Updated 2/13/2024

Sheepshead are a desirable saltwater target species that are known for their bizarre human-like teeth. Their relatively small, tough mouths can cause difficulties consistently hooking up. When finding and catching these fish, it’s important to have the best sheepshead rod in your hand to maximize chances at a successful catch.

Sheepshead primarily feed on shrimp, sand fleas, clams, mussels, crabs, and other crustaceans. Their hard mouths and teeth are perfect tools for munching on this tough prey. Because of what they feed on, it’s no surprise that sheepshead are mostly caught near structure that holds their food like rocky jetties, piers, and shell reefs.

I’ve done the hours of rod research and testing on weight, strength, durability, and material quality so you don’t have to. Check out my top recommendations for the best sheepshead rods to have the right rods for the job.

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.

Our Top 5 Picks

We recommend spinning rods for sheepshead because the most popular and effective way to catch sheepshead is with live shrimp or crab chunks on a bottom rig or a popping cork. Spinning setups are better for these techniques because baitcasting reels tend to backlash with these types of bait setups.

• Best for the Money: Penn Battalion II Inshore Spinning Rod
• Best Under $100: Ugly Stik Bigwater Spinning Rod
• Best Under $200: St. Croix Triumph Inshore Spinning Rod
• Best for Surf or Jetty Fishing: St. Croix Triumph Surf Spinning Rod
• Best High End: St. Croix Legend Tournament Inshore Spinning Rod

The 5 Best Sheepshead Rods

Whether you’re a novice angler or a grizzled expert, we have you covered. Check out my recommendations for the best sheepshead rods for different categories like best value, best for different price points, and more!

1. Penn Battalion II Inshore Rod

PENN Battalion II 7’6” Inshore Spinning Rod; 1-Piece Fishing Rod, 10-17lb Line Rating, Medium Rod Power, Extra Fast Action, 1/4-1 oz. Lure Rating, Black/Gold

• Length: 7′ to 8′
• Power: Light to Extra-Heavy
• Rod Material: SLC2 Carbon
• Guides: Fuji Alconite
• Handle: Premium Cork or Rubber Shrink Tube
• Warranty: 1 Year manufacturing defects only

Pros:

• Variety of sizes accommodates multiple fishing techniques
• Premium rod features for reasonable price

Our choice for best sheepshead rod for the money is the Penn Battalion II Inshore Rod. This rod captures a great balance of value, price accessibility, and quality features. It’s a workhorse inshore fishing rod that is perfect for almost anything the ocean can throw at it.

Is this rod perfect? No. Is it solid equipment for the price? Definitely.

We picked this rod as our best choice for the money because of it’s versatility and competitive price point. We love the 7′ medium power spinning version as an all-around sheepshead rod that is perfect for targeting sheepshead around rocky structure with live shrimp.

The SLC2 Carbon rod blank and Fuji Alconite guide material construction are considered mid-tier materials that should last plenty long with proper care. The full cork handle feels great for prolonged inshore fishing trips. We do wish Penn offered a better warranty (like St. Croix), but it’s hard to complain at this price point.

2. Ugly Stik Bigwater Rod

• Length: 6’6″ to 15′
• Power: Medium to Heavy
• Rod Material: Ugly Tech (combo graphite & fiberglass)
• Guides: Stainless Steel
• Handle: EVA Foam
• Warranty: 7 Year manufacturing only

Pros:

• Budget friendly
• Wide size range makes it a great budget option as a shorter inshore rod or longer surf rod

Our choice for the best sheepshead rod under $100 is the Ugly Stik Bigwater Fishing Rod. Budget pricing doesn’t mean budget performance. This rod is nearly indestructible and comes in a range of sizes and powers perfect for all types of sheepshead fishing.

This rod is plenty sturdy. It’s heavier and less sensitive than most other similar class rods. The stainless steel inserts will succumb to saltwater corrosion quicker than pricier alternatives. The foam handle is functional and feels fine (although we personally prefer cork!).

We love that this rod comes in a huge range of sizes and it has a better warranty than many of the pricier rods available. For targeting sheepshead out of a boat or wading, get one around 7′. For surf or jetty fishing for sheepshead we recommend 10-12′.

This is an excellent budget option that can catch fish just as well as higher-end rods. Don’t think twice about adding an Ugly Stik Bigwater to your fishing arsenal.

