The 10 Best Spinning Rods For Bass 2025

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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton

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The 10 Best Spinning Rods For Bass

We all know that quality gear can make your life much easier. The best spinning rods for Bass are no exception and improve your chances of success.

Key Takeaways

1. Quality Gear Importance: A good spinning rod can significantly enhance bass fishing success, offering better control, feedback, and comfort.
2. Top Recommendations:
  - Shakespeare UglyStik GX2: Known for its durability and sensitivity, it is suitable for various environments.
  - KastKing Perigee II: Lightweight and strong with high-quality components, available in different configurations.
  - St Croix Triumph: Features a comfortable cork handle and excellent line guide positioning for accurate casting.
  - Berkley Cherrywood HD: This product offers a balanced hybrid design with a nostalgic cork handle, suitable for both fresh and saltwater.
  - PLUSINNO Combo: Budget-friendly, portable, easy to set up, ideal for casual fishing.
  - Abu Garcia Vendetta: Sensitive yet strong, versatile for different fishing environments.
  - Shimano SE Teramar: Lightweight with a high-strength graphite design, suitable for various fishing environments.
  - Shimano Solara: Great value for money with a comfortable design, suitable for most freshwater species.
  - Dobyns Champion: Premium quality, highly accurate, and ideal for serious anglers.
  - G.Loomis Conquest Spin Jig: Extremely lightweight and sensitive, offering exceptional casting accuracy.
3. Considerations When Choosing a Spinning Rod:
  - Handle Material: Cork, EVA, and wood each offer different comfort and grip levels.
  - Rod Action: Ranges from extra fast to slow, affecting flexibility and suitability for different fishing conditions.
  - Power: Determines the strength and weight capacity of the rod.
  - Material: Graphite for lightweight sensitivity, fiberglass for strength, or composite for a balance of both.
  - Spinning vs. Bait Casting Rods: Spinning rods are more manageable for beginners and better for delicate fishing, while baitcasting rods handle heavier gear and larger fish.
  - Rod Length: Typically between six and eight feet, shorter rods offer better control, and longer rods provide more casting distance.

Bass is one of my favorite fish to catch. They are incredibly aggressive and put up a fight, requiring you to work for the catch.

It’s never straightforward to land one of these fish successfully, so bass fishing has established itself as a popular fish species.

If you’re looking for an edge in landing bass, a quality bass spinning rod can tip the odds in your favor. The perfect spinning rod will feel like a part of your arm and should demonstrate several characteristics:

It needs to work with a range of lures
It should provide excellent feedback, allowing you to feel what the lure is doing
It should be sturdy and flexible yet light enough to handle
It should feel comfortable over long periods

Whether you’re already an established bass enthusiast or just looking to dip your toes into this exciting sport, we’ve compiled a list of the best spinning rods for Bass for a range of expertise and budgets. We hope this article helps you find the info you’ve been searching for, but please let us know in the comments below if we’ve missed anything.

You may be interested in reviewing related content.

Shakespeare UglyStik GX2 Spinning Rod Review

The GX2 UglyStik G2 Spinning Rod has long been a fan favorite, and for good reason.

The rod has been made using a composite of fiberglass and graphite. In practical terms, the spinning rod is durable, strong, and light enough to provide excellent feedback and sensitivity. The rod finishes with a very comfortable handle made from EVA.

I liked that the rod is not overly stiff, is easy to cast, and is sensitive enough to detect even the slightest bit of action.

The rod was designed to take 8-20 lines and is suitable for nearly every environment, from freshwater lakes and rivers to saltwater. I found it comfortable in the hand and light enough so the weight wasn’t distracting. It offers an outstanding balance between cost, usability, and functionality.

Overall

This spinning rod provides excellent value for money and would be the best choice for those starting with bass fishing or those who only fish occasionally.

If portability is your priority, then the GX2 is available in four-piece and two-piece configurations. The four-piece is small enough to fit inside an average backpack, so there’s no excuse for not taking it with you.

Even though the spinning rod’s name (UglyStick) suggests otherwise, the design is pretty nice. It’s modern, minimalistic, and sleek; as far as rods go, it’s pretty good-looking.

