Fishing the Flow: Expert Picks for the 15 Best River Fishing Rods

River fishing is popular among experienced as well as beginner anglers. It requires specific fishing gear to guarantee a successful fishing trip. Regardless of the kind of fishing you’re targeting, choosing the right rod for river fishing is essential.

There are various types of rods with different characteristics. So, here’s a list of the best river fishing rods available on the market to help you make the best choice for your trip.

The 15 Best River Fishing Rods in 2022

1. St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod – Best Overall

The St. Croix spinning rod is a great rod for freshwater fish. It is made of premium SCIII carbon that is combined with a fortified resin system that makes it durable and strong. The handle is made of a premium-grade cork grip that gives you an extremely strong grip on your fishing rod.

It also contains sea guide Atlas Performance which contains black finish guides, a sea guide XDPS reel seat with sandblasted hoods on spinning models. Likewise, it contains two coats of Flex-Coat that make it durable. The rod action is fast, which some anglers prefer.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• High-quality
• Durable
• Easy to use
• Strong

Cons:

• Pricey

Bottom Line

If you are looking for the right river fishing rod, the St. Croix spinning rod will not let you down. It is durable, strong, and made of high-quality materials. You will have good luck catching the biggest fish in rivers with this amazing rod.

2. KastingKing Blackhawk II Telescopic – Runner Up

You might also want to consider the KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic fishing rod if you want more durability, versatility, and comfort.

This fishing rod is durable and lightweight. It is made of a solid glass tip and a KastFlex Toray 24-ton carbon matrix blank.

Not only that, but it also offers smoothness and long-distance casting. This rod can be used for plenty of fishing techniques such as kayaking or boat fishing. It is great for trout and bass and can even be used on saltwater fish. It is recommended to use it near river banks.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Durable
• Lightweight
• Versatile
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Not the best option for beginners

Bottom Line

The KastKing Blackhawk II Telescopic fishing rod is a smooth, durable, lightweight fishing rod that is perfect for many fishing techniques such as kayak and boat fishing. It is able to get you the biggest fish in rivers and you will not regret purchasing it.

If you have your doubts about telescopic fishing rods, check out our guide to the pros and cons of telescopic fishing rods here.

3. Ugly Stik GX2 – Best Value for Money

The Ugly Stik GX2 provides the best value for money. It combines durability, strength, and sensitivity, all at an affordable price.

It’s made of graphite and fiberglass with EVA grips that make it durable. It includes a clear tip design that makes it sensitive, light, and easy to use for beginner and experienced anglers alike. Light lures are best used with the Ugly Stik GX2.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Sensitive
• Durable
• Lightweight
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not the strongest against aggressive fish

Bottom Line

The Ugly Stik GX2 works great for river fishing. If you are looking for a durable, sensitive, lightweight, river fishing rod, the Ugly Stik GX2 is the right choice for you. It also comes at a reasonable price.

4. G. Loomis IMX Fishing Rod – Best for Salmon Fishing

The G. Loomis IMX Fishing rod is a great option for salmon river fishing. This fishing rod is designed to carry heavier lures and has a length of 8’0″. It is made of high-modulus graphite construction and has incredible durability and efficient balanced swing weight. It contains a Fuji-guided train.

The G. Loomis IMX fishing rod has full grad A cork handles that make it easy for anglers to grip on with zero slipping, as well as a multi-tapper design that makes it lightweight and easy to use. This rod was crafted in Woodland, Washington. This rod will guarantee a big catch of salmon in rivers.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Durable
• High-quality
• Safe grip

Cons:

• Pricey

Bottom Line

If you love catching salmon in freshwater rivers, the G. Loomis IMX fishing rod is a perfect choice. It is a lightweight, durable, easy-to-use fishing rod that contains a safe grip and is made of high-quality materials. You will not regret checking this rod out.

Going Salmon fishing in particular? Pair this with an excellent reel, check out our guide to the best Salmon Fishing reels here.

5. Ugly Stik Elite Fishing Rod – Best for Pike Fishing

The Ugly Stik Elite spinning fishing rod is great for many species of fish in rivers, in particular pike and bass. It is made of the highest quality materials for a reasonable price.

This rod includes many key features such as cork handles that make it comfortable for anglers to use and an almost indestructible blank with a mixture of graphite and fiberglass. It comes with 35% more graphite which gives anglers a feeling of strength.

