There really is just something amazing about chasing those hard-hitting freshwater fish – and bass can fit that criteria.
While I appreciate the patience of trout anglers, the precision of fly fishing, or the insane obsession of muskie anglers, the feeling of a big largemouth bass slamming into a crankbait, for me, is hard to top.
Our father was not a patient angler – we weren’t going to be doing any jigging or trout fishing – so bass fishing was how our dad taught my brother and I about fishing.
Although there were many walleye and northern pike fishing trips as we grew older, the passion for bass fishing never went away. And we spent numerous weekend mornings doing some serious bass fishing before the sun came up.
Bass are heavy fighters: and with so many different bass fishing techniques you can use (i’m still a fan of crankbaits and spinnerbaits personally, I inherited some of my dad’s impatience) – picking the right type of bass fishing rod is incredibly important to your bass fishing success.
With that being said, we put together our list of some of the best bass fishing rods on the market today. Now what you consider the best bass fishing rod is going to vary depending on what bass fishing technique you prefer – but all of these rods are designed to help increase the success of your bass fishing trips!
Table of Contents
The Best Bass Fishing Rods Chart
Here is a quick list of our recommendations for the best bass fishing rods. Of course, our recommendations are going to change slightly based on your personal bass fishing techniques – but this list of fishing rods should make any serious bass angler very happy!
There is a more detailed review of each fishing rod option below this chart if you want more information!
| Rank | Description | Link to Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | St. Croix Bass X Casting & Spinning Rods | Current Price |
| #2 | KastKing Speed Demon Series | Current Price |
| #3 | St. Croix Mojo Bass Rods | Current Price |
| #4 | KastKing Royale legend Bass Rods | Current Price |
| #5 | Okuma Scott Martin Tournament Concept Rods | Current Price |
| #6 | Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rods | Current Price |
| #7 | Berkley Cherrywood Rods | Current Price |
| #8 | Fenwick LunkerStik | Current Price |
St. Croix Bass X Casting & Spinning Rods
The St. Croix Bass X fishing rods are a great combination of power, durability, and affordability. And they come in both casting or spinning rod options.
There are four 1-piece St. Croix Bass X Spinning Rods in this collection. Your choices are going to include a 6’8” Medium Powered, extra fast action rod; A 6’10” Medium Light Powered, extra fast action rod; a 7’1” Medium Powered, fast action rod; and a 7’1” Medium Heavy powered fast action rod.
All of these spinning rods are great, but my bass fishing techniques steer me towards the 7’1” Medium-Heavy option.
There are a lot more 1-piece St. Croix Bass X Casting rods to pick from. In fact, there are 10 different models to pick from.
They range from 6’6” to 7’11 in size and will range from medium power to Heavy power. You really want to pick your fishing rod based on the type of bass fishing you do, but I normally prefer something in the 6’8” to 7’4” range – and either medium or medium-heavy.
The casting rods and spinning rods are going to be made with the elite graphite materials we are expecting from St. Croix, as well as top of the line Fuji guides and other parts.
Both versions are also going to have a 5-year warranty and St. Croix has some really good customer service.
These rods were specifically designed for bass anglers looking for great quality equipment at a great price, and these rods fit that bill!
You won’t regret adding these rods to your bass fishing arsenal. For other great St. Croix fishing rod options, check out this list: The Best St. Croix Fishing Rods.
KastKing Speed Demon Bass Series Rods
KastKing really understand that there are so many different bass fishing techniques that require different fishing equipment. And the KastKing Speed Demon Bass Series Rods are designed to supplement the success of those different fishing techniques.
There are 9 different 1-piece casting rods that are made for different techniques. For example, they have rods for jerk bait, chatter bait, crankbaits, spinner baits, jigs/worms, frogs, Carolina rigs, and even a heavy-duty rod for flippin’!
These rods vary from medium power to extra heavy power based on the type of technique you use. Those Flippin’ & Carolina Rig rods need to be heavier than your soft plastic or jerk bait rods!
These rods are also going to vary in size from 6’8” to 8’0” depending again on your preferred technique.
There are a couple of 1-piece spinning rods available in the KastKing Speed Demon Series. Those rods include a 6’10” medium light fishing rod and a 7’2” medium light rod option.
These rods will be made from materials you can trust, and they go thru a strict quality check from KastKing. You won’t be disappointed when you pick this series of fishing rods to help supplement your bass fishing techniques!
St. Croix Mojo Bass Rods
The St. Croix Mojo Bass Rods went through a complete redesign in 2016 – giving them an updated look and build, and it allowed St. Croix to incorporate all the latest fishing rod technology into this line of rods.
You will be able to pick from a casting rod and a spinning rod design based on your personal preferences. I’m still big into spinning rods since they are going to be much easier for me to teach my kids on – but I have much respect to you casting rod anglers.
The St. Croix Mojo Bass Spinning Rods will vary in power from Medium-Light to Medium-Heavy and will vary in length from 6’8” to 9’6”. There are also 1-piece and 2-piece rod options to pick from as well! The action of these rods will vary from extra-fast to fast – which is perfect for bass fishing.
