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Owning 20 different rod and reel setups, each for a specific technique, is nice, but far from necessary. Nearly all bass fishing can be done with one or two rods. I’m not talking about winning the local derby with one rod, I’m talking about good old fun fishing. When you don’t want to, and don’t need to, worry about the minutia of catching a ditch pickle.
If you want to simplify your bass fishing, a versatile baitcaster that can throw a jig, spinnerbait, and plastics is the perfect all-arounder. Or if you like a spinning rod, something that can throw a small swimbait, popper, and a drop shot will crush smallmouth and largemouth in lakes, rivers, and ponds.
If you’re looking for a versatile setup that will catch bass anywhere, here are my favorite do-all rod and reel combos.
Baitcasters
Spinning
The Do-Everything Baitcaster
If I had to choose one rod for bass it would be a 7 to 7.5-foot, medium-heavy power, fast action baitcasting rod and a 150-size reel setup. You can throw jigs, chatterbaits, frogs, texas-rigged worms, Senkos, spinnerbaits, and even swimbaits with that one setup. It will struggle to fish anything with treble hooks and baits under 3/8 ounce or over 1 ounce. The biggest compromise you’ll have to make is the line you put on the reel. It’s a toss up between braid and flouro. The final decision ultimately depends on the techniques and areas you fish the most. If you fish an area with a lot of vegetation 50-pound braid is a good choice. If you’re fishing docks and timber, I’d spool the reel with 15 to 20-pound fluorocarbon.
Read Next: Best Fishing Lines for Bass
High-End Combo: Megabass FMJ and Daiwa Steez A
Get the Daiwa Steez
Get the Megabass FMJ
The Megabass FMJ is a do-everything jig and worm rod with crisp sensitivity and refined finishing. I’ve used mine to throw swim jigs, chatterbaits, and Texas-rigged plastics from ⅜ to ¾ ounce. The Daiwa Steez SV TW ($550) was an indulgent purchase on my end, but one I haven’t regretted. Fishing that reel is pure luxury, and I just wish I could afford a few more.
Value Combo: Shimano SLX A and Daiwa Tatula X
Get the SLX A
Get the Daiwa Tatula X
The Tatula X is a workhorse reel with an easy-to-adjust breaking system for changing baits on the fly. When you pair the Tatula with the SLX A you get a combo that costs $250 and will fish circles around combos costing much more.
Budget Combo: Lew’s Accel RX Casting Combo
Get It From Scheels
Get It From Tackle Warehouse
A $150 combo isn’t cheap by any means, but if you’re going to have one rod and reel, you’ll thank me by not going too inexpensive. The Lew’s Accel RX is a great value in terms of all-around performance and versatility.
The Medium Power Spinning Rod
If you live in smallmouth country or prefer finesse techniques, a medium power, fast action spinning rod is the do-all rod I’d reach for. It can throw small swimbaits on jig heads, Flukes, drop shot rigs, jerkbaits, wacky rigged worms, and small top water lures. A medium power, fast action, 7 to 7.5 foot spinning rod and a 3000 size reel will do all of that.
Value Combo: Shimano Sedona FJ and Daiwa Tatula XT
Get the Sedona FJ
Get the Tatula XT
This combos will run you $200 all in and is a one of my favorite Shimano and Daiwa mashups. The Sedona is the best value spinning reel I’ve tested and I’ve used one in fresh and saltwater without failure. The Tatula XT is as good as it gets for a $99 spinning rod with great sensitivity and durability.
High-End Combo: Daiwa Certate HD LT and Shimano Expride B
Get the Certate HD LT
Get the Expride B
If you’re going to go big on a spinning rod setup, you have many great combinations, but this one is a great place to start your search. The Daiwa Cerate HD LT has everything you could ever want in a spinning reel: It’s light, smooth, has a powerful and consistent drag, and is ideal for a range of spinning rod techniques. The Expirde B is a responsive, light spinning rod that can detect a fish sniffing your bait and has the power to pull a big small out of deep water. The cost of the ultimate spinning combo? Around $1,000.
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