If you could only have one baitcasting rod...

[Eric S]

If you could only have one baitcasting rod, reasonably priced, what would it be? Length, action, etc.. Is there a do it all rod? Stuck on the bank fishin for bass

[Angry John]

Put a price dont say reasonable.  What doe that even mean?

[Eric S]

Say $150 for a combo or $50 for a rod alone

[J.Vincent]

No there really isn't one rod to do it all..but a 7ft MH Fast Baitcasting Rod will cover a lot of bases

[Eric S]

Thanks. Was thinking along that line too

[J Francho]

5 hours ago, J.Vincent said:

No there really isn't one rod to do it all..but a 7ft MH Fast Baitcasting Rod will cover a lot of bases

Yep.  This would cover 90% of bass fishing.  It's when you get into finesse, cranking, and punching that it starts to get specific.

[MrFrost]

13 hours ago, Eric S said:

Stuck on the bank fishin for bass

Don't limit yourself just because you're bank fishing.  I did at first and I began to realize I would procrastinate tying a different lure on because of it.  I've slowly began to get purpose built set ups and find it much more convenient.  But if it's a budget thing, or just a personal preference thing, like mentioned above, 7' MH/F would probably be the closest thing to most versatile you could have.  

[Eric S]

Yeah a budget is a pretty big thing here.. Planning on a 7ft m/h. What would you suggest for finess and crankin? If I have to, I can buy a couple different poles and just swap my reel back and forth for now

[MrFrost]

I would suggest you focus on the one setup for now, and as you fish it more and more with different style baits, determine what you like to throw/what works best where you fish, then when budget allows you to start to build style specific setups, you can start with your most used methods first.  

[Fishingmickey]

Shimano Sellus rod 7' MH/F w/7:1 Casitas or Caenan reel spooled with 12lb big game or XL.

[J.Vincent]

Lews Mach I BaitCasting Rods are on sale at Dicks Sporting Goods right now for $34.97 and the Lews LFS Speed Spool Casting reel is on sale for $79.97 plus tax. Also, Dicks Sporting Goods has a $20 dollar of $100 on select products until August 8th plus free shipping. Just select standard shipping before checkout and shipping will become Free at the payment screen. You will be hard pressed to find a better deal for a quality rod and reel . With this specific Rod you can choose between a 6'10 or a 7'2 and I don't think you will find a better combo at this price point, it's actually $170 dollars before discounts. In my opinion this would be an excellent deal

 

[Eric S]

Hey that's a nice deal. I have been looking into Lews on Bass pro.com

Save a few bucks at Dicks!

[EGbassing]

22 hours ago, Eric S said:

If you could only have one baitcasting rod, reasonably priced, what would it be? Length, action, etc.. Is there a do it all rod? Stuck on the bank fishin for bass

MH/F 7'0" Dobyns fury

[Eric S]

9 hours ago, MrFrost said:

I would suggest you focus on the one setup for now, and as you fish it more and more with different style baits, determine what you like to throw/what works best where you fish, then when budget allows you to start to build style specific setups, you can start with your most used methods first.  

Good advice Mr Frost

[burrows]

Shimano slx baitcaster with a abu Garcia vengeance mhf it will do it all and it’s pretty sensitive for the price believe it or not.

[fisherdrew]

6'6" M or MH rod would be my pick. good tweener size that you can cast from the bank or flip worms under trees and tight spots. heck i'd even go with a 6 footer - my personal preference there though. for $50 your options are limited, but probably the berkeley lightening rod in that price range. IF this is your only rod though, check out a phenix recon or any loomis rod. 

[haggard]

I asked the same question when I started out a couple years ago and ended up with a St.C 6'6 M/F (PC66MF). If I did it again, given your parameters, I'd buy the same thing.

 

Rated 1/4 to 3/4 oz, 10-17#. For even more versatility (portability) it also comes in a 2-pc (PC66MF2) with same specs.

 

[SWVABass]

I agree with guys saying a shorter rod. If you have any kind of vegetation on the banks having a long pole will become a pain. You might forsake some distance with your cast but a 6’-6’6” you will be so much more accurate. I would look hard at the bps pro qualifier rod/reel combo. It’s a little above your price point I believe but I have two of the reels and they are work horses. I know the reel will be on sale next week for like $50.

[new2BC4bass]

I would hope that Eric bought his rod months ago. 

[Caliyak]

On 8/6/2018 at 6:59 PM, Eric S said:

If you could only have one baitcasting rod, reasonably priced, what would it be? Length, action, etc.. Is there a do it all rod? Stuck on the bank fishin for bass

Berkley Shock rod, 7' mh, fast, it does a lot but not all. Spinning set up for light stuff. Heavy rod 7'6 for swimbaits, frog, punching and heavy lures. 3 rods will cover everything from the bank, kayak or boat. My 2 cents 

[punch]

On 8/6/2018 at 9:03 PM, Eric S said:

Say $150 for a combo or $50 for a rod alone

That's not reasonable. 

[KP Duty]

I'd go with an H20 Ethos rod from Academy in the 7'MH flavor, paired with an 8.1 gear Daiwa Fuego CT casting reel.

[Glaucus]

Edit: zombie thread 

[Glaucus]

Oh geeze didn't realize this was a zombie thread 

[Boomstick]

I would go for a 6'6' to 7' MH/F rod for sure, but don't think being a bank fisherman means you can't make use of other rods as well. I carry any combination of the following depending when and where I'm fishing

 

Casting rods: M/MF, MH/MF, MH/F, M/XF

Spinning rods: ML/XF, M/F