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When it comes to bass fishing, spinning rods are typically associated with finesse fishing. Anglers use spinning setups to better present baits vertically to bass holding near the bottom. They also excel at casting lighter baits. Plus, it’s often easier to skip a bait with a spinning rod than with a casting rod. Spinning rods are also a great choice for beginners because they’re easy to learn, easy to maintain, and available at a wide range of price points. Serious anglers rely on spinning rods for drop shots, ned rigs, and any other finesse-style techniques. So no matter your skill level, it’s a good idea to have at least one spinning rod ready to go. To help find the best spinning rods for your style of fishing, we tested dozens and narrowed them down to these seven options.
- Best Overall: Shimano Expride B
- Best Value: Trika X Series
- Best Budget: Shimano Sellus
- Abu Garcia Zenon
- Daiwa Zillion
- Trika 10X
- Abu Garcia Fantasista X
How We Tested the Best Spinning Rods
Over the last two years, I’ve fished with more than three dozen spinning rods across a variety of techniques. During that time, a handful emerged as go-to choices on my deck. What set these rods apart? Durability, sensitivity, and versatility, to name a few. To determine the Best Overall spinning rod, I placed the greatest emphasis on those qualities. For the Best Value and Best Budget awards, I also considered price. Finally, aesthetics played a role in the evaluation. From the finish and color scheme to the components and overall construction, we examined every detail to determine the best spinning rods currently on the market. Here’s what we found.
Best Overall: Shimano Expride B
Specs
- Action: Fast
- Price: $329.99-$349.99
- Length: 6′ 10″
- Power: Medium Light
Pros
- Great feel in hand
- Sensitive
- Lightweight
- 7 models available
Cons
- Expensive
Of all the spinning rods I tested, the Shimano Expride B was my favorite. It’s a lightweight, highly sensitive rod that doesn’t sacrifice power. The 6’10” medium-light, fast-action model I tested excelled at skipping wacky rigs under docks and bushes, while also handling both vertical and casted drop-shot presentations with ease.
Priced between $329 and $349, the Expride B isn’t cheap, but it still sits well below the most expensive rods in the test. The rod feels exceptionally balanced and comfortable in hand. I paired it with several reels during testing, though the new Shimano Vanquish proved to be the best match. I’m generally not a fan of reel-seat collars that lock beneath the reel rather than above it, but the Expride B’s collar held securely throughout testing. Some collars can loosen during hard hooksets, creating problems when fighting big bass, but I never experienced that issue with this rod. Finally, I really like Shimano’s Carbon Monocoque Handle, which contributes to both the rod’s sensitivity and its light weight.
Best Value: Trika X Series
Specs
- Price: $149
- Length: 6’ 10″
- Power: Medium Light
- Action: Extra Fast
Pros
- Great price point
- Top locking collar for reel seat
- Fairly light
- Fairly Sensitive
- 10 models available
Cons
- Not as sensitive or light as high-end rods
For the money, it’s hard to beat the Trika X Series. At $149.99, it’s an impressive value, with nearly a dozen models to choose from. Built on 100-percent carbon blanks, Trika claims these rods are lighter, more sensitive, and cast farther than similarly priced competitors. In my testing, those claims largely held true. The X Series has proven to be a dependable rod that I can count on. It helped me boat several key fish on a wacky rig during spring tournaments, and it consistently delivered the sensitivity and performance I look for in a spinning rod. The cherry on top is the top-locking reel-seat collar, which is my preferred design. Unlike collars that lock beneath the reel, there’s little risk of it loosening during a hard hookset.
Best Budget: Shimano Sellus
Specs
- Price: $64.99
- Length: 7′
- Power: Medium
- Action: Fast
Pros
- Great price point
- Fairly light
- Fairly sensitive
Cons
- Only available in the 7-foot model
I haven’t found a better budget-friendly spinning rod than the Shimano Sellus. Its only real drawback is that it’s available in just one length: 7 feet. However, anglers can choose from three power/action combinations: medium-light/fast, medium/fast, and medium-heavy/fast. For anglers looking to add an affordable rod to their lineup, the Sellus is well-suited for techniques such as shaky heads, flukes, small swimbaits, drop-shots, wacky rigs, Neko rigs, and Ned rigs. No matter which model you choose, the 7-foot Sellus delivers impressive versatility for the price. The cork and EVA foam split grips, combined with the rod’s clean finish, give it a polished look and feel. At this price point, few rods offer a better blend of quality and value.
