Selecting Bass Fishing Rods

Are you in the market for a new rod and reel combo for bass fishing?

Then you definitely need the right set of “tools” to get the job done once you hit the water to catch some bass.

One of the most important tools in your bass fishing toolbox is the proper selection of rod and reel combo. Selecting the right bass fishing rods, however can be more than a little confusing since there are literally hundreds on the market today.

It becomes even more complex when you understand that each rod and reel combination is intended to be used with certain lures and sometimes even specific presentations of those baits.

Therefore you’ll need a little background regarding these different combos to make the proper choice.

Considerations When Selecting a Rod …

If you’re going to a local discount store or bait and tackle shop, you may find a fairly large selection of bass fishing rods for sale. In order to focus your efforts and narrow the selection, there are some basic questions you need to answer including:

* Do you want a spinning or baitcasting outfit?

* Do you know the rod length do you need/want?

* What kind of power will you need in your bass rod?

* What type of rod action is best for the way you fish?

These questions will likely be based on factors like the types of baits and presetantions you usualy fish or your experience level with the equipment.

There are also a few of technical considerations about trod construction that also come onto play such as:

* What type of handle material do you prefer (or do you care)?

* How many line guides do you need on your rod?

* Does your preferred fishing style warrant a graphite or fiberglass rod?

All of these questions play an important role in your decision since the rod you select might be a crucial factor in your fishing success.

One thing to always remember when fishing for any bass tackle … Manufacturers often put considerable effort into the packaging (rod colors, wraps, etc.) more with the intent of hooking the angler rather than the bass!

Another suggestion is to ask the clerk lots of questions and see how they interact. Do they question you back to really try and help you make the right decision or just grab a combo at random and try to move you along with the sale?  Also, don’t be afraid to ask friends with more experience or even post questions in online bass fishing forums.  Taking the time to gain a little more education will help you make the best choice possible.

Now, let’s get back to the education part to help you get prepared for your fishing combo buying journey …

The ABCs of Selecting a Bass Fishing Rod …

One of the things you need to remember, beyond the technical differences between the different series a company manufactures, there is a model within each series typically designed for different fishing applications (baits and presentations).

Let’s take a moment and look through the different models in one of the spinning/baitcasting rod series offered by a major fishing tackle company (chart provided below).

The first thing I would like to point out pertains to differentiating the spinning form baitcasting rods in the chart. Three of the categories are specifically designated as spinning rods (finesse, floating worm and finesse jig head) where the remaining categories (topwater, worming/jigging, flipping, frogging, cranking, & swimbait) are all casting.

Next you will notice some of the categories have just one model (topwater & finesse spinning) while others have two or more.  The rods in the categories with more than one model vary either by the power and/or length of the rod.

Are you wondering why?

There are a variety of reasons actually. In the case of the worming/jigging category, worm or jig presentations in areas with clear water and sparse cover often use smaller baits on ligther lines therefore require a rod with a lighter power. If fishing in dense cover (vegetation or wood), larger baits, lines are reguired and so are rods with more power.

Rod length can also relate to the type of fishing you do most often plus a length you are most comfortable fishing.

The right rod can really make all the difference in the world.  It’s very important that you take some time to think about the factors mentioned above to learn how to select the right rod then start the shopping process when you have a good idea of the best rod for you.

Want more insight about selecting the right rod to fit your needs?

Take a moment and listen to the folks from Cashion Fishing Rods to get an in depth explanation on how rods for different presentations are designed and manufactured by watching this informative video...