Best Tuna Rods [2024 Review]

When it comes to bluefin tuna fishing, there is just no way to go about it without a good fishing rod. In the waters, you are left with just your fishing skills and your fishing rods, and you should definitely have the best of both worlds. Going tuna fishing with the right rod can make all the difference.

My Best Tuna Rods Recommendations

Tuna has a reputation for putting up quite the fight. You need the best fishing rods for tuna because they can withstand the force of larger fish.

Best Overall Tuna Fishing Rod: Fiblink Saltwater Offshore

The Fiblink Saltwater Offshore Heavy Trolling Rod can be a mouthful to reel off, but it more than makes up for this. This rod is the shortest on this list, implying that the only difference is that there would not be much bending when battling bluefin tuna and large fish. You would enjoy some extra sturdiness.

It is made out of high-quality graphite composite which is a guarantee of rod durability to withstand dealing with big fish. Although it is designed for big game fishing, it is still somewhat lightweight, allowing for ease while trolling.

Pros

• EVA foam and fore grips provide a great deal of balance while fishing
• Lightweight fishing rods, weighing only about 18 to 25 ounces, allowing for comfort and convenience

Cons

• The rod is on the short side, effectively limiting its flexibility compared to a longer rod like the Fiblink Bent Butt Rod
• Not suited to beginners as it requires some level of expertise to handle

Best Fishing Rod for Efficiency: Fiblink Bent Butt Tuna Rod

The Fiblink Bent Butt Fishing Rods are designed with E-glass graphite blanks which makes them capable of delivering the pulling force you need to catch tuna. Tuna requires rods with a balance of strength and sensitivity and the fiberglass reinforcements deliver just that.

These fishing rods are the only bent butt rod choice on this list, and this bend gives it an edge for effectively eliminating pressure on your hook, line capacity, and knots when fighting a fish. It also explains why this rod is more efficient in catching tuna than the Okiaya Composit rod.

Pros

• The fiberglass reinforcement makes it very strong enough to handle big fish without affecting the sensitivity
• It is very durable because of its stainless steel design, aluminum alloy reel seat, and solid construction
• Its butt section and handle are comfortable because of the non-slip rubber and design

Cons

• At 49 ounces, it is the heaviest rod on this list making handling quite a hassle
• Because of its design, it is not very flexible for fishing

Best Rugged Tuna Fishing Rod: Okiaya Composit Tuna Rod

The Okiaya Composit Tuna Rod is easily the most affordable and rugged rod on this list. The aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction provides the rod with durability that makes it suitable for catching monster tuna

It incorporates thermoplastics that improve rod strength while providing much-needed flexibility for contending with tuna. The Okiaya Composit Tuna Rod also boasts superior strength because its main shaft is made from composite fiber.

Pros

• The aircraft-grade aluminum construction and higher gear ratio makes the rod very durable
• The composite fiber and thermoplastics incorporated into the design makes the rod very strong

Cons

• At 5 feet 6 inches, it is pretty short, making it more difficult to handle when catching large fish like tuna
• It can start to feel bulky after a while, making the it tougher because of the weight of monster tuna

Conclusion

Tuna is a heavy fish, and you absolutely have to be prepared rod-wise. Once you’ve figured out the species that you want to deal with alongside their weight class, you will be in a better position to make a practical rod choice. Remember to factor in your preferred fishing position too.