The kind of equipment you use affects your overall fishing experience. Depending on the kind of fish you are going after, you need to modify your equipment to follow suit.
For instance, if you are going after lighter-species fish like crappie and bluegill, you will want a light rod with fast action. If you are going after heavier species like flounder and catfish, you’ll want a medium rod with higher sensitivity.
When it comes to bass fishing, the ideal setup is a medium to medium-heavy rod with fast action. Bass are among the larger species of commonly caught fish so you need something hefty that can transmit every strike with accuracy
There are a lot of bass rods out there in varying degrees of quality. To help with your decision, we put together this comprehensive list of the top 8 best bass fishing rods available now. These bass fishing rods have been selected and ranked based on their overall quality, durability, performance, and cost. Without any further ado, let’s get to the good stuff.
Table of Contents
Best Bass Fishing Rod – Comparison
| Picture | Product Name | Size | Action | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | KastKing Perigee II | 7′ | Fast Action | Check Latest Price |
 | Ugly Stik Elite | 6’6″ | Medium Fast | Check Latest Price |
 | St. Croix Triumph | Malti | Fast Action | Check Latest Price |
 | Abu Garcia Vengeance | 6’6″ | MedHeavy/Heavy | Check Latest Price |
 | Plusinno Telescopic | Malti | Medium Action | Check Latest Price |
 | Falcon Rods Coastal | Malti | MedHeavy/Heavy | Check Latest Price |
 | Entsport Camo Legend | 7’ | Fast Action | Check Latest Price |
 | Piscifun Torrent | 7’6″ | MedHeavy Action | Check Latest Price |
8 Best Bass Rods For Bassmasters of All Stripes
1. KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods
Up first on our list is the KastKing Perigee II. The Perigee II is a top-quality bass rod that has been crafted with every attention to detail. KastKing is a fan favorite in the fishing world and with good reason. They are known for their high-quality and precision-engineered products, and they have a lot of clout in the marketplace.
The Perigee II is made from a high quality 24-ton carbon fiber matrix that is engineered specifically for flexibility, durability, and sensitivity. Carbon fiber is our go-to material for bass fishing rods due to the high tensile strength and low weight. The tensile strength makes the rod very durable and the low weight allows for high sensitivity.
The KastKing also features Fuji O-ring guides, commonly agreed to be the standard in the professional bass catching world. The reel seat is made from durable graphite which is sturdy and won’t shift when under pressure, great when catching larger bass.
This particular offer comes with 2-rods for the price of one. Both rods have KastKing’s trademark carbon fiber tip and one is designed for spinning reels and the other baitcasting reels. To be completely honest, the two rods are not all that different and could probably work fine with either kind of reel. Although, the extra rod sweetens the deal quite a bit as you will get a sturdy back up tip.
The spigot-joint construction of the Perigee II makes every cast smooth and ensures that strikes transmit accurately. It has a durable EVA handle that does not get slippery when wet and does not dampen vibrations too much, a common problem with EVA grips.
Overall, the KastKing Perigee II is one of the best bass rods you can find for the price. Stick a solid baitcasting reel on it and you have the perfect rig for medium-species bass in freshwater or saltwater. The extra included rod is a bit gimmicky but it’s a nice addition for the already affordable price.
What We Like:
- Excellent quality materials and construction
- Carbon fiber is light and strong
- High sensitivity and action
- Solid graphite reel seat is sturdy
- Guides are placed based on data from computer simulations
- Works well with spinning and baitcasting reels
What We Do Not Like:
- Extra rod is nothing special
- Hard to find connectors
- Bottom of split-handle might be too small for some hands
2. Ugly Stik Elite Baitcasting Combo
Up next is the Ugly Stik Elite Baitcasting Combo from Shakespeare. We have covered Ugly Stik models here before and the baitcasting combo is Shakespeare’s take on an affordable and competent budget baitcasting rod.
First things first, the Ugly Stik is made from a durable graphite/fiberglass composite, a common choice of materials in bass rods. Shakespeare changed the graphite ratio in the Elite to a full 35%, which retains overall strength but lowers the total weight of the rod. Both versions of the Ugly Stik Baitcasting Combo are medium rods, one of which is a two-piece design.
