And when tapered just right, bass anglers who like crankbaits--and who doesn’t?--find that they provide just enough cushion to keep those treble hooks where they belong. The outfit includes a 2 piece rod completed with a fixed spool reel. The reel features Daiwa’s Digigear technology which has been designed to provide an ultra smooth retrieve. And as a finesse rod for largemouth applications like weightless senkos and drop shotting, it’s very hard to beat. Carbon fiber is space-age tech, taking everything good about graphite and raising it up a level. Extremely stiff, amazingly strong, and surprisingly light, it’s a great choice for blank material.

Capacity and speed are nothing to write home about, but at this price, this combo is still a bargain Where fiberglass doesn’t shine is sensitivity or fast actions (except in very short lengths). It’s just not as stiff as other options. Carbon Fiber Rated for lure weights ideal for these applications, I wouldn’t hesitate to fish this rod for bass. What We Consider When Selecting the Best Rod and Reel Combo Rods Power For some lures, a slow, medium, or fast retrieve is ideal, and matching a reel’s gear ratio to its intended use can improve action. For instance, shallow crankbaits and topwater lures tend to work best with a fast reel, defined by a gear ratio higher than 5.2:1. Typical line weights run from 10 to 20 or more pounds, and you should expect to cast lures no lighter than ⅜ of an ounce.And with a fast gear ratio and a big spool, you get a lightning-fast retrieval rate of 32 inches per crank! That’s simply awesome at this price point, and I wouldn’t hesitate to throw crankbaits for walleye with this rod and reel combo. Shakespeare’s Ugly Stik has earned a reputation for no-nonsense toughness, but its fiberglass blank just isn’t as sensitive as many anglers would like. That’s why the GX2 includes a graphite core, providing greater stiffness and sensitivity than the Ugly Stiks of old, while still offering unbeatable durability.

Power describes how much force is required to bend a rod. Together with its action, a rod’s power tells you a lot about how it will perform. I’ll be reporting line capacity in monofilament weights. Keep in mind that you can switch to braid and either get far more line on the reel or step-up in weight to a 4- or 6-pound mono equivalent diameter. Medium-light rods are the sweet spot in power, allowing you to fish many different techniques and species well.These three manufacturers are producing some of the best reels I’ve ever used, and if you stop and have a chat on the water with your fellow anglers, chances are, you’ll see these reels on their rods. Great drag Light rods usually work best with line between 4 and 8 pounds and are almost always paired with small spinning reels. Typical lure weights vary, but a range between 1/32 and ¼ ounces is common. Medium-heavy rods have serious power, allowing anglers to muscle massive fish and drive single hooks firmly home. Very stiff, they’re often used by largemouth anglers for techniques that demand a firm hookset like worms and other soft plastics. When you’re fighting a real monster, an awesome drag is your best friend. And from cushioning hooksets when running a crankbait, to assisting your line with a fish that would otherwise break it, you want smooth and strong to be your watchwords.

EVA foam is a synthetic material that provides a soft grip. A bit colder to the touch than cork, it’s generally more inexpensive and durable. Spinning Reels Drag The Digigear System provides the reel with a highly smooth line retrieve and the Twist Buster II will help to reduce line twists on the reel. The reel is a stunning silver colour and includes blue detailing. Second, I take a hard look at the maximum setting and assess whether or not it slips at that weight. For spinning reels, I’m looking for a maximum setting that matches the size and weight of the species I’m after, and by stringing some strong line on and testing the drag with a weight, I can get a sense of whether the drag can hold. Probably a better all-around choice than ultralights for less experienced anglers, they provide more control over struggling fish while still offering the sensitivity to detect nibbling panfish. Weight and comfort are critical elements of a good reel. Ideally, your reel pretty much disappears on your rod and in your hand, and a few ounces count.Ultralight rods will bend easily under even modest weights, providing very little control should you hook a large fish. This can lead to an intense test of an angler’s skills with anything larger than a panfish. In longer lengths, they’re a common choice for a variety of largemouth applications like flipping and pitching, as well as worm fishing with single hooks. Expect instantaneous hooksets, especially with braided line. First, I assess where it is. The best drag systems are located directly over where they’ll be working, and as a result, the drag knobs are usually located on the end of the spool.