Topic: The Best Bass Fishing Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 33 times)
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Topic: The Best Bass Fishing Rods of 2023, Tested and Reviewed (Read 33 times)
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Many fully “Bubbafied” anglers skimp on their spinning rods, saving the big bucks for tools dedicated to power techniques. That’s a mistake because increasingly pressured fish necessitate growing reliance on finesse techniques. Furthermore, thanks to the rise of better braids and fluorocarbons, you can do more with a spinning rod than ever before. However, there’s less room for error because they involve light line and stealth. Get a merely “good” finesse rod, and you’ll be covered—until you hook the fish of a lifetime in a precarious position. This rod is not only a joy to fish with, but it covers up for your mistakes and allows for increased sensitivity. That’s why legendary pro Larry Nixon relies on it after multiple surgeries—it gives him more feel and power. He convinced me to try it, and from flicking a Senko under docks to dropshotting timber to hover strolling for smallmouths, it has made me a better angler.
If you’re looking for a dropshot-specific rod, check out our test of the best drop shot rods for more options.
Not only did Jordan Lee win two Bassmaster Classics before his 30th birthday, but he did so using a full range of techniques. He’s emblematic of the young pros who may be budget-strapped but aren’t afraid to pull out all the tricks. This rod reflects that versatility, and if you’re not sure whether you’ll be dropshotting, Neko Rigging, or throwing a light crankbait like a Shad Rap, it should be your first call. I found that it performs like much more expensive rods, and I reach for it much more often than expected. Anglers who want to go even lighter on the finesse scale can opt for the similar 6’10” medium-light “Super Finesse.” At this sub-$100 price point, it’s not unreasonable to buy both.
Fitzgerald Rods hails from Florida, where the vegetation grows thick, and the bass are big. Anglers who want to flip matts have to be prepared to battle both. What many novice flippers don’t realize, however, is that if you choose the wrong rod you’ll battle that, too. An imbalanced flipping stick can lead to fatigue at the end of a day of slinging big weights. Worse yet, it could result in injury. In other words, not any broomstick will suffice.
The reason why the Titan HD is one of the best bass fishing rods is that these rods won’t wear you out, but they’ll also stand up to close-quarters abuse. They have locking wraps to ensure that the guides won’t pull out. Indeed, the guides themselves are designed to prevent wind loops. I love probing the deepest possible cover with creature baits, feeding them to unpressured fish, and this rod made me seek out that option even more.
Need some jigs to go with your new flipping stick? Check out our review of the best jigs, which includes several great options for flipping.
Cons
My frequent trips to Lake El Salto, Mexico, led me to this rod—actually, it led my wife to it. She needed a rod that could throw big cranks like Strike King 6XDs and 10XDs all day without wearing her out, and we didn’t want to spend $300 or more. Luckily we were able to buy this awesome rod for half that max budget. With all else being equal, I felt that she was casting longer distances and losing fewer fish than I was with my more expensive rod. Eventually, that convinced me to get one of my own, and now I find myself always reaching for it. In fact, I like them so much that I got two of them. The handle is exactly the right length and girth for co*fort, and somehow the blank flexes at exactly the right point for maximum effectiveness from cast to landing. This would be a bargain at a substantially higher price.
I found this rod to be a valuable “utility player” on days when I head to the lake knowing I’ll need to cover water, but not certain whether it will be with a lipless crankbait, a vibrating jig, a buzzbait, or some other moving lure. I could keep one or two of these rods on the deck of the boat and change out lures as the mood struck me—or preferably as the fish told me what they wanted. While it’s not inexpensive, it covers a lot of different bases. I may have caught more bass on it this year than with any other single model. Get the co*posite model if you tend to be too quick on the trigger, or you’re using braid, and the graphite model if you have some patience or more often utilize fluorocarbon or monofilament.
The blue blank of the Douglas spinnerbait rod stands out among a field of cookie cutters, but it’s the action and versatility that really sets it apart. Lure ratings on a handle are often generous, but this rod excelled at all ranges of the spectrum—from the smallest finesse spinnerbaits up to hard-thumping giants that’ll rattle your fillings out. It’s a wonderful blend of sensitivity and give with a perfectly-sized handle and premium co*ponents from tip to butt.
While testing this rod I flicked a 3/16 ounce finesse model around boat slips in the morning, and then used it in the afternoon to slow roll a spinnerbait that weighed 3/4 ounce, and in both cases I felt like I had the perfect rod. Everyone that I’ve let fish the Douglas LRS liked the rod’s perfectly sized handle, and appreciated the premium co*ponents. The Douglas LRS is my pick for the best bass fishing rod for spinnerbaits because of its ability to throw everything from finesse to deep working spinnerbaits and it doesn’t sacrifice feel for versatility—it’s a rare rod that fishes everything well.
Looking for more spinnerbait rod options? Read our full review of the best spinnerbait rods.
