travel rod catfish

GEAR & APPAREL

• Pro Fishing Staff
• Testimonials
• Fishing for Faith?

Tour The Kistler Factory

How It's Made

• Rewards New
• Design Your Own

KISTLER Custom Fishing Rods

World Travel Series Fishing Rod

Your best price on a Kistler without retail markup.

The price of this Kistler if we sold in Big Box stores like BassPro or Academy.

Engraving - $20 Details

Note: placement of custom engraving goes between handles.

Add Engraving on Any Stock Rod

Rods with engravings or fish decals will ship in approximately 2 weeks.

Fish Decal - $20 Details

Note: placement of a decal always goes on the rod, above the logo

Rods with engravings or fish decals will ship in approximately 2 weeks.

Pickup available at Kistler Rods Factory

Usually ready in 4 hours

Shipping Fast and Reliable Shipping via UPS Ground 1-4 Days.

Returns & Exchanges Use your Kistler! Not satisfied? FREE returns and exchanges within 30 days.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Three equal lengths 28"

1/16 - 3/8 oz

Designed for

Any fish species you want to chase after.

Casting rod pairs well with

Kistler chromium kcr-r266 reel

Why Fish Kistler?

Building fishing rods in the USA since 1999.

Born in a Texas Garage

Getting your rod to your door in one piece - quickly and securely is our priority. That's why we ship every rod in a thick cardboard tube, securely wrapped in bubble wrap primarily using UPS Ground which reaches most U.S. locations in 1-4 days.

Bend Strong warranty. Every Kistler rod is covered under our 99.5% flawless bend-strong Limited Lifetime warranty. Learn more.

Free Returns & Exchanges on Stock Kistler rods, reels, gear, and apparel. Learn more

Hold Something Special. We design and source the best materials with the very best blank manufacturers around the world.

KISTLER carbon consists of our proprietary carbon patterns using 100% carbon fiber for maximum sensitivity and strength.

That's why we maintain a 5-star customer rating, with a 99.5% flawless performance of our fishing rods, as well as a "Bend Strong" warranty, should something ever happen.

Faith : Our faith in God influences all that we do, as a business and as individuals. 

Family : The family that raised us taught us how to fish; how to work hard and follow our own path.

Excellence : Maybe it’s just how we were raised or how we are wired. But whatever we make, whatever we do, we want it to be the best.

Respect : The world just works better when people treat one another with mutual respect.

Veteran-owned and operated since 1999. Our company was born in a Texas garage. After Trey Kistler returned home from serving in the Gulf War, he went to work with his father building fishing rods. When his dad retired, Trey decided to blaze his own trail. He decided to make an exciting life for himself, his wife and four babies. He decided to create some solid American jobs. And he decided to try and catch as many fish as possible.

So he set himself to the task of making the best bass fishing rod out there. We, and Trey, wouldn’t have it any other way. If his family name is going to be on it, it’s going to be the best. Kistler products are excellent. Period. They are the most sensitive, the most responsive, the most trustworthy. When you hold one of our rods, you know you’re holding something special.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, 100%. We suggest you taking care to rinse and wipe off saltwater after use.

You bet! Chat with us in the bottom right corner (chat box). Or fill out the form here.

Yes, absolutely. Use our search feature to select your "Species other than bass" and recommended rods therein. Shop and Filter

We are 99% direct-to-consumer and have few retail locations selling Kistler rods or reels. We recommend you purchase a Kistler online and try it out! If you don't like it, return it or exchange it for FREE.

Or, come to our shop in Magnolia, TX!

Always FREE returns and Exchanges within 30 days. We want you to try your KISTLER. If you're not satisfied, we'll exchange it or let you return it for FREE. Learn More

We have one of the best-in-class warranties around. We call it our "Bend-Strong" warranty. It's clear as day, and shows you what to expect if something happens to your Kistler. Learn More.

Topwater Fishing Redefined: Kistler Rods Lead the Way

Maximize Jerkbait Action with the Kistler Jerkbait Rod

Excellence in Angling: Kistler Finesse Rods

Stay in the loop by receiving curated emails with product releases, promotions, and general info.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• All Fishing Rods
• Fishing Reels
• Custom Fishing Rods
• Accessories
• Donation Request
• Return Policy
• Replacement Parts
• Warranty Registration
• Join the Team

The Best Travel Rods Reviewed: Real Performance for Serious Fishermen

Anglers who travel a lot and want to get some fishing in or who need to pack rods in carry-on luggage know that real fishing tackle that meets their needs is in short supply.

Yes, you can opt for some of the products that promise performance - Plussino comes to mind - and you’ll see these rods recommended by sites where the writers probably don’t fish themselves. 

But if you want a real rod that can perform, casting and fighting like the rods you left at home, you’ll need to look carefully.

We’re here to help, and we’ve put together a list of some our favorites, as well as buying guide to get you on the right track.

Quick glance at the best travel fishing rods:

St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod

• Excellent, sensitive blank
• Good guides
• Excellent handles
• Fishes like a premium rod should

Tackle Direct Bass Pro

Fenwick HMG Travel Spinning Rod

Goture Travel Fishing Rod

• Great price for what you get
• Good, sensitive blanks
• Nice handles
• Fishes well

Smuggler 7 Travel Fishing Rod

• Very compact
• Good, sensitive blank
• Interchangeable fiberglass tips

KastKing Blackhawk II

Table of Contents (clickable)

• 1.1 St. Croix Triumph Travel Spinning Rod - Best Light/Medium-Light Power Travel Rod
• 1.2 Fenwick HMG Travel Spinning Rod - Best Medium Power Travel Rod
• 1.3 Smuggler 7 Travel Fishing Rod
• 1.4 KastKing Blackhawk II
• 1.5 Goture Travel Fishing Rod - Best Budget Travel Rod
• 2.1 Avoid the toys
• 2.2 Modular probably beats telescopic
• 2.5 Handles
• 3 Final Thoughts

Related: 

• Best Telescopic Fishing Rod
• Best Travel Fly Rod

Best Travel Fishing Rods Reviewed

St. croix triumph travel spinning rod - best light/medium-light power travel rod.

Length: 6’ or 6’ 6” Power/action: light or medium-light/fast Line and lure weight: 6’ (4-8 lbs. 1/16 - 5/16 oz.); 6’ 6” (4-10 lbs. 1/8 - 1/2 oz.) Material: carbon fiber Handle: continuous cork Guides: Sea Guide Atlas Performance SS304 stainless steel guides Pieces: 4

Most anglers already know that St. Croix is a premium rod manufacturer, but you may be new to the sport and have no idea - and there’s nothing wrong with that!

For serious anglers looking for a “real” travel rod that can perform with the best of them, the Triumph is very hard to beat.

Available in two lengths, 6 feet or 6 feet, 6 inches, the shorter rod is light powered while the longer rod is medium-light. Both offer a fast action.

St. Croix has chosen a carbon fiber blank for these rods, and that means fantastic sensitivity. For panfish, trout, perch, flounder, specks, and the like, these rods will perform masterfully, allowing you to feel every bump, nudge, and nibble.

And when the fight does start, you’ll find the backbone of these blanks quickly, about 25% from the tip. And don’t be shy about that medium-light rod: it’s a real beast if you’re working with a good reel and a properly set drag, and you can fight any smallmouth in the world with it, as well as most largemouth.

Both rods wear premium continuous cork handles, though the shorter rod has a shorter handle.

The stainless guides that St. Croix chooses are excellent performers in the real world, especially if you skip braid, which can be abrasive to any guides.

Overall, this four-piece travel rod fishes like a premium two-piece, and that’s saying something.

Fenwick HMG Travel Spinning Rod - Best Medium Power Travel Rod

Length: 7’ Power/action: medium-light or medium/fast Line and lure weight: medium-light (8-17 lbs. 1/4 - 3/4 oz.); medium (10-20 lbs. 3/8 - 1 oz.) Material: graphite Handle: continuous cork Guides: stainless steel guides with zirconium inserts Pieces: 3

Fenwick is another brand that’s built a long-term, dedicated following by producing premium rods, and their HMG travel rod is no exception.

Where the St. Croix dominates on smaller fish, the Fenwick’s heavier power medium rod would be my choice for travel when I’m looking for species like snook, reds, blues, walleye, bass, and anything else that might test a medium-light rod to its limits.

That’s not to knock the medium-light Fenwick but rather to applaud the medium rod.

Capable with mono lines as heavy as 20 pounds, and more than able to launch a 1-ounce lure like a rocket, this is another rarity in travel rods in that it fishes like a premium rod rather than a toy.

Expect a beautiful, continuous cork handle and excellent stainless guides with zirconium inserts.

In a hard fight, you’ll appreciate those well-made guides, and you’ll find the blank’s backbone quickly, just as on the St. Croix. Sensitivity is excellent, too, making this a superb choice for the angler who travels and wants a heavier rod.

Amazon  

Length: 7’ 8” and 8’ 6” Power/action: ??? Line and lure weight: 5-20 g. or 15-40 g. Material: graphite with a fiberglass tip Handle: split EVA fam Guides: stainless steel with silicone inserts Pieces: 7

Smuggler is a British company that’s put together a very portable seven-piece rod. Innovative in many ways, if space is truly at a premium, this is a rod you’ll want to look at.

Offered in two lengths, Smuggler is shy about stating the action and power you can expect, in part because British expectations and terminology differ on this point. But given that the larger rod can cast a 40 gram, or 1.4-ounce lure, I’d guess that it’s in the medium to medium-heavy range, with a fast action given the graphite blank.

The shorter rod can cast a 20 gram, or .7-ounce lure, and I’d make that about medium-light.

In either case, graphite is very sensitive material for a blank, and these rods should allow you to feel even the lightest strikes.

In terms of innovation, they come with interchangeable fiberglass tips that alter the feel as well as the action of the rods, allowing you a bit of customization.

Expect a split EVA foam grip and stainless guides with silicone inserts.

One thing that concerns me is that customers report quality control issues, especially with guide finishing. If you do pick the smuggler, check each guide carefully for polish and finish, and definitely contact the manufacturer if you get a lemon.

• Guide finish quality can be iffy

Length: see chart Power/action: see chart Line and lure weight: see chart Material: Toray 24-Ton Carbon Matrix blank with a fiberglass tip Handle: split EVA foam Guides: ??? Pieces: telescoping

Telescoping travel rods can be a nightmare, and most are made as gimmick offerings for new anglers who don’t know better. That needn’t be the case, and KastKing delivers a real rod that’s capable of actual fishing.

Now, to be fair to its premium competitors, you’re not going to get the sensitivity, backbone, fighting power, or durability of the St. Croix or Fenwick. That’s a simple fact, and I mean no disrespect to KastKing.

By design, a telescoping rod just can’t compete with a segmented rod.

But the carbon fiber blank on the KastKing is sensitive, and guide quality seems to be OK. I personally wouldn’t put much faith in the rods of medium power and above, as the joint construction on a telescoping blank is going to be abused by a hard fight with a big fish. 

Maybe it’ll take it; maybe it won’t - but I wouldn’t bet my fishing trip on it. The segments tend to loosen with casting - but don’t collapse. That’s not confidence-inspiring, because I’m sure that places greater stress on the joints, and with a heavy power rod and big, mean fish on the other end, I wouldn’t count on the rod to survive.

Instead, I’d stick to the lighter end of the powers - medium light and medium - and try not to push this rod too hard.

If that sounds like a serious reservation, that’s because it is. 

Now keep in mind that the Blackhawk II is about 1/3rd the price of the St. Croix and Fenwick, and if you’re just looking for an easy rod to pack and want to hit the water for a few hours, there’s nothing wrong with the product.

But as serious competition for the premium rods on our list, the Blackhawk II isn’t going to make the grade.

• The Segments loosen after casting, and I wouldn’t trust this rod in medium-heavy or heavy actions with big fish and hard fights

Goture Travel Fishing Rod - Best Budget Travel Rod

Length: see chart Power/action: see chart Line and lure weight: see chart Material: carbon fiber Handle: split EVA foam Guides: stainless with ceramic inserts Pieces: 4

For anglers on a budget too tight for the St. Croix or Fenwick, Goture offers a nice travel rod at a reasonable price. Available in powers ranging from ultralight to medium-heavy, and actions that vary from medium, to medium-fast, to fast, these are dependable travel rods that won’t break the bank.

The blank on every rod in this lineup is made from carbon fiber, promising great sensitivity and plenty of backbone. Powers and actions are matched well, and there are some great surprises in this series, like a light rod with a medium action that would be just perfect for small crankbaits.

Expect well-made, split EVA foam handles that provide plenty of territory, even for big hands.

The guides are stainless steel with ceramic inserts and clearly designed more for fresh-water fishing than the salt. They’re small - I’d say a bit undersized for salt - but perfect for enhancing sensitivity for species like bass when using a worm.

One word of caution: the ferrules are meant for a .6” gap, meaning that they should not be tightened down till they touch.

The carbon fiber blanks prove plenty sensitive and strong, and these are really good rods for the money. Anglers on a tighter budget should definitely give these rods a close look.

• Not going to compete head-to-head with premium alternatives like St. Croix and Fenwick

What to Look for in a Good Travel Rod

Avoid the toys.

When angling sites recommend products, there’s a real difference between content farms and those where the researchers and writers are fishermen themselves.

That’s a fact.

And just because a product is popular on Amazon doesn’t make it good.

Many of the telescoping travel rods with awesome reviews are disappointing if you’re more than a once-a-year angler, and you can chalk up the positive responses to people who really don’t fish a lot not using these rods much or knowing what they’re missing out on.

That’s not to insult anyone, and if you just need a rod for a few days a year and space is tight, go ahead: you probably won’t be disappointed.

But if you’re a serious angler and you try one of these out, I promise you, you’ll burn with frustration.

That’s why our list is populated with real rods that are high on performance, especially the St. Croix, Fenwick, and Goture.

Modular probably beats telescopic

On that front, modular rods are almost always better than telescoping designs. 

Being more mechanically simple, there’s much less to go wrong, and as ferrule technology has improved since the 80s, you’re not sacrificing sensitivity much at all by increasing that number to three, four, or even five.

And to be painfully honest, companies like St. Croix and Fenwick have hard-earned reputations that they’re not going to sacrifice by offering underperforming designs.

What this all adds up to in the real world is that modular is usually the way to go.

There are a variety of blank materials on the market, ranging from fiberglass and fiberglass composites to graphite to carbon fiber.

Let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of each choice:

• Fiberglass and fiberglass composites - are well known for being heavy but very, very durable. They tend to be very flexible as well, but they can be made stiffer through the introduction of carbon fiber or graphite.
• Carbon fiber - is a common blank material, combining light weight with awesome stiffness and sensitivity. Not as durable to hard knocks as fiberglass, it’s still prized for its strength to weight ratio and its reliable backbone for hard fights.
• Graphite - is the lightest and stiffest of the rod materials out there, but it’s also the most fragile. A hard knock against a piling or rail can result in micro-fractures, so blanks made from graphite need some care in handling. But they’re awesomely sensitive and very strong, offering a fantastic performance.

Good guides are essential.

When you have a fish on your line, the stress on the line and rod is transferred through the guides, meaning that they need to be strong. But they also need to be as smooth as they can be, protecting your line from the heat caused by friction. 

If your line gets hot, it will fail!

An easy test of guide quality is to take a length of the line, pass it through the guide, and saw like mad against the guide. Excellent guides will leave your line intact.

Whether you prefer the warm feel of cork or the durability of EVA foam, look for handles that are long enough to give you a two-handed grip and really put some muscle into a fight.

That’s a tall order on a travel rod, but the best ones deliver just that.

Final Thoughts

Good travel rods are in short supply, and if you’re a serious angler, it can be a frustratingly difficult task to find one that fishes well.

What we can promise is that if you pick one of the rods we recommend, you’ll be more than happy with your purchase. The St. Croix , Fenwick , and Goture rods fall at different price points and quality levels, and the premium rods are definitely better choices if you can afford them, but all three of these products are real tackle designed for real-world fishermen.

We can’t tell you which one is best for you - only you can do that - but we can guarantee that these three will put a smile on your face.

As always, we’d love to hear from you, so please leave a comment below.

About the Author

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Best Travel Fishing Rods for 2024

Jason sealock.

• Oct 09, 2023

The product recommendations on our site are independently chosen by our editors. When you click through our links, we may earn a commission. 

Choosing a travel rod for anglers who like to pack light and carry a fishing rod in their luggage on every where they travel requires a little planning and view of the options and fish you think you might encounter on your travels. We reviewed a wide gamut of rods and came up with a lot of options to consider as well as some great recommendations for which fishing rods we would suggest for a lot of different types of fishing and travel.

Things like size of the rod when disassembled, number of pieces, rod case, roll or bag, type of rod, how you will transport it, whether a telescoping rod makes sense and more need to be considered before choosing the best travel rod for your fishing plans.  

Travel rods can come from 2 pieces up to 5 pieces not to mention the telescoping travel rod options out there. You might want to fit the rod in a suitcase, if so more pieces will break down into a smaller foot print. Or you might carry it with you which might give you more options for rods. You might want a hard case to protect the rod if you’re worried about TSA or some other party damaging your rods in transit. Or a rod wrap may suffice if it’s tucked inside of another hard case suitcase.

OUR TOP PICKS

• Best telescoping travel combo – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• Best travel rod for bass – Buy from FishUSA
• Runner up: Daiwa ardito travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Best all-around / saltwater travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Best telescopic travel rod – Buy from Basspro
• Runner up: Ugly stik cx2 4-piece travel combo – Buy from Basspro
• Ark rods genesis rods – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• Zebco 33 spincast telescopic combo – Buy from Basspro
• Shimano Convergence D Travel 4-Piece Spinning Rods – Buy from Tacklewarehouse
• St. croix triumph travel rod – Buy from Tacklewarehouse

Know Your Travel Rods

Then there are the types of rod to consider including spinning travel rods, casting travel rods, telescoping travel rods as well as travel fly rods or specialty rods like travel swimbait rods or travel trout or panfish rods. Or any combination of the aforementioned.  

If you plan to fish with light lures and light line, then a spinning travel rod might be the best option. If you plan to look for big bluegills or crappies specifically on your travels, then a long telescoping rod might make more sense or a small spinning rod like a trout rod might give you a lot of options for trout and panfish.

If you’re going for larger quarry, you will want a beefier rod that has a reel that can hold heavier line. Usually a baitcasting travel rod makes sense for bass, or big fish like walleye, pike, musky, stripers, etc.  

Specialty rods like travel swimbait rods or extra long jigging rods might be just the ticket for probing unknown waters for specific types of fishing like jigging brush for crappie or casting oversized swimbaits for trophy bass and stripers.  

Of course if you’re in to fly fishing, then a travel fly rod is hard to beat. There are some super high end and middle of the road options that are great rods that make a 9-foot fly rod fit into an over night travel bag with the travel fly rod option.

CONSIDER TELESCOPING RODS FOR TRAVEL

For some, a telescoping rod is an easy spur of the moment travel rod option to probe some nearby waters to see if they have fish available. I have buddies that keep telescoping rods in their trucks at all times and will break it out on their travels or while taking a lunch or after work on a work trip. It’s a quick and simple option.

Most of time telescoping rods are a bit lower quality. Or at least that was the case back when the only option was a low end push button spin cast combo for small panfish. There are, however, some newer options bringing this back as a real viable option for bass and panfish.

A Travel Combo Might Make More Sense

You can buy travel rods that are a rod and reel combo. This is often the case with telescoping options. But there are some better quality options in the multi-piece travel rods with a decent spinning reel. Most of the time. I want the best rod I can get and a good reel in my bag so I’m not fighting my equipment in the limited amount of time I get to fish on my travels. Especially those spur-of-the-moment unplanned fishing trips while traveling.  

But when you get to a location and wished you had a rod and reel, a decent priced telescoping rod/reel combo can get you in the fish on an unexpected hot spot quickly and easily.

You Need a Travel Rod Case, Bag or Roll

Anymore your travel rod is going to come in a hard case, a roll or a bag. Regardless you need to take care to protect the pieces of the rod or the rod while it is compartmentalized so it’s not damaged in your travels.  

A hard case might be a cloth case with a hard shell inside of it that zips closed on the end and the multiple pieces slide into little sleeves inside of it. Or it might be a hard outer shell with a soft interior that keeps your guides and blank parts protected. These are nice when you plan to carry your travel rods separate from your luggage. Or keep them in a vehicle on your travels.

A travel rod roll is just a cloth sleeve with individual pockets for each piece of the blank and then you roll it up with flap that closes on one end and tie it off with the attached ties. These can be nice for putting a rod or two into your other travel bags or a small compartment in your vehicle.

A travel bag can be just a cloth bag or a padded foam bag that houses and protects the rod simultaneously. I’m a fan of these as they keep your pieces from falling out as sometimes happens with rolls. And they keep the blank pieces with a bit of added protection. The padded bags are ideal in my opinion.  

