Best Baitcasting Rod Under 100: Our Top 5 Picks & Guide

If you’re an angler who spends a lot of time at sea because you enjoy it so much, you probably already know that it takes more than just skill to consistently reel in catches from the water. The quality of your fishing gear will go a long way toward determining your chances of a successful fishing trip. Before heading out into the sea, it’s essential that you take the fishing rod that will give you a higher chance of success.

A fishing rod is the most essential tool for any angler, beginner, or veteran. Your fishing trip will be easier if you have an effective baitcasting rod and reel. However, there are hundreds of baitcasting rods on the market, with some being more expensive than others. While you need to spend a reasonable amount of money to get a high-quality baitcasting rod, there are some affordable options that will offer you value for your money.

Are you looking for the best baitcasting rods under $100? You’re in the right place. We’ll review the best baitcasting rods under 100 and let you know what makes each of them special.

IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS…

What Are The Best Baitcasting Rods Under 100?

Piscifun Serpent Baitcasting Rod

There are many reasons why any angler would want to get this casting rod. To start with, this fishing rod will offer you better performance and physical properties than other rods. Unlike other fishing rods that feature simple materials, the Piscifun Serpent Baitcasting Rod features high-quality zero coating, IM7, x-shaped Japanese Toray Carbon Fiber Blank. These materials contribute to its physical properties and ensure that this product is lighter and stronger than other alternatives in the same category. These features also support rod power and sensitivity.

Also, this product comes with fuji fishing line guides that guarantee good fishing performance in different scenarios. These guides will offer more stability during open-sea battles. This baitcasting rod will further enhance your casting ability and may offer additional distance. What’s more? There are also anti-slip grips that will keep your fishing rod fixed to your hands and keep them from slipping in wet conditions. This feature is also useful for people who have sweaty palms.

The manufacturers of this rod utilize the latest and most advanced technology to design a rod that can offer you everything you need to improve your fishing prowess. Due to its aluminum and carbon fiber grips, epoxy precision line wrapping, and durable reel seats, it can offer tournament-level performance. This is an incredible level of performance for its price.

Finally, the Piscifun Serpent Baitcasting Rod is a reasonable choice for beginners and professional anglers. Anyone who is interested in having a great fishing trip wouldn’t mind getting this fishing rod for themselves.

Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod

The Ugly Stik gx2 casting rod is the most popular and one of the best baitcasting rods under 100. It features a higher quality than you’ll find in many other rods. First, this casting rod is made from a composite material of graphite and fiberglass. Therefore, it combines the benefits of both materials.

When using this rod, you can attach any fishing reel but you will achieve better results with a baitcasting reel. You can check online stores for numerous suitable alternatives. Due to the construction of this rod, it can hold heavy materials – even up to 50 pounds. As a result, it’s suitable for catching small fish and larger species too.

When shopping for this product, you’ll be able to choose between different variations – depending on the size of the casting rod and rod length. You’re also free to choose between a one-piece and two-piece rod configuration. Both types of rods are the same size and feature similar levels of functionality.

An impressive thing about the Ugly Stik gx2 casting rod is its versatility. You can easily use this great casting rod to catch small and large species of fish. Furthermore, it’s suitable for both freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. Every angler would enjoy the features of this great baitcasting rod.

Entsport E Series Camo Casting Rod

The Entsport E-Series Casting Fishing Rod is an effective baitcasting rod under 100. It has gained widespread popularity because of the benefits that it offers anglers during any fishing trip.

One of the most noteworthy things about this baitcasting rod under $100 is its unique design. Unlike other products on the market, this casting rod comes with different power rod tips, namely medium and medium-heavy. Using double tips offers a great level of flexibility during your fishing trip. You can simply travel with one rod instead of two. What’s more, If you end up breaking one tip, you can easily switch to the second one.

Furthermore, you’ll be surprised to find out that the body of this baitcasting rod is made from 24 Ton Carbon Fiber. Therefore, you should expect lightweight fishing gear with a reasonable amount of durability and sensitivity. Without any doubt, this gear will optimize your experience on the next fishing trip and help you catch different species. The Entsport E-series Casting rod also comes with a tough reel seat that can withstand the corrosive effects of saltwater.

Also, other parts of this rod, such as its K-R Finesse Guide series are designed to eliminate drag and support a smooth line flow, maximum casting performance, and sensitivity. You’ll also find high-density grips to optimize your comfort and ensure that you can hold onto the gear for an extended period of time. It will also add more control and maneuverability to your fishing.

Abu Garcia Vengeance Casting Rod

This is a cheap baitcasting rod, but it still offers most of the features of its high-profile counterparts. This extraordinary baitcasting rod offers numerous high-quality features and well-designed parts. This manufacturer has constantly offered anglers high-quality products that you won’t find anywhere else. The size of this rod ranges from 6 feet 6 inches to 7 feet 6 inches.