The rod you pick will really vary depend on the type of fishing you do. The Medium-Light and Medium powered rods can handle fishing line in that 6-12 pound range – which is perfect for plastics and that type of bass fishing.
The Medium-Heavy rods handle fishing line in that 8-14-pound test range. This is perfect for those spinner bait and crankbait fisherman – which is where I normally fall into. If you are like me and love the spinnerbaits and crankbaits, the model MJS71MHF is the perfect bass rod. It is a 1-piece, 7’1”, Medium-Heavy, fishing rod that supports fishing line in that 8-14-pound range, and lures in that 3/8 to 3/4 oz. weight.
There are even more choices to pick from if you are looking at the St. Croix Mojo Bass Casting Rods. These rods will vary in power from Medium to Heavy, with plenty of Medium-Heavy options as well.
In terms of length, they vary from 6’8” to 7’11” – with multiple 1-piece or 2-piece rods to pick from.
Picking the right casting rod is again all going to come down to your preferred bass fishing technique. St. Croix does a fantastic job of designing specific rods based on jerkbait, topwater, jig-n-worm, plastics, spinnerbaits, and basically any type of bass fishing technique that you have in your fishing arsenal.
If you know your preference on 1-piece vs. 2-piece, length, action, and preferred technique use – it will be really easy for you to pick the right rod.
I love these rods and love the high quality that you get from St. Croix. These rods will be a great addition to any bass fisherman’s rod collection!
KastKing Royale Legend Bass Rods
Another great bass fishing rod option from KastKing is the KastKing Royale Legend Bass Rods line! They provide a great combination of power and durability – and a great selection of different options to make sure you find the right rod for your bass fishing techniques.
If you are looking for a spinning rod, you have four 1-piece rods to pick from & four 2-piece rods to choose from. These rods will either be 6’9” or 7” in size.
There is a Medium & Medium Light powered option for each length of rod – whether you are looking at the 1-piece rods or the 2-piece rods.
The KastKing Royale legend Bass Rod series also has some great casting rods to pick from. If you are looking for a 2-piece casting rod, the only option in this line is the 7-foot, medium powered, fast action rod that handles test line in the 10-17-pound range.
There are a lot more 1-piece casting rods to pick from. They range from 6’6” to 7’6” – are going to vary from Medium power to even an Extra-Heavy powered option – are all going to be fast action. The rod you pick is really going to depend on the bass fishing techniques you use, but they have a rod option for pretty much everybody!
All of these rods are made from the high-end KastFlex blanks that KastKing uses, giving them that mixture of sensitivity and power that anglers crave. They are also made with great quality Fuji guide rings.
KastKing prides themselves on creating consistent, high-end fishing equipment that is also affordable. These rods will cost right around $70 normally – which is a steal for just how great these rods are.
Okuma Scott Martin Tournament Concept Rods
In order to create a great bass fishing rod, Okuma did a very clever thing and teamed with Bass Fishing Champion Scott Martin to design an incredible line of bass fishing rods. Through that partnership, the Okuma Scott Martin Tournament Concept Rods Line was created.
According to Okuma, Scott Martin teamed with their engineers to help design each casting and spinning rod that is part of this collection. And if you are going to team with someone to help you design some rods, teaming with an angler that has won multiple bass fishing tournaments, titles, and even angler of the year awards makes a ton of sense.
This line includes four different spinning rods and ten different casting rods you can pick from. The spinning rods will range from 6’9” in size to 7’2” in size. They also range from a medium-light to medium power rating.
There are a lot more casting rods for you to pick from than spinning rods, and they are going to range from 6’6” in size to 7’11” in size. They are also going to range from a medium-light power to extra-heavy in power based on the type of bass fishing you specialize in.
If you are going to be doing flippin’ and heavy punching – the 7’11” extra-heavy rods are going to be perfect for you. If you are into jerkbaits and smaller crankbaits, the smaller rods are going to be ideal for your situation. It all comes down to what technique you are going to be using.
All of these rods are 1-piece, so I’m going to go out on a limb and say that Scott Martin recommends 1-piece rods just like me (that isn’t a direct quote, just an assumption).
All of these rods are designed to pack a punch and be very durable for you – meaning you are going to catch a lot of bass for a long period of time if you decided to purchase this line of rod as your bass rod of choice!
I mean, why wouldn’t you trust a rod designed by one of the best bass fishermen ever!
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod
For those that are looking for a very affordable, but very good bass fishing rod – I would have to recommend the Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod.
Ugly Stik has been one of the most recognizable names in the fishing world for a very long time, and that is due to the great product quality they deliver.
Ugly Stik Spinning rods are going to vary in size from 4’6” to 7’6” – and vary between 1-piece and 2-piece options. I’m always going to recommend 1-piece fishing rods, but if you need that extra transportability, Ugly Stik makes great 2-piece fishing rods.