This Ugly Stik Elite spinning fishing rod also includes a Clear Tip design that offers strength and quick responsiveness when fishing. Likewise, it includes a 1-piece stainless steel Ugly Tuff guides that eliminate insert pop-outs. This can be used with all types of lines.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Durable
• Affordable
• Lightweight
• Strong

Cons:

• Rod comes without padding

Bottom Line

If you are an avid pike or bass fisherman, the Ugly Stik Elite spinning fishing rod is a great choice. This rod is strong, lightweight, and affordable. It is also extremely durable thanks to its high-quality materials.

6. Goture Fishing Rod – Best for Trout Fishing

If you are a fan of trout fishing, the Goture Portable fishing rod is a great fishing rod for you. This rod is made with 24t high-strength carbon fiber to make sure that it has strength, durability, and sensitivity. It is also designed for comfort with a cork split grip handle that is easy to hold.

It is wear-resistant as it’s made of a ceramic guide ring that dissipates heat equally. This allows for smooth casting and low friction. It is also reinforced with an epoxy guide ring that makes it unable to slip.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Great sensitivity
• Affordable price
• Smooth
• Comfortable
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Not versatile

Bottom Line

The Goture Portable fishing rod is a great fishing rod for targeting trout in rivers. It is portable and can be carried anywhere easily. It is also durable, comfortable, and lightweight. These important qualities make it the right fishing rod for river fishing.

7. G. Loomis NRX+ Fishing Rod – Best for Bass Fishing

The G. Loomis NRX+ fishing rod is the best rod for bass fishing. This fishing rod is made of Spiral X graphite and contains a multi-taper design that reinforces stress and maximizes ease.

It is very smooth and also contains Fuji titanium SIC stripper guides, which helps increase its accuracy when casting. Not only that, but it also has a great casting distance.

The G. Loomis NRX+ fishing rod is ultra-lite and ultra-strong with medium power. It contains a custom CI4+ reel seat.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Durable
• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• Great casting accuracy and distance

Cons:

• Pricey

Bottom Line

If you are a bass angler, you will definitely enjoy the G. Loomis NRX+ fishing rod. It has amazing casting distance and is made out of high-quality materials. It is perfect for experienced anglers as well as beginners.

8. Shimano CLARUS 96– Best for Trolling

The Shimano CLARUS 96 fishing rod is the perfect rod for trolling, especially when targeting salmon and steelhead trout in rivers.

It is made of high-quality Fuji O guides and contains a Fuji reel seat. Not only that but it also the handle is made of cork, which makes it comfortable for anglers to use.

The Shimano CLARUS 96 fishing rod is durable, lightweight, and strong. It is quite a versatile fishing rod that is favored by many.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Versatile
• Lightweight
• Strong
• Durable

Cons:

• Pricey

Bottom Line

The Shimano CLARUS 96 fishing rod is a great fishing rod for trolling salmon and steelhead. It is a versatile fishing rod that can be used for many species of fish as well. The high-quality materials make it smooth and easy for anglers to catch fish in rivers.

9. Redington Crosswater Fly-Fishing Rod – Best for Fly-Fishing

The Redington Crosswater fly-fishing rod is an amazing fly-fishing gear that comes at medium power. This fly-fishing rod allows you to have smooth-casting. It is also made of graphite that offers classic performance for all kinds of anglers. It works great for saltwater fish as well as rivers.

This versatile fishing rod has an anodized machined aluminum reel seat that makes it great for freshwater angling. The Redington Crosswater fly-fishing rod is also extremely easy to assemble. It comes with 4 pieces that have dots to indicate how to be put together.

Not only that, but it is also durable because of its cotton rod sick case which is included with this gear. Many anglers praise this fly-fishing rod for its ease of use, smoothness, and durability. It also comes at a reasonable price.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Durable
• Easy to use
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not the best for Pro anglers

Bottom Line

The Redington Crosswater Fly-Fishing rod is a fantastic fishing rod for fly-fishing enthusiasts, especially beginners. This fly-fishing rod is durable, easy to assemble, and easy to use. Not only that, but it also comes at an affordable price.

10. FISHOAK Fishing Rod Kit – Best for Beginners

The FISHOAKY fishing rod kit is perfectly made for beginner anglers. This kit includes 1 carbon fiber fishing rod, 1 spinning fishing reel, 1 fishing line, 1 fishing bag, various fishing lures, bats, and fishing hooks. This fishing rod kit contains everything a beginner angler will need for rivers.

It is not advised to use the fishing rod to drag the fish ashore directly, however, it can hold its own thanks to its high-density carbon fiber which makes it durable, lightweight, and easy to carry. This portable kit can fit anywhere and will be easy to use on your river fishing trip.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Durable
• Lightweight
• Great for beginners
• Strong
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not the best with aggressive fish

Bottom Line

The FISHOAK fishing rod kit is a great kit for beginner anglers. It is made of high-quality materials that make it easy to use for anglers that are just starting out. It is easy to carry around on your fishing trip and is perfect for catching many types of fish.