The Elite Baitcaster is a close cousin to the Elite spinning rod and shares many of the same features. It has a slightly higher price but you are paying for a slightly more heavy-duty rod made for bigger catches.
The included baitcasting reel is simple but works well. It’s made from the same graphite composite as the body which makes it lightweight and sturdy. The Ugly Stik baitcasting reel is pretty simple mechanically and has relatively few moving parts. Fewer moving parts means there is a lower chance for something to break, so that’s a plus in our book.
The reel itself has a simple 2+1 ball bearing construction and works well enough. Unfortunately, there is no reversible retrieve so it works for righties only. The drag control is solid and performs well though it has a relatively low mas drag weight of around 10 lbs.
Overall, the Ugly Stik Elite Baitcasting Combo is not a professional quality rod but it makes a good entry-level purchase for someone just starting out or for a more experienced fisher that needs a solid backup baitcaster. It has a good mix of power and versatility and the simple reel makes learning how to baitcast easy and intuitive.
What We Like:
- Simple and easy to use
- Impressive durability and sensitivity
- Durable, easy-to-use baitcasting reel
- Fast action and smooth retrieval
- Tactile cork handle
- Come pre-spooled with line
- Higher graphite ratio maintains strength and lowers weight
What We Didn’t Like:
- No left-hand retrieval mode
- Gears can make a cranking sound when reeling
- Relatively low drag weight
3. St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
Sitting at third is this high-quality spinning rod from St. Croix. The Triumph is a spinning rod, which is not quite the first choice for bass fishing. However, the Triumph has a great mixture of durability and low weight which makes it a competent bass fishing rod.
The Triumph is made from premium SCII graphite which gives it amazing strength, sensitivity, and hook-setting power. Graphite is a great material for fishing rods as it is light and transmits strikes with precision and accuracy. The Triumph comes in 9 different models ranging from ultra-light to medium-heavy. For bass fishing, we would recommend at least the medium power rating.
Also, all of these rods have a one-piece design so you can’t take them apart for traveling. Each rod comes with a sturdy and high-quality cork handle and features precision placed cast-aluminum guides. Aluminum is corrosion resistant so it makes an excellent material for rods that can handle freshwater and saltwater.
One thing we really like about the Triumph is its superior casting action. The flexibility makes casting effortless and the lure flies off like a rocket at just a flick of the wrist. This added flexibility makes setting hooks much easier too.
The Triumph is designed for spinning reels so if you are going to get one for bass fishing, you may want to invest in a slightly heavier spinning reel. Most bass fishers prefer baitcasting reels but a good spinning reel can perform just as well as a baitcaster for catching bass. We would recommend a spinning reel that can hold up to at least 20 lbs line weight.
The one gripe we have with the Triumph is the price. It’s definitely on the more expensive side, but that extra premium nets you a solid rod with great materials and excellent construction. You may have to experiment a bit to find the right reel to pair it with but once you do you’ll wonder how you ever managed without.
What We Like:
- High-quality graphite construction
- Very flexible; allows for fast strikes and easy hook setting
- Premium cork handle
- 9 sizes available
- Aluminum oxide guides and inserts
- TCS reel seat with silver frosted hood
- Extremely generous 5-year warranty
What We Didn’t Like
- Reel seat is a bit too low
- Handle is not that long
- A bit on the pricey side
4. Abu Garcia Vengeance Casting Rod
Sitting at the halfway point of our roundup is the Abu Garcia Vengeance Casting Rod. Abu Garcia is one of our favorite fishing equipment manufacturers and the Vengeance is a solid entry to their lineup of affordable products. The Vengeance stands apart due to its striking visual design, superior balance, and crankbait action.
First of all, the Vengeance is made from a 24-ton graphite composite that makes it lightweight and balanced. We have mentioned it before but graphite is one of our favorite materials for medium rods as it’s light and has high sensitivity. The sturdy rod body is paired with stainless steel guides with titanium oxide inserts. The tip is pretty soft and has fast action which is perfect for using baitcasting or crankbait reels.
