Which Starter Rod to Get

[JBFishing]

Im getting a Lews LFS Speed Spool with 6:8:1 Gear Ratio and I'm looking for a rod that has good back bone and is easy to feel when the fish takes the bait, I would like around a 7 foot rod medium heavy. If you have any suggestion it would be very helpful

[new2BC4bass]

Tatula 7'1" MH-XF.  $110 at Sportsmam's Outfitters.

[picassotrigger]

Obviously, loads of great options for you. But first, what is your budget? And second... what type of technique (s) and/or lures do you intend to use this setup for? i.e. are you looking for an all around setup or a technique specific setup such as a soft plastic or crankbait setup? There are other variables involved when selecting a good bass setup so the more info you can provide the more we can help you out with your decision. 

[JBFishing]

Im looking for an all around rod with good backbone and good sensitivity. Max $120 I'm not looking for anything thats for pros I'm just a 12 year old kid who wants to fish but i do want to be able to catch fish and feel when they bite.

[fishnkamp]

To start with you could look at a Berkley Lightning Shock rod They have a 6'6" which i own 2 of. That rod has a good feel. I use it mostly for rattle traps and crankbaits. They also have the same rod in a 7 foot 1/4 to 3/4 that might work well for you. It retails around $50. It can sometimes be found online cheaper.

You could look at two different lines from Abu Garcia. Check out  Vendetta and the other a Veritas. The 6'9" Vendetta, or the 7' Med or Ned HVY would work.  In the Veritas series I would look at the Veritas Micro series either the 6'9 med Hvy or 7 foot  Med or Med Hvy. These rods run from $80 to $99

Lastly look at a Dobyns Fury FR 703C it is a 7" med hvy 1/4 to 3/4 rod. Dobyns makes a terrific rod. This one fishes more like a $200 not a rod that costs $110. You can look at all of these at Tackle Warehouse online.

I own at least one of all of these except the Vendetta. I do own 2 Veritas and one Abu Garcia Ike Series casting rods. The entire Abu line plays very similar and they hold up well. Around here in MD. we use our gear for bass as well as stripers and big catfish. These rods hold up just fine to 20 pound cats and stripers like 14 to 36 inchers. My friend even has had to do batle with huge snakeheads on the Potomac River 

[Turkey sandwich]

So, things like specific techniques, the type of water you'll be fishing, and where you're located can all impact this a bit, but as a good starter rod, I'm going to suggest a Medium or Medium heavy power fast action around 7' long.  The medium action rod would be the better choice if you aren't fishing lures 3/4 oz or larger, aren't fishing super heavy vegetation or are planning on fishing techniques like grubs, tubes, weightless Senkos, etc..  I generally suggest a Medium power as a starter rod because of versatility, but you'll be alright with a MH for most applications as well.  

As for brands, just about all of the major brands have quality rods in the $100 ballpark.  I have a preference for St. Croix rods, but also own an Abu Veritas crankbait rod that I like a lot.  Whatever your preferences are, Abu, St. Croix, Duckett, Shimano, Dobyns, Fenwick, Daiwa, Powell, and a ton of other companies all make quality rods at that price point.  One suggestion I will make is checking places like Fenwick's website, St Croix's bargain bin, or Cabela's sale items for heavily discounted rods that are either last year's models or higher end lines being discontinued.  it's not unheard of to find rods being sold at 40-50% off.  Through that kind of bargain shopping, I've picked up St Croix Rage rods for under $90 ($150-180), a Fenwick Aetos for $85 ($180), and a Sage VXP fly rod for around $250 ($450). 

[Bassun]

...of course, Rick Clunn would say, pick a heavy action rod you like, and a fast reel... then just keep buying the same thing.  No need for a different type of rod for every presentation, you present it how you want it.  The consistency from rod to rod becomes a benefit, not a hindrance.  Having said that, I think I have maybe two twin rods, lol.

 

[fishnkamp]

Rick says a lot of stuff, I wonder if he follows that practice on his boat? I doubt it.

[lo n slo]

another vote for the Berkley rods

[BrianSnat]

I think the most versatile rod for bassing would be a 6' 6" to 7', MH fast taper rod. For under $50 its hard to beat the Berkley Lightning, or Lightning Shock.  For under $100 chek out the Fenwick HMG and HMX, Shimano Clarus and Bas Pro  Carbon lite

[burrows]

St croix bass x series it's a new line up on there web site 100$

[picassotrigger]

I've heard and read good things about these rods... All around or under your price point.

Falcon Bucoo

Fenwick HMG

Abu Veritas

St. Croix Mojo Bass or Bass X

[d-camarena]

My vote goes to berkley lightning shock. I own 7 and use every one of them very often. Only rod under 50 that is actually sensitive

[Bluebasser86]

H2O from Academy. They go on sale often but are only $60 at full price. Lots of them were on sale for $27 not long ago. They feel very similar to the Abu Garcia Veritas to me.