By Tackle Warehouse | October 2024
Every year, the bass fishing industry sees two major waves of product releases surrounding the Bassmaster Classic and ICAST, our industry's largest vendor show. At Tackle Warehouse we have sorted through ALL of the new rods to find the true gems, making it easier for anglers to make educated purchases and optimize their hard earned dollars. Whether you're looking for the best crankbait rod of 2024 or the best value rods for bass fishing, we've got you covered. Diving headfirst down the fishing rod rabbit hole can leave your head spinning faster than a buzzbait blade, as the category is riddled with technical jargon, like “high-modulus multi-layer Japanese toray” and “proprietary nano-resins.” At the end of the day, answering the big questions, like “what’s the best fishing pole?” is exceedingly simple – it’s the one that best fits the angler’s budget, skill level, and application. By focusing on these variables, we are hoping to smooth out your shopping experience, and help you make the most informed decision possible before clicking "add to cart."
Top Pick - Daiwa Zillion Casting Rods & Daiwa Zillion Spinning Rods
Daiwa’s flagship rod series, the Daiwa Zillion Rods are incredibly light on price and heavy on all out performance. Designed with Daiwa’s Carbon MQ handle type for increased performance, the Zillion provides seamless connection between angler, providing an amplified sensitivity with the slightest bites, and lightest lures. Constructed using a flex light blank and HVF graphite blank technology, the Zillion Rods deliver top of the line performance that caters to angler who demand the absolute best. Honorable Mention:
Top Pick: Cashion Element Casting Rod, Cashion Element Spinning Rods
Built on an American made prepreg blank, the Cashion Elements Series Rods offer undeniable performance at an astounding price point. While the series has been around for a couple of years, the Element lineup was refreshed with models that cater to up-and-coming techniques like bait finesse fishing. Whether you’re throwing 1/8oz jerkbaits or flipping 2oz punch weights, there’s a rod in the Cashion Element family that will get the job done - and then someHonorable Mention:
Top Pick - Daiwa Fuego Casting Rods, Daiwa Fuego Spinning Rods, Daiwa Fuego Spinning Rods 2-Piece
Given the latest edition of Daiwa Fuego Rods were released in 2024, there’s an outstanding deal on the previous generation of the tried-and-true Fuego series. If you’re looking to bolster your rod arsenal, the Fuego Rods are a cost-effective option that will fill out your rod locker in a hurry. Utilizing a handful of Daiwa’s core rod technologies, the Daiwa Fuego Rods provide a sleek JDM aesthetic at an unbeatable price point. Load up while the Daiwa Fuego Rods are in stock, because once they’re gone, they’re gone for good. Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Abu Garcia Zenon BFS Casting Rods, Abu Garcia Zenon BFS Spinning Rods
Catering specifically to bait finesse anglers, the Abu Garcia Zenon BFS Rods boast the title of Abu Garcia’s lightest rod series and specifically focus on ultra-light performance. Whether you’re throwing 1/32oz jig heads or teeny tiny flat sided crankbaits, the Abu Garcia Zenon BFS Rods use the Powerlux 1000 resin system and titanium alloy guides with nitride silicon inserts to minimize overall weight while maximizing sensitivity with bite-sized baits. Perfectly paired with the Abu Garcia MG–LTX BFS Casting Reel, the Abu Garcia Zenon BFS Rods are one of the lightest and most effective bait finesse rods offered on the market. Honorable Mention:
Top Pick – iROD Quercus Swimbait Casting Rods
If there’s any rod company that knows a thing or two about big swimbaits, it's iRod. The Quercus Swimbait Rod specifically caters to a tournament-winning grade of swimbaits in the 2-6oz range that are proven to yield dthat kicker bite. Delivering a precise blend of lightweight design and power, the iRod Quercus Swimbait Rod features a 30-ton graphite blank with a carbon fiber WXW wrapping to easily sling big baits all day while still reserving enough power to move fish when they strike. If you’re looking for a big bait specific rod that performs above its price point, look no further than the iRod Quercus Swimbait Rod.
