Top 5 Fishing Rods Every Angler Needs! (Beginner To Advanced)
Are you looking for a fishing rod? These are the top 5 fishing rods every fisherman should own! Whether you’re just getting started and need to stick to a budget, or you want to buy the best so you only have to purchase rods once, we’ve got you covered! No matter your skill level or budget, this is for you!
The first 5 rods will cover everything you’ll face as a newer angler. The very first rod is extremely universal and will help you throw as many different baits as possible, the next 4 will give you a foundation for virtually any situation you’ll face on the water. Whether you’re working with a budget, looking for “bang for the buck”, or simply want the best, we have a recommendation that will fit your fishing style.
Below you’ll find links to all the rod and reel combos shown in the video. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
*1) 7′ MEDIUM POWER SPINNING ROD*
Budget Rod– Daiwa Aird X 7′ Medium: https://bit.ly/2P7Z3Vu
Budget Reel– Daiwa Revros LT 2000: https://bit.ly/3rpoPw9
Mid Range Rod– Shimano Expride 7′ Medium: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q
Mid Range Reel– Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2gu84t7
High End Rod– Megabass Destroyer Wind Buster: https://bit.ly/2B7NyFj
High End Reel– Shimano Twin Power FD 2500: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5
*2) 7′-7’4″ MEDIUM HEAVY CASTING ROD*
Budget Rod– Shimano SLX 7′ Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/2L3wppO
Budget Reel– Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Mid Range Rod– Megabass Levante Perfect Pitch: https://bit.ly/2FdE3YY
Mid Range Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP
High End Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 843C MBR: https://bit.ly/2SuZG15
High End Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL B (HG): https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB
*3) 6’10” – 7′ MEDIUM LIGHT SPINNING ROD*
Budget Rod– Shimano SLX A 7′ Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2AdvIC1
Budget Reel– Shimano Sedona FJ 2500HG: https://bit.ly/3L30djp
Mid Range Rod– 13 Fishing Muse II Black 6’10” Medium Light: https://bit.ly/3YssC89
Mid Range Reel– 13 Fishing Axum Competition 2.0: https://bit.ly/43GsId6
High End Rod– G Loomis NRX+ 821S NRR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP
High End Reel– Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV
*4) 6’10” – 7’2″ MEDIUM CASTING ROD*
Budget Rod– St. Croix Bass X 6’8″ Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs
Budget Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT (HS): https://bit.ly/35hugfH
Mid Rod– Shimano Expride B 6’10” Medium Mod Fast: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Mid Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/2apmDJt
High End Rod– Megabass Z-Crank Elseil: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY
High End Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
*5) 7’4″ – 7’6″ HEAVY CASTING ROD*
Budget Rod– Shimano SLX A 7’2″ Heavy: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc
Budget Reel– Shimano SLX A 150 (HG): http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk
Mid Rod– St. Croix Victory 7’4″ Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3f4tcEb
Mid Reel– 13 Fishing Concept A2: https://bit.ly/36XlOVs
High End Rod– Daiwa Steez AGS 7’5″ MHH: https://bit.ly/3RhFit1
High End Reel– Daiwa Zillion SV TW G: https://bit.ly/3xobPDM
*BONUS ROD… 7’2 – 7’6″ MODERATE CRANKBAIT*
Budget Rod– St. Croix Mojo Glass 7’2″ Medium: https://bit.ly/2YIxLy5
Budget Reel– Daiwa Fuego CT (HS): https://bit.ly/35hugfH
Mid Rod– Shimano Zodias 7’6″ MH Glass: https://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Mid Reel– Shimano Tranx 200 A (HG): http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy
High End Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK
High End Reel– Shimano Bantam MGL A (HG): https://bit.ly/2H44yjG
*FAVORITE LINES…*
Budget Fluorocarbon: https://bit.ly/47bYQIm
Quality Fluorocarbon: https://bit.ly/2p7fxju
Quality Braid: https://bit.ly/2aFg46b
High End Braid: https://bit.ly/314VoyF
*TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)*
We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
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*MAJOR EQUIPMENT WE USE DAILY… *
Trolling Motor– Minn Kota Ultrex 112: http://bit.ly/2vFQypW
Electronics– Humminbird Solix 15: https://bit.ly/35HuPRY
Anchors– Minn Kota Talons: http://bit.ly/2F0QBSP
Camera– GoPro Hero 9: http://bit.ly/2KQ0VEI
*FAVORITE TOOLS AND GEAR…*
Favorite sunglasses: https://bit.ly/3cLH0kl
Favorite Pliers: https://bit.ly/3xJFwTu
Favorite life jacket: http://bit.ly/2odXXIP
Favorite Scale: http://bit.ly/2f7QgQ9
Favorite Lure Retriever: http://bit.ly/2TLTJc6
Favorite Braid Cutters: https://bit.ly/35KSp3O
Favorite Storage Box: https://bit.ly/3U9y4cl
Favorite Net: https://bit.ly/3kdZ3kA
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If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#fishing #bassfishing #beginner
What rod width should I choose for the Shimano SLX A 150 Casting Reel
So in ur opinion this is not about rods but I Ben Goin back and forth about witch reel I wanna buy between the tattula and the curado dc witch one would u go with if u could only have one
So excited for the buyers guides😂
Awesome job Tim,nailed it ❤
You and Matt preach this important fact better than most on YouTube. Action and Power are poorly explained and mean everything when it comes to properly working baits and landing fish. I cringed every time I hear this information misrepresented by fishermen who get paid to fish professionally.