Some of these rod sizes really aren’t going to be applicable to bass fishing – like the 4’6” Ultra-Light rod. For bass fishing, I’m going to want something 6’6” or larger in size, and medium or medium heavy in power for most occasions.
Usually priced around $50 – it is going to be hard for you to find a better fishing rod at that price point. This really is one of the most affordable options you can get in the world of bass fishing.
Ugly Stik also has a casting rod option – which you can check out here: Ugly Stik Elite Casting Rods. You will also find these Ugly Stik Rods on other best fishing rod lists, including our list of the Northern Pike Fishing Rods.
Berkley Cherrywood Rods
For those anglers that are looking for a VERY affordable, but very effective bass rod, I would recommend the Berkley Cherrywood line of rods.
They have just about every size and option you can think of. From the Spinning Rod selection – you can pick from a 1-Piece, 4’6” Ultralight rod to a 7’ Medium-Heavy 2-piece rod (and everything else in between). Of course, I want something in that 6’6” medium range – preferably 1-piece – which of course they offer.
There is also a great selection of Berkley Cherrywood Casting Rods you can pick from if that style of rod is more your thing. There is one 2-piece 6’6” Medium fishing rod, and the rest of the selections are 1-piece fishing rods from 5’6” inches in length to 7 feet in length. Those rods will vary from medium to medium-heavy in power and shouldn’t have any issue catching bass for you!
Berkley really prides themselves on the construction of these rods, saying they are all factory tested for dependability. They also claim to use incredibly tough and light guides, which help with the performance of these rods. I’m also a huge fan of the cork handle design – I greatly prefer cork of Styrofoam when it comes to comfort and grip.
If you are interested, they also make a great ice fishing combination rod! Most of these rods can be bought for $30 or under, which is just an incredible value for the price, and why we had to include these rods on our list of the best bass fishing rods.
Fenwicks LunkerStik Casting Fishing Rod
A rod that I really trust when I’m going on the hunt for large fish – such as northerns or largemouth bass – is Fenwick’s Line of Lunker Stiks.
They also have a spinning rod and casting rod design based on your personal preference for fishing rod type. The Spinning Rod selection includes some great medium powered 6’6” or 7-foot options – in either 1-piece or 2-pieces again depending on your personal preference.
The action of these rods are a great mixture of touch and strength, making them great for multiple different bass fishing techniques.
The Fenwick LunkerStik Casting Rod Line is also fantastic. There is a 6’8” Medium heavy 2-piece rod option, otherwise you get to pick from 1-piece rods ranging from 6’8” to 8’ in length. Those 1-piece rods will also range from medium to medium heavy in strength – and should provide you with plenty of flexibility based on your preferred bass fishing technique.
This is a great line of fishing rods for anglers that love bass fishing, but also like to dapple in fishing for other species. The flexibility this rod brings to the table is fantastic and should make you very happy!
What to Look for in a Bass Rod
There are always a few things I look for in a good bass rod. The first thing you must do is decide between 1-piece or 2-pieces. If possible, I’m always going to recommend 1-piece because I think the action and strength of 1-piece rods are better. However, 2-piece rods are going to be easier to transport, which can be the main reason you want a 2-piece rod.
You also need to pick the length of the rod. I would recommend 6 feet at a minimum and normally I don’t fish with anything more than 7’6” – but there may be some bass fishing techniques where an 8-foot rod is a good choice.
You also need to make sure you have the right strength associated with your rod. Most fishing techniques I use work best with a Medium or Medium Heavy rod – but there are some techniques like flippin where you want that extra heavy rod. The strength you pick really is going to depend on your preferred bass fishing technique.
Bass Fishing Rod FAQ
Q: Can you fly fish for bass?
A: Yes. In fact there are many people who enjoy fly fishing for smallmouth bass. However, that being said this certainly isn’t the normal gear for bass fishing and if you’re looking for a big largemouth bass you definitely want to go with one of the conventional spinning bass rods on this list.
Q: How can I make my own bass fishing rods?
A: There are many tutorials online for how to do this, and while we always encourage adding more outdoor skills to the portfolio, keep in mind this is a true skill that takes time to master. Our Dad does some really freaking awesome work making custom fishing rods so take a look at his Facebook page and let him know what you think!
Q: How do I choose a good fishing reel to go with my bass fishing rod?
A: The big one is to make sure you go with a reel that can handle the type of fight that a good sized largemouth bass is going to give you. We recommend a high quality, well-rated, medium action spinning reel or baitcasting reel. These can give plenty of action, adjustable drag, and will hold up to a serious fight.
In Conclusion
There are many ways to spend a day, and we grew up believing that if you spent a day on the water bass fishing then that was a day well spent regardless of the results. That being said, there’s no denying that it’s a lot more fun when you get to reel some serious sized bass in. While a normal medium action rod might do fine for some small to medium sized bass that don’t crush it, if you’re serious about landing that truly epic bass you want to arm yourself with one of these top rated black bass fishing rods!
