As I worked down a bluff wall with a ned rig searching for smallmouth, the screen of my fish finder lit up. The boat had just gone over a submerged brush pile, and boy oh boy, were there crappie on it. I quickly reeled up, clipped the ned rig off the Trika 10X spinning rod in my hand, and tied on a crappie jig.
I turned to the back of the boat and fired a cast just beyond the brush pile and let my jig get to depth. After a few cranks of the reel, I felt a “tap, tap… THUMP” as a crappie inhaled my offering. My bass fishing trip turned into a crappie fish fry mission real quick.
After the school went dead, I had enough fish for dinner, and went back to chucking around the ned rig. There was no need to switch rods.
In short: That’s my favorite part of the Trika 10X 7’3″ light, extra fast, spinning rod ($400). It’s a near-perfect multi-species rod, and it goes on almost every fishing trip with me, whether I’m chasing crappie, trout, or bass. Thanks to a very unique handle and high-quality materials, it’s one of the most sensitive rods I’ve ever used. It’s a finesse angler’s dream.
Trika 10X Spinning Rod Review
- Length: 7'3"
- Power: Light
- Action: Extra fast
- Lure range: 1/16 oz.–5/16 oz.
Pros
- Extreme sensitivity
- Lightweight
- Excellent handle
- Great multi-species rod
- Made in USA
Cons
- Price
- Limited to light lures
Truly Unmatched Sensitivity
Every rod claims to be sensitive. Heck, I write rod reviews and generally highlight sensitivity. It’s not a lie, though. When I say a rod is sensitive, it’s because it is.
But the U.S.-made Trika 10X rods, released in 2025, take the term “sensitive” to a new level. I will go on record as saying this particular model is the most sensitive spinning rod in my arsenal, by a significant margin.
Handle on the Trika 10X Spinning Rod
A big part of that sensitivity comes from the most apparent feature on the rod, the handle. Trika didn’t do what every other brand does and just throw a cork or foam handle on the rod. The brand looked for ways to improve it and brought unique tech to the rod world that actually makes a difference.
The handle is made entirely of carbon fiber and is completely hollow. There is quite literally nothing to damp the feeling between your hand and the lure you’re fishing. Every tip and tap is transmitted through the rod handle.
Additionally, there is a perfectly placed, exposed portion of the rod blank inlaid in the handle. When holding the rod, my finger tip naturally rests perfectly on it, making the sensitivity that much better.
At first, I was concerned that the handle wouldn’t be very grippy. However, it has a texture to it, and my hand grips it well, even when wet.
The handle’s overall shape is trim, and there’s only bulk in the spots where you place your hand. That, in conjunction with the material, helps make the rod ridiculously lightweight. Even though the Trika 10X spinning rod I have is 7’3″, it honestly feels more like a 6′ rod.
Other Materials
Trika currently has four rod series, and the 10X is the highest-performing and most expensive series in the line. The jump up in price and performance is due to the improved carbon and some of the best rod guides on the market.
This spinning rod uses a 10-weave carbon blank, which boosts the sensitivity over the other models. It also makes a lighter, thinner, more durable blank.
The guides are phenomenal. They’re made of titanium with Torzite inserts, making them nearly indestructible. I certainly am not one to baby rods, no matter the price. I run guides into the sides of rod tubes all the dang time, and as a result, end up with many broken guides. These ones still look good as new after a year of heavy use.
On-the-Water Performance of the Trika 10X Spinning Rod
Of all of my fishing rods, this is currently my favorite for finesse fishing. It’s truly a pleasure to fish on the water.
Where It Excels
If lightweight, finesse fishing is in the cards, the Trika 10X 7’3″ Light, Extra fast rod reigns king in my book. There’s just nothing else I’ve used that can bomb long casts with light lures and detect subtle bites quite as well as it can.
When I’m chasing bass, it’s always strung up with ultra-finesse lures, like a tiny ned rig or a super-light dropshot. It can cast those lighter baits much better than my medium-light bass rods, and packs plenty of power to drive hooksets in at a distance, thanks to the extra-fast action. And don’t let the “light” rating fool you. The Trika 10X has plenty of backbone to fight even the biggest bellied bass.
Its finesse-centric build makes it a very versatile rod. This is one of the few rods I own that not only transitions from bass over to panfish and trout, but also does so exceptionally well.
The Trika 10X 7’3″ Light rod is in no way, shape, or form overgunned for crappie. I really enjoy using it to fish slip bobber set-ups over submerged structure. The longer length and fast action allow me to get solid hooksets on non-moving baits, and it’s very efficient at picking up slack. On the flip side, it’s not too obnoxiously long to fish moving baits with, something that’s pretty tough to swing with ultra-long crappie poles.
And trout on spinners? Yep, it’s good at that too.
Where It Struggles
This is a finesse rod, and in the bass world it is more limited in use than other, heavier spinning rods. That’s not because the rod is bad; it’s just not what it’s made for. There are other Trika 10X rod models that are better for versatile bassing.
It’s not a rod you’re going to want to throw tubes or Texas rigs with. It’s rated to a maximum of 5/16-ounce lures. I have pushed the rod beyond that, throwing heavier dropshot weights coming in at 3/8 ounces. The rod handled it just fine, thanks to the stiffer action, but I wouldn’t push it much further.
Final Thoughts: Who Should Buy the Trika 10X Spinning Rod?
The asking price of the Trika 10X spinning rod is pretty steep but completely justified, in my opinion. There are rods of a similar price that are simply not as sensitive as this one. That being said, the price will be a barrier to some, and there are two “groups” of anglers I think this particular rod would be a good fit for. The first is the dedicated bass guys. You know, the ones with 20 rods on deck, equipped for any situation. If that’s you, you need this rod for your ultra finesse tactics.
For tactics that require stealth, light lures, and extreme sensitivity, it makes sense to spend money to have the best. You may not need the extra sensitivity of premium bass rods for power fishing techniques, as it won’t make a huge difference. But when light line, tiny jig heads, and subtle bites are on the docket, the difference between premium and budget rods really starts to stand out.
I also think this is a good rod for multi-species guys who enjoy bass fishing, but may find themselves chasing crappie, panfish, or trout the next day. This rod does all of those things well, and its versatility makes the price a bit more justifiable. If you’re an opportunist, chasing whatever crosses your path on a river, lake, creek, or pond, it’s a good rod to have on hand, and you’ll pack it everywhere.
Really, it’s the perfect rod for anyone looking for sensitivity. I’ve fished a lot of rods, and the Trika 10X takes the cake in that department.
