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As avid UK-based lure fishermen, we have gone through our fair share of lure fishing rods in our time. Between us, we’ve snapped Japanese-made bass rods out in the Atlantic and cleaved budget-friendly spinning rods in two rivers around London. So we know a little bit about what makes a good lure fishing rod.
Lure fishing rods have to have adequate power output and fast action. This is a non-negotiable when it comes to targeting powerful predators. You need to feel the take quickly and be confident that your rod can handle anything the briny depths or fast-flowing river can throw at you.
So whether you’re looking for an entry-level lure fishing rod or the very best the market has to offer, you’ll find what you need below. Check out our guides to the best travel fishing rods and the best telescopic rods too.
Table of contents
What is our current lure fishing rod setup?
Alongside a few others, we always have a travel rod, an all-around lure fishing rod and one heavier-duty/lighter rod depending on the type of fishing we’re doing.
If we’re lure fishing for bass, then we’ll take a lighter rod with a casting weight of somewhere around the 8-32g. If we’re out fishing for big pollock, we would consider a 20-80g rod. This HTO Lure Game has served us fantastically well and the Savage Gear travel rod range is durable and versatile. It’s travelled around the world with us and can handle decent pike on lures and bass. Then we still have a fantastic Tailwalk model we’ve used for more sensitive lure fishing for some time.
What makes a good lure fishing rod?
Ultimately a good lure fishing rod depends on the type of lure fishing you do. If the majority of your lure fishing is done in smaller rivers and streams then you’ll need a shorter, lighter, more sensitive rod with a casting weight of around 5 – 20g.
However if most of your lure fishing is done hunting predatory saltwater fish like sea bass or wrasse, then you’ll need a rod capable of handling lightweight lures and chunkier metals, with a sensitive tip and more powerful butt capable of casting a larger distance.
A good lure fishing rod should be:
- Moderate – Fast action: this is essential in handling powerful strikes
- Capable of casting adequate distances: with a casting weight that tallies up with the lure size you’re using
- Equipped with a flexible, sensitive tip: one that can handle powerful strikes with ease
- Made of high-quality metal; typically carbon or graphite
- Made with high-quality aluminium handles, fixings and fastenings: lure fishing is notoriously tough on rod guides and eyes as the braided line can be abrasive
A Beginner Guide to Lure Fishing
What do I need to consider when buying a lure fishing rod?
There are a number of factors you need to consider when buying a spinning or lure fishing rod, including;
- Casting weight: Each lure fishing rod is labelled with a casting weight E.g. 7g – 28g. You need to match this up to the type of lures you’re going to use.
- Action: The action of a fishing rod refers to how it flexes when pressure is applied. Lure fishing rods are typically all fast-action, which means they bend at the tip instead of the butt of the rod. This increases the rod’s power output.
- Length: Longer rods typically have greater flexion and allow you to cast further. This is particularly useful when fishing large bodies of water.
- Rod material: The best quality lure fishing rods are made from high-quality metals like carbon or graphite. Carbon rods tend to be the strongest, lightest and most powerful on the market. And of course the most expensive.
- Power output: This is typically written on the rod on a scale that ranges from ultra-light to extra-heavy. Bigger, more powerful fish require a more powerful rod and vice versa.
The faster the rod action, the higher up the rod the bend occurs. This gives the rod greater power and sensitivity – both of which are crucial for lure fishing. Particularly in rough or snaggy waters.
What is the best lure fishing rod?
The best all-around lure fishing rod is the SGS8 series by Savage Gear. Made in collaboration with Henry Gilbey for the UK bass fishing market its sensitivity and power output are perfectly balanced, handling lighter lures and heavier metals superbly. It’s whippy, has super casting distance (and accuracy) and can cope in any environment.
However special mention should go to the Samson Longcast which is absolutely the best rod for shore fishing with lures. The casting distance, whip and control is remarkable.
At a glance
The 10 best lure fishing rods for spinning
Savage Gear SGS8 Precision Lure SpecialistThe best all-around saltwater lure fishing rod
eBay
Amazon.co.uk
Fishing, Tackle & Bait
- Supremely light, sensitive and supple lure fishing rod modelled on expert Japanese rods
- 9 – 42g casting weight provides the right combination of power and sensitivity
- 9’2″ is the best length for general lure fishing
- A fast action, sensitive, supple rod, suitable for smaller soft plastics and heavier, more durable metals
Made in collaboration with Henry Gilbey, the SGS8 range of rods is designed for bass fishing in the UK. The rod itself is perfectly balanced with a sensitive tip that is ideal for casting over shallower, rocky water with lighter soft plastics, whilst being equally proficient at distance casting into deeper waters. And the carbon and fixtures and fittings used to make the rod are extremely durable and high quality.
