If you’re new to the sport, one of the first questions you might ask is “what type of fishing pole do I need?” While I’ll go into more detail as to why, I’ll cut right to the chase: Beginners should buy a 7′ medium-heavy power, fast action spinning rod as your first fishing pole. This is a versatile set up that allows you to fish fast or slow in a variety of cover and situations and is the all around best fishing pole for a beginner.
Let’s break down why a 7′ medium-heavy power, fast action spinning rod is the best fishing pole for beginners.
Note: while the correct term is technically “fishing rod” many beginners are going to call it a “pole.” As this website is designed to help newcomers, I will use the term interchangeably.
Why a 7′ Fishing Pole is What Beginners Need
While you can get a fishing pole that is longer or shorter than 7′, I find the 7′ length to be the sweet spot that allows you to do anything with it. For example, I prefer slightly shorter rods for techniques like jerkbaits and slightly longer ones for frogging or jigs. 7′ is an acceptable medium between all of these.
7′ is also the perfect rod length for spinnerbaits and plastic worms, which are outstanding beginner fishing lures. Since these are two of the lures you should plan on using when you’re first starting out, it stands to reason that the best beginner fishing pole would be one that can use them well!
7′ fishing poles will also fit in most rod lockers on boats, if you have one. It was only fairly recently that manufacturers started making larger rod lockers so if you have an older boat (or might be in the market for one eventually), that’s an added plus of this length.
Given all this, a 7′ fishing pole is clearly the type you need as a beginner.
Why I Suggest Spinning Rods
If you’re a beginner purchasing your first fishing pole, I highly suggest that it be a spinning rod rather than a casting rod. While you’re probably going to notice that the professionals have far more baitcasters in their rod boxes than spinning gear, remember, they’re pros. Baitcasters vs. Spinning rods are very much akin to a manual transmission vs. Automatic transmission car. Whlie anyone could learn either first, it’s just easier if you can concentrate on driving / fishing rather than worrying about shifting or keeping a baitcaster under control.
A spinning rod, in my opinion, is also more versatile than a baitcaster, even if it isn’t as good as a baitcaster in several situations. A big enough spinning rod can throw any kind of lure. Anyone who claims you can’t throw a frog or jig on one is incorrect. True, it will be more difficult, especially in heavy cover, but it isn’t impossible.
On the other hand, try throwing a tiny lure any distance on a baitcaster. While I suppose it too isn’t “impossible” it’s so much more difficult. Buying a spinning gear is going to make techniques like tiny drop shots accessible to you, which is important when you’re starting out.
Why Medium-Heavy Power Fast Action Rods Are Perfect for Beginners
While you might think a “medium” rod is the middle ground with fishing poles, that’s not really true. For most manufacturers, a medium power fishing rod is actually pretty light. The true middle ground is really a medium-heay rod. This is the beast that’s going to let you fish anything you want, with reasonable success.
While most medium-heavy power fishing rods are designed primarily for spinnerbaits and plastic worms, they’re also heavy enough to fish frogs through heavy cover and light enough to toss a crankbait with some success (you might just want to loosen the drag a little). If you could have only ONE fishing pole, a medium-heavy power rod will give you the most options.
As for action, it’s simply how extensive the tip bends. Again, a fast action is a good all-around option that will allow you to fish many lures successfully.
What are Some Good Fishing Lures for a Medium-Heavy Power, Fast Action Rod?
While a medium-heavy power, fast action rod can throw pretty much anything successfully, they’re really designed for spinnerbaits and soft plastic worms. Point in fact, on several rods, they specifically state this right on the label.
If you’re using spinnerbaits on a medium-heavy power, fast action rod, I’d recommned going with lures in the 1/2 oz size. While doable, 3/8 oz won’t cast as far or as well. If you prefer the more compact size of the 3/8 oz spinnerbaits, several brands such as War Eagle make a version of their spinnerbaits that weigh 1/2 oz but have a small and compact size.
As for soft plastic worms, you really can use whatever type you like. I have one medium-heavy power, fast action rod that is dedicated to wacky-rigged Senkos, with another rigged up for Texas Rigs when I need something a little more weedless. Both work great on this type of rod.
Which 7′ Medium-Heavy Power, Fast Action Spinning Rod Should a Beginner Buy?
If you’re a complete beginner and are uncertain if you’re going to like this sport, I would suggest getting an inexpensive fishing rod. That doesn’t mean you should get a cheap fishing rod, however. Luckily, Ugly Stik has a 7′ medium-heavy fast action spinning rod in their GX2 series that is perfect for someone starting out. Really, its the only type of fishing pole you need to get into this sport.
True, it’s not as flashy as a nice St. Croix (which I’d definitely treat yourself to once you get the hang of things), but it is durable, effective, and efficient. I recommend folks stock up on Ugly Stiks early in life. They tend to be the sort of rods that sticks with them all through life and get handed down to the kids one day. We still have some Ugly Stiks in our arsenal that have been going strong for close to thirty years now.
While they aren’t the most sensitive rods, you really don’t need that with many techniques (for example, there’s absolutely no doubt when a fish slams a spinnerbait or topwater lure, and even most takes on a worm are quite discernable). What you do need is a rod you can count on not to break when a monster hits, and Ugly Stiks are renowned for their durability.
I understand that if you stick with the sport, you’re evenutally going to upgrade. All the same, an Ugly Stik GX2 is not a purchase you’re going to regret. We’ve all been there where we’ve bought something inexpensive and then thought to ourselves, “man, now I have to buy something twice!”
What Are Some Other Good Types of Fishing Poles?
While I do maintain that an Ugly Stik is a great type of fishing pole for a beginner, if you want something a little higher end, I am a big believer in the St. Croix lineup. I’ve more or less been buying nothing but Ugly Stiks and St. Croix (with a few Browning Silaflexs thrown in) for the past 10 years. I have an article that goes into the different St. Croixs that you could buy here, but their baseline Triumph line is a very affordable entry into their world. Here is an article I wrote reviewing the St. Croix Triumph series in detail.
Conclusions
If you ever ask yourself “what type of fishing pole do I need?” the answer is simple. A 7′ medium-heavy power, fast action spinning rod is the pole you should buy if you’re a beginner. It’s versatile and will let you fish a wide variety of lures. Further, it’s also relatively fool-proof being a spinning rod. It’s the sort of rod you can count on using throughout your life and you can fish fast (spinnerbaits) or slow (worms) while also skimming lures across the surface (frogs) or reaching the depths (dropshots). There’s really no downside to this being your first fishing rod. I hope you enjoy!
Thanks,
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