Selecting a bass fishing rod can be as easy as you want; or you can be very particular and make the process very detailed. From direct-to-consumer fishing rod manufacturer websites, online fishing retailers, and of course your local bait and tackle shop or big box retailer, consumers have countless options for finding the right rod(s).

As you browse available rods, you’ll find not only different brands, but each brand usually having two to three series of rods to choose from. Then, within each series, there are different lengths and actions!

For example, Trika has three series of rods—the 3X, 6X, and 10X—and all start with a 100 percent carbon blank using their Carbon Axial Weave process. “The 3X has a super light and sensitive blank that performs way above its price point,” said Harrison Nelson, from Marketing at Trika.

The 6X steps things up by using Torayca HP carbon, Fuji guides, and their EkkoChamber handle system. It also includes a Fuji Arowana tip and the same carbon reel seat for next-level feel and balance.

Going up from that series of rods is the 10X, which is their highest-performance rod. It is built with Torayca Elite carbon, Fuji Titanium Torzite guides, and a Fuji Arowana tip, paired with the EkkoChamber and Trika carbon reel seat combo. “It’s the lightest, most responsive rod we’ve ever built,” said Nelson.

Many fishing rod companies take the guesswork out of selecting a fishing rod by labeling rods for specific bass fishing techniques or applications, such as for jerkbaits, flipping or Carolina-rigging. Some bass fishermen want a fishing rod for each technique they employ. Having the right rods aid in your ability to present lures properly, but it is by no means a necessity.

Some anglers prefer a brand of fishing rods and select a rod that can be used for multiple techniques based on its length, power and action. This allows you to swap lures without adding another fishing rod to your collection, or continually go into the rod locker to get another setup.

Shen selecting a rod, consider personal preference such as rod length and grip type. Keep in mind that these choices play a role in rod performance. If you are fishing a topwater plug like a Spook or jerkbait, you want a shorter rod (6’6” to 7’) so you can make sharp downward movements with the rod. If your rod is too long, your ability to impart action to the bait will be impaired.

Likewise, if you are making a long cast with a Carolina-rig and need to pick up a lot of slack prior to the setting the hook, or are punching a jig or Texas-rig through heavy vegetation, a longer rod (7’2 to 7’6”) aids in the ability to pick up slack in your line and get leverage over a bass in heavy cover.

If you are fishing a reaction-style bait, like a crankbait, swim jig, vibrating jig or spinnerbait, you want a rod that will load up when a bass inhales the lure. Some anglers rely on a fiberglass rod for these applications, while some brands offer rods that are a blend of fiberglass and graphite. By having a glass tip section, you have a medium-fast action that will result in increased hookup ratios.

I asked Ross Kellermeier, owner of Waypoint Angler Supply, what are the most common questions that customers ask about fishing rods when they are in the store.

First being, “What’s the difference, or advantage, between a lower end rod, and a higher end rod?”

    “There is nothing wrong with a lower end rod; they have their place. But if you want a fishing rod that could last a lifetime, and help you catch more fish, a higher end rod is the way to go,” said Ross. “Higher end rods weigh less, are more sensitive, and use premium components.”

The other question the Waypoint Angler Supply staff gets asked is, “Which action/power fishing rod is the most versatile?”

    One of my favorite all-around bass fishing rods is the Phenix Rods M1 7’2” Medium Heavy—Fast casting rod. “This is a great all-around bass fishing rod, as you chuck moving baits with it, or slow down and fish a jig or Texas-rig,” said Charlie Peterson, GSM Outdoors. “The one-piece rod blank construction gives the rod so much sensitivity, and the carbon fiber reel seat gives the M1 line of rods a super sharp and clean look.”

As you are looking at upgrading your fishing rods for the next fishing season, or maybe adding a few specialty rods to your collection, be sure to consider how often you’ll be using those rods, as it may be worth looking at some higher end rods for your arsenal.