There's a question I get asked regularly by anglers who are just getting into spinning in Ireland: "Do I really need to spend €150 on a rod to catch fish?" The honest answer is no. Some of the most productive sessions I've had on Irish rivers and loughs have been with budget gear — and two brands that keep coming up in those conversations are Select and Golden Catch.
Both are Eastern European brands that have built a following among Irish and UK anglers looking for genuine performance at a price that doesn't require a second mortgage. I've fished both extensively, and what follows is an honest assessment of where each brand excels, where it falls short, and which one makes more sense depending on what you're fishing for.
The Budget Bracket: What You're Actually Getting
Before comparing the two brands, it's worth being clear about what "budget" means in spinning tackle. A €40 rod is not going to perform like a €200 rod. The blank will be heavier, the guides will be lower quality, and the action will be less refined. That's not a criticism — it's physics. Carbon fibre quality costs money, and SiC guide inserts cost money.
What the best budget rods do is get the fundamentals right at a price that makes sense for someone who fishes occasionally, is just starting out, or wants a second rod for a specific technique without breaking the bank. Both Select and Golden Catch understand this. They're not trying to compete with Savage Gear or Greys on performance — they're trying to give you a functional, reliable rod that catches fish and doesn't fall apart after three sessions.
Golden Catch: The Range Explained
Golden Catch has built a range of spinning rods that covers entry-level through to genuinely capable mid-range performance. The range is structured clearly, which makes it easier to choose the right rod for your fishing.
Golden Catch Sprinter — The Entry Point
The Sprinter is Golden Catch's most accessible rod, and it shows in the price. At €36, it's one of the cheapest spinning rods on the market that I'd actually recommend to a beginner. The blank is heavier than you'd get at twice the price, but the action is reasonable for lure weights in the 5–20g range, and the guides are adequate for monofilament or light braid. For a first rod on a canal or small river, targeting perch and small pike, it does the job.
Golden Catch Sprinter Spinning Rod
€36.00
Golden Catch's entry-level spinning rod. Heavier than premium options but functional for light lure fishing on canals and small rivers. A solid choice for a first rod or a backup setup. Best suited to lures in the 5–20g range targeting perch and small pike.
Golden Catch Passion Power — The All-Rounder
The Passion Power is where Golden Catch starts to get interesting. At €49, it's still firmly in the budget bracket, but the blank is noticeably lighter and more responsive than the Sprinter. The action is more defined — you can actually feel the lure working through the tip, which makes a real difference when you're fishing soft plastics or trying to detect subtle takes. I've used this rod on the Shannon for pike and on the Grand Canal for perch, and it held up well in both situations.
Golden Catch Passion Power Spinning Rod
€49.00
A step up from the Sprinter with a noticeably lighter blank and better-defined action. Handles lures from 10–35g effectively and gives enough tip sensitivity to feel soft plastics working. A genuine all-rounder for Irish freshwater spinning at a price that makes sense for most anglers.
Golden Catch Flick — Mid-Range Performance
The Flick is where Golden Catch moves into territory that competes with mid-range rods from established brands. At €79, it's no longer a pure budget choice — but what you get is a rod with a genuinely fast action, quality guides, and a blank that's light enough to fish all day without fatigue. I tested the Flick on a lough session targeting pike with 20–35g lures, and the casting was noticeably more accurate and efficient than the Passion Power. The tip sensitivity was also significantly better for detecting takes on soft plastics.
Golden Catch Flick Spinning Rod
€79.00
Golden Catch's mid-range spinning rod with a fast action and quality guide train. Light enough for a full day's fishing without arm fatigue, sensitive enough to feel soft plastics working at distance. A genuine step up in performance that competes with rods at twice the price.
Golden Catch Inquisitor — The Premium Option
The Inquisitor is Golden Catch's top-of-range spinning rod, and at €119 it's no longer a budget rod by any measure. What it offers is a high-modulus carbon blank with a genuinely crisp, fast action that's comparable to entry-level rods from premium brands. The guide quality is noticeably better than the lower Golden Catch models, and the overall build feels more refined. If you're fishing regularly and want a Golden Catch rod that will last years and perform consistently, the Inquisitor is the one to buy.
Golden Catch Inquisitor Spinning Rod
€119.00
Golden Catch's flagship spinning rod. High-modulus carbon blank with a crisp fast action, quality guides, and a refined build that competes with entry-level premium brand rods. For the angler who wants the best Golden Catch can offer without stepping up to a Savage Gear or Greys price point.
