How Many Bass Rods Do I Need
Bass fishing is fun for all ages and skill levels of anglers. The ease of catching and the opportunity to utilize various fishing techniques make them popular among fishermen. Your success on water heavily depends on using the right fishing rod.
How many bass rods do I need? A new bass angler will need only one or two fishing rods initially. He should increase his collection as he develops fishing skills. But, an experience bass fisherman will use around 3-5 fishing rods to utilize them in various fishing conditions.
How Many Bass Rods Do I Need?
Having a dozen of bass fishing rods is what anglers love to have.
But your pocket may not allow this. Also, you don’t need dozens of bass fishing rods unless you are a serious angler who fish every single day.
So, how many bass rods should you have? An average fisherman doesn’t have dozens of bass fishing rods. Having two to three bass fishing rods is a good rule of thumb.
Having three is better. It will help you tackle various types of fishing conditions.
But some fishermen own dozens of bass fishing rods. It is their passion to collect different types of bass fishing rods.
What Factors Determine How Many Bass Rods You Should Have?
An angler doesn’t have uncountable money to invest in bass fishing rods. You may need one, two, or several fishing rods.
The number of bass rods you need depends on the following important factors.
01. How Much Experienced Are You?
Pro anglers know how to catch fish using various types of fishing rods with different lures.
They place several rods at a time. It helps them save time and catch more fish.
But you don’t need dozens of bass fishing rods if you have started the bass fishing journey.
Initially, buying too many options will be a waste of money unless you know how to operate them.
Generally, one or two rods are enough for new anglers.
You can add a new collection of rods over time after becoming more experienced gradually.
02. What Fishing Technique Do You Use?
Do you always follow a particular fishing technique? Or do you prefer to utilize multiple fishing techniques?
Different fishing techniques require different fishing rods.
For example, fishing with crankbaits requires using a moderate-heavy power rod with a medium action.
But a fast-action light power rod is the best choice when you want to use finesse fishing with small lures.
| Rod Power | Rod Action | Lures/Baits |
|---|---|---|
| Ultra-Light | Fast | Small jigs, spinners, and light-weighted baits |
| Light | Fast/Moderate | Tubes, small crankbaits, and soft plastic jerk baits |
| Medium | Moderate | Small to medium-sized crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs |
| Medium-Heavy | Moderate/Fast | Large crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and Carolina rigs |
| Heavy | Fast | Jigs, worms, and large swimbaits |
| Extra-Heavy | Fast/Stiff | Large jigs, swimbaits, and deep-diving crankbaits |
03. What Is The Fishing Conditions?
Other important things to consider are the water type, weather conditions, and fishing time.
It will heavily impact how many bass fishing rods you should have.
For instance, if you are fishing around heavy cover, you will need a heavier rod that can give you extra power to increase your chances of getting fish out and away from cover.
The following table shows various types of bass fishing rods depending on different water conditions.
| Water Condition | Rod Type | Rod Length | Rod Power | Rod Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clear Water | Spinning Rod | 6’6″ – 7’2″ | Light to Medium | Fast to Moderate |
| Casting Rod | 6’6″ – 7’6″ | Medium to Heavy | Fast to Moderate | |
| Stained Water | Spinning Rod | 7′ – 7’6″ | Medium to Heavy | Moderate to Fast |
| Casting Rod | 6’6″ – 7’6″ | Medium to Heavy | Moderate to Fast | |
| Muddy Water | Spinning Rod | 7′ – 7’6″ | Medium to Heavy | Moderate to Fast |
| Casting Rod | 7′ – 8′ | Heavy to X-Heavy | Fast to Extra Fast | |
| Vegetation | Spinning Rod | 7′ – 7’6″ | Medium to Heavy | Moderate to Fast |
| Casting Rod | 7′ – 8′ | Heavy to X-Heavy | Fast to Extra Fast | |
| Deep Water | Spinning Rod | 7′ – 7’6″ | Medium to Heavy | Moderate to Fast |
| Casting Rod | 7’6″ – 8’6″ | Heavy to X-Heavy | Fast to Extra Fast | |
| Shallow Water/Flats | Spinning Rod | 6’6″ – 7′ | Light to Medium | Fast to Moderate |
| Casting Rod | 6’6″ – 7’6″ | Medium to Heavy | Fast to Moderate |
04. What Type Of Fish Species Do You Catch?
A single bass fishing rod will not be enough to catch various fish species. Fish vary in size and weight.
For example, if you are a fan of trout fishing, a standard 8-foot, a 6-weight fishing rod is necessary.
But when you want to catch largemouth or smallmouth fish, you need a 9-foot-8-weight fishing rod.
05. What Is Your Budget?
How much are you ready to invest in buying several bass fishing rods?
The price of fishing rods is pretty huge. You can get a cheaper one for as little as $15.
On the contrary, some high-end graphite rods can be as expensive as $700+.
Average anglers should invest in a mid-range bass fishing rod that will go for a long time.
