Gear Guide: Spinning Rods Under $200

Choose dependable spinning rods that let you cast farther than you ever imagined.

By Perry Mack

13 Fishing Muse Black Spinning

The extensive Muse Black series offers a high-end stick at an affordable price. Blanks are engineered from a 36 ton Poly-Vector Graphite which makes them very strong but still lightweight. The airfoil carbon reel seat is comfortable and transmits movement from the tip directly to the palm of your hand through the high density EVA foam grip. Finally, to reduce friction and improve your casting distance, the Muse gets ALPS zirconia guides and a SiC tip.

Choose from four fast action models from 6’7”to 7’2”, designed for 6-17 lb test, 1/8 - 3/4 oz lures, and medium-light to medium-heavy power.

MSRP: $175-$195 - 13fishing.com

Denali Kovert LT Spinning

Denali has been tinkering with these to produce a more sensitive and 25% lighter series of rods. You should suffer less fatigue, giving more casts in the day and hopefully more fish in the boat. The rods feature IM8 graphite blanks, a lightweight skeletal reel seat, EVA handles and a stabilized hardwood fore grip to transfer the feel of the rod into your hand.

Four models from 6’10” to 7’6”, designed for 6-15 lb test, 1/8 - 5/8 oz lures, with moderate to moderate-fast action and medium to medium-heavy power.

MSRP: $150 - Denalirods.com

Fenwick Elite Tech Inshore Spinning

Built for the rigors of saltwater, big fish angling, these rods are built with a high modulus blank topped with Fenwick’s Hidden Handle Reel Seat and finished with Kigan tangle free stainless steel guides. Get hold of it through the AAA full cork handle and TAC fighting butt.

Nine models from 6’6” to 7’6”, designed for 4-50 lb test, 1/8 - 5 oz lures, with moderate to extra-fast action and medium-light to extra-heavy power.

MSRP: $150-$200 USD - fenwickfishing.com

Lew’s Custom Plus Inshore Spinning

If you’ve previously enjoyed a lower price point series of Lew’s Speed Stick, but it’s time to up your angling game, Lew’s has a new rod for you. The Custom Plus blank is a multilayered, multidirectional HM60 graphite blank using Lew’s Power Core construction. Take what you liked about your old Speed Stick and triple it – stronger, lighter with more sensitivity. The reliable skeletal reel seat and Winn Grip Dri-Tac grip remains the same but the guides are upgraded to stainless steel frames with titanium inserts numbering 8-11+ tip depending on the model.

Two 7’0” moderate fast action models, designed for either 8-14 or 8-20 lb test, 1/16 - 3/8, or 1/16 - 5/8 oz lures, with medium-light or medium power, all respectively.

MSRP: $150 USD - lews.com

Lew’s TP1 Float ‘n Fly

The Speed Stick two-piece Float ‘n Fly is engineered for anglers looking for a big stick. The IM8 graphite blank gets the same skeletal graphite reel seats, split grip Dri-Tac handles by Winn Grip, and 8 + tip American Tackle Microwave Guides as the other rods in the Tournament Performance series.

Choose from two models either 8’0” or 9’’0”, designed for 4-10 lb test, 1/16-3/8 oz lures, with fast action and medium-light power.

MSRP: $120 USD - lews.com

Phenix Feather Spinning Rods

In creating this new rod, Phenix was looking to produce the lightest, most sensitive rods in the industry. The blank is engineered from 36 and 40 ton carbon fibre using Phenix proprietary Nanolite resins. Essex T-Ring Premium Carbide Guides, Phenix own carbon fibre reel seat and cork/EVA grip - with smart looking carbon accents - complete the rod.

Five models from 6’9” to 7’1”, designed for 4-20 lb test, 1/8 - 1 3/4 oz lures, with fast to extra-fast action and light to heavy power.

MSRP: $140-$170 USD - phenixrods.com

Quantum Smoke S3 Spinning Rod

Faster tapers for 2018 create a rod with better tip action for enhanced sensitivity, and a more powerful butt for improved hook setting force. A carbon fibre wrap on the handle adds strength to the HSX64 high modulus graphite blank (in either 36 ton for more durability, or 40 ton for improved sensitivity), and it sports a Fuji skeletal reel seat and Kigan aluminum oxide guides. The Kigan glides are uniquely designed to be slightly larger than a micro glide but smaller than a regular glide, which Quantum says is the best design for glide performance.

Six one-piece models are available in lengths of 6’3” to 7’4”, 9 to 10 + tip guides, for line weights of 6-14 lbs, lures of 1/16 to 3/8 oz, with extra fast action, and medium-light to medium-heavy power.

MSRP: $149 - Quantumfishing.com

Quantum Vapor PT Spinning Rod

While we’re not huge fans of the look, the value is hard to deny in this new for 2018 series of rods. They are designed with a fast tapered HSX60 Toray graphite for good sensitivity, with enough strength to pull fish from the cover. The series is finished off with premium cork handles, Kigan® aluminum oxide guides, and a one-piece ACS style reel seat.

Six extra-fast action models from 6’3” to 7’4”, designed for 6 - 14 lb test, 1/8 – 3/4 oz lures, with medium-light to medium-heavy power.

MSRP: $130 USD - quantumfishing.com

13 Fishing One3 Fate Black

Green is the new black, and regardless of if you love or hate the colour after you buy it, take comfort in the fact that is was voted Best Freshwater Rod at iCast 2017. Speaking of comfort, the 3A Portuguese cork handles fit nicely in your grip and the tangle free glides with Zirconia inserts make for stress free casts. Starting with Japanese 30 ton Tory graphite blanks matched to Evolve soft touch seamless reel seats, the design crew and pro staff at 13 Fishing have developed a line of sensitive yet strong rods with very crisp action at an affordable price.

Four fast action models from 6’7” to 7’1”, designed for 4-14 lb test, 1/8 - ¾ oz lures, with medium to medium-heavy power.

MSRP: $100 USD - 13fishing.com

Lew’s Tournament Performance TP1 Speed Stick

Known to be lightweight, strong and sensitive, the IM8 graphite blank in this series gets skeletal graphite reel seats, split grip Dri-Tac handles by Winn Grip, and 8 + tip American Tackle Microwave Guides. It’s a solid feeling rod that provides better than average sensitivity and durability at this price point. The Dock Sniper in a 6’11” and the Inshore (with blue Winn Grip handle) 7’0” Soft Plastic and Top Water are the newest additions.

Eight one-piece models from 6’6” to 7’0”, designed for 4-15 lb test, 1/16 - 3/4 oz lures, with moderate-fast to extra-fast action and medium-light to medium-heavy power.

MSRP: $100 USD - lews.com

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