Best Bass Fishing Rods

Best Bass Fishing Rods in 2023 – A Simple Buyer’s Guide That Helps

Bass fish are known for being fighters, which is exactly why bass fishing is one of the most exciting fishing habits that anyone can relate to, whether you’re a beginner or an expert. You just can’t say no to a bass’ fight.

Because bass fish are fighters, you’d need a rod to fight back just as strongly, and even stronger in order to reel your fish in without an issue.

A good rod should be sensitive enough for you to feel the bite, yet strong enough to withstand the bass’ weight; you need that perfect balance.

That’s exactly what we’re here to do; our aim is for you to find the best bass fishing rod that fits your own unique techniques and preferences. We’ve decided to create this list of our top picks for the best bass fishing rod. So, are you ready to meet your next favorite rod?

List of The Best Bass Fishing Rods:

Our Top Picks:

RodMaterialType(s)
Ugly Stik EliteGraphite and fiberglassSpinning
KastKing Perigee II24-ton carbon matrixSpinning and baitcasting
Entsport Camo Legend24-ton carbon fiberBaitcasting
Ugly Stik GX2Graphite and fiberglassSpinning
KastKing Royale Select24-ton carbon matrixSpinning and baitcasting
St. Croix TriumphGraphiteBaitcasting

The 6 Best Bass Fishing Rods in 2021

1. Ugly Stik Elite – Best Overall

Our top pick is undoubtedly the Ugly Stik Elite. With its exceptional specs, Elite easily takes the first place.

The spinning rod is made from graphite and fiberglass, which are the two most popular materials that go into the making of fishing rods. The addition of fiberglass adds durability to the rod that graphite on its own cannot provide.

If, for some reason, the blank’s material is not enough to convince you, perhaps the cork grip will. Now, if you don’t know much about handles, cork grips are one of the most comfortable grips that you can find on a fishing rod.

Moreover, the rod comes with stainless steel guides and a clear tip for accuracy when casting.

The rod comes in power ratings starting at ultra-light all the way to medium-heavy. However, when it comes to Bass fishing, we wouldn’t recommend going for lower than a medium power rating.

In medium power ratings or higher, the rod comes in lengths starting at 6’ all the way to 7’6”, which is a nice variety to choose from.

Pros:

  • Reasonable price-point
  • A wide range of models
  • Comfortable cork grip

Cons:

  • Guides are too sharp for some lines

Final Verdict

You can’t go wrong with an Ugly Stik, especially an Elite one. It is a durable rod that also offers high sensitivity and high-quality materials. When combining this rod’s lightweight with its cork handle, forget all about fishing fatigue.

2. KastKing Perigee II – Runner Up

Another favorite of our’s is the KastKing Perigee II, which is also very popular in the fishing community.

What we truly love about this rod is that it comes with two tips, which basically means you’ll be getting two rods in one. We strongly recommend this rod for a beginner who’s looking to expand their collection, or if you like having multiple rods on you when bass fishing.

The 24-ton carbon blanks are made with KastFlex technology, which provides the rod with its high strength and durability. Furthermore, it also comes with fuji O-ring guides that are known to be high-quality guides that provide the angler with increased accuracy when casting.

We must also mention its high-density EVA grips that are very comfortable to hold, some people even prefer them to cork grips. Moreover, the rod comes in spinning models, as well as casting models.

It comes in a variety of lengths starting from 6’ and all the way to 7’4” for models starting at medium to heavy power ratings.

Pros:

  • Twin-tip models
  • A wide variety of models
  • High-quality materials

Cons:

  • A little pricey

Final Verdict

The KastKing Perigee II is a crowd’s favorite, and we couldn’t agree more. The rod is durable, lightweight, and you can choose to get a twin-tip model that is basically two rods in one. We genuinely believe that this rod is worth every penny, as it’ll save you a lot of time and effort if you like having multiple rods on you.

3. Entsport Camo Legend – Best Baitcasting Rod

The Camo Legend is also a two-tip rod that is equivalent to having two rods in one.

If you’re looking for a baitcasting rod that is portable and easy to use, well, you’re describing the Camo Legend.

The 24-ton carbon fiber rod is lightweight, durable, and sensitive, which are all specifications you need to be on the lookout for when you’re buying a bass fishing rod.

The high-density EVA handle, and its unique camo design gives you a whole new experience when bass fishing. Moreover, the rod comes with corrosion-resistant and friction-free guides that take the casting experience to a whole new level.

The only downside to this rod is that you wouldn’t get the most comprehensive range of models as it only comes in a 7’ model with medium and medium-heavy power ratings. Now, don’t get us wrong, that length and power ratings are considered optimum for bass fishing. We just wish there was a little more variety.

Pros:

  • Comes with two tips
  • High-quality guides
  • Affordable price

Cons:

  • Some products arrive broken

Final Verdict

The Camo Legend will be your best pal on all your bass fishing trips with its two-tip design that saves you the effort of having to carry two full rods. The rod is also durable and sensitive so you could feel the bass’ bite and then reel it in with no issues whatsoever.

If you want to check out more baitcasting options, check out this guide to the best Baitcasting rods here.

4. Ugly Stik GX2 – Best Rod and Reel Combo

Yet another Ugly Stik rod, this time the GX2 combo. The combo comes with a spinning rod and a reel at a very affordable price.

We’d strongly recommend this combo for beginners who are still building or expanding their collection or if you’re new to bass fishing.

