Pier fishing is one of my favorite types of fishing. You can catch a variety of fish with the pier fishing rod. It is not a difficult type of fishing, so it can become an exciting activity for everyone. You will have the opportunity to use large lures to catch large fish. I love pier fishing. This type of fishing has many benefits. First of all, this type of fishing attracts novice anglers. If you have never held a fishing rod in your hands, then you should go to the pier to learn all the art of fishing. In my day I didn’t know a lot and thanks to pier fishing I learned all the basics and became what I am now.
You will be able to fish all day long without getting tired. Take a fishing chair with you so your legs don’t get tired during long hours of fishing. At the same time, on the pier, you can stand comfortably and not interfere with other fishermen. At any time you can attach your rod to the holder. You will free your hands and let them rest. Most importantly, this fishing gives excellent access to popular fish that migrate along the coastline and hide under the pier.
I love cleanliness so this is the perfect type of fishing for me. On the pier, you won’t find sand and mud. If you do not know something or your tackle breaks down, you can always ask the fishermen who will be with you on the pier for help. In addition, you can always chat with them on abstract topics and thus make yourself new friends. You cannot imagine how pleasant it is to cast rods from a height and not from the ground. You will have stable foot support. Your tackle will always be by your side as you can conveniently position your tackle bag and fish bucket. There are also young fish around the pier, which attracts predators. You should try pier fishing!
Our Selection 10 Best Pier Fishing Rods
Let’s see what the best fishing rods for pier fishing are! I wrote this article to save you time looking for a fishing rod. I have collected the 10 best fishing rods for the pier. Some of them I used myself, some were used by my father and some models were recommended to me by my friend, who has been engaged in this type of fishing for over 15 years.
1# Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod – #1 Best Seller
This is my all-time favorite rod and is perfect for Pier Fishing. This one has an Ugly Tech design. This technology consists of a special way of winding graphite fiber. This allows for lightweight and high sensitivity. Thanks to this, the spinning rod can withstand extreme loads during pulling out the fish. It will be especially useful as the rod is designed for big fish. The transparent fiberglass tip perfectly captures even the weakest bites. The powerful spinning rod is perfectly balanced and quite light, so it does not overload the angler’s hand. The rod is equipped with reliable guides and high-quality Ugly Tuff fittings, as well as a comfortable EVA reel seat and handle.
2# PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combos – #1 Best Seller
If you want to get not only a fishing rod but also a reel, then you should pay attention to this model. My father doesn’t like choosing tackle for a long time. And so he prefers to buy a fishing rod and reel combos right away. And his best set for Pier Fishing is from the PLUSINNO brand. It is a high-quality set that is corrosion resistant and therefore ideal for saltwater fishing. This is a telescopic rod that is easy to carry and use. It is made from a combination of fiberglass and graphite. This suggests that the rod is lightweight but very durable.
3# St Croix Avid Inshore Salt Water Spinning Rod
I can recommend this model to an avid angler. For beginners, it is better to choose the previous model. It is a light, sensitive, and very reliable spinning rod. It features a Fuji DPS reel seat with a gunsmoke hood. The ergonomic shape and premium cork on the handle ensures that the angler never gets tired even after fishing all day. The blanks are made of advanced high modulus SC-III graphite for maximum strength and sensitivity.
4# PENN Fishing Battalion II Inshore Spinning Saltwater Fishing Rod
This is one of the most reliable sea fishing rods known today. The one-piece rod blank is made using high-quality carbon and composite materials. They are ideal for catching large sea fish such as tuna and cod. It is fitted with a Fuji reel seat and Fuji Alconite guides. The handle is made of EVA material. The sensitivity of the blank is so high that I instantly felt a fish bite, even from great depths.
5# Shimano Tallus Spinning Fishing Rod
This is a reliable spinning rod of universal orientation, aimed at catching medium-sized predators. The rod can be used in saltwater due to its high corrosion resistance. The blank of the spinning rod has a high range of casting and the ability to neutralize strong and sharp jerks of large fish. Fuji O Guides are optimized for soft cords. I love the Shimano brand. And I can say that this rod, like all their products, is excellent. Perfect for pier fishing.
6# SHIMANO Trevala Jigging Casting Rod
Shimano has engineered a new generation of TC4 construction. This new design uses a high carbon butt section fused together with a TC4 ferrule section. This new design gives the TC4 traction, but with less weight and increased responsiveness. I also noticed a faster recovery rate. This made it possible to increase the jigging action and remove the fish faster. It is equipped with Fuji Aluminum Oxide Guides. They reduce wear and tear on your line. It has moderate fast action.
7# Berkley Big Game Spinning Fishing Rod
This rod has all the features you need for pier fishing. And it’s available at a fairly low cost. This accessory comes in two parts. This makes transportation easier. The rod is made of high-quality graphite which gives the model a lightweight. This material provides excellent sensitivity for under-pier fishing. The guide inserts are made from stainless steel with zirconium overlays. They are resistant to corrosion and stainless steel.
8# Daiwa Beefstick Surf Rod
This model is actually very interesting for its length. Amazing power and durability. The spinning rod is fast and stiff enough. It is made of fiberglass. The material is very durable so you don’t have to worry about durability. After the first use, I was shocked that this rod costs so little for its quality.