Best Travel Rod Brands

In the freshwater space, the best travel rod makers are often synonymous with the best rod makers. Makers like Daiwa, Shimano, St. Croix, Megabass, Ark Rods, Fenwick, and others have really solid travel rod options. Others that many don’t know offer travel rods have good options like Favorite, Bass Pro, and BnM Poles.  

Here are the travel rod brands we reviewed and liked:

• Favorite Fishing
• B’n’M Poles

Having said all that, let’s take a closer look at some of our personal favorites in various travel rod categories.

Best Telescoping Travel Combo

Daiwa travel combo.

We chose the Daiwa Travel Combo as the best combo because it comes with a good reel, telescoping rod that is better than most and it’s own sling carry bag that is big enough to put several travel rods and reels in. This combo compacts down to 26 inches making it a perfect option for any trip whether it be in a car or a plane.

The rod is a 7-foot, 2-inch Medium power fast action rod. It’s a solid rod and stayed extended as we fished with it. The reel is a 2-bearing Daiwa Crossfire LT 2500. Even though it’s only 2 bearings, it performed very smoothly and effortlessly with a very smooth drag. It’s a solid spinning combo and it’s offered in EVA or Cork grips.

The combo costs $149 but if you just want a good combo without messing around with pairing rods and reels, this is a quick easy choice.

Buy at TackleWarehouse

Best Travel Rod for Bass

Shimano zodias travel rod.

The fact that Shimano took one of their best rod lines and converted it into a high-end bass travel rod got me excited. And when I got the new rod in my hand, I was very impressed. I am a big fan of the original Zodias line and was so excited to see this level of quality in a 5-piece travel rod.  

This travel rod condenses down to 19 inches when packed, meaning you can literally take it anywhere. And when full assembled you have a very high quality rod full of all the features of the high end one-piece blanks. The 5-piece construction gives the rod more uniform bend than a 2-piece model would.  

It has so much power and a steady consistent load when casting. You will forget it’s a travel rod by your second cast. It’s a high end rod that just happens to be in 5 pieces. It has a CI4+ reel seat for lightweight strength and a full carbon monocoque grip which eliminates the use of EVA giving a light rod more sensitivity.

Hi-Power X construction which makes the blanks outermost layer wrapped with carbon tape form that X appearance on the blank that gives more precise actions to the rods with more strength.  

You can really lean into fish with this rod without worry. It’s one of the nicest travel rods we’ve tested.

Buy at FishUSA.com

Buy from Omnia

Runner Up: Daiwa Ardito Travel Rod

This is another high-end rod that has been brought down to a travel rod form factor. This rod comes with a very nice hard case and it breaks down to 30 inches (32 in its case). It features a V-flex ferrule joint system. These ferrules don’t require you to jam the rod pieces all the way together and then struggle to separate them. You simply push them until they snug together and you are all set. You can break down and put the rod together in seconds and be fishing as fast as you can thread your line.  

The rod has a high-modulus blank, Fuji Aluminum Oxide guides, unsanded micro-pitch blank, split Eva grip and machined nut hood. It’s a high quality rod that pairs nicely with your favorite bait caster. It comes in 7-foot medium, 7-foot medium heavy and 7-foot, 6-inch medium heavy.

Buy at BassPro.com

Best All-Around / Saltwater Travel Rod

St. croix avid trek rod.

This is a finely crafted American rod with incredible blanks offering uniform performance, strength and ultra-perceptive sensitivity. The premium cork full grip, and quality blanks featuring St. Croix’s IPC mandrels, SCII high modulus carbon, slim profile ART ferrules, Sea Guide Hero hi-grade guides with zirconia rings and stainless gun smoke frames, sea guide hook keeper, and a 15-year-transferable warranty.  

This rod can literally do it all. Going to Louisiana to fish the marshes for bass and redfish, this is your rod. Strong, light, smooth, sensitive and easy to pack. The 3-piece rod is 6-foot, 6-inch MH rod with a lot of power but great castability. This rod is a joy to fish with and you can expect it to last a long time with that kind of warranty.

Best Telescopic Travel Rod

Bass pro aventur1 telescoping rod.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Aventur1 telescoping rod. It features 6 sections but 8 guides for uniform castability and a nice line path while fighting fish. The unique guide system has floating guides as well as guides permanently affixed to the rod sections. So you won’t fight with line on the blank on this travel rod.  

The 7-foot medium power rod fished really well and I was pretty taken aback at how nice this rod fished for $59. A rod that will likely always be in my travel plans. With an RT2 graphite blank, Fuji aluminum oxide guides, Fuji reel seat, with EVA split grips and X-Wrap rubber cork butt cap, this is a pretty functional telescoping rod for travel fishing.

Best Big Swimbait Travel Rod

F5 departure travel rods.

The folks at F5 Custom Rods make some of the nicest big swimbait rods available today. These are custom made rods from blanks to handles to accents. They are often very selective in how they build rods and you usually have to get lucky enough to catch a rod on a drop. However, the F5 Departure Travel Rods are often in stock and I picked up a H and XH rod a year or so back.

These are two of my favorite big swimbait rods that I use for crankdowns like the Bull Shad 4×4 and the Toxic Whippersnappers, for glides like the 86 Baits Doomrider, KGB Swimbaits Chad Shad or the Deps Slide Swimmer 250 and of course for my jointed swims like the Bull Shad 8 inch.

The rods are both 3-piece rods and are custom made with a full extra long camo EVA handle. The ones the often sell are split grips. The rod blanks are solid. Even with three pieces I had no issues heaving big baits like the Slide Swimmer which weighs 6 1/2 ounces.

They are going to run you about $289 a piece for these rods. But I am so happy to have them because I can take a pack of my favorite big baits and a very high-end swimbait rod literally everywhere I go to chase trophies all over the country and out of the country for that matter.

Buy at F5 Custom Rods

Best Travel Rod on a Budget

Favorite fishing army geo rod.

This is an impressive rod not only for the price but for how well this 4-piece rod fishes and fights fish. We caught some really quality bass on this rod this spring and it is a legit fun spinning rod to fish. I love that I threw it in my suitcase, loaded up and went to Arkansas and broke it out and caught a bunch of nice bass that were moving shallow to spawn.  

Even my brother-in-law enjoyed fishing with this travel rod. And at $39, it’s a hard rod to pass up. The 4 pieces in their hard travel tube are 26 inches. The pieces are barely 23 inches. The rod is a 7-foot, 2-inch medium-heavy spinning rod. I used it to skip Senkos around shallow cover a lot this spring. And it sets a nice hook and has a ton of backbone to land big bass. Our biggest on it was 6 pounds, 4 ounces this spring.

Buy at FavoriteUSA.com

Runner up: Ugly Stik GX2 4-piece Travel Combo

At $44 at Walmart, you can’t go wrong with this nearly indestructible travel rod. The Ugly Stik has been the staple of affordable travel rods. They can take abuse and continue to catch and land fish.  

Buy from Walmart.com

Buy at Scheels

Best Trout Travel Rod

St. croix trout series pack rod  .

For the adventurer who needs a light and packable trout rod to get to remote locations, this is the Cadillac of adventure rods. This rod says trout, but it’s a dynamite bluegill, crappie and even smallmouth rod for remote streams and creeks. It’s a beautifully built rod at only 2.9 ounces and 3 pieces, it compacts down to be no added weight in your backpack.  

I paired it with a small 1000 spinning reel and 4-pound line and really enjoyed fishing this rod a lot. It will become one of my staple creek travel rods now. It throws little baits effortlessly and had a nice backbone for such a light rod. A real joy to fish with.

Buy from FishUSA.com

Best Panfish Telescoping Rod

Bnm poles little mighty telescoping rod  .

I have to admit, I’m a little blow away by this rod. I grew up crappie and bluegill fishing with my father in Florida and Arkansas with telescoping fiberglass rods from B’n’M Poles. So I have a lot of nostalgia when it comes to these types of rod. But the new Little Mighty Rod is something special.

While it’s not technically a travel rod, it’s a telescoping rod that reaches out to 20 feet and breaks down to barely 22 inches. It looks like a bright orange track baton but it extends to a masterful reach out and touch a crappie or bluegill telescoping rod quickly.

One word of caution, be sure you extend the rod small sections first. So grab the string tab on the tip and pull it out that way. Don’t slide the sections out by dumping the open end out or you will have issues with sections getting out of order and blocking each other. Same for breaking it down. Big sections first and be sure to leave the string out when you put the cap on.  

Other than that, I enjoyed testing this rod a lot. I honestly didn’t think much of it when I got it. But after using it I can think of all sorts of places I want to take and fish with this rod. Once you get the hang of maneuvering 20 feet of rod with a fish on the end it’s a pretty fun stick to fish with.

Buy at Walmart.com

Buy from BnmPoles.com

Other Travel Rod Considerations

Ark rods genesis rods.

This was my original travel rod and I’ve put a lot of miles on it. It’s caught fish in Nebraska, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. This is a two piece travel rod that comes with a nice padded bag.

Read our full Ark Genesis 2-piece travel rod review

The rod joins together nicely and fishes so well. The very narrow blanks are durable and sensitive. I’ve caught fish just about every way you can on these rods. I have the 6-foot, 8-inch MH and the 7-foot, 6-inch MH rods and have flipped, frogged, spinnerbait fished, jigged, cranked, popped a topwater popper and burned a buzz bait with these rods. A great option that gives no sacrifice in performance in a 2-piece travel rod.

SixGill Argos Travel Rods

A very nicely made travel pack rod, the Argos Travel Rod is a 4-piece rod built on a 24T Toray Carbon blank. Comes with a 25 inch travel case. It fishes like your nicest bass rod but you can tuck it under a jacket and take it with you anywhere. The rod loads nicely on the cast and has enough back bone with it’s 7-foot MH frame to fight any size bass you might tangle with. A very nice travel rod option.  

Buy from Sixgillfishing.com

Zebco 33 Spincast Telescopic Combo

This is an affordable option at $25 but it’s not made to handle big fish in my opinion. It’s a great rod for catching panfish around a campsite, or of the dock on vacation. But it’s not made for fishing for larger fish. The rod bends easily at the tip under load and the line cuts across the rod to the next guide. So just be cautious with bigger fish on this setup. But for $25, you can catch the heck out of a bunch of panfish with this setup.

Buy at Amazon

Hardy Zephrus FWS Travel Fly Rod

I haven’t had a chance to review the latest offerings from Hardy yet, but one of my all time favorite travel rods is my Hardy Zephrus FWS Travel Fly Rod. It’s a 9-foot, 5-weight rod. It is the perfect pack rod for hiking into remote streams and chasing fish on the fly. This is the Ferrari of travel rods in my opinion. Everything is first class from the aluminum case, styled bag, ferrule covers, and beautiful craftsmanship on the Sintrix 440 blank.  

Buy from Hardyrodsandreels.com

Shimano Convergence Travel Rod

This 7-foot, 4-piece rod is another great do-it all travel rod. It’s a great rod for a lot of different species and lures in that 1/4 ounce to 3/4 ounce size. It breaks down to 25 inches so it will fit in almost all your bags and it comes in a nice hard case with a shoulder strap if you want to carry it on your back while you hike. It’s very well made and fished nicely with a variety of reels.

Spinning rod

Casting rod.

Buy at Tackle Warehouse

St. Croix Triumph Travel Rod

This work-horse travel rod serves a ton of different purposes. It’s 6-foot, 6-inch size makes it a great size for tight quarters. I loved fishing some small streams near the house with this rod. A fun little rod for wading creeks or winging around on bigger waters on your travels. It’s small form factor of 24 inches makes it a great pack rod to keep in your vehicle or throw in your bag on long trips. It’s a very nice blank divided into 4 pieces. It’s strong, sensitive and light. A great travel version of their very popular Triumph line.  

Wired2fish Travel Rod Comparison Chart

We review a ton of products and while they don’t always make the best of categories there are a lot of good rods to choose from that can get the job done. We try to give you as many options as possible while identifying some that we think stand out in the array of options. The goal with our guides is to help you be as informed and aggregate as much helpful information and personal experience into helping you with your fishing gear decisions.  

Here is a quick rundown of a lot of travel rod / telescoping rod options:

Currently working as Senior Advisor to Wired2fish. Former COO and Publisher, Jason Sealock came to Wired2fish shortly after inception in January of 2010. Prior to that he was the Editor-in-Chief of FLW Outdoors Magazines. He worked up from Associate Editor to Photo Editor and finally Editor in Chief of three magazines FLW Bass, FLW Walleye and FLW Saltwater. He set the content direction for Wired2fish while also working directly with programmers, consultants and industry partners. Sealock has been an avid angler for the better part of 40 years and has been writing and shooting fishing and outdoors content for more than 25 years. He is an expert with fishing electronics and technologies and an accomplished angler, photographer, writer and editor. He has taught a lot of people to find fish with their electronics and has been instrumental in teaching these technologies to the masses. He's also the industry authority on new fishing tackle and has personally reviewed more than 10,000 products in his tenure. He has a 30-year background in information technologies and was a certified engineer for a time in Microsoft, Novell, Cisco, and HP. He mostly fishes for bass and panfish around the house. He has, however, caught fish in 42 of the 50 states in the US as well as Costa Rica, Mexico, and Canada and hopes to soon add Finland, Japan, Africa and Australia to his list.

Breaking News

Xpress boats introduces its all new h210 bay boat, gsm outdoors bought by platinum equity, record carp caught on crankbait, bass pro shops voted america’s best outdoor retailers, great lakes finesse scores big at thousand island open, record bull shark caught in alabama fishing tournament, mississippi angler catches record cutthroat trout, icast 2024 best in show, recent posts.

Understanding Different Types of Aquatic Vegetation and How to Fish Them

Drop Shot and Ned Rig Tips for Smallmouth Bass

Yo-Zuri New Topwater Giveaway Winners

Mid Strolling for Post Spawn Smallmouth

John Cox’s Tips for Catching Fish Without Forward-Facing Sonar

Rapala Crush City Freeloader Review

How Fly Fishermen and Big Swimbait Anglers are the Same

How to Weightless Wacky and Texas Rig Boat Docks for Bass

BKK Hook Giveaway

Best in Class Reviews

7 best catfish rods.

Catfishing is one of the most fun activities anglers participate in. Catfish are responsible for numerous interesting duels because they are hard fighting and can attain impressive trophy sizes. 30-pound kitties are a common freshwater and occasionally brackish water feature.

Besides being prize game fish, they make a mean meal. These powerful swimmers can, however, completely wreck your tackle if you challenge them unprepared. A seasoned catfish angler knows this and often has special gear set aside for hunting monster catfish.

Because they are the tackle foundation, we will review some of the best catfish rod options currently available on the market today. We will establish the role fishing rods play in capturing the attention of trophy cats, how they are primed to weather the ensuing combat, and the unique features that make them effective catfish rods.

Best Catfish Rods – Winners

Check out our quick recommendations here, or keep scrolling for detailed reviews:

• Best Overall Catfish Rod: PENN Squall II Level Wind Combo
• Most Durable Catfish Rod: Okuma Battle Cat Catfish Spinning Rod
• Best Catfish Rod for Night Fishing: B’n’M Silver Cat Elite Spinning Rod
• Best Catfish Rod for Portability: Team Catfish Rods Thunder Cat Spinning Rods
• Best Budget Catfish Rod: Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod
• Best Catfish Rod for Beginners: Championship Catfish Rod
• Best Catfish Rod for Kids: PLUSSINO Kids Fishing Pole

Best Overall Catfish Rod

1. penn squall ii level wind combo.

View on Bass Pro Shops | View on Amazon

• Excellent tackle synergy between compatible parts
• Heavy-duty yet lightweight construction
• Ability to support diverse angling methods
• Can be excessive if you already own a catfishing reel

PENN went ahead and created the perfect catfish tackle by pairing their Squall II Level Wind rod and reel, whose features complement each other so well that the rod and reel combo made it to the top of this list.

The rod is a 6-foot 6-inch one-piece tubular fiberglass blank with a solid tip. It has a fast action rating, a medium-heavy power rating, and a 20 to 50 lbs line rating. It comes with rubber shrink tube handles for a stable grip.

Its aluminum gimbal with a cover lets you secure the rod in a rod holder and prevent it from moving as you reel in your large fish. It is adorned with 8 PENN Dura line guides designed to be durable and easy on your lines.

The Pac Bay graphite reel seat is a 4.9:1 gear ratio reel that recovers 35 inches per turn with high torque, making the stubborn channel cats less taxing to reel in. The size 30 reel has enough capacity to house up to 495 yards of 80-pound test braid and 275 yards of 40-pound mono.

This is enough heavy-duty line to let the trophy cats run or drop a jig down to the waterbed. Your options are extensive. The star drag with HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers can pull a maximum drag of 33 lbs.

View on Bass Pro Shops >>

Also Available on Amazon

Most Durable Catfish Rod

2. okuma battle cat catfish spinning rod.

View on Amazon

• Butted in handle gives it a one-piece rod strength
• Moldable E-Glass fiber construction baring sustained abuse
• Covered by a lifetime warranty
• Durable graphite reel seat
• Unable to make long casts

The two-piece rod blanks are made of abuse-resistant E-Glass fiber and will give you a reasonable service life. In addition, the tip is visible at night thanks to fluorescent wrapping, so you can fish when the weather is cool, and there is less competition.

The double-foot welded stainless steel guides are durable and line-friendly, and they are assisted in line management by a heavy-duty stainless steel hook keeper to secure the line when you are not casting.

It has a comfortable EVA foregrip and a cork rear grip which reduces binding in rod holders. Combined with durable non-skid rubber gimbals, your rod will stay put no matter how aggressive the water is.

They come with a durable, lightweight graphite pipe reel seat with oversized aluminum hoods which can accommodate a high capacity reel. A limited lifetime warranty insures them for added peace of mind.

View on Amazon >>

Best Catfish Rod for Night Fishing

3. b’n’m silver cat elite spinning rod.

• Composite E-Glass blank is durable and sensitive
• Secured aircraft-grade aluminum reel seat
• Hi-vis tip for night fishing
• Non-slip X-Grip handle
• A bit heavyset

The composite E-Glass single blank combines the E-Glass tolerance to withstand catfish abuse with an acquired non-parabolic fast action for extra sensitivity. As a result, you can easily drop a jig to the waterbed and hold it until you get a bite or throw deep crankbaits and keep baits in the strike zone longer so as not to spook the overly sensitive kitties.

They come with an aircraft-grade aluminum reel seat locked with double nuts to secure the reel tighter to the rod for seamless casting and retrieval. They also feature an X-Grip handle for a non-slip grip.

Their hi-vis tip ensures you will see where your rod is pointed in poor lighting so you can fish at night or early in the morning when there is less competition, and the scorching sun is not in your face.

Best Catfish Rod for Portability

4. team catfish rods thunder cat spinning rods.

• Collapsible into smaller, portable units
• Long ergonomic handles
• Well balanced E-Glass blanks
• Durable pressed-in line guides
• A bit pricey

Their long, lightweight EVA anti-slip Power Foam handles with inlaid contouring groves for maximum gripping exposure provide adequate space to use both hands for better casting leverage. Next to them, you will find heavy-duty saltwater grade aluminum reel seats enforced with dual locking nuts.

They come with 7’6” two-piece E-Glass blanks in sleek hi-vis white with medium-heavy power, which are adequate for various catfishing approaches. These are fitted with heavy-duty stainless steel pressed-in guides, enforced for both braid and monofilament threading. They also feature oversized stainless steel snake guide hook keepers for better line management.

Best Budget Catfish Rod

5. ugly stik elite spinning rod.

• Lightweight and rigid construction
• Clear Tip for extra sensitivity
• Exposed blank reel seat enhances feeling
• Will not hold up against monster blues

This is a 6-inch long 2-piece, fast action, and medium power rod that has just enough strength and sensitivity to tackle your regular catfish. It has been molded with Ugly Tech construction technology, which increases graphite levels, resulting in a lightweight blank that retains all the rugged toughness. It has Ugly Stik’s patented Clear Tip design for extra strength and sensitivity.

It is fitted with 7 Ugly Tuff one-piece stainless steel guides, which are extra durable and eliminate line pop-outs. The exposed blank reel seats ensure extra sensitivity, and they have cushioned stainless steel hoods. The handle is a premium cork grip on which Ugly Stik has proudly etched its logo. As an added gesture of ownership, the rods come with a 7-year warranty.

Best Catfish Rod for Beginners

6. championship catfish rod.

• Collapsible for easy transportation and storage
• Supports multiple fishing techniques
• Fluorescent tip for direction in poor lighting
• The reel seat is loose fitting

This is a two-piece 7’6” fiberglass rod with medium-heavy power that is sufficient to handle the rigors of catfishing. It is easily collapsible for transport and storage. The combination of flexibility and sensitivity enables anglers of all skill levels to enjoy casting with it.

