Let me start with something important: when you book a trip with me, you don’t need to bring a fishing rod at all. My boat is fully rigged with high-end, technique-specific setups, ready to fish the moment we leave the dock. Still, the most common tackle-related question I get is: “What rod should I use for zander and perch in Amsterdam?”
Many anglers enjoy fishing with their own gear, or simply want to understand why certain rods work better in Amsterdam’s waters than others. This guide is meant as a helping hand—an insight into the choices I make as a professional fishing guide—so you can fish with confidence, whether you use my rods or bring one you already love. And yes… there’s another reason I wrote this article: I just love talking about fishing rods.
Let’s break it down into the four things that matter most when choosing the right rod for Amsterdam: rod type, length, power, and action.
Spinning rod or casting rod?
For zander and perch fishing in Amsterdam, a spinning rod is usually the smartest and most practical choice. The reason is simple: distance matters more than pinpoint accuracy here. We often cover large bodies of water, fish long edges, and work lighter rigs, always with thin braided lines—so effortless casting and clean line control are key.
Especially with lighter setups—1/8 to 1/4 oz (3.5–7 g) jigheads, dropshots, Ned rigs, small shads—a spinning rod performs more consistently and with far less hassle. And let’s be honest: no one books a fishing trip to spend half the session untangling a baitcaster bird’s nest.
Rod length
Rod length is all about comfort and control. As a guide, I fish from a boat with limited space, so I choose lengths that are easy to handle all day. These are the exact dimensions you’ll find in the rod locker on my boat when we go out for zander and perch:
- Casting (boat): 7 ft / 210 cm
The ideal balance between casting distance and boat-friendly handling. Perfect for both the Amsterdam canals and open water like the River IJ and the great lakes surrounding Amsterdam.
- Vertical jigging (boat): 6 ft / 180 cm
Shorter rods give more direct contact, better sensitivity, and precise control under the boat.
- When shore fishing in Amsterdam:
A 7 ft rod works perfectly. If you want extra range and better control around obstacles, an 8 ft / 240 cm rod is a good choice. (Note: I don’t offer this service, but you might want to go bank fishing on your own)
Casting weight and power
Amsterdam isn’t a heavy-current environment like the big Dutch rivers. Therefore you don’t need heavy rods to fish effectively here. Most zander and perch fishing revolves around finesse, sensitivity, and staying in constant contact with your bait.
Finesse Perch and zander (light rigs, subtle techniques)
- Casting weight: 1/8–1/2 oz (3.5–14 g)
- Power: Medium-Light
- Reel size: 1000–2000
Power fishing for zander (heavier jigs and crankbaits)
- Casting weight: 3/16–5/8 oz (5–18 g)
- Power: Medium
- Reel size: 2000–2500
This keeps the setup light, responsive, and comfortable for long sessions—without sacrificing hook-setting power or fish control.
Action (the “feel” of the rod)
If there are two words that define my spinning rods to fish casting in Amsterdam, they are Extra Fast and Fast.
After almost 20 years of experience, I stick to one simple rule:
- Medium-Light power → Extra Fast action
- Medium power → Fast action
Why Extra Fast and Fast action work best
- Sensitivity – even the smallest tick or hesitation is transmitted instantly.
- Hook-up ratio – a firm backbone helps drive hooks home, especially in the hard mouth of a zander.
For lighter finesse rods, Extra Fast action gives ultra-sensitive bite detection, while the softer blank still loads gently enough to let cautious fish test the bait without immediate resistance. That’s why, for techniques like dropshot, Ned rig, and Carolina rig, you’ll almost always see me hand guests an Extra Fast spinning rod.
For Medium power rods, I prefer Fast over Extra Fast. Bigger zander—and frequent bycatch of serious pike—require a bit more forgiveness to avoid pulled hooks, broken lines, or lost fish during the fight.
My personal Ultimate Rod Selection for Zander and Perch
Now that the fundamentals are clear, the next question is obvious: which rods do I personally trust—and why?
On my boat, you’ll find almost exclusively rods from St. Croix. Not because they look good in photos (though they do), but because years of guiding have shown me what truly holds up, performs consistently, and keeps guests fishing comfortably—whether it’s their first zander or their hundredth.
I don’t believe in “one rod does it all.” Different techniques demand different blanks, tapers, and power curves. That’s why I fish multiple St. Croix series side by side, each chosen for a specific job—from ultra-finesse perch fishing to casting big baits for big zander.