But factors like materials, brand name, rod length & power, action, components, and customization will affect the overall price of the fishing rod.
Here is a small table of various price ranges of fishing rods.
| Price Range | Type of Rod |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Spincast, Telescoping, and Ice Fishing |
| $50-$100 | Spinning, Casting, and Fly Fishing |
| $100-$200 | Inshore, Surface, and Jigging |
| $200-$500 | Musky, Trolling, and Travel |
| $500 and up | Saltwater, Bass, and Fly Fishing |
Why Should You Have Several Bass Fishing Rods?
Having several bass fishing rods gives you many advantages over having a single one.
Here are the main benefits of keeping multiple bass fishing rods with you while fishing.
01. Cope Up With The Situation
What is the goal of fishing? Catching as many fish as possible, right?
Every second matters in bass fishing. You want to utilize every valuable moment if you are a dedicated bass angler.
Professional bass anglers keep several rods to match various water conditions.
They quickly replace the fishing gear whenever the fish’s behavior and other conditions change.
It allows you to use the most compatible bass fishing rod for the specific technique or presentation.
02. Efficiency
What is the advantage of having multiple rods rigged and ready to go with different lures or baits?
It allows you quickly switch between presentations without having to re-tie knots or re-rig your gear.
This can save you valuable time on the water and help you cover more water in less time.
03. Flexibility
Fishing conditions can change rapidly. Owning several bass rods can help you adapt to changing needs.
For instance, if you’re fishing in heavy cover and the fish are not responding to your current presentation, you can quickly switch to a different technique or lure by grabbing a different rod.
04. Reduced fatigue
How many hours do you spend fishing every day? New anglers generally need to spend more time to become pros at fishing.
Another main advantage of having multiple rods is to avoid constantly changing lures and baits on a single rod.
It would be otherwise tiring and time-consuming.
Using different rods for different presentations can help you stay fresh and focused throughout the day.
How Many Fishing Rods Do New Bass Anglers Need?
Have you recently started your bass fishing journey? You might be primarily fishing in one specific way.
One fishing rod is enough for a new bass angler as he or she has not become expert enough to utilize many fishing rods simultaneously.
But you can keep two fishing rods with you to enjoy the versatility.
It allows you to use different fishing rods based on the fishing different depths and lures.
Increase your collection gradually as you learn more about bass fishing and improve your skill level and fishing techniques.
How Many Fishing Rods Experienced Bass Anglers Need?
How long have you been fishing? If it is 5 to 10 years, you must have learned different technical bass fishing skills to utilize in various water conditions.
Experienced bass anglers may want multiple fishing rods to accommodate different fishing techniques and conditions.
The exact number of rods an experienced angler needs can vary depending on personal preference, fishing style, and the specific fishing conditions they encounter.
However, a common rule of thumb is to have at least three to five fishing rods tailored to different techniques.
For example, an experienced angler may want to have a rod specifically for flipping and pitching, another for topwater baits, and another for deep-diving crankbaits.
Having multiple rods allows anglers to quickly switch between techniques without wasting time re-rigging their gear.
In addition to technique-specific rods, experienced anglers may also want to have rods that are tailored to specific fishing conditions.
For example, an angler who frequently fishes in heavy cover may want a heavy-power rod that can handle the pressure of pulling fish out of thick weeds.
Should You Buy Several Inexpensive Fishing Rods Or A Few Expensive Fishing Rods?
Whether you should buy several inexpensive fishing rods or a few expensive fishing rods largely depends on your personal preferences, budget, and fishing needs.
The followings are the crucial factors you don’t want to overlook.
01. Budget
If you have a limited budget, buying several inexpensive fishing rods may be better than investing in a few expensive rods.
However, remember that cheaper rods may not offer the same level of sensitivity, power, or durability as more expensive rods.
02. Fishing Style
Your fishing style and the types of fish you target can also impact your decision.
Do you frequently fish in heavy cover or for large, hard-fighting fish?
If so, you may need a more expensive rod that can handle the extra strain and provide enough power and sensitivity
03. Frequency Of Use
Do you fish frequently? If yes, investing in a few high-quality fishing rods is better.
It will be more cost-effective in the long run than buying multiple cheap rods that may not last as long.
04. Skill Level
Are you a beginner or intermediate angler?
If so, starting with a few less expensive rods may be a better choice.
Keep honing your skills and better understand what types of rods work best for you.
In general, it’s a good idea to strike a balance between quality and quantity.
If you have a limited budget, consider investing in a few mid-range rods that offer a good balance of sensitivity, power, and durability.
Wrapping UP
Are you still wondering how many bass rods I need? When it comes to choosing the number of bass fishing rods, consider various important aspects such as your fishing skills, fishing conditions, weather, fish species, and budget.
It is important to choose rods appropriate for the type of fishing you plan to do and to build your collection gradually as you gain more experience and encounter different fishing conditions. Everything will depend on your personal preferences and fishing requirements.
