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Shark fishing is a thrilling and challenging experience requiring specialized equipment, including the best shark fishing rods and their best-paired reel. The right rod can make all the difference between a successful catch and a disappointing day on the water as rods for sharks are selected considering many factors like rod power, action, length, and top of all the shark size.
In this blog post, we will dive into the world of shark fishing rods and explore the best on the market as with so many options available it is always tough to choose one. No matter whether you are a seasoned shark angler or a novice looking to try your hand at this exciting sport, this guide will help everyone to find the perfect rod to suit their needs. So grab a cup of coffee and get ready to learn about the best shark fishing rods on the market today.
Top 3 Picks for the best Shark Fishing Rods
- Carbon Fiber rod construction
- Fuji Alconite K-rod guides
- 10 and 11 feet length
- 2 piece rod style
- Graphite construction
- Stainless steel line guides
- 15-30 lb. Weight rating
- 9 to 11 ft. length options
- Fiberglass rod
- Spinning rod and reel combo
- 2 piece rod
- 7 to 12 feet rod lengths
List of Best Shark Fishing rods Reviewed in Detail
To land bigger giants, PENN Carnage is the best option we have on the list. Although a bit pricy compared to other conventional rods in the market.
The reason why we made it a cut is its lightweight construction, its SLS3 construction makes it ideally thin and still durable. Spend hours of fishing on the water without any arm fatigue and land your ideal shark catches.
Its stiffness makes it perfect for bigger catches as compared to smaller targets. It’s a carbon fiber rod, so more sensitive than graphite to detect the slightest strikes against lures. You can easily throw up to 4 or 8 oz. lure weight as it is specially designed to hold 20 to 50 lbs. weight.
In addition to this, I appreciate its long grip handles that also make this bait casting rod easier to hold. The grips on the handles offer a firm grip that wouldn’t lose even on wet hands.
Overall, a super strong and reliable rod for surf shark fishing conditions. It larger-size rod guides of the Fuji K-series surely handle both mono and braided fishing lines and offer smooth operations even under heavy loads.
- Thin-diameter bait casting rods
- Suitable for surf fishing conditions
- Long-length rods offer longer casting distances
- Throws heavy fishing lures and baits easily
- Being 2 piece rod it is easier to carry
- Expensive rod
- Being stiff rods they aren’t suitable for smaller catches with delicate and sensitive bites
Each PENN series is designed for a specific type of fishing and PENN Ally is perfect for catching bigger giants like sharks when boating. For this purpose, they are also made shorter in length.
Maintaining the PENN signature durability and strength, this one is also a reliable pick for bigger catches. It is an excellent option to catch larger sharks longer than 5 feet.
The standout feature of this rod is its one-piece tubular glass construction that withstands the weight and power of larger fish and still remains lighter on arms and easier to hold for hours of fishing.
Additionally, the rod features aluminum oxide inserts, which provide smooth line movement and prevent the line from getting tangled. You can also go with the roller guides option available with select models make sure to check before buying.
Being a glass rod, I wasn’t expecting that this rod will be sensitive but despite its strength and durability, the rod is still sensitive enough to detect even the slightest nibble from a shark. This allows anglers to quickly and easily set the hook and reel in their catch.
Overall, the PENN Ally Boat casting fishing rod is definitely worth considering although comes with a flashy price but with its strength, durability, and sensitivity, it’s sure to help you land some impressive catches out on the water.
- A Perfect rod for landing bigger sharks up to 5 feet or taller
- Suitable for throwing heavy baits
- Attractive cosmetics
- 2 piece rod
- Guides aren’t resistant to corrosion
- Expensive rod
PENN is a popular brand that offers high-quality fishing rods suitable for heavy covers. The Penn Prevail & Prevail II Surf Casting Fishing Rod is for those avid anglers who are searching for a sturdy and reliable fishing rod that can withstand the power of sea predators and can handle even the biggest and strongest sharks.
The impressive feature of the Penn Prevail & Prevail II Surf Casting Fishing Rod is its graphite composite blank, which offers both strength and sensitivity. This blank is designed to handle heavy loads.
It’s a versatile rod available in different lengths from 9 to 11 feet. The power rating of PENN Prevail i.e. medium to medium heavy makes it suitable for a variety of other species, including striped bass, bluefish, and tuna. Whether you’re fishing from the shore or from a boat, this rod is up to the challenge.
To achieve longer casts by throwing heavier lures up to 7 oz. it is necessary to have high-quality line guides. PENN prevail features stainless steel guides with aluminum oxide inserts. These guides are designed to reduce friction and increase casting distance, allowing you to cast further and more accurately.
Its reel seat is all well-built and holds the spinning reel firmly, you wouldn’t face any reel loosening issues specifically with this rod.
