Choosing the right fishing rod for saltwater inshore fishing is essential to both your success on the water and your overall enjoyment. Inshore saltwater fishing typically targets species like redfish, snook, speckled trout, flounder, and mangrove snapper in shallower waters, such as backwater estuaries, flats, and mangroves. Because of the unique challenges these environments present, the rod you select should match the type of fishing you plan to do, the size of the fish you're targeting, and the conditions in which you’ll be fishing.
So, we had our resident rod expert Bob McKamey sit down and put together the best rod kits to target anything that swims inshore. Each component of these rod kits have been meticulously chosen to provide rod builders and angler the best possible chance to cross all species of your bucket list. Not only does he take into consideration the common specifications of rod like power, action, length and materials, but he dives in deeper to make sure the components match the reel size most often used as well as specific handle length.
For those who have bought saltwater inshore rod off the rack, you typically find rods with unnecessarily oversized guides and more moderate actions. Well, not here at Mud Hole. We take the old school thought of saltwater inshore rods and throw it out the window. With the continuing growth of innovative artificial lures, certain rods that might not have been considered inshore rods, are now the most popular.
"Just because I was born and raised in Tennessee doesn't mean I don't love saltwater fishing. When we were younger, it was all live or dead bait and wait. Now, we have adapted so many lures to the saltwater inshore game, I find myself using my favorite bass rods when I want to go catch seatrout. Watch a big gator trout blowup on your topwater, you'll be hooked." - Bob McKamey
In total, we have 17 Backcountry, Flats, and Inshore Rod Kits. With both spinning and casting options I want to highlight some of my favorite here in this blog. Follow these links to see the Spinning Collection or Casting Collection.
Backcountry, Flats, and Inshore Spinning Rod Kits
SJ841 - Bonefish and Seatrout Spinning Kit
The SJ841 comes from the MHX Spin Jig series and is a top choice for light weight artificials like the DOA Shrimp or a flats jig at laid up seatrout or even tailing bonefish. This blank features a non-traditional saltwater fast action and with its light power can handle the delicate presentations needed on the flats. We recommend paring this kit with a size 2500 reel with a good drag and 10lb braided line. Check out our spinning reel options.
Specifications: 7'0" | 6-10 lb. | 1/16 - 5/16oz | Fast Action | Light Power
L843 Slot Redfish Spinning Kit
The L843 comes from the MHX Inshore series and is a top choice for throwing popping corks, live shrimp and even your favorite soft plastic for seatrout and redfish. This blank features a traditional saltwater moderate-fast action and the medium power allows for light line tactics when chasing wary backcountry fish. Don't forget this kit comes in 14 of the Metallic MHX colors!
Specifications: 7'0" | 10-17 lb. | 3/8 – 1-1/4 oz | Mod-Fast Action | Medium Power
LS76/10-20 Snook and Big Redfish Spinning Kit
The LS76/10-20 comes from the MHX Bushido Inshore series and is a top choice for popular artificials like the NLBN paddle tails for snook and upperslot redfish or is makes a great livebait rod. This blank features a traditional saltwater moderate-fast action and the medium heavy power allows pulling hard running fish away from dangerous cover. Don't forget, Bob took into consideration the size of the reel when choosing the components, so this kit is sized to handle a 4000 size spinning reel.
Specifications: 7'6" | 10-20 lb. | 3/8 - 1 1/4oz | Mod-Fast Action | Med-Heavy Power
BNEX8/30-50 Tarpon and Striper Spinning Kit
The BNEX8/30-50 comes from the MHX Bushido Nanophene Max series and is a top choice for popular artificials like a oversized swimbaits for jack crevalle or it makes a great livebait rod for coastal tarpon. This blank features a non-traditional saltwater fast action and the heavy power allows anglers to control the meanest saltwater gamefish. The components in this kit reflect the power and durability needed to battle these tough fish. You will notice double footed guides, extended grips and a reel seat to accommodate reels from 5000-8000 size.
Specifications: 7'11" | 30-50 lb. | 300g | Fast Action | Heavy Power
Backcountry, Flats, and Inshore Casting Rod Kits
MB842 Seatrout and Sheepshead Casting Kit
The MB842 comes from the MHX Mag Bass series and is a top choice for popular artificials like the zara spook for redfish or a jig head and paddle tail combo for seatrout. This blank features a non-traditional saltwater fast action and with its medium power makes it an incredibly versatile option for inshore. We recommend a casting reel that can withstand the saltwater environment and spooled with 30lb braided line.
Specifications: 7'0" | 8-15 lb. | 1/8 - 1/2oz | Fast Action | Medium Power
MB873 Flounder and Redfish Casting Kit
The MB873 comes from the MHX Mag Bass series and is a top choice for popular artificials like the Z-Man paddle tails for snook or a fish finder and live bait combo for flounder and redfish. This blank features a non-traditional saltwater fast action and with its longer length and medium-heavy power makes it a top choice for inshore gamefish. Don't forget this kit comes in 14 of the Metallic MHX colors!
Specifications: 7'3" | 10-17 lb. | 1/4 - 3/4oz | Fast Action | Med-Heavy Power
FP885 Bull Redfish and Snook Casting Kit
The FP885 comes from the MHX Flippin’ and Pitchin’ series and is a top choice for popular artificials like a Flare Hawk for big snook or free-lining a live mullet for bull redfish. This blank features a traditional saltwater moderate-fast action and the heavy power allows anglers to control large saltwater gamefish. As one of my favorite bass rods, it only makes sense to build one for saltwater. I never leave home without an FP885.
Specifications: 7'4" | 12-20 lb. | 3/8 - 1 1/2oz | Mod-Fast Action | Heavy Power
LS76/20-40 Cobia and Striper Casting Kit
The LS76/20-40 comes from the MHX Bushido Inshore series and is a top choice for popular artificials like a large hair jig for cobia or it makes a great livebait rod when trolling mackerel in the northeast for striped bass. This blank features a traditional saltwater moderate-fast action and the heavy power allows anglers to control large saltwater gamefish. With this heavy power kit the guides have been upgraded to double footers and the reel seat is a size 20 to accommodate a 300 or 400 size reel with 40lb braided line.
Specifications: 7'6" | 20-40 lb. | 1/2 - 2oz | Mod-Fast Action | Heavy Power
The Tackle Room
So, those are my favorite cherry picked collection from our latest Backcountry, Flats, and Inshore Rod Kits. As I mentioned before and provided links above, Mud Hole now has an impressive tackle shop in the showroom. From Shimano, to Diawa, Florida Fishing products and more the reel counter is full! Plus, line for major manufactures line Sunline and PowerPro to match your favorite reel. Since you are ordering a rods kit or we thought why not also have everything else to take care of you while your on the water. From Bass Tackle to Inshore and even offshore, Mud Hole has become a one stop shop whether you are shopping in house or online. Browse the Reel and Gear section to see all the cool stuff!
