Bass fishing is among the most exciting sports, but only with the highest-quality bass fishing rod can you improve your catching odds and become a more professional bass angler.
Some anglers might choose a spinning reel over a baitcaster as the former is easier to use, but if you want more control and precision with your casts, you will never go wrong with a baitcaster.
Here are the best baitcasting rods for bass (Nov 2024 Update):
- Best Overall: KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods
- Most Lightweight: UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod
- Best For Beginners: Entsport E Series
- Most Versatile: Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Rod
- Best For Freshwater Fishing: Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod
| Top 5 Best Baitcasting Rods For Bass | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods | Read Our Review |
Most Lightweight | UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod | Read Our Review |
Best For Beginners | Entsport E Series | Read Our Review |
Most Versatile | Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Rod | Read Our Review |
Best For Freshwater Fishing | Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod | Read Our Review |
Best Overall: KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods
Lightweight and very comfortable to use
High-quality and durable construction
A lifetime warranty from the manufacturer
The rod tip might shatter after a long time in use
The first thing to praise is sensitive carbon fiber – the trend in the fishing gear industry making the KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rod one of the most powerful models in the market.
Moreover, the Toray 24-ton carbon matrix KastFlex technology throughout its entire structure makes it strong enough to stand the test of time.
However rough the sea or lake is, your rod will always guarantee the most robust outcomes.
The only thing that users a little bit disappointed is the fact that the rod’s tip might shatter after a long time in use.
KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods Specifications | |
Material | Carbon fiber |
Action | Fast |
Power | Medium heavy |
Line weight | 12-20lbs |
Lure weight | 3/8-1 oz |
Guides | Fuji O-Ring line guides |
Pieces | 1 |
Highlight features | Hooker holder, top quality components, Toray 24-ton carbon matrix KastFlex technology blanks, and smooth power. |
For seasoned anglers who look for nothing but power and enhanced fishing performance, nothing will go wrong with KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rods.
Most Lightweight: UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod
Durable and lightweight
Excellent price to value ratio
Strong and sensitive appeal
Not perfect for larger fish varieties
By creating their product into only one piece, Ugly Stik®s makes it much easier for individuals with little experience to set up their fishing rod.
However, rather than the ease to use, it combines the original tradition with the durability and strength that all Ugly Stik’s products are well-known for.
Ugly Stik’s signature Clear Tip promises excellent sensitivity while the contemporary Tech construction creates a durable and strong unit with optimal balance by using a stunning composition of both graphite and fiberglass.
Expect to use a top-water lure to trigger any explosive surface bites!
As the UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod is engineered with those new to this outdoor sports in mind, professional anglers who want to catch larger fish might find it a little bit disappointing.
UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod Specifications | |
Material | Graphite and fiberglass |
Action | Fast |
Power | Medium |
Line weight | 6-15lbs |
Lure weight | 1/8-5/8 oz |
Guides | Stainless steel double-foot |
Pieces | 1 |
Highlight features | EVA handle, signature fiberglass clear tip, and durable grip. |
UglyStik GX2 Casting Rod is the best choice for those wanting to learn how to catch small bass.
Best For Beginners: Entsport E Series
Lightweight with tremendous overall strength
Easy and convenient to transport
Perfect for small and medium-sized bass
Not as durable as expected
Lightweight and easy to use, the Entsport E Series - Camo Legend Casting Rod is packed with all excellent features expected at the best baitcasting rod for beginners.
The two different tips save beginners much time and effort to adjust to their desired casting weight.
Another notable feature is the corrosion-resistant guides offering a friction-free experience. That way, even over time, your fishing line will not easily wear out.
Though Entsport E Series guarantee high accuracy when catching small and medium-sized bass, there is a chance of breakage when fishermen try to catch big bass ranging from 3 to 5lbs.
Entsport E Series Specifications | |
Material | 24 Ton Carbon Fiber |
Action | Fast |
Power | Medium and Medium Heavy (two top tips) |
Line weight | 10-26lbs |
Lure weight | 0.1-1.1oz |
Guides | 6+1 corrosion-resistant guides |
Pieces | 2 |
Highlight features | Extreme Exposure Reel Seat, High-density EVA handles, “K-R” and “FINESSE” Guide Series. |
Entsport E Series - Camo Legend Casting Rod is meant for beginners wishing to go further in the fishing journey.
Most Versatile: Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Rod
Lightweight yet not compromising sensitivity and durability
Able to cast a lot of weights and lures pretty well
Well worth your money
Guides might bend under pressure
Made from high-quality IM6 carbon, the Piscifun Torrent 1-piece baitcasting rod is incredibly durable with the virtually unbreakable blank.
That’s why no matter how much your bass weighs and how rough the water is, breakage is never much of an issue.
What makes this model outstanding is Piscifun’s computer control wrapping at 3 angles combined with 7 smartly distributed guides ensuring pure power transition throughout its bend.
However, under pressure, these guides might bend.
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Rod Specifications | |
Material | High-quality IM6 carbon |
Action | Moderate fast |
Power | Medium Heavy |
Line weight | 8-17lbs |
Lure weight | 3/8-3/4oz |
Guides | 7 guides |
Pieces | 1 |
Highlight features | Technique Specific Actions and Lengths, Pure Power Transition, high-end features, 30 Ton sanded smooth carbon blank, high-density EVA grips, and Limited Lifetime Warranty. |
Competitors and experts with many years of experience demanding the most impressive performance out of their fishing tools will definitely fall in love with the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Rod.