What Makes The UglyStik GX2 A Good Spinning Rod?

Comfortable, light in the hand, and a pleasure to use
Capable of lasting a lifetime of use if cared for
A fantastic price and a great product

KastKing Perigee II Spinning Rod Review

KastKing has long been a favorite among anglers; it cemented a reputation for creating excellent products. The Perigee II spinning rods are no exception and are available in one-piece and two-piece options. I’ve found the rods to be a cut above the competition and made excellent tolerances from KastKing’s proprietary manufacturing process.

These spinning rods have been constructed from a carbon matrix, resulting in a lightweight pole that is strong and easy to use. We fully expect these rods to last decades.

The rod is well made, and the components that comprise the rest of the pole are also very high quality. The ring line guides are made of Fuji and are considered one of the best in the industry. The EVA handle ensures the rod remains comfortable, and a graphite reel seat keeps the reel in place.

This is a well-put-together piece of kit.

Overall

The Perigee II spinning rods are easy to control and sensitive enough for most applications. Unlike many other brands, the two-piece rod performs equally to the one-piece, and it is also easier to transport.

KastKing has made these spinning rods available in various powers, lengths, and actions to ensure you can find the perfect fit.

What Makes The Perigee II A Good Spinning Rod?

Every rod has a choice of 2-rod tips, allowing you to match the tip to the conditions.
You can choose a variety of compatible lines with variable actions, powers, and lengths.
These spinning rods are great for Bass and can be used with a range of fishing methods.
Our rod was delivered well-packaged, and I doubt it would survive even the worst treatment from courier companies.
All rods from KastKing come with a lifetime guarantee

St Croix Triumph Spinning Rod Review

The Triumph has been crafted from graphite to maximize strength and weight while maintaining sensitivity. In addition to the pole’s durable construction, the rod features a comfortable cork handle, a robust corrosion-resistant actual seat, and high-quality corrosion-resistant line guides.

Overall

The spinning rod has been designed to handle lures rated between 0.1 and 1.1 oz comfortably. I found the rod light enough to detect even the slightest bites, yet I did not feel it was flimsy or incapable of handling larger fish. I especially appreciated the handle-to-rod length ratio, which provided plenty of leverage and a comfortable casting position.

The line guide positioning ensured the line traveled with little friction, allowing maximum casting distance and accuracy. Even after extended use, the cork handles remained comfortable, and I always felt in control of what the rod was doing.

What Makes The Triumph A Good Spinning Rod?

The rod ships with two tips as standard
Quality construction and parts
Easy portability with a two-piece design
Rod bag provided as standard
Sleek looks and design
Practical and easy-to-use reel lock

Berkley Cherrywood HD Spinning Rod

Berkley is an established brand with a well-respected reputation. So, it is no surprise that the Berkley Cherrywood HD Spinning Rod is among the best available.

This is a fantastic spinning rod with a quality build, well-balanced sensitivity, and a joy-to-use action. Whether you’re an experienced angler or just looking to start, you’ll find something to love about it.

I found the hybrid design well executed, allowing for strength and sensitivity. I especially enjoyed the cork-covered handle, which reminded me of the rods I used as a child and inherited from various relatives.

This Berkley rod can cast fairly accurately and is sturdy enough to wrestle a catch out of cover. We found it capable of accommodating a range of reels and ideally suited for any baits. From live bait through to jigs, all worked well. If you’re looking for a rod that you can use in fresh and saltwater conditions, then this spinning rod has those points covered.

Overall

While most rods will sacrifice weight or strength, the Cherrywood HD has balanced these qualities exceedingly well. Its top-tier construction, superior materials, and price-to-performance rating make it easy to recommend to experienced and beginner anglers. You’ll get excellent value for money; I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it.

What Makes The Cherrywood HD A Good Spinning Rod?

Surprising performance for the price
Well-planned design with attractive looks
Comfortable and lightweight

PLUSINNO Spinning Rod and Reel Combo Review

The PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo may be cheap and cheerful, but that doesn’t mean it’s a lousy rod and reel combo.