3. St. Croix Triumph Inshore Rod

St. Croix Rods Triumph Inshore Spinning Rod Medium/Fast , 7’0″

• Length: 6’8″ – 7’6″
• Power: Medium-Light to Heavy
• Rod Material: SCII Carbon
• Guides: Aluminum-oxide
• Handle: Full Cork
• Warranty: 5 year

Pros:

• Great value for the money
• Premium sensitivity

Our choice for the best sheepshead rod under $200 is the Triumph Inshore Fishing Rod. This price point is the best bang for your buck for balancing quality and price. Our favorite aspect of the Triumph Inshore is it’s superior sensitivity which is important to detect subtle sheepshead strikes. Knowing you have a sheepshead messing with your bait because you felt a minor tap can mean the difference between catching the fish or not.

The 7 foot spinning, medium power, fast action Triumph Inshore is a great option as the best sheepshead rod on this list. This rod is made with saltwater rated components on a strong, lightweight, and sensitive rod blank. It’s perfect for soaking shrimp trying to catch big sheepshead.

The full cork handle feels great. There’s plenty of backbone in the medium power (or heavier) versions to deal with larger sheepshead while still maintaining excellent sensitivity to detect subtle strikes.

4. St. Croix Triumph Surf Rod

• Length: 7′ to 10’6″
• Power: Medium to Medium-Heavy
• Rod Material: SC2 Carbon
• Guides: Aluminum oxide
• Handle: Cork Tape
• Warranty: 5 Year
• Available in 2 and 4 piece versions

Pros:

• 36″ hard-sided travel case for the 4 piece version is a delight to transport
• Long, comfortable cork tape handle
• Premium rod features for reasonable price

Our top choice for best sheepshead rod for surf and jetty fishing is the St. Croix Triumph Surf Rod because it nails that perfect mix of features and value we’re always looking for. Make sure to check out our in-depth review of the Triumph Surf.

Surf, pier, and jetty fishing can require long casting distances. This means that surf fishing rods are much longer than regular fishing rods. We recommend surf rods around 10 feet long because you can cast what feels like a mile but the rod isn’t too big to become unmanageable. For a deeper dive on surf fishing rods, check out our article on the best surf fishing rods.

Surf and jetty fishing is a great way to target sheepshead with live or cut bait on a bottom rig. Having a longer surf rod to maximize casting distance can be the difference between a great day fishing and an empty cooler. For sheepshead, look for structure in the surf like current guts, rocks, or jetties to find sheepshead waiting to ambush prey.

St. Croix rods are synonymous with quality and the Triumph Surf Spinning Rod is no exception. We love the feel of the long, split cork table handle. It is comfortable and the rod casts like a dream.

The rod blank is St. Croix’s proprietary SC II graphite fiber which is lightweight, durable, and sensitive with a higher strain rate than fibers commonly used by other rod manufacturers. The Triumph Surf Rod is on the lighter end of available surf rods with superior sensitivity without sacrificing strength.

5. St. Croix Legend Tournament Inshore Rod

St. Croix Rods Legend Tournament Inshore Spinning Fishing Rod, ITLS70MF

• Length: 7′ to 7’11”
• Power: Light to Extra-Heavy
• Rod Material: SCIV+ Carbon Fiber
• Guides: Alconite & Stainless Steel
• Handle: Super Grade Cork
• Warranty: 15 Year
• Integrated Poly Curve (IPC), Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART), Fortified Resin System (FRS)

Pros:

• The best money can buy
• Made in the USA

Our choice for the best high-end sheepshead rod is the St. Croix Legend Tournament Inshore Rod. St. Croix pulled out all the stops with the this rod line. St. Croix’s Legend Tournament Inshore Rod is the strongest, lightest, and most sensitive sheepshead rod on the market.

We love the full cork handle, top end construction materials that should last forever, and St. Croix’s 15 year warranty. Our experience with St. Croix’s customer service has always been stellar so we feel it’s important to mention.

To top it all off, this rod line is made locally in Park Falls, Wisconsin!

The rod features four of St. Croix’s innovative technologies.

SCIV+ is St. Croix’s next gen, super high modulus carbon fiber. It is a hybrid carbon fiber blank enhanced with new IACT Glass technology that makes for a lighter, stronger, and more sensitive fishing rod.

Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) eliminates all transitional points in the rod blanks for smoother actions, increased strength, and greater sensitivity.

Advanced Reinforcing Technology (ART) is an exotic carbon fiber material that adds a magnitude (10x) of strength with virtually no increase in rod blank diameter or weight and significantly improves the hoop strength of the blank by preventing it from deforming under severe loads.

And last but not least, rods manufactured with the Fortified Resin System (FRS) advanced manufacturing protocol consistently test 33% stronger than those built with standard resins and curing methods.

