Best bank fishing casting rod?

[BassGuyJoe]

I have been fishing for some time now, mostly surf fishing and some occasional bass fishing. But the past year I have been getting more and more into bass fishing and it has quickly become my favorite hobby. I am in the North East and really only fish on the bank of small lakes, reservoirs, or ponds. Recently I've been looking for the best "all around"/"go to" rod. A casting rod that can be used to fish multiple different baits when I don't feel like carrying multiple rods around. Please give your best recommendations for a good all around casting rod!

[Eric 26]

I’m in the same position currently fishing mainly small retention ponds. I’ve been very happy using my 7’-0” med. powered/fast action bps Carbonlite 2.0 combo. I feel it strikes a good balance with a soft enough tip to cast and provide enough cushion with treble hooked baits (small square bills) but enough backbone to set a single hook bait(spinnerbaits/1/4oz swim jigs) with a trailer. My second favorite would be my 6’-10” med. powered fast action Lews Hank Parker rod, also available in 7’-0” med. hvy. power. The Lews are available at Wal-Mart for $40.00 apiece but I’ve seen them elsewhere.  One more rod to recommend, although I’ve not personally used it Okuma makes a 7’-0” med.plus in the TCS A series, I have a 7’-3” in the same series and feel it also has a softish tip section with a strong backbone I’m keeping my eyes on it to replace a current 7’ med. rod. Again I haven’t used this particular model but Okuma makes a 6’-8” rod in the EVX series, I have a 7’-2” in this series but it’s very fast in the tip.  Both of the Okuma rods have really good reviews on this site and are recommended by many respected members on this site also.

[Finessegenics]

6’6-7’0 MH/F fast can do a lot of things well. Jigs, t-rigs, squarebills, swim jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, weightless senkos and even a frog if the bass don’t have super thick weeds to run into. 

[QED]

I grew up in the central valley (CA) and used to fish the delta and Lake Comanche most often.  Fairly open so a longer rod worked well.  I currently fish in a small lake on a mountain in Silicon Valley and it has tules so one often has to squeeze in between them to cast from the shore so a much shorter rod is in order there.  Not enough info to provide you useful feedback.  What bait weight range do you plan to use?  And what is the environment that you are most often going to encounter?

[Oklahoma Mike]

If I were limited to fishing a single rod from the bank, it would absolutely be a spinning set up. You never know what you’re going to get into in that scenario, and a spinning rig let’s me make casts from some really tight spots, let’s me throw a really wide range of baits, and allows me to cast into the wind without as much trouble. Probably would be an 6’-10” MH with a 3000 size reel spooled up with 10 or 12 lb braid and a flouro leader. Can throw a lot of stuff on that. 

 

If you are absolutely dead set on casting gear, I would pick something in the mag bass line, probably the 783 or the 843 depending on how congested the area is. I’d put a metatanium on it with 40 lb braid with flouro leader or maybe go straight 15 lb flouro depending on the typical cover in the areas you fish. 

[FishTank]

For me, I have two that I would consider "The One Rod" > the G. Loomis GLX 783C and the St. Croix Avid 7' M Fast.  

 

The reason I suggest both of these is because when I am bank fishing I don't always want a top of the line setup (as I tend to fish some off the beaten path spots). I do want one that is dependable, durable, just sensitive enough and flexible with different baits. The Avid does it for me.  

 

On the other hand, the 783C GLX is just a fantastic multipurpose rod that is super sensitive, light, cast far, and the shorter length is also a plus.   I have had mine for almost 15+ years and it is as good as the day I got it.  When I am not using as it as a general purpose rod, it is my go to jerk bait rod.  

 

[WRB]

Are you able to effectively use bait casting tackle or prefer spinning?

Tom

[islandbass]

12 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

6’6-7’0 MH/F fast can do a lot of things well. Jigs, t-rigs, squarebills, swim jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, weightless senkos and even a frog if the bass don’t have super thick weeds to run into. 

This. This is an “all around” as you can get from one rod. 

[NathanDLTH]

If you are competent with a baitcaster then I'd get a 7'MH/F, if you struggle get a Medium/F Spinning rod and a good reel. Good here is subjective so the best that doesn't break the bank. Also what type of cover are you fishing? Are the lakes and ponds choked with weeds, sparse cover, or more open water? 

[KP Duty]

6 hours ago, islandbass said:

This. This is an “all around” as you can get from one rod. 

X3

[jimmyjoe]

20 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

6’6-7’0 MH/F fast can do a lot of things well. Jigs, t-rigs, squarebills, swim jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, weightless senkos and even a frog if the bass don’t have super thick weeds to run into. 

 

     .............  except cranks. If the OP fishes anything like the banks I fish, a squarebill is gonna be important to him. Some fast actions have a soft tip, and some don't. He'll need to exercise a little care in selection.                    jj

[Finessegenics]

2 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

 

     .............  except cranks. If the OP fishes anything like the banks I fish, a squarebill is gonna be important to him. Some fast actions have a soft tip, and some don't. He'll need to exercise a little care in selection.                    jj

Fair point, not all rods act the same! I actually have two 7’0 MH/F in my arsenal that do two completely different things for me because of how different they act. One is a jig/plastics rod and the other I use for squarebills, top waters, chatterbaits and spinnerbaits (I like a softer tip for moving baits, even if they are single hook baits).
 

When I want to pack light, I bring the one with a softer tip and throw a jig on it anyways. A 7’0 MH/MF is probably more versatile than a 7’0 MH/F but that’s nitpicking