Best Inshore Spinning Rods for 2023 – The Ultimate Buying Guide

Finding the best inshore spinning rod can be a daunting task, as anglers tirelessly search for a rod that balances strength, durability, and portability. In the realm of inshore fishing, the caliber of your rod can determine whether you land your dream catch or leave empty-handed.

Don’t let an inferior spinning rod stand between you and your ultimate catch! For inshore fishing, it’s essential to select the best inshore spinning rod available.

With a vast array of options on the market, making the right choice can be overwhelming. Fear not, as we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. After exhaustive research and hands-on testing, we present our definitive list of the top inshore spinning rods for 2023 and beyond.

Our Top Picks

In this comprehensive buying guide, we’ll explore the top 9 inshore spinning rods that will elevate your fishing prowess. Each product will be examined in detail, highlighting the pros, cons, and distinguishing features that set them apart from the competition.

Also Check:

• best spinning rods
• best spinning rods under $100
• best spinning rods for trout

9 Best Inshore Spinning Rods Reviewed

1. KastKing Crixus IM6 Graphite Fishing & Spinning Rod

Key Features:

• Length: 7’0”
• Power/ Action: Heavy/ Fast
• Comes with a lightweight graphite construction with stainless-steel guide frames.
• Premium finishing
• Suitable for both freshwater and saltwater

When it comes to fishing poles, KastKing is a brand that needs no introduction!

The KastKing Crixus 7’0” heavy and fast fishing rod delivers an exceptional performance so that you can cast with confidence. The rod is made of IM6 graphite blanks, and thus, it has the perfect balance of strength and sensitivity. 

If you are looking for a high-quality inshore fishing rod suitable for big inshore species like Trout, Catfish, Monster Pike, etc., this rod is our top recommendation. It is perfect for delivering long and smooth casts without any difficulty. In addition, the rod is designed in a 2-piece form which allows for convenient transportation and storage.

We also liked its high-density EVA fighting butt, which gives it a well-finished look and enables you to handle those big catches easily! We also like the rod’s SuperPolymer handles that are slip-resistant that provide a very comfortable grip.

Overall, the KastKing Crixus 7’0” is a wonderful inshore spinning rod that offers some of the best features considering its price range. So, if you are on a tight budget, we recommend checking this one out!

2. Cadence CR5 Spinning Rod

Key Features

• Length: 7’0”
• Power/ Action: Medium/ Fast
• High-quality stainless steel material
• 30-ton carbon fiber blank
• Strong, lightweight, and sensitive

Cadence CR5 is a spinning rod that delivers everything it promises! It is one of the strongest inshore fishing rods available out there, thanks to its 30-ton carbon and High Power-X construction. It not only gives the rod strength but also makes it extremely lightweight and easy to handle.

Cadence CR5 comes with an exposed blank FUJI reel seat so you can hold the rod comfortably and get a hold of the big, hard-fighting fishes. The rod is highly suitable for tackling fishes like Speckled Trout, Redfish, Bass, etc.

Another thing that makes this spinning rod one of the best out there is its stainless steel guide with SiC inserts. When it comes to fishing, the sensitivity of a rod is a crucial factor. And the SiC inserts ensure just that! They prevent the line from sticking into the guides, reduce friction, and boost sensitivity. The enhanced vibrations ensure that you do not miss even a single fish nibble.

3. Penn Squadron II & Squadron III Inshore Spinning Fishing Rod

Key Features:

• Length: 7’0”
• power/ Action: Light/ Extra-fast
• EVA grips and cork handles for better handling
• Stainless steel Dura-Guides
• Lightweight

If you want to buy the best inshore fishing rods, Penn Squadron II & Squadron III can be incredible options! Both the Squadron II & Squadron III inshore spinning rods come with a high graphite-composite blank suitable for saltwater fishing. In addition, the rods come with graphite reel seats that provide them with great durability and flexibility.

