In many ways, baitcasting rods are the foundation of bass fishing equipment. Besides finesse fishing and a few other techniques, almost all largemouth and smallmouth fishing is done with a casting rod in hand. Over the past three decades, I've fished with dozens of different baitcasting rods from a variety of brands. But for the first time ever this summer, I pitted the best against each other to see what rods came out on top.
In order to do that, I researched the hottest rods, talked to fellow anglers, and called in specific models from different manufacturers. I also dusted off some of my old favorites to make sure they're as good as I remember. Eventually, I compiled a lineup of various casting rods ranging in price, materials, and application. Then I took these rods on the water all summer to see what they could do. The result is the list you see below, with four category winners and seven other great baitcasting options.
Best Baitcasting Rod of 2024
Best Overall: ARK Reinforcer
Best Value: Lew’s Custom Lite
Best Budget: ARK Catalyzer
The Rest of the Best Baitcasting Rods
How We Tested the Best Baitcasting Rods
For our test, I contacted rod manufacturers for some of their top models, sifted through my personal rod arsenal, and even purchased a few specific casting rods I thought were worth testing. Then, I took these rods onto the water and put them through the wringer, the same way I do with all of my bass rods. I fished various lakes, rivers, and ponds using different baits, techniques, and tactics to see what these rods could handle.
I selected primarily medium heavy rods in the range of 7 feet to 7 feet and 3-inches to have the best apples-to-apples comparisons I could across the brands and models. I also focused on seven main criteria while testing and ranking these rods:
Durability
Versatility
Sensitivity
Quality of the components
Price
Aesthetics
Feel of the rod in your hand
After testing, I awarded three category winners for best overall, best value, and best budget. The best overall award was simply the best all-around performing rod in the test, regardless of price. The best value award was based on which rod provides the biggest bang for your buck. Finally, the budget category was given to the best-performing rod under $100.
For the last leg of the test, I took 7 of these rods (old and new) out to a stocked pond and did as much damage with them as I possibly could. This helped me test power, backbone, and how well each model handles fighting an actual fish. Here are the results:
Best Baitcasting Rods: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: ARK Reinforcer
Specs
Length: 7’1”
Power: Medium Heavy
Action: Extra Fast
Pros
Sensitive
Lightweight
Great action
Durable
Cons
Expensive
I’ve been fishing with the ARK Reinforcer Casting Rod for over a year now. I was thoroughly impressed with it early on and have been equally pleased with its durability over time. It is lightweight, sensitive, and has great action, too. Plus, the Reinforcer is aesthetically unparalleled. For those reasons, the ARK Reinforcer took home the Best Overall award.
There are 10 models of the Reinforcer, ranging from a 6’8” medium to a 7'6” extra heavy. As expected, it is made with top-notch components, including a 46-ton high-modulus carbon blank, titanium guides, and Portuguese AAAA cork handles. There’s also a small section of the rod blank exposed by the FUJI reel seat for added sensitivity. But it’s the soft touch coating on the reel seat that sets this rod apart when it comes to the feel of it in my hand.
As far as looks go, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more attractive fishing rod than the Reinforcer. The premium Portuguese cork used for the handle is comfortable and has the ARK logo burned into it. There are little metallic accent rings to cap off each end of the butt and foregrip, and “ARK ” is written in chrome on the split grip, with “Reinforcer” in matching chrome on the rod blank above the reel seat.
To top all that off, ARK even incorporated their logo up and down the rod in a subtly elegant spinning of fiber around the rod blank that is both aesthetically pleasing and structurally imperative. It’s all a part of ARK’s “high-pressure carbon fiber rolling technology” that wraps the rod while it’s simultaneously being “infused with carbon nano tubing in between each layer of carbon fiber”. According to the company, all of this is to credit for the strength, sensitivity, lightness, and responsiveness of the rod. According to me, they nailed it.
Best Value: Lew’s Custom Lite
Specs
Length: 7’3”
Power: Medium Heavy
Action: Fast
Pros
Great price point
Versatile (16 models)
Light
Sensitive
Cons
Still a little expensive for some anglers
I was first introduced to Lew’s Custom Lite lineup of rods back in the spring. Lew’s rods hadn’t really been on my radar for the last decade or so, but I was immediately impressed when I picked up a Custom Lite. As alluded to by the name, the Custom Lite is a very lightweight rod. It’s also available in 16 different models ranging from a 6’8” medium light to a 7’6” heavy. This rod is strong and sensitive too. And it’s available at a more than reasonable price point for the quality, giving me all the reasons to award it as the Best Value rod.
The 7’3” medium heavy action rod I tested is one of the best all-purpose casting rods I’ve ever fished with, especially for the price. I really like the feel of the rod as well. The Winn Dri-Tac ProWeave split grip handle is something I had never seen on a rod before, but a design element that I feel confident we will see incorporated into more models moving forward.
As far as materials go, the rod features a high-modulus 85-ton graphite blank paired with stainless steel guides and titanium oxide inserts. I think the placement and design of the hook keeper (which can be used to secure both open-hook baits and weedless-rigged soft plastics) are perfect. You won't find a better bang for your buck in any other casting rod.
