Best Bass Fishing Rods: Top Casting & Spinning Rods

By: FishUSA Staff

February 21, 2025

Having the right bass fishing rod can make a huge difference in your success on the water. Bass are the most popular gamefish on the planet for many reasons, one being that they can be caught with a variety of techniques. A variety of techniques means that having an assortment of technique-specific rods can be very beneficial. Below, we break down the top bass casting rods and spinning rods to match the most popular fishing styles.

Best Bass Casting Rods

Best Bass Spinning Rods

How to Choose the Best Bass Fishing Rod

Conclusion

Best Bass Casting Rods

Best Overall: FishUSA Flagship Bass Casting Rod

The FishUSA Flagship Bass Casting Rod is an all-around performer, offering the perfect balance of sensitivity, power, and durability. It’s very reasonably priced and is offered in a great variety of lengths and actions to suit various conditions.

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Best Budget: Douglas ERA Casting Rod

The Douglas ERA Casting Rod delivers excellent performance at an affordable price. It’s a solid choice for beginners or budget-conscious anglers who want a reliable rod without breaking the bank. Like the Flagship Bass Rod, an excellent variety of lengths and actions is offered to tailor to all bass fishing techniques where a casting rod is applicable.

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Best for Flipping/Pitching/Frogging: St. Croix Victory Casting Rod

The St. Croix Victory Casting Rod is built in 16 different models, but the varieties for techniques like flipping, pitching, and frogging really shine in this rod family. Its heavy-duty construction provides the backbone needed for pulling bass out of thick cover. With 15 of the available models being in the 7’1” - 7’10” lengths and in actions from Medium Heavy, Heavy, X Heavy, and XX Heavy, there’s a Victory rod for any flippin’ and froggin’ situation.

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Best for Chatterbaits/Spinnerbaits: Shimano Zodias Casting Rod

The Shimano Zodias Casting Rod is available in several blanks that are a mix of Hi-Power X and Glass materials. This gives the rod a slow tapering, moderate action, allowing for exceptional hook-setting ability with moving baits such as spinnerbaits and chatterbaits. Give this rod a shot, you’ll be amazed at the increase in your landing percentage with a spinnerbait or chatterbait.

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Best for Shallow Crankbaits, Jerkbaits & Topwaters: Cashion Icon Series Casting Rod

The Cashion Icon Series Casting Rod is a top choice for anglers who love throwing shallow crankbaits, jerkbaits, and topwaters. With 11 available options at 7’ or shorter, this rod has the perfect specs for fishing treble hook baits effectively and keeping big bass pinned.

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Best for Deep Crankbaits: Daiwa Tatula Elite Glass Casting Rod

The Daiwa Tatula Elite Glass Casting Rod is designed for deep cranking, offering a glass construction that absorbs shock and prevents premature hook pulls. It’s perfect for long retrieves and targeting bass in deeper water thanks to lengths of 7’4” to 7’6”.

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Best for Finesse: Jenko Double Down BFS Casting Rod

The Jenko Double Down BFS Casting Rod is ideal for finesse techniques with baitcasting gear. It was made by BFS experts and it shows in its design. This rod excels at handling light lures while maintaining the sensitivity needed for subtle bites.

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Best Bass Spinning Rods

Best Overall: FishUSA Flagship Bass Spinning Rod

The FishUSA Flagship Bass Spinning Rod is a versatile option that provides a great balance of sensitivity and power. With a phenomenal price point and an excellent variety of lengths and actions available, it works well for any finesse techniques and is a top choice for serious or beginner bass anglers alike.

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Best Budget: Berkley Lightning Rod Spinning Rod

The Berkley Lightning Rod Spinning Rod is an excellent budget-friendly choice, and has been renowned as one for many years. Offering good sensitivity and durability at a low price, it's great for beginners and casual anglers who don’t want to break the bank.

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Best for Dropshot: St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Spinning Rod

The St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Spinning Rod is available in enough options to cover any finesse technique, but the dropshot-specific models really shine. St. Croix thought of all of the intricacies of drop shotting with the Legend Tournament Bass Rod, offering four dropshot sticks for power shotting or using extreme finesse. If you’re serious about upping your dropshot game, this is the rod for you.