The best thing about Penn Squadron rods is that they look as good as they perform. Both of these rods sport a stunning graphite finish that gives them a premium look and feel. They are also extremely smooth, offer a nice grip for tackling most saltwater species, and the cast is superb. In short, these are the kind of rods you would not want to put back down!

The only downside of Penn Squadron spinning rods is that they will cost you anywhere from $70 to $100. So, if you are on a budget, it might not be the most economical option. However, if you don’t mind spending some extra dollars, these inshore spinning rods are worth it!

4. Hurricane Calico Jack Inshore Spinning Rod

Key Features:

• Length: 7’6”
• Power/ Action: Medium
• Strong IM7 graphite construction
• Cork handles for comfortable grip
• Excellent Fuji guides

The Hurricane Calico Jack is an all-in-one inshore spinning rod that impressed us with its unique features, build quality, and overall performance. If you prefer a strong and no-nonsense spinning rod as your inshore fishing partner, this one would be just right for you!

Costing under $100, this rod will give you the best bang for your bucks. The IM7 graphite blanks and the fantastic Fuji guides provide the rod with a sturdy backbone while also making it super sensitive at the same time. You will feel even the slightest bumps and tiniest sensations with this rod.

All you need is a quality reel, and you will be all set to fight the toughest of inshore species. It loads exceptionally well, and its casting is excellent. The ultra-sensitive tips and the super comfortable cork handle make Hurricane Calico Jack one of our top picks for the best inshore fishing rods.

Overall, the Hurricane Calico Jack is a highly dependable rod perfect for species like speckled trout, flounder, redfish, etc.

5. Penn Battalion Inshore Spinning Rods

Key Features:

• Length: 7’0”
• Power/ Action: Medium
• Black and gold color options
• Durable Fuji reel seat
• Stunning design

Penn is a brand that you can almost always trust when it comes to inshore spinning and fishing rods! It is one of the top favorite brands of most inshore anglers. The Penn Battalion inshore spinning rod is another excellent product offered by the brand.

This rod comes with powerful features that help you handle even the biggest catches with great ease. It also has impressive strength and high durability. After using it for quite a while, we believe it is one of the most durable inshore spinning rods.

The Fuji guides offer a premium feel to the user. The rod’s continuous cork handle provides an amazing grip, the rubber shrink tube handles are long and cast well, and the super-sensitive tip ensures that you never miss a catch.

The only disadvantage with this rod is that it will cost you around $200, and thus, it is not budget-friendly. However, if you want a rod that has impressive strength and durability along with a stunning design and you don’t mind the high cost, the Penn Battalion would be just perfect for you!

6. Shimano Teramar Southeast Spinning and Fishing Rod

Key Features:

• Length: 7’0”
• Power/ Action: Medium/ Moderate Fast
• The rod has a TC4 construction to enhance its strength
• Fuji O guides and reel seat

The Shimano Fishing Rod is made of the TC4 material, giving it enough strength without increasing its weight. Moreover, the graphite construction makes the rod very responsive, and the increased vibrations will surely enhance your fishing experience.

Our favorite feature of the rod is its Grade A cork handles with a hook that offers a nice grip and allows for easy handling. In addition, the modern and sleek design makes it appealing to the eyes and ensures that you can fish with style!

This outstanding fishing pole comes with a sturdy Fuji reel seat. It also has Fuji guides just like Penn Battalion but at a slightly lower price. So, if you are a fan of Fuji guides and reel seats like us but do not want to spend a lot of money on the Penn Battalion, this rod can be a wonderful alternative.

7. G. Loomis E6X Inshore Fishing Rod

Key Features:

• Length: 7’0″
• Power/ Action: Medium-Heavy/ Fast
• Multi-taper technology to maintain an ideal power-to-weight ratio
• Suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fishing
• Carbon fiber blank

G. Loomis is a legendary brand that makes remarkable rods and other fishing equipment. The brand’s rods are long-standing, have a premium finish, and sport a high-quality build.

