Rod Arsenal

[Logan McAlester]

Last weekend I had a rod break on me, so now I'm in search of some new ones. Right now all I have is a 7" MH rod. What other rods would someone say is "essential" for large mouth?

[Jar11591]

A 6’6”-6’10” M casting for jerkbaits and topwaters.

 

A 7’+ H casting for fishing in heavy cover 

 

A 6’8”-7’ ML spinning for finesse stuff like a wacky or Ned rig

 

These are just a few places I would start if building an arsenal from scratch. 

[CountryboyinDC]

Gotta have something for crankbaits IMHO.  Whatever that means to you.  For me, it means a softer tip than even topwater plugs and jerkbaits, most often rated moderate.  I'd want that even before I get a heavy worm/jig/light flipping rod or the topwater/jerkbait rod, but that probably has to do with where I fish.  A 7' MH/F rod has a lot of uses.  With that and a finesse spinning rod, you have a lot of techniques at your disposal.  The limitation will be the person holding the rod.

[theTroutBoss]

3 hours ago, Logan McAlester said:

Last weekend I had a rod break on me, so now I'm in search of some new ones. Right now all I have is a 7" MH rod. What other rods would someone say is "essential" for large mouth?

I have 5 kids I take em all fishing. I found the best way is to have numerous rods ready to go so when they break one or bird nest it I just hand em another lol. Makes my life easier and allows me to enjoy my time fishing instead of being pissy about another bird nest!! I'll get rods when they go on sale or hawk ebay for decent used ones whenever I get a few extra bucks..... Which isn't often with our current ? administration....but I digress. 

 

To your question guess it depends how u fish. For bank fishing I'd say a 6'6" Is essential. If u mainly fish from a boat I'd say 7'2 or 7'4 would be the best purchase from here. 

[TNBankFishing]

6’10 to 7’ medium 

7’2 to 7’4 heavy

7’ medium spinning

 

Those three in addition to your MH will cover 90% of techniques. Where are you fishing from? What part of the country? if you’re on the bank cranks and treble hook baits in general are not a wise choice depending on cover. You can’t always wade out to grab a squarebill if you’re hung up. 
 

 

[roadwarrior]

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

41 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

 

This is spot on. 

[MN Fisher]

^^ RW has it spot on.

[new2BC4bass]

Great suggestions.  I'd be looking at another MHF after picking up 3 or 4 of the others already mentioned as it is my most used rod type.  But that is for where I fish.  Others might find a ML spinning rod to be their most used rod.  It all depends on where you fish and what lure you like to fish the most.

[casts_by_fly]

Are you in a boat or shore fishing?  Are you fishing heavier cover or open water?  Light lures or heavy?  A 1/4-3/4 mh/mod will do anything. Go heavier if you have big cover. If you’re fishing finesse you’ll want a spinning rod.  If you’re in a boat then you’re not limited as much in what you carry so having a couple more specialized rods is okay. If you’re bank fishing, you’re not going to carry more than two if you even carry a second rod so a little more versatility is needed. 

[gulfcaptain]

A real bass fisherman never asks "what rods do I need?"  We need them all!!! Like asking a woman what shoes she wants.....lol but the above from 2014 is a good starter.