The rods themselves are made for precision casting too. The whippy action, powerful body and supple tip are designed or accurate longer casts and the 9′ plus length is perfect for salt and freshwater lure fishing. You are able to manipulate lighter lures around shallower marks whilst your heavier lures – Surf Seekers, IMO Hound et al – go the distance. Literally.
The 6 Best Sea Fishing Spinning Reels in 2023 Editor’s choice
Tailwalk SSD Hi-Tide RodBest lure fishing rod for sensitivity
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- 9′ two-piece rod weighing just 135g
- Fast action, incredibly sensitive rod
- A Japanese rod made specifically for the UK sea bass market
- Fuji reel seat, single and double-foot guides
Tailwalk’s SSD Hi-Tide Rod is an incredible quality, insanely lightweight Japanese rod from the lure fishing masters Tailwalk. Now synonymous with sea bass fishing, Japanese rod manufacturers like Tailwalk have raised the bar regarding light lure fishing rods. The rod blanks are arguably the supplest on the market. You can feel every inch of ground and the casting accuracy and bite detection are off the charts.
The 9′ length and 7-35g casting weight is perfectly proportioned for the UK sea bass market. The super-sensitive tip perfectly complements the supple blanks and makes fishing in incredibly challenging conditions – rough and calm – much more enjoyable. Until you’ve tried lure fishing rods from Japanese manufacturers like Tailwalk, you don’t know what you’re missing.
The range goes far beyond just 9′ and 7-35g, so don’t think you’re limited with the Hi-Tide range. The reality is anything but.
Tailwalk EGinnBest lightweight lure fishing rod
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- Two-piece 8’1″ graphite rod
- Incredibly lightweight – just 100g in weight
- Fast action rod with a max casting weight of 28g
- Fuji K-series ring, reel seat and ergonomic split handle
The Tailwalk EGinn is another absolutely sensational lure fishing rod from the Japanese genius Tailwalk. Experts in the sea bass fishing market, the Eginn is an ultra-lightweight two-piece rod that prioritises sensitivity and casting accuracy over all else. The reinforced carbon blanks are incredibly strong and supple for the weight and it makes fighting and landing predatory fish incredible.
I’d wager you’ve never landed a decent-sized fish until you’ve done so on a lure fishing rod like the EGinn. Ranging from the ultra-lightweight 77L, coming in at just 91g up to the much larger 106M-R – 153g and almost three feet longer, the EGinn has a model for every conceivable type of lightweight lure fishing.
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HTO Lure GameThe best value lure fishing rod
- 9′ in length two-piece rod
- 8-35g casting weight (also a 10-55g option)
- Capable of navigating the toughest conditions the UK has to offer
I have an HTO Lure Game safely tucked away that comes with me on almost every fishing trip. The 10 – 55g is a sublime all-around lure fishing rod that can really handle more rugged marks and conditions. We used this version to catch some serious pollock in the Beara Peninsula and it stood up to the most testing conditions possible in the UK.
If you’re in the market for a lighter, less powerful but more malleable rod, the 8 – 35g is perfect. Lightweight, tough and made with high-grade carbon, the 9′ two-piece rod has a fast, responsive tip and tough, powerful lower sections. Each version of the rod – from 8′ 7 – 28g to 9′ 30 – 80g – is extremely adept in rough conditions with a moderate-fast action that can handle it all.
The 7 Best Bass Fishing Rods in 2023
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2Best entry-level lure fishing rod
Tackle Direct
Decathlon UK
- A two-piece rod that comes in 6′ – 10′ in length
- Casting weight of up to 20g – 80g
- Ultra-durable graphite and fibreglass construction
- Ugly Stik range is famed for high-quality, low-price lure fishing rods
Shakespeare Ugly Stik is a really excellent entry-level rod for lure fishing. Whilst we wouldn’t recommend it for anyone looking to target powerful saltwater predators, it’s an excellent starting rod to get yourself acquainted with targeting freshwater predators. Pike, perch et al. Heck, it can even handle a little bass and wrasse action. And at this price point, you cannot go wrong.
Construction-wise the graphite and fibreglass construction belies its pricepoint and – with a casting weight of 20 – 80g it can handle some pretty serious lures. Whilst the tip isn’t anywhere near the sensitivity of the SGS8 or Major Craft Ceana rods, it’s more than acceptable. And clearly, it wouldn’t be reasonable to expect that at this price.