Finesse rods for perch and zander
Finesse fishing in Amsterdam is all about feel. Naturally cautious fish, light baits, subtle bites, and long days on the water demand rods that are sensitive, balanced, and genuinely enjoyable to fish with. After more than a decade of fishing mainly with the Legend Tournament series—still an outstanding value range—I’ve upgraded my rod selection to the St. Croix Rayfin and St Croix Legend Xtreme to ensure that my guests always fish with the very best, maximizing feel, control, and enjoyment on the water in Amsterdam. Let me explain what you can expect rod-wise when fishing with me.
Rayfin MLXF — finesse with feel
The Rayfin Medium-Light, Extra Fast, 208 cm (RAYS208MLXF) is one of my absolute favourites for targeting (large) perch and finicky zander. With a casting weight of 1/8–1/4 oz (3.5–7 g), it’s ideal for Ned rigs, dropshots, Carolina rigs, light jigheads, plus small crankbaits and spinbaits.
Finesse fishing is about feeling—both for the fish and the angler. In that sense, Rayfin equals feeling. This series was developed specifically for the European market, with smart zander and trophy perch in mind.
In my humble opinion, the Rayfin is clearly inspired by the first generation Legend Xtreme. The dark green blank has that same crisp, fast response and high sensitivity, but wrapped in a more forgiving, guide-friendly package.
Legend Xtreme 73MLXF — finesse without compromise
At the very top of the high-end spectrum sits the second generation Legend Xtreme Medium-Light, Extra Fast, 7’3” / 221 cm (LXFS73MLXF). This mean looking matte black rod is simply top of the food chain.
Sensitivity, responsiveness, crispness, speed—this rod operates in a league of its own. The hyper-fast action creates an almost unreal connection to your bait, like a direct fibre-optic line to the fish.
It truly excels at dropshot fishing in deeper water and at long distance, but it’s equally impressive with Ned rigs, light jig heads, Carolina rigs, and other subtle bottom-contact techniques. Every movement, every bottom change, every tentative bite from perch or zander is transmitted instantly. Despite its finesse rating, it’s a powerhouse when it comes to hook-setting authority.
Yes, the price is undeniably high—borderline crazy—but that’s the reality of a no-compromise rod. Fishing with the 73MLXF is a joy in itself. And honestly, seeing guests experience that level of feedback for the first time is a joy for me as well.
Legend Xtreme 6’10” MLXF — precision and pure fun
One other rod I simply can’t leave out is the Legend Xtreme Medium-Light Extra Fast 6’10” / 208cm (LXFS610MLXF). This is my favourite toy for casting jigs and small crankbaits for perch and zander in the city. The shorter length makes it incredibly accurate, allowing you to fire casts tight under docks, piers, and overhanging structures where big perch love to sit. At the same time, the rod is brutally crisp and direct. Although it’s a typical perch rod, I love to target zander with it as well. Every zander bite comes through as a solid “TOK”, as we call it in Europe. No doubt, no question, just hit. Pure control, pure feedback, and honestly… just awesome.
Power rods for zander
Now let’s get serious: casting bigger baits for bigger zander. We do this not only on the River IJ, but also on the larger open lakes around Amsterdam. These areas hold bigger zander—and plenty of large pike—so this is where true power rods come into play.
Rayfin 213 MF — controlled power
The Rayfin Medium power, Fast action, 213 cm (RAYS213MF) shares the same low weight, sensitivity, and crisp response as the MLXF version, but adds serious muscle. The tip loads smoothly for long, effortless casts and clear bite indication. Once you set the hook, the backbone takes over—and that’s when you realise how much power this rod really has.
After two full seasons of daily use, this rod still impresses me with how confidently it handles even the largest zander and pike. No sweat – never.
Legend Xtreme 70MF — the electric shock
Finally, the rod I want every angler on board to experience a proper Amsterdam zander bite with: the Legend Xtreme Medium power, Fast action, 7 ft / 213 cm (LXFS70MF).
The first bite on this rod feels like an electric shock. It wakes you up and reminds you that a fishing rod can be a piece of art. The combination of extreme crispness, lightning-fast response, immense backbone, and low weight is simply unmatched.
I could go on about this rod much longer—but in the end, this is one of those rods you don’t fully understand until you’ve felt it for yourself.
Come, see and feel for yourself
In the end, rods, specs, and techniques are only part of the story. What really matters is being on the water, feeling that first bite, and understanding why the right setup makes such a difference in Amsterdam’s unique zander and perch fishery. I think that Toby Henwood gives you a good impression in the video below.
If you’re curious to experience this style of fishing yourself—and to fish with the exact rods described above—you’re more than welcome aboard. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned tournament angler, I’ll make sure you fish comfortably, confidently, and with gear that truly lets you feel what’s happening below the surface. Sometimes the best way to understand it… is simply to see (and feel) it for yourself.
Contact me if you have any questions, or book your Amsterdam fishing trip with me here.
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