We did the research to help you find the companies that are making fishing rods right here in the USA. Below are our findings of USA made fishing rods, along with the factors that we considered in our analysis. If you haven’t yet, also check out our research on fishing reels made in the USA.
Complete List of Fishing Rod Brands Made in the USA
R.L. Winston makes it a priority to make their rods locally and support their community in rural Montana. Their Winston Rods are made for fly fishers around the world. Winston Rods are designed to flex just slightly more than a typical rod does, making it a bit more accurate. This added flex protects more delicate tippets and creates a buttery smooth feel during casts. Winston rods offer better action and control as well, giving you complete power back just a split second after casting. It’s designed to go back to straight faster than a typical rod does, giving you more control. Winston rods also have top-quality cork handles and a tough protective finish that’s known for lasting for years.
Thomas & Thomas has a reputation for making quality fly fishing rods for anglers around the United States. They are committed to making high-quality fishing rods 100% made in the USA. Thomas & Thomas offer a variety of different fishing rods, including freshwater rods and saltwater rods.
Founded in 1982, G. Loomis has become a well-known name among the angler community for their high-quality rods. While they still have plenty of models that are handcrafted in Woodland, Washington, it’s worth noting that not all of their rods are made in the USA.
Cajun Rods has been producing high-quality carbon fiber fishing rods since 2007. They proudly make all their rods in the USA, engineering, designing, and manufacturing it all in their own factory, ensuring quality and attention to detail. You can fish for a ton of different species using a bunch of different techniques with these rods – they’re made to be versatile for any type of spinning or casting you want to do.
St. Croix is a well-known American fishing company specializing in fresh and saltwater rods. Their rods are known for their sturdy and durable construction as well as superior performance. And there’s a 5-year warranty that comes with every purchase. St. Croix offer a variety of different rods to cater to every budget.
Lamiglas rods are perfect for a variety of different anglers with various interests. And they are committed to ensure their each of their rods is entirely made in the USA. This company offers rods for freshwater, saltwater, and fly fishing.
Hammer Rods makes rods from 100% graphite with hand-rolled blanks, and they flex-test each one by hand in their assembly process. They employ many underserved women in their community who need jobs to care for children and loved ones, which is great to see too.
Mike’s YouTube Video on American Made Fishing Rods
How to Find Fishing Rods Made in the USA
We want to give you more than just a huge selection of fishing rods made in the United States; we want to arm you with the information you need to do your own research and make informed decisions. The section below provides a deeper look at the fishing rod manufacturing sector, covering topics like labeling, material sourcing, and methods for locating top-notch American made fishing rod companies. Let’s begin by analyzing the nuances of the “made in the USA” label and how to interpret it.
What Does “Made In The USA” Mean?
The phrase “made in the USA” is regulated by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). To display the “made in the USA” label on their products, companies must prove that “all or virtually all” of the product was made in the United States. This means that all significant parts and processing must take place in the United States. Also, the product must be assembled in the USA with no more than an insignificant amount of foreign content.
According to FTC guidelines, a product that contains foreign components may still be labeled as “made in the USA” if most of the product is American-made. For example, a fishing rod made of American-made graphite with foreign-made cork handles could still be labeled as “made in the USA.”
If you’d like to learn more, check out our detailed guide.
Materials
A few different materials are commonly used to make fishing rods. Graphite, fiberglass, and composite are the most popular choices. Ideally, you want a fishing rod made of high-quality materials sourced from the USA to ensure you get a great product. By researching the materials used in a fishing rod, you can get an idea of where the rod was made.
Graphite
Graphite is a strong and lightweight material often used in high-end fishing rods. The USA does not produce any graphite, as 100% of the graphite used in the USA is imported. Most of the world’s Graphite (62%) comes from China. So if you are looking for a genuinely American-made fishing rod, you should steer away from graphite rods.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is another popular material for fishing rods. It’s a synthetic material mainly made of silica. The vast majority of fiberglass used in fishing rods is imported from China, but the USA is the second largest producer of the product. So, it is still possible to find American-made fiberglass rods.
New Generation Composite Material
Composite rods are made from a combination of different materials, including graphite, fiberglass, and even Kevlar. Some companies use American-made composite materials, while others source their composite materials from other countries like China.
Handles and Lines
Cork
The handles on fishing rods are usually made from cork. Cork is sourced from the bark of cork oak trees, which are almost exclusively found in Mediterranean countries like Portugal, Spain, and Algeria. You will most likely not find fishing rods with cork handles that are genuinely made in the USA.
Plastic
Fishing lines are usually made of plastic, while the lowers are made of different materials like metals, plastic, and even rubber. The USA produces around 20% of the world’s plastic, so it is definitely possible to find some fishing gear sourced from the USA. Even though most materials used to make fishing lines and lowers are sourced from other countries, you can still find some made in the USA.
Labeling
One way to tell if a fishing rod is made in the USA is to look at the label. The “made in the USA” label is a big signifier of whether a product is made in the United States or not. However, the FTC does not do the best job at policing this label, so it’s worth doing some additional research to ensure the product is actually made in the USA.
By law, companies are required to label where their products are made. Some companies will try to be sneaky and use wording like “assembled in the USA” or “made in America,” but if a label does not specifically say “made in the USA,” take it with a grain of salt.
The best way to be sure that you are buying a product that is genuinely made in America is to research the company and the product itself to ensure they are reputable and that their products are actually made in the USA.
Keep in mind that although companies must be clear about where their products are made on the packaging or labeling of the product, this is not a legal requirement for online materials. So, be wary if a company does not outright say whether or not its products are made in the USA.
It can be tricky to find products that are truly 100% made in the USA, but it’s worth it to do your research and buy products that support American workers and businesses.
Other Tips
In addition to looking at the label, here are some other tips to help you find American-made fishing rods.
Check the Company Website
Most companies that manufacture their products in the USA will list this information prominently on their website. So, if you have a specific brand in mind, take a look at their website to see if they make their rods in the USA. Companies will not be shy to advertise their American-made products if they are truly sourced and manufactured in the United States.
Call The Company
If you’re still not sure if a particular fishing rod is made in the USA, your best bet is to call the company and ask. Most companies are happy to answer questions about their products, and they’ll be able to tell you whether or not their fishing rods are made in the USA.
Don’t Be Fooled By the U.S. Flag
Just because a company uses the U.S. flag in its marketing materials or on its products does not necessarily mean the product is made in the USA.
If you want a fishing kayak recommendation for your next expedition, check out our complete list of kayaks made in the USA and paddleboards made in the USA.
Fishing Rods Not Made in the USA
During our research, we came across some big fishing rod manufacturers who are not making their rods in the USA. We’ve included the full list below as well as where they’re being manufactured.
- Shimano – Made in Japan and Malaysia.
- Abu Garcia – Made in China, Korea, and Taiwan (but their Ambassadeur C3 and C4 4000-7000 series are made in Sweden).
- Penn – Made overseas (except for their Senator and International series).
- Daiwa – Made in Japan, the UK, and the Far East.
- Pflueger – Made in China.
- KastKing – Made in China and South Korea.
- Ugly Stik – Made in China.
- Dobyns – Made in China and Korea.