I fully expect to be ridiculed by Bass fishing elitists for recommending this combo, but not everyone wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a rod and reel. If you want a cheap option that will quite literally fit into a small backpack, then you can’t go wrong with the PLUSINNO.

It’s not a rod I would take away on a dedicated fishing trip, but if I’m out for the weekend with the kids and want something I can throw into a bag and forget about, you can’t go wrong with it.

The rod offers reasonable strength, durability, and flexibility, and there’s no reason why you wouldn’t be able to catch plenty of fish with it. With its telescopic design and ease of transport, it’s the sort of rod I would have loved to have had as an eight-year-old.

Overall

You might be disappointed buying this spinning combo and expecting the world. But if it’s something you believe in dipping your toes into the world of Bass fishing without spending a ton of money, then there’s a lot to like.

It’s easy enough to set up, and casting is reasonably accurate, but above that, it’s fun, and I don’t stress about leaving it propped up on the bank of a lake.

What Makes The PLUSINNO A Good Spinning Rod?

Cheap and cheerful design
Very easy to transport
Set up and go fishing within minutes
Solid and flexible enough for most fishing

Abu Garcia Vendetta Spinning Fishing Rod Review

This spinning rod made by Abu Garcia is surprisingly decent and more than capable of providing hours of fishing fun. The rod has been constructed from modulus graphite, which might be marketing hype, but it seems flexible and robust. Coupled with the steel line guides and comfortable EVA handle, it makes for a capable Bass rod. If you’re looking to buy one, you’ll have a range of lengths to choose from, as well as medium to heavy.

I found the rod sensitive to small plays in the bait, so detecting a bite should be easy enough. The casting was comfortable and accurate, and I was not concerned about the durability.

The handle provided plenty of support, and even after a few hours, I had no complaints about the grip or hand position.

Overall

If you’re looking for a high-quality spinning rod that offers a sensitive tip yet remains relatively stiff, then the Vendetta should be near the top of your list. I had no trouble using light and heavy lures, always staying in control. I would see no reason you couldn’t use this rod for fresh and saltwater environments.

What Makes The Vendetta A Good Spinning Rod?

Sensitive yet strong construction
Easy to control and comfortable
Great design aesthetics
Excellent performance for the price

Shimano SE Teramar Spinning Rod Review

Coming in at a respectable 7 feet in length, the SE Teramar boasts a high-strength graphite design, ensuring it remains lightweight and robust yet can detect bites. The line guides are made from high-quality steel, and the rust-resistant actual seat has been coupled with a screw-down setting to ensure the reel remains in place. The cork handles keep things comfortable.

This rod is slightly lighter than most we’ve already featured, making it better placed for smaller lures and more delicate lines. However, we’ve seen it wrestle fish out of deep cover, so it should possess enough strength to free even the most embedded fish. The rod is very sensitive to the play of the lure and line, so detecting a bite should be seamless.

Overall

A good Bass spinning rod should be sensitive, robust, and accurate, and the SE Teramar ticks all those boxes and more. I found its characteristics closer to premium rods but at an undeniably affordable price. If you want an all-rounder that can be used across various fishing environments, then the SE Teramar should be at the top of your wish list.

What Makes The SE Teramar A Good Spinning Rod?

Lightweight, accurate, and strong
Portability afforded by its two-piece design
Sleek design and looks
Excellent Warranty and customer service
It comes with a carrying case

Shimano Solara 6’6 MH Spinning Freshwater Spinning Rod Review

Shimano has a long and prestigious reputation; they’re well known for their durable and quality products. The Shimano Solara is no exception to this design ethos. Packaged with aluminum oxide line guides, a screw-down reel seat, and a genuine cork handle, the rod offers excellent value.

It’s available in a range of lengths, from a diminutive 5 feet through to 6, and in a range of powers from light to medium. Our testing shows it’s sensitive, incredibly accurate, and sturdy enough to power through most conditions.

The rod remains comfortable even after extended use, and we’d have no problems using it as our daily rod.