The Vengeance also has an EVA foam split-grip handle. Spit grips are good because they lower the overall weight of the rod while maintaining stability and balance. Unfortunately, the bottom half of the split handle is just a bit too small to grasp comfortably if you have larger hands.
One thing the Vengeance has going for it is its overall quality. It performs like a $100+ rod but costs about half that price. We especially like the extra spongy tip which makes it easy to set hooks firmly when you get a bite. That extra flexibility is also good if you want to switch from a baitcasting reel to a crankbait reel.
The Vengeance does have a few problems. Most importantly, there seem to be some serious quality control issues from the manufacturer. We found a lot of feedback claiming the rod was already shipped to them broken. Fortunately, customer service seems to be good so it’s not that difficult to get a replacement if yours is broken when it arrives.
Overall, the Abu Garcia Vengeance is a great affordable bass fishing rod that will perform well without breaking the bank. It has a good mixture of versatility and open-ended design that make it a good choice for a variety of fishing uses.
What We Like:
- Lightweight and balanced graphite construction
- Titanium oxide guide rings and inserts
- Flexible allows for responsive casting and easy hook setting
- Capable of heavy-duty cranking action
- Durable EVA handles repel water
- Affordable
- Good customer support
What We Didn’t Like:
- Split handle bottom is too small
- Quality control seems hit or miss
5. Plusinno Telescopic Spinning Combo
Up at fifth is the Plusinno telescopic spinning combo rod. First of all, the Plusinno is designed with portability in mind. It features a nifty telescopic-design that collapses in on itself for storage and transportation. It measures just over 16” long when fully collapsed and extends out to over 6 feet when expanded. Larger models are available that extend out to 6’8”, 7’5”, and 8’0”.
Portability is not the only thing the Plusinno has going for it. It’s made out of a durable carbon fiber frame combined with fiberglass. The dual-composite construction makes it exceedingly light and balanced. Both carbon and fiberglass are resistant to corrosion so the Plusinno works as both saltwater and freshwater rod.
This telescopic rod comes with an included spinning reel. The reel has a 5.2:1 gear ratio and it has a 7+1 ball bearing construction, pretty high for being a stock reel. The spinning reel functions well enough, though you might want to consider upgrading to a higher quality reel down the road.
The included reel does have a convenient anti-reverse system which, while not perfect, works well. The aluminum spool and bail do a good job keeping the line spooled and preventing tangles. The included reel can handle up to 140m of 0.30mm line.
There are a few flaws though. The main one that jumps out to us is that the different blanks can get grime on the inside which prevents the rod from extending and contracting properly. This flaw is kind of inherent to the general telescopic design and is not an issue constrained to the Plusinno.
Overall though, the Plusinno is a decent telescopic bass fishing rod that you can get a lot of mileage out of if you take care of it properly. The included reel is pretty decent though you can upgrade it if you want.
What We Like:
- Telescopic design is compact and portable
- Carbon fiber/graphite construction
- Anti-reverse gear
- Large line capacity
- Stainless steel reel seat is anti-corrosive
- Extendable handle
- EVA foregrip
What We Didn’t Like:
- Rod can get jammed with dirt and grime
- Extendable handle can break is handled roughly
- Some slippage on included reel
6. Falcon Rods Coastal Rod
The Falcon Rods Coastal Spinning Rod is an American made bass fishing rod from Falcon Rods. This coastal rod is made out of F120X graphite, and extremely durable polymorph of graphite that has a more robust crystalline structure. This rod comes in three different lengths from 6’6” to 7’6”. All models are medium-heavy power and feature a premium cork handle.
The Falcon Rods makes use of 100% Fuji O-ring guides, largely considered the best guides for bass fishing. The cork handles are exceedingly durable and do not get slippery when wet. This rod also includes a Fuji-exposed blank reel seat which makes the rod more sensitive overall.
One thing we like about the Falcon Rods is how simple the design is. There are no unnecessary bells and whistles and the overall construction is sleek and streamlined. Some people may prefer a rod with some extra features but if simplicity is your motto, then the Falcon Rods is a good choice.