9# Fenwick HMG Spinning Fishing Rod
The modernized series of Fenwick HMG spinning rods are able to satisfy the requirements of even the most demanding fisherman. And it’s not just words. In the manufacture of Fenwick spinning rods, the highest quality fittings were used, as well as the material. The blanks were made using the Carbon Bound technology from the High Modulus Graphite series, which made it possible for the spinning rods to acquire high sensitivity and extraordinary power. At the same time, the rod has minimum weight. Fuji line guides are arranged according to a special concept. Their arrangement reduces the likelihood of overlaps when casting. The spaced-out EVA handle provides a reduction in blank weight. The reel seat has a lower attachment nut, and this has a positive effect on the additional sensitivity of the tackle as a whole.
10# PENN Carnage II Boat Spinning
Penn Carnage II rods are the next generation of lightweight yet powerful rods. Designed for the use of braided line and are not afraid of the additional load that is formed during its use, therefore they will cope with any fish. The SLS3 composite blanks are designed with a very small diameter, making the rod even more ergonomic, lightweight and smaller. Fuji K line guides with Alconate inserts. Fuji graphite reel seat holds any reel securely. The handle is made of heat shrink rubber.
General Information about Pier Fishing
Rods should always be at least 2 meters long for small fish and about 4 meters for larger fish because you need to do slightly longer casts. In the case of fishing lines, you can use different ones to cover more species. For fishing small fish, I use lines weighing between 6 and 8 kg. For larger species, I use 10 to 24 kg lines.
As for accessories, you will need sinkers. In the case of faster waters, those that are ball-shaped should be used, as they are easiest to handle. The bait used will be absolutely conditional. I prefer using small live seafood like shrimp or crabs. I use this as a supplement to typical worm baits. You can also use semi-hard bread, in which we will insert double hooks to extend the grip. Of course, these are only recommendations, since each fisherman should choose the equipment that is most interesting to him and with which he feels most comfortable. You cannot imagine what surprises I sometimes get with the tackle that, in theory, is not very suitable!
What to Look For When Buying
Choose your new rod carefully if you want it to work great for you. This equipment greatly influences the outcome of your fishing. These tips will help you find the perfect pier fishing rod.
Length
This is one of the most important points when choosing a rod. At least for me. The length of such a rod can vary in length from four to fourteen feet. But you have to understand a simple principle. The shorter your rod, the less distance you can cast. Accordingly, the longer the equipment, the more distant casts you will have.
Material
This is not the first time I have told you about rod materials. It doesn’t matter what type of rod you buy, they are usually made from three materials. It is graphite, fiberglass, or a combination of the two. If you have read my previous reviews, then you should already know that graphite is distinguished by its lightness, but inferior in strength to glass fiber. But glass fiber, on the contrary, is inferior to graphite in weight. Therefore, a combination of them is ideal. I believe that if you are an avid fisherman, then you have already decided which material suits you best. As for me, I prefer graphite. For me, the lightness of the rod is more important than strength.
Handle / Grip
This is another characteristic that I must mention. I think that you, like me, do not want the handle to slip or be uncomfortable. The grip must be firm so you can hold the rod with confidence. Typically, this fishing equipment is made of cork or foam rubber. I can’t say anything bad about these materials. As for handle length, the shorter models are ideal for one-handed casting.
Conclusion
Thanks to my review, you don’t have to worry about choosing a reliable pier fishing rod. Now you have everything for the right choice. All of the above models will deserve your attention. But if you are still in doubt, I advise you to pay special attention to the Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Fishing Rod.
Tags: #best pier fishing rod / #best rod and reel for pier fishing / #best pier fishing rod and reel / #best rod for pier fishing / #best size rod for pier fishing / #what is best fishing rod for pier snugging
I live in Tenerife (Canary Islands) for the last 10+ years and share my daily fishing experiences on my website. Many years of personal experience as a fisherman and the vast experience of my friends allow me to write professionally on any fishing topics (from choosing a flashlight and equipment to deep-sea fishing).
All of my advice is based on practical real-world experience and will be useful to both novice anglers and professionals. Read more about the author.
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About the author: Each article is verified by the fishing expert Sergio Smirnoff. The articles are written by professional and amateur fishermen with 20+ years of fishing experience.
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I appreciate the in-depth reviews of each rod brand, it makes it easier to make a decision on which one to buy. Thanks for the great information! To choose a manufacturer, consider St. Croix. Their Mojo Inshore series ($130) is popular, but for pier fishing, consider the Tidemaster series ($170). Both offer a 5-year warranty and are better quality than Ugly Stik/Pure Fishing rods at similar prices.
Another option is G. Loomis, with a saltwater series starting at $180 and a lifetime warranty, though at a higher price. For budget-friendly options, the Fenwick HMG ($99) is a solid choice with a lifetime warranty. Star Rods is another option, but may not be available in the UK due to shipping costs and duties.
Great article! It has provided me with valuable information on the best pier fishing rods. I’ll be visiting Tampa/St Pete next month and I’m hoping to do some pier and surf fishing, and if possible, kayak fishing too. I’m looking for a reliable and versatile combo that I can use for a week or two a year.
Some popular brands and models for pier fishing include:
For versatile pier and surf fishing, consider a 7-8ft combo of either a Penn Fierce or a Daiwa BG with a 4000-5000 size reel. These combos can handle various fishing situations and cost around $90 for the Penn or $120 for the Daiwa. Load it with a 20-30lb braided line and a 3ft leader of mono or fluorocarbon and you’re ready to go. You can use bait on piers or cast artificial lures in the surf. Good luck on your fishing trip!
This is the perfect resource for anyone looking for the best pier fishing rod. The detailed information and recommendations make it easy to find the right rod for me.
I have been pier fishing for a while now, and I found some new rod brands to try out thanks to this article.
This article is so helpful, I never knew there were so many options for pier fishing rods. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.