Best Budget: ARK Catalyzer
Specs
Length: 7’3”
Power: Medium Heavy
Action: Fast
Pros
Price
Quality
Durability
Cons
Limited models to choose from
A little less sensitive
A little heavier
Though I was hesitant to hand out two of the three awards to a single company, both the Catalyzer and Reinforcer earned their spots atop their respective leaderboards fair and square. And they’ll sit there until another rod comes along to knock them off.
For 60 bucks, you simply can’t find a rod as good as the Catalyzer. I first tested the 7’2” heavy action version of this rod last year and laid into some nice frog fish with it. That rod handled the frog and the bass with ease, and I had no issues flipping fish into the boat. I also recently ordered the 7’3” fo further testing. These rods are strong, fairly sensitive, and not really that much heavier than most of the high-end rods.
The rod's look isn’t as elaborate as many of the others that I’ve tested, but the Catalyzer still has a clean and visually appealing design, with its matte black blank and silverish lettering. The stainless steel guides, EVA foam grips, and open-hook keeper are all quality additions to the rod. As previously stated, the Catalyzer is a little heavier and a little less sensitive than premium models, but its performance is much closer than the price tag shows.
The main drawback of the Catalyzer is the limited number of models available. But still, you could adequately fish the vast majority of casting techniques with one of the three available options: a 7’ medium heavy, a 7’2” heavy, and a 7’3” medium heavy. All in all, this is a fantastic rod for the newcomer to baitcaster fishing and/or the budget-minded weekend warrior looking to expand their arsenal.
The Rest of the Best Baitcasting Rods
Fenwick World Class
Specs
Length: 7’3”
Power: Medium Heavy
Action: Extra Fast
Pros
Lightweight
Sensitive
Versatile (16 casting models)
Cons
Expensive
I must admit, prior to this testing, I hadn’t fished with a Fenwick rod in over a decade. I had a couple that I really liked back in the day, but they were basic rods back then–on par with other average rods of that time. Such is not the case for the World Class Casting Rod.
This is the best-feeling, lightest, and most sensitive casting rod I’ve ever picked up. Built around a 40/36-Ton graphite blend blank, the World Class has top-notch components throughout; titanium guide frames with extra-thin zirconia inserts are a good example of this. There are also 16 models in this rod, ranging from 6’8” medium heavy to 8’ extra heavy, making it one of the most versatile casting rods on the market.
The look and feel of the rod beautifully blend fashion with function. A uniquely designed reel seat allows for a large section of the rod blank to be exposed for added sensitivity. The tapering of the foregrip and rod butt—comprised of various materials all shaped to fit the hand perfectly—makes this as stunning of a rod to look at as it is to fish with.
Fitzgerald Vursa Series Casting Rod
Specs
Length: 7' to 7'6"
Power: Medium to Heavy
Action: Moderate to Fast
Models: 10
Pros
Several models (11)
Durable
Sensitive
Reasonably priced
Cons
Limited availability
I've used the Vursa Series from Fitzgerald Fishing for a few years, and these rods are often my go-to. They are lightweight, strong, sensitive, and priced reasonably at $140. You can choose from 11 different casting models, ranging from 6’8” medium heavy to 7’8” medium heavy. I’ve caught lots of big fish on these rods over the years, and they’re worthy of an honorable mention in the Best Value category.
Shimano Expride B Casting Rod
Specs
Length: 6'8" to 8'
Power: Light to XX Heavy
Action: Moderate to Extra Fast
Models: 18
Pros
Strong
Lightweight
Quality components
Cons
Price
I’ve played around with the Shimano Expride B in the store, but I haven't had the opportunity to fish with one yet myself. Still, I felt compelled to include it in this piece primarily on account of one thing—its inclusion in the Tackle Warehouse Best Sellers list. Of all the rods TW sells, the Expride B is among the four most sold.
Priced between $280 and $310, this rod is a bit of an investment. But with a whopping 18 models to choose from and backed by an industry-leading name, it’s an easy one for me to highlight. And don’t worry, I plan to test this one out myself ASAP and update this story with my results.
Dobyns Fury Casting Rod
Specs
Length: 6'6" to 8'
Power: Medium Heavy to Extra Heavy
Action: Fast
Models: 9
Pros
Durable
Reasonably priced
Cons
A little heavy
Another popular choice among bass anglers, I purchased this rod for the purposes of this test. I haven’t had it as long as some of the others, but my first impressions are solid. It’s a good-looking, strong, and sensitive rod. And the price point is solid, from $130 to $140. I went with the 7’6” medium heavy action flipping stick. It’s a little heavy, but it handles a ¾-ounce jig (and the bass that bite one) well. It is a moderately priced, reliable rod that will work well for flipping cover.
Lew’s TP-1 Black Speed Stick Casting Rod
Specs
Length: 6'8" to 7'2"
Power: Medium to Medium Heavy
Action: Moderate Fast to Fast
Models: 5
Pros
Best Seller
Reasonably priced
Cons
Limited models (5)
The Lew’s TP-1 is another best seller, but also another that I haven’t personally tested. Still, at an MSRP of $139.99 and often on sale for $99, the public’s approval of the TP-1 was enough for me to give it a nod. The model options are limited to five choices, but the Winn Dri-Tac grips, top-of-the-line bait keeper, and microwave guide system are all bright spots in the rod design.
Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Casting Rod
Specs
Length: 6'8" to 7'10"
Power: Medium to Heavy
Action: Moderate to Fast
Models: 11
Pros
Extremely durable
Tournament tested
Good looking rod
Several models (12)
Cons
None
One last best seller to mention is the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Casting Rod. This one is another I haven’t personally tested, but if you caught wind of the 2024 MLF Heavy Hitters event, you’ve already seen all you need to. Jordan Lee used these rods to haul giant bass after giant bass out of thick matted vegetation down in Florida. He was fishing a Berkley Swamp Lord Frog on his 7’6” heavy and 7’9” heavy action rods—and he was absolutely leaning on them.
I’ve never seen a rod pulled on that hard time and time again without failing. And I haven’t even gotten to the best part yet; these rods are only $99. That’s right, two-time Bassmaster Classic Champ Jordan Lee yanked in his second MLF Heavy Hitters title with a $99 rod. That’s all I need to know.
Looking at the actual rod and not just the lore around it, you have a stellar selection of 12 casting models, stainless steel guides with Zirconium inserts, and a Winn split grip handle. They look pretty slick, with Abu’s digital camo pattern in a frosty color, accented by the JLee logo and the Abu Garcia insignia.
Fenwick Eagle Casting Rod
Specs
Length: 6'6" to 8'
Power: Medium to Extra Heavy
Action: Fast to Extra Fast
Models: 9
Pros
Great price
Versatile
Cons
A little less sensitive
Limited models (5)
I received a couple of the Fenwick Eagle Casting Rods in the mail at the same time that I received the World Class rods. For the price, I’ve been equally impressed. The Eagle casting rod is about 75 percent of the rod that the World Class is, but it only costs $100.
Compared to the World Class, the Eagle is a little heavier, a little less sensitive, and the quality isn’t at the same level. But you can see a theme in a lot of the design elements that spilled over from Fenwick’s premium rod. And you could almost buy all five of the available models of the Eagle rod for the price of one of the World Class rods.
Trika 6X Casting Rod
Specs
Length: 6'10" to 7'7"
Power: Medium to Extra Heavy
Action: Moderate Fast to Extra Fast
Models: 7
Pros
Lightweight
Sensitive
Beautiful
High quality
Cons
Price
A relative newcomer to the sport of bass fishing, Trika is a brand that I only heard about a few months ago and one you may not have even heard of until now. But make no mistake—this is a top-of-the-line rod manufacturer. Trika sent me one of their 6X Casting Rods and one of their 6X Spinning Rods for testing, and they are impressive.
Trika claims that the 6X is twice as sensitive as other rods on the market, capable of 24 percent longer casts, and is 11 percent lighter on average. All of this is backed by a 365-day money-back guarantee. Among other features, the most notable is the carbon weave rod blank, which is credited for the overall enhanced performance of the Trika 6X. The woven carbon fiber grip increases the sensitivity as well. And this rod is made in the USA—a rarity these days.
I’m still in the early phases of testing this rod, but it’s already made a strong impression on me. What I'm seeing on the water is in line with what they claim. This is one of the lightest, most sensitive rods I’ve fished with.
FAQs
Q: What is the best length for a baitcasting rod?
The best length for a baitcasting rod can vary widely depending on the technique. Usually this is anywhere from 6'8" to around 8'. But you can do a lot with a medium-heavy power rod with a fast action that's around 7 feet in length. This is a great all-around rod for fishing everything from a Texas-rigged worm to a squarebill to a topwater. For the more fringe techniques like deep cranking, punching, and fishing umbrella rigs, you'll need technique-specific gear.
Q: How do you pick a baitcaster rod?
When picking out a baitcasting rod, you'll want to consider a few things, starting with your budget. There are a lot of quality rods on the market now for $100 and a few great ones for even less, like the Ark Catalyzer. If you're a touring pro, you'll likely want something a little more capable. But for the vast majority of us, a budget friendly rod like this is plenty capable of catching all the big fish you want. Once you know your price range, consider the techniques you'll be fishing the most. For bigger baits, go with longer rods with stronger powers. For finesse presentations, choose a shorter rod with a lighter action and power.
Q: What makes a baitcaster cast farther?
Baitcaster can throw baits farther simply because they are able to handle bigger baits. Most superlight baits can be thrown as far or farther using spinning gear as they can with a baitcaster. But bigger baits like jigs, swimbaits, and spinnerbaits can be cast farther with a baitcaster thanks to the complex braking and spool tension systems in the reels that help to regulate the speed at which the spool turns.
Final Thoughts
After having fished with several dozen casting rods over the years and having spent weeks with the top contenders lately, I am confident in these baitcasting rod selections. Naturally, there are several great models that didn’t make the list simply because I haven’t fished with every rod on the market. But I plan to continue to update this story every time a new and improved baitcaster comes across my boat. In the meantime, any of these options above will prove their worth on the water.
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