By Tackle Warehouse | January 2024
Diving headfirst down the fishing rod rabbit hole can leave your head spinning faster than a buzzbait blade, as the category is riddled with technical jargon, like “high-modulus multi-layer Japanese toray” and “proprietary nano-resins.” At the end of the day, answering the big questions, like “what’s the best fishing pole?” is exceedingly simple – it’s the one that best fits the angler’s budget, skill level, and application. By focusing on these variables, we are hoping to smooth out your shopping experience, and help you make the most informed decision possible before forking over your hard-earned money. For most anglers, price point is the controlling factor when choosing a rod. So, we’ll start by identifying price points and provide some options to fit every budget, from the bargain hunter to Scrooge Mcduck. While exploring each price range we will shine a light on key attributes and what to look for before adding a rod to your cart. Typically, the next question that arises while rod shopping is "what do you want to do with it?" To help answer this part of the puzzle we have compiled a list of rod choices based on technique to help anglers quickly reference some of the most popular and proven products in each field.
Top Pick: Shimano SLX A Rods
Punching way outside of its price class, the Shimano SLX series of rods has become a go-to for anglers of all skill levels since their debut a couple of years ago. Since its inception, the lineup has grown each season to include an ever-growing catalog of models, including swimbait and crankbait-specific models. In addition to its angler-friendly pricing, the SLX family boasts a range of features that help it shine among similarly priced rods, including comfortable EVA grips and a 1-year warranty.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Daiwa Tatula Elite Rods
At the intersection of price and performance, lives the Daiwa Tatula Elite family of rods. Designed in collaboration with some of the biggest names in tournament bass fishing, the Tatule Elite rods are built specifically to match the strong suits of Daiwa’s pro staff, so they are incredibly fine-tuned. Awarded Best Value due to its competitive price point, this series allows anglers to access some of the most advanced technologies that Daiwa has to offer, without feeling extravagant. For added savings, some of first generation Tatula Elite Rods are still in stock - but act fast because once they are out of stock, they are gone!Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Shimano G. Loomis Conquest Rods
When your focus is performance above anything else, look towards the Shimano G. Loomis Conquest Rods. Blending G. Loomis’ rich history of rod building with Shimano’s innovative technologies, Conquest Rods deliver a lightweight, perfectly balanced construction that is apparent the moment it hits your palm. While the price tag may not be for everyone, it will undoubtedly satisfy anglers who demand the absolute best.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods
In recent years, the BFS (Bait Finesse System) category has seen an explosion of equipment aimed at helping anglers throw small, bite-sized offerings. A critical component to this BFS fishing is having the right rod to pair with your ultra lightweight lure, which is what leads us to consider the Dobyns Sierra Ultra Finesse Casting Rods as the best BFS rods of 2024. Offered in a select range of sizes and tapers, the Dobyns Ultra Finesse Rods make it easy to cast 1/16oz jigs or a 1/10oz crankbait when the bite gets tough.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick – Okuma Guide Select Custom Black Swimbait Casting Rods & Okuma Guide Select Custom Swimbait Casting Rods
Rod selection makes all the difference when it comes to throwing big swimbaits, which is why we collaborated with Okuma to build the ultimate swimbat rod on their proven Guide Select platform. Offered in a select range of sizes aimed at everything from paddle tails to burly top hook swimbaits, the Okuma Guide Select Custom Swimbait Rods deliver proven performance and unbeatable styling at a great price.
Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - G. Loomis NRX+ Jig And Worm Casting Rods
A true classic, the Jig and Worm Series from G. Loomis is a long-standing series that is built for... you guessed it – jigs and worms. This series has been deemed the best jig and worm rod for such a long time, comprised of specific actions and powers that cater to the core bast fishing techniques.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Abu Garcia Pro Rod Casting 7'4" Lucas MH Topwater
Combining an exceptional blend of materials, performance, and pro-inspired design, the Abu Garcia Pro Rod Casting 7’ 4” Lucas MH Topwater takes “top” honors in the best topwater rod category. Providing the right blend of length and action, this rod produces long distance casting while providing exceptional casting control and easy lure manipulation. Providing that Lucas-inspired design combined with Abu Garcia quality is a winning formula.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Megabass Destroyer P5 (USA) 6'11" Oneten Special
When it comes to jerkbaits, no one understands the nuance of design and performance like Megabass. So, it only makes sense that they should also make the world’s best jerkbait rods, which is exactly what they have accomplished with the Megabass Destroyer P5 (USA) 6'11" Oneten Special. Featuring a precise blend of sensitivity and power, the Megabass Destroyer P5 (USA) 6'11" Oneten Special amplifies jerkbait performance, while also allowing anglers to detect the most subtle bites. The Oneten Special is also available in the Orochi and Levante series, providing the same outstanding performance for different budgets.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Dobyns Champion XP Full Cast Rod 7'3" Hvy XFast 736
When it comes to hollow-body frog fishing, you might be hard pressed to find an angler who’s more knowledgeable than California Delta native, Gary Dobyns. While there are many manufacturers that claim they’ve made the best frog rod, the Dobyns Champion XP 7’3” heavy casting rod has earned its stamp of approval through years of experience and rigorous testing from demanding tournament anglers. A workhorse-of-a-rod, the frog-centric design of the Dobyns Champion XP Full Cast Rod 7'3" Hvy XFast 736 will make a terrific addition to any rod locker.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Evergreen Brett Hite Super Combat Stick Casting Rods