Overall it is a stylish and versatile spinning surf fishing rod and is the perfect tool for any angler who wants to take on the challenge of catching a massive shark by applying different fishing techniques.
- Suitable for professional anglers
- Corrosion-resistant rod components
- 2-piece rod suitable for traveling
- The guides might get damaged under load
Finding the perfect pair reel for the selected rod is a bit tricky task. Buying both gears individually also costs more. Okuma Tundra combo is a solution to this problem and a time saver for many anglers.
Each rod is paired with the perfect size reel to catch specific size fish for a specific type of fishing. It is available in 7 to 12 feet lengths with a maximum of 540 yards of spool capacity reels.
To target 4-5 footer sharks, the Okuma Tundra combo is a suitable durable option. The combo can easily land fish up to 20 pounds in weight.
It’s a fiberglass rod, so sensitivity wouldn’t be like the other graphite rods but luckily the bites of bigger fish like sharks aren’t hardtop detect so the sensitivity factor wouldn’t affect your cast.
I would recommend switching the reel with a Shimano reel as the reel quality and performance are less than expected as it features only one ball bearings.
But perhaps the best thing about the Okuma Tundra Spinning Combo is its affordability. Compared to other shark fishing combos on the market, this one is a steal. It offers all the features and benefits of more expensive options but at a fraction of the cost.
Overall, a recommended rod and reel setup for any beginner angler who wants to try their hand at shark fishing, the Okuma Tundra Spinning Combo is the perfect place to start.
- Budget-friendly combo for shark fishing
- Best suitable for entry-level anglers
- Suitable for throwing lures up to 4-5 oz.
- Not suitable for targeting sharks up to 100 pounds or more
- Make sure to give it a freshwater wash otherwise, the components will be rusted
Fiblink surf fishing rod delivered the performance that honestly I was expecting. It comprises mostly of the features that an expensive high-end rod does and performs also a level-up.
For traveling, most anglers don’t bring their expensive rods as they might get damaged when placed in cars or trucks. Fiblink surf spinning or casting rods can be easily carried to your favorite fishing spots and are the best alternative to expensive rods for traveling.
It’s a versatile rod that adopts any fishing style whether it’s pier, beach, or fishing from the boat. These moderately fast action rods from 9 to 15 feet are the perfect option for budget-conscious anglers who wants to take on the challenge of catching a massive shark without breaking the bank.
Another standout feature that makes it one of the best shark fishing rods is its durable line guides. These stainless steel mixed with ceramic guides aren’t easy to bend under pressure. Moreover, they can stand up to the harsh saltwater environment.
Overall, if you’re looking for a low-budget rod that can handle the power of a shark, the Fiblink Surf Spinning Fishing Rod is the way to go. It can easily throw heavy lures up to 5-8 oz. easily.
It is also available as a baitcasting rod so pick whatever best suits your skill level.
- Best durable shark rod under $100
- High-strength line guides
- Lightweight rod
- Suitable for saltwater fishing conditions
- Corrosion-resistant components
- 2-piece rod suitable for traveling
- Can cast heavy lures
- Protection rod case is also included along with the rod
- The rod eyelets might dislocate from their position
- Stiff rod
It is not always that you want a long-length rod up to 9 to 12 feet for shark fishing. For better leverage when landing 4-5 footer sharks, Daiwa Laguna with 6.6 feet length is the best option when fishing from shore.
Some anglers also prefer shorted rods when fishing from boat as they offer more power and leverage against heavy sharks, so Daiwa Laguna also suits best for those anglers.
The Daiwa Laguna rod isn’t designed to land big giants, in our case it is a suitable spinning rod for landing sharks up to 10 pounds. For bigger sharks, up to 1000 pounds or more, PENN Carnage or PENN prevail is there.
It’s a stiff graphite rod, great at sensitivity feature that lets you feel the slightest fish nibbles and strikes. The aluminum oxide guides although aren’t corrosion resistant, are durable enough to handle harsh fishing conditions and braided line abuse.
Overall, it is a reliable rod with enough power to land smaller sized shark.
- Short-length rod suitable for shorter casts
- Perfect rod for vertical fishing
- Offer more power than longer rods
- These rods do not support longer casting distance
- Line Guides aren’t corrosion resistant
- Not suitable for hooking bigger sharks
How to choose the rods for shark fishing
Many factors are considered before buying a rod for targeting a specific specie. It is better to learn about the fishing rod’s specifications and other related terms for a well-informed decision.
Type of fishing rods
There are several types of fishing rods. Selecting a shark rod from basic rods categories i.e. spinning, or casting depends on many factors.
The best type of rod for shark fishing depends on your experience level, fishing style, and the specific conditions you’ll be fishing in. On a lighter note, spinning rods are best to choose for beginners as they are easier to use.
