Bass Fishing Rods

Selecting a Bass Fishing Rod   

In order to select the best rod for fishing for bass, you need to learn the basics. The tips below will help you know what you should look for in a quality rod.  

1.         Picking out a good bass fishing rod is enjoyable, but it can difficult too. The first thing you want to look at is the reel you plan to use and then the lures you like. After that think about strength and sensitivity and finally price. It’s a good idea to take your reel with you when picking out a new rod. This enables you to figure out if they are balanced and feel comfortable when you hold them together.  

2.         Select a bait casting or spinning rod. Then think about your lures. Do you use crank baits, jigs, spinner baits or a variety of them? You can find a general purpose rod. However it won’t excel if you’re using specific techniques. If you are a new bass fisherman, the general purpose rod may suffice. If you have been at it for a while and want to experiment with other kinds of lures, give consideration to your rod.  

3.Rods used with firm bait like crank baits don’t require as much sensitivity and need a softer rod tip. This is because there isn’t as much pressure on the rod in obtaing the hook set. If you plan to fish with lures like jigs or plastics like senkos or even worms, you need a rod with a stiff tip and more sensitivity because the hook set is rapid and you want to know when a fish is biting.  

Think about the power and action also. A medium or medium heavy rod with a fast action may work for you. The power rating tells you also how stiff the rod is. The action refers to the curvature of the rod as it is loading prior to casting. The rod bends close to the tip with fast action. With a slow action, the rod will dip closer to the center.  

Specs: 

Extra-Quick: Bends near the top of your blank 

Rapid: The upper 25 to 35% bends 

Moderate: Bends in the middle  

Slow: The bend is spread evenly through the length of the rod.  

Using a rod with slower action causes you to use more of the rod. You’ll have to balance this with your lures. Don’t feel like you have to buy the most expensive rod to start with, but don’t go with the cheapest either. Find a quality brand with a well known history. You also want a good warranty. Take all the time you need and don’t hesitate to ask questions.