Brett Hite has made a habit of cashing checks with a bladed jig in his hand, making him one of the most knowledgeable anglers on the subject. Evergreen tapped Hite’s expertise in the creation of the Evergreen Brett Hite Super Combat Stick Casting Rods to create the ultimate chatterbait rod. Hitting on all the attributes of a great spinnerbait rod as well, the Evergreen Brett Hite Super Combat Stick Casting Rods flat-out delivers performance, quality, and power.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick – Lew's Custom Speed Stick Crankbait Casting Rods
Purpose built for crankbait fishing, the Lew’s Custom Speed Stick Crankbait Casting Rods claim the top spot with an advanced blend of materials, performance, and value. Whether you are looking to toss bite-sized squarebills or drag the depths with deep diving cranks, the Lew’s Custom Speed Stick Crankbait Casting Rods boasts a wide-range of models that utilizes the ideal blend of action and power that is crucial for optimizing performance with crankbaits – all at a great price.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Genesis III Casting Rod 7'10" Bama Rig Special Hvy
Tailor built for umbrella-rig fishing, the Genesis II Casting Rod 7’ 10” Bama Rig Special Hvy was manufactured specifically for launching chandeliers and handling the big bass that tear them apart. A staple among umbrella rig enthusiasts, the Genesis II Casting Rod 7’ 10” Bama Rig Special utilizes a precise blend of power and taper, so you get the most out of every cast. If you love to toss a rig around check out the Bama Rig special or any of the suggested rods below.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - 13 Fishing Envy Black III Spinning Rods
When you need to detect subtle bites from highly pressured fish, the 13 Fishing Envy Black III Spinning Rods deliver an amplified sensitivity that ensures no nibble goes unnoticed. Leveraging advanced materials and top of the line components, the 13 Fishing Envy Black III Spinning Rods allow anglers to detect subtleties that might go unnoticed with other rods. An excellent rod for anglers of all levels, the 13 Fishing Envy Black III Spinning Rods will make a great addition to any casting deck.Honorable Mention:
Our suggestion, and the widely accepted industry standard, is that most beginning anglers should start with a spinning rod. More specifically – a medium powered, fast tapered spinning rod from 6' 6" - 7'. This range provides a wide selection of rods for anglers to choose from, while accommodating a lot of techniques recommended to those who are just starting to bass fish.
Before fishing rods are formed into their long, tubular shape, they start off as a flat sheet of material, whether its graphite, fiberglass, composite, etc. A rod's taper (also commonly called action) describes the angle of the material before its rolled and formed. This angle ultimately controls the flex of the rod and ultimately its properties.Some rods are designed to only flex in the first 10% of the rod blank, then quickly transition into a stiff backbone. This would be considered an extra fast or fast action. Other rods are designed to bend all the way down to the reel seat, these rods would fall under a moderate or slow action. Each taper provides different properties, which can be advantageous for certain techniques.
Rod length is typically based around the application being employed. Some techniques, like jerbkait fishing, require a shorter rod so the tip doesn't contact the boat when working the lure, while other techniques, like the Umbrella rig require a longer rod to maximize casting distance and leverage.One thing to note when choosing rod length is that there is typically a correlation between the angler's height and their preferred rod length. While there's no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to selecting rod length, if you consider yourself "tall" you will likely prefer a rod on the longer end of the spectrum for any given technique. Conversely, if you consider yourself "short" you might be more comfortable with a rod near the shorter end of the spectrum based on technique.
The short answer: whatever fits your budget. However, like everything in life, not all bass fishing rods are created equal. Rods vary drastically by price, materials and components, so how do you sort through the noise to identify the right rod for you? In most cases, the price point is a direct reflection of components, raw materials, and craftsmanship. It’s not uncommon for less expensive rods to be mass produced using cutting-edge machinery, while higher priced fishing rods tend to be handmade, one-at-a-time by a highly specialized team of rod builders. When you spend more money on a fishing rod, typically, you can expect: a lighter weight, increased sensitivity, better balance, higher quality components, tighter tolerances, and a better warranty backing.
After a season of bass fishing your rods with cork handles might be in need of a cleaning. Taking the time to maintain your fishing rods will return the original feel and look of a brand new cork handle fishing rod. Tackle Warehouse has created are article to demonstrate how-to properly clean your cork handles without damaging the cork and how to protect the cork handles to make them last many years.
If you fish long enough, you are eventually going to break a rod tip. Whether it’s a bent guide, a missing insert, or a snapped tip, it's an unfortunate reality of the sport. Luckily, fixing a broken tip is an easy and cost-effective task that can even be done on the water. Gone are the days of waiting weeks for you to get your favorite rod’s tip patched up by the manufacturer or repair shop, in just a few minutes you can go from temper tantrum to casting a line in search of that next trophy fish with our step-by-step guide to repairing a rod tip.
When it comes to choosing the "best" bass fishing rod there always going to be variables that come into play, like price and application. So a definitive answer will almost always boil down to your billfold and the bite. With that in mind, don't be afraid to try new rod brands, styles, and actions when the situation presents itself. If you are fishing with a buddy, ask to make a few casts with their rods. As you flex more rods your preferences will evolve, making it easier to narrow down options when looking to expand your arsenal. Now that you have picked out the perfect rod, check out the related articles below to choose the right reel to match!
Related Articles:Best Casting Reels for 2024Best Spinning Reels for 2024Top 5 Fishing Tools