Comments on: What is a good arsenal of rods to have for bass fishing?

By: snookmaster

snookmaster — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 02:53:50 +0000

very simple answer here. keep it simple. 6-7 ft. rod med. action . 1-8th to 3-16th oz. lure. 1]. 6.5 ft. rod lt. to me action 1-4 to 3-4 oz lure. go with shimano or abu-garcia light spinning reel with 4-10 pd. line use flouro carbon clear [ande],if fishing in clear waters. have fun. if tournament fishing e-mail back. snookmaster

By: Fisher_King

Fisher_King — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:01:17 +0000

This Q really depends on what part of the country you live in and if you want to also fish Tournaments. It also depends on HOW MUCH you want to spend and what “feels good” to you.

However, here’s the basic outfit’s you “need”:

1. Crankbait rod- A Crankin’ Rod is designed to cast mid/deepwater Crankbait’s such as a Bandit lure (shown here- )

Crankin’ rods should be AT LEAST 6′ 6″ to 7′. The extra length helps you get longer casts AND gives you the ability to easily “bury the rod” below the waterline to give you extra depth, (if need be). Preferably, you need a limber-tipped Medium Action rod. Glass/graphite composite rods are great for Crankin’. Some of the best rods designed for Crankin’ are made by the Lamiglass Comp but any medium action would be a good start. Example-

Good Crankin’ reels should be NO FASTER than 6:2:1. The slower ratio helps the lure achieve it’s depth AND keeps you from getting a sore arm from retrieving them all day due to their “tight, hard wobble & depth”.

2. Flippin’/Pitchin’ Stick- A Fl/P rod should be AT LEAST 7′ 6″ and heavy action. They should also have a “fast action tip” for sensitivity. You CAN get a longer rod but most Club/Professional Tournaments don’t allow rod lengths over 8′. Example-

A Flippin’ reel should be NO FASTER than 6:2:1. A perfect ratio, (in my opinion), would be a 5:1:1 - 5:2:1, but I’ve used up to 6:2:1 in the past with OK results. The reason slower ratio’s work better for Flippin’ is because slower ratioed reels have more “winching power”, (look at the ratio of most Offshore reels!). A PERFECT Example of a GREAT F/P reel-

3. Spinnerbait/Buzzbait REEL - A SPB/BB reel should be NO SLOWER than 6:3:1. In my opinion, a perfect ratio for Spinnerbait/Buzzbait fishing would be 6:4:1- not too fast for Spinnerbait fishing but fast enough to keep a Buzzbait above the water without reeling your arm off, (lol).

4. Jig/Worming/Swimbait Rod- This is strictly a “preference issue”. Personally, I like a Medium Heavy 7′ , Fast Action, Baitcasting outfit but YOU might decide that you like a Medium Heavy 6′ Spinning outfit. It’s really up to you.

However, it’s important to note that many “Pro” fishermen are using the longest rods possible with reel ratio’s equaling 6:3:1 or faster for Soft Plastic/Jig/Swimbait fishing. Remember, the Pro’s will always be on the “cutting edge” of techniques and tackle choices………….

5. “Light action” Spinning outfit for smaller lures and techniques- Another “preference” situation. Personally, I like a Medium Heavy, Fast Action 7′ rod with the quickest ratioed spinning reel I can find. Currently, I have fallen in love with the Pflueger “Supreme” (shown here- ) The Supreme has a very fast retrieve, (for a Spinning reel), and is the cheapest magnesium-based reel on the market. (Magnesium-based reels are super-light & transfer strikes MUCH better.) Please read the reviews at BPS…..

6. Topwater - Most people use a Medium action rod between 6′ - 7′. However, you may decide you want something longer OR shorter. My Topwater rod also doubles as an “everything rod” so I opted for a 6′ rod- not too short, not too long. In the early 80’s EVERYONE used a 5′ rod for Topwater fishing. I come from that era and find it easier to use a shorter rod for “walking the dog”. However, todays Pro’s are using super LONG rods for TW. So, I guess it’s another preference situation.

In regards to a reel for TW- I like a reel NO SLOWER than a 6:3:1 but you may decide different.

With just these 6 outfit’s you could fish most any Tourney or Bass waters with confidence. However, as you learn more about Bass fishing and “refine” what you like (and dislike) about your outfit’s you will end up adding more.

Hope this helps ya?

(Thumbs up to all the Fishing Regulars) Fisher_King

By: Nathan S

Nathan S — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:42:49 +0000

I’m with Big Worm I get funny looks for carrying 5 rods with me but while guys are retying and fumbling with tackle my lure is in the water and you got to get wet to get bit. Now I have 2 scenarios I go by heavy cover or no heavy cover. If heavy cover is present I bring my 7′6″ heavy action flipping rod with a 6:1 ratio reel with 35lb braid. If no heavy cover is there I stick with just 4 rods, 2 baitcasters and 2 spinning. The first baitcaster is a 7ft med/hvy action rod with a 7:1 ratio reel and 12lb test fluorocarbon line. The second is a 6′6″ med action rod with a 5.3:1 ratio spooled with 10lb fluoro. The first spinning rod is 6′ light action fiberglass rod with a 4:1 reel spooled with 6 or 8 fluorocarbon, The second is a 7′ medium action with a 5:1 spinning reel with 10lb fluorocarbon. I have 4 other rods that I can swap out depending on the conditions but along with my flipping stick this is my starting 5 lineup. You could get away with 2 or 3 rods but once you are spoiled by having them there and not tying on lures a lot it is very convenient. Nathan S

By: Backwater Charlie

Backwater Charlie — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:41:00 +0000

Topwater - Baitcasting reel, 4:1 gear ratio, 6′ medium action rod rated for 8 to 15lb test.

Finesse rod/drop shot/Carolina rig - Spinning reel, 5:3 gear ratio, 7′ medium action rod rated for 6 to 14 lb test.

Flippin’ ‘n Pitchin’ - Baitcasting reel, 7:1 (or higher) gear ratio, 7′6 heavy action rod rated for 15lb to 30lb test.

Texas rig - Baitcasting reel, 6:3 gear ratio, 6′6 medium action rod rated for 8 to 15lb test.

Crankbait - Baitcasting reel, 5:1 gear ratio, 7′ medium action rod rated for 10 to 17lb test.

Spinner/Buzzbait - Baitcasting reel, 7:1 (or higher) gear ratio, 7′ medium/heavy action rod rated for 10 to 20lb test.

Those are pretty much the basic rods that you could always use in your arsenal. There could have been more but those are the most common of bass lures. Backwater Charlie

By: The Wormist

The Wormist — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:11:23 +0000

most of my reels are about 5 or 6 to one gear ratios. and a few older ambassadeurs which are a bit slower. there was a time when 5:1 was considered “high speed”. if l need my lure to move faster. l can turn the handle fast enough easily.
the majority of my rods run 6 to 7 feet with 6 1/2 seeming to be best overall and with medium fast to fast actions. l do use some 7 footers and a couple even longer on occasion such as my flipping or swimbait rods.
l usually carry with me two baitcast outfits with 8lb line, two or three with 10, two with 12, one with 14 or 15, and a couple of light spinning rods with from 4 to 8lb. all the rods are rigged differently so l don’t have to waste time retying lures.
with my home lake being low now, there is no brush or sticks along the shoreline so l save a bit of space without my flipping outfit.
my 8′ swimbait rod has 25lb mono. it is getting the most use right now.
and since l am NOT a hardcore crankbait user, l just use a regular 6 1/2 foot graphite with those. sometimes the seven footer. The Wormist