Best Trout Spinning Rods for NH Streams

Before I ever picked up a bass rod, I fished trout for years in New Hampshire, almost entirely in rivers and streams, casting from the bank. That kind of fishing needs a lot less gear than people think, and it is why this page is short and simple.

How I fished it

My whole setup for stream trout came down to a few decisions:

• Rod: a 6’6” medium action spinning rod, in two pieces. I traveled to my fishing spots, so the rod had to break down and fit in the trunk of my car.
• Line: 6 or 8 pound test, usually monofilament.
• Lure: Mepps Aglia spinners, size 0 or 1, with gold or silver blades. That was it.
• Reel: I honestly am not sure what the right size was. A small spinning reel is the usual match.

I did not need a lot of distance on my casts, because small streams are close quarters, so a longer rod was not necessary. I did not start using 7-foot rods until I started fishing for bass. If you want to see how that setup grew into what I fish now, read my Abu Garcia Vendetta review.

Does it need to be a two-piece?

No. The point is that the rod breaks down so you can toss it in the trunk. A two-piece does that, and so does a four-piece. Choose whatever number of pieces fits your car and how you travel.

The two rods I would look at

Brand does not matter much to me for trout. I am fine with Ugly Stik, Shakespeare, anything really. I have not fished these two exact models, so both picks rest on brand reputation, owner reviews and independent research, and the specs come from the manufacturers’ published information.

Ugly Stik GX2 6’6” Medium (my main pick)

The GX2 is built from graphite and fiberglass, which makes it very tough, and it is rated for 6 to 15 pound line and 1/8 to 5/8 ounce lures. That 1/8 ounce starting point matters, because spinners in sizes 0 and 1 are small, light lures and you want a rod rated down to that range. The version linked here is the 4-piece, which breaks down for the trunk.

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Abu Garcia Max 6’6” Medium (the lighter-graphite option)

I lean toward Abu Garcia rods, and the Max is a light, sensitive 24-ton graphite two-piece with a fast taper. It is rated for 6 to 12 pound line, which fits the 6 to 8 pound mono I always used. Its lure range starts at 1/4 ounce, though, which is heavier than the smallest spinners, so it suits slightly heavier lures better than the tiniest ones.

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The one lure I would buy

If you are heading to a stream for trout, the lure I used was the Mepps Aglia, size 0 or 1, in gold or silver. The Amazon page covers several sizes and finishes, so check that the size and blade color match what you want before ordering.

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Quick recap

• 6’6” medium spinning rod that breaks down for the trunk.
• 6 to 8 pound test, usually mono.
• Small Mepps Aglia spinners, size 0 or 1, gold or silver.
• Short casts are fine on small streams, so you do not need a long rod.

The setup details are from my own years of trout fishing in New Hampshire. The two rod entries rest on manufacturer specifications and independent research, since I have not fished those exact models.