Overall

Even without the reputation of the Shimano brand, I’d have no problems recommending the spinning rod to anyone looking for something with an exceptional price-performance rating. Whether you’re using topwater frogs or crankbaits, this rod will easily handle them and should have no problems with most freshwater species.

What Makes The Solara A Good Spinning Rod?

Competitively priced in a buyers’ market
Great value for money
Well-thought-out design and implementation
Easy to transport due to the two-piece design

Dobyns Champion Spinning Rod Review

Dobyns may not be the cheapest rods available today, but there’s a reason for their price. Simply put, they are outstanding rods that are a step up or several steps from some of the rods we’ve already featured.

If you’re serious about Bass fishing and want to invest in a rod that will likely never need an upgrade, the Dobyns Champion should be at the top of your shopping list.

The rod boasts a very soft tip, allowing for incredible cast accuracy and allowing baits to be presented subtly and lifelike. Don’t think the soft tip weakens the rod because it doesn’t. You can do that easily when you need the power and strength to direct a fish away from cover. With a little bit of practice, you’ll have your bait playing through the water in a fashion you never thought possible, and it’s all due to the excellent rod design.

Overall

This is one of the most highly-rated spinning rods available today, which should refine your fishing experience. From monster bass to Crappie, these rods can catch everything. However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend using them in saltwater; you’d be better off buying a saltwater-appropriate rod.

What Makes The Champion A Good Spinning Rod?

Highly recommended and trusted manufacturer
The rod of choice for professionals
Brilliant Warranty
Incredibly accurate and a joy to use

G.Loomis Conquest Spin Jig Spinning Rod Review

The Spin Jig rods from G. Loomis are incredible and must be felt to be believed. When you have one in your hand, it almost feels like there’s nothing there; they are that light.

A slight flick of the risk, and you’ll find your bait soaring through the sky with uncanny accuracy; they are one of my favorite rods.

Both my son and I use them. He’s under ten when writing this, but he can pull off some fantastic casts. Additionally, after a day of use, there are no complaints about the weight or comfort of the rod; they’re brilliant.

The Sping Jig offers a ton of sensitivity, allowing you to feel everything going on with the bait. But they also have a ton of backbone and will pull through nearly anything.

Overall

If you want to buy something that costs more than your standard Shimano, then the G.Loomis Spin Jig is a great choice. You can use them for various fishing methods, from live bait to crankbaits, from Bass to Salmon. Like the Dobyns, I wouldn’t use them on saltwater if I had other rods available, but they’re fair game for anything freshwater-related.

What Makes The Sping Jig A Good Spinning Rod?

Made in the USA
Fantastic industry-leading Warranty
Lightweight and exceptionally strong
Premium finish and fittings
Comfortable enough for all-day use

What To Look for In The Best Spinning Rods For Bass

The list we’ve pulled together above is entirely subjective; we’ve done what we can to cover something to suit all skill levels, budgets, and requirements. However, no magic spinning rod will suit everyone. This is one of the reasons that each model will have many options to choose from.

The question remains: Should you get a medium, heavy, light, or quick action? Is a one-piece spinning rod better than two or four pieces? What’s the best length to get?

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the range of options, and you’ll probably end up second-guessing yourself more than a few times. Not only do you need to worry about the brands and sizes, but there’s also a ton of technical jargon, which can sound confusing and impressive.

That’s why we’ve written this article: to make buying the best spinning rod for Bass as seamless as possible.

In the rest of the article, we’ll review all the essential parts of a spinning rod, explain how they affect rod performance, and offer tips and advice on what to look for and how to match it to your fishing style and preference.

The Types Of Rod Handles

The handle is an often ignored or underappreciated component of a spinning rod. After all, you’ll be holding the rod for hours in hot, wet, cold, or dry weather, so it needs to remain comfortable and ensure a good grip.

For these reasons, we recommend paying close attention to what the rod handle is made from. In today’s market, you’ll likely come across three handle materials: cork, EVA, and wood.

Cork

These offer plenty of grip in most weather conditions and transmit movement directly to your hands, making it easier to detect some of the lure’s movements.