Hahaha yes! You know how many fish I’ve caught in my life with an Ugly Stick spinning rod man? 👊🏽😎😃 I honestly thought I was cool too back in the day with that clear tip section when I saw my friends didn’t have it. 😂 But seriously, for anyone who reads this who is just getting started… yeah now I have a rod for every single bait, but my biggest bass ever was caught on a basic 7’ Medium Spinning combo that costs around 80 bucks. So… don’t feel like you need to spend thousands of dollars to catch quality fish, you don’t. 😊 You may just eventually find yourself wanting to. 😂🤙🏽
Also same for the rod I’m doing 7.2 feet but what sensitivity should I have??? Also is this a good rod choice using the Shimano SLX A Casting Rod and the Shimano SLX A 150 Casting Reel?
I see lot of people fishing with 9’ rod on bank why is this?
I wish you would have went over reels (size and gear ratio)
Hey Tim, I’m curious I see your little hook keepers on your rods. Those seem convenient. Where did you get them?
I love the contrast between tim and matt, Tim can wrap a video like this up into a less than 20 minute video, and matt would do an in depth hour and a half video like this with three different examples of each type of power and action combination (I would absolutely watch lol)
I need to pick your brain a little bit. I wanna get a rod that could throw cranks, chatterbaits, and spinner baits. I’m throwing your average size cranks and normally1/2oz chatterbaits and spinner. I thinking 7’4 med/heavy moderate to cover thous baits. let me know you what you think
Well done tim being older and having had alot of surgeries let me tell you ,the equipment you use is highly important, you get what you pay for it pays for itself during the day, long live the king TB
Hey Tim love the videos, would be super helpful to have a video or section of a video where you talk bladed jig rods specifically!
Tim what do you think about the megabass levante brallist
I’m working on reducing my rods as I fish from a kayak and this is pretty much what I settled on. Great choices all around.
This might be taboo but I throw shaky heads on a casting rod but want to step it up a bit sensitivity wise. Looking to pair with a slx Mgl or curio Mgl and stay as close to 400 as possible what rods would you suggest. Power/action
I went fishing for the first time in 5 years last weekend and it was the best and worst fishing trip I’ve ever had. My friend from work invited me to go with him, his wife and some of her family members.
I wasn’t going to go but he told me his wife has 2 sisters that are hot. Let’s just say my fishing rod was not the only rod I used last weekend. I have no idea why a campfire, sleeping in a tent and being out in the forest make women so hypersexual, or straight up horny. We were there for 4 nights and I slept with both of them. Not at the same time but that would have been amazing. On the first night the older sister opened a bottle of some fireball drink and next thing you know she’s asking me if I have room in my tent for one more. She slept in my tent the first 2 nights. The 3rd day the younger sister wanted to go fishing but no one wanted to take her so I said I would, after an hour of fishing and not catching anything she asked me if I thought she was pretty! I said yes and the next thing I know she’s on top of me with her hand down my pants. We didn’t go all the way but she told me to ditch her older sister and she’ll stay in my tent with me, those were her exact words,
"ditch my sister!!" I couldn’t believe it.
That night I told the oldest sister that I wasn’t feeling good and I wanted to sleep alone. Later that night the younger sister pops her head into my tent and it was ON!!
She was so loud, there was nothing I could do to keep her voice down! Pillow in her face, making her bite my hand, kissing her, hell I even tried only going halfway in but that didn’t last long, LOL. The next morning everyone was laughing at her except the older sister, I didn’t see the older sister anywhere. It turns out she woke up at sunrise and drove home. I know I’m dumb and didn’t think nothing of it. The last night the younger sister slept with me again and I thought it was odd that no matter how hard or rough I was with her she wasn’t as loud as the night before. On Monday Rick started telling me how the younger sister is a rotten spoiled brat and can’t stand to see her sisters or anyone else happy or having a good time without her being the center of attention.
That I’m not the first guy that she’s stolen from both of her sisters. I couldn’t believe it, I didn’t want to believe it but he assured me that she’s the devil. The older sister was crying that morning when she drove home by herself. I feel like a complete d**khead.