Spinning rods are versatile options suitable for inshore fishing or in situations where you need to cast lighter baits or lures. They are suitable for anglers who prefer relaxed-style fishing.
On the other side, baitcasting rods are the perfect pick for seasoned and professional anglers. Besides this, pick baitcasting rods for greater casting distance, and accuracy, when targeting larger sharks in deeper waters. They are good at providing more power and control when fighting a shark.
Overall, the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and fishing style. Consider trying out both types of rods to see which one feels most comfortable and effective for you.
Rod Material
Fishing rods are available as graphite, fiberglass, composite rods (a combination of both fiberglass and graphite), and carbon fiber. It is always confusing to pick which one.
For surf fishing, graphite rods are preferable due to their fast action. They are generally more sensitive which can be helpful when trying to detect bites. They also offer leverage at setting hooks and additionally are lighter in weight than fiberglass so easily it is more hours on the water. However, graphite rods may be more brittle and less durable than fiberglass rods, which can be a concern when fighting large, powerful sharks.
On the other hand, fiberglass rods are more durable, flexible, and forgiving. It is helpful especially when fighting a shark that is making sudden, powerful movements. Adding more to fiberglass rods, they are durable and resistant to breakage, which can be important when fishing in rocky or rough areas.
However, you might end up with fatigue in your arms as fiberglass rods are heavier than graphite. They are also less sensitive which makes it tricky to detect the slightest nibbles.
At last, there are carbon fiber rods, an enhanced form of graphite i.e. more lightweight, and sensitive than normal graphite rods. These types of rods are usually expensive so if available on a budget must grab them.
So, it depends on your personal preference and the specific conditions you are fishing in.
Rod length
Again the length factors depend on the various factor. There isn’t one rod length as the best for shark fishing. So to select the rod length first determine your type of fishing whether it is fishing from a boat or surf fishing.
Shorter rods i.e. 5 to 6.6 are great at casting accuracy and offer more power when landing bigger one however, lacks casting distance. In general, most anglers prefer longer rods for shark fishing, as they provide greater casting distance and leverage when fighting a large fish.
The common length range for shark fishing is 7-9. These length rods offer enough casting distance and are good with maneuverability but some anglers may prefer longer rods up to 12 feet or more for certain surf fishing situations.
When fishing in a boat, trolling, jigging, or from a pier, a longer rod i.e. 9 to 12 feet may be more useful for casting to distant feeding areas or keeping the line clear of nearby structures. However, if you are fishing from shore, a shorter rod i.e. 6 to 7 feet may be more practical for maneuvering in tight spaces and avoiding obstacles
Rod Power
The power of the rod decides the rod’s stiffness, and strength i.e. its lifting ability to target what size fish. The higher the rod power’s scale is, the bigger fish it can handle.
Fishing rods are categorized as heavy, medium, and light power rods. To target specie like sharks, the rod must have enough power to handle the weight and strength of a large powerful fish.
For smaller sharks, a medium-heavy or heavy power rod may be sufficient. However, for larger sharks, such as tiger sharks or great whites, a heavy or extra-heavy power rod may be necessary.
Keep in mind that increasing the rod power might increase its weight as more material is used.
Rod Action
The rod action is how fast a rod returns to its original location after a bend when pressure is applied to it. In general, there are three types of rod actions: fast, medium, and slow.
Fast action rods are stiffer and suitable when targeting smaller or more elusive shark species. It has less flex, and also has a quicker recovery time, which helps to set the hook more quickly.
Overall, fast to medium/moderate action rods are suitable for shark fishing.
Line Guides
The line guides for the shark fishing rods must be strong enough to handle the weight and power of a large, powerful fish.
The line guides that are typically made from materials that are corrosion-resistant and durable, such as stainless steel or ceramic are mostly recommended for shark fishing. These materials can help to prevent damage to the line and reduce friction when casting or reeling in a fish.
In addition, to guide material, their count on the rod is also important. More guides can help to distribute the load of a large fish more evenly along the length of the rod, reducing stress on individual guides and preventing damage to the rod.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Although your surf fishing rods are also a qualifying option for shark fishing, the point is, there is a lot of difference between a surf rod for redfish and a surf rod for sharks.
The rods we’ve discussed in this blog post are among the top options for shark fishing on the market, each with its unique strengths and features. Following the above buying guide you will be successful in finding the best sharking fishing rods even if you want to look other than the above-mentioned rods.
No matter which rod you ultimately choose, make sure it’s comfortable to use and capable of handling the size and strength of the sharks you’re targeting. With the right shark fishing rod in hand, you’ll be well-equipped to tackle these apex predators and create unforgettable memories on the water. So best of luck!!