Welcome to the best spinning rods 2023 buyers guide. As consumers, we are spoilt for choice with the endless volume of high-end spin rods available on the market. Different brands, different sizes and different budgets to cater to all skill levels from beginners to tournament anglers. I have been looking at purchasing a couple of high-end spin rods for myself. An ultra-light rod for target species such as bream and estuary perch with soft plastics and hard body lures. And another outfit is slightly heavier which could be used for targeting freshwater species such as trout and redfin and inshore species such as flathead and pinky snapper.

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My investigation kicked off by visiting countless tackle stores and trolling through countless manufacturer websites to really compare the differences. Looking into all the finer details of weight, strength, balance, components, build quality, and price. I also studied the best spinning reels 2023 available to pair with the rod. So, let’s start by looking at light spin outfits available in the market sorted by price. High-end rods over $500, mid-range rods under $500, and entry-level rods under $200.

 

Best spin rods 2023

Daiwa Steez

These are the best rods available on the market today. They come with a steep price point but in return provide the buyer with the highest-grade components and build quality. Superior blanks, guides, and feel. These rods are targeted at tournament anglers or keen anglers who don’t mind splashing some cash to have the best available. The weight classes do vary a lot in this range so you will need to give some thought if you are after a true finesse rod like a millerod or after a heavier inshore rod like a G Loomis NRX+. In this range, you will find.

  • G Loomis Conquest ( RRP $1,159 ) 
  • G Loomis NRX + ( RRP $769 )
  • Daiwa Steez ( RRP $699 )
  • Samurai Infinite ( RRP $679 ) Top Pick
  • Megabass destroyer ( RRP $599 )
  • Samurai Reaction ( RRP $589 )
  • Wilson Venom ( RRP $549 )
  • Shimano Poison Adrena ( RRP $549 )
  • Millerods Grub freak LT ( RRP $545 ) Top Pick
  • Millerods Twitch freak LT ( RRP $545 ) Top Pick
  • Millerods Brawler ( RRP $545 )
  • Favorite Black Swan ( RRP $500 )

Watch as we road-test a brand new G Loomis NRX+ in structure

Best mid range Spin rods under $500

Live fibre Blade n Tails

These are generally the most popular rod choices in the market. High-quality components to satisfy most anglers without the same steep price point ranging from $250 to $500. Tournament anglers through to keen weekend warriors would rate many of these rods very highly. There are no shortage of options here and many outstanding choices.

  • Shimano T-Curve Premium ( RRP $499 )
  • Daiwa Infeet EX 2020 ( RRP $499 )
  • Daiwa TD Commander ( RRP $471 )  Top Pick
  • Duffrods Broken Bones ( RRP $459 )
  • Daiwa Infeet SK ( RRP $449 )
  • Megabass Orochi Slend ( RRP $449 )
  • Samaki C-12 V3 $399 ( RRP $399 )
  • JML perfection ( RRP $389 )
  • Millerods Vibe Freak ( RRP $385 ) Top Pick
  • Millerods XFLC ( RRP $385 )
  • Abu Garcia Eradicator finesse ( RRP $345 )
  • Daiwa Infleet Z 2020 ( RRP $329 )
  • Shimano Zodias JDM 2020 ( RRP $299 ) Top Pick
  • Daiwa TD Zero ( RRP $299 )
  • Daiwa Rebellion ( RRP $299 )
  • JML Sensation ALL Rounder ( RRP $249 )
  • Wilson live fiber blade n tails ( RRP $239 )
  • Samaki Zing Xtreme V2 ( RRP $239 )
  • Abu Garcia Veritas 3.0 ( RRP $239 )
  • Daiwa 20 TD Black ( RRP $239 ) Top Pick

Watch as we roadtest the Shimano Zodias 2020 on the water targeting pinky snapper.

 

Best entry level Spin rods under $200

Savage Gear 1DFR

The market for spin rods under 200 dollars is massive. In fact, many of our major fishing retailers make a large portion of their monthly sales based on these products alone. These rods are perfect for beginners, weekend warriors and serious anglers who don’t feel the need to overspend. There are some amazing affordable options on this list including the Atomic Arrows, the new Veritas 4.0, and the Samazki Zing G3. Rods that provide great performance without the expensive price tag.