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Top Pick - G. Loomis GLX Jig and Worm Casting Rod
The bread and butter of most bass anglers, no rod locker is complete without a jig and worm setup. When you want to step-up your jig and worm game, there’s no better series than the legendary G. Loomis GLX Jig and Worm Casting Rods. Utilizing a high modulus graphite and exclusive resin technology, the G. Loomis GLX Jig and Worm Rods provide a responsive architecture that makes every cast and hook set enjoyable. A comfortable full cork handle and custom Ci4+ reel seat offers the ideal ergonomics for dragging a jig or worm during grueling sessions and provides an unbeatable connection that dedicated anglers desire.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Daiwa Taula Elite 7' 4" Med Hvy Regular Casting Rods
A standout in the Daiwa Tatula Elite Series, the 7’ 4” Med Hvy Howell provides easy handling and extended casting distance with a range of topwater baits. Whether you’re tossing around a Super Spook Jr. or an Evergreen SB-125, Daiwa’s SVF NanoPlus blank provides 15% reduction in weight over previous generations, making it easier to fish a walking bait all day without fatigue. Built to perfection with engineering input from the topwater guru Randy Howell himself, the 7'4" Med Hvy Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Rod increases accuracy and reduces line twists to keep your favorite walking baits in the strike zone longer.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Megabass Orochi X10 Casting Rod 6'11" Med Med-Fast Super Elseil
Arguably, no rod manufacturer knows more about jerkbaits than Megabass. So, it stands to reason that they'd also be responsible for producing one of the best jerkbait rods on the market. Boosting performance with suspending jerkbaits and rip baits, the Orochi X10 6’ 11” Med Med-Fast Super Elseil has been praised for its crisp actions, outstanding sensitivity, and lightweight effectiveness. Leveraging the same ultra-lightweight carbon graphite as the Destroyer series, each Orochi X10 blank is produced with a special composite method that absorbs shock and makes fishing a jerkbait a dream.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Daiwa DXB Frog Casting Rod
Performance tuned by Diawa and the Tackle Warehouse staff, the Daiwa DXB Frog Casting rod is an amazing amphibian fishing machine at a great price. Designed with frog fishing as its primary focus, the Daiwa DXB Frog Casting Rod, along with the rest of the Daiwa DXB Series, really shines with its ability to pull double-duty with an array of auxiliary tactics, like buzzbait fishing and swim jigs. Combining Daiwa's outstanding quality with Tackle Warehouse's years of tournament bass fishing experience, the Daiwa DXB Frog Casting Rods deliver outstanding performance without putting a dent in your billfold. Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Ark Wes Logan Series Casting Rod 7'4" Med Hvy Chatter
When the chatterbait bite is red hot, the Ark Wes Logan 7’4” Med Hvy Chatter Rod provides pro-inspired design and unshakeable quality that will help you tear up the shoreline. Designed by professional angler Wes Logan, the Ark Wes Logan Signature Series 7’ 4” Chatter Rod delivers sensitivity and performance that meets or exceeds a lot of rods with higher price tags. Blending contemporary aesthetic and technique specific design, the Ark Wes Logan 7' 4" Med Hvy Chatter Rod will keep your livewell full when big bass get on the chatter bite. Honorable Mention:
Top Pick – Shimano Expride B Glass Crankbait Rod
Crankbait fishing is one of the few techniques that demand a specialized rod to truly excel and function efficiently. To amplify performance the Shimano Expride B Glass Crankbait Rods offer a forgiving construction that caters to treble hook baits and fast-striking fish. Boasting up to 30% more sensitivity, the Shimano Expride B Glass Crankbait Rods deliver an unmatched responsiveness that allows anglers detect subtle strikes and slight changes in bottom composition. Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Guide Select "B" Swimbait Casting Rod 7'11" Hvy
Anyone who has tossed around a fully rigged chandelier all day knows how the right rod can save your shoulder. The Okuma Swimbait Guide Select “B’ Swimbait Casting Rods provides enough muscle to effectively place your rig, while offering enhanced sensitivity to detect subtle bumps and light taps to teaser baits. Complete with updated EVA grips for increased comfort and style, the Okuma Swimbait Guide Select “B” Swimbait Casting Rods will look great on the deck for any rig enthusiast. Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Phenix M1 Inshore Casting Rods
For those lucky enough to live along the coast, the Phenix M1 Inshore Casting Rods deliver a dependable, salt-proven design that is made to handle tough inshore species. Built with a custom high-density EVA split grip handle, anglers enjoy a comfortable grip and lightweight power when targeting toughest inshore gamefish, from calico bass to redfish.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Dobyn Kaden Travel Casting Rods, Dobyn Kaden Travel Spinning Rods, Dobyn Kaden Travel Crankbait Rods, Dobyn Kaden Travel Swimbait Rods
