Spinning Rod

A spinning rod is designed to pair with a spinning reel and is identified by its guides mounted on the underside of the blank and its straight handle without a trigger grip. When rigged, the reel hangs below the rod, and the guides face downward. This orientation allows line to flow off the spinning reel's open face with minimal friction.

Spinning rods typically have larger guide rings near the butt to accommodate the wide loops of line that spiral off a spinning reel's spool. The guides gradually decrease in size toward the tip. This funnel effect manages the line without choking the cast.

Spinning rods are available in the full range of power and action ratings, from ultralight trout rods to heavy saltwater models. They excel with lighter lines and smaller lures — anything under about 3/8 ounce is generally easier to cast on spinning gear than on a baitcaster. Most two-rod setups for bass include a medium-heavy baitcasting rod for power techniques and a medium-power spinning rod for finesse presentations like drop shot, ned rig, and shaky head.