Rod Selection Guide

[Cortez Tackle]

I have seen on various forums, people asking the question “what rod should I buy for ____ lure?” and there are always as many suggestions as there are rod manufacturers. The suggestions are not wrong, but it can be hard to sort through all the info, and not be more confused than when you started.
So I set out researching rod manufacturers and talking to Bass anglers and what I came up with was a long list of data. From that list I basically to the averages and compiled what I feel is a fairly comprehensive and straight forward rod selection guide.
Keep in mind this in not the end all be all of guides, but it should serve as a good starting point for making your next rod selection. You will notice that some of the specs overlap between rods, this will allow you to use 1 rod for 2 or 3 different lures/techniques, and this can be very useful to the non-boater tournament angler who typically has limited rod storage space.

Lure Type or Technique: Worm
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 3" to 7' 0" 10-16lb 3/16oz-1/2oz M-MH MF-F

Lure Type or Technique: Jig
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 6" to 7' 0" 12-25lb 1/4oz-1oz MH-H F

Lure Type or Technique: Crankbait
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
7' 0" to 7' 9" 10-20lb 3/16oz-3/4oz M-MH MF

Lure Type or Technique: Spinnerbait
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 6" to 7' 0" 10-20lb 1/4oz-3/4oz M-MH XF

Lure Type or Technique: Top Water
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 0" to 6' 9" 10-20lb 1/4oz-5/8oz M F

Lure Type or Technique: Frog
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
7' 0' to 7' 6" 12-20lb 1/4oz-5/8oz MH-H XF

Lure Type or Technique: Swimbait-Light
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
7' 0" to 7' 6" 10-20lb 1/4oz-3/4oz MH-H MF-F

Lure Type or Technique: Swimbait-Heavy
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
7' 6" to 8' 0" 17-30lb 3/4oz-3oz H-XH F-XF

Lure Type or Technique: Drop Shot
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 6" to 6' 9" 6-10lb 1/16oz-3/8oz ML XF

Lure Type or Technique: Shakey Head
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 9" to 7' 0" 6-12lb 1/8oz-5/16oz ML-M XF

Lure Type or Technique: Jigging
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 0" to 6' 9" 10-17lb 3/8oz-3/4oz MH XF

Lure Type or Technique: Jerkbait-Hard
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 3" to 6' 9" 8-17lb 1/8oz-5/8oz M MF

Lure Type or Technique: Jerkbait-Soft
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
6' 6" to 7' 0" 10-20lb 1/4oz-3/4oz M XF

Lure Type or Technique: Carolina Rig
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
7' 0" to 7' 6" 10-25lb 1/4oz-1oz H F

Lure Type or Technique: Flipping
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
7' 6" to 8' 0" 17-40lb 1/2oz-2oz H-XH XF

Lure Type or Technique: Pitching
Length Line Wt. Lure Wt. Power Action
7' 0" to 7' 6" 12-30lb 3/8oz-1oz H F

[jack morris]

I thank you for taking the time to put together this guide as as it will give us rookies a very good idea what to look for. I also thank you for not making it a pitch for 1 or 2 rod makers. Jack

[BUCKBASS]

Great Job Thanks