EVA

EVA is one of the most comfortable materials and will offer a comfortable and confident grip no matter the conditions. The only downside is that it may not be as durable as the other options, but it’s also easier to replace if necessary.

Wood

Wood will give a rod a classic look, but the grip is not especially good, particularly in wet or cold conditions. A well-treated wooden handle should last longer, certainly more than cork, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.

Rod Action

The rod action is basically how flexible or stiff the rod is. If you attach a weight to the end of your rod, how far down from the tip does the apex of the bend describe the action? To confuse the matter further, there is no standard measurement between manufacturers.

One manufacturer might describe a rod as having a slow action, which another manufacturer would describe as light. However, we’ve explained these actions in general terms below.

Extra Fast Action

An extra-fast action rod has the least flexion; most of the ben occurs at the tip, with very little transmitted through the length of the rod. These rods are especially suited to fighting larger fish or when the cover in the surrounding area is hefty. An extra-fast action is ideal if you’re fishing near docks or in water with heavy vegetation.

The tip action will also help pressure any bass you end up hooking.

Fast Action

These rods will flex more than extra fast, with the apex of the flex occurring closer to the center of the rod length. In my opinion, they offer a good balance between flexibility and power, and more often than not, this is what you’re looking for in a bass spinning rod. They work exceptionally well with jerk, spinner, and topwater baits.

Moderate Action

It is not surprising, but these rods are more flexible than extra-fast and fast-action rods. They are best suited for situations where a light, delicate approach is best, and they can make casting easier and incredibly accurate.

Slow Action

Lastly, slow-action rods offer the most flexibility, and the bend will occur throughout the rod’s length. A slow-action rod is an obvious choice if you’re looking to catch small fish with delicate lures.

Power

The power of a rod is its strength and the amount of weight required to bend or load it; it is often referred to as the backbone. In a nutshell, it’s how easy or difficult it is to turn the rod. You will likely see ultra-light, medium, medium-heavy, or heavy rod ratings.

A rod rated as heavy will require the most weight or effort to bend and is typically the least flexible. Like extra fast action, it’s best suited for larger fish, heavy overs, or fish with a lot of fight. The effort to bend the rod will reduce as you go down the power rating.

The power rating of a rod will also influence the heaviness of the gear you can use. A heavier rod is best paired with a more robust line and heavier lure. As the power is reduced, the lighter the line and the weaker the lure you can use.

Material

The ideal fishing rod should be sensitive enough to transmit vibrations and movement to your hand accurately. We also want to be confident that the rod won’t break under pressure but should be flexible.

Modern-day spinning rods are typically made from fiberglass or graphite, or in some cases, a hybrid of these materials.

These materials offer lightweight designs that will remain comfortable throughout the day. Additionally, they transmit vibrations will. If you receive a bite, you’ll feel it. So, even if you’re up against shy fish, you should have a chance of setting the hook.

Graphite Spinning Rods

Graphite is typically the lighter of the two options and provides better performance overall.

There is, of course, a downside to graphite rods. An inexperienced or overly anxious angler may be tempted to attempt to set a hook to soo based on a tentative feel of the bait.

In years past, a graphite spinning rod would have cost a small fortune, but thankfully, that’s no longer the case. Graphite spinning rods are becoming increasingly affordable, yet they cost more than carbon fiber.

Fiberglass Spinning Rods

Fiberglass is the cheapest of two popular options available today. It typically weighs slightly more than an equivalent graphite rod, but its gap always narrows.

Fiberglass spinning rods are strong and can take a lot of punishment; however, they don’t offer the same sensitivity as graphite.

I especially like fiberglass rods as an all-rounder, suitable for fresh and saltwater and a range of lures. While they are not as sensitive, they are just as effective as graphite with practice. They also tend to flex over the whole length of the rod and are great when you know you’re going up against aggressive or larger fish.

Composite

Composite rods are made to bridge the gap between the two extremes of graphite and fiberglass, taking the best of both with fewer downsides. The perfect composite rod will boast the lightweight nature of graphite with the strength and toughness of fiberglass.