The Falcon Rods are all a good deal longer than your standard bass fishing rod so you’ll want to make sure you can use it comfortably. The action is fast and the flexible design makes setting hooks easy.
One problem we noticed was that the handle itself is pretty small and the reel seat is pretty low. Given how long the rod is, this could cause issues with balance if you choose a heavier reel.
What We Like:
- Solid graphite frame
- Extra-long design
- Medium to medium-heavy power
- Natural cork handle
- Fuji-exposed reel seat
- Good flexibility and fast action
- Simple and streamlined design
What We Didn’t Like:
- Smalle handle
- Reel seat is high
7. Entsport Camo Legend 2-Piece Rod
Our penultimate entry on our list is this camouflage 2-piece baitcasting rod from Entsport. The Camo Legend has 7 full feet of powerful casting action and comes with two tips that can switch whenever you deem it necessary.
The Legend is made from a durable 24-ton carbon fiber that gives it low weight, superior durability, and maximum sensitivity. The Legend also features high-quality cast-aluminum guides with “FINESSE” ceramic inserts that provide maximum glide and minimum friction. Ceramic is probably the best material to use for reel inserts so the Camo Legend gets a huge checkmark in our book for that.
On the bottom is a durable EVA foam split-handle that has a unique camo design. The handle is comfy enough for an entire day’s fishing with low fatigue. Moreover, the bottom handle is actually large enough for your non-dominant hand. A lot of split grip handles suffer from being too small on the bottom so it’s good the Camo Legend avoided this problem.
As far as performance goes, the Entsport allows for smooth casts and smoother retrieves. The medium-power and fast action give the rod high sensitivity so each strike is easily readable and the extra flexibility makes setting hooks natural and effortless. Best of all, the Camo Legend is extremely affordable and has the performance of a rod twice its price.
The Camo Legend also features a unique “opened” reel seat design that allows direct contact with your fingers. A stainless steel hook keeper near the base lets you quickly and safely stash your hook when not in use.
What We Like:
- Camo design is cool and flashy
- Comes with 2 tips
- High strength carbon fiber blanks
- Ceramic inserts
- Durable EVA foam split-handle
- Bottom handle is large enough to comfortably grasp
What We Didn’t Like:
- Reel seat is a bit flimsy
- Quality control issues from manufacturer
8. Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Rod
Last but certainly not least on our roundup is the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting rod, a wonderful way to close out a list of great bass fishing rods. The Piscifun Torrent is a light, sensitive, and durable rod that will up your bass fishing game.
The Piscifun is made from IM6 carbon fiber that is wrapped at different angles to improve overall tensile strength. Carbon is also corrosion resistant so it can be used in freshwater and saltwater. The one-piece design has a very sensitive tip that is much more flexible than the standard carbon fiber rod. 8 strategically placed guides along the spine allow for smooth power transition along the entire length of the rod.
The Piscifun also features a high-strength graphite reel seat that is the perfect height above the handle for balance. The handle itself consists of tough EVA foam that repels water and remains tactile when wet.
Even better all, Piscifun products are covered with a lifetime warranty that will cover manufacturer errors and damages. That way you can rest easy knowing you can get a free replacement in case something goes wrong during the entire lifespan of the rod.
Overall, the Piscifun is a great mid-tier rod with some neat design features that make it stand out from the competition. We especially like the angled carbon blank construction which allows much smoother vibration transmissions and more flexible bending.
What We Like:
- High-quality carbon fiber construction
- Excellent sensitivity and flex
- Graphite reel seat
- EVA foam handle
- 8 strategically placed guides
- Angled carbon blanks add to overall strength and smoothness
What We Didn’t Like:
- Reel seat can make a creaking sound
- Some reports of guide inserts falling out
Conclusions:
Bass fishing is a delicate art and requires the right kind of tools. Our goal was to give out top picks for the best bass fishing rods to help you zone in on your choice. When it comes to bass fishing rods the main thing to keep in mind is that it has medium power and fast action. Those two features combined with a solid spinning or baitcasting rod make a fantastic bass fishing rig.