The skills of a fisherman play an important role while catching a fish, but he cannot perform well if his tools are not as good as him. The most vital tool for a fisherman is his fishing rod which is not just a tool for catching the fish but is also useful for the purpose of placing the bait on the water properly and securely.
Placing the bait or sonar at a particular place with accuracy is not possible if you are not using a proper rod. Hence, choosing a fishing rod is an important task that must be done by keeping in mind all the essential things to consider. So, we are here to help you out in this task of picking the Best Baitcasting Rod Under 100.
Things To Consider While Buying The Best Baitcasting Rod Under 100
A fisherman can make his choice, as per his preference, to choose from basically two types of rod i.e. baitcasting and spinning rod. While selecting the Best Baitcasting Rod Under 100, following are some of the points that the user should keep in mind:
1. Line guides
Line guides are the rings that are present alongside the length of your fishing rod. The main objective of the guides is to manage the flow of fishing line while casting and during its retrieval. In addition to this, guides make sure that there is less friction as well as heat on the line so that it moves smoothly without causing any tangles.
Hence, it is important to choose the line guide by paying attention to its quality along with its positioning. Good guides are the ones whose positioning is in a straight line and which does not coil or snap under conditions of high pressure. More guides on rod would mean better casting experience.
The inserts of the guides are usually made of materials like plastic, ceramic, or metal. Nickel-titanium, Alconite, and Silicon Carbide (SiC) are some of the finest materials. Ceramic guides are average in quality, and plastic inserts are a bit inferior.
2. Reel Seats
The reel seat is the place where the reel sits and gets attached to the baitcasting rod. The seat faces a lot of pressure while delivering a heavy line, or bait, or while fishing a large fish. It keeps the reel on its place securely, so that it doesn’t move or snap while fighting with a fish.
Hence, you should make sure that the design of the reel seat is in such a way that reel can fit tightly and securely over it. There should also be a screw-down option available that can provide additional security. You should not go for plastic or faux metal material as they are inferior in quality.
3. Power
The power of the rod can be understood as its strength or its lifting power. You can make choice between the ultra-light, light, medium-light, medium, medium-heavy, and heavy power casting rods.
The Ultra-light or the light power rods are good for the light fishes, lure, or baits. The medium-heavy and heavy power rod come with a better backbone for handling heavy fishes, lines, and lures. Hence, choose the one which serves your purpose.
4. Action
Rod action can be understood as from where the rod starts bending when some load is put on it and how much faster does it come back to place when we release the load. One can choose between extra-fast, fast, medium, and slow action baitcasting rods.
Extra-fast baitcasting rods are the ones that are very stiff and only its tip bends. In the case of fast action rod, it is a bit flexible and its top-third part bends. These rods have got extreme power at the tip portion which results in achieving greater casting distance and is capable to cast heavy baits.
Moderate action rods have got stiffness similar to the fast ones, but are more flexible and half of the rod bends. They are good for medium weight bait casting. On the other hand, slow action rods are the most flexible ones and bend evenly across the whole rod. They are good for casting live baits and to fish delicate fishes.
5. Material
The material with which the blank of the baitcasting rod is built is important to be chosen with utmost care as it is the major thing on which the durability, usage, strength, as well as the performance of the rod, depends.
When you are looking forward to fish heavy fishes then you’ll be needing a rod with high strength and durability. For this, fiberglass material is the best as it is one of the strongest, but a little bit heavy and lacks some sensitivity.
When you need some sensitivity as well as a lightweight rod and looking to fish for long hours then Graphite is a suitable material.
You can also go for a combination of fiberglass and graphite material as that rod will have lightweight and sensitivity along with the sturdiness and durability.
6. Handle and Grip
When you are going to fish for long hours then you’ll need a rod that feels comfortable in your hand and provides you excellent grip even if your hands are slippery or wet. Hence, you should choose a handle whose design is ergonomically perfect so that your hand doesn’t ache while holding it.
The material for the grip should be either cork or EVA foam as these two are top materials for rod grips. For a solid grip that doesn’t slip and provides resistance against corrosion, stains, and weather changes; EVA, Hyperlon, or Duralon material are the most suitable ones at an affordable price.
On the other hand, Cork material is good to provide strong gripping when your hands are wet and provide sensitiveness as well as aesthetic appeal to the rod. The cork handles are expensive then EVA and the quality of the cork vary with the price. As you go for expensive rods, the quality of the cork becomes better.
If we look at the length of the handle then longer handles are good for casting heavy baits and for long-distance casting. A longer handle will allow the fisherman to use both hands for generating extra force for longer casting and provides better control when handling big fishes and baits. The short handles are good for light baits and one can handle it with a single hand.
You can make a choice of grip also. There are usually three types of grips available i.e. full grip, split grip, and pistol grip. The full grip is good for heavy baits and for long-distance casting with two hands. For single hand casting, split grip or pistol grip is suitable. The pistol grip is the smallest among all other types of grips.
