Best Baitcasting Rod Under $100

On the lookout for a baitcasting rod that is not going to break the bank? We have you covered as we have taken the Best Baitcasting Rod Under $100 and compared each and reviewed the top 5 that are available that are under $100.

Fishing is a sport that is enjoyed by all age groups. Whether your fishing from a boat, kayak, or land, there is nothing more enjoyable reeling in a big catch.

The most common fishing style involves casting your baits into the lake and waiting for that elusive bite. The best rod for this style of fishing is a baitcasting rod, we have given you our top 5 baitcasting rods under $100. However, if you are on the lookout for more information we have included a buying guide below.

1. Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod

For years Ugly Stik has been a brand synonymous with quality and durability. Since the 1970s they have strived to create fishing rods that appeal to a mass market but bring professional-level quality and innovation. Their newest generation of rods is no different. The GX2 is the next generation of casting rod from Ugly Stik. This stick takes all of the best features of previous Ugly Stik generations and gives it some more modern touches to bring their style and performance into the twenty-first century.

The GX2 Casting Rod is made from a blend of graphite and fiberglass which gives it the ultimate blend of weight, speed, and strength. This rod will be balanced and durable and allow for the best casts possible. They have upgraded the grips to EVA foam grips which don’t slip, don’t hold water, and won’t crack or split with use. It is the same quality rod from Ugly Stik upgraded for the modern fisher.

2. Falcon Rods HD Casting Rod

The Falcon Rods HD Casting Rod perfectly blends classic fishing rod design with modern strength and comfort. This rod evokes the feeling of early 20th century rods but gives you all of the power and ergonomics of a 21st-century rod. With an exposed Fuji reel and natural cork handles it truly is a classic. The 100% graphite blank is lightweight and strong and is complemented by full Fuji guides. These rods are made from the highest quality materials for unrivaled performance and durability.

You’ll never want to use another rod again! Between the classic look and the modern amenities all for an affordable price, there are no rods on the market that are going to serve you better than the Falcon Rods HD Casting. They are durable, made from the highest quality materials, and will give you the stuff you need to do the kind of fishing you love. When looking for your next rod, make sure you choose one by Falcon Rods.

3. Abu Garcia Vengeance Casting Fishing Rod

Abu Garcia’s motto is “For Life” and they mean it. They have been an industry leader for years serving the sportfishing community. They are committed to bringing the best, most effective, and innovative rods to anglers all over the world for life. Their rods are designed with the sport fisher in mind meaning the casual fisher gets all of the benefits of a professional rod at a casual price.

With the Vengeance Casting Rod, Abu Garcia has designed a rod that is sure to catch the eye. This rod is sleek and modern looking. Made from the highest quality materials, the rod stands out among the competition. The Vengeance Casting Rod is made from 24-ton graphite giving it the ultimate combination of balance and lightweight construction. The guides on this rod are 100% stainless steel and also include titanium oxide inserts. They offer six different variations in this line that are all seamless 1pc construction so no assembly, no broken or missing pieces. Just grab this rod and hit the waters for the best fishing you’ve ever had.

4. SHIMANO FXC 2 Piece Casting Rod

The SHIMANO FXC 2 Piece Casting Rod is designed specifically with versatility in mind. Their construction was made with anglers of all kinds and skill levels in mind. Whether you like fishing in a lake, stream, river or even light saltwater or brackish water this rod will have you covered. You won’t need to own a bunch of different rods for a bunch of different locations, instead get your rod from SHIMANO and set your angling free.

Most competitors are made from boring fiberglass or graphite. The FXC series is made from reinforced Aeroglass construction and aluminum oxide guides. These unique materials give you a smooth and accurate cast every time. There is nothing as sensitive as this combination of materials and you can feel the difference immediately. This is bolstered by durable EVA foam grips that do not slip when wet and hold up under whatever conditions the elements are throwing at you. Allow SHIMANO to show you their unique design and innovations with their FXC 2 piece casting rods.

5. Enigma Fishing Phenom Titanium Gen2

Don’t settle for inferior products when it comes to your main fishing rod. For the passionate angler, their fishing rod is an extension of themself, make sure it is the best. The Phenom Titanium Gen2 by Enigma Fishing is one of the highest quality rods on the market. The difference in material and construction will be instantly apparent to anyone who uses it. This is because it uses only the best materials imported from Japan in their build.

This rod is made from proprietary 30-ton Japanese Toray Graphite which is strong enough to give you a one-piece rod that is both strong, durable and lightweight. This is complemented by Alps Guides which are coated in titanium and features zirconium rings. These are simply materials not found in other rods. That is because these rods are designed to be tournament used and tournament ready at all times. Their award-winning design is the choice of professional anglers all over the world.

Best Baitcasting Rod Under $100 Guide

You don’t have to have a ton of money to get yourself a quality baitcasting rod that can upgrade your fishing experience. When choosing the best casting rod, you want to consider a few different things.

