You could easily spend thousands on a fishing rod that’s ultra lightweight or designed for a specific species. However, most casual fishers — and even some experts — would be happier with something more versatile and less expensive.We’ve spent hundreds of hours over the past decade testing spinning rods (and reels) for casual anglers on reasonable budgets, and right now our favorite all-around rod for most people is the Ugly Stik Carbon Inshore Spinning Rod. (We also have a standalone guide to fishing reels.)It’s approachable enough for a novice to learn on, yet it performs well enough for a seasoned veteran to depend on. And it won’t give up its ghost without some considerable abuse.