I need a list of rod types for each situation.

[RCOzarks]

If anybody out there with extensive knowledge on rods could make a list of rods (1 rod for each fishing lure/situation) I would like to hear what rod and/or combo you think every serious angler should have. I know some rods have more than one purpose so if you want to have 1 rod on the list for a variety of situations that works too. It doesn’t have to be a specific brand and model, just what length and action is most suitable. Thanks.

Edited May 2, 2020 by RCOzarks

[new2BC4bass]

Just wanted to say to the forum.

 

Someone else will need to make that list.  Most of my rods were purchased for versatility.  I did buy a 7'4" HF for frogs.  A 6'7" L for Ned Rigs.  And have a few crankbait rods from 6'6" to 7'6".  Recently purchased a 7’2” Custom Lamiglas Infinity 864 that will be dedicated to jigs because it is probably my most sensitive rod.  That is about the extent of my lure specific rods.

[MN Fisher]

Ya, the only lure specific rods I have are two 7' Medium-Heavy/Moderate for crankbaits - one casting, one spinning.

Rest of my rods (8 more) are multipurpose...with some overlap between them.

[kayaking_kev]

So much of it is personal preference, some guys like different actions, lengths and powers versus others for specific techniques. Then there are those that prefer graphite, glass, or composite for certain techniques. And, then it also varies on where you are located at, Northerners usually like lighter gear than Southerners, because of less vegetation.

 

This is pretty much on what I have personally settled on after trying about 2 dozen rods in the last 6 months.

 

7'3 H/F   = Jigs, Frogs, 1/2 oz  Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits, 1/2 oz Dark Sleeper, Buzzbaits, 110 Whopper Plopper

 

7'2 MH/F = T-Rigs, Finesse Jigs, Lipless, 3/8 oz Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits, Neko Rig, 1/4 oz Ned Rig & Shakeyhead, Wacky Rig

 

7'0 M/F Glass Composite= 1/4 oz - 1/2 oz Crankbaits, Squarebills

 

6'6 MH/F = Jerkbait and Kayak Utility Rod

 

6'3 M/MF = Kayak Cranking Rod, 90 Whopper Plopper, Poppers

 

7'0 ML/F = Spinning Rod for Finesse Techniques

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

3 hours ago, RCOzarks said:

If anybody out there with extensive knowledge on rods could make a list of rods (1 rod for each fishing lure/situation) I would like to hear what rod and/or combo you think every serious angler should have. I know some rods have more than one purpose so if you want to have 1 rod on the list for a variety of situations that works too. It doesn’t have to be a specific brand and model, just what length and action is most suitable. Thanks.

How about a lust of lures and techniques you use. Otherwise the list is endless. 

[jbsoonerfan]

Just one 7 MH and you should be good to go.

 

That, or use the search function a look for results for the types of rods used for each specific type of fishing you are interested in.

[Fishes in trees]

OK, I'll bite - I live in Missouri, mostly fish 200 acre or so Conservation Department lakes, but I make a pligrimage to the larger Missouri reservoirs from time to time.  Here is a list of most of the technique specific rigs I currently use.

Very seldom do all of these rigs make it into the boat at the same time.

 

10" worm rig. -  Slider worm rig. -  home made jika rig - pitching to objects rig (1 for smaller soft plastics & 1 for throwing larger soft plastics) - spinnerbait rig - chatter bait rig - deep diving crank rig - medium diving crank rig - square bill rig - Bubba square bill rig - Topwater ( popper/Sammy) rig - Bubba drop shot rig  -  Buzz bait rig  - A rig  - larger swim bait rig - Carolina rig. -  Eakins jig   - Biffle Bug rig  - ( in a rare case of overlap, the Biffle Bug rig also throws heavy football jigs, sometimes for long distances) -  Bubba Frog rig   That's all I can think of in bait casting rigs right now.

 

Spinning outfits   -  Ned rig. -  Shakey head rig. -  finesse drop shot rig  -  tail weighted stick bait (Neko) rig. -  wacky senko rig  -  Fluke/plastic shad & minnows rig ( sometimes weighted, sometimes not )  -  jerk bait rig  -  spinning rig for throwing wiggle warts & similar weight cranks when longer distance is important. -  light weight spinning rig for throwing #5 shad raps & similar baits  -  spinning rig for throwing Brewer sliders (baits lighter than3/16 or so ) -  rig to skip tubes, stick baits & other appropriate soft plastics underneath things  -  finesse frogging rig. .  .  .   This is all I can think of in spinning rigs right now.