  • TT Rods Black Mamba ( RRP $179 ) Top Pick
  • Penn Regiment Black Ops II ( RRP $179 ) Top Pick
  • Savage Gear 1DFR ( RRP $169 )
  • NS Blackhole Amped II ( RRP $150 )
  • Atomic Arrowz ( RRP $149 ) Top Pick
  • Abu Garcia Veritas 4.0 ( RRP $149 )
  • Daiwa TD Hyper V2 ( RRP $149 )
  • Savage Gear Black ( RRP $149 )
  • Samaki Zing Gen 3 ( RRP $139 )
  • Shimano Raider ( RRP $139 )
  • Daiwa Aird-X ( RRP $109 ) Top Pick

 

Best squid EGI rods for 2023

Daiwa Emeraldas

These are rods custom-built for catching calamari. These are longer rods with components designed to make casting squid jigs a dream, whilst handling squid with ease. As you will see there is a large volume of custom squid rods available with varying budgets for consumers.

  • Samurai EGI rod – $589
  • Daiwa 20 emereldas air AGS – $499 Top Pick
  • Yamashita EGIDO EGI-OH limited ed – $439
  • RUI Eging Rod K-Crusher PRO-803M – $369
  • Major Craft Crostage EGI – $319
  • Daiwa 20 emereldas V – $299
  • Daiwa 20 emereldas MX – $299
  • Shimano Sephia BB 20 – $299
  • Samaki Zing G3 EGI – $169
  • Okuma Inked Egi Special Squid Fishing Rod – $169
  • Storm Gomoku Ikasumi Egi – $149
  • Atomic Arrowz EGI rod – $139
  • Abu Garcia Veritas Egi Special – $139
  • Shimano Raider Egi – $139
  • NS blackhole Blackwater II – $129 Top Pick
  • Shimano Catana Egi – $84
  • Rovex Specialist Squid Wrangler – $79

 

Best freshwater trout and redfin rods for 2023 

Shimano Zodias

These are rods specifically suited for catching freshwater fish, particularly trout and redfin.

  • Daiwa Steez – $699
  • Samurai infinity – $609
  • Shimano poison Adrena – $549
  • Samurai reaction – $539
  • Nitro Vapour – $499
  • Millers XFLC $380
  • Daiwa TD Zero $299
  • Shimano Zodias – $299
  • Daiwa 20 TB Black – $249
  • JML Sensation ALL Rounder – $249
  • Wilson live fiber blade n tails – $239
  • Atomic Arrowz – $149
  • Samaki Zing Gen 3 – $139
  • Shimano Raider – $139

 

Best surf rods for 2023

Shimano Zodias

These are rods specifically suited for catching freshwater fish, particularly trout and redfin.

  • Daiwa Sensor Surf – $279
  • Lox Yoshi Surf – $314
  • Samaki Zing III Surf – $229
  • Penn Prevail II – $199 Top Pick
  • Daiwa Seabass – $169
  • Shimano Aerowave – $159
  • Crucis Tempesta VXS SURF 1202L $139 ( great for flicking lighter metal lures )

Best spinning rod 2023 conclusion.

There is no wrong or right choice here, it will simply come down to your own personal preference, budget availability, and purpose of usage. As buyers, we are swayed by brands, esthetics, and features. We are also open to marketing hype and recommendations from friends and tackle stores. Many will automatically lean toward a type of brand that they already have a level of trust with.  Maybe that Daiwa maybe that’s Shimano maybe it’s a more affordable brand such as Savage Gear or Abu Garcia. Whatever you choose you will find some ripping options to choose from in this list.

 

Thanks for reading the best spinning rods 2023 article. You can purchase these rods at most fishing tackle stores. You can also see many fishing videos around Melbourne and Victoria. If you have any questions, corrections, or additions then please direct them to enquiries@fishingmad.com.au and we will get back to you as soon as we can.