The florescent tip enables you to see bites in low visibility. It comes with eight double-footed stainless steel line guides that have been designed to be low-profile so that the rod and line move as a unit. They can support thick braided lines without getting damaged or fraying the lines.

It comes with an EVA foam grip that is non-slip, comfortable, and easy to clean. The medium-fast action allows even a novice catfish angler to get up to speed without losing out on hooksets entirely. It has a 13-inch handle for better management when casting wide and battling heavy fish and a hard rubber butt so you can fish from anywhere without damaging the rod. It comes with a lifetime warranty.

Best Catfish Rod for Kids

7. plussino kids fishing pole.

• Complete fishing package in one
• Customized for kids
• Lightweight and portable
• Barbed hooks pose a danger to the younger kids

This rod comes as a full tackle combo specialized to address every kid’s needs while catfishing. The telescopic fishing rod is lightweight and comes in 2 sizes to accommodate more kids; there is a 3.9’ and a 4.9’ rod.

It comes with a Spincast reel, a fishing line, an assortment of lures, a tackle box, and a travel bag to fit them all in. The telescopic rod also compresses into the travel bag for easy transportation.

All components have been customized to work with a young angler. It is a great set for grooming your future catfish fishing partner.

What is a Catfish Rod?

A catfish rod is a medium-to-heavy power, medium-to-fast action rod with a high strain rate capable of casting heavy bait and hauling the fast and furious kitties on a reel without losing the hookset. It also can secure a catfish reel with enough heavy-duty line to get the job done. The specific rod that will land your catfish will depend on your particular circumstances.

Types of Catfish Rods

Source: Shutterstock

Graphite Rods

These are high-sensitivity lightweight rods with fast action and high power, so most experienced anglers prefer them. The rigid nature of graphite allows them to create longer rods than fiberglass with better reach and accuracy. They are recommended for the largest catfish.

Though it toughs it out under extreme duress, it is better utilized by skilled anglers accustomed to fast action. Timing is everything, as there is a small window to hook your catch. The little flexibility also makes graphite brittle, and your rod is susceptible to snapping in unfavorable conditions.

If you hit it against a hard surface, or your tackle gets snagged in cover or the waterbed, you might find yourself in the market for a replacement. You will shell out a good buck for a replacement which is why beginners shy away from them

E-Glass and S-Glass Rods

These are both durable fiberglass rods but less stiff, with a slower action than graphite rods. They are great when combating large fish after the bite as they allow extra drag, which allows the hook to set firmly while protecting the rod from snapping.

They can’t achieve the large casting distances of graphite rods but will enable precision casting over smaller distances. They are suitable for all skill levels because they can accommodate trial and error and are also lightweight.

Being cost-effective does not mean you should go for the cheapest fiberglass rod, however. High-quality fiberglass will regulate the high flexibility and slow action while providing more sensitivity and improving casting accuracy and distance.

The two common fiberglass rod materials are the E- and S-Glass fibers. E-Glass derives its name from the electrical application for which it was initially built, while S-Glass represents strength.

• E-Glass has a high damage tolerance, is moldable, low cost, and is mostly used to make light fishing rods. However, reinforcing E-Glass is inefficient as it adds resin load to the material, making it heavy and beats the purpose.
• S-Glass has a higher tensile strength and modulus than E-Glass, making it stiffer and stronger. It is also lightweight, which makes it ideal for fishing rods that require power without compromising maneuverability.

Composite Rods

These are made from a combination of fiberglass, graphite, and occasionally other materials. They combine the best features of all these materials and address their shortcomings for enhanced integrity.

The ratios of the two materials in a composite rod determine its flexibility, power rating, and functionality. Some will flex close to the butt, while others will have a higher rigidity. The combination of flexibility and sensitivity makes composite rods extremely versatile at a lower cost than graphite rods.

They are easier to use than fiberglass and graphite, making them ideal for beginners and anglers using multiple fishing techniques. They are less brittle than graphite and more sturdy than fiberglass. Look for the balance between sensitivity and action that suits your fishing style.

What Makes a Good Catfish Rod?

Source: Pixabay

Type of Catfish

Three main types of catfish keep anglers on the water: blue catfish, channel catfish, and flathead catfish. The blue catfish weigh an average of between 30 to 40 pounds but have been known to exceed 100 pounds.

Flathead catfish are up next in the monster cat list and surpass the 100 lbs. mark on occasion. These are both strong and determined fighters and often give long struggles. Channel catfish hardly exceed 30 lbs. but they are the fiercest fighters of the three breeds.

A catfish pole should have an above-average strain rate to bear the weight of these big cats who are never cooperative. Stiff rods will help you get faster hooksets and pull bottom feeders out from under obstacles. In contrast, less stiff rods allow some slack for aggressive catfish to tug the line when priorities change from hook penetration to keeping tension on the already hooked fish.

Long rods produce longer casts than shorter rods with the same power and action ratings because they take up more lines while swinging and cover a wider arc. This allows the hookset more leverage. Shorter rods, on the other hand, are more accurate and practical when fishing in dingy, dirty water or under cover.

You should also factor in your personal comfort; the prescribed rod length may not suit your body structure. An 8-foot pitcher may not work for an angler with a petite body frame as it would for a taller person with upper body strength. Therefore, the appropriate length is a factor of the type of fishing you intend to engage in and your comfort.

Rod Material

The material influences how flexible the rod can be without breaking, how rigid it will be when required, its weight and durability. All these play into the effectiveness of your catfishing tackle, so you should pay close attention to what constitutes the rod and its properties.

Most modern rods are made from graphite or fiberglass. The carbon matrix determines the quality of your graphite rod, while fiberglass has classes – S-class fiber being superior to E-class fiber.

Graphite is lighter, more sensitive, and stronger and is often chosen over fiberglass. However, fiberglass is less costly and has the unique parabolic bend required for medium to light action rods. This applies when you don’t want the rod to be so stiff that it rips through the fish’s soft mouth.

Some premium composite rods are a combination of both technologies. The more aggressively you intend to fish and the larger the fish species, the tougher your rod material should be.

Handle Material

Rod handle materials are diverse and are usually a reflection of the angler’s preference. Before settling on one, you should also think about what you need for your grip and if the material serves the purpose.

Don’t be afraid to combine materials if that is how it gets done. They are designed for lightness, traction, durability, and ease of grip. The most popular ones are cork, cork tape, cork rings, wood, Hypalon, EVA, and shrink tube.

• Cork rings have a stylish look, are lightweight, and can be sanded to customize the grip.
• Cork tape is pocket-friendly and easy to apply; it has a soft feel and retains traction even while wet; it is, however, not as durable as the rest and will need replacement with time.
• Shrinkwrap is easily installed over other grips to give the rods a sleek look. It is very durable and is available in various colors that can be used to style the rod.
• EVA foam is comfortable, dense, and lightweight. It can be shaped by sandpaper for a customized ergonomic grip. However, it has little stretch, and you should confirm if its inner diameter fits your blank’s diameter.
• Hypalon is an extremely durable extruded rubber material that can take the punishment from rod holders. It can stretch, which makes it easier to install than an EVA grip.
• Cord is also extremely durable and offers the most traction for slimy hands. It is, however, heavier than the previous handle materials

Rod handles have different designs where these materials are applied: full grip, pistol grip, and split grip. Full grip handles are suitable for long-distance casting and when you are using heavy bait because they provide sufficient space to use both hands to balance the weight. Pistol grips and split grips have gaps between the handle material.

Consequently, less material is used, making them lighter than full grip rods. The gaps between handle materials in these rods enable the angler to have direct contact with the blank, making them more sensitive. They work well with close target casting and lighter lures

Handle Length

The longer the handle, the longer the rod should be to accommodate it, the heftier it will be. Length and weight affect your casting efficiency depending on your skill level and body build. Heavy-duty rods require longer handle lengths because they allow you to use both hands, providing better leverage when setting the hook and fighting fish.

This also enables you to generate more force as you cast to accommodate heavyweight lures on longer casts. Short handles stay out of the way for effective roll casting or one-handed casting when using lighter baits. Catfishing requires heavy-duty rods, and you should go for the longest handles that you can handle comfortably.

If the power is too light, it affects your casting distance as it will not store enough momentum to hurl the lure. If it’s too heavy, it might cause backlash issues and reduce efficiency. Catfish are heavy, strong fish, and the power rating should be between medium and heavy, depending on the size of the catfish you are targeting.

As much as they will easily overpower and snap a light rod, sometimes it takes a bit of flexibility to keep them interested in the lure, so a balance should be struck.

You should strike a balance between casting ability and fighting catfish when considering the kind of action you need on your catfishing rod. Action influences casting distance and accuracy, rod sensitivity, and how fast the hookset is transferred to the bait at the end of the line.

Lighter and slower action rods cast light baits, while heavy fast-action rods are ideal for heavy baits. Setting the hook with a fast-action rod is easier than a slow-action rod when the fish strikes. However, slow and light action allows some slack to prevent the hook from pulling free once the cat is hooked.

The optimum action rating will therefore depend on the type of fishing. When using treble-hooked baits, slower action lets you lean into the strike, so the catfish maintains the bite. Fast action, on the other hand, enables you to drive the hook into the fish’s mouth and is applicable where strong hook sets are needed, ideally for most single-hook baits like jigs and spinnerbait.

This is the most critical consideration for a catfishing rod as it determines how much of all these features you can afford. The aim is to optimize returns from your investment. If you don’t have bottomless pockets, you should get the best balance between personal preference, durability, functionality, and adaptation to landing big catfish. Unfortunately, there is no single catfishing rod that can handle different catfish species in all situations.

If you are going for one rod, customize the features to fit your current fishing environment so you can maximize utility. If you can afford it, a better approach is to get a couple of rods with different specializations that will complement each other. You also don’t have to go for high-end rods all the time as you may not need all the features, and it will take away from the savings you have to complete the tackle.

On the other hand, cheap rods are not durable, and you might find yourself spending extra replacing them or reinforcing them to handle your game fish. It is good to have a checklist with your priorities mapped out to avoid falling for marketing gimmicks and throwing your hard-earned investment down the drain.

Because you are now equipped to get your own fishing rod, here is a step-by-step video showing a simple way to rig a catfish rod for capturing big fish.

7 Best Crappie Fishing Rods

5 Best Fly Reels

You may like

5 best tackle boxes for fishin.

With so many products available on the market, finding the right tackle box for your needs can be a bit overwhelming. For this reason, we’ve tested and selected the best-value, top-performing options on the market, guaranteed to enhance your fishing adventures.

January 3, 2023/ Samantha Bos Table of Contents

No matter what type of angler you are, a quality tackle box or bag is a must-have item. Not only does a tackle box protect your fishing accessories during transport, but it also allows you to neatly organize your tackle so you’ll always know exactly where each lure is – no more digging around, fumbling through tangled hooks. 

With so many products available on the market, finding the right tackle box for your needs can be a bit overwhelming. For this reason,  we’ve tested and selected the best-value, top-performing options on the market, guaranteed to enhance your fishing adventures . 

Our Best Tackle Box overview includes 5 of the most top-rated products available on the market in terms of customer ratings, value, and quality.

5 Best Tackle Boxes – Overview

• Best Overall: Plano Guide Series Tackle System (also on Bass Pro )
• Best Lightweight: Spiderwire Wolf Tackle Bag
• Best Budget-Friendly: Flambeau Outdoors 2-Tray Tackle Box
• Best for Versatile Storage: Wild River Tackle Tek Backpack
• Best Easy Access Storage Rack: Plano Angled Tackle System

We’ve included something for every fisherman, regardless of preference and budget.  From compact tackle boxes with budget-friendly pricing to super spacious and highly portable tackle backpacks, there’s bound to a tackle box on our list for you.  Whether you’re interested in a hard or soft case model, we’ve got you (and your tackle box requirements) covered. 

If you’re not quite sure about what type of tackle box matches your needs, be sure to check out our handy buyer’s guide at the bottom of this post. 

I n our buyer’s guide, we take a detailed look at the different factors that need to be considered when buying a tackle box. We’ll also provide you with more information on the pros and cons of each type of design.

1. Plano 7771-01 Guide Series Tackle System

[amazon box=”B000E39T3C”]

(Also available on Bass Pro Shops .)

The Plano 7771-01 Guide Series Tackle System is one of the best-selling, highest-rated tackle boxes on Amazon.  After testing it out myself, it’s no surprise why this tackle box is so popular among anglers. 

This  spacious, hard-case tackle box  offers ample storage for your tackle, spinnerbait, and tools. 

Related: The best gazebo to take camping

It features a see-through  Duraview cover  and  easy-grip, molded handle  for extra portability.  Manufactured in the USA , this tackle-box adheres to high-quality standards and is made by a renowned brand (Plano) in tackle box solutions. 

The Plano 7771 Guide Series Tackle Box, like all products by Plano, comes with a l imited lifetime warranty.  Should you encounter any manufacturing defects, Plano will provide you with a full replacement.

Read more buyer reviews at Amazon.com.

• Made in the USA
• 3 removable bait racks
• 4 pull out tackle trays
• Extra bulk storage
• Limited lifetime warranty
• Slightly more expensive
• Not ideal for hikes/carrying over long distances

Check Latest Price

2. Spiderwire Wolf Tackle Bag

[amazon box=”B003M1IHB8″]

The highly portable Spiderwire Wolf Tackle Bag features a  soft case design  complete with plenty of storage space. Extremely heavy-duty, this tackle box has a spacious  38.8-liter capacity  and includes  4 large tackle trays.

Its main compartment is  completely customizable  so you can easily adjust it to suit your specific requirements. The total dimensions of this bag are  15.75 x 10.8 x 8.2  inches , and it only  weighs a total of 2.62 pounds . 

Aside from a spacious main compartment, the Spiderwire Wolf Tackle Bag also includes additional storage options.  There are two front pockets and two holsters that are great for storing small tools such as pliers or a knife . In addition, there’s a  large mesh pocket  on the exterior backside. I love that this tackle bag features  two removable fishing line dispensers  at both ends.

First-class materials

Made from first-class 1680 polyester, this tackle bag is extremely durable. The design features a quality PVC backing, heavy-duty zippers, strong buckles, and a waterproof molded base . Plus, this bag is extra comfortable to carry thanks to a thick webbing on the polypropylene shoulder strap. 

As a testimony to its quality, this tackle bag is backed by a  manufacturer’s lifetime warranty . Even though we don’t expect you to encounter any issues relating to quality, it’s always good to know that a guaranteed replacement is inevitable – that’s what we call a great catch!

• High-quality 1680 polyester fabric
• PVC backing
• Heavy-duty zippers
• Waterproof molded base
• Spacious storage
• Holds up to 4 large tackle boxes (included)
• Adjustable dividers
• Additional front pockets with organizers
• Large exterior mesh pocket on the back
• Comes with 2 plier holsters
• Lifetime manufacturers warranty
• Padded shoulder strap/portability
• Fishing line dispensers
• Not as durable as hard case tackle boxes
• Will weigh you down when filled with gear
• No additional rain-cover included
• The seams may fray with long-term wear and tear

3. Flambeau Outdoors Classic 2-Tray Tackle Box

[amazon box=”B074ZVWPLY”]

If you’re looking for a  compact, budget-friendly tackle box , then the Flambeau Outdoors Classic 2-Tray style just may be the tackle box for you. 

Although this  plastic tackle box  is not very big in stature, simply organizing the storage space will ensure you have plenty of room for your lures, tools, and bait. This tackle box includes  eight built-in tray compartments  and  6 removable dividers  which allow you to keep your gear securely organized.

The efficient layout of the Flambeau Outdoors Classic  2-Tray Tackle Box  is further enhanced with plenty of base storage. Even though it may be on the small side  (14 x 8.2 x 7.6 inches) , this tackle box can pack a whole lot more than you’d expect at first glance. 

The silhouette provides you with instant access to your tackle via a  flip-top lid  compartment, whilst a  Drawtite latch  makes sure your items remain secure. This tackle box features  tip-guard tray supports  to ensure that your fishing accessories stay firmly in place, even when on the go. 

The Flambeau Outdoors Classic 2-Tray Tackle Box is extremely lightweight and portable. When empty,  i t only weighs one pound!

Although this best-selling tackle box is  highly affordable , it does not compromise on quality. Considering its listed price, this tackle system is simply a steal.

• Comes built with eight tray compartments with six removable dividers
• Drawtite latch
• 8 built-in tray compartments
• 6 removable dividers
• Easy Access flip-top lid
• Lightweight (just 1 pound)
• Budget-friendly 
• Too compact for some anglers
• Not the most heavy-duty design
• No space for larger tools
• Can become top-heavy when filled

4. Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad Lighted Backpack

[amazon box=”B00A0PA46U”]

Note: You can also get this backpack at Bass Pro Shops here .

When it comes to  tackle backpacks , the Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad is just about as good as it gets. Although it’s slightly more expensive than your typical plastic tackle box, it’s well worth the splurge. 

D esigned for heavy-duty, on-the-go use,   this tackle bag is the perfect choice for anglers that love to venture deep into the wilderness.  To make carrying the Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad Lighted Backpack even easier,  it features large, adjustable padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap, and a padded carrying handle .

This sturdy, functional tackle backpack is a versatile choice for additional gear storage.  It can hold up to 6 medium-sized 3600 tackle trays, and 4 additional 3500 tackle trays . Plus, it features a multitude of  zippered compartments and mesh pockets  to ensure there’s plenty of room for all of your favorite tackle, lures, reels, and more. 

The large upper storage area also includes a  removable divider.  When you need extra space for larger items, simply remove the divider to maximize the interior storage capacity.  I love that this tackle bag includes a front pocket cover that folds down, providing you with a makeshift work surface.

Clever design elements

This smart alternative to a traditional tackle box comes with various clever design elements. For example, there’s  a molded  sunglass  compartment  on the top that keeps your eyewear secure, and an external  removable plier holster  for additional convenience, with or without the tackle bag. 

The Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad Backpack also  includes a  rain cover , ensuring your pack and gear stay dry, no matter the weather conditions. 

This backpack has an integrated LED light system that lights up the pack in the dark, allowing you to easily locate it (and your tackle) even in low light and dark conditions.  This is an ideal feature if you enjoy fishing in the early hours of the morning, or at night.

Read more buyer reviews at Bassproshops.com.

• Heavy-duty, quality construction
• Versatile storage options
• Holds up to 6 #3600 trays
• Holds up to 4 #3500 trays
• Internal mesh pockets
• Removable divider in the upper compartment
• External gear pockets
• External pliers holder
• Sunglasses compartment
• Comes with rain-cover to keep dry in wet conditions
• Integrated LED light system
• Very portable/adjustable shoulder straps
• Can feel too bulky for some anglers
• Does not provide instant overview of gear
• Straps are prone to wear and tear
• Zippers may break with repeated usage

5. Plano 732 Angled Tackle System 

[amazon box=”B006PKXVAA”]

The Plano 732 Angled Tackle System is another firm favorite amongst fishing enthusiasts.  This highly-rated Plano tackle box features a built-in storage rack that holds two medium and three large utility boxes. 

Its total dimensions are  18 x 9 x 10 inches , whilst  its weight is 5.65 pounds  (without gear). Although it’s not the most lightweight tackle box on our list, we reckon it’s a fair trade-off considering its ample storage space and durability.  If you own a boat, this could be the tackle box for you. 

Made from hard plastic, the Plano 732 Angled Fishing Tackle Box features a  built-in storage rack with multiple utility boxes  that sit at a nice 15-degree angle. This ‘angled’ configuration allows you to quickly reach for anything you want, providing you with easy access when you need it. 

This tackle box also includes  additional storage compartments situated on top of the lid and an extra storage area below the lid  that can hold a lot of tackle or other fishing accessories.

The top storage compartments are fitted with  DuraView lens covers  that provide a clear view of the contents. For stability, this tackle box also features  non-skid rubber feet.  These feet are ideal for keeping the box in place, even on slippery or wet surfaces. 

An  oversized handle  helps evenly distribute the weight and provides a firm, comfortable grip.  Two locking latches  keep the contents of the tackle box firmly in place, so you don’t have to worry about losing any of your expensive tackle when rolling over massive waves.

• Integrated storage rack for easy access
• Holds 3 large utility boxes
• Holds 2 medium utility boxes
• Additional storage compartment under the lid
• Additional storage pockets on top of the lid
• Angled silhouette with ‘pull out’ trays
• Duraview Lens Covers
• Non-skid rubber feet
• Strong locking latches
• Might be prone to tipping when filled to maximum capacity
• Quite a heavy tackle box (5.65lbs)
• Not super portable over long distances
• Not fully waterproof according to some reviews

Final Verdict

Every product that we’ve covered on our list will make for a great choice to keep your fishing gear organized. The best tackle box for you really depends on where, when, and how you plan to use it. 

For anglers who love venturing out into nature for days at a time, then a softshell portable-style tackle unit like the Wild River Tackle Tek Nomad backpack or the Spiderwire Wolf Tackle Bag make for ideal choices. 