Falcon started making the Lowrider series of rods nearly three decades ago, and while they’ve engineered consistent refinements, they’ve never given up on the purpose-driven ethos that guides their products. This rod is super-sensitive, and even if you generally don’t like cork handles, this premium cork may change your mind. I found myself reaching for it whether I was casting a jig, pitching a creature bait into laydowns, or skipping a weightless Senko under docks. It’s extremely sensitive and perfectly balanced, so you won’t get carpal tunnel from the repetitive motion, and you’ll be ready, willing, and able to fish a couple of extra hours each day. The Lowriders are also available in models with solid grip handles.
No matter how long you have been a bass angler or your experience level, it can be daunting to know which rods are best for catching largemouth and smallies. The aisles at your local bait shop are likely littered with all kinds of options. And very few rod-makers actually detail what their rods are intended for.
Many pro anglers carry 20 to 25 rods on the decks of their boats, but most of those guys and gals are sponsored, so they can pick from a variety of options that don’t cost them a thing. You don’t have that luxury.
But you can get away with having fewer rods and still have the ability to fish a variety of techniques. Here are the three rods to keep in your arsenal. They will allow you be more flexible and catch fish in more locations.
Arguably the most versatile rod in existence is the 70 MHF spinning rod. The 7-foot medium-heavy, fast rod is manageable, and its action allows anglers to cast a variety of baits accurately in both close quarters and at longer distances.
It is most co*monly used as a standard jig and worm rod but can also be used for moving baits such as the spinner bait and chatter bait. Weightless plastics, shaky, and wobble head jigs can also be added to the list, as well as topwaters such as buzz baits or larger prop baits.
Lastly, though not ideal in all situations, anglers can also use this rod as a frog rod. If an angler is consistently fishing for big fish around heavy cover or slop, it would be advised to consider a longer, heavier rod like a 7-foot 6-inch heavy or extra-heavy rod.
The 70 MMF (7-foot medium action, moderate fast) has a lighter power and slower action so it will enable anglers to throw treble hook baits like crankbaits and jerk baits, along with other moving baits, because the rod will absorb the shock better to help keep those fish pinned.
This rod also shines with spinnerbaits and chatterbaits around wooden structure or open water when you don’t necessarily need the power to get them out of heavy cover.
It will handle small single-hook swimbaits, small spoons, blade baits, and topwater baits with treble hooks, such as poppers or walking baits.
Lastly, having a 70 MXF (7-foot medium, extra fast) spinning rod is going to round out your arsenal. The extra fast action is going to give you unparalleled sensitivity, which is especially important with finesse fishing. You’re also going to be able to throw lighter baits further, especially into the wind.
Anglers can experiment with weightless plastics, light Texas rigs and shaky heads, finesse jigs, Ned rigs, drop shots, small tubes, and small topwaters.
Keep in mind, not all rod manufactures powers and actions are the same, but these rod models will serve as a basic guideline to help you purchase the right one. If you have these three rods, you’ll be covered for a majority of the locations and the techniques you need to catch bass.
-Kristine Fischer
A generation or two ago, most bass rods were under 6 feet 6 inches. That’s changed substantially, and now only a fraction of the rods in my arsenal are under 7 feet long, and some are as long as 8. Keep in mind that you’re choosing the right rod for you, and your mileage may vary depending on your height, strength, and where you fish, so while longer may be better for casting distance and hook setting, there’s usually a happy medium.
With single hooked lures, you’ll typically want a fast rod for driving the hook home. With treble hooked lures look for something more moderate with a deeper bend that will help keep fish hooked. But there’s a wide range of gradation in between, and the choice of mono, fluorocarbon, or braid makes a big difference in how much forgiveness you’ll want or need.
You’ll want to match your rod power to all of the following variables:
A bigger fish, heavier cover, and heavier lure all require a rod with a heavier power. Also be sure to note that not all “mediums” or “medium heavies” test out the same. It pays to handle the rod and if possible make a few casts before co*mitting your hard-earned dollars.
There are a remarkable number of quality rods that retail below a hundred bucks today, but in some cases you do get what you pay for. Within a given manufacturer’s lineup, you may find differences in the quality of co*ponents—everything from blanks to reel seats to guides—based on your willingness to pay. Sometimes it’s worth the extra dollars, other times it’s just a matter of window dressing.
Spinning rods are excellent for casting light lures and finesse applications like dropshotting. Baitcasting rods excel at accurate, long casts, and power for fighting fish.
Match the bass fishing rod to the type of lure and technique you plan to use. For example: A rod made for throwing ned rigs, isn’t going to be great for flipping 1-ounce jigs. A stiff rod made for driving hooksets on a Texas-rigged worm, won’t be great for fishing a squarebill crankbait.
A medium-heavy, 7-foot to 7-foot 3-inch rod is a versatile rod that you can use in a variety of fishing scenarios and for a variety of techniques.
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Again, choosing a rod—whether you have two or two dozen—is a very personal decision. Ultimately, however, it boils down to two basic questions: How can I get more bites? And how can I lose fewer fish? Be sure to examine every co*ponent to ensure that good looks in the store don’t hide a lack of durability or sensitivity. I’ve often been surprised that rods I didn’t prefer at first ended up being my best bass fishing rods.
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