 

As to what rod & what reel each rig will be at any particular time, I don't know as that changes from time to time, but these are the different techniques I like to carry specific rigs for bass fishing.   I've left out the crappie rig options (of which there are several) and catfish rigs & distance casting for tail race rigs.

 

As mentioned, I live in Missouri, so my current list is more or less targeted toward to what I fish for.    Although there are walleye opportunities in Missouri, I'm not a serious walleye fisherman.   I'm pretty sure if I lived elsewhere that list would change somewhat.  If I lived in the Pacific Northwest, I'd have some steelhead rigs,  if I lived farther north from here, I'd have some pike & musky & perch & walleye rigs.  If I lived close to an ocean, I'd have a few inshore & off shore rigs.

 

 

 

[Dens228]

For me.....

I have two M/Moderates for mid cranks to squarebills, poppers, and small and medium walking baits

Two MH/Fast for jigs, pastics

Two H/Fast for frogs, punching, big swimbaits, and find I like them for buzzbaits

One MH/Fast for everything else such as spinnerbaits, deep cranks, big walking baits, etc

[AustinKrawdad]

Here are my setups and what I use them for, I also know that some of the rods are "not for that" but I felt as if they fit the intended slot well:

• 6' 10" Medium Heavy Fast Shimano Zodias w/ a Shimano SLX XT (40 lb braid)
  • I use this rod for almost everything, an all purpose rod
• 7' 3" Dobyns Fury Heavy Fast w/ a Shimano Curado (40 lb braid)
  • I use this rod for my Texas rigs, and small jigs, and sometimes larger swim jigs
  • if you are looking for a good rod for the price with a lot of action options, I recommend this series of rods.
• 7' 3" Dobyns Fury Mag Heavy w/ a Fuego CT (60 lb braid)
  • This rod is used for frogs, flipping, jigs, and heavier Texas rigs
  • This is a great frog rod, I don't like using super tall rods for frogs bc I never seem I can walk them right at that height.  
• 7' 3" Ark Lancer Pro Medium Heavy Fast (More like an XF) w/ a Daiwa Tatula 150 (40 lb braid)
  • This rod is in my locker for Carolina rigs, rabbits/horny toads (frogs), and beefier swim jigs, and spinner baits, jigs
  • This is a good all purpose rod for stuff that is a little more beefy, the micro guides annoy me a little bc I of a fluoro leader. 
• 7" Falcon Lowrider Medium heavy Fast w/ a Shimano SLX (40 lb braid)
  • Falcon rate their rods a little light, so I use this rod for small swim jigs, shakey heads, and light Texas rigs.
• 7' 3" Falcon Bucoo SR Medium Heavy / Moderate Fast (3/8 - 3/4) with a Quantum Icon PT (12 lb fluoro)
  • I use this for cranking, it says it is used for "deep runner" but I feel as it is rated super light. I Manly through my square bills on it.
• 6' 6" Abu Garcia Vendetta Medium Fast w/ a less Laser Pro (12lb mono)
  • Strictly my top water rod. Love this rod for topwater, stupid light. It doesn't need to be the most sensitive bc I can see the strikes, but I also like the action of the rod. 
• 7" H2O express Ethos Spinning Medium Fast w/ a Shimano Sedona
  • Everything finesse 
  • ANY BRAND has yet to beat the price of this rod

It honestly is all up to your preference, but I do recommend three rods setups for any body: 

-Medium heavy fast for all purpose

-Medium Heavy  Moderate fast for treble hook lures

-spinning medium fast for finesse applications. 

 

With those three right there you can pretty much hit all the lures until you start throwing heavy set ups (heavy jigs, flipping set ups, and big swim baits)

 

 

 

 

[Quarry Man]

Spinning

6'6" L/2000/6 lb floro - ned rigs

6'10" ML/2500/10 lb braid, 6 lb leader - drop shot

6'6" M/2500/10 lb braid, 8 lb leader - seniors and wacky rigs

7' M/3000/12 lb braid, 8 lb leader - swimbaits, shaker heads, neko rigs, tubes

 

Casting

6'6" M/7.3:1/12 lb floro - jerkbaits, swimbaits, etc

6'8" M/ 8.1:1/20 lb braid -topwaters

6'10" H - heavy cover

7' mh fast - jigs

7' medheavy mod fast - square bills chatters spinners

jig rods

frog rod 

flipping

etc

etc

 

[gilkeybr]

I would want a 7' MH/F casting, a 6'6"M/F casting, and a 6'10ML/F Spinning.  I could do 90% of my fishing with those 3.  If I were adding a fourth it would be a 7'MH/Mod for crankbaits.  