For the fishing enthusiasts who want maximum durability and capacity (where portability is not the main priority), a hard case style such as the Plano 7771-01 Guide Series Tackle System will be your best choice. 

No matter what type of angler you are, all 5 products on our list score top-marks for quality, value, and convenience, and have gathered hundreds of 5-star reviews by satisfied Amazon customers. 

Be sure to check out the following buyer’s guide for further details about different factors to consider when buying the tackle box that’s right for you.

[amazon table=”13977″]

In the unlikely case that you do encounter any problems, you can simply contact the manufacturer or seller to request a full refund or replacement.

Best Tackle Box – Buying Guide

Important factors when buying a tackle box .

When buying a tackle box, there are multiple factors to consider. For example, size, the type of shell (hard or soft), the price, the material, and the configuration. A tackle box that is a perfect match with one angler, might be completely the wrong choice for another fishing enthusiast. Which is why it’s crucial to not just pick a tackle box with high consumer rating and fancy features, but one that actually ‘ticks the box’ for your requirements. 

Below we’ve listed the most important factors to take into account when shopping for tackle boxes, allowing you to determine which type and style will be ‘the best’ for you. Get informed about the different possibilities, and learn how to find the best tackle box for your needs by using these handy criteria:

Type of Tackle Box

Generally, tackle storage products can be divided into 3 main types: hard tackle boxes, soft tackle bags/boxes, and tackle backpacks. Each has its characteristics, and pros and cons. Let’s take a closer look at each category:

Hard Tackle Boxes

The hard tackle box is a classic choice to store your lures and bait. This trunk-style silhouette was originally a single-tray storage box made of wood or wicker but now comes in a variety of materials and configurations. The first plastic tackle boxes were created by Plano, who noticed anglers needed hard cases that didn’t rust or degrade such as wood or metal boxes did. Still a preferred material of choice, most hard-case tackle boxes are made of waterproof plastic compounds. A smart choice, as these are both lightweight and durable, plus easy to clean. 

Most hard-shell tackle boxes have a trunk-style or suitcase-style silhouette with a handle at the top or side, and clips to lock the box. Some larger hard tackle boxes may also come with wheels, or an extendable handle for extra maneuverability. 

Though the interior configuration of hard tackle boxes differs per brand and style, most designs will feature some sort of cascading/folding trays and/or a sliding drawer. These trays or drawers come with various smaller compartments, allowing you to easily organize your favorite lures. By keeping lures and jigs in various separate compartments or levels, you can quickly locate the right piece of equipment. Plus, this storage solution also ensures your fishing gear is less likely to get tangled, or damaged, during transport. 

Soft Tackle Bags/ Soft Tackle Boxes

We’ve noticed that recently the popularity of soft tackle bags and soft-shell tackle boxes is on the rise. And it’s no surprise why these styles are becoming a go-to choice for anglers: as their portability is a big lure. 

Soft tackle bags are often still shaped like a box/trunk, but the fabric material makes them more pliable and lightweight than plastic counterparts. The silhouette is most commonly made of nylon or polyester. Unlike hard-case tackle boxes that generally tend to only have a single handle, most soft tackle bags also come with a shoulder strap. Allowing you to easily sling it over your shoulder for extra comfort on the go.

Just like hard tackle boxes, the interior of a soft tackle bag will differ depending on the brand, size, and style. Though, as a general rule of thumb, look for a bag that has multiple compartments to keep your gear easily organized. Most soft tackle boxes will include various inner compartments and dividers, zippered pockets, and/or removable trays to comfortably store your lures, reels, and spools in one, lightweight silhouette. Some brands include removable plastic utility boxes with their soft-shell bags, which are quite similar to standard Tupperware containers. Though handy for storing tackle, these boxes don’t quite provide the same overview as tackle trays or drawers. So if a quick overview is a priority for you, a soft fishing tackle bag might not be your best choice, and we would recommend a hard tackle box instead.

Tackle Backpacks

Take a soft-shell tackle bag, add two shoulder straps, and voila: you’ve reached the final category: tackle backpacks. This style is the best of both worlds. Not only does it contain various dividers/compartments to keep your tackle safely secured, but the backpack-style silhouette makes it ideal for longer hikes or fishing trips. The added portability makes it a popular style for multi-day adventures where you have to carry your tackle over longer distances. A downside is, that just like soft-shell tackle boxes, a tackle backpack does not provide an instant overview of your gear. When opened, you’ll have to sift through the contents to locate pieces, instead of instantly seeing which tackle is where. Meaning that separate plastic containers are key to keeping your stuff organized inside the pack. 

Disclaimer:  we’ve chosen not to include any fly fishing tackle gear in this overview and buying guide, such as the “Go-To” Fly Box by New Phase. As fly fishing tackle boxes only caters to a very specific fishing type/type of fish. Instead, we’ve chosen to include versatile options that accommodate a range of tackle/lures/sinkers/fishing accessories, and other saltwater and freshwater fishing gear. 

When looking for the best tackle box, size is one of the most important factors. Every angler needs a design large enough to store your supplies, but size-up too much and the tackle box can be heavy and difficult to carry. It’s tempting to choose a larger option, but you may not even need all that storage space. 

Compare it to a closet for your clothes. You could buy a super large option that has enough room for all your 4-season clothing, but this will take up a lot of space and cost you a pretty penny. Or you could size down and simply alternate between your winter and summer wardrobe. The same goes for a fishing tackle box. You could buy a heavy-duty, extra-large size with dozens of storage compartments to fit all your tackle or gear. Or you could size down and simply pack it based on what gear you’ll be needing on that specific trip. If you’re going on an open-water adventure on a boat, you can leave your surf fishing lures at home. Or vice versa. 

Sometimes bigger is indeed better, but when it comes to fishing tackle boxes, we prefer a mid-sized option that is both spacious enough for fishing essentials, yet also portable enough to easily carry to our favorite fishing spot. However, the choice is of course completely up to you!

The material of a tray tackle box or tackle bag depends mostly on the style. Hard-cased tackle boxes are generally made of metal or plastic, whilst soft shoulder bags and backpacks are produced of nylon or polyester fabrics. There’s not one material that reigns supreme, as each has its specific pros and cons.

Plastic is lightweight, corrosion-proof, easy to clean, and doesn’t retain odor. Metal is more durable but may be prone to rust depending on the type of metal alloy used. Fabric is even more lightweight than plastic, and its pliable qualities make it easier to compress during transport. 

Overall, there’s a simple way to ensure the material of the tackle box lives up to expectation: make sure the material is a high-grade/top-grade choice. For example: if plastic, ensure it’s BPA-free and non-toxic. If nylon, ensure its a durable variety such as ripstop nylon with a water-resistant coating. And if metal, look for a corrosion-resistant option such as stainless steel. Regardless of which material you prefer, quality is key. Check what customer reviews are saying about the durability, waterproof qualities and wear and tear of the plastic/metal/fabric, etc. And double-check the specific type of material used, as listed by the manufacturer. Yes, we know this can be a laborious process, but if you want top performance in the long-term, it does help to do your research. 

Fortunately, there is an alternative: our Best Tackle Box overview. All 5 options listed tick the box when it comes to quality and durability. With a big thumbs up from fellow angling enthusiasts. We’ve only included products that adhere to high-quality standards, to provide you with a premium selection available on Amazon that doesn’t disappoint.

Samantha Bos

Samantha is an avid outdoor enthusiast who loves exploring the great unknown. She’s traveled all across the globe to sample nature’s delights. And her travels have taken her to all corners of the world: from hiking the famous Inca Trail in Peru to ice-hiking on glaciers in Alaska.

Besides hiking, Samantha likes to challenge herself with all kinds of outdoor activities. She doesn’t shy away from testing her limits. For example, navigating Grade 5 rapids whilst whitewater rafting in New Zealand, and avoiding close-encounters with bird-eating spiders and poisonous plants in the Australian rainforest. Currently based in Manhattan, New York, she’s traded in the real jungle for an urban jungle. But she tries to get out and explore nature in the surrounding Hudson Valley, Catskills, and Harriman State Park areas as often as she can.

She shares her knowledge of hiking, backpacking, and outdoor activities in handy ‘Best of’ overviews. Bundling the best-value, top-rated products that will no doubt make every reader a ‘happy camper’.

The Best 10-Person Tents

Love camping with a large group of friends or family members? Then you’re going to need a spacious shelter! 

To help you navigate the market, we’ve created the following comprehensive Best 10-Person Tent overview. In this review, we’ve highlighted the best-value options currently available on the market. 

Explore the top-rated 10-person tents below – discover the perfect fit for your upcoming camping trips! 

In a hurry? Here’s the test winner after 10 hours of research:

[amazon table=”18048″]

10 Best 10-Person Tents – Overview

Here’s an overview of the best 10-person tents (keep scrolling for detailed breakdowns with pros and cons for each of your options):

[amazon table=”15723″]

[fl_builder_insert_layout id=”19993″]

1. Outdoor Products 10-Person Instant Cabin Tent

[amazon box=”B088C5QF7G”]

This tent is equipped with handy storage pockets  that allow you to keep your personal belongings neatly organized. 

• Extended Eave Technology

The 10-Person Instant Cabin Tent by Outdoor Products is well-ventilated thanks to  dual ground vents and mesh windows  that work together to create ample cross ventilation throughout the tent. 

This tent comes with a water-resistant, particle-cover rainfly, plus a tub floor to keep moisture out.  This large cabin tent also features  ‘Extended Eave Technology’.  This means the automatically extended eaves keep the tent fly away from the tent’s body. Not only does this boost breathability, but it also allows you to keep the windows open in light rain. 

Other Reading: Best Gazebo for Camping

• Instant setup in just 2 minutes
• Removable room divider included
• Dual ground vents
• Mesh windows for proper airflow
• Water-resistant rainfly included
• Carry bag included
• Great value-for-money
• Integrated storage pockets
• Can fit 2 queen-size air beds
• Heavy-weight 
• Not the most portable
• Not the highest quality standard

2. UNP 10-Person Camping Tent 

[amazon box=”B08VW17813″]

The UNP 10-person camping tent measures 18ft x 9ft x78in . In total, it provides a whopping  162 square feet of space  and can fit up to 10 sleeping bags (or 3 queen air mattresses if comfort is your main priority). Furthermore, this is a  four-season tent  making it a suitable option for camping regardless of the conditions.

This extra-large tent is made from  100% polyester  and  weighs 23 pounds  when fully packed into its carrying bag. It makes use of  fiberglass poles and hooks  for maximum sturdiness and only takes roughly five minutes to set up. 

The spacious interior of this tent features a  mesh mosquito repellent roof  that allows for stargazing while keeping mosquitoes and other annoying insects out. 

A  s pacious Gear Loft  comes built-in that is suitable for storing and air-drying clothes. This tent also features  mesh pockets  that are great for keeping personal belongings and other necessities organized. 

Including an  electrical access port , this tent allows you to extend a cord from your devices to an outside power source. To ensure you stay in one place, this tent is secured via  Patented Foot Sleeves  that hold the included FRP poles securely in place even during the toughest weather conditions. Plus, these handy foot sleeves make setup a breeze. 

The UNP 10-person camping tent combines comfort and privacy thanks to an easily accessible doorway complete with two-way zippers.

• Big enough for 3 Queen air mattresses
• Mesh storage pockets
• Patented Foot sleeves to keep poles from slipping
• Perfect for all four seasons
• Electrical access ports
• Can only be separated into 2 rooms

3. CORE 10 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent 

[amazon box=”B07NM17LVD”]

The CORE 10 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent  measures 14ft x 10ft , with a  center height of 86″.  It includes an expandable, zippered carry bag and  packs down to 28.5″ x 10″ X 10″.  Weighing in at  35.5 lbs , this tent is quite hefty compared to similar options on my list. 

This quality camping tent can comfortably accommodate up to  10 adult-sized sleeping bags or 2 queen-sized air mattresses.  Note: due to its straight wall design, this is one queen-sized airbed less than the previous Ozark Trail XL Family Tent. 

This family tent features  one large D-style door for easy access . Personally, I kind of wished each compartment had a separate entry-point for additional privacy. 

• Advanced Venting System

The CORE 10 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent’s advanced ventilation system makes use of adjustable vents to draw in cool air from the ground. Simultaneously, warm air is recycled outward via its  large mesh ceiling . 

The CORE 10 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent also  includes a gear loft with a lantern hook, ample storage pockets, and an electrical cord access port.  

As far as design is concerned, this tent is made from premium materials, including  durable 68D polyester tent fabric, a tough PE floor, and fiberglass tent poles . This tent also makes use of a  removable water-resistant rainfly  to ensure you stay dry. Furthermore, the seams of this tent are thermally heat-sealed to keep water and condensation out.

• Vertical-walled silhouette
• Ample 86″ center height
• 14 x 10 feet – very spacious
• Room divider
• Two entry doors
• A lantern hook, gear loft, and storage pockets
• An electrical cord access point
• Thermally heat-sealed seams
• Setup can take a bit longer 
• Only 2-room tent, not 3-room
• Quite heavy (35.5 lbs)

4. Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Outdoor Tent 

[amazon box=”B001TS8Q94″]

This 3-season tent comes equipped with  Coleman’s patented WeatherTec System  which is a proprietary series of interworking features designed to keep bad weather where it belongs – outside. 

If you’re looking for a spacious, budget-friendly family camping tent that’s able to easily withstand the elements, then the Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Outdoor Tent could be just what you’re looking for. 

The Coleman WeatherMaster Outdoor Tent  measures 17ft x 9ft with a center height of 76″.  Although it’s less roomy, height-wise, compared to the CORE 10 Person Straight Wall Cabin Tent, it still offers ample headroom for most campers. 

The Coleman WeatherMaster 10-Person Tent can  comfortably accommodate up to 10 adult-sized sleeping bags or 3 queen size air beds.  It features a hinged door at the front and a zippered door at the back for easy access. 

When it’s time to head home, the Coleman WeatherMaster Outdoor Tent packs down into its included carry bag – listed as 30.3″ x 10.2″ x 10.2″. This tent  weighs approximately 31 pounds  when packed away. 

Panoramic views

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, family camping tent with plenty of weather-resistant features, then the Coleman WeatherMaster Outdoor Tent may be your best bet. 

Setting up this tent is extremely simple thanks to a  color-coded pole system  and continuous pole sleeve design. Other perks include  large, angled windows  that allow for panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness, and  multiple storage pockets  to keep your belongings neatly organized. 

Overall, the Coleman WeatherMaster Outdoor Tent offers plenty of value considering its affordable pricing. For this reason, it’s one of the best 10-person camping tents at the lower end of the price spectrum.

• Quick setup with color-coded pole construction
• Hinged door for easy access
• Can fit 3 queen air beds
• 2 entry points
• Room dividers for privacy
• WeatherTec system
• Waterproof floor and zipper cuffs
• Fully-taped seams on durable taffeta rainfly
• Large angled windows for panoramic views
• Less generous in headroom
• Setup can be a bit tricky
• WeatherTec system can still fail in heavy downpours

5. HIKERGARDEN 10-person camping tent  

The HIKERGARDEN tent is  waterproof, wind-proof,  and provides all of the ventilation needed to comfortably house 10 people. Requiring only  10 minutes to set up , this tent  measures 168 x 132 x 74 inches  when fully erect. 

This tent can comfortably accommodate  up to 10 sleeping bags . It’s very spacious and offers plenty of privacy thanks to a  dividing curtain . 

The tent also features  electrical access ports  so you can run a cord from the inside of the tent to an exterior power source. Furthermore, there are  mesh gear pockets  so you can keep your small trinkets organized.

When properly set up, the HIKERGARDEN tent is comfortable, safe, and provides privacy and protection, even when camping in large groups.

• Waterproof and wind-resistant
• Mesh door and windows
• Carrying bag for storage and transport
• Presence of electrical access ports and mesh pockets
• Might take a while to set up
• Can only be divided into two
• Rain fly only opens from outside

6. Tahoe Gear Olympia 10-Person Family Camping Tent

[amazon box=”B07BV5PDSD”]

The Tahoe Gear Olympia 10-Person Family Camping Tent measures  18ft x 10.5ft in floor space (216″ x 126″) and has a center height of 84″  – this is ample headroom even for taller campers. 

This large tent is surprisingly lightweight, especially compared to other 10-person camping tents. The total packing weight of the Tahoe Gear Olympia is approximately  23 lbs . 

The roomy interior space of the Tahoe Gear Olympia can comfortably accommodate  up to 10 adult sleeping bags or 2 queen air mattresses.  A minor con is that this tent does not include a room divider, meaning privacy is a bit limited. 

Great ventilation options

What the Tahoe Gear Olympia 10-Person Family Camping Tent lacks in privacy, it more than makes up for in quality and construction.  This tent features a durable, waterproof polyester rainfly with taped seams and a polyethylene binding floor with water-resistant properties.  In addition, the Tahoe Gear Olympia is also well-ventilated, thanks to a  mesh roof  and  ground vents  that ensure proper airflow. 

This tall 10-person tent also includes an  electrical cord access point, an awning over the front door, and a carry bag.  It also comes with a  1-year product warranty , ensuring that if you encounter any manufacturing defects, you can get a refund or a replacement (subject to conditions).

Aside from the lack of a room divider, another minor con is that the Tahoe Gear Olympia 10-Person Family Camping Tent only has 1 door. This makes entering and exiting slightly less convenient, especially when nature calls in the middle of the night and you have to crawl over your camping buddies. That said, it’s not a major issue. Still, it’s something to keep in mind if you plan on packing the tent to full capacity with 10 campers…

• Pin-and-ring-system setup
• Large floor space
• Rainfly included
• Mesh ceiling and ground vents for proper ventilation
• Can fit 2 queen-sized air mattresses
• Electrical cord access port
• 84″ center height ideal for taller campers
• Lightweight
• Included carry bag
• Only 1 entry door
• No room dividers
• Fiberglass frame may damage in strong winds

7. Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent

[amazon box=”B01LYK6SZV”]

Another best-selling tent by Ozark Trail is the 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent. Not only does this tent feature a super easy setup that can be completed in minutes,  but it also comes with ‘Dark Rest’ technology that allows you to easily customize the interior illumination.  The result: a better night’s sleep, and a tent that stays cooler, longer. 

The  steel-framed  Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent is very easy to pitch, with  no assembly required . Its silhouette features  poles that come pre-attached to the tent shell.  According to the manufacturer,  setup is possible in just 2 minutes , thanks to its instant, pre-assembled construction.

Dark Rest Technology

Though its roomy interior and easy assembly are great perks, the real attraction of this 10-person tent by Ozark Trail is its Dark Rest Technology. Dark Rest refers to this tent’s special technology that’s designed to block sunlight.  The silhouette of the tent features multiple skylights with interior ceiling panels . These panels allow you to easily customize the amount of sunlight inside of the tent and allow you to block out the light completely when it’s time for bed.  The ceiling panels on the skylights can also be fully rolled back, making this a great tent for stargazing.  If you’re a sleeper that’s sensitive to light, or you simply want a tent that stays cooler, longer, this Dark Rest technology may be the answer to your prayers. 

Other pros of the Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent include  integrated storage pockets  and a  hanging gear organizer  that enables you to keep your camping gear neatly organized and off the ground. 

The Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent also comes with an  electrical cord access port, tent stakes, and a carry bag.  This tent is furthermore covered by a  6-month product warranty  – always a plus. 

Although the Ozark Trail Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent isn’t the cheapest 10-person tent on the market, considering its fantastic design quality and unique Dark Rest technology, it’s no doubt worth the investment for campers that want the best night’s sleep possible…

• Instant easy setup, no assembly required
• Excellent quality standard
• Steel frame more durable than fiberglass
• Tent stays cooler, longer
• Dark Rest technology
• Great for stargazing
• Multiple mesh windows for great ventilation
• Removable room divider
• Includes tent stakes
• Not lightweight

8. Columbia Mammoth Creek 10-Person Tent

[amazon box=”B0882HHBSH”]

If you’re looking for a 10-person tent that maximizes interior space, then the Mammoth Creek model by Columbia may be just what you’re after. 

The Columbia Mammoth Creek 10 Person Tent  measures 14ft x 10ft (168″ x 120″) and offers 78″ of center height.  This spacious tent can fit up to  10 adult sleeping bags or 2 queen-size air mattresses.  

This 10-person tent features  large pull-out window s  that can be kept fully open for maximum airflow on warm days.  Further air circulation is encouraged via an adjustable ground vent and no-see-um mesh panels.  During bad weather conditions, the  waterproof polyester flooring and rainfly  work together to keep you dry and sheltered. 

Omni-Shield coated fabric 

The Columbia Mammoth Creek 10 Person Tent comes with Omni-Shield coated fabric.  This patented type of water-resistant fabric dries 3-5 times faster than regular, untreated polyester.  Not only does it dry quicker, but it also gets less weighed down when wet – reducing the strain and pull on the tent’s frame in heavy rain. 