Best Baitcasting Rod Under $100 – 2020
1. UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod
If you are looking for medium length rod with a nice balance then UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod can be a suitable choice for you. The rod comes in a default size of 6 feet and 6 inches, but you can vary the size as per your choice between the size-range of 6 feet to 7 feet 6 inches.
To keep a proper balance of the rod, the company uses its advanced-technology known as Ugly Tech which is the use of fiberglass material for construction together with some inserts of graphite in it. The combination of fiberglass and graphite provides some shine to the rod along with strength and lightweight. The looking of the rod is pretty rich using the black theme with some slight spots of red as well as white color.
This UglyStik rod is a medium power rod that provides a perfect balance to catch the fish. Medium power helps you to deliver not just the small baits, but also the heavier ones and also provides the right amount of flexibility and mobility which you get from short rods.
The rod comes with a clear tip which helps to increase the sensitivity of the rod. Not only this, the tip is good enough to take quite a pressure while catching heavy fish and managing heavy baits.
The GX2 rod flaunts the Ugly Tuff single-piece Guide which provides durability to the rod. The popping out of ceramic inserts is not the case with this UglyStik rod as it now comes with stainless steel piece which is tough enough to easily handle quite a beating.
If we talk about the grip of the rod then EVA material is put into use which enables the fisherman to use the stick comfortably for long hours. Additionally, the handle is also of lightweight which results in smooth control of the entire rod.
Pros:
- Balancing of the rod is pretty good.
- Controlling and handling the rod is very convenient.
Cons:
- The rod may feel a bit stiff.
2. Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod
When it comes to Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod, then you don’t have to worry about the length of the rod as the company provides you with a whole range of lengths, between 5 feet 6 inches to 7 feet, from which you can choose the rod of your preference.
Taking a look at the design, the rod looks pretty good having rustic look coupled-with the grip of wooden touch and some plastic as well as black fittings. Other than the handle, the rest of the rod is a narrow piece showcasing metallic red.
The construction of the rod is done from SS304 aluminum oxide. The quality of this material makes the rod 20 times more solid and half as bulky as the usual aluminum oxide. The hybrid design of the rod adds to its strength and also provides agility to the rod.
This Berkley rod is a medium power rod that enables it to handle heavy baits together with the necessary agility to deliver the bait smoothly.
The most amusing feature of this rod is its natural look corks which is a helpful addition in controlling the entire rod. It basically does the work of holding on to the front portion of the rod while pulling and putting in extra power to the grip. It also provides stability to the rod while moving it around. In short, with this feature, you can easily do the fishing from any angle you want without worrying about losing control of the rod.
The rod boasts a two-piece design in which the front part, near the tip, is detachable. Slight attention also needs to be given to the corks as they pop out sometimes. The handle of the rod is also light and can provide a nice grip.
Pros:
- The rod is a versatile one.
- It provides value for the money.
Cons:
- The quality of the ceramic ring is not that good.
- Corks pop out sometimes.
3. SHIMANO FXC Casting Rod
Another budget-friendly baitcasting rod is the Shimano FXC Casting Rod. This rod also offers a variety of length sizes, 6 feet 6 inches being the default one, you can make a choice from 6 feet as well as 7 feet length also. As you switch between the lengths of the rod, the power of the rod also varies.
The construction of the rod is done with aero glass which makes the rod light in weight and also provides sturdiness to it. The use of this material helps the rod to move around smoothly and also makes it tough enough to carry a decent amount of weight. The aero glass also provides agility to the rod which smoothens the movement of the rod.
The reel seat is also of good quality as it is made of graphite which keeps it intact with the rod. As about the guides, the reinforced-aluminum oxide is put into use for it which protects it from corrosion and also makes it damage-resistant.
The default size of the rod offers medium-heavy power which gives you a nice casting experience along with the privilege to catch the fish of decent size. Delivering the bait of any size can also be done with ease.
This Shimano rod comes in a two-piece design, the handle along with ceramic ring being the detachable part. It is a fast action rod that makes it sensitive from the end part. The stiffness of the backbone reduces the sensitivity a bit for allowing smooth movement.
The grip is made from EVA material which provides a secure hold and is solid enough to withstand the harsh natural conditions.
Pros:
- Comfort in usage.
- It provides good value for money.
Cons:
- Difficulty in differentiating between the fish bite and the rod’s natural movement.
4. Falcon Rods HD Casting Rod
Next on our list of Best Baitcasting Rod Under 100 is the Falcon Rods HD Casting rod which gives you various options in length and power to choose from. It comes in length size of 6’6”,6’8”, 7’, and 7’6”. Medium and medium-heavy power options are also available to make a choice as per the preference.
The looking of the rod is a bit traditional as it comes with a cork handle along with some cork fittings. The rod is given rustic black shade with logos of the usual color combination. The old look of cork suits the rustic black shade of rod and is quite pleasing to the eyes.
The usage of graphite material is done to build maximum parts of the rod which also includes the blank. Using graphite in the construction is a good idea as it makes the rod damage resistant and capable enough to manage rough conditions. The material also makes the rod light in weight and also results in the smooth movement of the rod.
