The Rundown
Best Overall: Lixada Pen Fishing Rod
“The Lixada Rod weighs 9.8 ounces in glass steel-fiber construction with 2+1 copper core reel bearings for increased efficiency on the water. Ideal for anglers looking for a stylish and functional compact fishing rod.”
Best High-End: MultiOutools Pen Fishing Rod
“Weighing only 6.24 ounces for enhanced comfort and a multi-disc drag for excellent fighting potential, the MultiOutools Rod is suitable for both fresh and saltwater. Ideal for those who wish to go everywhere with a pen sized fishing rod”
Best Budget Option: G Ganen Pocket Fishing Rod
“The G Ganon Mini comes with a robust reel for its size and showcases several quality features that most anglers should be fond of. It’s ideal for those attempting to minimize their budgetary expenses.”
Pen fishing rods have grown popular over the past decade, mainly because of their compact size and ability to carry anywhere easily. Miniature rods of these sizes are excellent when attempting to slip away for fishing when on break from work or when taking a vacation.
The best 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 of the best pen fishing rods also come with an equally impressive reel.
We rounded up the top 9 fishing rods that are worth having in your tackle box.
Featured Recommendations
Top 9 Fishing Rods
Table of Contents
Best Pen Fishing Rod Reviewed
- Best Overall: Lixada Fishing Rod
- Best High-End: MultiOutools Fishing Rod
- Best Budget: G Ganen Fishing Rod
- Runner-Up Choice: Yogamet Mini Telescopic Rod
- Best Extra Power: MultiOutools 38 inch Fishing Pole
- Best Casting: Docooler Mini Rod
- Highest Visual Appeal: Lixada Pen Fishing Rod Reel Combo
- Most Durable: DIGIFLEX Pocket Rod
- Best Warranty: HappyOutdoor Pen Fishing Pole
Lixada Pen Fishing Rod
Best Overall Pen Fishing Rod: A compact rod, which is rich in available options
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KEY FEATURES
- Glass steel-fiber construction for optimal strength
- Weighs only 9.8 ounces for ease of carrying
- 2+1 copper core reel bearings for smooth operation
The Lixada Pen Fishing Rod should make the perfect choice for those looking for one 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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MultiOutools Pen Fishing Rod
Best High-End Pen Fishing Rod: A pint-sized pocket rod that is lighter than a feather
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KEY FEATURES
- Weighs only 6.24 ounces 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, this particular model by MultiOutools is likely the perfect choice. Weighing in at only 6.24 ounces, 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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G Ganen Pocket Fishing Rod
Best Budget Pen Fishing Rod: An excellent rod at an unbelievably affordable price
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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 Ganen Pocket Rod should be the best choice for anglers attempting to minimize their budgetary expenses. In reality, this pen fishing rod likely costs less than most anglers will spend on bait in preparation for any day on the water. Additionally, it comes with a robust reel for its size and showcases several quality features that most anglers should be fond of.
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Yogamet Mini Telescopic Rod
Runner-Up Choice: Reliable and ready to fish right out of the box
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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 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, small tackle box, tackle, two fishing floats, two jig hooks, and two soft plastic lures. As a result, one can quickly be fishing only minutes after accepting the delivery of their new Yogayet Mini Pocket Fishing Rod.
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MultiOutools 38 Inch Fishing Rod
Best Pen Fishing Rod With Extra Power: Small in size yet robust in performance
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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 Rod 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 fishing rod is constructed from glass steel fiber, which is 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 Mini Fishing Rod
Best Casting Pen Fishing Rod: A pen rod that can be cast with pinpoint precision
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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 Mini Fishing Rod. 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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Lixada Pen Rod and Reel Combo
Pen Fishing Rod With Highest Visual Appeal: Rich in looks yet subdued in cost
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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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DIGIFLEX Pocket Rod
Most Durable Pen Fishing Rod: Tougher than nails, yet smooth as silk
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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 Pocket 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 designed to prevent the unit’s lower segment failures. This feature is of value because it virtually eliminates the occurrence of the reel seat and handle fatigue, which tends to be a weak point of many pen fishing rods on the market today.
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HappyOutdoor Pen Fishing Pole
Best Warranty In A Pen Fishing Rod: A quality rod with a zero-risk warranty
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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 using a pen rod and fear being stuck with a product that you are not satisfied with, then the HappyOutdoor Pen Fishing Pole is likely the option for you. A 100% satisfaction guarantee backs this pen rod so that you can purchase it confidently. 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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How To Choose The Best Pen Fishing Rods
Compact Design
When you hook into the trout of a lifetime, your fishing line must be up to the task at hand.
A pen rod that is not compact 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 anglers, 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.
Strength
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 that is 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 fishing rods are no exception to this rule, and consumers must be cautious only to select those models which possess a high degree of structural integrity. Most quality pen fishing rods are derived from fiberglass, which has a natural tendency to remain resolute, even when stressed. This quality is necessary for a pen rod to possess, especially if fish of any size are expected to be caught.
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 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 fishing rods?
Large fish species, such as catfish, carp, a drum, can indeed be caught on a pen rod. However, if you intend to pursue such species, it is essential to only purchase a unit that features a quality drag system. Since these miniature rods and reels typically use light lines, 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 placed on the rod itself. This is important, as even the most hearty of pen fishing rods cannot sustain shock loading in the same manner as full-size, larger diameter rods.
Are pen fishing rods for everyday use?
Most anglers choose to simply use their pen fishing rods as a way to get a few minutes of quick fishing when on their way home from work or when passing by a good 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 regularly or even daily 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 fishing rod that is compact, durable, and strong, you stand a much better chance of finding enjoyment in such a unit’s everyday use.