Although the product description on Amazon lists the shipping weight at an ultralight 4 pounds, this is an error. According to Amazon reviews,  the total packing weight of this backpacking tent is approximately 22 lbs ; this is still relatively lightweight for a tent this size. 

A minor con is that Columbia Mammoth Creek 10 Person Tent isn’t an instant setup tent, meaning you will have to spend more time on assembly than the other, easy setup models in this overview. 

Furthermore, some reviewers mentioned a lack of clear setup instructions. That said, once you’ve figured out which part goes where, the setup will be quicker the second time around.

• Vertical wall silhouette
• Maximum interior space
• Omni-Shield waterproof fabric
• No-see-um mesh 
• Room divider for privacy
• Large pull-out windows 
• Adjustable ground vent for air circulation
• Not the quickest in setup
• Some reviewers mention a lack of clear set-up instructions
• A discrepancy in packing weight in the product listing

9. NTK Arizona 10-person Camping Tent

[amazon box=”B00NOA1X36″]

The NTK Arizona camping tent is  made from heavy-duty polyester  and is  perfect for 3 seasons . This durable tent can comfortably house up to 10 sleeping bags (or 3 double air mattresses and one single). NTK once again provides a quality product designed to enhance any outdoor excursion. 

One of the best family tents out there, This NTK tent also features an  ultra-slim polyester micro-mesh material  that acts as a means of protection from mosquitoes and other bugs while ensuring the tent stays thoroughly ventilated. 

Featuring a Double layer 190T polyester laminated water column, heat-welded PU sealed seams, and UV protection , this tent provides you with ample protection against the elements and ensures you get the comfort that you deserve. Even its  large D-style doors  are covered with mosquito mesh so you get great views and ventilation, minus the insects.

• Comes with a stuff bag for easy storage and transport
• Offers protection against all elements
• Mosquito mesh
• High-quality floor
• The material of the tent floor is quite prone to wear and tear
• Not the most durable tent on the market
• Only partial-coverage rainfly 

10. Outbound Lightweight Pop up Family Camping Tent

[amazon box=”B07WVFPFD7″]

If your main priority is to find a 10-person tent that’s  lightweight (12 lbs)  and easy to carry, this model by Outbound is a fantastic match. Plus,  not only is it lightweight, but it’s also super easy to set up – enabling you to pitch it within minutes.  The trade-off is that the tent is not the most heavy-duty and durable, but for those that plan to carry their tent over longer distances, it’s worth the compromise. 

The Outbound Lightweight Pop up Family Camping Tent  measures 14ft x 10ft (168″ x 120″) . This is enough room to accommodate 10 regular-sized adult sleeping bags or 2 queen-size air beds.  This tent provides campers with  76 inches of standing center height.  The family camping tent by Outbound comes with an  ultralight fiberglass frame system , which is part of the reason it only weighs 12 lbs in total packing weight. 

This roomy tent includes a partial-cover rain fly with a 600mm waterproof rating . Once again: this is not the most heavy-duty tent on the market, and a waterproof rating of 600mm won’t be enough to keep you fully dry in heavy rain. That being said, for fair weather conditions in the summertime, it should offer sufficient shelter to keep you comfy and secure.  The rainfly includes leakproof seams , whilst the  polyester tub floor  offers adequate protection against wet undergrounds. 

Includes all the essentials

It’s not the most durable tent on the market, nor is it equipped for extreme weather conditions; however, when it comes to portability and lightweight appeal, the Outbound Lightweight Pop up Tent is one of the best family tents you’ll find. Plus, the price tag is equally lightweight compared to other tents on this overview making it a budget-friendly backpacker’s favorite! 

• Very lightweight (12 lbs)
• Affordable and great value-for-money
• Easy and quick setup
• Large D-shaped door with zippered windows
• Mesh ceiling panels for proper airflow
• ​Very portable and suited for backpacking
• ​Includes guy lines
• Includes zippered carry bag
• Fiberglass frame may shatter in heavy winds
• Rainfly only has a 600mm waterproof rating
• Not recommended for bad weather conditions
• ​No room dividers
• Only one entry-point

Every product in this Best 10-Person Tent Overview has its own unique appeal. Which tent ranks the best really depends on the type of camper you are. For example, family campers that aren’t concerned about privacy may be satisfied with a single-door design, such as the Wenzel Big Basin. However, campers who travel with friends and value privacy as a key priority may wish to have easy access to their compartment, without having to disturb others. In this case, the 10-Person Ozark Trail Family Cabin Tent, which features three separate entry points, could be a better match.

These 10-person camping tents also vary in shape and size. If you prefer maximum headroom and maneuverability throughout the entire tent, then straight-walled options such as the CORE Straight Wall Cabin Tent, the Columbia Mammoth Creek Camping Tent, or the Outdoor Products 10-Person Instant Cabin Tent could be a perfect fit. Then again, perhaps your key priority is protection against the elements. In this case, the Coleman WeatherMaster with its special WeatherTec system could be the tent for you. Furthermore, if you want a tent that stays cooler, longer – consider the Ozark Trail 10-Person Dark Rest Instant Cabin Tent, which blocks out sunlight to help you get a better night’s sleep…

There’s no need to stress – I can promise you one thing: every 10-person tent on this overview is a great choice; you honestly can’t go wrong with any of them. No matter which style you choose, you have my word, they’ll all keep you comfortable, sheltered, and cozy! All you need to do is determine which style matches your needs best – the tent will take care of the rest.

Best 10-Person Tents – Buying Guide

When shopping for the Best 10-Person Tent for your camping needs, there are several buying factors to take into consideration. By determining which factors are most important to you, you can easily create a checklist to find your perfect fit. These are the most important buying factors to consider when shopping for large family tents:

Size, layout, and silhouette

10-Person tents come in all shapes and sizes. Though they can all accommodate 10 regular-sized adult sleeping bags, some are roomier than others. For example, a 10-person tent with a 14ft x 10ft footprint will fit 10 sleeping bags, but only 2 queen-size air beds. Whilst a 10-person tent with a 20ft x 10ft footprint can easily fit 3 queen-sized air beds. This may sound pretty logical, but it’s worth repeating that just because a tent is listed as ’10-person’, doesn’t mean it can comfortably accommodate 10 campers and their gear. That is why we recommend you to always double-check the floor space of a tent, ensuring it has enough room for your camping requirements.

Additionally, the tent’s center height and shape are also factors to consider. Some tents have a 74″ center height, whilst others reach up to 84″. Those extra 10 inches can make a big difference to your comfort, especially for taller campers. When it comes to the shape/silhouette, vertical-walled tents offer more interior space than a dome tent – maximizing on headroom to move around.

If you want the option to enjoy some privacy from your friends and/or kids, choose a tent that includes a room divider. You may assume that all large 10-person tents come with some type of room divider, but this is not the case. Some tents only have one big main cabin that cannot be separated in the different rooms. Whilst other tents come with multiple room dividers, allowing you to instantly turn them into 2-room or 3-room tents. Creating your makeshift room divider is quite the hassle, so save yourself the effort, and simply choose a tent that includes room dividers instead if privacy is a priority.

Doors and windows

Another thing to consider is whether you want a tent with multiple doors, or if a single-door tent will do. For smaller, 4-person or 6-person tents a single entry point may be adequate, but when camping with a big group in one tent, the more doors, the easier is it to exit and enter the tent. If you don’t want to crawl over your camping buddies in the middle of the night, when nature calls, consider a tent with a front and back-entry point: as this will make your camping experience a whole lot smoother.

Also, take into consideration what type of windows you prefer. Some tents come with larger, pull-out mesh windows, whilst others feature zippered windows integrated into the doors. If you often go camping in the summertime and warm conditions, consider a tent with multiple mesh windows on all sides to enable proper ventilation and airflow. If you often find yourself in wet and rainy surroundings, ensure the tent comes with zippered and waterproof windows to prevent the interior from getting soggy. The type of windows and number of windows may not be your biggest priority, but it’s something to take into account when browsing for family camping tents.

Weather Resistance

Not every 10-person tent is fully able to keep sheltered and dry, even on bad weather days. Though every tent on this list offers some degree of weather protection, some are more capable of dealing with heavy rains and bad weather conditions than others. If you’re looking for a 3-season tent that holds up well in all types of weather, make sure it has enough weather-resistant design elements to battle the elements. For example:

Staying waterproof

Always choose a tent that comes with a rainfly. Secondly, check if the included rainfly is made of quality materials and what its waterproof rating is. The waterproof rating (also known as the hydrostatic rating) refers to how much water the fabric can handle before moisture starts seeping through. For example, a rainfly fabric with a waterproof rating of 500mm is only moderately water-resistant, whilst a rainfly with a 1500mm rating is far more capable of handling heavy rain. As a general rule of thumb: the higher the waterproof rating, the better.

Sealed, welded, and taped seams

A 10-person tent’s weather-resistance also depends on the type of seams. Even if the rainfly is 100% waterproof, the seams of the tent can still let water in and cause leakage. That is why we’d recommend picking a tent that comes with factory-sealed, taped, or welded seams. You can also waterproof/seal the seams of the tent yourself, but this can be quite the hassle. If you want to save yourself the annoyance of having to waterproof a tent at home, choose a silhouette that comes with factory-sealed, welded, and/or taped seams instead.

Picking the right type of materials will ensure you get the most enjoyment out of a tent. Which material is ‘the best’ depends on where, and when, you plan to use the tent. For example, for backpacking trips or family hiking adventures, a tent frame made of lightweight materials is ‘best’. Lightweight material options include fiberglass, aluminum, and plastic. That said, these ultralight materials compromise on durability and stability. Fiberglass may shatter under pressure, whilst aluminum may bend. Alternatives are heavy-duty materials such as stainless steel. The advantage is that steel is more durable, heavy-duty, and wear-resistant than fiberglass and aluminum. However, it also is heavier – and often more expensive – which are also cons to take into consideration…

For the tent’s shell, the most commonly used materials are nylon and polyester. Nylon and polyester are quite similar in standard and performance. That said, there are gradations in quality – which is why we’d advise picking first-class nylon or polyester shell. There are two ways to check a fabric’s quality standard. First, if a fabric is listed as ‘ripstop’, it means its more tear-resistance and less prone to punctures. Second, check the product’s reviews, because other campers are a great way to check if the tent’s materials are capable of keeping you dry and comfy. If you don’t want to bother checking hundreds of Amazon reviews, use our Best 10-Person Tent Overview, as our experts have already researched for you!

Ease of setup

One of the leading buying factors for campers is often the ease of setup. Whilst some 10-person tents only take minutes to assemble, other styles can quickly set you back an hour (or more). How easy setup will be, depends on the type of frame and construction. For a lightning-fast setup, an instant tent is a way to go. An instant tent comes with part of the frame (or the entire frame) pre-assembled, allowing for nearly instant setup. Whilst standard camping tents come with separate tentpoles, instant tents often feature pre-attached poles. This helps you save time (and frustration) when pitching the tent. You simply need to unfold and/or extend an instant tent’s frame and let the parts slide/click into place.

Though instant tents are great, there’s nothing wrong with standard dome tent and/or cabin tents that do require some type of assembly. Especially not if you plan to camp at the same spot multiple nights in a row, as you’ll only need to set up once. That said, it is indeed something to consider, as we know a hassle-free and quick setup is something many campers look for when buying a new tent…

10 Best Gazebos for Camping

Craving some much-needed sun protection for those extra hot days at the beach? Perhaps you’re in need of shelter from the rain while camping? Quick set-up canopy tents make a great addition to all sorts of outdoor activities…

June 13, 2021/ Samantha Bos Table of Contents

Craving some much-needed sun protection for those extra hot days at the beach? Perhaps you’re in need of shelter from the rain while camping?

Quick set-up canopy tents (aka portable gazebos) make a great addition to all sorts of outdoor activities, including camping, backyard BBQs, festivals, trips to the beach, and more. Depending on the climate, they can even make great permanent fixtures to your backyard.

With so many canopy tents available on the market, choosing the right one for your needs can be a confusing ordeal. That’s why we’ve put together the following list of the best camping gazebos suitable for a variety of weather conditions. 

Our team has ensured there’s a match for every preference and budget. From budget-friendly basic  canopy tents to portable, luxurious, heavy-duty screen house gazebos that offer premium comfort. 

[amazon box=”B00339C3FA”]

10 Best Gazebos for Camping – Overview

The following overview will help save you time and money by instantly navigating you toward the most top-rated products on the market.

Our Top-10 Best Portable Camping Gazebos are: 

[amazon table=”18072″]

[amazon table=”18073″]

What are you waiting for? Take a quick look at the best camping gazebos available below. 

BEST OVERALL

1. Coleman Back Home Instant Screenhouse

The Coleman Back Home Instant Screenhouse is a budget-friendly gazebo with a lightning-fast setup time. 

Thanks to its telescopic 1-piece frame construction, we had this gazebo set up in four minutes.  This gazebo features high-quality  screen walls  for bug-free lounging and even provides  ample sun protection  thanks to its double-thick fabric. 

The Coleman Back Home Instant Screenhouse measures 12 x 10ft and has a 100″ center height.  In total, the design offers  90 square feet of protection , with ample room to move around comfortably. The total packing weight of this outdoor gazebo is approximately 45 lbs. 

This gazebo’s telescopic poles are easy to extend thanks to its pinch-free  ‘Comfort Grip™ technology’ . To make setup even easier, this screen house gazebo features large feet which you can step on when extending the poles into place. No matter how tall you are, anyone can set up this tent quickly and easily.

UVGuard 50+ UPF sun protection

The Coleman Back Home Instant Screenhouse offers excellent protection against the sun’s harmful rays. The shell of this gazebo is made from  UVGuard™ material . This rugged, polyester fabric provides  50+ UPF sun protection  which is more than enough to keep you safe and shielded from hazardous UV rays. 

The Coleman Back Home Instant Screenhouse features  two large doors : one at the front and one at the back. Furthermore, this screened tent comes with a  wheeled carry bag  for extra portability. Plus,  ground stakes and pre-attached guy lines are included  for additional support. 

This tent comes with a  1-year limited warranty  making it a risk-free purchase – if you’re not satisfied, simply send it back for a full refund. 

This best-seller from Coleman is a budget-friendly, easy-setup option that’s perfect for escaping the sun, rain, and insects.  We reckon it more than hits the mark and will keep you comfortable and sheltered, come rain or shine!

• One-piece telescoping frame
• Excellent protection against insects
• Breatheable mesh silhouette
• Ample headroom due to 100″ center height
• Great quality standard
• UPF 50+ sun protection fabric
• Comfort Grip Technology
• Wheeled Carry Bag included
• 1-year product warranty
• No shelter from insects
• Not durable in heavy winds
• Limited cover against rain

2. Coleman Instant Gazebo Canopy Tent  

[amazon box=”B0038XPNPS”]

The Coleman Instant Gazebo Canopy Tent is an instant sunshade shelter designed for a quick and easy setup.  Thanks to its one-piece telescopic frame, this tent can be fully set up in a matter of minutes  – just follow the simple steps outlined in the instruction manual.

This canopy tent is  available in 3 different sizes : 10 x 10ft, 12 x 12ft, and 16 x 8ft – all featuring a quick setup. Although we tested out all three sizes, for our review, we’ve chosen to highlight the 10 x 10ft  instant canopy tent  as this is the best-seller of the series.

The Coleman Instant Gazebo Canopy Tent adheres to a top-notch quality standard and offers great protection against the sun.  Made from UV-Guard material (a patented fabric that provides UPF 50+ sun protection), this tent easily blocks harmful UV-rays. 

Not only will this gazebo protect you from the sun, but it will also keep you feeling cool and refreshed thanks to  vented air roof releases .

The 10 X 10  Coleman Instant Gazebo Canopy Tent  weighs a total of 35 lbs and has a center height of 112 inches . This canopy tent  includes a wheeled carry bag  that’s made from heavy-duty fabric. It also comes with  ground stakes  and  pre-attached guy lines  for extra support in windy conditions.

Quick, easy setup in 3 minutes

The main attraction of the Coleman  Instant Gazebo Canopy Tent  is its quick setup. According to Coleman,  setup can be achieved in under 3 minutes . It took us 5 minutes – which is still amazing.  

The secret to its easy setup revolves around its  ‘Comfort Grip Technology’ . This refers to the tent’s telescopic poles that can be quickly extended and locked in place. This process is pinch and hassle-free and makes setup a breeze.

Furthermore, this Canopy Tent is  covered by a limited  1-year product warranty , ensuring it lives up to expectations and a great quality standard. Although this camping gazebo by Coleman is not ideal for keeping you dry during heavy rains, it’s more than suitable for light rains and mist. Plus,  it’s one of the best options for use as a sunshade.

Mid-budget, high-quality, and super easy to set up, this gazebo tent is a great investment for camping or backyard entertainment.

• Relatively lightweight
• No sidewalls

MOST PORTABLE GAZEBO

3. Alvantor Screen House Room 

[amazon box=”B08GKKKVWX”]

When you’re out camping, you wouldn’t want a large and heavy camping gazebo on your back. After all, there’s a fairly big chance that there’s gonna be a hike or walk to the campsite, and you don’t want to have too many things weighing you down.

That’s why this camping gazebo from Alvantor is a great choice for those that want to pack light. The whole gazebo only weighs around 9 lbs and folds into a very compact carrying bag that’s easy to bring around. On top of that, no setup is needed when you finally want to pop the gazebo out thanks to its instant pop-up build.

It comes in four different sizes, which are 6′ x 6′ x 6.5′, 10′ x 10′ x 7′, 12′ x 12′ x 7.5′, and 15′ x 15′ x 8.5′, so you can easily find the right one for you. This a very roomy gazebo, with a large entrance door and fabric top that offers UV protection. It also has mesh screenings to prevent pests like mosquitos, flies, and other bugs that you might encounter on a camping trip.

If you’ve been looking for a lightweight, easy-to-setup option that comes with a 1-year warranty and satisfaction guarantee, this Alvantor model could just be the right one for you.

• No setup required
• Offers UV protection
• Mesh screening provides protection against mosquitoes
• Spacious interior
• Comes in a variety of sizes
• Not weatherproof or rainproof
• Doesn’t hold up too well against wind

4. EVER ADVANCED Camping Gazebo

[amazon box=”B083M1TL6N”]

If you plan on camping with your friends and family for a longer period of time, one thing you definitely want to bring with you is a high-quality, water-resistant camping gazebo that can provide you with a comfortable environment away from any bugs or poor weather conditions.

One such example is the camping gazebo by EVER ADVANCED. Spreading at 12ft x 10ft and 85″ in height, this water-resistant pop-up canopy tent can accommodate up to ten people while providing everyone with a great level of protection from mosquitoes, flies, and other pesky insects.

The great thing about this camping gazebo is that it very compact once folded together. Once packed together, this camping gazebo weighs just 21.6lbs, and measures 28.3″ x 7.9″ x 7.9″.

One of the most notable features of this pop-up camping shelter is how quickly you can set it up. To give you a little bit of an idea, you can pop up this shelter in seconds, along. When it comes to packing it together, the process is just as simple.

Despite its great level of protection against insects, this 6 mesh tent also supplies 360-degree ventilation. So, if you end up camping in the summer, rest assured that you will remain cool.

Should you decide to make use of this camping shelter, you can take advantage of a 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.

• Water-resistant
• Can accommodate up to 10 people
• Provides a great level of protection against insects
• 360-degree ventilation
• Isn’t suitable for extreme weather conditions

5. Eurmax EZ Pop-up Canopy Tent 

[amazon box=”B01BSLQSVO”]

The commercial-grade Eurmax EZ Pop-up Canopy Tent is a best-seller featuring hundreds of 5-star Amazon reviews. 

This pop-up canopy tent measures a spacious 10 x 10ft and can be set up in 5 different ways, including 3 heights.  At the maximum setting, this canopy tent will provide you with  11ft of center height.

As the Eurmax EZ Pop-up Canopy Tent has a commercial-grade appeal, it is often used for professional use at festivals and markets. In other words, it’s more than sturdy enough for casual events, including camping, backyard BBQs, or as a sunshade at the beach. 

This Pop-up Canopy Tent by Eurmax EZ features a   powder-coated steel frame.  This steel frame is rust-resistant and less prone to bending and warping in strong winds.  

The canopy is made of rugged  500-denier polyester fabric  and provides up to  99% UV protection  against harmful sun rays. The Eurmax EZ Pop-up Canopy  Tent also comes with  8 x 250mm stakes  and 0.8 inches of guy  rope which allows you to secure it firmly in place.

Versatile setup options

A big perk of the Pop-up Canopy Tent by Eurmax EZ is its sheer amount of setup options.  Use it without sidewalls, with all 4 sidewalls, or with one or two depending on which direction the sun is shining.  These sidewalls can be easily attached using Velcro strips that run along the edges of the canopy’s fabric.