Much like the previous Ugly Stik rod, the GX2 is made from a graphite and fiberglass composite. Moreover, the rod comes with a foam EVA handle that is comfortable to hold for long periods.

It also comes with stainless steel guides and a clear tip; together, they provide the angler with accuracy when casting.

The rod comes in a wide variety of lengths and power ratings, but the most suitable models for bass fishing are the ones with 6’6” of length and medium or medium-heavy power ratings.

Pros:

  • A combo of a rod and a reel
  • High durability
  • Affordable price

Cons:

  • The reel is not of the best quality

Final Verdict

The Ugly Stik GX2 is a trendy pick among fishers, especially when it comes to bass fishing. The rod is durable, lightweight, and sensitive. Moreover, it also comes in a combo with a reel. This rod is a perfect option if you’re looking to expand your collection without spending a fortune.

5. KastKing Royale Select – Best Value

KastKing makes yet another appearance on the list with the Royale Select rod. This rod comes with one of the most extensive ranges of models out of all the products on the list.

The Royale Select offers tournament-quality materials with its 24-ton carbon matrix blank that is constructed with KastFlex technology. Furthermore, it comes with an EVA handle that is comfortable to hold and fuji guides for accuracy when casting.

What we truly love about this rod is its wide variety of models in both baitcasting and spinning types.

For the spinning models, the rod comes in lengths starting at 6’9” to 7’6”, all with suitable power ratings for bass fishing. Moreover, the casting models’ lengths begin at 6’6” all the way to 7’6” from power ratings of medium to extra-heavy.

With such variety, you are guaranteed to find the perfect combination of type, length, and power rating for your preferred fishing technique and the kind of bass you’re aiming to catch.

Pros:

  • High-quality materials
  • A wide variety of models
  • High sensitivity

Cons:

  • A little pricey

Final Verdict

Royale Select is the one for you if you’re looking for a high-quality rod that will last you years upon years. The rod is durable, sensitive, and comfortable to use for as long as you’d want. Moreover, if you’re looking for the perfect combination of length and power, you’ll most likely find it here as this product offers a long list of models, all suitable for bass fishing.

6. St. Croix Triumph – Premium Pick

Our premium pick for bass fishing rods is, without a doubt, the St. Croix Triumph.

The baitcasting rod is made from graphite for lightweight and sensitivity; also, its guides are aluminum oxide for accuracy when casting. Moreover, if that’s not convincing enough, perhaps the cork grip will catch your attention.

The Triumph means business when it comes to high-quality and longevity, as this rod is guaranteed to last you for a long time.

For medium and medium-heavy power ratings, the rod comes in lengths starting at 6’ all the way to 7’6”.

However, everything comes with a price. The only downside of the Triumph baitcasting rod is its high price tag, but you get what you pay for.

Pros:

  • 5-year warranty
  • High-quality rod
  • High sensitivity

Cons:

  • High price point

Final Verdict

If you’re willing to spend that extra money, Triumph is worth the investment. This rod will last you for years and stay as good as new. It is a sensitive rod that is perfect for bass fishing. Not to mention, it comes with a 5-year warranty.

What to Look for When Buying a Rod for Bass Fishing

Best Bass Fishing Rods

Not all rods behave the same, obviously. You can’t just pick the first rod you see and call it a day. It most likely will not be suitable for bass fishing. When it comes to bass fishing, there are a few things that you need to be on the lookout for.

1. Materials Used

The rod’s material is the most significant indicator of whether that rod is durable enough for bass or not. Mostly, you’ll find graphite, fiberglass, or even a composite of the two. Each of these two has its own pros and cons.

Graphite offers lightweight, sensitivity, and durability, which are the exact three specifications you need for bass fishing.

Some rods combine graphite and fiberglass to add a little more durability to the rod, which could be perfect if you’re aiming to catch bigger kinds of bass.

2. Spinning or Baitcasting

The honest answer is that there’s no right answer. Choosing between spinning and baitcasting depends on the angler’s personal preference and what you feel most comfortable using.

If you’re new to fishing (not just bass fishing), we’d recommend going for a spinning rod as they’re a little easier to use.

However, if you’ve used baitcasting rods before, or you’re up for a little challenge, by all means, go for it. Baitcasting rods are more versatile than spinning rods because they cover a larger casting distance.

3. Power Rating

How much power is too much? Well, that depends on the kind of bass you’re targeting. You should have a general idea of the kind of bass in your area and how much they weigh.

Having a power rating too heavy will prevent you from feeling the fish’s bite, and a power rating too low will just cause your rod to snap when fighting the fish.

Still not sure how to choose? Not to worry, I’ve made a complete guide to Bass Fishing Rod selection here that will definitely help you make a decision, although I still think you won’t find better options than those recommended earlier in this article.

Final Thoughts

The best bass fishing rod is subjective. It depends on what you’re looking for, your fishing techniques, and your fishing experience.

For example, our top pick is the Ugly Stik Elite that is most suited for anglers who are looking for a spinning rod that is comfortable to hold.

Moreover, if you’re looking for a budget rod, you can always opt for the KastKing Perigee II, and don’t worry about choosing between spinning or baitcasting styles; it offers both.

If you’re specifically looking for the best baitcasting rod, though, we strongly recommend the Entsport Camo Legend.

Lastly, if you’re willing to invest in a rod that will last you years and years, you should go for the St. Croix Triumph.

Become A Bass Wizard

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