Best one rod w/line bass setup

[linden12]

What do you guys think would be the best 1 rod setup for bass fishing, as well as the best overall line to choose. 

[Catt]

The one in my rod box & no you can't use it!

[Dens228]

If you're going to use just one I'd go MH/fast...........line would depend on where you're fishing and what you're using.

[tkunk]

I pond fish in the winter, and I use a 7'5" MH XF rod with 40 lb braid for everything, mostly because I'm too lazy to carry two rods around. I don't have any issues losing fish on jerkbaits or topwater lures. Crankbaits are pretty much the only lure I don't use.

[Deleted account]

6'9" MH fast with 14 lb mono.

[Dtrombly]

If I had to do that I'd do a 7' MH/F baitcasting. #50 braid and then add a leader based on technique 

[Smokinal]

55 minutes ago, Dtrombly said:

If I had to do that I'd do a 7' MH/F baitcasting. #50 braid and then add a leader based on technique 

Similar for me.

7'  MH/F baitcaster with a 6.3:1 reel; 30lb braid and 14-15lb fluoro leader

[jbmaine]

This may be going against the grain, but if you're not really comfortable with a bait caster I would go with a spinning rod. With only one rod to use you don't want to spend fishing time trying to untangle a birds nest. 7 ft m-mh with 8 lb copolymer line would do for most applications.

[bassguytom]

11 minutes ago, jbmaine said:

This may be going against the grain, but if you're not really comfortable with a bait caster I would go with a spinning rod. With only one rod to use you don't want to spend fishing time trying to untangle a birds nest. 7 ft m-mh with 8 lb copolymer line would do for most applications.

X2 on this on. Spinning reel and a medium rod that you will be able fish on lakes, rivers, creeks and ponds with a  variety  of techniques. 

[haggard]

16 hours ago, linden12 said:

What do you guys think would be the best 1 rod setup for bass fishing, as well as the best overall line to choose. 

This will depend on the water and type of cover you fish the most, but in my opinion if I had to use only one combo for fresh water smallies and largies in any condition, I'd reach for 6'6" medium power, fast action baitcaster with 12# mono test, and a ~$100 to $180 class reel. Done. Light enough to feel the strikes; heavy enough to handle the big'uns; this specific one ha a 1/4 to 3/4 oz lure weight rating (good range). Caveat: Rod is a StC which supposedly is a little heavier than other brands, so if you're going with something other than StC consider a medium heavy instead of a medium.

 

If you're fishing heavy cover consider MH/F and different line. I have no experience with anything but mono line.

 

[BankBasser]

If I had to pick one rod specifically for Bass it would be a 7' Medium/Fast spinning rod with 8lb braid, with or without a leader depending on technique. I'm assuming you're asking because you don't have a lot of experience and a spinning rod would be a better tool to learn on, imo. You can cover a lot of basses with this setup. If you went for a second rod later on, my SECOND rod would be a Medium Heavy/Fast baitcaster.  

[Catt]

Shimano Crucial CRC-X610MH

Length: 6' 10

Line: 10-20 lb

Lure: 3/8-3/4

Power: Medium Heavy

Action: Extra Fast

 

Line: Berkley Big Game 15# Mean Green

Reels:

 

Shimano Calcutta CT100 Gear Ratio: 5:8.1 Weight: 8.8 oz Bearings: 2+1

 

Lures: Texas Rigged plastics 

[Drew03cmc]

Catt, always the simple suggestions. If I'm doing this, it'd be a 6'6" MF spinning rod 9/10 times loaded with 15lb braid and a 6lb Hybrid leader. That will cover everything from light T-Rig, small jigheads and craws, soft swimbaits, walk the dog, light buzzbaits and spinnerbaits and even small squarebills in a pinch. 

[Happybeerbuzz]

I would go with a 6-6 to 7' MH, Fast Action, spinning rod with 15# braid and a 3000 size reel.  Use a 12# mono leader for most techniques.  You have the flexibility to switch to an 8# fluorocarbon if you want to use finesse techniques but be aware you are going to have to put up with some issues with topwater. 

