For most fishermen a spinning rod and reel combo for bass won’t be their go-to setup of choice, however, there are certain times when it will have an advantage over a baitcaster combo.
The best spinning rod for bass will fall in the medium/light to ultralight power rating. There really is no reason why you would want a heavy spinning setup when bass fishing.
| AT A GLANCE: |
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| 1. Our Top Pick: Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo |
| 2. Best Overall: Abu Garcia Black Max Spinning Fishing Combo |
| 3. Best Value: Pflueger Monarch Spinning Combo |
If you are throwing larger crankbaits or frog lures then a spinning rig will not cut it. Best to stick to a good baitcasting combo outfit.
Spinning setups usually mean more delicate presentation and rigs. Lighter line work really is all about accuracy and not about long-lasting performances.
Table of Contents
1. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
Specifications
If you are looking for a low-cost option then the Ugly Stik GX2 spinning rod and reel combo is the best value for money.
The GX2 is one of the best-selling spinning rods of all time and is used for numerous different types of freshwater fishing.
The reel is actually pretty good considering the price. This setup is best used for throwing lighter lures such as spinners, finesse jigs, and swimbaits, and for drop shot rigs or using a wacky rig.
2. Pflueger President Spinning
Specifications
The Pflueger President Spinning reel is one of the best light reels available, paired with a high-quality I-M8 graphite rod and you have yourself a really good combo for bass.
3. Abu Garcia Black Max Spinning Fishing Combo
Specifications
- High quality light weight rod
- Lgiht weight reel with 3 ball bearings
- HT 100 carbon drag washers
A great introductory rod for those just starting out or if you want to get your kids a decent upgrade from a spin casting combo.
4. Pflueger Monarch Spinning Combo
Specifications
- I-M6 graphite rod
- 5 stainless steel ball bearings
- Split grip cork handle
An lighter version of the President listed above the Plueger Monarch is a great spinning combo for finesse applications.
5. Cadence CC6 Spinning Combo
If you are looking for a bass combo for some slightly heavier work the Cadence CC6 fits the bill.
Specifications
- 24 ton graphite rod blank
- 7 ball bearings one anti-reverse
- Aluminum frame
A good bass spinning combo as mentioned above will usually be a light or medium powered rod and a size 2000 or 3000 spinning reel.
Although you can go for something a little heavier when working larger lures it’s rare to see anything much beefier than this.
Rod
Spinning rods come in a huge variety of lengths, powers, and actions. For a beginner this can be very confusing, let’s take a quick look at each immediately below and then in greater detail further down:
- Length – spinning rods for bass should lie in the 6′ to 7′ range. Only if you are using very large lures should you need to go much bigger.
- Power – medium power will generally be your best bet for bass.
- Action – action is very dependent on the type of lures and quite a few other factors which we will discus below.
Length – all things being equal a longer rod will cast further than a shorter one. This is because it acts as a bigger lever allowing you to throw the lure at a much higher speed.
Power – power can sometimes be confused with action. Power is in fact an easy way to determine how much strength a rod blank has. Rod power and the lure rating of the rod are directly linked.
Action – a spinning rod’s action describes how sensitive the rod is and where exactly the bend in the rod blank starts. There are generally three main types of action:
- Fast – The bend in the rod blank will tend to start higher up usually near or at the top one third of the rod length. A faster action rod has a more sensitive rod tip giving much better sensitivity and feel but they tend to cast a shorter distance.
- Moderate – Moderate action rod blank will usually start their bend somewhere in the middle. They are useful as an all round rod.
- Slow – Slow actions will tend to start their bend nearer the butt of the rod where the reel sits. They allow you to load the full rod blank with power when casting, and as a result will get a much bigger distance than a fast action rod.
- Materials – Most modern bass spinning rods will tend to be built from graphite. For specialist rods you can still find the traditional fiberglass blanks of even carbon fiber ones.
There are a lot of hybrid blends available also. Blending graphite and fiberglass can give you lots of the best attributes of both materials if done correctly.
Graphite is both light and super sensitive. You will find it used extensively for a lot of ultralight spinning rods. It is perfect for rods that require fast action. Giving lots of tip sensitivity and feedback to the fisherman.
However, graphite is pretty weak and they do tend to break fairly easily so make sure to treat your spinning rod with the respect it deserves.
Fiberglass is a lot heavier than graphite and as a result, it is also a lot stronger. It is best suited to rods that have a heavy power rating and a slow or moderate action.
Reel
The best spinning reel for bass will match the line rating and the rod so that you have a perfectly matched setup.
Most freshwater bass fishermen will not really need a spinning reel larger than a 3000 or 4000.
A 4000 sized spinning reel should hold about 200 yards of 10-pound monofilament line which is more than enough for any spinning combo for bass fishing.
When choosing a spinning combo always look to the quality of the reel. A good reel can and should last at least 10 years if it is properly cared for and serviced.
I would generally try and spend more on the reel than on the rod.
Why?
Because rods tend to break a lot more often than reels. Investing in a decent reel is always worth it.
Don’t get me wrong, a quality high-end rod will usually have a very crisp action and be balanced beautifully when compared to something cheaper. But the more expensive rods do tend to break a lot easier.
A reel will be with you for quite a few years to come so it is worth getting it right from the beginning.
You can always upgrade your rod later once you have a bit more cash.