If you’re interested in a great entry-level baitcasting rod under 100, the Abu Garcia Vengence Casting Fishing Rod will make a great choice. All of the parts of this fishing rod are made from high-quality materials. For instance, the reel seat will not degrade or rust under saltwater conditions. When you combine the features of this casting rod with an effective baitcasting reel, you’ll be able to use heavier lines and baits too.

The Abu Garcia Baitcasting Rod is designed to be tough and highly sensitive. Due to its graphite construction, anglers will feel small bites and tugs at the end of the line. With its moderate fast tip action, you should expect to catch a wide range of small and large fish. When you look at the features of this casting rod, it’s quite clear that the gear is perfect for bass fishing.

There’s a fancy hook keeper to protect your rod from scratches when not in use. What’s more? It also features an attractive appearance with a mix of silver and black. You’ll constantly be motivated to pick this gear because you can’t get over how good it looks. The rods are also designed to be lightweight and can be held comfortably for long hours.

Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Rod

There are several impressive things to note about this baitcasting rod. To start with, this rod is designed for versatile usage. This medium and medium-heavy power rod will suit different fishing techniques and applications. As a result, you can use this gear to hunt for different sizes and species of fish.

Going further, you’ll realize that this is an ideal baitcasting rod under $100 for different types of anglers. It’s made from a composite material of graphite and fiberglass. Therefore, it can effectively combine the positive features of both construction materials. It will create a balanced but tough experience for anglers.

What’s even better? You’ll enjoy the sensitivity offered by this baitcasting rod. Its tip is designed for extra strength to help you fight large prey. It’s also equally sensitive to help you quickly detect small species. This sensitive tip will improve our overall efficiency and catch rate during fishing expeditions. There are high-quality stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts to reduce slippage or drag. It also allows the rod to function with different types of fishing lines.

This baitcasting rod offers a lightweight feel that is easy to control and maneuver. It will also improve your ability to move around in your fishing boat without burning too much energy. There’s also an EVA grip that will help you hold it firmly in different weather conditions.

Our Top Choice

Now, we’ve spent some time reviewing the best baitcasting rod under 100. From the information above, it’s quite clear that each product has different special features. However, you still have to settle on a final option among alternatives.

All things considered, our top choice is the Ugly Stik gx2 casting rod. This baitcasting rod has all the features of high-profile products in the same category. It comes with graphite and fiberglass construction that prevents it from getting damaged. This casting fishing rod has a tough, sensitive tip to catch small species and battle with big prey. Another interesting thing to note about this product is its effective and unique power transition system. Finally, it boasts special finishing that can last up to 7 years.

How To Choose A Good Baitcasting Rod: Buying Guide

While some anglers prefer to opt for any baitcasting rod for their fishing trips, it’s a great idea to learn how to settle on a casting rod that’s just right for you. Choosing the right baitcasting rod can make a big difference to the results of your fishing trip. The only problem is that the selection process can be quite challenging.

Whether you’re an experienced angler or it’s your first time, choosing the right casting rod can be a lot of work. Today, the market is filled with several alternatives – with some being similar to others. Before going on to show you how to pick a good casting rod, let’s take a look at the meaning of baitcasting.

What is Baitcasting?

So, you may be asking yourself – don’t all rods cast bait? Or what’s special about a baitcasting rod? Well, you need to note that baitcasting rods are designed differently from regular fishing rods. Baitcasting rods are designed to fit baitcasting reels. These reels are usually added to the top side of the rod. The rod’s guide will also be installed at the top side of the blank. You’ll find that a lot of people end up using a baitcasting rod the wrong way by flipping it upside down.

Due to its distinctive design, the line puts pressure on the guides and blank when reeling in fish. A spinning rod, on the other hand, pulls on the guides because of the location of its own reel. The baitcasting rod is ideal for fighting large and heavy dishes that you may come across offshore, such as Tuna. However, there’s more to these rods.

Baitcasting reels are also designed to release lines in a tighter pattern than spinning reels. To do this, they use smaller guides. These guides lead to smoother casting action and have less drag than other types of fishing rods. Furthermore, the position of the reel makes it possible for the angler to use his thumb to gently release the pressure on the line. These features work together to offer anglers better casting distance, and accuracy. However, it can be difficult for new anglers who are just starting out.

Watch this video to learn the difference between a baitcasting rod and a spinning rod:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEuJh93hKUs&t=22s

Now that we know what baitcasting rods are, it’s time to learn how to choose from the available alternatives. To choose a baitcasting rod, take note of the following:

Usage

The first thing you need to ask yourself is; how will you use the baitcasting rod? The intended usage of your baitcasting rod will determine the particular option that you opt for. As a result of this, many rod manufacturers have started to design products that specifically fit different niche applications. By doing this, you’re more likely to come across an alternative that will suit you and the style of fishing you’re interested in.