[Tizi]

3 mid-range set-ups should cover almost any situation:

 

MHF casting

MF casting

MF spinning

 

And add this for heavier applications:

 

HF casting

[RCOzarks]

On 5/2/2020 at 7:10 PM, new2BC4bass said:

Just wanted to say to the forum.

 

Someone else will need to make that list.  Most of my rods were purchased for versatility.  I did buy a 7'4" HF for frogs.  A 6'7" L for Ned Rigs.  And have a few crankbait rods from 6'6" to 7'6".  Recently purchased a 7’2” Custom Lamiglas Infinity 864 that will be dedicated to jigs because it is probably my most sensitive rod.  That is about the extent of my lure specific rods.

Thanks for the welcome and the info! I’m still new to bass fishing, I’m a year in and anxious to learn more so if my question seems strange, that’s why ha. Thanks for all the help guys!

 

Wow I’m impressed with everyone’s knowledge and willingness to help with my question. Just want to say thanks to everyone who wrote back taking the time to help an angler out! Good luck to everyone fishing and tight lines!

Edited May 10, 2020 by RCOzarks

[OnthePotomac]

Not trying to be a smart aleck, buy my list would be:

7' Mediums for cranks

7' MH for everything else.

[Riverside.bassin]

7'4" MH/F casting rod paired with 8.1:1 reel - t-rigs, bigger jigs, etc. 

7'2" MH/F casting rod with 7.2:1 reel - all around rod, seriously it is so versatile (gets most use of all of them!) I use mostly for jigs/t-rigs though.

6'8" M/M casting rod paired with 6.2:1 reel - crankbait rod (basically my only one-purpose specific rod)

6' 8" M/XF casting rod paired with 7.2:1 reel - haven't used this one yet, but plan on using it for small jigs, t-rigs, and basically smallmouth-sized bottom contact baits. Maybe jerk baits too.

7' M/F spinning rod with size 3000 reel - worm rod (mostly wacky rigged senkos) pretty versatile though. 

7' M/F spinning rod, size 2500 reel (?) - finesse rod, even though it has the same power as the previous spinning rod I listed, it fishes more like a ML. Ned-rigs, drop shots, etc.

 

If you can't tell, I really enjoy fishing bottom contact baits lol

[lunkerboss923]

Rod: Dobyns Fury 705cb
Reel:  Shimano SLX 150 6.2:1
Use:  Small Spinnerbaits pond magic by Booyah / squarebill crankbait / lipless crankbait

 

Rod: Dobyns Fury 734c 
Reel: Shimano SLX DC 6.3:1
Use: Spinnerbaits / chatterbaits / Buzzbaits / Swim Jigs / Small Swimbaits underspin w/ 4.8 Keitech 

 

Rod: St. Croix Bass X MHF 7'1"
Reel: Daiwa Fuego CT 7.3:1
Use: Horny Toads / Jigs / Texas Rigs / Buzzbaits / 1/2oz Heavy Chatterbaits /
1/2 Heavy Spinnerbaits

 

Rod: Dobyns Fury 735c 
Reel: Daiwa Fuego CT  8.1:1 
Use: Flipping / pitching / punching / jigs / hollow body frog / swimbaits

 

Rod: St. Croix Bass X 6'8" MXF
Reel: Daiwa Tatula 100 7.1:1
Use: Poppers / spooks / Small whopper ploppers

 

Rod: Dobyns Colt 703c
Reel: Shimano SLX MGL 7.4:1 (when they come out)
Use: Finesse Rig / weightless senkos worms flukes / jerkbait 

 

Dobyns and St Croix are two of the most reliable rods for me. Dobyns run a little lighter than the specs, but make up for it in backbone...you can feel everything, especially every tick of a chatterbait and every hump dragging a jig or Texas Rig.

 

While the St. Croix feels a little heavier as a whole, especially in the medium heavy, but they balance so well and sensitive. 

