Fishing Rods for Sale: Spinning Rods, Casting Rods & Ice Fishing Rods

Whether you're chasing walleye on Lake of the Woods, battling bass in farm ponds, or jigging for crappie through the ice, Fleet Farm has the fishing rod you need. From trusted brands like Ugly Stik, 13 Fishing, and Abu Garcia to complete rod-and-reel combos, we stock fishing poles built for Midwestern waters. 

Fishing Rods Buying Guide

Types of Fishing Rods

Spinning Rods

The most versatile option for anglers of all skill levels. Spinning rods pair with spinning reels and excel at casting lighter lures and baits. Ideal for walleye fishing, panfish, and finesse bass techniques. Available in ultralight, light, medium, and medium-heavy actions to match your target species.

Casting Rods

Designed for precision and power, casting rods work with baitcasting reels to deliver heavier lures with pinpoint accuracy. Perfect for bass fishing with crankbaits, jigs, and topwater lures. Medium-heavy and heavy power rods handle big northern pike and muskies in Upper Midwest lakes.

Ice Fishing Rods

Short, sensitive rods built specifically for vertical jigging through the ice. Ice fishing rods range from 24 to 36 inches and feature fast-action tips to detect light bites from panfish, walleye, and perch. Pair with inline reels or tip-ups for maximum effectiveness.

Telescopic Fishing Rods

Compact and portable rods that collapse for easy transport and storage. Telescopic fishing rods are great for travel, backpacking trips, or keeping in your truck for spontaneous fishing opportunities. Available in spinning and casting configurations.

Fly Fishing Rods

Specialized rods designed for casting flies to trout, salmon, and panfish. Fly rods use weight-forward lines and require different casting techniques than spinning or casting rods.

Key Features to Look For

Rod Length

• Short (5-6 feet): Better for ice fishing, tight quarters, or fishing from kayaks
• Medium (6.5-7 feet): All-purpose length for most freshwater applications
• Long (7.5-9 feet): Increased casting distance for shore fishing and covering water

Power (Rod Strength)

Choose power rating based on target species:

• Ultralight/Light: Panfish, trout, small bass (2-8 lb line)
• Medium: Walleye, bass, small pike (8-12 lb line)
• Medium-Heavy/Heavy: Large bass, pike, musky, catfish (12-25+ lb line)

Action (Bend Point)

• Fast Action: Bends primarily at the tip for increased sensitivity and hook-setting power. Best for single-hook lures and live bait presentations.
• Moderate Action: Bends through the middle for casting distance and versatility. Ideal for treble-hook lures like crankbaits.
• Slow Action: Bends throughout the entire rod for maximum forgiveness when fighting fish.

Material

• Graphite: Lightweight and sensitive. Transmits bites clearly but more brittle if mishandled.
• Fiberglass: Durable and forgiving with moderate sensitivity. Nearly indestructible (Ugly Stik's trademark).
• Composite: Blends graphite and fiberglass for balanced performance and durability.

Number of Pieces

• One-Piece: Maximum sensitivity and strength but difficult to transport
• Two-Piece: Easy to store and transport without sacrificing much performance
• Multi-Piece/Telescopic: Ultra-portable for travel and storage

How to Choose the Right Fishing Rod

Match Rod to Target Species

• Panfish (crappie, bluegill, perch): Ultralight to light power, fast action, 5-6.5 feet
• Walleye: Medium to medium-light power, fast action, 6-7.5 feet (spinning or casting)
• Bass: Medium to medium-heavy power, 6.5-7.5 feet (spinning for finesse, casting for power)
• Northern Pike/Musky: Heavy power, 7-8 feet, fast action with strong backbone
• Catfish: Medium-heavy to heavy power, 7-9 feet for bank fishing

Consider Your Fishing Technique

• Live bait (minnows, leeches, worms): Medium action spinning rod for natural bait presentation
• Jigs and soft plastics: Fast action for detecting subtle bites
• Crankbaits and hard lures: Moderate action to prevent fish from throwing hooks
• Topwater: Moderate to fast action for solid hook sets

Rod and Reel Combos vs. Separate Components

Fishing rod combos pair a pre-matched rod and reel at a value price. Perfect for beginners, kids, or anglers who want convenience without sacrificing performance. Buying rods and reels separately allows you to customize your setup for specific techniques and species.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a fishing rod and a fishing pole?

The terms are often used interchangeably, but technically a fishing pole is a simple pole (like a cane pole) without a reel, while a fishing rod is designed to work with a reel. Most modern anglers use "rod" and "pole" to mean the same thing when referring to rod-and-reel setups.

What size fishing rod do I need for bass fishing?

For bass fishing, a 6.5 to 7.5-foot medium to medium-heavy power rod works for most situations. Choose spinning rods for finesse techniques (worms, small jigs) and casting rods for power fishing (crankbaits, heavy jigs, topwater). Fast action provides better hook-setting power for bass.

Can I use a bass rod for walleye fishing?

Yes, medium-power bass rods work well for walleye, especially when jigging or casting. For walleye trolling, consider a longer rod (7-8 feet) with a softer tip to detect light bites and prevent hook pulls. Medium-light power spinning rods are ideal for live bait rigging.

What fishing rod should a beginner buy?

Beginners should start with a medium-power, 6.5 to 7-foot spinning rod combo. This versatile setup handles most freshwater species and fishing techniques. Look for Shakespeare or Ugly Stik combos that include a pre-spooled reel. Fleet Farm offers complete packages ready to fish right out of the box.