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Best for Ned Rigs/Shakey Heads: Dobyns Fury Spinning Rod

The Dobyns Fury Spinning Rod is an excellent choice for finesse techniques like Ned rigs, shakey heads, finesse football jigs, or any other bait where you need a little power to drive the hook home. The 7’ Medium Light and Medium actions offer the perfect combination of tip action and backbone to work these lures effectively and make sure the biggest bites end up in the boat.

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Best for Wacky Rigs: Cashion Icon Series Spinning Rod

The Cashion Icon Series Spinning Rod has a plethora of lengths and actions for any finesse technique, but the all-purpose models are great for wacky rigging. Whether you’re skipping a wacky rig under docks or cover and need some tip to launch it the distance, or working one around vegetation, this rod offers the best wacky options out there.

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Best for Finesse Swimbaits/Hair Jigs: Shimano Zodias Spinning Rod

The Shimano Zodias Spinning Rod is a finesse angler’s dream, offering the perfect blend of power and sensitivity for throwing small swimbaits and hair jigs. The 7’6” light model is excellent for hair jigs and swimbaits up to 1/4oz, while the 7’6” Medium model excels for heavier applications. The longer length assists with bomb casts, and the actions taper perfectly for getting a great hookset.

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Best for Topwaters/Jerkbaits: Shimano SLX Spinning Rod

The Shimano SLX Spinning Rod is a great choice for throwing topwater baits and jerkbaits with a spinning setup. Its crisp action and responsive tip allow for precise lure control.

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How to Choose the Best Bass Fishing Rod

When selecting a bass fishing rod, you need to consider **rod power, action, length, material, and handle design**. Below, we break down the most critical factors to help you make the right choice.

Rod Power

Rod power refers to how much force is needed to bend the rod. It determines what type of lures and fish the rod can handle.

Light Power: Best for finesse fishing techniques like drop shots, hair jigs, and small ned rigs.
Medium Power: Ideal for crankbaits, spinnerbaits, treble hook topwaters, and jerkbaits.
Medium-Heavy Power: Great for jigs, Texas rigs, and larger swimbaits.
Heavy Power: Best for flipping, frogging, and punching through thick vegetation.

Rod Action

Rod action describes where the rod bends when pressure is applied. It affects sensitivity and hook-setting power.

Fast Action: Bends at the top third of the rod. Best for jigs, worms, and other techniques that involve heavy gauge hooks.
Moderate Action: Bends more in the middle, best parabolic bend. Ideal for crankbaits and reaction baits.
Slow Action: Bends throughout the entire rod. Best for light lures and finesse presentations.

Rod Length

The length of your rod affects casting distance, accuracy, and leverage.

Short Rods (6’6” - 7’0”): More accurate, better for close-quarters fishing.
Long Rods (7’0” - 8’0”): Better for long casts, hook-setting power, and fighting big fish.

Rod Material

Bass fishing rods are made from **graphite, fiberglass, or composite materials**.

Graphite Rods: Lightweight and sensitive, perfect for most applications.
Fiberglass Rods: More durable and flexible making them great for fishing moving baits, but heavier and less sensitive.
Composite Rods: A mix of graphite and fiberglass, offering a balance of sensitivity and strength.

Rod Handle

The handle affects comfort and grip. The two most common types are:

Cork Handles: Lightweight and comfortable but less durable.
EVA Foam Handles: More durable and resistant to wear.

Choosing Between a Spinning Rod and a Casting Rod

Spinning rods are best for finesse fishing and light lures, while casting rods offer more power and control for larger baits.

Use a Spinning Rod If: You fish with light lures like drop shots, wacky rigs, and small swimbaits.
Use a Casting Rod If: You fish with heavier lures like jigs, Texas rigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and deep diving crankbaits.

Conclusion

Choosing the best bass fishing rod depends on your preferred techniques, budget, and experience level. Whether you need a versatile **all-around rod**, a **finesse spinning rod**, or a **heavy-duty flipping rod**, this guide has you covered. Invest in the right rod for your needs, and you'll improve your accuracy, control, and hook-setting power on the water.

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Bass Casting Rods

Bass Spinning Rods

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