11. Echo Gecko Kids Fly-Fishing Kit – Best for Kids

The Echo Gecko Kids fly-fishing kit is a great beginner fly-fishing kit for children as it has all they need to get started.

It includes a rod with a good casting distance as well as a reel, leader, line, and backing. The rod also features a small diameter EVA handed with a small lower grip for two-handed casting, so your child can cast with either one or two hands.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Lifetime warranty
• Easy to use
• Perfect starter kid for fly-fishing kids
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Pricey

Bottom Line

If your child is interested in fly-fishing and needs a kit full of all the fly-fishing gear you can think of, look no further. The Echo Gecko Kids Fly-Fishing Kit is the perfect fly-fishing kit to get your child. The gear is made of high-quality material that is comfortable and durable.

12. Cadence Fishing CR5 Rod – Best for Versatility

The Cadence Fishing CR5 rod is a great fishing rod for rivers. It’s highly versatile and can be used to target various fish species including bass, walleye, trout, and redfish.

This rod is made of ultra high-quality 30-ton Carbon Fiber Blank. The 2-piece fishing rods are made of carbon matrix graphite blank. It provides the durability, strength, and sensitivity that an angler needs without being too heavyweight.

It’s also smooth thanks to its 9 corrosion-resistant stainless steel bearings and one instant anti-reverse bearing.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Smooth
• Lightweight
• Durable
• Versatile

Cons:

• Pricey

Bottom Line

The Cadence Fishing CR5 rod is a great rod for many types of river fish. It is made of ultra-high-quality materials. It is also durable, easy to use, and an angler favorite. This versatile fishing rod is not one to miss.

13. EOW XPEDITE Spinning Fishing Rod – Best for Sensitivity

The EOW XPEDITE is a great fishing rod for sensitivity. It is another portable fishing rod that is made of 24T carbon and epoxy material that makes it very sensitive and guarantees high performance. The grips are made of high-density and wear-resistant EVA and contain cork on the surface.

This rod has a power of medium-fast action and can be used to fish for trout, bass, kayak, boat fishing, and so much more. It is extremely lightweight, and the grip is comfortable enough, which helps you improve your range of movement. The closed length is less than 17″.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Durable
• Lightweight
• Easy to use
• Perfect size
• Affordable

Cons:

• Not the best for bigger fish

Bottom Line

The EOW XPEDITE spinning fishing rod is a great rod for river fishing. It has great sensitivity and great casting distance as well. It is also durable, easy to use, and is a perfect size. We highly recommend checking it out if you are interested in the sensitivity of your fishing rods.

14. DRAGON SPORT Fishing Rod and Reel Combo – Best for Trophy Fish

The DRAGON Sport fishing rod and reel combo is the best kit for capturing trophy fish. This kit contains 1 fishing rod, 1 fishing reel, 1 fishing line, a wide range of fishing lures, fishing hooks, some accessories, and a carrier bag.

The lures included in this kit are typically bigger, which is great for bigger types of fish. The carry bag is made of high-quality nylon, which protects your gear perfectly. The rod is made of carbon fiber mixed with fiberglass, which makes your fishing pole durable.

The stainless steel hooded reel seat is anti-corrosion and also contains an EVA Fore Grip for comfort. This rod and reel combo is incredibly easy to use, so it is a great pick for beginner anglers as well. The folding size of the fishing rod is 42cm, which makes it portable and easy to carry.

Pros VS Cons:

Pros:

• Durable
• Portable
• Perfect for many species of river fish
• Great folding size
• Affordable

Cons:

• Weak adhesive which can come loose with harsh use

Bottom Line

The DRAGON SPORT fishing rod and reel combo might be great for you if you want to catch trophy fish. It is made of good quality materials that make it easy to catch these fish with great accuracy and sensitivity.

15. Ghosthorn Fishing Rod and Reel Combo – Best Rod and Reel Combo

The Ghosthorn Fishing Rod and Reel combo is an amazing kit that contains all the essentials for experienced and beginner anglers alike. It is designed to be lightweight, flexible, and durable.

The Ghosthorn Fishing Rod and Reel combo include 1 carbon fiber telescopic fishing rod, 1 stainless-steel spinning fishing reel, 1 fishing line, 1 fishing bag, various fishing lure baits, and fishing hooks.

It is made of stainless steel, graphite, and carbon fiber. The powerful drag system makes it easy for anglers to power up to 34.4 lbs without losing any smoothness. The spinning reel offers a 5.1:1 gear ratio.

