Bass is without a doubt the most popular game fish spread around the entire North America.
And its unmatched catching experience created a whole new industry of tailored tackle.
Anglers want to know about every little piece of tackle: the best rods, reels, lures and lines, to oddly specific things like landing nets and even rod holders. All for bass. And the thing is, the industry continues to grow.
But you came here for the best rods, right? Well look no further.
It’s time for me to stop beating around the bush and get straight to the point.
A good bass rod should be durable and sensitive, while also suiting your fishing techniques and styles.
To break it down further, you need a rod that can withstand the tough fights with these fish for many repeated times. Second, just as important, it needs to be sensitive so you can feel most bites and also feel the terrain you’re often going to drag your lures through.
There is no perfect rod for everyone, but I’m sure one of the options below will find its place in your rod collection. And it’ll stay here for many years to come (with proper care, of course).
So, without further ado, let’s see the best bass rods in 2024.
How to Choose Your Bass Rod?
Before getting into the actual options, let’s quickly see what to look for in a bass rod.
Rod Length
Rod length affects casting distance and control. Longer rods (7 feet and above) allow for longer casts and better leverage when fighting fish. Shorter rods offer more precise casting and are easier to handle in tight spaces. A versatile option for bass fishing is a rod around 7 feet long, which balances casting distance and control.
Rod Action
The action of a rod describes where it bends when pressure is applied. Fast action rods bend near the tip, providing quick hook sets and sensitivity, while moderate action rods bend more towards the middle, offering better casting distance and control. For bass fishing, fast action rods are often preferred for techniques like jigging and worming, as they allow for quick and precise movements.
Rod Power
Rod power refers to the rod’s resistance to bending. It ranges from ultra-light to heavy. For bass fishing, medium to heavy power rods are generally recommended, as they provide the strength needed to handle larger fish and heavy cover. Choosing a rod power that matches the lure weight and line you use most often is crucial.
Technique-Specific Rods
Different bass fishing techniques may require specific rods. For instance, a heavy power rod is ideal for flipping and pitching jigs in heavy cover, while a medium power spinning rod works well for finesse techniques like drop-shotting. Understanding the technique you plan to use can help you select the most appropriate rod.
Rod Material
Bass fishing rods are typically made from graphite, fiberglass, or a composite of both. Graphite rods are lightweight and sensitive, making them ideal for detecting subtle bites. Fiberglass rods, on the other hand, are more durable and flexible, which can be beneficial for certain fishing techniques.
Best Bass Rod for Beginners: St. Croix Bass X
The St. Croix Bass X Casting rods are part of St. Croix’s lineup, which aims to deliver high-quality fishing rods at a more accessible price point. They are generally well-regarded for their balance of performance and value.
These rods feature premium quality SCII graphite and are designed for serious bass anglers and beginners alike.
They’re are equipped with a hybrid guide system that includes SeaGuide aluminum oxide guides. This design choice is intended to enhance durability and sensitivity, which are crucial for detecting subtle bites and fighting bass.
For the $80-130$ price range, it’s one of the best options you can get.
Why is it good for beginners? The SCII graphite provides with excellent durability, making it good if you’re just learning how to handle and cast rods properly. The Bass X series offers a range of rod lengths and powers, allowing beginners to select a rod that suits various fishing conditions and techniques, from finesse to power fishing.
With a price point that is lower than many high-end rods without compromising too much on quality, these rods provide an entry-level option for those just starting without breaking the bank.
Pair it with a reel like the Abu Garcia Revo SX and you have a high-performing setup perfect for those who are just starting out.
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Best All-Around Bass Rod: St. Croix Mojo Casting Rod
Compared to the Bass X, the Mojo steps it up a little.
It’s a popular choice for its combination of high-quality construction, performance, and affordability.
The Mojo Bass rods are built with St. Croix’s premium SCIII graphite, which provides a good balance of strength, sensitivity, and weight. This makes the rod durable and responsive to the lightest of bites.
The Integrated Poly Curve (IPC) tooling technology used in these rods eliminates all transitional points in the rod blank, resulting in smoother actions, increased strength, and greater sensitivity.
Why is it the best all-around bass fishing rod? It’ll handle anything you throw at it. Spinnerbaits, cranks, topwaters, jigs and every technique you can think of.
The Mojo Bass series offers a wide range of lengths, power ratings, and action types, giving you plenty of options to choose from based on your specific fishing techniques and preferences.
I would recommend getting the medium to medium-heavy fast action option. This rod configuration applies to pretty much any all-around bass rod you want to buy.
However, some users have noted that certain models of the Mojo Bass rods can be slightly tip-heavy, which might affect balance and feel during extended use. It’s more of a personal preference, but it’s worth noting.
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Best Crankbait Rod: Dobyns Champion XP Casting
I’ve taken a good look at the Dobyns Champion XP series, and I must say these rods are designed excellently for crankbait fishing.
The Champion XP Casting rods are equipped with high modulus graphite blanks that not only provide the sensitivity you need to detect subtle bites but also give that ideal flex for a crankbait’s wobble action.
The rod is generally excellent for a range of crankbaits, but it may not load as well with lighter lures, affecting casting accuracy. Square bills, deep divers, and even jerkbaits can be effectively cast with these rods. However, it performs well with slightly heavier crankbaits and is not limited to using light line, so you can choose heavier line for fishing in heavy cover.
The rods are outfitted with durable Fuji guides, known for their longevity and smoothness and also improving the life of your line.
It feels balanced in hand, reducing fatigue during long days on the water.
