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Table of Contents
1. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod
SALE
The Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod retains all the strength and reliability that the brand is known for, with added features that improve performance and durability even more! Its unique Ugly Tech™ construction combines fiberglass and graphite in exactly the right proportions to yield a blank that is sensitive, lightweight, and virtually unbreakable. The Ugly Tuff™ guides feature 1-piece stainless steel inserts; crazy slick and practically bulletproof, they ensure that line feeds through and runs back freely. And, as always, the rod is finished off with Ugly Stik’s signature clear fiberglass tip for added power and sensitivity.
Ugly Tech Construction
Graphite and fiberglass blank
Ugly Tuff Guides
1-piece stainless steel inserts
Ugly Stik’s classic Clear Tip
Pros/Great rod sensitivity combined with a durable graphite/fiberglass design
Cons/A little on the heavy side as far as bass fishing rods go
Bottom Line/The ugly stick GX2 is a great bass fishing rod that won’t break the bank
2. Entsport E Series
SALE
It continues the tradition of lightweight design and superior sensitivity with a renewed focus on strength. Strong and structurally enhanced solid carbon fiber construction provides an increase in break strength of the rod, allowing you to efficiently and easily transfer more energy through the rod. 6+1 Stainless Steel guides with ceramic inserts allow for smooth casts and durable performance. Design extreme exposure reel seat for increased blank contact and sensitivity, ensuring a solid connection between the casting rod and reel. Super Quality EVA handles reduce weight even further and provides greater control when casting and enhance comfort and performance under any conditions.
Specification:
Material: Carbon
Length: 7’
Pieces: 2
Guides: 6+1
Power: Meidum and Medium Heavy(two top tips)
Lure Weight: 0.1-1.1oz
Line Weight: 10-26lbs
Pros/Adaptable rod power with lightweight design
Cons/Lightweight design isn’t inherently durable
Bottom Line/A lightweight casting rod perfect for those looking for a refined sense of control
3. St Croix Triumph Spinning Rod
SALE
You’ll know you’ve arrived when you can fish a St. Croix® Triumph Spinning Rod every day. This redesigned rod will be a solid addition to your arsenal, as it offers the kind of feel, hook setting power, and durability every angler covets – without over-stressing the wallet. Crafted on St. Croix’s premium SCII carbon blank and finished with 2 coats of proprietary Flex-Coat cure, the Triumph features black-frame Sea Guide Atlas Performance SS304 stainless steel guides and a Sea Guide XDPS reel seat with eco-friendly sandblasted hoods. A premium-grade cork handle provides a firm, comfortable grip in all weather. Manufacturer’s 5-year warranty.
- Strong, sensitive, and durable
- Reasonable price
- Double-cured premium SCII carbon blank
- Sea Guide Atlas Performance SS304 stainless steel guides
- Sea Guide XDPS reel seat
- Premium-grade cork handle
- Manufacturer’s 5-year warranty
Pros/Fast action with a nice tactile handle with good rod response (affordable too)
Cons/Weight of the rod could make it too light for some anglers
Bottom Line/A classic design that isn’t often seen anymore mixed with modern materials at an affordable price
4. Lew’s Custom Lite Speed Stick Casting Rod
SALE
With Lew’s® combined experience with tournament fishing and rod manufacturing, they’re able to make the Custom Lite Speed Stick® Casting Rod super lightweight and sensitive without sacrificing durability. The blanks have multiple layers of HM85 graphite, running in multiple directions, using Lew’s Power Core construction for super strength. Stainless steel guide frames share the same characteristics of the rods, being both durable and lightweight; titanium oxide inserts reduce line friction for long casts and increased line life. Lew’s exclusive SoftTouch skeletal reel seat puts your finger in direct contact with the blank for maximum sensitivity and is corrosion-free. Winn polymer split grips provide a non-slip hold in wet conditions. The Lew’s Custom Lite Speed Stick Casting Rod comes in technique-specific actions, which serve for multiple techniques as well.
- Ultra lightweight and sensitive without sacrificing durability
- Multiple layers of HM85 graphite
- Power Core construction
- Titanium oxide inserts
- Winn polymer split grips
- Technique specific actions
Pros/Completely corrosion free rod with high tech modern mateirals
Cons/Will probably cost you all of your tournament winnings to buy (average price is about $170)
Bottom Line/A great casting rod if you’re willing to pay the price
5. KastKing Perigee II Fishing Rod
SALE
KastKing keeps fishing fun with the best value spinning rods and baitcasting fishing rods in the fishing tackle world. Just like their fantastic KastKing fishing reels and line, the Perigee II one-piece and two-piece Twin-Tip rods come with two tips – your choice of medium-light with a medium tip, or a medium with a medium-heavy tip end, are priced to fit your fishing gear budget. You can choose any power you want, Light rod, Ultra Light rod, Medium, Medium Light, Medium Heavy, and even Heavy fishing rods! All without blowing your entire budget on just the rod.
Pros/Affordable and made with premium components
Cons/The tip is quite weak compared to the rest of the rod and snaps off easily
Bottom Line/A great all around rod for just about any fishing task
What kind of rod is best for bass fishing?
Medium-heavy rods are said to be the best all-around bass fishing rods to use. Since bass are enticed by larger bait, the increased mass of the rods can be taken advantage of for precise, heavy weighted casting and are also capable of handling much heavier fish. You’ll also find that a lot of bass fishing rods are made from lightweight but strong graphite which makes tournaments like the Bassmaster Classic more comfortable due to the extended nature of the competition.
If I want to compete in a small tournament, how many rods do I need?
You’ll see the decks of the boats during the Bassmaster Classic absolutely littered with rods, however, you likely don’t need this many rods at a smaller tournament or if you’re just out with your buddies on the lake. In general, about three types of rod should get you into and out of almost any bass fishing situation.
A long heavy fishing rod is perfect for use to get big fish out of heavy cover, meanwhile, a long medium-heavy fishing rod is your jack of all trades giving you good control and power for everything but the biggest of fish. Lastly, a medium fishing rod can round out your entire roster by giving you better control with lighter topwater baits. With these three you will cover basically 95% of all bass fishing situations you’d find on a lake.
What kind of materials should I avoid in my bass fishing rods?
Basically, anything that is sensitive to corrosion or rust. Stainless steel is heavy but makes for great line guides as line guides are both small and can be easily bent it is made from lesser materials. Rod bodies are basically all made from graphite which is very strong and lightweight but sometimes can be considered to be too fragile as graphite can splinter and crack when overstressed.
Fiberglass is also another popular option but is much more popular for those looking for a softer action than graphite. There are a lot of construction options but if you see some odd materials included that aren’t Cork, Stainless steel, Silicon Carbide, IM6, IM7 or anything else made by Hexcel, you should probably do your research on that particular rod before buying.
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