Select: The Challenger
Select is a Ukrainian brand that has developed a loyal following among budget-conscious lure anglers in Eastern Europe and increasingly in Ireland. Their rods tend to be slightly more specialised than Golden Catch's range — they're designed with specific techniques in mind rather than as general all-rounders.
Select Force — Value at the Entry Level
The Select Force is a direct competitor to the Golden Catch Sprinter and Passion Power. At €38–45 depending on the model, it sits in the same price bracket and offers a similar level of performance. The blank feels slightly stiffer than the equivalent Golden Catch, which makes it better for casting heavier lures but slightly less sensitive for light soft plastic work. For pike fishing with 20–40g lures, the Force is a solid choice. For finesse perch fishing with 3–10g lures, the Golden Catch Passion Power's softer tip gives you an edge.
Select Force Spinning Rod
€37.99
Select's entry-level spinning rod with a slightly stiffer action than equivalent Golden Catch models. Better suited to heavier lures (15–40g) and pike fishing than finesse perch work. A reliable, no-nonsense rod at a price that makes it an easy recommendation for beginners targeting larger species.
Select Ritmix — The Travel Specialist
The Ritmix is where Select differentiates itself from Golden Catch. It's a multi-piece travel rod designed to pack down small without compromising on action. At €59, it's priced between the Passion Power and the Flick, and it offers something neither of those rods can — genuine portability. If you travel to fish different venues across Ireland, or want a rod that fits in a bag for a weekend trip, the Ritmix is worth serious consideration.
Select Ritmix Spinning Travel Rod
€59.00
A multi-piece travel spinning rod that packs down small without sacrificing action. The ideal choice for anglers who travel to different venues or want a capable rod that fits in a bag. Covers the 10–30g lure range effectively for pike, perch, and bass fishing across Ireland.
Head-to-Head: Which Brand Wins Where?
| Situation | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First rod for a beginner | Golden Catch Sprinter | Cheapest entry point, adequate for light lure fishing |
| Finesse perch fishing (3–15g) | Golden Catch Passion Power | Softer tip gives better feel for light lures and subtle takes |
| Pike fishing (20–40g lures) | Select Force | Stiffer action handles heavier lures more efficiently |
| Travel / multi-venue fishing | Select Ritmix | Multi-piece design packs down small, no equivalent in Golden Catch range |
| All-round mid-range performance | Golden Catch Flick | Fast action, quality guides, light enough for all-day use |
| Best budget rod overall | Golden Catch Inquisitor | High-modulus blank, premium guide quality, competes above its price point |
The Lures: What to Use With Budget Rods
A budget rod doesn't mean you need budget lures — in fact, pairing a €40 rod with quality lures is often a better investment than the reverse. The rod delivers the lure; the lure catches the fish. Here are the lure categories that work best on Irish waters with spinning setups in the budget-to-mid-range bracket:
For perch and light pike work, spinners in the 5–15g range are the most reliable starting point. They're easy to use, cover water quickly, and produce fish across all seasons. Soft lures on jig heads in the 3–15g range are the next step — more versatile than spinners and more effective in clear water where fish can inspect the lure closely.
For pike, spoons in the 15–25g range and minnows and crankbaits in the 10–15cm range are the workhorses. Both work well on the Select Force and Golden Catch Flick, which have enough backbone to cast these heavier lures accurately.
Abu Garcia Droppen Spinners 6g — Matte Fluo Pink
€5.79
A proven spinner in the ideal weight range for both Golden Catch and Select entry-level rods. The 6g weight loads these rods well for accurate casting, and the fluo pink colour is a consistent perch and pike trigger on Irish waters.
Abu Garcia Atom Spoon 20g — Redhead
€5.45
A classic pike spoon that pairs perfectly with the Select Force or Golden Catch Flick. The 20g weight loads the blank efficiently for distance casting, and the redhead pattern is one of the most proven pike colours on Irish loughs.
The Verdict
Golden Catch — Best for Versatility
If you want one brand that covers everything from beginner-level to genuinely capable mid-range performance, Golden Catch is the stronger choice. The range is well-structured, the Passion Power and Flick are excellent value for money, and the Inquisitor competes with rods at twice its price. For most Irish anglers fishing canals, rivers, and loughs for perch, pike, and trout, Golden Catch is the recommendation.
Select — Best for Specific Needs
Select wins in two specific situations: heavy lure fishing for pike (where the Force's stiffer action is an advantage) and travel fishing (where the Ritmix's multi-piece design has no equivalent in the Golden Catch range). If either of those describes your fishing, Select is worth serious consideration.
Browse our full range of Golden Catch and Select rods at Emerald Ripple, alongside spinners, soft lures, spoons, and spinning reels to complete your setup.