The fishing rod is the most basic feature you’ll need for fishing. This rule applies whether you’re planning to fish from the piers or on a kayak.
Your success will primarily depend on the quality of the rod you settle for. If you’re on a budget but still would like to get something good, we’d suggest getting the best baitcasting rod under 100.
So, what exactly goes into such a rod? Are there any good examples to be shared? Read on to find out.
Top-Rated Best Under 100 Baitcasting Rods in 2023: Comparison Table
For starters, here’s a list of rods we happen to think represent good value for money. This table is a quick overview of the detailed reviews provided in the subsequent paragraphs.
| Ranking | Name | Length | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kastking Perigee II Twin-Tip Rods | 7 Feet | 1.8 pounds |
| 2 | Entsport E Series Baitcasting Rod | 7-Feet | 0.35 pounds |
| 3 | Lew’s Fishing TP173MH-CB Casting Rod | – | 0.25 pounds |
| 4 | Entsport E Series – Camo Legend Casting Rod | 7-Feet | 0.45 pounds |
| 5 | Cadence CR7B Baitcasting Rods | 7 Feet 6 Inches | 4.2 pounds |
| 6 | Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting | 7 Feet | 2.1 pounds |
| 7 | Abu Garcia VENGC70-6 Vengeance Casting Rod | 7 Feet | – |
| 8 | Ugly Stick Casting Rod | 5 Feet 6 Inches | 0.3 pounds |
| 9 | Entsport E Series 7 Foot Fishing Rod | 7 Feet | – |
| 10 | Ugly Stik Elite Casting Rod | 7 Feet | – |
1. Kastking Perigee II Twin-Tip Rods
Ranked as a best-seller on Amazon, this rod from KastKing represents the finest technology at this price range. Everything about it seems quite well made.
We’re talking about Fuji O-Ring line guides which improve the way your line functions. We’re also talking about strong reel seats.
And for a long day spent on the water, you’ll need to bank on an ergonomic rod. And for that, this unit provides you with plushy EVA grips and solid construction.
Pros
- Great, smooth power
- Quality line guides
- One-piece construction enhances durability
Cons
- Don’t go for the two-piece, it doesn’t last long
2. Entsport E Series Baitcasting Rod for Fresh Water
Planning for an encounter with the saltwater monsters? Sorry, this rod from Entsport is specifically meant for freshwater fishing.
And although it might not last long when used in saltwater conditions, it seems quite well-built. We absolutely love its carbon blanks.
Its reel seat is also quite practical. It’s properly screwed down and adequately cushioned.
Its stainless steel guides are on the average side of life. But don’t get us wrong, they are just good enough to get the job done.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Durable design
- Great reel seat
Cons
- Not recommended for saltwater fishing
Also read: 10 Best Baitcasting Reels Under $50: For Budget-Friendly Angling
3. Lew’s Fishing TP173MH-CB Casting Rod
If you don’t mind digging deeper into your pockets, this casting rod from Lew’s might be worth trying. Why so? Because besides it being strong, it’s also quite light in weight.
We attribute that to the fact that it is made from premium IM8 graphite. Plus its blanks boast one-piece construction for enhanced strength and durability.
Its skeletal graphite reel seat is also quite sturdy and reliable. Plus it packs a good casting distance.
Pros
- Well-built blanks
- Eliminates wind knots
- Backed by a 1-year warranty
- Ergonomic
Cons
- Pricey
4. Entsport E Series Medium-Heavy Baitcast Rod
This cheap baitcasting rod boasts 2 tips. For that reason, you can always choose the tip that works the best for your situation since you can choose between medium and medium-heavy alternatives.
So, this is pretty much a 2-in-1 rod. We’d, therefore, recommend it for anyone who is yet to make up their mind on the best choice for their situation.
Other than that, the features of this rod are quite average. If you’re looking for a rod that’s too advanced, you’ll be disappointed if you squirm and settle for this one.
But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly kit, then this casting rod has all it takes to get the job done.
Pros
- Provides 2 tips for the price of 1
- Good overall strength
- Highly sensitive
- Corrosion-resistant line guides
Cons
- Looks and feels cheap
5. Cadence CR7B SiC Inserts Baitcasting Rod
One thing we absolutely love about this rod from Cadence is that it is available in different lengths and power options. So, depending on your style of fishing and level of experience, you get to settle for one that works best for your situation.
Besides that, this is a 1-piece rod. And can you guess what that means? Well, it simply means that the rod can put up with quite a bit of abuse. So, it’s durable and dependable in the long-run.
Its ergonomic design and a Fuji reel seat make it a perfect bet for the angler who is planning to spend long hours in the waters.
