Best Bottom Fishing Rods: Top 5 Reviews and Buying Guide

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An excellent and easy way to catch large-sized fish, bottom fishing is a popular technique followed by innumerable anglers. And, if you have a boat, as well as the proper gear, you can hook any large fish that live at the bottom and grow up to 20 lb or more including catfish, common carp, suckerfish, halibut, bream and snappers very easily. However, for successful bottom fishing, the most essential are the best bottom fishing rods. 

So, you may ask, “what are the best bottom fishing rods?” In this guide, we’ll review some of the best bottom fishing rods on the market along with what important factors you should consider when purchasing a bottom fishing rod. 

In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks…

Reviews of the Best Bottom Fishing Rods

You would be surprised to know that even the smallest of structures at the bottom of an ocean or freshwater body attract plenty of fish, whether they are wrecks, reefs, rocky banks, piers, bridge pilings, etc. and these places can be a treasure trove for an avid bottom fishing enthusiast. 

However, with so many options on the market, choosing the best bottom fishing rods can be a tough task and so, to make things easier for you we have reviewed some great options that can work for your bottom fishing expeditions. So, read on and check out our favorite picks. 

Fiblink Bent Butt 2-Piece Fishing Rod

Made of sturdy composite blanks made of E-glass graphite, the Fiblink 2-Piece fishing rod has a solid fiberglass construction that is structurally strong and offers excellent pulling power, which makes it easy for you to handle even very large size fish. 

The fishing rod features high-quality roller guides, offers power control, and is corrosion resistant to saltwater. The rod has a wheel seat made of aluminum alloy which is connected firmly with the fishing boat, ensuring that it is not pulled off even when you catch large fish. The rod has a groove at the connection, which aligns the guide and prevents it from rotating.

The aluminum alloy bent butt is very strong and it has a rubber shrink tube handle that is non-slip, which is extremely comfortable while offering good grip. The rod butt has a gimbal cross at the bottom for fighting chairs or rod holders. Best for catching yellowfin tuna, marlin or wahoo, the Fiblink fishing rod has a beautiful black and gold design that combines style with durability. 

What We Like

• Strong and sturdy fiberglass construction.
• Non-slip, comfortable rubber shrink tube handle.
• Corrosion resistant. 
• Easy to put together.
• Very good quality fishing rod.
• Good value for money.

What We Don’t Like

• The rod is quite heavy and does not line up perfectly sometimes.
• The fishing rod is quite stiff.

Fiblink 1-Piece Conventional Boat Rod

Made of reinforced glass fiber and carbon material, the Fiblink 1-Piece Conventional Boat Rod offers improved performance and enhanced sensitivity. The fishing rod is strong and enhanced structurally, providing excellent pulling power. The fishing rod is very strong and makes it easy to lift large size fish. 

The stainless-steel guide with ceramic makes it smoother and prevents the line from getting stuck while minimizing friction and enhancing sensitivity. The high-density EVA handle and foregrips make the fishing rod non-slip and provide all-day comfort. 

The wheel seat made of aluminum alloy is resistant to extreme exposure. Overall, the Fiblink 1-Piece Conventional Boat Rod with its heavy-duty high-quality construction is an excellent, reliable and sturdy saltwater fishing rod.

What We Like

• The fishing rod is rust resistant. 
• The high-density EVA foregrips and handle ensure a comfortable grip.
• The medium-heavy rod is great for saltwater fishing. 
• Easy to use. 
• Lightweight. 

What We Don’t Like

• The rod is best for conventional reels only.  

Fiblink 2-Piece Heavy Bent or Straight Butt Trolling Rod 

If you’re out to catch some big fish, then the Fiblink 2-Piece Trolling Rod with its E-glass graphite composite blanks construction is a great buy. The top-quality construction makes the saltwater offshore rod reliable, as well as durable. 

The fishing rod provides the right pressure needed, especially when you’re struggling with a large-sized saltwater fish. The rod features roller guides made of stainless steel that protect the line and a wheel seat made of aluminum alloy that helps to keep the reel in place and also prevents corrosion. 

The Fiblink 2-Piece Trolling Rod has EVA foam handles and foregrips that ensure a strong, firm and non-slip grip. And, in addition, the heavy-duty design ensures that there is no strain on the line, as well as your hands.

What We Like

• High-quality materials.
• Sturdy construction, well made and durable.
• Nice looking rod.
• Good value for money. 
• Can be put together very easily and quickly. 

