construction materials, the workmanship quality, and the servicing requirements. There are also bonus points for manufacturers’ warranty.
For products I can’t test for long enough, I also consult experts who have been using them for decades to judge their longevity.
- Test 5: I pull it apart to check the grease and oil levels, how difficult it is to maintain, and whether sand or salt has deposited after use in saltwater.
Value for Money
The final aspect of the scoring system is the price or, more specifically, the value for money. Value for money is a comparison against the closest alternative products, both by the same manufacturer and other brands.
Overall Score
Finally, I average the three scores of performance, durability, and value for money to give the overall score of each product reviewed.
To see more details, please read the complete guide on how I test and evaluate fishing products.
Conclusion
Selecting the correct weight fishing rod for your specific needs is crucial to getting top performance.
Getting into the world of ultralight spinning rods might seem daunting, but considering the points and rods mentioned in this article, you should get a decent head-start in the game.
Remember that in most instances, you’ll get a better quality product the more money you’re willing to invest. When selecting the best ultralight spinning rods, it pays off to consider the top brands, as well as those that might not get as much praise, but still offer quality components.
I recommend the St Croix Triumph as the best performing ultralight spinning rod.