For anglers on the move, the Dobyns Kaden Travel Rods provide increased mobility without sacrificing performance. Delivering all of the outstanding quality that hardcore bass anglers are used to, the Dobyns Kaden Travel Rods allow anglers to travel around the world or hop from pond-to-pond in pursuit of that big bite.Honorable Mention:
Top Pick - Evergreen Super Combat Stick Spinning Rod
When you want top tier performance without any compromise, the Evergreen Super Combat Stick Spinning Rod is the ultimate offering in terms of design, function, and form. Built on a lightweight X45 blank using SVF NANOplus technology, the Evergreen Super Combat Stick Spinning Rod stands head-and-shoulders above other rods in terms of lightweight design and all-out sensitivity.Honorable Mention:
Our suggestion, and the widely accepted industry standard, is that most beginning anglers should start with a spinning rod. More specifically – a medium powered, fast tapered spinning rod from 6' 6" - 7'. This range provides a wide selection of rods for anglers to choose from, while accommodating a lot of techniques recommended to those who are just starting to bass fish.
Before fishing rods are formed into their long, tubular shape, they start off as a flat sheet of material, whether its graphite, fiberglass, composite, etc. A rod's taper (also commonly called action) describes the angle of the material before its rolled and formed. This angle ultimately controls the flex of the rod and ultimately its properties.Some rods are designed to only flex in the first 10% of the rod blank, then quickly transition into a stiff backbone. This would be considered an extra fast or fast action. Other rods are designed to bend all the way down to the reel seat, these rods would fall under a moderate or slow action. Each taper provides different properties, which can be advantageous for certain techniques.
Rod length is typically based around the application being employed. Some techniques, like jerbkait fishing, require a shorter rod so the tip doesn't contact the boat when working the lure, while other techniques, like the Umbrella rig require a longer rod to maximize casting distance and leverage.One thing to note when choosing rod length is that there is typically a correlation between the angler's height and their preferred rod length. While there's no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to selecting rod length, if you consider yourself "tall" you will likely prefer a rod on the longer end of the spectrum for any given technique. Conversely, if you consider yourself "short" you might be more comfortable with a rod near the shorter end of the spectrum based on technique.
The short answer: whatever fits your budget. However, like everything in life, not all bass fishing rods are created equal. Rods vary drastically by price, materials and components, so how do you sort through the noise to identify the right rod for you? In most cases, the price point is a direct reflection of components, raw materials, and craftsmanship. It’s not uncommon for less expensive rods to be mass produced using cutting-edge machinery, while higher priced fishing rods tend to be handmade, one-at-a-time by a highly specialized team of rod builders. When you spend more money on a fishing rod, typically, you can expect: a lighter weight, increased sensitivity, better balance, higher quality components, tighter tolerances, and a better warranty backing.
After a season of bass fishing your rods with cork handles might be in need of a cleaning. Taking the time to maintain your fishing rods will return the original feel and look of a brand new cork handle fishing rod. Tackle Warehouse has created are article to demonstrate how-to properly clean your cork handles without damaging the cork and how to protect the cork handles to make them last many years.
If you fish long enough, you are eventually going to break a rod tip. Whether it’s a bent guide, a missing insert, or a snapped tip, it's an unfortunate reality of the sport. Luckily, fixing a broken tip is an easy and cost-effective task that can even be done on the water. Gone are the days of waiting weeks for you to get your favorite rod’s tip patched up by the manufacturer or repair shop, in just a few minutes you can go from temper tantrum to casting a line in search of that next trophy fish with our step-by-step guide to repairing a rod tip.
When it comes to choosing the "best" bass fishing rod there always going to be variables that come into play, like price and application. So a definitive answer will almost always boil down to your billfold and the bite. With that in mind, don't be afraid to try new rod brands, styles, and actions when the situation presents itself. If you are fishing with a buddy, ask to make a few casts with their rods. As you flex more rods your preferences will evolve, making it easier to narrow down options when looking to expand your arsenal. Now that you have picked out the perfect rod, check out the related articles below to choose the right reel to match!
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