Health & Fitness

Have A Reel-y Good Time with These 7 Fishing Rods

7 fishing rods for every Malaysian budget, from the Abu Garcia BMAX SX (RM257.76) to budget picks from RM31.50. Compare types and what each rod suits.


Editor · Updated 31 Oct 2026

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Have A Reel-y Good Time with These 7 Fishing Rods

There’s an old saying that goes “A fisherman is only as good as his rod”. Although not necessarily true, any angler worth his salt will tell you that choosing a good rod fundamentally affects your fishing ability. In other words, having the right rod will greatly increase your chances of catching fish.

In this article, we’ll take a quick look at some of the best rods available on the Malaysian market for your reading pleasure.

Contents
Abu Garcia BMAX SX Fishing Rod
Best fishing rod for lake fishing 1 of 7
Abu Garcia BMAX SX Fishing Rod
Partnership with Abu Garcia
From RM257.76
Carbon rod body built to flex under a hooked fish without snapping on light tackle
Works as a spinning or baitcasting rod, so one blank covers two casting styles
Sits a notch above entry-level pricing for a rod-only purchase
1 more point
No reel included, pair it with a matching spinning or baitcasting reel

Abu Garcia has long been a mainstay of professional sports fishing and their product range covers most types and environments of recreational fisheries. The Axecutor Huntsman Aaxs 603 Spin Rod is one of Abu Garcia’s freshwater fishing rod that’s made with high performance reinforced carbon.

Spanning 6 feet in length, the rod is especially well suited for freshwater lake luring or bait fishing. It can be paired with any suitable Spinner reel.

LEO Telescopic Carbon Fishing Rod
Best fishing rod for beginners 2 of 7
LEO Telescopic Carbon Fishing Rod
Partnership with LEO
From RM51.70
Collapses to a short carry length that fits in a backpack or car boot
Carbon build keeps the rod light for a full day of casting
Telescopic joints are the first part to wear loose on a budget rod
1 more point
No reel bundled, so factor in a small spinning reel on top

If you’re just beginning to dabble in recreational fishing, the Leo Outdoor Telescopic Fishing Rod set is an ideal piece to start with. Made compact, the collapsible rod extends to a perfectly adequate 4.5 feet with an enclosed reel to eliminate messy line tangles.

For a sturdy yet lightweight composition, the rod is made with fibreglass.  The material also allows you to feel any vibration when a fish tugs on your line.  With a rubberised grip, this is especially useful for when you need to grip your rod against a strong catch comfortably.

Suitable for light action in both freshwater and saltwater settings, it’s great for testing your mettle in a variety of settings before moving on to more professional equipment.

Seahawk Bass Force BC Combo Set
Best fishing rod and reel for bass 3 of 7
Seahawk Bass Force BC Combo Set
Partnership with Seahawk
From RM193.50
Rod and baitcasting reel sold together, so there is nothing extra to buy before your first cast
Seahawk builds specifically for Malaysian freshwater bass and estuary fishing
A combo at this price trades tournament-grade components for convenience
1 more point
Heavier in hand than a rod-only setup, noticeable on a long session

This combo set combines the Seahawk Bass Lite reel with Quantum’s Snapshot carbon rod for a perfect match to catch some bass. The 6-foot carbon Snapshot rod is lightweight, sensitive and durable, letting you feel every part of a fight and is rated for fish ranging from 3-7 KGs.

Its light body also means less fatigue even after hours of fishing.

Mini Pocket Fishing Rod Set
Best fishing rod for kids 4 of 7
Mini Pocket Fishing Rod Set
Partnership with
From RM33.90
Folds down to pen size, small enough for a school bag or glove box
Comes with a reel and line already spooled, ready to cast out of the box
Collapsed length is too short for anything beyond small panfish or prawns
1 more point
Not built to handle a strong fighting fish

Do you want to start your kids up on fishing? Well, look no further than the Fishing Rod Pen, a perfect gift for budding young anglers.  This compact, lightweight rod and reel set collapses easily to pen size for easy storage and transportation. Despite its diminutive stature, the pen rod is a real fishing rod.

Its small size makes it easy for kids to handle. The included reel works simply in a forward-and-reverse direction with a ratcheting stop mechanism. You can keep the rod in your glove compartment in case an opportunity arises for you and your little one.

Bossna Zantetus Casting Rod
Best fishing rod with reel 5 of 7
Bossna Zantetus Casting Rod
Partnership with Bossna
From RM300
Built for baitcasting accuracy rather than general-purpose casting
Bossna is a Korean brand with a following among local baitcasting anglers
Rod only, so a baitcasting reel is a separate purchase on top
1 more point
A step up in price from the beginner rods on this list

For serious fishing enthusiasts, they would know that BOSSNA is one of the best mid-range angling equipment brands on the market today. This combo rod and reel set consist of the BOSSNA Liva Max 5.2 feet carbon rod that features an aluminium frame and Titanium nitride.

Other features include a line guide, a reel that features magnetic braking, a power crank handle and a soft touch knob.  The set itself is a combination of excellent pieces to make sure you never miss a fish again.

Best fishing rod for saltwater
Best fishing rod for saltwater 6 of 7
Daiwa Crossfire X Fishing Rod
Partnership with
From RM111
Titanium Oxide guides and a stainless-steel reel seat resist salt and corrosion
A recognised name for shoreline and jetty saltwater casting
Rod only, no reel bundled
1 more point
Built for saltwater casting and jigging, not a dedicated freshwater finesse setup

Tired of freshwater fishes? The Daiwa Crossfire X is created for saltwater settings such as shoreline, casting and jigging fishing. Featuring a high-performance graphite blanks, carbon braiding, Titanium Oxide ring guides and a stainless-steel hooded reel seat, the rod will withstand corrosion and rusting which can be damaged by the rough sea.

Best fishing rod for the money
Best fishing rod for the money 7 of 7
Pancing Udang Galah
Partnership with
From RM31.50
Everything in one box: rod, a spooled reel, hooks, sinkers and swivels
The cheapest way onto this list for anyone just trying the hobby
4.5-feet beginner length is built for prawns and small catches, not serious angling
1 more point
The included line and hooks are starter-grade, expect to upgrade them first

While this affordable all-in-one set is meant for prawns, it is still suitable for fishing smaller catches. In the set, you’ll find a 4.5-feet beginner rod, a reel that’s spooled with fishing line, and a packet of prawn fishing hooks. There’s also a few sinker weights and a pack of Exori Swivels to ensure your line won’t twist when you reel in your catch.

Disclaimer: The pricing shown is just a good indication of how much these products are worth. The prices could change based on the e-commerce promotions that are going on. If some of the products are not available, do email us at [email protected]. Thank you!

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