Rod Tip Position for Bass Fishing

Rod Tip Position is the location(s) of the rod tip during the retrieve to maximize the desired lure action, hook set, identify fish on and lure depth. Rod tip position is based on two relative locations:

  • Rod Tip Height, often explained in comparison to a clock, e.g. rod tip at 10 o’clock, and
  • Rod Tip Angle, often explained as the angle to the lure position, e.g. rod tip is at 45 degrees.
Why is Rod Tip Position Important?

It’s important as rod position helps:

  • Manage Lure Height: For some lures, typically horizontal presentations, the rod tip height controls the lure depth thus controlling the lures location in the strike zone.
  • Maximize Surface Contact Lures –  Lure Action: Some surface contact lures need to manage the lure action by varying the rod tip height during the retrieve.
  • Imparting Lure Action: Many lure actions are impacted or created by rod movements, in other words, moving adjusting the rod tip’s angle or height. 
  • Enhance Line Watching: A high rod tip can help identify fish on.
  • Maximizing Hook Sets: Depending on the lure type, for example some suggest keeping rod high for example with bottom lure to assist in the reeling down of the slack prior to setting the hook. Some suggest the tip position be at 30 to 45 degrees for lures that require a pull/sweep hook set as the rod is in the best position to maximize the hook set. Some suggest spinner rod tips at 10 o’clock will help better distribute the power during the hook set.
  • Snag Avoidance: The higher the rod tip the less likely for snags when fishing rock or wood due to lure position.
  • Line Management in Wind: Keeping the rod low keeps the line in the water stopping the wind from blowing otherwise a large bow in the line can occur resulting in not being able to identify fish on and introducing too much slack for an effective hook set.
  • Enable Rod Retrieves: Moving the rod tip is a key component of rod retrieves.
Rod TIp Position Options

Rod tip positions are:

  • Rod Tip Height: The rod tip height is often explained by comparing it to a clock with:
    • 8 o’clock- pointing to water
    • 9 o’clock – parallel to water
    • 10 o’clock – 1/3 above the water
    • 11 o’clock – 2/3 above the water
    • 12 o’clock – straight up
  • Rod Tip Angle: Rod tip angle is often explained as the angle off to the side as:
    • 0 Degrees -pointing to lure
    • 30 Degrees
    • 45 Degrees
    • 90 Degrees – perpendicular to the lure
Additional Considerations

  •  Rod Tip Position considerations includes:

    • Rod Movements: Rod actions impart lure actions and in some cases move the lure. Multiple movements can take place at the same time. They are:
      • No Rod Movement: Rod tip stays in one location imparting no rod-based lure action – dead-stick. Any action would come from the lure design during a reel retrieve (or current).
      • Subtle Rod Tip Movement:  Small shakes, typically called twitch, sometimes called quivers which would be a very small twitch, that impart subtle lure actions. Subtle rod movements are common for both reel retrieves and rod retrieves.
      • Short Quick Rod Tip Movements: Quick rod tip movement during either a reel retrieves and rod retrieves generally to create erratic lure action. During a rod retrieve only a slight amount of slack is removed for example less than a full revolution. 
      • Slow Vertical Lift Movement: The rod tip is slowly lifted from 8 or 9 o’clock to 11 or 12 o’clock then use the reel to remove slack while moving the rod tip position back to 8 or 9 o’clock. Rod movement can create subtle lure action while accomplishing a rod retrieve. 
      • Fast Vertical Lift Movement: The rod tip is quickly lifted from 8 or 9 o’clock to 11 or 12 o’clock then use the reel to remove slack while moving the rod tip back to back to 8 or 9 o’clock.  This enables lure action on the lure fall while the slack is being removed while accomplishing a rod retrieve.
      • Horizontal Sweep Movement: The rod tip is slowly moved from around 30 degrees to around 90 degrees then use the reel to remove slack while moving the rod tip back to back to 30 degrees. This typically enables subtle lure action while accomplishing a rod retrieve. When lure is on bottom, some suggest that horizontal sweep movement will provide better feedback as to bottom composition and cover then a vertical lift movement.
      • Horizontal Pop Movements: During a reel retrieve introducing horizontal rod movement for example quickly popping the rod.
    • Hook Sets:
      • Drop and Set Firm: Generally the rod tip is high, or moving medium to high, when using this hook set, for example when using bottom contact lures with thick wire hooks, and thus slack is removed from the line resulting in the rod tip being at 9 o’clock or closer to the water as the first part of the hook set.
      • Pull/Swipe Hook Set: Generally the rod tip is static at 9 or 10 o’clock and 45 to 90 degree angle to the lure and when using treble hook lures ready for the hook set.
      • Rod and Reel Hook Set: Generally, using a spinning rod, the tip position varies based on the retrieve type and lure type.
  • Don’t Hold Middle of Rod: When landing a bass at the boat don’t hold the rod in the middle as it will break as the rod doesn’t have the full rod to bend to manage the bass’ weight.
  • High Sticking: High sticking is a term used when landing a fish with the rod too high which can result in a broken rod. This is due to all the power being isolated on the tip of the rod.
  • Landing Angle: Landing a fish on spinner rod some suggest 45 degrees or roughly 10 o’clock to maximize the rod power.
  • Consistency: Maintaining rod angle the same for similar lure types will build consistency in identifying fish on and hook set techniques.
  • Landing a Bass: A high rod will help ensure a bent rod helps ensure keeping fish on.
  • Fish Jump Avoidance: Some put the rod in the water to help minimize the fish jumping (and the loss of fish due to the jump).
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Retrieve Techniques
As all retrieves have rod tip positions it is best to proceed to each retrieve technique.

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