What We Don’t Like

• The top of the rod is not aligned properly with the rest of the fishing rod. 
• The top roller eye is a bit small. 

Fiblink 1-Piece Saltwater Offshore Heavy Trolling Rod

Another product from the Fiblink range of fishing rods, the Fiblink 1-Piece Rod is perfect for offshore trolling and catching large fish like tuna, dolphins and wahoo. The 1-piece rod has a solid, durable construction of composite blanks of solid E-glass graphite that offers superior sensitivity and gives you plenty of power for pulling the fish. 

The structurally enhanced construction of the rod maximizes strength while ensuring superior sensitivity. The rod features super-smooth high-quality rollers, roller guides made of stainless steel that protect the line, wear-free line flow that provides good power control and is corrosion resistant to saltwater. 

The rod has a sensitive tip that allows you to feel the bite, while the handle and butt grip made with high-density EVA foam offers a comfortable non-slip grip against the hard-pulling fish. Overall, the Fiblink 1-Piece Rod with its excellent design, flexibility, versatility and cost-effective price is a great buy for all anglers.

What We Like

• Excellent build quality.
• Worth the money. 
• Very high-quality materials. 
• Good-looking, sturdy fishing rod. 
• Lightweight, but very sturdy. 

What We Don’t Like

• The guides don’t line up properly. 
• Rollers are a little offset. 

EatMyTackle All Roller Saltwater Fishing Rod

Perfect for saltwater fishing, the 5’6” set of 2 EatMyTackle Fishing Rods are strong and durable. Perfect to fish tuna, dolphin, wahoo and other large fish, the fishing rod is made of composite fiber blanks with roller guides made from CNC machined aircraft alloy that makes it very sturdy and strong. 

The rod features a very sensitive tip which ensures that you don’t miss a single bite. The fishing rod features a cross-cut aluminum gimbal butt and an anodized reel seat made of aluminum. The fishing rod is equipped with a high-density EVA foam grip that does not twist and facilitates easy and quick removal.

Meeting IGFA standards, the EatMyTackle Fishing Rod is perfect for big game competition use. Not only does the fishing rod deliver excellent performance, but it tops in the style department too with its stunning black fiberglass blanks with gold and royal blue colored trim. The fishing rod comes wrapped in an EatMyTackle protective rod cover.

What We Like

• High-quality rod with a durable build. 
• Feels very comfortable in the hand. 
• Comes at a great price. 
• Very good finish.

What We Don’t Like

• The blanks twist in the handle.
• The reel bed becomes loose after a few uses.

Best Bottom Fishing Rods: Buyer’s Guide

Purchasing the best bottom fishing rods can be a difficult task, especially if you don’t know what to look for when shopping for one. So, to make things easier, we have discussed some of the factors to consider when purchasing a bottom fishing rod.

Saltwater or Freshwater

It is important to consider the material of the fishing rod when purchasing one. The material of the rod can impact your fishing performance significantly and also determine your fishing success. The material you choose will depend on whether you will be mostly fishing in freshwater or saltwater. 

When choosing a fishing rod, make sure that it is designed and built to withstand corrosion, especially if you will be fishing in saltwater. Look for rods made of graphite, fiberglass or composite material with tip tops and guides made from non-corroding materials like graphite, stainless steel, etc. which tend to make saltwater fishing rods more expensive.

Rod Length

Typically, if you want a farther reach and a longer cast, choosing a longer fishing rod makes sense. Typically, anglers needing to clear the surf line or rocks on the jetty with their casts use extremely long poles of 15 feet or more. 

However, on the other hand, if you’re bottom fishing and trolling for large game fish like tuna, etc., then stiffer and shorter rods are used because they are not cast long distances. And, there are spinning or casting rods that fall between the top two types and range between 5.5 feet to 7 feet.

Action

This is essentially the way the fishing rod bends depending on the taper or how quickly the diameter at the rod changes from thick to thin. Generally, fast tapering rods bend down farther and offer more action.

Power

This is the force or energy required to bend the fishing rod. Typically, the thicker and shorter the fishing rod, the greater the power it delivers to pull up the fish. Bottom fishing and offshore trolling rods are generally stiffer and more powerful without much bend.

Author Note: However, it is better to opt for a fishing rod with a little less power so that the hook sets firmly without tearing it out of fish with soft mouths such as trout, salmon or bass.