One thing to note is that the brand doesn’t generally offer budget-friendly products and most of its inshore fishing rods lie on the expensive side of the price spectrum. However, if you are not on a strict budget and looking for a high-end product, do not miss G. Loomis!

The G. Loomis E6X comes with everything that an angler dreams of. The rod has a carbon fiber blank that makes it strong, lightweight, and resilient inside the sea. With this rod with you, you won’t have to worry about dropping your catches easily. It also sports a single mandrel that consists of multiple tapers. This ensures that the rod has uniform thickness and outstanding sensitivity.

The full cork handles are a pleasant addition that provides a good balance for all fishing activities and actions. The handles are ideal for all kinds of inshore luring and baiting techniques. The rod comes with Fuji aluminum oxide guides and a Fuji reel seat.

The G. Loomis E6X is suitable for bigger species like Cobia, Tarpon, etc. You can also catch smaller fishes, including Tuna, species of small sharks, etc.

8. St. Croix Rods Avid Series Inshore Spinning Rod

Key Features:

• Length: 7’0”
• Power/ Action: Medium-Heavy/ Fast
• Advanced SCIII graphite construction
• High-quality guides with aluminum-oxide rings and titanium frames
• Fuji DPS reel seat
• Corrosion-proof wind check

St. Croix is a well-known name in the fishing equipment industry. The brand makes one of the best inshore spinning rods available out there. Its rods come with superior quality components and offer powerful features that are tough to compete with. However, just like G. Loomis, St. Croix is a premium brand, and most of its products come with an expensive price tag.

The St. Croix Avid Series inshore spinning rod comes with advanced graphite construction that makes the rod incredibly durable and sensitive. While using it, we were highly impressed with the rod’s sensitivity and buttery-smooth feel. While the rod is strong, it doesn’t feel heavy in your hands. You can easily handle it for hours without feeling the weight.

Additionally, the rod is built with integrated poly curve tooling technology. This removes all transitional points from the fishing pole and allows for smoother actions, increased sensitivity, and vibrations. The super-grade cork handle is pleasant to use and easy to move around.

The fishing pole also comes with a corrosion-proof wind check. This will enhance the rod’s durability and ensure it easily lasts for several years.

9. St. Croix Mojo Inshore Spinning Rod

Key Features:

• Length: 7’0”
• Power/ Action: Medium/ Fast
• Premium carbon construction
• Long and contoured handle with a combination of EVA and cork on select models
• Stainless gun smoke frames

The St. Croix Mojo is another outstanding inshore fishing rod offered by St. Croix. This rod sports a superior quality SCII carbon construction that provides strength and resilience. The medium-power blank makes this rod perfect for light strikes, luring, and other inshore fishing tactics.

Our favorite component of this rod is the split cork handle that provides you with a lot of territory for maintaining a firm grip. The handle has a perfect length, making loading and casting much more enjoyable. The tip is very sensitive, and you will be able to feel even the slightest of vibrations and nibbles.

The strong Hero Hi-grade guides ensure that you can hold on to the most hard-fighting fishes. So if you want to buy one of the best inshore fishing rods for catching species like Red Fish, Speckled Trout, etc., we recommend trying this one out!

Summing Up

So there you have it! These were our top 9 picks for the best inshore spinning rods for 2023 and beyond! We hope you found these reviews helpful and that we were able to give you some insights into the best inshore spinning rods available out there.

Whether you are looking for an inshore fishing pole for beginners or want a powerful rod to step up your game, we are confident that one of the products on this list will cater to your needs. Choosing the right fishing equipment is the step towards a successful and happy siding expedition.

So, make sure to carefully list down all your needs before making your pick, and then come back to this guide. First, consider your budget and then check out all these products. All the rods mentioned in this guide offer incredible performance, offer great features, and will definitely improve your fishing experience. So, analyze your needs and take your pick. Your dream catch awaits!