The only downside to this camping gazebo is its total weight – all in all, it weighs 70 lbs. Still,  transportation is quite easy thanks to a sturdy wheeled carrying bag. 

That said, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty camping gazebo that can stand up to all kinds of weather conditions, then this commercial-grade canopy tent may be just what you’re looking for.

• Commercial-grade quality
• Impressive 133″ center height
• Includes 4 sidewalls
• Multiple setup options
• Adjustable in height
• Up to 99% UV-protection
• Powder-Coated steel frame
• Rust-resistant
• No mosquito netting
• Heavy-weight 

LOWEST PRICE

6. COOSHADE Backpack Canopy Pop-up Tent

[amazon box=”B083LLTXD8″]

If you are on the lookout for a super-compact and portable canopy tent, then this product by COOSHADE is easily the best option for a portable shelter for you.

The overall shelter can be s et up within just 60 seconds  thanks to a fast frame system which essentially allows you to fully assemble the whole shelter in one go. If you’re into solo camping, you won’t have any problems setting up this tent. Thanks to the  ultra-light 3-piece telescoping aluminum legs , you can take advantage of  two extra adjustable heights  for a customizable feel.

The overall shelter measures  6″ x 6″ at the top and 8″ x 8″ at the bottom  for a total space of 36 square feet – which is plenty of space for 4 people. Furthermore, the  150D CPAI-94 frame retardant polyester canopy with solver coating  provides a great deal of protection from the sun – up to  99% UV protection  to be exact.

Within the package, you’ll receive the fully-assembled powder-coated steel frame, silver canopy top, 3/3 sun protection walls with mesh pockets, 600D mini backpack, 8 stakes, and 4 ropes.  That’s virtually everything you could possibly need to assemble a rock-solid temporary shelter in the wild.

Better yet, the canopy can be folded to under 28 inches and  weighs less than 18lbs  which allows you to easily transport it on foot even to the most remote of locations.

• Super lightweight and easy to carry around
• Features a ⅔ wall on one side to protect from wind, rain, or direct sunlight
• It can be installed in just 60 seconds
• Not suitable for windy environments

7. ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent

[amazon box=”B07GX75QJ3″] 

The ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent is an affordable,  great value-for-money  canopy tent with commercial-grade comfort. Not only does this outdoor canopy work excellent as a sunshade, but it can also keep you dry on rainy days thanks to its  waterproof  fabric.  

The ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent is  available in 30+ color options . This means that in addition to neutral colors (white, cream, grey, etc.), you also have the option to choose a more eye-catching color, like blush pink, vivid yellow, etc.

The silhouette of the ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent features a straight leg design and measures  10 x 10ft.  This tent has an  adjustable center height of 122″ to 133″ , making it one of the tallest gazebos on our list. 

This also makes it slightly heavier than other pop-up canopy tents –  it weighs 48 lbs . However, for the extra headroom and great quality standard, we think the extra carrying weight is a fair trade-off. 

Reinforced corners and sealed stitching

The ABCCANOPY Pop-up Canopy Tent can be set up in seconds; though the manufacturer does recommend two people to do this swiftly. When erected, this tent can withstand all kinds of weather conditions thanks to its durable construction. 

The inner corners of the silhouette are reinforced, whilst the canopy’s lining features Velcro strips to keep the fabric firmly place. Additionally, the tent’s  polyester fabric features sealed stitching , preventing leaks and keeping the cover  100% waterproof . This waterproof polyester fabric also has a  UPF-50 rating  which shields you from hazardous UV-rays on sunny days. 

For extra portability, the ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent  includes a wheeled carry bag . This carry bag comes with  reinforced stitching  and heavy-duty zippers , keeping your tent safe and secure during transport. 

This canopy tent also  included 4 sandbags  to stabilize and secure the tent during heavy winds. Optional leg weights for the ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent are also available for purchase, but you’ll need to buy these separately via Amazon.

The ABCCANOPY Pop up Canopy Tent is covered by a  1-year product warranty.  This means that if you encounter any manufacturing defects with your tent, you can get a refund or replacement within the first year of purchase.

• Tall 133″ center height
• UPF-50 sun protection
• Reinforced corners
• Factory sealed stitching
• Sandbags included
• 1-year Product Warranty
• Available in lots of fun colors
• Limited rain coverage
• Not the most stable in strong winds

8. Outsunny Hexagon Sun Shade Canopy Tent  

[amazon box=”B077924V9X”]

If affordability is a key priority for you when buying a camping gazebo, the Outsunny Hexagon Sun Shade Canopy Tent is a top-contender. This easy setup, large hexagon-shaped canopy tent comes with a straight leg design that maximizes the interior space. 

The Outsunny Hexagon Sun Shade Canopy Tent measures 12.8ft in total width, with a hexagon side length of 6.4ft and an eave height of 6.5ft. The total center height of the tent is approximately 98 inches.  

The frame of this canopy tent by Outsunny is made from  powder-coated steel , which is  rust-resistant  and offers great durability. The steel frame features 6 ribs that make the tent sturdy, while the  reinforced corners  add further stability. 

UV-resistant polyester fabric

The shell of the Outsunny Hexagon Sun Shade Canopy Tent is made of  polyester fabric  with  water-resistant properties,  ensuring you stay dry and comfy, even on bad weather days. Additionally, the polyester cover is  UV-resistant , offering great sun protection against harmful UV rays. 

This canopy tent by Outsunny features  netted sidewalls , ensuring full breathability whilst keeping insects and little critters out. The silhouette of Outsunny Hexagon Sun Shade Canopy Tent has  two zippered doors , allowing for easy access and exit. 

Do note that though this canopy tent by Outsunny does require some assembly. Though an easy setup tent, it’s not as instant as the previously listed Coleman Back Home Instant Screenhouse – so it will take a bit longer to erect. 

Also, according to Amazon reviews, this lightweight gazebo is not equipped to deal with strong winds. Even when secured with tent stakes and ropes, the tent is still prone to lift-off in heavy gusts. Therefore, if you’re looking for a heavy-duty shelter, this isn’t it. But if you want an affordable sunshade, and don’t mind taking it down in-between usage, this could be your best budget-friendly match.

• Lightweight at just 22 lbs
• Excellent value-for-money
• UV50+ sun protection fabric
• Powder-coated, rust-resistant steel frame
• 2 zippered doors
• Waterproof roof
• Great protection against insects
• Only available in one color
• Setup takes longer – no pop-up silhouette

9. COOSHADE Slant Leg Pop-Up Canopy Tent

[amazon box=”B08C784P72″]

This canopy tent by COOSHADE is designed with  patented central lock technology , which allows one person to be able to easy open and close the canopy tent from the center without any hassle at all.

The stable base provides a wide  8″ x 8″ footprint and 6″ x 6″ at the top , which is plenty of space for comfortably accommodating up to 4 people.  The 150D CPAI-84 flame retardant polyester top with a silver coating provides 36 square feet of protection from rain and direct sunlight.

One pretty cool feature that this canopy tent offers is  2-pin adjustable lower legs , which allow you to adjust the canopy tent angle and height in accordance with your preference for maximum protection from sun and rain.

Within the package, you will get the canopy top, frame, eight stakes, four ropes, and the roller bag for easy transportation.  This canopy tent can be fitted within the  lightweight 600x300D wheeled carrying bag  (included in the purchase) for easy transportation. 

Upon purchasing this product, should anything happen to it within a year of purchasing, you can take advantage of the  provided guarantee by the manufacturer.

• Super compact and easy to transport
• It can be set up by a single person in under a minute
• Suitable for protection from UV rays and rain
• Not suitable for carrying on foot
• Not suitable in a windy environment due to its lightweight design

10. EzyFast Elegant Pop-Up Canopy Tent

[amazon box=”B07C2472ZL”]

This canopy tent provided by EzyFast is an excellent choice for a shelter for a wide array of outdoor activities, including camping, picnics, parties, sporting events, and more.

The actual tent is made out of steel and fabric, which is the reason why it is so lightweight yet relatively stable and reliable. While the steel plays a significant role in supplying the tent with a sturdy structure,  the fabric further helps with providing quality cover from UV rays and rain throughout the day.

As far as sizing is concerned,  this canopy tent measures 7.6″ x 7.6″ at the base and 6″ x 6″ at the top. The tent itself is around 6.8 feet high. When fully assembled, the total size of the tent spread is 27.5″ x 7″ x 7″, which totals around 17lbs in weight.

One of the most notable features of this very simple and compact canopy tent is its  gravity leg fabric  which offers an elegant look while providing the necessary weight to stabilize the shelter into place. Furthermore, at the bottom of each leg, you will see two pockets, which can be filled with water bottles or added weight to ground the tent further into place.

Generally speaking, this EzyFast tent is a great and affordable choice for anyone that requires temporary shelter outside, whether that be for the beach or while hunting out in the wild.

• Lightweight and easy-to-carry design
• Made out of fine combination steel and quality fabric
• Can weigh the tent down further thanks to the available side pockets
• Not a great option for extreme weather conditions
• Not an excellent choice for a permanent shelter

[amazon table=”22902″]

Although we have chosen to cover a variety of Gazebos for a variety of activities, when it comes to the best gazebos for camping, the Coleman Back Home Instant Screenhouse checks all of the boxes. 

This instant screen house can be set up in minutes. Furthermore, it features mesh netting which is great for keeping mosquitos and other insects out. It’s spacious (featuring adjustable height settings) and is made from high-quality materials. Plus, it’s sun and rainproof and comes with a 1-year warranty – what else could you possibly need!

Each of the 10 Best Camping Gazebo’s in this overview will make a great addition to your outdoor entertainment arsenal. Which is ‘the best’ depends on where, when, and how you plan to use the gazebo. 

For example,  if you’re looking for a lightweight and portable gazebo that offers protection against the sun, insects, and other pests, then consider a lightweight screen house with an instant setup, such as the HAPPYGRILL Portable Camo Pop up Gazebo.

However,  if you’re looking for a gazebo to place in your backyard, and don’t plan on moving it anytime soon, perhaps a more durable and heavy-duty screen house like the Sunjoy Cabin-Style Soft Top Gazebo is your match.

Canopy Tent versus Screen House

If you don’t require protection against pests and insects, and simply want a basic cover against the sun and harmful UV-lighting, a canopy tent gazebo may be a better fit. This simple yet functional tent is a great way to create instant sun shelter, and keep you comfy and cool – wherever your travels take you. If pricing is a priority, a budget-friendly option such as the AmazonBasics Pop-Up Canopy Tent maybe your affordable choice. But if you want maximum versatility, sidewalls, and a premium quality standard, the Eurmax Ez Pop-up Canopy Tent is one of the best options. 

Finding the best deal

Rest assured: every product on this list is worthy of your time and attention. We’ve only selected top-rated styles that score highly on value-for-money, comfort, and ease of setup. That said, we do recommend you to review our Buying Guide at the bottom of this post, which will make it easier to find the best match for your camping needs. 

Best Camping Gazebo – Quick Buying Guide

What is a camping gazebo.

A camping gazebo is a type of shelter that protects against the elements, such as sun, rain, and UV-lighting. Additionally, a portable gazebo with mesh sidewalls also helps protect against pests like mosquitos and other insects. 

What types of camping gazebos are there?

The term ‘camping gazebo’ can refer to a few different types of shelter. Camping gazebos come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and configurations. Below, we’ve listed the 3 most popular types: 

Screen House Gazebo

A screen house portable gazebo is a tent with mesh sidewalls and a soft-top or hard-top roof. The roof offers full-coverage to block out sunlight and rain, whilst the mesh walls help keep insects out. This type of screen house offers maximum breathability, helping you stay cool and comfy in warm weather. Some screen house gazebos come with removable mosquito netting, whilst others feature a one-piece shell with a (zippered) door. This type of camping gazebo is ideal if you often find yourself in a bug-infested territory! 

Canopy Tent 

A canopy tent is a basic type of portable gazebo, most commonly used as a sunshade. Often called a portable gazebo or pop-up canopy, this type of silhouette offers easy setup and is easy to transport. Most commonly, canopy tents do not include sidewalls, but there are some options on the market (as listed in our overview) that do come with removable walls – enabling you to create a full-coverage shelter when desired.

Generally, canopy tents are square-shaped, measuring 10 x 10ft – but there are smaller and larger options available. Lightweight, easy to pack, and affordable: canopy tents are a great budget-friendly alternative to high-end camping gazebos. Do note that canopy tents are not known for the inclusion of mosquito netting, which means that though they provide shelter against the elements, they aren’t as equiped to deal with creepy crawlies. 

A pergola is an outdoor structure, consisting of a frame that supports a roof of beams and/or rafters. Whilst screen house gazebos or canopy tents have a full-coverage roof, pergolas often have an open roof. Pergolas are often fixed structures, located in a garden or outdoor decor, providing a partially-shaded seating area. Though decorative and functional in your backyard, we wouldn’t recommend a pergola for camping – unless you have a fixed cabin location – as this type of gazebo is not portable or easy to move. That is exactly why this 10 Best Camping Gazebos Overview does not include any pergolas, as they lack the portability needed to quickly assemble or take them down at a campsite. 

What buying factors do I need to consider?

Type of gazebo.

Firstly, figure out whether you want a canopy tent or a screen house gazebo. A canopy tent is often more affordable and portable, whilst a screen house gazebo offers excellent protection against insects and other pests. Both will keep you shielded from the element, but there is quite a distinct difference in styles. Choosing a type of gazebo before you start shopping, will help you narrow down your search selection and makes it easier to find the best match for your camping and/or outdoor entertaining needs. 

Secondly, decide on how large you want your camping gazebo to be. Gazebos come in all shapes and sizes. From 8-person hexagon-shaped tents to smaller, 8 x 8ft canopy tents: there’s a match for every scenario. Decide how much coverage you want, both in width, length, and center height. Some gazebos peak at 90″, whilst others have a center height of 100″; which can make quite a difference to the available headroom, especially for taller campers. Also, keep in mind that a hexagon-shaped gazebo has a large footprint, but does compromise a bit on interior space in square feet. 

If you plan to take your gazebo camping, picking a tent with a manageable packing weight is a big priority to ensure it actually is a portable gazebo. Even if you’re a car camper, the tent should still be portable enough to carry from your car to your campsite – and back. Fortunately, there are plenty of portable gazebos on the market. Whilst most camping gazebos weigh between 40 and 50 lbs, some are extra-light at just 20 lbs. Similarly, some gazebos can weigh up to 80 lbs – which isn’t ideal for camping. Check the weight before you buy, to avoid hefty surprises! Another tip: pick a gazebo or tent that includes a carry bag, preferably one with wheels, as this will make transport a whole lot easier – plus keeps your tent safe and secure when on the go. 

Ease of Setup

Some gazebos can be set up in just 60 seconds, whilst others require more patience and time. Considering how long you’d be willing to spend on the setup of your tent before you buy. If you want lightning-fast, easy setup – a pop-up canopy tent/instant canopy tent or pop-up screen tent is the way to go. These styles come pre-assembled, meaning you can erect them in just a few simple steps. No hassle of figuring out which pole goes where! 

When picking a camping gazebo, also take the materials of the design into account. Most commonly, gazebos will feature a frame made of either steel or fiberglass. Each has pros and cons. A steel frame is more durable and less prone to breaking or bending, but it tends to be heavier and more expensive than fiberglass. A fiberglass frame, on the other hand, is ultralight – adding to the portability of the gazebo and ease of setup. However, it is also more prone to shattering in heavy-winds and doesn’t have the best durability. That said, both get the job done – but it is worth thinking about which material you prefer. 

Roof and Netting

For the roof or canopy of the gazebo, the most commonly used material is polyester fabric. Affordable, durable, and easy to clean: polyester is a great choice. We do recommend checking whether the polyester is waterproof, as not every type of polyester fabric offers the same water-resistance. Also, fabric with sealed seams/taped seams tends to be more waterproof and less prone to leaking. 

When it comes to screen houses, choose a design that has tightly-weaved mosquito netting. We prefer a screen house with no-see-um mesh, which is so tightly woven that even no-see-ums can’t get through. That said, most screen houses will keep out larger bugs and critters… But for optimal protection, the more tightly-weaved the mesh/netting, the better! 

BougeRV Showcases Sustainable Innovations at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2024

The Evolution of Outdoor Apparel: How Fashion Meets Functionality in the Wilderness

The Role of Camouflage in Wildlife Photography and Hunting

Spring camping must haves: bougerv’s cr pro 30 and portable fridge innovation.

The Perfect Heated Clothing for Different Types of Cold Weather

13 Best Hot Springs in Utah

11 Best Hot Springs in Arizona

12 Best Hot Springs in California

12 Best Hot Springs in Virginia

Living Life on the Edge: Embracing Adrenaline-Fueled Moments

Renewable Energy Farms That Make Beautiful Hiking Trails

Top Recommendations for RV Window Maintenance

What Outdoor Gear Do You Need to Make Every Adventure Unforgettable?

4 Different Types of Camping

5 Reasons Why Bass is the Most Popular Among Anglers

Camping Cots and Air Mattresses: What’s Best for You?

Best Gun Brands – Top 10 Gun Manufacturers in the World

5 Useful Items To Have When You’re Out On Your Hunting Trip

7 Great Sleeping Bags for Tall People – 2023 Review

The 7 Best Camping Dinnerware Items

The 7 Best Fixed-Blade Survival Knives – Tested & Reviewed

The 7 Best Louisiana Tent Camping Sites

24 ARDITO PREMIUM TRAVEL RODS

MSRP $249.99

SALTIGA INSHORE TRAVEL RODS

ARDITO MUSKIE TRAVEL RODS

SALTIGA-SALTWATER TRAVEL SERIES

FROM MSRP $219.99

24 ARDITO JITTE TELESCOPIC TRAVEL RODS

MSRP $199.99

24 ARDITO PREMIUM TELESCOPIC TRAVEL RODS

ARDITO TRAVEL SURF RODS

FROM MSRP $149.99

ARDITO-TR TRAVEL RODS

FROM MSRP $139.99

PROCYON TELESCOPING TRAVEL ROD

MSRP $89.99

SPINMATIC-D ULTRALIGHT - PACK RODS

MSRP $59.99

Compare Products

*Please remove a product

#DAIWA USA TO BE FEATURED

We want to hook you up with all the latest products and exclusive offers. Drop your email below to join our tribe of die-hard anglers.

MY WISHLIST

Wishlist and compare.

Do you want to add products to your personal account?

Happy Fishing, Happy Life.

If you are interested in any of our products, please feel free to contact us. We are looking forward to forming successful business relationships with new clients around the world in the near future.

Collection list

Trolling rod, fishing gaff, all products, featured collection.

By far best value and quality in Surf rod at this price

• svg]:fill-accent-900 [&>svg]:stroke-accent-900"> 735K
• svg]:fill-accent-900 [&>svg]:stroke-accent-900"> 133K
• svg]:fill-accent-900 [&>svg]:stroke-accent-900"> 54.1K

West Virginia Angler Smashes State Catfish Record Using His Daughter’s Pink Kiddie Rod

By Alice Jones Webb

Posted on Aug 2, 2024 3:06 PM EDT

4 minute read

Tyler Rutherford reeled in a new state-record channel catfish on July 21 while fishing his family’s farm pond in Wayne County, West Virginia, according to a recent announcement from the state’s Department of Natural Resources. He knew from the moment the fish hit his bait that it was a monster, and the big cat easily dethroned the standing record. What’s even more impressive, though, is the tackle Rutherford used to land the leviathan.

Rutherford did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but he told WV MetroNews that he and his daughter were fishing the pond for bluegills and other panfish that afternoon. They were using a pink Zebco rod-and-reel combo that he’d bought her from Academy Sports for $10.  

“She’s three and can reel them in, but she can’t cast it out. So I cast it out for her and was holding the rod while she was sitting on my lap,” Rutherford said.

The big channel cat snatched their nightcrawler on the second cast of the day, and he immediately knew it was a fish that he would have to reel in himself.

“I set the hook, and there was a big black and blue tail that flopped up in the water,” Rutherford said. “My dad immediately said he was going after the net. All three kids took off screaming after him.”

The tiny, lightweight reel was spooled with 6-pound-test line suitable for reeling in small bluegills and crappie, not for hauling in record-breaking mud hogs. Rutherford immediately loosened the drag and tried to let the big cat tire itself out. It was a long and tricky ordeal. 

“For most of the fight, there was nothing I could do but hold her and hope her little sandpaper teeth didn’t grind through the line,” Rutherford said. “Every time she got within ten or 15 yards of the bank, it was like she knew she was about to be caught, and she’d take another run.”

Worried that the fish wouldn’t fit in the net if he managed to wrangle it close enough to shore, a worn-out Rutherford waded into the water to scoop the tired cat up with his bare hands. 

“Even once I got her, I was so tired from reeling. Dad and I grabbed her and rolled her up on the limestone rock. It was all we could do to get her up on the bank,” he said. “It was definitely the fight of my life.”

