Ultralight fishing is one of the easiest way and most fun ways to get into fishing. Bluegill, trout, creek chubs, anything under the sun can be caught with an ultralight rod. In this post I go over the best ultralight fishing rods that will level up your fishing experience!
Best Ultralight Fishing Rods
What to Look For In An Ultralight Fishing Rod
There are a few things to look for when you’re purchasing a fishing rod. All of them equally important in helping you decide which one you should buy. Length, action, what species you are going to target, and the price. When you’re serious about purchasing a dedicated fishing rod it’s best to consider each of these factors. You don’t want to buy something and regret your purchase.
Best Ultralight Fishing Rod Length
One of the first things to consider is the length of your fishing rod. Will you be wading creeks with a lot of overhangs? Do you need to be able to cast really far because you’re fishing from the bank. Are you looking for a jack of all trades use in almost any situation type rod?
Length is going to be a huge factor in that. Ultralight rods come in a wide range of lengths from 4’5″ rods all the way up to 8-9′ rods. The length of the rod is going to dictate casting distance, but will also determine where you can use it. So if you fish an area where there are a ton of overhanging tree limbs, 7 foot monster isn’t going to be the best choice.
If you’re looking for a solid all-around rod, a 6′ or 6’6″ rod is a perfect middle of the road length. Small enough to cast under dense overhangs, but still enough length to be able to effectively cast ultralight lures a good distance.
Best Ultralight Fishing Rod Action
The action of your rod will determine what kind of lures you can use effectively. In reality you can use almost any action rod for almost any lure, but the experience will be vastly different. A faster tip will allow you to set the hook with lures like jigs and micro Texas-rigs. A softer tip will make it easier to hook into a fish with anything with treble hooks.
A good choice is a fast action rod. It can set jigs and single hooks with ease and as long as you don’t set the hook too hard, you’ll be able to use ultralight cranks as well.
Target Species
You’re probably wondering, does this really matter that much? Yes. It does. Why? Because if you’re going to target creek chubs, that hang out in creeks with lots of overhanging branches, you’re not going to want a long rod.
Maybe you’re looking to target trout from the bank at reservoirs or lakes? You’re going to want a longer rod so you can cast out to those finicky little eaters.
Think about the species you are going to target, where they like to stage, what bodies of water they live in. Use that to decide which rod length and action you should purchase. But, if you’re going to just try and catch anything a good 6ft rod with a fast action is a good general stick!
Price
This is most anglers biggest deciding factor, it definitely is mine. Price will dictate which rod you buy no matter what length, action, or species. The rods on this list vary as cheap as $20 and go up to as high as $140. All of them are effective and catch fish. Buy a rod that fits your budget and you’ll be happy no matter what!
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Best Quality Ultralight Rod – Temple Fork Outfitters Trout and Panfish II Rod
My favorite ultralight fishing rod. More often than not I’m throwing this one over any other one. It’s lightweight, made with high-quality materials and as far as expensive rods go, it’s not crazy expensive. I like the 6’6″ length rod, it’s my all around rod with a fast tip. Temple Fork Outfitters has always delivered quality products and this is no different.
| Rod Length | 6’6″ |
| Action | Fast |
| Line Weight | 2–6 lbs. |
| Rod Weight | 3.1 oz. |
| Pieces | 1 Piece |
Best Budget Ultralight Fishing Rod – Shakespeare Micro Series
The best bang for buck rod is the Shakespeare Micro Series. You can’t find a better rod for $20 that will last you years of use. It’s a great rod to throw around and keep in the back of your truck. Since it’s so cheap you don’t have to worry about being too hard on it and the durability of the rod will definitely make it so that you aren’t wasting your money either.
| Rod Length | 4’6″ |
| Action | Fast |
| Line Weight | 2–6 lbs. |
| Rod Weight | 3.8 oz. |
| Pieces | 1 Piece |
Best Multi-species Ultralight Rod – Berkley Lightning Rod Trout Rod
It says trout, but really you can use it for anything. This is the first dedicated ultralight rod I picked up once I decided to get serious about ultralight fishing. This rod is a workhorse and I’ve used it to catch several different species. It’s a great value and a great rod to have in your arsenal so you can catch a wide variety of fish. From catfish, to bass, bluegill, and trout. It can handle it all.
| Rod Length | 6′ |
| Action | Moderate |
| Line Weight | 2–6 lbs. |
| Rod Weight | 4.3 oz. |
| Pieces | 2 Piece |
Best Travel Ultralight Fishing Rod – Daiwa Revros Ultralight Rod
This rod is a nice 5 piece rod that you can take anywhere. Stores easily and quickly into it’s nice little case and is even part of a nice combo. I’ve taken it on a few trips and it’s super easy to set up and break down. Not to mention that even in 5 pieces it is super sensitive.
| Rod Length | 6’6″ |
| Action | Fast |
| Line Weight | 2–6 lbs. |
| Rod Weight | 3.2 oz. |
| Pieces | 5 Piece |
Best Two Piece Ultralight Rod – 13 Fishing Defy Silver
The 13 Fishing Defy Silver is probably one of the most popular two piece ultralight fishing rods. It’s a great value and pretty sensitive for the price. I’m a pretty big fan of this rod and use it quiet a bit for ultralight jigs.
| Rod Length | 6’6″ |
| Action | Fast |
| Line Weight | 2–6 lbs. |
| Rod Weight | 4.9 oz. |
| Pieces | 2 Piece |
Best Ultralight Reel to Pair with an Ultralight Rod
One of the most important things to consider when choosing your ultralight fishing rod is what ultralight fishing reel are you going to pair it with? Any of the rods listed above go well with a with a 1000-2000 size ultralight reel. The key is to make sure the rod feels balanced and comfortable in your hand when you are fishing.
Conclusion
All-in-all, it’s best to find a good ultralight rod that fits your budget and allows you to effectively target the species you want to catch. Hopefully this blog post has made your decision making a little easier! Happy fishing and God bless!
Ramon Contreras
Ultralight multispecies angler sharing his adventures catching fish big and small, but mostly small 😅Signup for my monthly newsletter to get content and gear recommendations every month. I'll send you stuff I like, I will never spam you.