Pros
- Well-built
- Ergonomic features and design
- Light in weight
- Highly sensitive
Cons
- Pricey
- Better, cheaper options exist
6. Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod
This vintage-looking fishing rod is surprisingly the cheapest one on this list. And the reason we decided to include it in this best baitcasting rods under 100 review is that it’s highly versatile.
Its hybrid construction provides it with unmatched sensitivity. Its handle is made of Cherrywood making it quite long-lasting and dependable whether in freshwater or saltwater conditions.
The only downside with it is that it is not plushy. So, if you’re planning to fish for long hours, it might not provide you with the comfort you need.
Pros
- Durable cork handle
- Highly sensitive design
- Not as heavy as we expected
Cons
- More ergonomic choices exist
- Its line guides look cheap
7. Abu Garcia Vengeance Fishing Rod
It might not be number one in our ranking but it certainly takes the crown if sensitivity if what you’re after. The rod is quite responsive which is probably due to its line guides which come complete with titanium inserts.
Another thing, this rod is made from high-quality modulus graphite. So, not only is it light in weight but also highly practical.
Its EVA handles complete the equation if all you’re looking for is comfort and better control.
Pros
- Great line guides
- Comfortable for all-day use
- Light in weight
- Available in different varieties
Cons
- Not durable
- Quality consistency issues reported
8. Ugly Stick Casting Rod Model #USCA662MH
When people think of buying cheap baitcasting rods, they almost always think that they have to compromise on quality. That’s clearly not the case because rods such as this one seem to pack some really nice features on the cheap.
Indeed, the Ugly Stick rod feels quite balanced and light in weight. Its blank is quite well-made through a combination of graphite and fiberglass.
For added responsiveness, the Ugly Stick boasts a Clear Tip design which is also quite powerful.
Pros
- Seems like it can last longer if well taken care of
- Ergonomic EVA grips used
- Stable line guides
- Well-priced
Cons
- Its line guides seem cheap
- Tiny finger handle
9. Entsport E Series 7 Foot Fishing Rod
For the frugal shoppers in the house – this what you’ve been waiting for. It comes with 3 tips which enable you to take advantage of 3 different levels of power.
The three levels of rod power you get to benefit from are medium-heavy, medium, and medium light. Ordinarily, you would need to buy 3 different rods for that. But with this one, you simply need to change the tip and that’s it.
Pros
- Affordably priced
- Good reel seat
- 3 tips
Cons
- Seems weak, might not last long
10. Ugly Stik Elite Casting Rod
It’s the second time Ugly Stik is showing up on our list – and for good reasons! This is probably one of the best-known manufacturers of fishing gear.
One thing we like about this rod is that it boasts the Clear Tip design which is known for being versatile and practical.
Also, the rod is made from graphite. So, it’s light in weight and easy to store or transport.
Pros
- Great tip design
- Light in weight
- Good blank and reel seat
Cons
- Not comfy for all-day use
How to Choose Your Baitcasting Rod
Now that you have made it this far, chances are that you still would like to learn more about what it takes to bring a good rod home. And for that, we have the following buying guide.
Build-Quality
You don’t want to splurge 100 bucks on something that won’t last long. Therefore, we do recommend going for one-piece construction rods as they tend to last long.
Reel Guides
For fishing reel the higher the quality of the guides gets of rod, the better. Line guides with ceramic or titanium inserts are known to remain highly efficient for long. This guarantees you of a sensitive line for longer.
Versatility
If you’re on a really tight budget and are not even sure of what you want, you might want to settle for the most versatile rod available. For that, we do recommend getting rods that enable you to use different tips. This way, you can get multiple casting experiences without having to spend on different rods.
Frequently Asked Questions
We now would like to respond to any questions you might be having about rods. Remember, you can always ask more questions via our comment box and we’ll be glad to respond to them.
What’s the best casting rod for the money?
Well, there’s nothing like a perfect rod out there. That said, if you can find a one-piece rod that comes with high-quality line guides and a comfortable handle, don’t hesitate to get it.
What are good fishing rod brands?
There’s KastKing, Shakespeare, Okuma Shimano, Penn, Cadence, and Daiwa. Note that each one of those brands has its fair share of pros and cons.
Best Overall Choice
With a budget limit of 100 bucks, we’d go for the Adorable KastKing Perigee II. It’s reasonably priced and provides you with 2 tips. This, in our view, represents the best value for money.
Final Thoughts
Now that you have an idea of what options are in store for you, the challenge remains to get out there and make things happen! Always keep your baitcasting rod handy and you’ll never regret owning it.