First, you want a quality rod made from top-notch materials. Some cheaply made rods are prone to cracking and eventually snapping out of the blue because of the materials they use are not great quality. Second, you want to choose a rod that has enough power to do what you need. You don’t want to be stuck at your favorite fishing spot only to realize you can’t cast far enough out to the choicest waters. Lastly, you want a comfortable ergonomic rod. A casting rod is going to be in your hand a lot and having a comfortable one is going to make all the difference.

Taking those three important factors into account there is one rod that stands above the rest in terms of quality and affordability and that is the Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod.

Ugly Stik

Since they came onto the fishing scene decades ago in the 1970s, Ugly Stik has built a brand that became synonymous with quality for an affordable price. Their sticks are universally adored and come with a slew of accolades and glowing reviews. The Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod embodies all of these qualities and more in its pursuit of being the best casting rod on the market. All of the models in the GX2 line come in well under $100.

Quality and Durability

Ugly Stik uses a unique combination of graphite and fiberglass to create a rod that is both lightweight, balanced, and durable. Some of the pure fiberglass rods are prone to being fragile and rods from other materials can be bulky and heavy but this rod enjoys the benefits of both.

They have also included a single piece, stainless steel guide that is specifically designed to eliminate line pop-outs while also adding overall durability to the rod. This guide can be used with all types of lines, including braided, which is a big plus.

Ugly Stik has always had a reputation for being a long-lasting rod and they continue to back that up. The Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod comes with a 7-year warranty which shows how much they trust their product.

Rod Power

The Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod comes in a variety of configurations in order to give the fisherman the greatest amount of options possible. The GX2 line has over a dozen different possible variations that offer a good variety of power and size for users of all stripes.

Many of the GX2 rods are rated for medium power giving you a balanced, lightweight casting rod that does everything well. However, they also have a few models that are in the medium-heavy and heavy power range if you need a rod that can really cast far. They also offer one that has light power for people who don’t need to cast their bait to the moon. Ugly Stik offers a rod for everyone but the power in each is great.

The construction and materials mean that casting these rods is a breeze no matter what power rating you are looking for. The balance is phenomenal and wielding these casters is going to feel light and airy.

Ergonomic Comfort

This newest generation of rods comes with an upgrade in their grip. The older models usually had cork grips, which still work fine in the industry, but for the GX2 Ugly Stik upgraded their handles to EVA foam which are both comfortable and durable. They don’t absorb water, they don’t slip but they are very comfortable on your hands so that you can keep the ultimate level of comfort all day.

The best part about EVA foam grips is that if anything does happen to them, they are affordable and easy to replace. Just swap them out for a new foam piece and you are good to go.

For the absolute best casting rod on the market for less than $100 you cannot pass up the Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod. It has durability, balance, power and comfortable grips making it a fantastic option for any fisher.

Shakespeare Ugly Stik 6’6” GX2 Casting Rod, One Piece Casting Rod, 10-25lb Line Rating, Medium Heavy Rod Power, Moderate Fast Action, 1/4-3/4 oz. Lure Rating, BLACK

• UGLY STIK 6’6” GX2 CASTING ROD: The next-gen Ugly Stik, featuring better balance and improved components. From the makers of the #1 rod series in the world.
• 10-25LB LINE RATING, MEDIUM HEAVY POWER, MODERATE FAST ACTION: Built tough to stand up to what's next. Lure rating of 1/4-3/4 oz. One piece fishing rod features Ugly Stik Clear Tip design for strength and sensitivity.
• DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Constructed from graphite and fiberglass for a lighter weight rod, while maintaining legendary toughness and strength. Ugly Stik Fishing Rods are covered by a 7-year warranty you won't find anywhere else.
• 7 DURABLE GUIDES: Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides provide excellent corrosion resistance and durability and eliminate insert pop-outs during rough treatment.
• REEL SEAT: Graphite reel seat provides ultralight strength, comfort and durability. Type-C EVA rod handle is lightweight and slip-resistant, so you can hold on when fishing gets tough.

$49.95

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Conclusion

That brings us to the end of my article and I really hope that I have helped you find the best baitcasting rods under $100, and after reading the buying guide it takes away a lot of questions you may have had and it makes the choice of rod a lot easier than when you come to the site.

The guide was made to help you pick out the best features so you can apply them to your style and get the best fitting rod and to give some tips on fishing with a baitcasting rod for when you hit the water.

I am often asked what your number one from the top 5 list is and I always struggle to give an answer as they are all really good rods within the price range we are working within.

However if you was to twist my arm I would plunge for the Ugly Stik GX2 Casting Rod as it’s an excellent rod at the higher end of the budget. Or an alternative would be the Falcon Rods HD Casting Rod I love the cork handle on this one.

There is no right or wrong choice from the list other than choosing a rod that matches your style and your budget. As all of the rods on the list will serve you well over many happy years of fishing.

There is not a lot more to say on this subject other than to say happy fishing with your new baitcasting rod and I hope you have plenty of tight lines over the coming fishing season.