About to hit the water in search of bass? Want to buy the best spinning rod for bass? You have come to the right place!
Quick Overview – Best Spinning Rod for Bass
- Best All Around Spinning Rod for Bass: KastKing Royale Select Fishing Rod
- Best Quality Spinning Rod for Bass: Cadence Spinning Rod
- Best Value Spinning Rod for Bass: JOHNCOO Fishing Rod for Bass
Quick Comparison – Best Bass Fishing Spinning Rods
Buying Guide
Before buying the best fishing rod for bass, there are various features that you need to be on the lookout for. The power, length, action, material, etc. all play an important role when it comes to making a spinning rod the best spinning rod for bass.
We have put together a list of the things that you should keep in mind when choosing the best product.
Let’s take a look!
Location
When you are buying a spinning rod for bass, you need to keep the fishing location of your prey in mind. When it comes to bass fishing, it is highly likely that you are going to be fishing in freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Spinning rods are perfect for such locations since they are portable, lightweight, fast, and very easy to set up. The variety of power and action also allows you to pick the perfect spinning rod for you. If you are fishing in crowded water, you can get a fast action spinning rod.
Moreover, the depth of the water also plays a role when it comes to choosing the best spinning rods for bass. Thus, you need to keep the location where you are going to fish in mind and then make your final decision. Also check out our choices for the
best inshore spinning rods, if you mainly plan to fish from a shore!
Type of Tackle
The type of lures and tackle that you are going to use is also important. In the case of jig or fly, the lures determine the type of fishing technique and thereby the type of rod you can get. Spinning rods are great since they are versatile and can handle a large range of lures. They usually work best with spinnerbaits and crankbaits.
Type of Fishing Line
The type of fishing lines such as braided, monofilament, and fluorocarbon is important when it comes to fishing and choosing the perfect fishing rod. Spinning fishing rods are great in this regard as they are compatible with all kinds of lines.
Spinning Rods vs. Baitcasting Rods
When it comes to fishing for bass, the first thing that you need to know is the difference between baitcasting fishing rods and spinning fishing rods and which is better for bass fishing.
Even though baitcaster offer more control and precision, they have a steep learning curve and have a slightly difficult casting mechanism. On the other hand, spinning rods are pretty easy to use and have a simple casting mechanism.
Especially if you are a beginner, you should definitely get a spinning rod since the setup will be easier for you to use and will feel more natural.
Length of the Rod
The length of the rod matters a lot since it determines how easy or difficult it will be for you to launch a bait or lure, how far you can go, and what kind of technique you are going to use.
Spinning rods usually range from 6 ft. to 12 ft. in length. If you are a beginner, you should keep in mind that long fishing rods are usually hard to use and handle. Not only are they harder to cast & retrieve, but they will cause you problems to transport and travel with as well.
However, the longer the rod, the longer you will be able to cast. Short rods are easier to control, and this a big advantage, especially in lure fishing. You need to keep in mind the conditions of the area that you are fishing in along with the technique that you are going to use when you decide the length of the fishing rod that you will buy.
Types of Handles
A reliable and well-built handle will make sure that you can grip your fishing rod comfortably in your hand. A good handle will not slip out of your hand and will not affect your technique.
Make sure that the handle of the spinning rod for bass that you are looking at is durable and will not wear out after a while. Moreover, it should be comfortable and ergonomic.
Handle – Shape
● Straight Grip Handles
The straight grip handles are comfortable and are lightweight as well. Moreover, they are easy on the wrist as well.
● Pistol Grip Handles
These types of handles are curved downwards and are a tad bit uncomfortable if you are planning on fishing for several hours at a time. However, they do give you an accurate and precise cast.
Handles – Material
● Cork
Cork is a bit expensive than the other two materials, but it is elastic and gives a snug fit. Moreover, it doesn’t slip easily, even in the rain.
● Foam
If you are a beginner, you should go for foam handles. Foam handles maintain their shape and are durable as well.
● Composite
Composite handles are cheaper than foam and cork but are not that sensitive.
Material of the Rod
In the days of old, fishing rods were made of bamboo. However, spinning rods nowadays are made from graphite, fiberglass, etc.
The material of a spinning rod is probably the most important factor since the durability, overall weight, sensitivity, etc. all depend on it. The lighter the rod is, the more sensitive it will be. When you are out fishing for bass, you need to stay away from heavy rods.
- Graphite Rods
- Fiberglass Rods
- Composite Rods
Graphite rods are more sensitive than the fiberglass fishing rods, but they are not as durable as fiberglass. Composite fishing rods combine the best of both materials, thus, giving you a fishing rod that is both durable and sensitive.
Number of Pieces
In a perfect spinning rod for fish, the no. of pieces can vary. The no. of pieces usually depends on the overall length of the rod or the preference of the manufacturer. Multi-piece spinning rods for bass can be broken down easily and are more portable. As a beginner, this is a huge advantage.
However, single piece rods are more durable since these don’t fall apart when you cast, which is a probability with multi-piece spinning rods. A single-piece spinning rod can distribute the pressure evenly and thus can stand more load.
However, not all multi-piece rods fall apart, and there are plenty of good quality multi-piece spinning rods out there.
Action of the Rod
There are three types of rods based on their action.
- Fast
- Medium
- Slow
Fast action rods are highly sensitive and bend near the tip. Slow action rods are not very sensitive and bend close to the rod’s handle. Medium action rods, as the name indicates, have medium sensitivity and bend in the middle of the rod.