Best For Freshwater Fishing: Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod
Cork handle for ultimate comfort and better grip
Incredibly sensitive to bites
Some users find it hard to travel with this one-piece rod design
If you are in search of something as rich as the tradition of freshwater fishing is, the Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod will definitely be worth your consideration.
What we love most about this product is the SS304 guides with stainless steel inserts which are 55% lighter and 20x tougher than normal aluminum oxide guides.
Not only does it provide anglers with higher accuracy, but it also guarantees maximum fishing power and exceptional strength.
Even though the Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod is easy to set up, you might find this one-piece rod a little bit difficult to travel with.
Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod Specifications | |
Material | Graphite |
Action | Fast |
Power | Medium light to medium heavy |
Line weight | 8-17lbs |
Lure weight | 1/4-3/4oz |
Guides | 6 SS304 Guides |
Pieces | 1 |
Highlight features | Hybrid crafting, Cork handle design, and incredible sensitivity. |
Berkley Cherrywood HD Casting Rod is not exactly one of the best baitcasting rods for bass reaching the tournament level, but for freshwater fishermen, it is an incredible value.
How To Choose The Best Baitcasting Rods?
Material: When it comes to material, there are 4 types of rods:
Graphite: Flexible, lightweight, more affordable, and be able to withstand shock - Suitable for beginners.
Fiberglass: More durable yet a little bit heavier than others – Recommended for experienced anglers who want a fast action casting rod only.
Carbon fiber: More refined than a graphite fishing rod.
Modern composite: Cost more and not great for amateurs.
Action
To know how well your rod will perform in certain water and weather conditions, pay attention to its action.
This rating is essential as it dictates the point where the fishing rod bends when the end is suffering from pressure. A slow action bends towards the base while a fishing rod with fast action begins to bend at the tip.
Generally, they categorize a rod's action into slow, medium or moderate, and fast.
Each of them might be suitable for a lot of different techniques and applications. And which is the best one to choose? It mostly depends on each angler’s personal preference.
If you have no idea of what action level to go for, it is highly recommended to settle for the moderate action option, which can work incredibly well with small and medium-sized lures while achieving the maximum casting distance.
Line Guides
Ideally, you should select a fishing rod which has line guides aligned in a slightly descending pattern from butt to tip. Additionally, the material types used to make its guides can also make a difference.
The cheapest yet less durable is a plastic guide. Those looking for a great deal of value should go for ceramic models. Meanwhile, experienced anglers love the sturdy nickel-titanium ones.
Power
They often use light, medium, and heavy to describe the power ratings. The stronger the power is the easier you can reel in larger fish.
Length
Another necessary consideration is length.
The perfect size of a baitcasting rod for bass is from 7 to 8 feet (a rod longer than 8 feet might even not be allowed in many tournament circuits).
Within this range, a 7.5-foot unit is not a bad idea as it makes it much easier to pitch the baits.
Which Brands Make The Best Baitcasting Rods?
Ugly Stik
Established in 1897, Ugly Stik has been making a wide array of high-quality yet affordable products to be the first to meet the ever-changing requirements of the fishing gear market.
Berkley
Established in Spirit Lake, IA 82 years ago, Berkley is now among the most trustworthy brands owning some of the most famous products in the fishing world such as PowerBait, Berkley Trilene, and Lightning Rod.
With several centuries’ experience in the rod business since the 1960s, this American brand has become the first-class household name for anglers all around the world.
FAQs
How do I choose a good fishing reel to go with my bass fishing rod?
To choose a good fishing reel to go with your bass fishing rod, make sure to keep gear ratio, power, control, and in mind.
And expect to pay more for a better fishing reel. The return anglers will get for the money spent on their fishing gear varies with the frequency of their fishing trip, their skill level, and other factors.
Generally, the more expensive a fishing reel is, the more responsive and sensitive it can be, thus the more precision you will be achieving.
Do I need training before using a baitcasting rod?
Baitcasting tackle is meant for catching larger freshwater and saltwater varieties like muskellunge, northern pike, largemouth bass, tuna, and marlin.
For first-time anglers or those with little experience, it might be a little bit challenging to get the hang of casting with a baitcasting rod. If you want to master it, it’s better to be trained and regularly practice.
How can I make sure that my rod last?
Besides purchasing the best everlasting fishing rod, you can also apply general care as below:
Never hang hooks or lures from the guides. Otherwise, it will absolutely scratch your guide’s surface and badly affect your casting.
Never lift your rod past 90 degrees even when you fight your desired fish.
Don’t put your rod against metal or any hard surfaces.
Use something biodegradable like Simple Green to clean residue off your rod.
Is there any specific time of the day better for bass fishing?
Though you can catch bass all year round, the best time to go bass fishing is during its pre-spawn during spring when the temperature of water ranges from 55 to 65 degrees.
Either early in the morning or late in the evening, when the heat is not at its extreme is the prime time of day for bass fishing. In muddy water or cloudy weather, bass might also bite midday.
Conclusion
Now you have gone through our list of the best baitcasting rods for bass. Hope that it will make your selection process much easier!