The use case of your baitcasting rod may either be a general application or something specific such as freshwater or saltwater fishing. It could also be something a bit more specific, such as a rod designed for a particular bait, lure, fish species, or fishing technique. That’s when you’ll come across categories, such as topwater, pier fishing, saltwater, flipping and pitching, walleye, inshore, offshore, trout, bass fishing, and so on.

Body Construction

The body construction or build materials for a baitcasting rod determine its physical properties, including weight and durability. There are two major build materials that can be used for baitcasting rods under 100 including; graphite and fiberglass. Fiberglass used to be the preferred material for most manufacturers in the market, but graphite or a composite of both materials has become more popular.

In simple terms, graphite is stiffer. As a result, there is a tendency for it to be more responsive than fiberglass. Graphite or composite materials were used to make rods that were more responsive, higher sensitivity, and faster action. A graphite rod will easily cast far, work well with baits, and are sensitive enough to detect small nibbles and tugs on your line. However, a fiberglass rod will also perform well but to a much-reduced extent.

The materials used in making your fishing line guides are also an interesting factor to look out for. There are different materials that are usually applied when designing guides. They include zirconium, titanium, ceramic, or the same base material as the rest of the rod. The material used in the reel seat and fishing guides will determine its compatibility with saltwater fishing. Saltwater is corrosive. So, it’s important that whichever material it’s made of can withstand this chemical reaction.

Finally, the last material to consider is the handle material. The handle material will determine how easily you can hold or maneuver your baitcasting rod. The best rods are built with either natural cork or EVA foam. The main difference between both materials is their durability. While EVA foam tends to last longer, anglers tend to prefer the appearance and feel of natural cork.

Physical Attributes – Rod Length, Rod Power, and Rod Action

The length of your rod is an important factor to consider when looking for a new baitcaster. It will help you determine the casting distance of your rod and the accuracy of your actions. In fact, it may even affect your fish fighting capacity. A rod is generally classified as long if it extends more than 7ft. At this length, it’s perfect for far casts. However, you may have to sacrifice some accuracy to do this. Shorter rods are easier to control and will give you pinpoint accuracy during casting. A shorter rod will also give you a better chance of fighting a tough or large game.

Another important physical attribute to consider when choosing rods is rod power. The power rating of your rod is essential in determining the size of baitcasting reels to use with your equipment. It also determines what weight lines to use. The power rating for different rods ranges from ultra-light to heavy-duty gear. Most anglers prefer to use a lightweight rod with enough strength to withstand the fighting capacity of your target species. However, a medium power rod will do well under the right scenario.

Lastly, rod action can simply be defined as a measure of how quickly power is transmitted from one part of your fishing rod to another. Fast action and extra-fast action rods are fishing gear that transmits power almost instantly. These rods bend near the top. Also, they are usually recommended for heavy lures. Medium-action and slower action rods are those that will bend further around the blank. It will provide some cushions for lightweight gear and are useful for casting or working with light lures.

Appearance and Ergonomics

If you’ve ever spent a long time fishing, then you’ll know that comfort plays a big part in enjoying your fishing trip. Regardless of your preferred fishing technique or style, the ergonomics of your casting rods are essential. It will determine how long you spend fishing and how the entire experience will turn out. There are anglers who prefer long handles for continuous casting, while there are those who may prefer something short that can be held in place for a long period. You have to determine what you find comfortable and use that information to guide your purchase.

Many people tend to overlook this aspect, but the appearance of your baitcasting rod is more important than you could ever imagine. Your fishing rod should look good and attractive with unique design elements. When you buy a rod you find attractive, you will use it more frequently and enjoy your value for money.

Value

Now, you’ve learned all the important features of a baitcasting rod. The final thing you need to determine before you make a choice is the amount of money you are looking to spend. Check the prices of each product and compare them with the amount of value offered by the manufacturer. Not every rod offers the same value for money, but it also doesn’t mean that you have to go ahead to purchase the most expensive product you come across. For the purpose of this article, you should aim for high-quality baitcasting rods for under $100.

Final Thoughts & Takeaways

And that’s all on the best baitcasting rods under 100. Without any doubt, the quality of your baitcasting reel will determine many things about your fishing experience. As a result, you need to make sure that you invest in getting yourself a baitcasting rod that offers the best value for money. However, this doesn’t mean that you have to purchase the most expensive product on the market. For less than $100, you can purchase a baitcasting rod that will optimize your experience and boost your catch rate.

Are you interested in finding out the best baitcasting rod under 100? Go through the details in this article. You’ll definitely find something interesting.

Frequently Asked Questions