Since you are looking for a bass spinning rod, you should get a fast action rod. It will alert you as soon as the bass bites the lure, and you will be better equipped to reel the fish in as it tries to put up a fight.
Power of the Rod
The power of the spinning rod for bass tells how much force it is required to bend the fishing rod. There are three types of power, as well.
- Low
- Medium
- High
The power and action of a good fishing rod are inversely proportional to each other. This means that the lesser the action of the rod, the more power the rod needs to have to hook the bass. If you are a beginner, it is suitable for you to get a medium-powered rod.
The type of lure also determines the type of power you want to get. If the lure is heavy and the power of the rod is light, the rod will bend easily, and it will be difficult for you to control the casts.
Guides
The eyelets or guides help in guiding the fishing line from the tip to the reel. They are usually metallic and are circular. Unlike guides on baitcasting rods, the guides on spinning rods usually face the ground.
The type of guides is very important when it comes to keeping the rod and reel together. You need to know how much friction the fishing line creates when it runs through the rod guides.
If the friction is high, it tends to put a huge amount of stress on the line and the rod. This causes problems when it comes to reeling the fish in and when you are casting out as well.
The best spinning rod for bass will have guides that are evenly spaced along the rod to balance out the friction so that you get a smooth setup. If the guides are less in diameter, you get better control on the reel and the handle since your rod gets bent towards the tip to balance out a load of a fish’s bite.
Make sure that you don’t buy a fishing rod that has plastic guides since they will break easily, and you will either have to replace them or get a whole new rod.
The Best Spinning Rod for Bass Fishing Review – Our Top Picks
The Best All Around Bass Fishing Spinning Rod
KastKing Royale Select Fishing Rod
Pros
- High-quality
- Lifetime Warranty
- O-shaped guides
- Graphite Blank
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not particularly comfortable to hold for a long time
KastKing is a renowned brand when it comes to quality fishing equipment. This spinning fishing rod for bass can be used both in saltwater and freshwater. The graphite blank on this fishing rod makes it super-sensitive, lightweight, and highly durable.
The spinning rod works with various fishing techniques such as shakey heads, swimbaits, drop shots, etc. It has O-shaped guides that work with all kinds of fishing lines. You get a lifetime warranty with this fishing rod.
This is the best single-piece spinning rod for bass fishing. The fishing seat reels are made of top-quality nylon that makes this rod even more durable.
Amazon
The Best Quality Bass Fishing Spinning Rod
Cadence Spinning Rod
Pros
- Unique 2-piece design
- Two types of handles
- Durable
- Premium cork handle
- Adjustable reel seat
- Travel Friendly
Cons
- The reel seat can come loose
The Cadence spinning rod is made of quality materials and has various unique features. The blanks of this fishing rod are made of 30-ton carbon. The fishing rod comes in various power and action ratings, and you can choose the fishing rod that fulfills your requirements.
The rod is perfect if you are going to fish for bass in freshwater. The handle is made from EVA and premium cork handle and comes in 2 shapes since you get the rod in full grip version as well as a split grip version. The frame of this fishing rod is made from stainless steel, and the guides are made from SiC.
The fishing rod comes with an adjustable reel seat that provides you the utmost comfort and is the best two piece spinning rod for bass. The customer service is reliable as well, so that if you have any queries, you can rest assured that they will be answered in a blink!
Amazon
The Best Value Bass Fishing Spinning Rod
JOHNCOO Fishing Rod for Bass
Pros
- Aesthetic Design
- Affordable
- Versatile
- Longer casts
Cons
- The EVA grips don’t have foam over them
This carbon spinning fishing rod is perfect if you are going to fish in saltwater. It is a versatile fishing rod, and you can use it for various fish species other than bass as well. It is an affordable model.
The EVA handle to ensure that the overall weight of the rod is reduced. This makes the rod lightweight and portable. The aesthetic look of the fishing rod makes it very appealing to look at as well. The carbon fiber is highly sensitive.
If you are an experienced fisherman looking for slow action and heavy power fishing rod that is long and allows you to cast for longer distance, then this fishing rod is perfect for you. Finally, its three piece construction ensures that you are able to transport it easily, despite its length!
Amazon
Best Fishing Rod for Bass – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What should be the size of the best spinning rod for bass?
Best spinning rods range from 6-12 ft. in length. However, you should get rods that are medium in size so that you will be able to strike a balance between balance, control, and distance of the cast.
What is the right weight for the spinning rod for bass?
A lightweight spinning rod would be perfect, but you need to make sure that the rod doesn’t compromise on durability.
What kind of action should I look for?
Bass spinning rods usually have a fast action since this makes them sensitive to the bite of the fish.
If you are fishing for larger black bass or largemouth bass, you should fast or medium action rod. If you are looking for smallmouth bass, go for an extra fast spinning rod.
What are some good reels to pair this spinning rod with?
That depends if you want to go for saltwater bass or freshwater bass.
But I would rather go for some other fish…!?
Check out our articles on the best crappie fishing, best trout fishing or best salmon fishing rods. Let me know, if you want info on other fish!
Happy Bass Fishing
There are a lot of fishing products out there, and it gets really hard to select the perfect one. Hopefully, after reading our honest reviews of the top 3 best spinning rods for bass, you will be able to choose the one that fulfills your needs and the requirements perfectly.
The buying guide is compact yet comprehensive and gives you all that you need to know about the best spinning rods for bass. Make sure to check out our tips on how to catch largemouth bass to increase your chances of a successful trip even further!