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources biologist Jeff Hansbarger and assistant fishery biologist Jake Whalen traveled to the small farm pond to weigh and measure Rutherford’s catch. Rutherford had already put a stringer through the catfish’s mouth and he held it in deep water until they arrived.

The massive channel cat weighed 46.7 pounds and measured 43.51 inches long, which was more than enough to beat out the standing weight and length records. The two state records were previously held by Allen Burkett ; he set the length record in 2022 and the weight record in 2023. Both catfish were caught in South Mill Creek Lake in Grant County.

Read Next: The Best Catfish Rod and Reel Combos of 2024, Tested

After Rutherford’s mud monster was officially weighed and measured, he gingerly released the beast back into the family pond. 

“I jumped in the water for about 10 or 15 minutes, just working to revive her,” he told MetroNews . “She was exhausted, but thankfully, the good Lord wanted the legend to live on. She was able to get back to where she could go back and forth on her own. She is alive and well.”

Latest in Catfish Fishing

The best catfish rod and reel combos of 2024, tested the best catfish rod and reel combos of 2024, tested.

By Travis Smola

‘Holy Moly!’ Massive Flathead Caught on Trotline Is Just Shy of State Record ‘Holy Moly!’ Massive Flathead Caught on Trotline Is Just Shy of State Record

By Bob McNally

West Virginia Dad Catches State Record 46-Pound Catfish Using His Daughter’s $10 Pink Fishing Pole

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Manage Your Subscription
• Give a Gift Subscription
• Newsletters
• Sweepstakes

• Celebrity Health

Nev Schulman Reveals He Broke His Neck in Accident Involving His Bike and a Truck: ‘I’m Not Paralyzed’

“I’m lucky to be here, alive, standing and hugging my family, projected to make a full recovery,” Schulman said on Instagram

Nev Schulman/Instagram

Nev Schulman says that he’s “lucky to be alive” after he broke his neck during a bike accident.

The Dancing with the Stars alum, 39, shared on Instagram on Saturday, Aug. 10 , that the incident happened on a Monday as he was heading over to his son’s school to bring him home.

“I never made it to pick up my son from school on the bike,” he wrote. “In fact in some ways, I’m glad I didn’t. I was alone on impact. Me and the truck. And then I guess the pavement. I was alone and unconscious.”

He said he was taken to the hospital where he found out the full extent of his injuries. “I broke my neck,” he explained.

“Stable fractures. I’m not paralyzed," he continued. "My hands were a question mark there for a minute but the human body is incredible and so are HUMANS.”

Schulman then went on to thank the EMS, as well as employees at the Southampton Emergency Room and the Stony Brook ICU who provided medical care to him. 

In the post, he showed several videos of staff members helping him through his recovery, including one where physical therapists could be seen helping him get up from his bed to practice walking again. 

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

Another clip showed him high-fiving a staff member as he practiced walking down a hospital hallway in a neck brace while a physical therapist walked beside him.

Schulman also shared photos taken at the hospital, including a snap of him lying in his hospital bed with a neck brace on and scans of the injury to his neck. He also showed off his purple surgery scar on the back of his neck.

Another video showed Schulman’s bike helmet, which was broken, before panning to him on the bed as he gave a thumbs-up. Several drawings from his children with wife Laura Perlongo — Cleo James, 7, Beau Bobby Bruce, 5, and Cy Monroe, 2 — could be seen on the table. In another clip, his children hugged him as he stood up and put his arms around them.

“I’m lucky to be here, alive, standing and hugging my family, projected to make a full recovery,” he said. “And I’m really starting to understand the meaning of gratitude. For the big and little things before the accident, and now everything moving forward.”

In his caption, the Catfish host also discussed how thankful he was to have had a “magical” day with his family “full of love and wonder” the day prior. He said that his son came up with an idea to go fishing and they were able to find “an available boat” and “caught all kinds of fish.” 

“Monday gave weight to just how lucky I was to have Sunday,” he said while sharing a single snap from the day of him and his children on a boat in the photo collage. “It’s true what they say — life can change in an instant.”

“We hadn’t planned on fishing last Sunday and my instinct was to say no to scramble-planning a day trip, but looking back a week later, I’m so glad I said yes,” he added.

Related Articles

Advertisement

Angler catches record catfish with daughter’s $9.99 pink rod and reel, share this article.

Using a fishing outfit designed to catch bluegill and crappie, a fisherman landed a 46.7-pound channel catfish that broke the West Virginia record by more than nine pounds.

Tyler Rutherford used a nightcrawler to make the catch from the family’s farm pond on July 21, and the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources announced Thursday that it was a state record. It was also a state record for length, measuring 43.51 inches.

The previous weight record was 37.5 pounds caught by Alan Burkett from South Mill Creek Lake in 2023. Burkett also held the length record of 40.59 inches on a 36.96-pounder set in 2022 at the same lake.

West Virginia Outdoors reported that Rutherford caught the big catfish “on the least likely setup you’d ever imagine.”

“I got my daughter a little $9.99 pink rod and reel from Zebco at Academy Sports,” Rutherford told West Virginia Outdoors. “She’s three and she can reel them in, but she can’t cast it out. So I cast it out for her and I was holding the rod and she was sitting on my lap.

“I set the hook and there was a big black and blue tail that flopped up in the water, and my dad immediately said he was going after the net. All three kids took off screaming after him.”

Using six-pound-test line, Rutherford loosened the drag and hoped he could tire the fish out before it bit through the line.

“Pretty much for most of the fight there was nothing I could do but hold her and hope her little sandpaper teeth didn’t grind through the line,” he told West Virginia Outdoors. “Every time she got within 10 or 15 yards of the bank, it was like she knew she was about to be caught and she’d take another big run. It was definitely the fight of my life.”

In the end, Rutherford waded into the water and used his bare hands to secure the fish. It was put on a stringer and later released after DNR confirmed the record.

“I jumped in the water for about 10 or 15 minutes just working to revive her,” Rutherford told West Virginia Outdoors. “She was exhausted, but thankfully the Good Lord wanted the legend to live on. She was able to get herself back to where she was able to go back and forth on her own. She’s alive and well.”

This was the sixth state record for West Virginia this year. Others were for tiger trout, redbreast sunfish, bowfin, redear sunfish and black crappie.

Most Popular

The french pole vaulter who hit his crotch on the bar made the perfect tiktok in response, 6 astonishing photos of the usa women's 4x400 relay looking like they were alone on the track while winning gold, team france roster: meet the basketball host nation with a chance to medal at the 2024 paris olympics, 13 iconic photos of the men's usa basketball team celebrating olympic gold, the tiktok 'just give me my money' trend that's gone viral, explained, ranking the 10 finest nfl linebackers of all time, 16-year-old quincy wilson makes history after u.s. gold in 4x400 relays.

Please enter an email address.

Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.

Something went wrong.

The Ultimate Guide To Surf Fishing Florida Gulf Coast

Surf fishing on Florida’s Gulf Coast is a thrilling experience that combines the excitement of fishing with the serenity of miles of sandy coastline and crystal-clear breaking waves. Thousands of visitors and locals flock to the Gulf Coast of Florida to spend time beach fishing in these fish-filled waters.

In this guide to surf fishing Florida gulf coast, we’ll explore what it’s like to surf fish on the beaches of Florida’s sunny west coast. We’ll explore some of the best spots to catch fish, and tell you all about the gear you’ll need to catch redfish, snook, pompano, Spanish mackerel, speckled trout, sharks, and many other Florida surf fishing species .

Top Beaches: Best Florida Gulf Coast Surf Fishing Spots

We could easily list over 100 great surf fishing spots on the Gulf Coast of Florida, there are so many ideal places to fish from shore. There’s something special about surf fishing! If you haven’t experienced it, you’re going to understand your first day out there on the sand.

If you go out early, when the sun is coming up behind you, it’s a solitary experience. A few people walking the beach perhaps. Birds waking up. Maybe you’ll get lucky and see some baitfish close enough to throw a cast net over and have bait for the day. You’ll relish the quiet hours when you can get in touch with nature.

Florida is one of the greatest places to fish on planet earth. Don’t forget there’s another entire coastline to fish too! Florida’s East Coast is dramatically different but just as good for surf fishing. Don’t forget about the islands! Key West is incredibly beautiful and worth at least one trip each year.

We’ve covered a few of our favorite places to catch fish below. If you have a good time at any of these spots, leave us a message in the comments so we can experience your trip through your words.

RELATED:  Best Surf Fishing Rods

Pensacola Beach

In the Florida Panhandle (top left part), Pensacola Beach is around the very western edge of Florida, just west of Navarre Fishing Pier and east of Alabama. From Pensacola City you would need to drive about 7 miles south across two long bridges to reach Pensacola Beach on Santa Rosa Island.

The Pensacola region is a beautiful spot with many opportunities for beach fishing, pier fishing, and charters. Pensacola Beach has a wide variety of fish species available to catch throughout the year. Of course the time of year, winds, tides, and other factors like storms, and red tide can affect fishing.

Gulf Islands National Seashore – This is on the east side of the nearly 8 mile long stretch of beach that encompasses Pensacola Beach and the areas east and west of it. The Gulf Islands National Seashore is on Santa Rosa Island as well.

Fish Species Caught in Pensacola Beach

• red and black drum
• Spanish mackerel
• Gulf Breeze Bait and Tackle . 825 Gulf Breeze Pkwy, Gulf Breeze, FL. Phone: +1 850-932-6789. GPS: 30.357423435938564, -87.16418022465365.
• Outcast Bait & Tackle . 3520 Barrancas Ave, Pensacola, FL. Phone: +1 850-457-1450. GPS: 30.393375853353646, -87.25878032728997.

RELATED: Best Surf Fishing Lures

Destin, Florida is another popular destination for surf fishing. They have many miles of sandy beaches and the opportunity to catch fish all day and night if you wish. Destin is a very small city and filled with things to do. They even have their own small airport.

Destin is primarily known as an offshore fishery because it is located close to the continental shelf and it isn’t far to reach deep water for huge grouper, marlin, tuna, and other big fish. They have many jetties, bridges, and piers to fish from besides excellent surf fishing.

Choctawhatchee Bay – A popular bay with a diverse ecosystem, the bay is a mix of saltwater and freshwater. The bay is shallow with an average 5-7 feet in depth. The bay is great for surf fishing or inshore fishing from a flats boat.

Henderson Beach State Park – The park features a mile-long stretch of white sandy beach in the clear green water of the Gulf of Mexico. Fishing is possible in certain areas of the park including parts of the beach. Fishing is not allowed between the boardwalks. The park has restrooms, a playground, camping, nature trails, and a snackbar.

Here is a great video about surf fishing in Destin Florida.

Fish Species Caught in Destin

• speckled trout
• sheepshead near jetty
• Half-Hitch Fishing Shop – 621 Harbor Blvd, Destin, FL 32541. Phone: +1 850-837-3121. GPS: 32.64923195303045, -84.92697642786685. They have a wide selection of fishing gear and apparel. No live bait is mentioned on the website.
• Destin Marina Bait Shop – 7 Calhoun Ave, Destin, FL 32541. Phone: +1 850-837-2470. GPS: 33.10716447616134, -85.20482908483538.

RELATED: Best Surf Fishing Rod And Reel Combos

Panama City Beach

Also located in the Florida panhandle, just to the north of Tyndall Air Force Base, Panama City Beach is a fishing mecca where people from surrounding states come to fish regularly. There are plenty of opportunities for beach fishing and there are a couple of fishing piers, including the City Pier and the Russell-Fields Pier.

St. Andrews State Park – Just southeast of Panama City Beach is this small park at the end of the peninsula across from Shell Beach This park features long beautiful sandy beaches with jetties, piers, camping, and a boat ramp.

Shell Island – This barrier island features miles of secluded beaches that can be great for surf fishing, particularly during the spring and fall when migrating fish species are in the area.

Beach Access – The BA 1 access point is located near the jetties at St. Andrews State Park. BA 4 is located near the M.B. Miller County Pier and can be a great spot for surf fishing, especially if you enjoy the taste of pompano which can be found during the summer months.

Fish Species Caught in Panama City Beach

RELATED:  Best Surf Fishing Rigs

• Bay Breeze Bait & Tackle – 21301 Panama City Beach Pkwy, Panama City Beach, FL 32413. Phone: +1 850-235-0775. GPS: 32.41929041388829, -84.78866884760566.
• Buster’s Beer & Bait – 5900 Thomas Dr, Panama City, FL 32408. Phone: +1 850-234-9250. GPS: 30.149666278758975, -85.76116432598765.

RELATED: How To Fish: The Ultimate Guide To Fishing For Beginners

Tampa/St. Petersburg

The Tampa and St. Petersburg area has hundreds of places to fish both freshwater and saltwater with Tampa being more for the former and St. Petersburg having more saltwater opportunities. In the area around Tampa Bay there are lots of mangroves and seagrass,ideal for snook, trout, and reds. On the St. Pete coasts there are opportunities for tarpon, pompano, snapper, sheepshead, and so much more.

Picnic Island Park – A small park found in South Tampa, south of the old Gandy Bridge in Old Tampa Bay, this park offers beach and pier fishing. It is found directly across the bay from Weedon Island, one of the best wade-fishing areas in the region. Fishing from the beach can be crowded with swimmers on the weekends, weekdays are best for surf fishing.

Apollo Beach – Located on the eastern side of Tampa Bay, Apollo Beach is a popular spot for surf fishing and offers opportunities to catch redfish, snook, flounder, catfish, ladyfish, and other species.

Mangroves at Fourth Street North – This spot doesn’t even have a name, but this is what I call it. It’s an area on the east side of 4th St. N in St. Petersburg just before reaching the 275 Bridge over to Tampa. Park on the side of the road and enjoy surf or wade-fishing in this perfect mangrove area. Great for snook, snapper, speckled trout, redfish, and flounder. Lots of oyster beds and sea grass.

Fort De Soto Park – One of Florida’s best surf fishing areas, this one offers miles of coast off the southern tip of St. Petersburg. The park comprises a group of small keys (islands) just south of Tierra Verde Island. There are facilities for camping, restrooms, fishing piers, and many places for shore or wade-fishing. They have their own bait shop. Highly recommended!

RELATED: Best Time Of Day To Fish

Fish Species Caught in Tampa/St. Pete

• Bait and Tackle of Apollo Beach – 6040 N U.S. Hwy 41, Apollo Beach, FL 33572. Phone: +1 813-296-7735. GPS: 27.76501073886682, -82.39554684434073.
• Riviera Bait & Tackle – Northside Shops, 1106 94th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33702. Phone: +1 727-954-6365. GPS: 27.872103364216184, -82.64738130279714.
• Fort De Soto Fishing Pier, Bait and Tackle – Anderson Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33715. Phone: None. GPS: 27.616286240546167, -82.72588189813195.

RELATED: Best Surf Fishing Bait

South of St. Petersburg and Bradenton is the lovely area of Sarasota. Flanked by Longboat Key, Lido Key, and Siesta Key, this is a surf angler’s paradise. There are many miles of beach you can fish from, and you’ll never fish every spot.

Longboat Key Beach – The northernmost Key (small island) this one stretches for 10 miles and you can fish both sides – east and west.

Lido Beach – This is on Lido Key facing west (between Longboat Key and Siesta Key) and can be reached from the Sarasota mainland from Bayfront Park near downtown Sarasota. The key is about 2.5 miles long with lots of beach areas to fish.

Siesta Key Beach – Siesta Key is the last of the barrier islands in Sarasota and is about 8 miles long.

Turtle Beach – Turtle Beach is located on the southern end of Siesta Key and is another great spot for surf fishing.

Fish Species Caught in Sarasota

• king mackerel
• jack crevalle

RELATED: Surf Fishing Tips

• New Pass Grill & Bait Shop – They combine a bait shop with a nice restaurant with outdoor seating. Seafood, sandwiches, and other goodies. Great idea! 1505 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236. Phone: +1 941-388-3050. GPS: 27.3470615547497, -82.58234127658336.
• Hart’s Landing Bait Shop – 920 John Ringling Causeway, Sarasota, FL 34236. Phone: +1 941-330-0650. GPS: 27.34693614754131, -82.55484695891228.

RELATED: Sarasota Bay Fishing Guide for Beginners

Sanibel Island

In the far southwest of the state of Florida is Sanibel Island, an 18 mile long island close to the north shore of Fort Myers Beach and part of Cape Coral. It is connected to the mainland with a causeway and is inhabited. The island is a fishing haven for surf-fishers looking to catch all kinds of fish available from the Gulf of Mexico shore.

Note – at the moment, Sanibel Island is open but the beaches are closed due to erosion from Hurricane Ian. We’ll list the best beaches for surf fishing below anyway, it will surely reopen as soon as they can fix the erosion problem.

Bowman’s Beach – Bowman’s Beach is located on the western end of Sanibel Island and is a great spot for surf fishing.

Bailey’s Beach Park – You can find this small beach on the north eastern end of the island. There is a long pier here as well.

Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park – Sanibel Lighthouse Beach is located on the eastern tip of Sanibel Island.

Gulfside City Park Beach – Located at the Gulf side of Sanibel roughly in the middle of the island.

Fish Species Caught at Sanibel Island

RELATED:  How To Catch Redfish In Florida

• Anderson’s Tackle, Inc. – 15675 McGregor Blvd #21, Fort Myers, FL 33908. Phone: +1 239-334-3474. GPS: 26.52625064684348, -81.94715262239379.
• Bait Box – 1041 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL 33957. Phone: +1 239-472-1618. GPS: 26.451971696596278, -82.042054615373.

Fort Myers Beach

In the far southwest corner of the state, below Cape Coral’s Sanibel Island, is Fort Myers. Fort Myers Beach is located on the west facing shore of Estero Island and is about 7 miles long. The entire beach is a picture perfect place to fish.

Bowditch Point Park – Bowditch Point Park is located at the northern end of Fort Myers Beach. The entire beach is great, but this park has 3 sides of the island you can fish from because it’s the northwestern tip.

Lynn Hall Memorial Park – Lynn Hall Memorial Park is located in the heart of Fort Myers Beach close to the Fort Myers Fishing Pier and the park has facilities for kids, restrooms, and a snack shop.

Fish Species Caught in Fort Myers Beach

• Crazy Lure Bait and Tackle – 4839 Vincennes St, Cape Coral, FL 33904. Phone: +1 239-257-2446. GPS: 26.57410042645549, -81.95063983046242.
• D & D Matlacha Bait and Tackle Inc. – 3922 Pine Island Rd NW, Matlacha, FL 33993. Phone: +1 239-282-9122. GPS: 26.65331956657667, -82.0583743746195.

Click here for the Ultimate Guide To Fishing For Snook.

Naples Beach

Naples is south of Fort Myers and just north of Marco Island. It is convenient for reaching the east coast of Florida at Fort Lauderdale because Hwy 75 goes straight across the state at this point.

Vanderbilt Beach – This beach is the most popular one for tourists and is found in North Naples at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road. It is a stretch of 1.3 miles of white-sand beach ideal for fishing, especially in the morning before too many people arrive.

Fish Species Caught in Naples Beach

• Mike’s Bait House – 2052 Danford St, Naples, FL 34112. Phone: +1 239-775-2248. GPS: 26.152406054846928, -81.78259594105305.
• Serenity Bait Co. – 2365 Davis Blvd, Naples, FL 34104. Phone: +1 239-273-4421. GPS: 26.164639990602634, -81.77569068131801.

Marco Island

While it is not technically surf fishing, I feel that we should mention the Marco Island Bridge. It is easily accessible and there can be some great fishing under the bridge. It might be a good idea to stop here and try your luck on the way to the beach.

Tigertail Beach – Found on the north end of Marco Island, this small beach has some tidepools and open ocean access with excellent fishing for the common Gulf species like snook, redfish, and pompano.

Ten Thousand Island and Keewaydin Island – Around the southern tip of Marco Island are a group of small islands that can be fished, but you’ll need a boat to get there to surf fish from the beach.

Fish Species Caught at Marco Island

• Marco Island Bait & Tackle – 1757 San Marco Rd Suite B, Marco Island, FL 34145. Phone: +1 239-235-7101. GPS: 25.935529461550868, -81.70057141184819.
• West Marine – 1089 N Collier Blvd #403, Marco Island, FL 34145. Phone: +1 239-642-7060. GPS: 25.957441420738462, -81.72250894122728.

Florida Gulf Coast Surf Fishing Gear

A minimalist approach can work. I’ve gone to the beach many times after work with one rod and my baitcasting reel and flung the one lure I had on for an hour and went home with fish in the cooler for dinner.

If there’s too much time to plan, you can end up making a real spectacle of yourself with 9 rods, sand spikes, two 5-gallon buckets of bait with aerators, stringers, beach chairs, hammock, a cooler of ice and beverages, sandwiches, and so much more. A lot of us attempt to fit our entire garage onto our beach carts.

Let’s be honest. Loading up with all the gear we think we’ll need is half the fun! Here’s some surf fishing gear you’ll want to consider bringing along.