I have a question
I don’t have good luck with crank baits nor chatter baits and I wonder if it’s because I’m not using a medium moderate rod? I have medium fast action rods and I wonder if the rods I have may not have enough bend to let the bass to suck in the baits. Honestly I don’t even feel bites when I use them, so I don’t know.
Also I used one of your older videos to help pick my first 5 rods, except I bought a second medium spinning instead of the heavy casting. It fit the type of fishing I do more.
Would love to get a full breakdown dedicated purely to GLoomis IMX Pro series with the must haves in the line with real pairings
Great Video! My first rod was an Ugly Stick too, circa 1980-ish. I still have it in the basement with a Shakespeare spinning reel for ‘sentimental value’.
Fishing is just a great way of wasting money unless you’re a “pro”, at the end of the day you could catch a fish on a stick with a worm but we like to be boujee
I love these kinds of videos . I have all 5 of these powers. Question though: I have a 7′ 6" heavy Doby’s Sierra and I was wondering if you think it would do an okay job as a swim bait rod? I can only afford a handful of rods and I want to use this one for throwing swim baits and A-rigs this fall/winter
Love your breakdowns and the options for all budget types.
That size 2 Owners hook doesn’t look like it would keep a big bass hooked for every long. Also what’s that hook keeper at the bottom of the spinning rod ?
Action is how fast or slow the tip of the rod returns to its original or natural state
Hello Matt and Tim, I was wondering if you had any recommendations for a rod and reel. I was wanting a shimano reel but would be open to other recommendations. I was wanting to spend under 150 on a rod, and around 200 or under on a reel. I was looking at some of the saint croix rods. I was also wondering if it would be better to spend money on a heavier rod or lighter rod, and if you know of any brands having big sales. I do most of my fishing on a lake in Illinois. Thank you
Please suggest more spinning rod and reel. I want to cath 15-20 kg fish…
Can you explain why the power and action excludes certain baits? Why it isnt effective to throw this bait on this type of rod? You can physically throw any bait on any rod but how does the wrong power and action affect your presentation…. If that makes sense.
Also keep in mind, not every medium rod is built equally. A medium bass rod will be much smaller and can’t throw as much lead as a medium cat rod
I only have 6 combos.
7’4 heavy fast
7’4 medium heavy mod fast
7’ medium fast
7’ medium cranking
7’ medium light fast spinning
7’ medium light fast (more moderate) spinning
Next on the list 6’10 jerkbait combo, 7’2 medium heavy, 7’6 heavy
Agreed! 7ft- 7.2ft medium is a must! Versatile, reliable, and even better if it’s an Ugly Stik.
What’s the first spinning rod you had in your hand?
Is our just my phone or are near full screen ads popping up way too often?
What would be recommended for 30lb braid, I was using said braid on a 6-15lb new rod I bought and it snapped the tip off when I was texas rigging with a 1/8 ounce weight
I would love to hear y’all’s opinions on the stix fishings 6 rods especially now that they’re available on Tackle Warehouse‼️
what gear ratio for the shimano 150 MGL ? 6.2.1 or 8.1.1
You give great content. Love your channel! However, I do want to point something out on the Medium Heavy rod. I own a Levante Perfect Pitch, and to me it feels more like a Medium Heavy Plus. I think a Dobyns Champion or Sierra 734C is a better choice for an all around Medium Heavy. In my experience, the Perfect Pitch feels better for a committed bottom contact rod. In addition, it has an extra fast taper and maybe too fast for a all around duties. The St Croix Victory 7’3" Medium Heavy is a good choice as well, for an all around Medium Heavy.
You have a wide range of bass fishermen watching, but also a good following of inshore speckled trout fishermen too. Especially on jerk bait videos!
Cool video! The Daiwa Tatula AGS 7’3 Brent Ehrler multi-purpose is my favorite
I wish yall would review the new Vanquish. IMO it’s the best spinning reel ever made. I really enjoy your channel. Thanks
Can BRAID Line be used on all of these rods and reels? I ask because many years ago it was recommended you only use braided line with designated rods and reels. Thanks!
So I’m actually going to be purchasing my first ever medium power fast action rod in a 7’1 and man it’s got some good bend in it! It’s gonna be my dedicated bladed jig/ spinner bait/ finesse type rod can I also throw crankbaits with it?
Great video Tim, can’t wait for your BFS buyer’s guide
Great video. Just subscribed. Going out to inventory my gear now! Thanks
Nice video Tim. Idea for another video… the next five rods. I’m pretty sure I know what you recommend because I watch a lot, but I wonder if I’m right?
Im going for bass on a dock in the neighborhood pond
Want all your rods to be NRX plus quality rods….build your own. It’s not hard, very rewarding, and can save tons of money.
New to fishing my question is every time I put braid on my spinning reel I get knots in the line, why?
Tim great video! I like how you guys cover all levels of equipment! You guys have influenced a lot of my rod and reel purchases!