Looking for some suggestions for a new rod for bass fishing mainly small mouth very new to bass specific fishing.

We had a little friendly bass derby and I’ve caught lots of bass before just general fishing but to specifically go out and target them I never had before until this derby. I caught a handful using jigs and top water frogs with my current rods I have. 

They are 6’6” medium fast fenwick hmg my all around do everything rod

6’9” medium extra fast st.croix legend elite my dedicated jigging rod

A Cabela’s special pflueger rod/reel combo 6’6” medium the spare rod

have a few more ugly sticks they don’t stay in the boat though.

We were getting lots of hits on top water frogs I found my 6’6” wasn’t Long enough for the frogs, kept the line on the water in the vegetation messing with the presentation unless that how your suppose to fish them?

what should be the next rod size/action/power be for bass, a size that can cover the most variety of lures and techniques would be best. I was thinking 7’+ medium-heavy or heavy in fast action? Any brand/model specific I should be looking at? Again thanks for the advice

I would recommend a 7’ Med-Heavy Fast action rod. This rod really is a do-it-all rod, and it’s probably the most versatile rod for bass fishing out there. I like St. Croix rods cause of their good quality and AWESOME warranty, but there are lots of good rods out there as well. For St. Croix (depending on your price range) I’d go with a Mojo Bass 7’ MH/F. I love Mojo’s, but if you want to take it to the next level you can consider the Avid X in that same model. Keep in mind that St. Croix tend to be heavier than what they are rated, so a MH will feel more in between a MH and H than most companies. 
 

No matter what company you go with, a MH/F will cover a variety of techniques, and are especially good for bottom contact techniques (jigs, t-rigs, Carolina rigs, etc.), and can also be used for small single-hook Swimbaits, and smaller/medium frogs.

 

If you are dedicated to getting a rod specifically for frogging, a 7’+ Heavy power fast action rod will get the job done, but it is certainly less versatile than a MH. 

Also, if your looking for versatility, I would pair either of the rods with a reel with a 7.0 - 7.8 gear ratio (assuming it’s a casting rod)

 

Thanks for the info so looks like I’m on the right track... just gotta pick out a decent rod now 

4 hours ago, Riverside.bassin said:

I would recommend a 7’ Med-Heavy Fast action rod. This rod really is a do-it-all rod, and it’s probably the most versatile rod for bass fishing out there. 

 

This is exactly what I was going to say. Not sure what your budget is, but if you can go a little over $100, the Dobyns Fury 703C is a great rod that fits the MH/F category. If you're more in the $50-60 ballpark, I recently picked up a Daiwa Aird-X spinning rod, and if the casting rod is as good as the spinning rod, it would be a great deal in that price range.

20 minutes ago, plawren53202 said:

I recently picked up a Daiwa Aird-X spinning rod, and if the casting rod is as good as the spinning rod, it would be a great deal in that price range.

I can vouch for the Aird-X casting rods. Have a M/F, a MH/F and a H/F - my MH/F Aird-X is my 'multi purpose' rig. Spinners, chatters, buzz, jigs, T-Rigs...do it all on that rod.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.. I can across a good price on a daiwa tatula bass 7’4” heavy fast it’s listed as a frog rod that I ordered for dedicated frogging rod, just gotta pair it was a reel. I’m still researching rods for a 7’ mh f I’m in Canada and I can’t find any online places that sell Dobyns. How are the fenwick elite bass for an all purpose rod? How does the tatula lineup compare to the Dobyns fury or Sierra? In 7’ medium-heavy fast of course

My go-to MH is a 7'1" Jason Mitchell Elite. No matter what else I use, I keep going back to it. Not sure about the availability in your neck of the woods but don't overlook it if you can get a deal on one. 

 

 I have been using a 6'9" H (skipping jig) Daiwa Tatula Elite for my frogging and have had no problems. You really can't go wrong with anything in the Tatula line. 

 

Never used Dobyns, but have heard nothing but good about them. I have heard that the actions feel a bit lighter than stated. St. Croix feels a little heavier.

So I went into the fishing store walked out with a tatula elite 7.1:1 on a st.croix legend elite 7’ mh f baitcaster.

I was originally going in to get either a mojo bass or legend tournament bass. But I picked out the reel first then they do some dealings on the rod because your buying both at the same time so It seems. So I got the legend elite for $420 Canadian that’s probably $200 us lol jk. But that’s around $80-100 cheaper than I can find online not including shipping. And about $60 more than the legend tournament bass I was originally going in for. They tossed in a rod sock and they spooled up my reel for free with my choice of line I went with power pro super slick v2 30lb braid.

So thanks for all the help and suggestions I been reading the forum for the last few days trying to learn as much as I can. Kinda went high end on the rod but I love my other legend elite price was right so why not

  Nice choices.  I keep an original Tatula 7' 4" HF in Florida for my dedicated frog rod.  For locally I picked up a Toadface about 2 years ago when ALX had a great sale on rods.  Wish I could have afforded a few more rods during that sale.  However, the Toadface won't be used strictly for frogs.  A very versatile rod.

 

Don't need another reel, but may have to get a Tatula Elite anyway.

Thanks, it’s pretty discouraging reading about all these rods and you need this one or that one this brand and model or that brand and model to use a certain type of technique or to use this type of lure/rig. I can’t even find most of the companies this side of the border like Dobyns or alx my local stores only really carry the major big named companies (fenwick daiwa st.croix g.loomis shimano). 

I’m a big hunter and let me tell you rods are cheap compared to a rifle set-up, maybe I’ll have more rods than guns someday

17 minutes ago, Code-mam said:

Thanks, it’s pretty discouraging reading about all these rods and you need this one or that one this brand and model or that brand and model to use a certain type of technique or to use this type of lure/rig.

Only true specialized rod I have of my 10 rigs is a crankbait - Dobyns Fury 705CB - rest of my rigs are multipurpose. You don't need a rig for every technique...learn the techniques, then get the specialized rig if you want to.

Haven't hunted since around 1998.  I have reels that cost more than every gun I have except for an Ithaca 12 ga. over and under skeet gun.  However, now most would sell used for more than my most expensive reel. 

 

EDIT:  Agree with MN Fisher.  Crankbait rods are my only technique specific rods.  I have delegated a few other rods for specific techniques.....but they also will work for other techniques.  I just have enough rods that I can dedicate a rod or two for specific techniques.  Most rods are very capable of fishing several techniques satisfactorily.  Probably could even find something else for a crankbait rod if I tried hard enough. 

Definitely true on St.Croix being a little heavier than rated.. Just picked up a Mojo 6’8 casting rod MH / F and it surprised me how stout it is from backbone to tip. 

On 7/21/2020 at 2:14 PM, Code-mam said:

da and I can’t find any online places that sell Dobyns.

Right now everyone has low or no stock due to covid and various shut downs but check out Amazon.ca, I remember I saw a dobyns fury 7 MH-F casting rod for about $140 ish Cad, which is on par considering the dollar. Out of stock now, but keep an eye out. Seen a few on Kijiji as well, if you don't mind used.