Penn Battalion Inshore Popping RodThe best value heavy-duty lure fishing rod
- A two-piece rod 8′ in length
- Casting weight of up to 150g and an overall rod weight of 498g
- Graphite-made blank with 80lb power output designed for heavy-duty popping
- Handle, fixings and fastenings made of high quality, durable EVA, aluminium and Fuji K guides
Penn Battalion Inshore Popping Rod is a truly excellent heavy-duty lure fishing rod that comes in substantially under £200. Which is a real rarity. At 8′ in length and a shorter butt when compared to the tip, it’s designed for targeting tuna, GTs and – whisper it quietly – sharks in UK waters.
It’s the quality of the fastenings and extras that set this Penn rod apart at this price point. Having a graphite blank with average-quality guides and reel seats makes the rod substantially more fragile. But the Penn Battalion has Fuji K guides and aluminium screws and gimbals capable of withstanding extreme pressure and friction. Which is more than useful when you’re targeting fish capable of snapping most two-piece rods.
Best Sea Fishing Lures in 2023
Penn Carnage Popping 761The best heavy-duty lure fishing rod
- Two-piece rod 7’6″ in length with a long tip and short butt perfect for powerful fish
- Ultra-fast action rod with a 100 – 180g casting weight
- Exceptional quality carbon-made rod with thin blanks
- No knots with the Under-whipped Fuji SiC K guides
The superbly named Penn Carnage Popping 761 is the daddy. The big bertha. Of course, this isn’t your everyday rod, even for the hardened boat fishermen. But if you’re targeting huge fish in UK waters on lures and you’re looking for a heavy-duty popping rod capable of handling anything the North Sea, Atlantic and Channel can throw at you, the Carnage is the rod for you. If you’re after a slightly lighter version, then the Penn Battalion Inshore Popping Rod is a great option.
A superb rod for the deep sea angler, it’s a sport rod you can take around the world. It packs down to just over five and a half feet, which is manageable for airports. We bumped into some Israelis fishing for GT off the Andaman Islands a few years ago and they were using a very similar model to this. They actually laughed at our two-piece rods that snapped almost immediately. Rude, but right.
HTO Nebula Light GamerBest light lure fishing rod
- 7’2″ two-piece rod with a 3 – 15g casting weight
- High-grade carbon blank and an ultra-sensitive rod tip
- Fuji K guides and a friction-minimised Fuji SiC tip designed to reduce noise
- Rod is capable of handling powerful perch with ease and great fun with pike, zander and even bass or wrasse
HTO Nebula Light Gamer may not excite you like the 100g plus behemoths on the list, but you can’t fish a smaller river or stream with a rod capable of handling a shark. A lightweight, ultra-sensitive rod is a must-have in any lure fisherman’s arsenal. When the sea’s hospitality runs out in the winter months, fishing for smaller pike, perch and other predatory coarse fish is fantastic fun on this ultra-sensitive rod.
It packs away into a 3’6″ two-piece rod that’s really easy to transport and surprisingly durable. I’ve fished The River Wandle with this a couple of times and it works perfectly on this size body of water. Great for casting into nooks and crannies and great at angling around willows and gnarled old tree roots.
Samson LongcastBest lure fishing rod from the shore
- Two-piece rod that is 12′ in length
- 30 – 100g casting weight provides real flexibility when casting
- Fast action rod capable of handling powerful fish with ease – the rod has been tested on 40lb+ tuna
- Superb for fishing in rough conditions from the shore
- The best distance casting rod on the market
- A truly excellent all-round rod
- Challenging to carry if you’re planning on fishing from the shore
Samson Longcast might be the most interesting lure fishing rod we’ve used. At 12′ long it’s not a rod you want to use if you’re planning on clambering over steep cliffs or mildly treacherous terrain. Where it really comes into its own however is when you need to cast long distances from the shore and when needing to land fish on steeper banks or cliff faces. Its length, flexibility and power are unlike any other rod we’ve used.
As there aren’t any other rods that have the same combination of length, flex and power this rod is a must-have for any serious saltwater lure fishing. Or at least a must-consider. The distance casting alone makes it the best rod for casting from the shore on the market. And its capacity to handle tuna, UK-based sharks and even GTs means you can take this rod anywhere. As long as you don’t mind paying for oversized baggage.
Major Craft Triple CrossBest sensitivity – weight lure fishing rod
- Two-piece rod that is 9’4″ in length
- 15 – 40g is best suited for shoreline predator fishing in the UK – bass, wrasse etc
- Exceptional fun when targeting smaller fish, whilst being able to handle more powerful predators
- High-quality carbon-made fishing rod
- Exceptional sensitivity without compromising on power
- A truly excellent all-round rod
- In our opinion not quite as good an all-round rod as the SGS8 series
Major Craft’s Triple Cross is an absolutely superb rod designed for the UK bass fishing market. Powerful, with a sensitive tip making it superb at handling lighter paddle tails and chunkier metals, it’s a rod that gives you real flexibility. Perfect for the days when you need a rod that can handle lighter jigging in the shallow, rocky ground when bass hunt on the incoming tide. And when you need something that can cast a little further.