Pros VS Cons

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Durable
• Full kit that includes everything anglers need for river fishing
• High-quality

Cons:

• Might not be the best for aggressive fish

Bottom Line

The Ghosthorn fishing rod and reel combo are great for anyone who is starting out fishing in rivers. This rod and reel combo is durable, lightweight, easy to carry, and easy to use. This kit is definitely worth checking out.

How to Pick the Right River Fishing Rod?

When picking the right river fishing rod, you have to consider several factors, including comfort, features, versatility, durability, portability, balance, and price.

Let’s break down each of these factors in more detail:

Comfort

When looking for the right type of river fishing rod, you will want to find a rod that is comfortable to hold. It is important to look into the materials that the rod is made of. The most important part of the rod for an angler is the grip.

Comfortable grips are usually made of cork or other EVA materials that make them easy to hold as an angler and provide zero slipping. Anglers are usually holding their fishing rods for long periods of time, so comfort is an important factor.

Features

The features of the fishing rod are also highly important. You want to make sure that your fishing rod has good, high-quality materials that will not break and are going to endure your fishing trip. These features include the quality of your grip, hook holder, and your rod guides.

As mentioned above, all the fishing rods included in our list contain high-quality materials that make up good, durable, and strong fishing rods. It is no good to use a rod that is cheap and poor quality and end up not catching any fish during your river fishing trip.

Versatility

Versatility might not be necessary if you are a very particular type of angler, however, it is a good factor to consider. Versatility offers you a wide range of use, whether it comes to your style of fishing, the bait you use, or where you want to use your fishing rod.

Versatility is mostly important if you are a beginner angler who is just trying to find your feet in fishing. You might want to look for a fishing rod that offers you a variety of ways to fish and a variety of lures or baits to use until you figure out what style of fishing you prefer the most.

Durability

Another important factor to consider is durability. This will ensure that your fishing rod will last you a long time. The materials your fishing rod is made of usually determine how long your fishing rod will last. It is vital to look for fishing rods with high-quality materials.

Having a durable fishing rod is one of the most important things to consider when looking for one. It will also save you a lot of money from having to purchase new fishing rods all the time. Some durable materials include fiberglass and stainless steel.

Portability

This is an important factor to consider if you are more of an on-the-go angler. Being able to transport your fishing rod quickly and effectively can be a game changer. You might miss out on great opportunities of catching the biggest river fish if your fishing rod is not portable.

Balance

This factor contributes to the portability of your fishing rod. You will want a fishing rod that is lightweight and easy to carry. Not only to be able to transport it wherever you want, but also because your river fishing trip might last a while with your holding the rod.

Having a good, lightweight fishing rod can make or break your river fishing experience. Lightweight materials can also be high-quality, so do not be afraid to use a fishing rod that feels light as long as you are aware of its materials.

Price

It is always important to know your budget when purchasing a fishing rod. Some expensive fishing rods might do as good of a job as a cheaper one. If you are a beginner angler, we highly recommend you look into cheaper rods to start with, then work your way up to more expensive ones.

We recommend you set a budget for yourself to spend before browsing for river fishing rods, then check the right materials that make up the rod and purchase accordingly. More experienced anglers are able to determine whether a rod is worth the price or not.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Type of Rod Is Best for Steelhead Trout Fishing?

The best type of rod for steelhead trout fishing is a 9’6 medium-light. Catching steelhead can be quite tricky, however, with this type of rode you can cast lures and float fish with ease. This type of rod works great for both salt and freshwater fishing.

What Is a 7 Feet Medium Rod Good for?

A 7 feet medium rod is good for shaky heads, lightweight Texas rigs, soft plastics, and many other fishing techniques you might want to experience. This type of rod is mostly great for fishing in rivers but also works just as great for lakes and ponds.

Are More Bearings in a Fishing Reel Better?

More bearings do not necessarily make a reel better. What actually makes reels better is the quality of the bearings and the reel itself. The better the quality of both, the better experience you will have as an angler.

What Is the Best Time to Catch Fish in Rivers? 

The best time to catch fish in rivers is from the early morning till late evening. At those times, the water temperature will be suitable for most fish species. They will be a lot more active and ready to feed, which means they will be more likely to bite on your bait.

Can You Fish from a Kayak in Rivers?

You can fish from a kayak in rivers. However, you need to choose the right kind of kayak for river fishing because not all kayaks are designed for river navigation. The kayak should be strong to handle the twists and turns of the river. It should also be balanced and stable to make fishing easier.

Helpful Resources

River Fishing Tips

If you like this article, please share it or pin it, you can find the share buttons below. We will really appreciate it ❤️