If you are looking for a new bass fishing rod, there are many things to consider, including what you plan to use it for. Fishing rods have become highly specialized, with many dialed into specific techniques. You can go that route or pick a do-it-all rod that can handle many techniques. No matter which direction you choose, there are some great rods to look into, including the following at several different price levels.
Under $150
As rods have gotten better over the years, the cost of an excellent fishing rod has plummeted, and the rods in this price range are much more advanced than those just a few years ago. The following rods have some great features and are lighter and more sensitive than just about any rod was a decade ago.
Okuma Cerros Casting Rods - $114.99
The Cerros is an excellent rod for the money, featuring a split-grip design and guides that enhance casting and overall performance. They are built on 24-ton carbon blanks that are very lightweight, sensitive, and very strong, thanks to things like the reinforced rod tip that will keep you fishing them for many years.
Phenix Maxim – Starting at $129.99
The Maxim is the entry-level series from Phenix, but it offers excellent quality and some great design features. They are built with a strong, sensitive 30-ton carbon fiber blank and use SiC guides for improved casting and line management. These rods do tend to run slightly lighter than their power rating, so rods like the 6-foot, 8-inch medium-heavy are still light enough for lures like jerkbaits and small topwaters.
TFO Option Bass Series Casting Rods - $149.95
Temple Fork Outfitters, or simply TFO, has a loyal following, and with good reason; they make excellent rods. This series is their lowest price point and was created specifically for the bass world with all of the lengths, powers, and actions you need. They have very sensitive blanks and unique gray-and-black styling that set them apart, while still being highly dialed into the needs of bass anglers.
$150-$250
The price range here offers a variety of rods to choose from, all well-built and designed for whatever a bass angler encounters on the water.
St. Croix Black Bass – Starting at $155
The name of this rod series says it all; these were made for bass anglers. St. Croix is well regarded for its excellent craftsmanship and great warranties for its rods, and this series is no different. There are many models to choose from, including several crankbaits, and all are built with SCIII carbon fiber blanks that are light and sensitive.
Abu Garcia Veritas Tournament Rods - $179.95
The Veritas rods have been around for many years, and there are several current models to choose from, including the slightly better Tournament series. These have light blanks and are built for performance, for tournament anglers who fish all the time, with features like titanium guides with zirconium inserts that will last longer and improve performance on the water.
Powell Naked Series Crankbait Rods - $200
Powell makes great rods for any techniques, but one of their stars is their Naked Series crankbait rods. They are made with a MAXUMFIBER G40 blank, which is a composite, so it’s not solely graphite or fiberglass. They are perfect for any moving-bait techniques, like crankbaits, vibrating jigs, and more.
Daiwa Tatula Elite - Starting at $219.99
The Daiwa professional angler team designed this series of rods, and each is built precisely to their specifications for different techniques. Each of these pro anglers is known for specific techniques, and they designed a rod exactly as they wanted it, down to the length, action, and even the rod handle length. There is a rod for every technique in this lineup, and all of them are perfectly dialed in.
$250 and Above
Moving up to the next price range, you can find some truly excellent rods that are incredibly light, sensitive, and built to fish for decades to come.
FishNFX Gold - $294.95
The FishNFX Gold series of rods feels like a rod that you had custom-made by a rod builder, as they use some excellent components and have excellent craftsmanship. They are built with American Tackle Microwave guides for casting and line management, lightweight Toray Carbon Fiber blanks, and EVA handles, all of which help make a well-balanced, comfortable fishing rod.
G. Loomis IMX Pro - $390 and up
G. Loomis needs no introduction, and the IMX name has been around for many years. The latest version is the IMX Pro, which offers many options, including standard lengths and actions, as well as others built for specific techniques. They feature the classic G.Loomis styling, cork handles, and excellent craftsmanship, and are well-balanced and of excellent quality all around.
Shimano Outlier - $399.99
Designed for the swimbait angler, the Outlier series is made for heavy baits, thick line, and monster fish. Even though these rods are very beefy, they are not overpowering when it comes to weight or when fishing. They are well-balanced, with lengths and actions dialed in for a wide range of swimbait and glide bait sizes.
Choosing your next baitcast rod comes down to what you plan to use it for, and thankfully, there are rods for any imaginable technique in bass fishing. You can pick up a rod for a specific technique or choose one that can do many different things, and there is something out there for everyone, from many brands and at just about any price you are willing to spend.