The quality of the carbon build is exactly what we’ve come to expect from Japanese manufacturers. Outstanding quality at very reasonable prices. Major Craft continues to make a name for itself as the lure fishing, LRF and bass fishing specialist and this particular rod is one of the best travel rods out there.
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Best of the rest
HTO’s Nebula Travel Fishing Rod is a superb travel fishing rod and one of the best on the market. Obviously, the trade-off you make with a four-piece rod over a two-piece is an element of power and control. You don’t tend to lose much sensitivity. The nine-foot length makes for a whippy cast not normally associated with travel rods, whilst the combination of sensitivity and power is – to our knowledge – unmatched.
What you really gain is a rod you can take absolutely anywhere (it’s a suitcase and backpack suitable). We carry a travel rod with us on virtually every holiday and as a backup rod (or backup to the backup rod) on the basis, it is so simple to carry around.
So no list of lure fishing rods claiming to be the best of the best would be complete without a top-quality four-piece.
FAQs
A lure fishing rod is a type of fishing rod specifically designed to handle artificial baits including paddle tails, spinners, metals and jigs. Lure fishing rods are fast action – which means they bend closer to the tip – more powerful and typically shorter and lighter than their bait fishing counterparts.
Hi Harry,
Interesting to read your thoughts, so thanks for the review.
I have to say, I’m surprised that you haven’t even referenced the top end rods like Apia’s Foojin’ series, or Taillwalk from Japan, which are both available? Ben at The Art of Fishing sells truly spectacular Japanese rods and as good as the SG kit is, it isn’t as deft or as beautifully made/designed as the higher spec (and often higher cost, admittedly) Japanese gear from Shimano and co.
I’ve lucky enough to have used a huge amount of lure fishing gear over the years and I really like the new SG rods – and the Penn 8 footer is great for the price, as is the superb MC Triple Cross EU Custom but they’re essentially pretty robust, capable, middle of the road kit – without the essential magic that brands like those mentioned above can bring to the sport.
Innovation and evolution for lure fishing belongs entirely with Japan. Everybody else is simply emulating.
Japanese lure rods have set every single standard that we aim for when buying a rod and I think it’s just slightly disappointing that you haven’t acknowledged that within your review.
There’s little to challenge in your summary of the kit listed (perhaps with the exception of notoriously fragile HTO rods – wouldn’t give one cupboard space, personally…), but I believe the stalwart brands that I’ve listed – plus Yamaga Blanks, Tailwalk, Tenryu etc, should be guaranteed consideration where anybody is bold enough to list the best lure rods in the UK…?
I know that I wouldn’t swap my Shimano, Apia, Yamaga Blanks or Tailwalk rods for any of those that you have mentioned, (although I do own a couple of very good Major Craft rods) Japanese rods are in a class of their own and despite Henry doing a good job with SG, it’s mass-marketed gear – a bit like buying a Ford when you could have a Mercedez-Benz…?
And at the end of the day – they are all copies of whatever developments the Japanese lure rods manufacturers have delivered, which is why Major Craft are such good rods for the price, but that definitely doesn’t make them better!
Just my opinion…. 🙂
Hi Billy,
Excellent comment. This is a two-part response that I will preface by saying I love Tailwalk rods. I haven’t experienced the full gamut of Japanese lure fishing rods, but Tailwalks have really impressed me. So I am a fan.
When I originally wrote this page – around a year ago – it was really hard to find these rods. And I don’t like referencing gear that sells out too quickly or is really hard to find / prohibitively expensive. Secondly, I thought my content would take a little longer to rank in Google than it has. As such I wrote this as a first draft with a plan to update it about this time. Things have moved slightly quicker than I thought, so none of these pages are perfect. All a part of the process.
As my second part of a response. The way my website works is by integrating with product feeds to get product information. It speeds up the process and means I get real-time access to prices, sales, voucher codes etc. And it’s very time-consuming. So if I don’t have access to certain product feeds, it’s unlikely I would add products in from that website. The Art of Fishing is a good example.
If you check back in in a couple of weeks you’ll notice some Japanese rods making the grade. I wouldn’t put them above the SGS8 for me, but that’s purely down to the fact I haven’t used them as much. Although I am aware of the influence the Japanese models have had.
Interestingly your experience with HTO rods is that they’re fragile. I’ve had the Lure Game for a couple of years and have stress-tested it with big pollock and incredibly snaggy conditions and – IMO – it’s great.
An opinion steeped in more knowledge than my own I believe, and I appreciate it!
Thanks,
Harry