The Rundown
Best Overall: Lixada Pen Fishing Rod
“Weighing only 9.8 ounces in glass steel-fiber construction with 2+1 copper core reel bearings for increased efficiency on the water, the Lixada Pen Fishing Rod is the perfect choice for those who are looking for a pen rod that is stylish and functional.”
Runner-Up Choice: YOGAYET Mini Pocket Fishing Rod
“Having an Aluminum-alloy construction and several colors for custom selection, the Yogayet Mini Pocket Fishing Rod includes everything you need to get started fishing – best for any angler looking to purchase a compact rod that is ready to be put to use, right out of the box.”
Best Premium Option: MultiOutools Pen Fishing Rod
“Weighing only 39 Lbs. for enhanced comfort and a multi-disc drag for excellent fighting potential, the MultiOutools Pen Fishing Rod is suitable for both fresh and saltwater use – perfect for those who wish to go everywhere with a rod at the ready.”
Pen fishing rods have grown popular over the past decade, largely because of their compact size, and ability to be easily carried anywhere. Miniature rods of these sizes are excellent when attempting to slip away for fishing when on break from work, or when taking a vacation.
A quality pen fishing rod should be lightweight and subdued in size to promote easy transport while still being robust enough in its composition to handle a fish of substantial size. Many high-end pen fishing rods also come with an equally impressive reel.
The following are the top-10 best pen fishing rods of 2020.




