The rod selection basics post is awesome, however if you don’t fish treble baits you might not need a medium power medium action rod.
I read that post as a beginner bass angler and became obsessed with finding the perfect rod for crankbaits. Problem was I later learned that my local fishing spots are so full of weeds in the summer, that crankbait fishing is really impractical because all I caught were weeds. (Maybe I was just doing something wrong and you guys can chime in.) The journey learning about crankbait equipment was still fun and I’m ready if I move again. LOL!
My point is you also need to factor in where you fish . You don't say where you’re from. If you do, someone local to your area might chime in and give some advice.
For me a medium heavy for jigs and texas rigs, plus a medium or medium light spinning rod for unweight plastics (like wacky worm) and light 1/4 ounce topwater poppers fit my needs. My casting rod is a GLoomis MBR medium heavy rod. It is made to be an all around versatile bass fishing rod. GLoomis makes the MBR model in several lines so you can get one that fits your budget. I have the glx, I got on sale when bass pro shops was liquidating my local cabelas inventory many years ago.
At this point you I would say just get 6’6” to 7’ medium power fast action spinning rod to pair up with the sahara you have and just go try techniques with it. Meet and chat with local anglers to learn what techniques work best in your area. You’ll also find out what techniques you like fishing.
I will also share that, when I started I bought many rods for different techniques. I wound up owning 13 rods. I recently moved cross country and used the opportunity to give everything away, except the two rods and one trout rod, to friends and neighbors. It’s really freeing not to overthink things anymore. I’m a bank/kayak angler so I don’t have space for many rods either. Maybe things would be different if I had a boat.
Good luck and enjoy the journey!
