What’s the Best Rod for False Albacore? – On The Water
Albie season is short, but sweet, and, like the guest of honor, moves by fast. Choosing the best rod for false albacore fishing can make a big difference in how many albies you can hook during this one- to two-month-long window.
(Note: On The Water is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.)
Key Features in Albie Rods
- For albie fishermen casting distance and accuracy is extremely important, so rods with fast or extra-fast actions and 7- to 8-foot lengths are favored over shorter rods and those with more moderate actions. The fast action also helps when bringing soft plastics to life and skipping epoxy jigs, but a softer tip can help get more secure hooksets on high-speed retrieves as it gives the fish a chance to turn with the lure.
- Most albie lures fall into the 3/8- to 1-ounce range, so rods rated for lures of this size and lines of 12- to 20-pound test are best.
- Often the most difficult part of the albie fight is lifting it toward the boat once it begins to circle straight up and down. This is when anglers accidentally high stick their rod, and end up breaking it. While the higher-tech (and usually more expensive) albie rods are less forgiving to high-sticking, some of the rods in the $100 to $200 range can handle a bit more abuse, for the trade off on a bit more weight and a big less sensitivity.
Albie Rods for Under $200
The Ugly Stik Carbon Inshore is a sturdy rod that can handle the boatside, drag-sizzling runs while surviving a little high-sticking. What it lacks in finesse, it makes up for in durability, and is a fine choice for splasher and fly or casting jig presentations.
The Daiwa Saltist Inshore is built with high modulus carbon graphite with Daiwa’s exclusive high volume fiber low resin design which makes it strong, light weight and, most important, durable.
The Lamiglas Black Inshore is a super sensitive, lightweight, one-piece graphite rod with a fast action and carbon fiber wrap around the handle section, which provides reinforcement under heavy pressure by shifting weight onto the hook or lure instead of dispersing it through the rod.
The redesigned Fenwick HMG Inshore provides the muscle needed to put the brakes on big albies at an affordable price point. It’s built with a blend of 30 and 24 Ton high modulus graphite for toughness, which is complemented by extreme sensitivity of the soft touch reel seat so you never miss those swift, subtle swipes at your jig.
Albie Rods for $200-$400
The St. Croix Avid Inshore has a softer action for cushioning hard runs and fast direction changes. The agglomerated cork handle gives the rod a classic cork look with improved durability and grip. The soft tip makes it perfect for getting secure hooksets during high-speed retrieves.
The Fenwick Elite Inshore Spinning Rod has a unique Fenwick-designed reel seat fits the crux of hand for a custom natural feel with soft touch, making it comfortable for cast after cast into finicky albies. A tailored foregrip with reduced length and added taper allow for forward finger placement and better feel while retrieving casting jigs at high speeds.
The Daiwa Blackline Inshore is built for the Northeast with premium cork handles, FUJI K- guide train, Daiwa Air Sensor reel seat , and Daiwa’s exclusive SVF Super High-Modulus Low Resin Carbon Graphite as well as Braiding X Daiwa technology which provides greater sensitivity and strength while improving rod velocity during the cast to improve accuracy and distance – a big plus for dropping an epoxy jig in front of a charging pack of hardtails.
The St. Croix Legend Tournament Inshore Rod has a fast action that helps it cast a long way while imparting snappy retrieves to soft plastics and casting jigs. Made from SCIV carbon fiber in Park Falls, USA, it features St. Croix’s Integrated Poly Curve Technology, which eliminates all transitional points in the rod blank for a smoother action, increased strength and greater sensitivity.
Albie Rods for $400+
The Fenwick World Class Inshore is made with a 40/36 ton graphite blend with proprietary reinforcing resin, providing sensitivity, balance, and durability that will be comfortable for full days of running and gunning. The 7’6″ medium or medium-heavy models are best suited for albie fishing, and the rod’s light weight and crisp action makes it an excellent choice for fishing soft-plastics like the Albie Snax and other baits that require more angler input. Titanium guide frames with super thin zirconia inserts keep weight down and allow for smooth, precise casting.
The G.Loomis NRX+ Inshore is built on an American-made blank rolled with Spiral X technology to provide ultra-fast recovery for increased casting distance, heightened sensitivity, and drastic weight reduction. The custom CI4+ reel seats maximize an angler’s connection to the blank for unsurpassed bite transmission and all-day comfort, for when the albie blitz runs deep into the afternoon. Equipped with a Fuji Titanium SiC guide train helps make long and accurate casts while the rod’s durability ensures it’ll be around and ready for many Septembers to come.
The St. Croix Legend Xtreme Inshore is made from SCVI carbon fiber and incorporates St. Croix’s Taper Enhancement Technology, which begins with precision-cut, curved blank patterns made possible by a state-of-the-art computerized pattern cutting machine. These unique patterns create blanks with better actions and improved sensitivity. This pattern design and cutting technology is a dramatic departure from traditional straight-line patterns cut by hand. The “Xtreme Skin” handle provides comfort and control, even when wet, and the improved hoop strength of the blank prevents ovalling, extending the life of the rod.
Related Content
13 Casting Jigs for False Albacore
Soft-Plastic Lures for Finicky False Albacore
How to Catch More False Albacore