They make fantastic spinning rods that allow for a lot of play in the lures and will let you feel exactly what’s happening with your bait of choice as it travels through the water.

Spinning Rod vs. Bait Casting Rods

If you’re looking for a bass rod, you’ll probably buy a spinning rod or a baitcasting. The differences can be subtle, but which is better, baitcasting or spinning rods?

Spinning Rods

The defining feature of a spinning rod is that the reel and line guides are located on the rod’s underside.

With a spinning reel, the line tends to spool off at varying angles and positions. To accommodate this randomness, the line guides tend to be larger than those on a casting rod.

Spinning rods and reels are usually better suited to slightly lighter setups. So, a softer line with a more lightweight lure is better for fishing for a more delicate fish. I wouldn’t take this too seriously, though, as you can still catch massive fish with a spinning rod and reel.

A spinning rod wins out because it targets hard-to-reach areas such as undercover. If you’re starting, you’ll probably find a spinning rod much more accessible to master.

Many specialist techniques require a spinning rod to accomplish this. So, a spinning rod is the best and easiest option for working the top water or using a shaky head.

Bait Casting Rods

Casting rods position the reel and line guides on the opposite side compared to spinning rods, i.e., on the top. The line guides will be more extensive at the reel end and gradually taper down in size as they reach the end of the rod.

The most significant advantage of the casting rod is that you have more control once you have a fish on the line. Most casting rods take heavier gear, larger lures, and lines and are often better suited to tackling bigger fish.

A casting rod is an obvious choice if you want to tackle more extensive and aggressive fish.

It should be noted that baitcasting rods are often more complicated to use, so they are not recommended to anyone new to the hobby. You already have much to think about when you’re just starting, so adding additional complexities is undesirable.

You can catch Bass and many other fish species with spinning and baitcasting rods. The functionality between the two is marginal for almost 90% of anglers, so don’t let it sway your decision-making process too much.

Rod Length

It should come as no surprise, but the length refers to the size of the spinning rod. Most bass spinning rods will average between six and eight feet.

A short rod is anything between six and seven feet; a long rod is typically seven feet or more.

As a general rule of thumb, the longer the rod, the further you can cast, but you’ll sacrifice accuracy. A shorter rod will be more accurate for most anglers.

When deciding on a rod length, consider where you’ll be doing most of your fishing. Are there lots of trees and overhead obstacles? How far are you looking to cast, or is accuracy more important?

A shorter rod is probably the sensible option if you’re fishing in a small body of water or with many overhanging branches. A longer rod makes sense if you’re feeling in a large body of water and must cast into the horizon.

A shorter rod is better if you want to fish off something, be it a boat, kayak, or dock. Longer rods make more sense for fishing from the shore or when you’re level with the water.

A shorter rod is also easier to transport and better suited to a lighter setup and smaller fish. Bigger fish need an enormous rod, except if you’re fishing from a boat or kayak.

Line Guides

When looking at rods, we want as little friction between the line and the rod as possible. Rod line guides are the most significant contributing factor to friction, so we want to get the best possible ones within our budget.

Titanium or ceramic guides are considered the top-tier option, offering a frictionless experience as you can get.

Snags, rough edges, or unfinished line guides can spell disaster for your fishing experience, causing line failure or drastically reducing your ability to cast any distance.

Final Thoughts

An excellent spinning rod can improve your fishing experience; there’s no doubt about it. The best bass spinning rods will make the experience more fun, increase the chances of a catch, and last a lifetime of use.

Even at best times, detecting a catch can be challenging, so tipping the odds in your favor makes sense. Weighing up what characteristics matter the most to you is an integral part of this process, so take the time to review this article before making your decision.

If you appreciate what you’ve read, clicking on any of the links above before you make your purchase will give us a small commission, but if you don’t want to, we understand entirely.

If you’ve picked one of the recommended rods, we’d love to hear about your experiences, good or bad. As always, if you feel we’ve missed something or made horrible choices, let us know in the comments below, and we’ll get back to you.

We hope you have a great time fishing over the next few months. Please revisit us if you’re looking for more information or tips.

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