Abu Garcia Zenon
Specs
- Price: $559.95
- Length: 6’ 10”
- Power: Medium Light
- Action: Extra Fast
Pros
- Sensitive
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
- Only two models
The Zenon is light and sensitive—everything you want in a high-end spinning rod. Its carbon split-grip handle enhances sensitivity, and the lightweight guide train, featuring titanium-alloy frames and silicon nitride inserts, reduces overall weight. Hook keepers on many spinning rods tend to snag the line, causing unnecessary frustration. The Zenon’s convertible hook keeper can be flipped up for storage and folded down while fishing for a snag-free experience. If you prefer, it can also be removed entirely. On the water, this rod handled fish with ease and loaded beautifully under pressure. Its forgiving bend kept hard-fighting fish pinned during violent head shakes and surging runs, while providing enough backbone to stay in control throughout the fight.
Daiwa Zillion
Specs
- Price: $399.99
- Length: 6′ 10″
- Power: Medium Light
- Action: Extra Fast
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sensitive
- Soft taper
- Longer handle
- Versatile models
Cons
- Expensive
The Daiwa Zillion is another standout rod in the upper-midrange category, priced around $400. While the lineup includes only three models, they cover a wide range of applications. Between the 6’10” medium-light/extra-fast, 7′ medium/regular, and 7’6″ medium-light/fast, there’s a Zillion suited for everything from drop-shots to jighead minnows. I tested the 6’10” model, which features a 17-inch handle—longer than what’s found on many spinning rods. That extra length provides additional leverage and control when casting, particularly with lightweight presentations. Despite the longer handle, the rod remains exceptionally well-balanced and never feels cumbersome in hand.
One of my favorite features is Daiwa’s carbon monocoque grip. The design is incredibly light and highly sensitive, allowing vibrations to transfer directly into your hand. Combined with the rod’s crisp blank, it creates an exceptionally connected feel that makes it easier to detect subtle bites and changes in bottom composition.
Trika 10X
Specs
- Price: $399
- Length: 6′ 10″
- Power: Medium Light
- Action: Extra Fast
Pros
- Light
- Sensitive
- Casts well
- Stong
Cons
- Price
The Trika 6’10” 10X model I tested embodies what Trika has become known for. It is remarkably light, sensitive, and strong. Throughout testing, it transmitted subtle bites and bottom changes exceptionally well while maintaining plenty of backbone for fighting fish. Trika claims that, based on internal testing, the 10X is, on average, 133 percent more sensitive than similarly priced competing rods. While that’s difficult to verify independently, I can say the rod delivered impressive sensitivity and overall performance on the water. Available in five versatile models, the 10X lineup offers options for a variety of finesse applications. Anglers looking for a premium spinning rod that prioritizes sensitivity and weight reduction should give it serious consideration.
Abu Garcia Fantasista X
Specs
- Price: $409.95
- Length: 7′
- Power: Medium
- Action: Fast
Pros
- One bait keeper
- Light
- Sensitive
- Strong
Cons
- Reel collar below reel
- Only available in three models
- Expensive
The Abu Garcia Fantasista X is another impressive premium spinning rod. At $409.95, it’s certainly an investment, but anglers are rewarded with a lightweight, highly sensitive rod that delivers excellent casting performance. Features such as titanium-alloy guide frames, zirconium inserts, and a 36-ton graphite blank contribute to the rod’s crisp feel and responsiveness. I tested the 7-foot medium/fast model, which featured a more moderate taper than many of the other rods in this test. That taper allowed the blank to load smoothly on the cast, helping maximize casting distance.
The combination of the 7-foot length and forgiving taper made this rod particularly effective for techniques that benefit from long casts and steady pressure on the fish. While the price tag will be difficult for some anglers to justify, the Fantasista X offers the performance and refinement expected of a premium spinning rod.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
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