Graphite vs Fiberglass vs Composite

When considering the material for the fishing rod, the choice is usually between fiberglass, graphite or composites. Most economical of all, fiberglass offers the best combination of sensitivity, lightweight, price and longevity.

The two most common types of fiberglass are S-glass and E-glass, which are usually combined with epoxy and polyester resins to create fishing rods that are not only lightweight but durable too. 

Graphite is also popular as a material for fishing rods. It is lighter, more sensitive, stiffer and more expensive compared to fiberglass. Spinning rods and graphite casting rods are best because they are lightweight and flexible, making them ideal for more active fishing and use for longer durations.

The Best Fit

Always choose the best bottom fishing combination of the right fishing rod and reel. This will make your fishing experience more enjoyable. The right combo depends essentially on where you want to fish and what you want to catch. For example, a light spinning combination is the best if you are bottom fishing near the shoreline.

If you are not casting very far away, a 6 or 7-foot fishing rod is a good option. The choice of the spinning reel also depends on how and where you want to bottom fish. If you plan to bottom fish on the pier, then spinning reels are the best choice. However, if the casting needs to be long and precise, then using a bait caster is a better option.  

FAQs

What Is Bottom Fishing?

Also known as legering in the UK, bottom fishing essentially is a fishing technique at the bottom of the water, where a weighted hook or lure that is tied to the end of a line is lowered to the bottom of the water.

Bottom fishing can be done using both rod fishing, as well as hand lines and sometimes “donkas”, or specialized fishing, is also used for bottom fishing. The idea of bottom fishing is to lure the fish to the bottom by taking the bait to the bottom of the water.

What fish can you catch bottom fishing?

There are a wide variety of fish species that you can catch bottom fishing. Some of the freshwater species include carp, catfish, lake trout, blacktip sharks, alligator gar, bass, perch, bluegill, etc., while saltwater species include tuna, sea bass, flounder, sharks, snapper, gag grouper, etc. And, offshore bottom fishing can get you fish such as grouper, snapper, tilefish, giant amberjack, etc.

What type of rig is required for bottom fishing?

Typically, the rig for bottom fishing comprises the hook, line and sinker and this can play a very important role in how many fish and the type of fish you can catch.

• Hook: The circle hook usually is the best for bottom fishing, especially if you’re looking to catch large fish. Since the circle hook lodges itself more firmly in the fish’s mouth, it can withstand the fight better compared to a regular ‘J’ hook. A circle hook also sets itself easily in the mouth of the fish, which is a huge advantage, especially for beginner anglers.
  
• Line: Typically, the fishing line comes in three types i.e., braided, mono and fluorocarbon. The braided line is the strongest and most popular type of line. Not only does it offer better feedback, but it also is the best option for deep-sea fishing; however, braided lines are more expensive compared to mono and fluorocarbon.
  
  Mono is the most inexpensive option when it comes to lines; however, the buoyancy of the mono line does not make it suitable for bottom fishing in deep waters. Fluorocarbon lines are less visible compared to mono and braided, they offer good feedback and excellent durability, especially when used around reefs; however, it can be quite difficult to tie knots with a fluorocarbon line.
  
• Sinker: The sinker is what gets your bait to the bottom of the water column when bottom fishing. Sinkers are available in a range of varying sizes and shapes; however, the ones most commonly used for bottom fishing are bank, egg and pyramid sinkers.
  • Egg Sinker: This is a round-shaped sinker, having a hole in the center through which the line passes. The egg sinker allows the fish to take the bait and swim away without experiencing any resistance from the weight.
    
  • Bank Sinker: Shaped like a bowling pin, the bank sinker has a smooth and rounded shape that makes it suitable for fishing over rocky areas.
    
  • Pyramid Sinker: The pyramid sinker is usually preferred by surf casters as they have a sharp tip that can cling onto the sand.

Essentially, the choice of the sinker depends on various factors such as the depth of the water, currents and the diameter of the line; however, it is best to use a lightweight sinker, which will hold the bait at the bottom.

Wrapping Up

Bottom fishing is not only fun but can be rewarding too, especially when you have a huge haul to show off to your friends and family. However, along with skill, successful bottom fishing can be attributed to your fishing rod, rig and other gear.

And, with loads of options of rods available on the market, picking the best bottom fishing rod can be a challenge.

After reading our guide on the best bottom fishing rods, we hope that you have sufficient information that will enable you to make an informed decision about which one to buy and what to look for in the best bottom fishing rod that will have you all set for your bottom fishing adventures.

Happy Hunting!