RELATED: Spinning Reel vs Baitcaster

The recommended length of a surf fishing rod generally ranges between 9 to 12 feet, depending on the angler’s preference, the fishing location, and the type of fish being targeted. Longer rods can cast further distances, making them ideal for fishing at open beaches with strong waves and currents. Shorter rods are better suited for fishing in calmer waters, rocky shorelines, or fishing for smaller fish.

Surf fishing rods are typically made of graphite, fiberglass, or a combination of both materials. Graphite rods are lightweight, sensitive, and provide excellent casting performance, making them the preferred choice for many anglers. Fiberglass rods, on the other hand, are more durable and can handle heavy loads, making them ideal for fighting larger fish.

In recent years, manufacturers have introduced surf fishing rods made of composite materials, which combine the best features of both graphite and fiberglass rods, providing a perfect balance of sensitivity, power, and durability. Ultimately, the choice of material for a surf fishing rod will depend on the angler’s personal preference, fishing style, and budget.

There are two basic surf fishing reels most anglers use, they conventional and the spinning reels. Yes, some people use fly fishing rods from the beach, but we won’t cover that here.

RELATED: Types Of Fishing Reels

Conventional Reels

For surf fishing, a reel that holds more and heavier line, casts further, and is near impervious to saltwater, sand, dirt, dust, and seagull droppings, would be perfect. Conventional reels are made for surf fishing. You can use the heavy conventional reels or the smaller lightweight baitcasting reels if not trying to cast far out.

Spinning Reels

These reels work well for surf fishing too, but you may need to choose a larger size reel/spool because they don’t hold as much as conventional reels. Spinning reels don’t cast as far and are open to the elements by their design. Still, they work fine in most cases and if you have one you like, try it in the surf and see how it goes for you. Don’t forget to clean it well when you’re finished for the day.

RELATED:  What Size Reel For Surf Fishing

Rod Holders/Sand Spikes

Sand spikes are rod holders that keep your rod out of the sand and held upright so you can see (or hear with a bell) bites from fish on that rod.

When surf fishing, you can either stand there and hold one rod and wait for a bite, or you can fish multiple rods all at the same time. You can’t hold all of those rods, so a great idea is to buy or make some sand spikes. You pound these into the sand with a hammer, or some you can twist down into the sand with your bodyweight.

A simple solution is to go to your favorite Home Depot or similar store and buy SCH 40 PVC in 1.5″ size. They have 10 foot tubes you can ask them to cut in half or slightly smaller. Cut one end on a 45° angle and pound that end into the sand with a rubber mallet on the other end.

• Tackle Box – Inside your tackle box is a good place to store things you don’t need constantly, but that you will want to have available while you’re fishing. Lures, plastic worms, crankbaits, jigs, weights, swivels, dozens of different kinds and sizes of hook, and tools to fit your reel in case of a malfunction.
• Pliers or Multi Tool - You will need a good set of fishing pliers or a multi tool for unhooking fish and cutting fishing line. I like the multi tool because it also has scissors, which are better at cutting braided fishing line.
• Fishing Lanyard – A fishing lanyard is helpful when you’re surf fishing and separated from your beach cart or tackle box. It’s a sort of necklace that holds the crucial stuff you’ll need constantly like clippers, forceps, and maybe a box of hooks, swivels, and a box of weights. It’s especially helpful while wade fishing so you don’t have to walk in and out of the water repeatedly to get things you need. If you’re not in the water past your thighs you can use a fishing vest if you prefer.
• Basic First Aid Kit – It’s a very good idea to have some sort of first aid kit on your beach cart. If you’ve fished for any amount of time, you know the experience of hooking yourself in the hand or someone else through the ear as you cast! It’s OK, accidents happen, right? In my first aid kit I have antihistamine tablets, Ventolin inhaler for asthma (rarely get, but don’t want to be without it!), gauze, tape, square bandages of assorted sizes, iodine solution, sterile water bottle, lighter, tweezers, straight edge razor blade, some elastic wraps, and a bird kit.
• Bird Kit – At some point you’re going to hook a bird. It’s almost inevitable, especially if they are hanging around constantly and you have to stealth cast to keep away from them. A bird kit has a towel and good wire cutters. You can cover the bird as you cut and remove the hook, or use it for the ride to the vet. We have a responsibility to the birds that we hook. Don’t let them fly off by just cutting the line. In Florida, we have a mobile app you can use on your phone or you can go straight to this website to find help.

Beach Carts

A beach cart can be thought of as a huge mobile tackle box. In the past, most anglers who surf fish would put together their own beach cart to hold all of their surf fishing gear, bait, rods and reels, snacks, coolers with beverages, etc. It’s sort of like bringing the trunk of your car filled with fishing gear out to the beach.

Of course, the benefit is that you can carry a lot of things to the beach that you’ll need to fish with. Fishing gear we talked about above can be heavy when added together. Add to that a 5 gallon bucket of shrimp or pinfish and there’s just no way for one person or even a couple to comfortably carry very much gear.

Beach carts usually have fat wheels with knobbies or some grip that can get over sand. You know how the huge-tired sand bicycles have shown up everywhere lately? It’s that same idea, to carry a heavy load through the sand you need some dune-buggy tires to get over it.

Gulf Coast Florida Surf Fishing Rigs

Surf fishing rigs and tackle.

• Pompano or High/Low Rig – This rig is great for pompano, but you may also catch other fish on it. It consists of a 1-4 oz. pyramid sinker on the end of the line leader (20-30 lb. test fluorocarbon). Coming up the line every 10 inches you tie a dropper loop with a hook that comes out at 90° from the line and is maybe 3-4″ long with a hook on the end. You can add an orange bead and/or small float to this line. Use just 2 hooks. About 30″ from the sinker have a strong swivel attached to your main line (20-30 lb. braid). Bait with sand fleas for best result, but shrimp also works.
• Fish-finder Rig – So named because the length of line coming away from the sinker can be long when the tide is taking it out. The fish may not be right where you casted, but no matter because the line can keep going out. You’d let your spool open on this one and watch the line carefully. Put a free-sliding pyramid sinker on your main line (50 lb. braid) and tie a strong barrel swivel on the end of the line. Add a 30″ leader of 20-40 lb. fluorocarbon with a hook at the end. Bait with cut bait, shrimp, or squid to start.
• Carolina Rig – A very simple rig using an egg sinker. Add an egg sinker to your main line (50 lb. braid). Add a plastic bead to act as a buffer between the sinker and barrel swivel. Add a strong barrel swivel to the end of the line. Attach a 20″ fluoro leader (20-40 lb.)to the end of the swivel. Tie on whatever size hook is appropriate for the fish you’re targeting. You can either cast and let it sit, or actively retrieve it slowly. The egg sinker kicks up dirt from the bottom and the bait stays 20″ from your sinker.
• Surfcasting Rig – The three rigs above are surfcasting rigs. Basically you need a heavier sinker from 1 oz. or heavier, and a swivel, and at least one leader with a hook. There are many styles of surfcasting rigs and you can even make your  own.
• Topwater Rig (Popping Cork) – When trying to catch fish in the top of the water column, you can use a popping cork added to the main line, then the swivel, and a leader of 10-25″ with a hook and whatever bait you want to use. You can also use this with plastic shrimp and it’s very effective for speckled trout and some other species.

When surf fishing in Southern Florida on the Gulf Coast, it’s important to have the right type of hooks and sizes for the species you’re targeting. Here are some general guidelines:

• Circle Hooks – Circle hooks are a good choice for surf fishing because they tend to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth, reducing the chance of gut-hooking the fish. They are also easier to remove from the fish, which is helpful if you plan to release them. Sizes can range from 1/0 to 10/0, depending on the size of the fish you’re targeting.
• J Hooks – J hooks are another good option for surf fishing, particularly if you’re using bait that needs to be set in a particular way. Sizes can range from 1/0 to 7/0, depending on the size of the fish you’re targeting.
• Treble Hooks – Treble hooks can be used if you’re targeting fish that tend to strike quickly, such as Spanish mackerel, blues, or jacks. Sizes can range from #2 to #6, depending on the size of the fish you’re targeting.

In terms of specific sizes, it’s best to match the hook size to the size of the bait you’re using and the size of the fish you’re targeting. As a general rule of thumb, larger hooks are better for larger fish and smaller hooks are better for smaller fish. It’s also a good idea to have a variety of hook sizes on hand so you can adjust your rig as needed.

Surf Fishing Bait

There are some common baits you can use for surf fishing, and some common lures to try. We give you some of our best ideas below.

Here is a great video explaining all of the best baits for surf fishing.

Live/Dead Bait

You’ll want to match your bait to the fish you’re trying to catch. Of course there are some baits you shouldn’t be without if you’re targeting a variety of fish, or just want to catch any fish. In that case, the following baits will work magic for you:

• Shrimp – Dead shrimp are especially smelly and can attract certain kinds of fish like catfish and snapper. Live shrimp that are moving around can incite other fish to strike, like redfish, snook, and others. The bigger the shrimp, the bigger the fish.
• Squid – Dead squid is the smelliest thing in the ocean and will draw fish from far and wide to feed on it. Unfortunately, that means that all kinds of undesirable fish will try to take the bait. You’ll just have to deal with it, to be honest. Though you’ll be catching fish like ladyfish, pinfish, catfish, crabs, in addition to great fish like redfish, snapper, and others, the good news is that you can use some of the bait fish as bait for other more desirable fish.
• Cut Bait – You can buy frozen fish in a bait shop or your grocery, or you can catch some while you fish and cut it up for bait. Fresh cut bait is almost always better because it has the fluids and smell that travel well through the water, and especially as the fish gets close, it can sense the fish is fresh versus dried out frozen fish.
• Other Bait – Live pinfish can be a great bait for snook, big trout, or even redfish. Ladyfish as cut bait are great for reds, black drum, sharks, and snapper. Any bait fish alive or dead can be good bait to try fishing with because like shrimp and squid, most fish will eat it.

You can’t really go wrong with any of these baits when surf fishing because most fish eat exactly this. Shrimp and squid work so well in part because they have a smell and texture that fish know and love. Alive or dead, their smell can travel through the water and instantly get fish to turn on feeding.

RELATED: Best Baits For Sheepshead

Artificial Lures

• Topwater Plugs – These lures create a lot of surface noise and can be effective for species like snook, tarpon, trout, and ladyfish, especially early in the morning or late in the day.
• Jigs – Jigs are versatile and can be used for many different fish species. They are very effective for fish like pompano, redfish, and snook.
• Soft Plastic Baits – Soft plastics can be rigged with a variety of hooks and jig heads and can be effective for a variety of species. They can be especially effective for species like redfish, snook, and trout.
• Spoon Lures – Spoon lures can be effective for a variety of species, including Spanish mackerel, redfish, bluefish, jacks, and pompano.
• Crankbaits – Crankbaits can be good lures for snook, redfish, and trout. Especially in areas with strong current.

Florida Gulf Coast Surf Fishing Tips and Tricks

• Dead shrimp are tough to keep on the hook and are easily picked apart by pinfish and other bait stealers. Instead, use live shrimp whenever possible!
• Shuffle your feet when walking out into the surf to let stingrays know you’re coming and to hopefully scare them off before you step on one . They lash out with the tail and venomous barbs on the tail can impale you and cause a lot of pain and sometimes infection.
• Always consider whether the trash fish you just caught might be good bait for something else you can catch from shore. Lots of fish love ladyfish, weakfish, and other unregulated species as cut bait.
• Add a small cowbell to the tip of your rods if you’re fishing with multiple beach rods, you’ll respond to bites quicker, and you’ll hear them over the sound of the reel clicker.
• Cover up from head to toe to block the sun. Skin cancer is no joke!
• Practice careful catch and release. Wet your hands before touching any fish. If you’re not planning on keeping the fish, don’t lift it high out of the water for photos, just release it quickly and gently back into the water.
• Wear polarized sunglasses to help you see fish in the water. It helps even if you can only see which baitfish are there as you’ll know what bait or lure to use.
• Add scent. Have a little squirt bottle of special juice to make your artificial lures smell like they’re real bait.
• Keep an eye on the weather! Florida’s weather changes quickly and lightning is common and deadly. If you see storm clouds with lightning coming your way, pack it up quickly and wait it out in your vehicle.
• Vary everything. Vary your retrieval rate and your type of retrieve – steady, jerky, or a combination. Vary the area you fish. Vary your line thickness. Vary your bait. Vary the time of day and tides you fish. Vary everything you can because oftentimes there’s just one or two variables that are off and you’ll catch fish if you figure out what they are.

Florida Gulf Coast Surf Fishing At Night

Fishing at night is one of life’s great pleasures. Find a safe place and give it a shot. Bring a lawn chair and a cooler of snacks and beverages and enjoy a relaxing night of night surf fishing.

You can catch quite a few species of fish at night. Here are some I’ve caught shore fishing from the Gulf Coast: sharks, snook, tarpon, catfish, puffers, speckled trout, small grouper, redfish, snapper, and sheepshead.

RELATED: Best Fishing Flashlight for Night Fishing

Shark fishing at night in Florida from the shore can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also requires caution and respect for the fish and the environment.

Florida is known for its diverse shark populations, including blacktip, bull, and hammerhead sharks. These sharks can often be found in the shallow waters close to shore, especially at night, making them a good target for anglers from shore.

Florida has some strict rules about shark fishing during night or daytime. You should familiarize yourself with their policies here before you go shark fishing: Shore Based Shark Fishing in Florida . You’ll need to pass an online course in order to fish from shore for sharks. This includes anything ‘attached’ to shore.

You’ll need some heavy-duty fishing gear and a strong fishing line including wire leader. As you can guess, sharks are very strong and can tear up any inferior gear you’re using.

One popular method for shark fishing from the shore at night is to use cut bait, such as mullet, ladyfish, or bonito, and set up a fishing rod with a large hook and a wire leader. Some anglers also use chum to attract sharks to the area.

It’s important to note that shark fishing can be controversial, as some shark species are threatened or endangered. It’s important to practice catch-and-release fishing and handle the sharks with care to ensure their survival. There are few sharks you can keep in Florida, familiarize yourself with the list of unharvestable sharks and know how to identify sharks very well if you plan on keeping any.

Shark fishing requires taking some precautions to ensure your own safety too! Wear a headlamp and avoid fishing in areas where there may be other hazards, such as strong currents, and slippery or rocky terrain.

Final Thoughts on Surf Fishing the Gulf Coast of Florida

If you live in Florida or are just visiting, surf fishing is one easy way to get out to the water and catch some fish. Contrary to what you may have heard, there are lots of easy-to-catch fish that are just waiting for a shrimp or baitfish on a hook to drift by.

Most fish you can catch while surf fishing Florida’s Gulf Coast are delicious to eat. If you like fresh fish and don’t want to pay exorbitant prices, this might be exactly what you need to fill the refrigerator.

One thing that has become a consistent theme on Fisherman’s Authority is the idea that you need to change it up if you’re not catching fish. Not catching fish doesn’t always mean they aren’t there, it can mean you’re not giving them what they want.

Vary the depth at which you present the bait or lure. Vary the speed you retrieve your artificial lures. Vary the areas you fish. Vary the bait and rigs. Change where the hook goes through your bait. Change the color of your lure. Change the diameter of your line – go lighter. Change the time of day if you’re there for more than one day. Chum the water. Try everything!

All of these things (and so many more!) can affect your surf fishing success. Be an angler that tries everything before giving up if you’re pretty sure the fish are there. Especially if you can see them!

RELATED: Top Texas Fish Species

Tight lines!

Click here for more expert fishing tips and gear reviews .

John VanDerLaan

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

US Man Breaks State Catfish Record With The Help Of Daughter’s Pink Rod

Published By : Buzz Staff

Trending Desk

Last Updated: August 09, 2024, 13:13 IST

Delhi, India

The catch was 43.51 inches in length and weighed 46.70 pounds (21.1 kgs). (Representative Image)

John Tyler Rutherford used his daughter’s rod to catch a state record channel catfish in a pond on his father’s farm near South Charleston.

A man from West Virginia, in the United States, used a pink fishing rod he had purchased for his three-year-old daughter for $10 (about Rs 800) and managed to catch a channel catfish, setting a new state record. According to a statement from the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR), John Tyler Rutherford of Wayne County, West Virginia, made headlines earlier this month after catching a record-breaking channel catfish.

The catfish, which measured 43.51 inches in length and weighed 46.70 pounds (21.1 kgs), was caught with his daughter’s pink fishing rod, which he had bought for only $9.99 (Rs 838.28 approximately). The WVDNR has verified the record and stated that John Tyler Rutherford’s catch exceeded the state records for channel catfish in terms of weight and length. On his father’s South Charleston farm, Rutherford reportedly caught the fish in a pond.

“I got my daughter a little $9.99 pink rod. She’s three and can reel them in, but she can’t cast it out. So, I cast it out for her, and I was holding the rod, and she was sitting on my lap,” John Tyler Rutherford described the incident during an interview with West Virginia Outdoors.

Reports state that John Tyler Rutherford went fishing with his daughter, using worms as bait. They had a simple day planned. They had no idea that a fish far bigger than they had anticipated would soon be attracted to the little pink rod.

As per the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the average channel catfish is around 22 inches long, with a maximum known length of 52 inches. Meanwhile, Rutherford’s record-breaking capture has sparked interest from both fishing fans and officials.

According to the WVDNR, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said, “West Virginia’s incredible fishing opportunities continue to amaze and attract anglers from near and far and this record-breaking achievement showcases the world-class fishing adventures our state has to offer.”

John Tyler Rutherford’s catch was noteworthy because it not only broke the state record for channel catfish but also added to the number of new records that West Virginians had established this year for other fisheries, including tiger trout, redbreast sunfish, bowfin and black crappie.

Watch: Catfish appear on flooded streets in Florida during Hurricane Debby

The national hurricane center upgraded debby to a category 1 hurricane on sunday evening. the hurricane made landfall monday morning near steinhatchee, about 70 miles southeast of tallahassee, with winds of up to 80 mph. it weakened to a tropical storm by mid-morning monday and is now passing over georgia and the carolinas..

Catfish appear on flooded streets in Florida's Pinellas Park

Catfish washed up in various residential areas of western Florida as Tropical Storm Debby caused flooding on Sunday before making landfall as a Category 1 hurricane on Monday morning.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Catfish were spotted swimming along residential Florida driveways and yards ahead of Debby's landfall as a Category 1 hurricane .

Joanna Mack and her husband were amazed to see two catfish swimming in the road outside their Pinellas Park home on Sunday. The couple believes the fish were probably washed out of a nearby pond by heavy rain.

"We have lived here for 10 years and have never seen this before," Joanna Mack said.

The couple used shovels and fishing rods to help push the fish toward storm drains and into deeper water.

"When the rain stopped, we went out and found them and put them back from whence they came," said Mack, who believes the fish came from a pond close to her house.

DEBBY'S WRATH LEAVES AT LEAST 5 DEAD IN FLORIDA, GEORGIA AS TROPICAL STORM CONTINUES TO LASH SOUTHEAST

In Pinellas Park, Joanna Mack and her husband, Stan, used shovels and fishing rods to help push a catfish toward storm drains and into deeper water.

(Joanna Mack via Storyful)

Dan Ciarletta posted footage on social media of a catfish struggling to swing under shallow floodwater outside his home in St. Petersburg .

"Catfish in my driveway as streets turn into rivers," he said on X .

SEE IT: DEBBY'S HURRICANE-FORCE WINDS SLAM FLORIDA AT LANDFALL AFTER INTENSIFYING OVER GULF OF MEXICO

Catfish swim in Florida driveway as Hurricane Debby causes flash flooding

Catfish were spotted swimming along a residential driveway and yard in Florida as rain from Hurricane Debby brought flash flooding to the area on Sunday.

The National Hurricane Center upgraded Debby to a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday evening. The hurricane made landfall Monday morning near Steinhatchee , about 70 miles southeast of Tallahassee , with winds of up to 80 mph. The landfall location was only 15 miles away from where Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Keaton Beach one year ago.

As the storm began its slow crawl toward the Southeast coast, Debby had already dumped up to a foot of rain in some parts of Southwest Florida.

Debby weakened to a tropical storm by mid-morning Monday and is now passing over Georgia and the Carolinas.

DEBBY SPAWNS DAMAGING TORNADOES IN SOUTH CAROLINA AHEAD OF EXPECTED 'CATASTROPHIC' FLOODING ACROSS SOUTHEAST

Forecast cone for Tropical Storm Debby.

(FOX Weather)

Life-threatening flooding will continue Tuesday, particularly across eastern South Carolina as the center of Debby slowly slides off the Georgia coast and back over the water.

Starting Friday, the storm will finally get a kick north, and heavy rain will spread all the way into the Northeast , the FOX Forecast Center said. Pockets of significant flooding will be possible Friday and Saturday from the Carolinas all the way into Maine .

• Severe Weather
• Weather News