Bass Fishing Rods

A Combination Of Form, Function And Beauty - Works Of Art

When I gaze upon racks of bass fishing rods at any of my favorite tackle shops, I see sleek, shiny, beautiful creations. Tools that are, as far as I'm concerned, also works of art. The combining of fishing rod parts to sculpt a tool that is at the same time strong, durable and able to withstand the forces placed upon it by a bass fighting desperately to get away, while being beautiful to the eye is no small accomplishment.

This is true whether they're graphite fishing rods, fiberglass fishing rods, flipping sticks or ultralight fishing rods. Whether they're spinnerbait rods, jerkbait rods, jigging rods, swimbait rods, a crankbait rod or a worm rod.

When you hold a rod in your hand you're holding a piece of the evolutionary technology that has transformed the once humble fishing pole into the exquisite tool it is today. I don't care what some may say, that all rods are the same. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

A rod must enable the angler to cast accurately and work his lure effectively for specific presentations. It should have a "sensitivity" that transmits maximum "feel" of what is happening on the end of the line. This sensitivity must serve to detect even the softest of bites whether in open water or thick cover, so the angler can know to set the hook. Of course the rod must also be of a structure and design that will successfully result in not only hooking the bass but also landing the bass in any given situation.

These are really the only traits that really determine whether you have a "good" rod. It's not the materials, the finish, the individual different fishing rod parts. These things determine if it's a quality rod. For example, You could have the best "drop shot" rod money could buy but if you're using it for flipping a jig-n-pig success is doubtful. No single rod is "good" for all baits, presentations or applications.

If you're just starting to bass fish focus on one technique in which you have the most interest. Buy one or two of the best technique specific bass fishing rods you can for that technique and bait(s). Fish them till you are successful with them before moving to others. In the beginning go for the basics, plastic worms or spinnerbaits.

So when choosing and using bass fishing rods, you want (1) the best quality rod you can afford made for the specific application(s) in which you're going to use it. And (2) you want the rod to work well in your hands by matching it to your fishing skills. Your collection of rods and reels should grow as your skills do, not before.

There are two primary type of bass fishing rods

Baitcasting rods are favored, especially in the South, for all applications but those classified as finesse. This stance is steadily changing as technology advances the capabilities of spinning reels and rods.

Most often thought of as bass fishing rods for finesse techniques, spinning rods are being continually introduced today that are technique specific and suitable for heavier applications. These are being matched with spinning reels that are also being designed for heavier applications. A great many techniques you can fish with a baitcasting rod can now be done with a spinning rod.

You'll find printed bass fishing rods the specifications for that rod. These will be located just above the reel-seat and they will inform you of that rod's performance characteristics. What you'll find will appear something like these examples:

Shimano (Spinning)CPS-66MHB Length: 6'6" Line WT: 8-17lb Lure WT: 3/16-7/8oz Power: Medium Heavy Action: Fast

G.Loomis (Spinning)SHR821S / 6'10" MAG-LIGHT EX-FAST ACTION 6-10lb 1/16-1/4oz

St Croix (Spinning)MBS68MXF 6'8" MEDIUM POWER EXTRA-FAST ACTION SCII GRAPHITE 6-12LB 3/16-5/8OZ.

All Star (Flippin' Stick)TAS 908BB Length 7'6" Line Wt 12-30lb Lure Wt 3/8-2oz Fast Heavy

In each case above what you are seeing is (1) the item number, (2) the length, (3) line and lure weight for which the rod is rated and (4) the action and power rating for the rod, though not necessarily in that order. This information tells you the performance characteristics of that rod. Those specifications of a G. Loomis rod are shown in the above picture.

The following list reflects suggestions for technique specific bass fishing rods. These are based on my own experience and the experiences of other Bass Bums® with whom I've fished over the years. There is nothing scientific about them. Everybody has their own preferences. Just ask ten bass anglers and you'll see. But if you're new to bass fishing these can point you in the right direction.