Comparison Table

Check out this handy table comparing some of the key features of the rods on our list.

Conclusion

The best sheepshead rods need to primarily allow for effective live bait bottom rig fishing or popping cork fishing. Our best for the money choice is the Penn Battalion II Inshore rod because of it’s versatility and value. We also really like the St. Croix Triumph Inshore as our choice for best sheepshead rod under $200 because of the incredible quality, strength, and sensitivity for the price.

What are you waiting for? Get out there and catch some fish!

Check out our articles for great reels to pair with these rods:

• Best Saltwater Reels
• Best Saltwater Baitcasting Reels
• Best Saltwater Spinning Reels
• Best Inshore Reels
• Best Reels for Redfish and Speckled Trout

Check out our related rod articles:

• Best Inshore Fishing Rods
• Best Rods for Redfish and Speckled Trout
• Best Flounder Rods
• Best Saltwater Fishing Rods
• Best Saltwater Rod & Reel Combos
• Best Surf Fishing Rods
• Best Surf Fishing Rod & Reel Combos
• Best Pier Fishing Rods
• Best Trolling Rods

How to Choose The Best Sheepshead Rod For You

Choosing the best sheepshead rod should account for factors like rod power, action, materials, and portability. Sheepshead are targeted primarily with live shrimp or other baits on bottom rigs and popping corks. It’s important to have the best rod type for these styles of fishing.

For even more reading, check out our article on how to choose any fishing rod.

Spinning vs Baitcasting Rods for Sheepshead

The two most popular techniques for targeting flounder are live bait or cut bait bottom rigs or popping corks. Spinning rods are better for both of these scenarios because baitcasting reels tend to backlash with lighter setups and bait rigs.

Length

Anglers targeting sheepshead should pick rod length based on their selected fishing technique. Generally, longer rods can cast further, and shorter rods are easier to maneuver and are sturdier. The best rod length for most sheepshead anglers is rod around 7 feet long. This is a great length to be able to cast relatively far but still have the accuracy to pinpoint cast to a specific spot.

For sheepshead anglers fishing in the surf or on a jetty, rods between 10 and 12 feet are excellent options to allow for super long casts.

Power

Rod power is the fishing industry’s terminology for rod stiffness. Rod powers range from ultralight to heavy. Medium power is a great all around choice for sheepshead fishing. Most sheepshead caught are between 14 and 20 inches which is a perfect matchup for a medium power rod.

Sheepshead put up a decent fight but generally don’t push fishing rods to the limit. Because of this, dropping down to a medium-light power can be effective for anglers trying to maximize sensitivity without jeopardizing their ability to successfully catch a decent fish.

Action

Rod action refers to how far down the rod will bend when pressure is applied to the tip. Rod actions range from extra-fast (bends near tip) to slow (nearly the whole rod bends).

The faster the action, the more sensitive the rod will feel. The slower the action, the more casting distance you can get (the rod will feel like it whips more when you cast).

Fast actions are ideal for sheepshead fishing. They provide a balance of accurate casting and sensitivity. Fast actions also help with successful hooksets on sheepshead. Sheepshead have hard mouths that don’t tend to hook up as consistently as with other species like redfish. Fast actions help transmit the force of a hookset to the fish’s mouth which can reduces instances of lost sheepshead.

Check out our article on fishing rod actions for even more information.

Portability

Another key factor to picking the best sheepshead rod is portability.

Seven foot long rods fit in most vehicles and boat rod holders. Much longer and you may run into problems. Make sure you check if your rod can fit in your vehicle before you make a purchase!

Think about purchasing multi-piece ‘travel’ versions of rods and/or look into travel cases to help protect your rod during transport. There’s nothing worse than accidentally breaking a guide or the rod tip on the way to the boat launch or beach.

Handle Material

Rod handle feel is an important factor to consider when picking a sheepshead fishing rod. Common handle types are rubber shrink tube, cork tape, or neoprene. Rubber shrink is usually considered a more budget option, whereas cork or neoprene feels better to grip and handle.

Rod Guide Material

Rod guide material is important because lower quality materials are heavier and will rust quicker and could potentially fail. This can be partially avoided by rinsing rod guides with freshwater after every trip.

The highest end rods have titanium or silicone carbide (SiC) rod guides whereas middle end or budget rods will have some variation of aluminum oxide or stainless steel.

Higher end rod guides are made with lighter materials with lower friction that will either rust slower or not at all. Less expensive rod guides are heavier and will succumb to the elements more quickly.

For additional information on rod guide considerations, check out our article that explains fishing rod guides in detail.