 

Favorite reel probably the SLX regular on my cranking rod. It reminds me of a Caenan in an aluminum body. I do like the SLX DC as well. Both are silky smooth and cast extremely far. The Fuegos are my workhorses, nothing too glamorous about them. They just catch fish and are very rugged and sturdy. My dark horse is the Tatula 100. I've caught more fish with it jerking weightless worms and flukes. It's virtually impossible to backlash and it's easy to operate. Just set your reel and go fishing. I can't wait to get my hands on an SLX MGL. I like finesse fishing on a baitcaster, it just feels better. I don't care for a weighted wacky rig or shakey head on a spinner. So there you have it hope that helps. 

 

[Fishnski48]

I would add a ML 6'10-7' ML foe Ned rigs and other finesse applications an go with & ft rods .  That is a good length,  remember the shorter the rod the more casting accuracy you'll have.  Many on here use a 6'6" BC for tight cover.

MHF casting

MF casting

MF spinning

 

And add this for heavier applications:

 

HF casting

[WRB]

What you want verses what you need are two very different list of rods.

What you need also depends on how you fish and lures used.

Examples; hard body  swimbaits weighing 1-3 oz with treble hooks vs soft body with heavy top hook. You need a Heavy swimbait rod rated 1-5 oz. swimbaits weighing 3-6 oz you need a Xheavy swimbait rod rated 3-10 oz. You may want 4 swimbait rods 2 moderate action for treble hooks and 2 with moderate fast for heavy top hooks.

Jig and worm rods for flipping/pitching you need a longer rod then casting and retrieving. If the jig and worm rig is under 1/8 oz you need Medium fast spinning tackle.

The list goes on and on.

I owned and used 15 rod combo's for decades but only used 5 rod combo's when fishing as a guest depending on what lures were working for that specific outing.

You need a 6'6"-7'4" MHF baitcasting, 6'6"-6'10" MF baitcasting, 7'-7'5" MH mod fast crankbait and 6'6"-7' MF spinning, 4 combos plus 1 8' H swimbait or 7'5" MH frog rod.

5 outfits that cover nearly every presentation for bass fishing.

Tom

 

[Boomstick]

Here is my arsenal. I think it's pretty well rounded. The only thing I'm missing is a swimbait rod.

 

7'6" H/F Daiwa Tatula frog for pitching and flipping jigs (and lately casting heavier jigs since I lost my 7'1" H/F). I use this with 65lb braid in cover of 17lb flurocarbon.

7'4" H/F Daiwa Tatula for frogs. 65lb braid

7'1" Daiwa Tatula MH/XF with 15lb or 17lb flurocarbon - I use this for primarily 3/8oz and sometimes 1/2oz jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swim jigs, paddle tail swimbaits

6'10" Daiwa Tatula MH/F with 15lb or 17lb flurocarbon first gen with a split grip - this is my favorite T-Rig rod for hot summer days - the split grip allows me to balance it in my hand looking for finicky fish bites. Sometimes a 3/8oz jig too

7'2" Daiwa Tatula glass MH/R (MF) with 10lb, 15lb or 17lb flurocarbon - I use this for spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, swim jigs, square bills in grass and deep divers (with 10lb fluoro)

7' Daiwa Tatula glass M/R (MF) with 10lb crankbaits - crankbaits, jerkbaits

6'8" St Croix Mojo Bass M/XF "Topwater" rod with 12lb mono - this rod is a true medium and it's perfect for jerkbaits and poppers. Little stiffer tip than ideal for keeping them pinned but it allows me to impart action and detect strikes on a rod twitch really well.

6'9" St Croix Avid X ML/XF spinning rod with 12lb braid and a 6lb or 8lb fluorocarbon leader - drop shots, ned rigs

 

I also had a 7'1" Daiwa Tatula H/F that I used with 65lb braid or 17lb fluorocarbon for casting larger jigs and heavier T-Rigs and it used to also be my frogging rod and was pretty good for that. I loaned it to my youngest son and he lost it and the replacement arrived damage. I'll probably replace it for next season.

 

Now my oldest son has a Dobyns Sierra 704C (15lb Yo Zuri Hybrid) and a 703C (12lb Yo Zuri hybrid) and it's a pretty versatile two rods. The 704C is nearly identical in power and action to my 7'1" MH/XF Tatula, and the 703C is on the heavier side of medium but the tip is closer to moderate fast. He also has an Ugly Stik GX2 which he uses for crankbaits and a Pflueger President M/F combo, but the 703C isn't horrible for a crankbait, especially squarebills in cover.