Fishing Rod for Bass Fishing – It's about the Allure

Fishing Rod Selection for Bass Fishing

Fishing Rods for bass fishing generally starts with understanding the optimal power and action/taper to maximize the chosen lure’s presentation which will result in a spinning rod for lighter lures or a baitcaster rod for heavier lures.

Why Are Fishing Rods Important?

Fishing rod selection is important to support the lure choice including lure weight, desired fishing line and fishing line test, planned cast and planned retrieve. As such, it is key to select the best rod available based on:

Best Rod Power: Power refers to the amount of energy (force) required to flex (or bend) the rod. It is measured in weight, as in heavy or light. Lighter rods require little power to flex – bend the rod and heavier rods require more weight to flex – bend the rod. Power (energy) comes from the angler. Power is displaced during the hook set, during the cast and during the retrieve when landing the bass.
Best Rod Action: Action refers to where (and how) the rod addresses the power across the rod by bending at the rod tip, middle of the rod or throughout the whole rod. Action is measured in the terms of speed as in fast (tip) or moderate (tip). The speed refers to relative speed to which the rod straightens.

Fishing Rod Options

Baitcaster: Baitcaster rods, also called casting rods, have eyes for carrying line on top of the rod and use baitcaster reels.
- Best Known For:
  - Targeting Heavy Cover: Baitcaster rods are generally selected for targeting heavier grass, wood and other cover due to the rod’s power to pull bass through the cover if required.
  - Cast Accuracy: Baitcaster rods are generally considered more accurate due to the ability to control lure casting distance with thumb and as such sometimes chosen for docks and other tight casting locations.
  - Heavy Lures: Generally lures that weigh 1/4 oz to 3/8 oz and above.
  - Heavier Line: Generally used with line over 10lb test.
  - Cast – Switching Hands – Then Reel: Most bass anglers cast with one arm and then move the rod to their other hand to reel in. Only a few purchase an opposite hand reel and not switch hands after casting.
- Other Considerations:
  - Common Rod Power: Extra Heavy, Heavy, Medium Heavy and sometimes Medium.
  - Common Rod Action/Taper: Baitcaster rods have common action used for any bass fishing rod which is: Moderate, Moderate Fast, Fast and Extra Fast.
  - Backlash: Low lb test braid backlashes the most when using baitcasters.

Spinning Rod: Spinning rods have eyes that carry lines on the bottom of the rod and use spinning reels.
- Best Known For:
  - Targeting Lighter Cover: Spinning rods are typically not used for anything but light cover. Baitcaster rods are generally selected for targeting heavier grass.
  - Lighter Lures: Generally lures that weigh below 3/8 oz.
  - Lighter Line: Generally used with line 15lbs test and less.
  - Common Rod Power: Light, Medium Light and sometimes Medium.
  - Common Rod Action/Taper: Fast and Extra Fast.
- Other Considerations:
  - Line Twists: On a spinning rod, braid resists line twists better than either monofilament or fluorocarbon.

Additional Considerations

Rod Length:
- Longer Rod (7 foot or longer) enables:
  - Further Cast Distance: Cast further as longer rod has faster rod tip speed.
  - More Power Hook Sets: The rod length results in move line moved.
  - More Lure Depth Control: Better lure depth control when adjusting rod positioning.
  - Greater Leverage: Similar to power, for example to pull a bass out of thick grass.
  - Long Handle: Long handle helps with heavy lure casts for example with the Alabama Rig.
- Short Rod (6 foot, 6 inches) enables:
  - Better Cast Accuracy: Shorter length rods allows for more precise control over casting distance and direction thus enabling anglers to better target specific areas.
  - Better Lure Control: Easier to control lure movements for example when flipping and control lure action for example when retrieving a walking Bait.
  - Improved Maneuverability: Shorter rods are easier to maneuver for example in a kayak.
- Other Rod Length Considerations:
  - Angler Height: Some suggest shorter anglers have an advantage with shorter rods and vice versa.
  - Comfort: Some suggest rod length selection can be made based on what’s most comfortable to the angler – a personal preference.
  - Same Length – Same Release Point: Different length rods have different release points as such some suggest rods of similar fishing techniques to also have the same length rod.
  - Rod Storage: Before purchasing a really long lure double check the length supported in your boat.
  - Rod Protectors: Most suggest rod sleeves should be used to protect rods during transfers and storage.

Rod Sensitivity During Presentations: The sensitivity of a rod is the rods ability to communicate tactile information to the angler to help identify: fish on, bottom composition and cover. In other words, the rod enables the angler to feel details from the lure.
- - Extra Fast Action(Taper): Extra fast action rods have the most sensitivity (especially using braid line).
  - Braided Fishing Line: Braided line has little stretch that enhances or maximizes rod sensitivity.
  - Graphic Rod Material: Graphite Rods are more sensitive.
  - Lure Weight: The heavier the lure the easier it is to feel bottom and cover, but the harder to identify fish on. Also, if the lure weight is too heavy for the rod weight recommendations (see side of rod) there is a loss of sensitivity.
  - High Rod Tip: For bottom lures when possible keep the rod at 1 o’clock as the high rod tip will maximize the rod sensitivity providing maximum feel for that rod.

Rod Material:
- Graphite: Some suggest the three main reasons for choosing graphite rods are weight ratio, sensitivity and stiffness/power. Graphic rods do not have flex or what is also called forgiveness. So they add fiberglass to allow flex and forgiveness. Even a rod that says 100% graphite has some added or it would be hard to cast a bait and chances are it would break under load. Most graphite rods are at least 60/40 on the graphite side, but as high as 95/5. These rods tend to be more expensive.
- Fiberglass: Some suggest choosing rods with fiberglass added because of its bending properties and thus has less power, less sensitivity and is heavier. It’s also inexpensive compared to graphite. The 2 main reasons to add more fiberglass is less cost and more bend, but some techniques require or better suit more bend or flex. The average fiberglass rod is around 70/30.
- Reduced Fatigue: Lighter rods will result in reduced fatigue when used for long periods.