Other parts of the rod, like the black reel seat and the guides, are of Fuji which adds to its strength and durability.
The power of the rod depends upon the model which you choose. But, in general, the normal power of this rod is between medium and heavy. Such power makes the rod a medium-fast action rod. The meaning of this is that the rod will not bend much from the base and starts bending near the tip which enables you to move the bait and fish with ease. However, while moving the rod, you’ll experience some stiffness in the backbone.
The handle of this Falcon rod is large in size and the grip is as large as the handle which makes controlling the rod more convenient and comfortable.
Pros:
- Large size handle and grip makes handling comfortable.
- Build quality is pleasing.
Cons:
- A little bit heavier to use baits of all types.
5. Penn Rampage Boat Casting Fishing Rod
Another exceptional baitcasting rod on the list is the Penn Rampage Boat Casting Fishing Rod which offers a whole lot of sizes to make a choice. The size range starts from the length of 5’6” and offers incremental size variants in 6’ range which goes up to 7’6”. With each length size, the power options of medium and medium-heavy power are available.
The finishing of the blank is done with tubular glass and to form the tip, Penn’s signature Solid Tip technology is put into use to enable extra smooth movement of the rod. To make sure that the rod’s life is long-lasting, the usage of Pac Bay rollers made of stainless steel is done to make the fishing line. These rollers result in the minimization of the friction in between reel and fishing line.
There is the employment of stainless steel to create the frame and utilization of aluminum oxide for the inserts. The shaping of the rod is done pretty well which reduces its weight and the usage of turbo frame results in the prevention of any tangles. Heavyweight targets can also be dealt with easily with the help of rubber gimbals.
The medium-heavy power is available for all the models of the rod as it is known as the most ideal power combination. The medium power is available in 7 feet models and there is a heavy power option too in all the models except the 5’6” variant. Incorporation of heavy power models is quite obvious as it can help the fisherman to handle and catch big fishes.
The grip of this Penn Rampage Boat rod is unique as it is made of EVA and is triangular in shape which adds comfort to the foregrip and slick butt makes the rear grip comfy.
Pros:
- Heavyweight handling can be done easily.
- Comfortable gripping.
- Lot of variants to choose from.
Cons:
- The usage of the rod is limited.
6. Berkley E-Motion Casting Rod
The Berkley E-Motion Casting Rod is the one that has got a rich and appealing look having a black shade theme with patches of white as well as logos. The uniqueness can also be seen on the grip as it is conical in shape and the shaping and positioning of the fittings are also good.
Berkley gives you a variety of size choices as the rod comes in 9 size variants starting from 6 feet 9 inches and ends at a massive 7 feet 9 inches. The distinctive quality about this rod is that each variant of the rod comes with its own power level.
The smallest one starts with the medium power and as the length size increases, so does the power level. Hence, the power options range from medium to medium-heavy, heavy, and even extra heavy. In addition to length size and power options, there are 8 style options too.
Each style rod is made for a specific purpose. There is a basic style rod that is suitable for all methods of fishing then there are other styles like the top-water style, target style, and many others to fulfill specific tasks.
The rod including the blank is made up of a combination of two types of graphite i.e. 30T and 24T. Such a combination results in a sturdy rod that is light in weight and allows convenient maneuver. The usage of graphite is also done in the construction of reel seat which is actually a High Energy Transfer (HET) reel seat. The quality of this reel seat is that fewer efforts need to be put in during tugging work.
The guide quality is satisfactory having a hybrid design with 3 openings. The size of the guide is slightly smaller than the general guide size. The size is between the usual length and the micro one making it a guide having properties of both.
Pros:
- A lot of choices in length size, power, and style.
- Durability is its star quality.
Cons:
- Adjusting this rod is a bit difficult task.
7. Shakespeare Tidewater Casting Rod
The Shakespeare Tidewater Casting Rod is the one which is elegant, pleasing in looks and is eye-catchy too in which pairing of black and blue shades are done. Another thing that seeks attention is its large-size handle.
If we talk about the various models that the company offers then you’ll get options in length size and guide weights, instead of rod power. The company offers 8 variants with length size ranging between 5 feet 6 inches to 7 feet. As you’ll increase the length of the rod, the weight will decrease. Hence, the smallest rod is the one which has most of the weight. When it comes to rod power then you can choose between medium or medium-heavy power rod as per your need and preferences.
The construction of the stand-up rods is done with glass and the surf and boat rods are made of tubular glass. Keeping in mind the lightweight and durability, there is the employment of graphite in the reel seat. This type of reel seat makes sure that it can easily move around.
EVA material is put into use for the purpose of gripping. As the handle is large, the gripping is also large ensuring a high-level of comfort to the fisherman.
Pros:
- It is a good looking rod.
- Nice gripping.
- Ample choices to choose from.
Cons:
- Build quality is satisfactory.
Last update on 2025-02-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API