In my experience with crankbait rods, it’s important to have one that enables you to cast accurately, feel the action of your lure, and set hooks efficiently. The Dobyns Champion XP casting rods check all these boxes, making them my top pick for crankbait fishing.
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Best Spinnerbait Rod: Douglas LRS Casting Rods
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Using the Douglas LRS, I’ve been able to cast spinnerbaits with precision, and its responsive nature ensures I don’t miss any bite. For anyone serious about their spinnerbait game, this rod is a real contender.
Douglas LRS (lake, river, sea) Casting Rods are constructed with high modulus graphite blanks, which offer a good balance of strength, sensitivity, and lightweight feel. This makes them responsive and durable. These are two essential qualities for spinnerbait fishing, where feeling the vibration of the blades and the bite of the fish is crucial.
Spinnerbait rods generally require a fast action to provide quick hook sets and enough backbone to handle the lure’s weight and the fight of the fish. The fast action is a true fast action, which is ideal for the quick, reflexive hooksets needed when a bass strikes a spinnerbait. The series also offers a range of power ratings to match the size and weight of the spinnerbaits you use.
Douglas LRS Casting Rods feature high-end components such as Fuji reel seats and guides, which are durable and help to maintain a lightweight design. The guides are important for smooth line flow, which is essential when casting and retrieving spinnerbaits over long periods.
I would say the price is somewhere in the mid-price range. If you can afford it, definitely keep this rod on your radar.
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Best Jig Rod: Abu Garcia Veritas PLX
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I appreciate how Abu Garcia has integrated their 30-ton carbon fiber construction with the 3M Powerlux resin, boosting the rod’s strength substantially. When it comes to jigging, where sudden impacts and heavy lifting are par for the course, this robustness is crucial.
The sensitivity to feel every tick and bump at the bottom, combined with the backbone needed to set the hook solidly, makes it a top-notch jig rod.
Although the light colored grips may get dirty, their comfort during a long day of fishing is a luxury.
Given its strength and sensitivity, the Veritas excels in jigging scenarios. It balances well in hand, helping with the precision to work a jig effectively. Whether targeting largemouth bass in thick cover or spotted bass in open water, this rod has provided a solid experience.
Note: Here I decided to recommend a rod that will not break the bank. The ultimate jigging rod for bass would be the G. Loomis NRX+ Jig And Worm Casting Rods, which comes at the outstanding price of $650.
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Best Topwater Rod: Shimano Expride B
When searching for a reliable topwater rod, I found that the Shimano Expride B stands out for its performance with topwater lures and jerkbaits. What makes it especially good for these applications is its Hi-Power X blank technology, which enhances its strength without adding unnecessary weight. It makes it easier for me to cast lures with precision.
The rod’s responsiveness makes it easy to impart the right action on poppers and walking baits. It has the right action for jerkbaits, allowing sharp, clean movements without fatigue. But the action is versatile, working with a range of lures, not just jerkbaits and topwaters.
I find the casting smooth and accurate, which is crucial for placing topwater lures exactly where you need them to be.
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Best Spinning Rod: Shimano Poison Adrena
This spinning rod is a standout choice for serious bass anglers. Finely crafted for finesse applications, this rod impresses with its responsiveness and lightweight design.
It’s undeniable — the tactile feedback from this rod is top-notch. You’ll feel every nibble and bump, which is so important for detecting bass strikes and underwater structure.
Built with Shimano’s high-end technology, such as Spiral X wrapping, it offers a blend of strength and rigidity without compromising on weight.
When fighting a bass, the rod’s stiff blank maintains its straightness, giving you a satisfying sense of control over the battle. The feeling is nothing short of confidence-inspiring.
Despite its lightness, it performs well above its weight class. You can manage to reel in bass that would otherwise seem too ambitious for such a refined rod.
In terms of finesse fishing for bass, the Shimano Poison Adrena is unmatched. It’s a premium tool that any angler would appreciate having in their arsenal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are some high-end bass fishing rods?
If you’re looking for high-end bass fishing rods, then you should consider brands like G. Loomis, St. Croix, and Shimano. These brands are known for producing high-quality rods that are designed to perform in a variety of fishing conditions.
What is the best fishing rod and reel combo for bass fishing?
The best fishing rod and reel combo for bass fishing will depend on your personal preferences and the type of fishing you plan to do. Some popular options include the Abu Garcia Revo SX/Bass Pro Shops Pro Qualifier 2 Baitcast Rod and Reel Combo, the Lew’s Mach Crush Speed Spool SLP Baitcast Combo, and the Shimano Stradic Ci4+/St. Croix Bass X Spinning Combo.
What type of rod is commonly used by professional bass fishermen?
Professional bass fishermen typically use baitcasting rods when fishing for bass. These rods are designed to handle heavy lures and provide the power and accuracy needed to make long casts and catch big fish.
What are some of the most versatile bass fishing rods?
Some of the most versatile bass fishing rods include medium power, fast action spinning rods and medium-heavy power, fast action baitcasting rods. These rods are designed to handle a variety of lures and fishing conditions, making them a great choice for anglers who want a single rod that can do it all.
What are some of the best spinning rods for bass fishing?
Some of the best spinning rods for bass fishing include the St. Croix Bass X Spinning Rod, the Abu Garcia Veritas Spinning Rod, and the Shimano Teramar TMS-X70MH Spinning Rod. These rods are designed to provide the sensitivity, power, and accuracy needed to catch big bass with spinning gear.
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