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Table of Contents
10 Best Fishing Line for Trout in 2021
Lixada Pen Fishing Rod
Best Overall: A compact rod, which is rich in available options
KEY FEATURES
- Glass steel-fiber construction for optimal strength
- Weighs only 9.8 ounces for ease of carry
- 2+1 copper core reel bearings for smooth operation
The Lixada Pen Fishing Rod should make the perfect choice for those who are looking for a pen rod that is as stylish as it is functional. This rod is offered in 10 different color/style combinations, is lightweight enough to be carried with ease, and is tough enough to stand up to hard fighting fish of many different sizes. The Lixada Pen Fishing Rod is also available with a compact, yet substantial reel.
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YOGAYET Mini Pocket Fishing Rod
Runner-Up Choice: A reliable pen rod, ready to fish right out of the box
KEY FEATURES
- Aluminum-alloy construction for lightweight carry
- Comes in several colors for custom selection
- Includes everything you need to get started fishing
The Yogayet Mini Pocket Fishing Rod should be ideal for any angler looking to purchase a compact rod that is ready to be put to use, right out of the box. This rod comes complete with a fly fishing reel, nylon fishing line, miniature tackle box, tackle, two fishing floats, 2 jig hooks, and 2 soft plastic lures. One can easily be fishing only minutes after accepting the delivery of their new Yogayet Mini Pocket Fishing Rod.
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MultiOutools Pen Fishing Rod
Best High End: A pint-sized pocket rod that is lighter than a feather
KEY FEATURES
- Weighs only .39 Lbs. for enhanced comfort
- Suitable for both fresh and saltwater use
- Multi-disc drag for excellent fighting potential
If you are searching for the lightest pen fishing rod available, then this particular model by MultiOutools is likely the perfect choice. Weighing in at only .39 Lbs., the MultiOutools Pen Fishing Rod should be able to be carried all day, without any degree of discomfort or inconvenience. This can offer immense value to those who wish to go everywhere with a rod at the ready.
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MultiOutools Pen Fishing Pole 38 Inch
Best Extra Power: Small in size, yet robust in performance
KEY FEATURES
- Glass steel fiber for enhanced durability and strength
- Suitable for both fresh and saltwater use
- Metal guides for increased fighting power
The MultiOutools 38” Pen Fishing Pole would likely make the perfect addition to the tackle box of any angler who needs the extra power to muster large fish from the depths below. This pen rod is constructed from glass steel fiber, which is known to be quite hearty in the face of stress. Additionally, the MultiOutools 38” Pen Fishing Pole features a series of metal guides on each telescopic segment for enhanced rigidity.
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Docooler Fishing Rod Mini
Best Casting: A pen rod that can be cast with pinpoint precision
KEY FEATURES
- Traditional spinning style reel for increased castability
- Ultra-compact design takes portability to the next level
- Aluminum alloy reel design resists the effects of corrosion
For those that do not wish to be limited in their casting accuracy, as a result of using a compact rod with overly simplified reel functions, there are likely few better choices than the Docooler Fishing Rod Mini. This pen rod comes with a small spinning reel, which should be perfect for casting jigs with precision or targeting specific points around docks.
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DIGIFLEX Silver Mini
Most Durable: Tougher than nails, yet smooth as silk
KEY FEATURES
- Gold colored reel body for outstanding eye-appeal
- Strong aluminum alloy handle for increased durability
- Fiberglass telescopic rod segments for minimization of overall weight
The Digiflex Silver Mini is likely the best option for those that tend to cut their gear no slack, and have a habit of pushing lesser pieces of equipment past their breaking point. This pen rod features an ultra-tough, aluminum alloy handle, which is designed to prevent failures of the unit’s lower segment. This feature is of value because it virtually eliminates the occurrence reel seat and handle fatigue, which tends to be a weak point of many pen rods on the market today.
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Lixada Pen Fishing Rod Reel Combo
Highest Visual Appeal: Rich in looks, yet subdued in cost
KEY FEATURES
- Compact in size, measuring only 8.1”
- Durable aluminum alloy brass reel for next-level fish fighting ability
- Includes numerous accessories
The Lixada Pen Fishing Rod and Reel Combo should be the perfect option for anglers who wish to fish in style, without breaking the bank. This pen rod is nothing short of visually stunning, as it features an aluminum alloy brass reel, which looks outwardly like gold. Additionally, the rod itself presents a look of silver, which nicely contrasts the reel’s appearance. However do not be fooled into thinking that the Lixada Pen Fishing Rod is only built for appearance, as it is built to perform as well as it looks.
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Pen Fishing Pole 39 Inch Mini
Best Warranty: A quality rod, with a zero-risk warranty
KEY FEATURES
- Measures only 8.1 inches when retracted
- Comes with numerous accessories
- Is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee
If you are skeptical about the use of a pen rod and fear being stuck with a product that you are not satisfied with, then the HappyOutdoors Pen Fishing Pole 39 Inch Mini is likely the option for you. This pen rod is backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee, which allows you to purchase with confidence. If you are not satisfied with the Pen Fishing Pole 39 Inch Mini at any time within 90 days of your initial purchase, simply return it for a full refund.
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G Ganen 38inch Mini
Best Budget: An amazing rod, at an unbelievably affordable price
KEY FEATURES
- Quick attach aluminum alloy reel for on the go style use
- Glass steel fiber rod for increased durability
- Offered at a price point that few can argue with
The G Ganon Mini should be the best possible choice for anglers who are attempting to minimize their budgetary expenses. In reality, this pen rod likely costs less than what most anglers will spend on bait, in preparation for any day on the water. Additionally, the G Ganon Mini comes with a reel that is rather robust for its size and showcases several quality features, of which most anglers should be fond.
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LIXIANGNAN Mini Portable
Best Corrosion Resistant: A pen rod that quite literally weathers every storm
KEY FEATURES
- Compact and lightweight for simplicity
- Aluminum alloy outer shell for enhanced durability
- Resilient fiberglass rod composition for ample flex
If you are looking for an extremely compact rod, that is impervious to the elements, then the Lixiangnan Mini Portable is worthy of your consideration. This pen rod is among the lightest, most compact options on the market today, yet is constructed in a manner that should fend off functionality robbing corrosion. This stems from the fact that the Lixiangnan Mini Portable is housed within a weather-resistant aluminum outer shell.
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Criteria Used For Evaluation
Criteria #1: Compact Design
When you hook into the trout of a lifetime, your line must be up to the task at hand.
A pen rod that is not compact in nature is of little value to an angler, as portability and ease of use are the exact reasons that such rods are built.
The average angler purchases a pen rod as a matter of convenience. As avid fishermen, we all love to fish whenever the opportunity arises. However, we have to have our gear at the ready, to seize upon such opportunities. It is not always practical to carry a full-size rod and reel with us wherever we go, so numerous anglers choose to purchase a pen rod to circumvent this issue. A pen rod can be stowed anywhere, without consuming space or becoming cumbersome, as long as its size is not prohibitive.
Criteria #2: Strength
In order to be worthy of a spot in an avid angler’s gear bag, a pen rod needs to be up to the task of handling anything and everything thrown its way.
A rod that cannot withstand the rigors of a day on the lake, is of no value to an angler, whatsoever. Pen rods are no exception to this rule, and consumers must be very careful to only select those models which possess a high degree of structural integrity. Most quality pen rods are derived from fiberglass, which has a natural tendency to remain resolute, even when stressed. This is a quality that is absolutely necessary for a pen rod to possess, especially if fish of any size are expected to be caught.
Criteria #3: Durability
A pen rod that fails after limited use holds zero value, no matter the extent of additional features that it possesses.
The entire point behind owning a pen rod is knowing that you will be ready to fish whenever the opportunity arises. However, if you are left to wonder whether or not your pen rod will last another day, you are really no better off than you were before the ownership of such a rod. A durable rod, however, can be used time and time again, without fear of failure. Much of a pen rods’ durability surrounds the robustness of its grip and reel seat, as these two locations tend to be common points of fault. If reinforced in both of these areas, a pen rod can theoretically last for decades.
Questions & Answers

Can Large Fish Be Caught On Pen Rods?
Large species of fish, such as catfish, carp, a drum, can indeed be caught on a pen rod. However, if you intend to pursue such species, it is important to only purchase a unit that features a quality drag system. Since these miniature rods and reels typically employ the use of light line, drag adjustments must be set with precision and metered on the fly if a fish of substantial size is on the hook.
Adequately metering a pen rod/reels drag also prevents excess force from being placed on the rod itself. This is important, as even the most hearty of pen rods are incapable of sustaining shock loading in the same manner as full-size, larger diameter rods.

Are Pen Rods For Everyday Use?
Most anglers choose to simply use their pen rods as a way to get a few minutes of quick fishing when on their way home from work, or when passing by a promising body of water, returning later with a larger stockpile of gear. This is because full-size rods tend to be purpose-built, with a specific application in mind. However, one could theoretically fish on a regular, or even daily basis with a pen rod if so desired.
If this is your intention, it is advisable to place an extensive focus on locating a unit that embodies all of the criteria listed above. By selecting a pen rod that is compact, durable, and strong, you stand a much better chance of finding enjoyment in such a unit’s everyday use.