 

Pretty much the only thing you really can't do with this rig is throw into heavy cover.  Other than that, you can do anything adequately.  It's what I did when I got back into fishing a couple of years ago when I had zero gear.  I still have the rod, but I rarely use it except when I get sentimental because I have more specialized gear now.  

[J.Vincent]

6 hours ago, linden12 said:

What do you guys think would be the best 1 rod setup for bass fishing, as well as the best overall line to choose. 

Great question and I think there will be a lot of good but different answers.....I personally would want a 6'6 Medium Heavy Moderate Fast 1/4-1oz rated Graphite BaitCasting Rod paired with a 6.6 to 1 Gear Ratio Reel, spooled with 14lb monofilament or 17lb. This is not going to be the popular choice in Minnesota,(probably you would want medium fast spinning tackle) but for me and my preferred fishing style, this 6 1/2 Rod with a medium speed reel allows me to fish in close quarters and cover higher percentage targets more efficiently. 

[burrows]

6’8 to 7’ medium heavy moderate fast you can do everything with this rod. 

[KP Duty]

In the 80's when I was a whipper snapper, my 6' medium lightning rod did it all.  I cranked, flipped, pitched and even punched a time or two....all with 10lb xl.  These days I'd just do a mh casting rod with 10lb cxx (or a comparable .014" line)

[BrackishBassin]

I know everyone suggests a MH/F for all around bass fishing, but I spend way more time with my M/F rod in my hands. Maybe it’s because of the water I fish (small lake and ponds from the bank), or the lures I have more confidence in or enjoy fishing more (mostly moving stuff due to my ADD), but that’s my go to. Having fished both spinning reels and baitcasters, I definitely prefer a baitcaster for ‘active’ fishing. If I’m just soaking a bait, then a spinning reel is fine. 

[JustJames]

Daiwa tatula 6'10 MH/F here for everything from 1/4oz Texas rig all the way to 1oz whopper plopper. 40lb Braid is good line choice for all around and add leader as needed. 

[Scrapiron]

Hmmm.. I guess like a lot of folks already said- depends on where you're fishing. For ONE combo I'd probably do a 7' Medium/Fast with a 3000 spinning reel and 10# braid (different leader for different presentations).

 

Though a close second would be a MH/F 7' baitcaster with a 6.3:1 reel.

[MassYak85]

I really don't think you can without eliminating at least a few techniques. I would personally go with a 7'2" MH/F Baitcaster setup and a 6 speed reel with 40lb braid and leaders as necessary. I probably can't punch or fish tiny drop shots or ned rigs with it but most other things I can. 

[fishwizzard]

I would pick a MH/F or M/F casting rod, around 6'6" in length.  I have two 3 power Loomis MBR rods and I think they are the perfect "Heavy Medium" power and the action is good for a lot of different presentations.  

 

 

[Last_Cast]

One rod?..

No such thing..

[LCG]

6'6"-7'6",  medium-medium heavy powered,  fast action rod. Spinning or baitcasting. Length depends on your personal preference and if you have to deal with trees and walking through brush. Mid level reel. 

[LionHeart]

Medium heavy, mod-fast rod in the upper 6 foot to lower 7 foot range.  1/4 to 1 oz lure rating.  If you really want a bait casting reel, you don't have to get the most expensive, but definitely don't get a sub $100 reel.  Buying a lower end reel for your for first bait caster will likely do more harm than good.

 

Lews Tournament MB ( great reel for the $) or heck, the Diawa Tatula CT gets a lot of praise here.  Try one of those in a 7 speed.  

 

As for line, I think most would recommend 10-12 lb flouro.  Seagur Red Label is pretty decent, but personally I don't care for flouro.  50 lb Power Pro braid would be my choice.  And I have been using 20 lb mono leader with good results.