Rod Material

Rod blank material affects rod strength and how the fishing rod deforms during casting or reeling in a fish. Common rod materials are graphite, fiberglass, and composite. Check out our deep dive on rod blanks for more information.

Graphite

Graphite rods have incredible sensitivity in lightweight packages. They are great for detecting subtle fish strikes. Graphite rod disadvantages are that the rods can be a little weaker than the other options and more susceptible to breakage, especially around nicks or scratches.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass is strong, durable and flexible but weighs more than graphite. They are less sensitive than the other types of rod materials.

Composite

Composite rod materials are a mix of graphite and fiberglass that seek to have the light weight and sensitivity of graphite rods with the strength of fiberglass rods.

Reel Seat

Reel seats are the component where the fishing reel is secured onto the fishing rod by tightening a locking nut. The basic parts of a reel seat are the body, hood, locking nut, and barrel threads. Common reel seat materials are either graphite or aluminum which are both lightweight, corrosion resistant materials. Reel seats are sized to match the power of the rod. For example, a reel seat on an ultralight fishing rod won’t fit a massive 10000 size spinning reel.

Most freshwater applications utilize fully graphite reel seats due to graphite’s light weight. For heavier duty saltwater applications, reel seats are commonly upgraded to machine-grade aluminum for increased strength. For targeting the largest fish on the planet, the complete rod butt and reel seat can be aluminum for maximum strength.

Maintenance and Care

Maintaining your fishing rod ensures its longevity and performance. After each use, rinse it with fresh water to remove dirt and debris, especially if you’ve been fishing in saltwater. Dry it thoroughly before storage to prevent rust and corrosion. Occasionally check for any signs of wear or damage. Store your rod vertically or horizontally on a rack, avoiding extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.

Explore our ultimate guide on fishing rod maintenance and care for comprehensive insights into maintaining your sheepshead fishing rod, avoiding common causes of damage, and mastering preventative strategies to ensure your gear remains in prime condition.

Sheepshead Rod Frequently Asked Questions

What reel to pair with sheepshead rod?

Sheepshead rods should be paired with high-quality, saltwater rated reels that match the rod type. Spinning rods should be matched with spinning reels and casting rods should be matched with baitcasting reels.

Match spinning rods with 3000 to 4000 size spinning reels for a great all around choice for common species like redfish, sheepshead, speckled trout, flounder, and striped bass. Pair inshore casting rods with saltwater rated baitcasting reels.

Check out our articles on the best saltwater casting reels and the best saltwater spinning reels for great reel options to pair with these rods.

Be sure to thoroughly clean your equipment after saltwater fishing with a gentle freshwater rinse. Sand and salt spray gets in everything and your gear will last longer if you spray it down after each outing.

What is the best length sheepshead rod?

The best length for sheepshead fishing rods is 7 feet long. This length rod can accurately make long casts while still having enough backbone to reel in larger sheepshead. Seven feet rods are a perfect mix of casting distance without being too large for most anglers to comfortably handle.

Is mono or braid better for sheepshead rods?

Braided fishing line is preferable for sheepshead fishing. Braided line has significantly smaller diameter for the same strength line when compared to mono. This can be key while inshore fishing, because wind and waves will constantly be pulling at your line and trying to take your bait out of the strike zone. The smaller diameter means less effect from the elements.

What strength line for sheepshead fishing?

Sheepshead fishing is best performed with 20 to 30 pound rated braided line. Sheepshead aren’t the toughest fighters and are unlikely to break the line themselves but they are found near rocks and other sharp structure which makes it important to have fishing line strong enough to pull the sheepshead out of the structure without breaking off.

How much line do you need for sheepshead fishing?

Inshore anglers targeting sheepshead need around 150 yards of line on their spool although they will rarely use more than 50 yards. Sheepshead fishing is relatively close quarters and casts are usually max of around 50 yards. Sheepshead put up a decent fight but generally aren’t going to make a long run and potentially spool a reel.

Are sheepshead good to eat?

Sheepshead are great to eat. They have white, flakey flesh similar to black drum and redfish. They can be slightly difficult to fillet because of their tough scales and somewhat oblong shape, but any angler looking to keep fish shouldn’t think twice about keeping a legal sized sheepshead.

Written By: Andrew Juran

Andrew is a seasoned angler with over 25 years of experience fishing across the United States. He has caught dozens of sheepshead using various techniques and mentored many in the art of fishing. An advocate for sustainable fishing, Andrew is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association, an organization committed to marine conservation.

For frequent fishing tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and real-time catches, connect with Andrew on Instagram