• Worm and Jig Rod - This is perhaps the rod you will use most of all bass fishing rods so is logically the first you should buy. A rod with the following traits is what is called for in a worm rod. For any lure 1/2 ounce or lighter this rod will work fine.
  • Baitcasting Or Spinning Rod
  • A 6'6" to 7' long, medium or medium-heavy power, sensitive graphite rod.
  • A fast action, soft tip will allow for accurate casting and help maintain tension on the fish during the fight.
  • Bass fishing rods with strong backbones for hook sets and pulling bass from cover is a must.
  • This rod can also be used for Carolina rigs.
• Crankbait Rod, Jerkbait Rod - Both baitcasting and spinning rods are appropriate for throwing crankbaits and jerkbaits. In either case it should be parabolic. However, with crankbaits you have lures that span the water column from shallow to very deep. Consequently, two rods are probably appropriate. One to work shallow and medium size crankbaits and a second longer one for larger deep diving crankbaits. The longer rod will enable long casts so you can get the lure down to its max diving depth during retrieve. Short casts simply will not allow this.
  • Baitcasting
    • A rod 6'6" in length enables accurate casting, a 7'plus rod is better for making long casts.
    • Medium action, medium power, unless deep cranking then medium-heavy is better.
    • Fiberglass construction is considered a positive by many as the hook set is cushioned by the rod's soft flex and hooks are less likely to be pulled from the bass' mouth. There is a distinct loss of feel with fiberglass in my humble opinion.
    • crankbaits require continual casting over long periods so rod weight is a significant factor.
    • For heavier crankbaits up to a full ounce I use the Quantum KVD Crankin' Rod (TKVD745M) which is 7'4" long, medium-heavy power and moderate action. This rod has a substantial backbone and a very quick tip. This rod is a composite of graphite and E-Glass fiberglass.
  • Spinning
    • Historically these bass fishing rods have not been rods for crankbaits or jerkbaits. This has recently changed with the introduction of high modulus graphite rods. These new rods, with strong backbones and soft, light tips that mimic the softer action of fiberglass rods, are made specifically for small to medium sized crankbaits.
    • A spinning rod 7' or longer will enable an angler to throw these lures a country mile and avoid spooking bass. A 7', 7 1/2' even 8' rod is a great choice for slinging lipless crankbaits over the horizon in open water and then getting the lure "down to its max depth on the retrieve".
    • If fishing specific targets ,like docks, underwater humps, rock piles or man made brush piles and accuracy is key, a rod 5'or 5 1/2' will do well for you.
    • I've grown very fond of the new Shimano 6' 8", medium, medium-fast "crankbait-spinning" rod (CRSC68M) for lighter crankbaits.
• Spinnerbait Rods
  • Baitcasting
    • A 5' 6" long, medium power, pistol-grip baitcasting rod is considered by some to be the for accurate spinnerbait fishing.
    • However, 6' 6" long, medium power, fast action rod is also good for accurate, short casting to specific targets often no more than 25-30 feet away.
    • Any spinnerbait rod needs to have a good backbone as spinnerbaits are often heavy. Weights of 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 ounces are very common.
    • If you're fishing spinnerbaits in open water and making long casts a rod that is 7' or longer with a long handle is a good choice.
  • Spinning
    As with crankbaits, technological advances have produced spinning rods (and reels) suitable for spinnerbaits. AllPro has a nice 7' medium action rod (APX7MSTN) that handles the lighter spinnerbaits nicely. I also like the new Shimano 6' 8", medium, medium-fast "crankbait-spinning" rod (CRSC68M) mentioned above which I've used successfully with both crankbaits and spinnerbaits weighing 3/8 ounce or less.

• Topwater Rods - This is one form of bass fishing that has no equal when it comes to excitement. I don't care how long someone has fished, the explosive surge of a bass to engulf a topwater lure never ceases to excite. Of course, there is the issue of actually hooking the bass. This involves timing and the right rod. There are a few different topwater lures that call for different rod characteristics. I use both casting and spinning rods for topwater fishing.
  • Baitcasting or Spinning Rod
    • Stickbaits, like Zara Spooks, perform best when used with bass fishing rods that have medium action and power and do not exceed 6 1/2' in length. If any longer the rod's tip will slap into the water as you work the lure at the beginning of your retrieve.
    • Buzzbaits call for a long 7'- 7 1/2', medium to medium heavy rod. Some guys use a flipping stick but I think that's a bit of overkill.
    • Frogs also require a long rod, 7' - 7 1/2' with a fast action tip and heavy backbone. You're often pulling these bass out of heavy grass and a stout rod is a good idea.
    • Chuggers, which are fished with a continuous twitch-twitch action, are best presented with a 6 1/2' medium action, medium power rod with a soft tip.
    • Propbaits can be effectively worked, twitch-pause, twitch-pause, with a 6 1/2' to 7' medium-heavy, fast action rod.
• Drop Shot rods are most always spinning rods. From the beginning this technique used light line and small baits which were best fished on spinning gear. However, in 2009 more and more anglers began using heavier line, hooks and lures. Naturally, heavier bass fishing rods were employed.
  • Spinning
    • So, if you're drop-shotting light line and small 4" lures you will want a rod that is no more than medium light to medium in power and fast in action.
    • My preferences are the G. Loomis (DSR822S) 6' 10", Medium, Mag Medium drop shot rod and the All Star (TAS762S-DS) 6' 4", ultra-light, fast action drop shot.
    • If you're drop shot fishing larger lures, 5-7" on larger 2/0 to 4/0 hooks, then you will want to move to a regular spinning or baitcasting worm rod. A 7'- 7 1/2' medium-heavy or heavy action rod is necessary.
• Shaky Head fishing can be done on either baitcasting or spinning bass fishing rods, though a spinning rod does better.
  • Spinning
    • Any 7' medium action rod with a sensitive tapered tip fits the bill nicely for shaky head fishing. However, my choice is the G. Loomis (SHR821S) 6' 10", Mag-Light, Ex-Fast action shaky Head rod. It has a fast taper, sensitive tip and is rated for 6-10lb line.


• Flipping Rods are long, trigger handled, heavy power, fast action bass fishing rods.
  • Baitcasting
    • Flipping sticks are generally between 7' 4" and 7' 8" long.
    • The tip should have some flex to help in placing your lure. If it's too stiff the accuracy of your flip will suffer.
    • A strong backbone is essential in a flipping stick because you're usually flipping in and around heavy, very serious cover. I use All Star's (TAS 908BB) 7'6" flipping stick which handles lures up to 3/8-2oz and line up to 30lbs.
    • Some guys simply use a 7' to 7' 1/2" medium-heavy baitcasting rod that has plenty of backbone rather than springing for a pricey flipping stick. Whatever works for you, that's the key.

However, when shopping for bass fishing rods, there are technique specific rod categories within which an angler should confine his/her rod selection. To stray too far outside these may well put a great rod, as nice and expensive as it may be, to use in an area for which it was not designed. This will, without question, diminish the chance of successful and enjoyable fishing and make it less than a "good" rod.

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