Best spinning reel and rod for bass fishing? 2024
Daltonluoma reply :
Looking at buying a new rod and reel for the upcoming bass fishing but having a tough time picking a reel. I think for the rod I'm going with a bass X or do you guys suggest something else? The reel I mean I'll go up to 250 but would like to stay in the 100-200 range for a spinning reel, any info would be great thanks!
new2BC4bass reply :
First Welcome to the forum.
Daiwa BG, Pflueger Supreme XT (Supreme for less), Okuma RTX or Helios SX, Shimano NASCI are a few possible options.
TylerT123 reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 11:30 AM, Daltonluoma said:Looking at buying a new rod and reel for the upcoming bass fishing but having a tough time picking a reel. I think for the rod I'm going with a bass X or do you guys suggest something else? The reel I mean I'll go up to 250 but would like to stay in the 100-200 range for a spinning reel, any info would be great thanks!
Get the Mojo Bass instead, for a little bit more you get the sciii blank which is the same type used in the Avid. I’d get a Shimano Stratic too.
LCG reply :
Really depends on a lot of factors...
What type of cover is the under or on the water? Ie wood, rocks, grass, Lilly pads, open water, etc
What techniques are you looking for? Drop shot, ned, neko, shaky head, Texas rigged worms /creature baits, spinners, buzz baits, crank baits, etc
What is your experience level?
If you are looking for a general guideline it will be probably be a 6'6" - 7'6" medium power fast action rod and a 2500 or 30 size reel depending on brand.
For reels the Pflueger president always gets high praise and is affordable at $60.
As for rods, I would get the most sensitive rod you can afford. Trust me it's cheaper in the end. I love st Croix and recommend mojo bass and up. Only a few dollars more than a bass x. Avid or avid x if you can swing it.
So I would steer you towards a 7ft st Croix mojo bass / avid / avid x and a Pflueger President size 30 reel. $260 on the high end and it will last you a long, long time.
I prefer a shorter rod myself in the 6'6"-6'10" range and I fish from the bank.
PatrickKnight reply :
For $200 get a Stradic FK 2500 or 3000. I would take a Dobyns Fury 703 over the bass X and a Mojo over the Fury.
Yudo1 reply :
For under $100, the Daiwa BG and under $200, the Daiwa Tatula LT.
PatrickKnight reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 8:46 PM, Yudo1 said:For under $100, the Daiwa BG and under $200, the Daiwa Tatula LT.
Completely agree on the BG!!!
new2BC4bass reply :
My 1500 BG arrived this morning. Feels like a little tank. Bought an RG last year for a brother-in-law's birthday. He is lovin' it.
LadiMopar reply :
On 2/3/2018 at 8:46 PM, Yudo1 said:For under $100, the Daiwa BG and under $200, the Daiwa Tatula LT.
I'll second the Daiwa BG, still in love with my 30 year old BG 13, it has taken a lickin' and with a little TLC is still doing the job with ease.
Also have the Daiwa Revros 2500H that is paired with a Cabela 7' XML Bass rod. Great in the kayak for those finesse techniques.
Best of luck in making your decision.
LM
Daltonluoma reply :
Thanks guys! I have the president on my poll for fishing for crappie and stuff and love it but seen the shimano stradic and the daiwa bg ranked higher, so I guess what one would you guys get? I know a big price difference but want the one that is gonna last me the longest and feel the same way in 5 years as it did the day I bought it. What's the reason you guys prefer the mojo over the bass x?
Fishinthefish reply :
IMHO Shimano Stradic are the flat out best fishing reel for spinning on the market below the 300 dollar price point.
TylerT123 reply :
On 2/4/2018 at 11:46 AM, Daltonluoma said:Thanks guys! I have the president on my poll for fishing for crappie and stuff and love it but seen the shimano stradic and the daiwa bg ranked higher, so I guess what one would you guys get? I know a big price difference but want the one that is gonna last me the longest and feel the same way in 5 years as it did the day I bought it. What's the reason you guys prefer the mojo over the bass x?
The Bass X has a lower graphite rating. The Mojo has the same blank as the Avid. The Bass X is a SCII graphite blank while the Mojo and Avid is a SCIII blank. If you’re new to fishing, I wouldn’t spend a ton on a combo, if you know you like it then pull the trigger. Comparing the Shimano Stradic and Daiwa BG is no competition, ones a $100 reel and the other’s a $250 reel. If you can afford the Stradic, that’s what I’d get.
burrows reply :
Diawa fuego lt and a mojo can't go wrong with that set up.
AndrewJ reply :
My wife and I have Mitchell 308PROs on almost everyone of our set ups. It is incredibly smooth for a $70 reel. I have no advice on the rods, any number of them are good.
PatrickKnight reply :
On 2/4/2018 at 11:46 AM, Daltonluoma said:Thanks guys! I have the president on my poll for fishing for crappie and stuff and love it but seen the shimano stradic and the daiwa bg ranked higher, so I guess what one would you guys get? I know a big price difference but want the one that is gonna last me the longest and feel the same way in 5 years as it did the day I bought it. What's the reason you guys prefer the mojo over the bass x?
I own both a Stradic FK and a BG. I have also fished the Ci4+ and the new Tatula LT. Given the choice all over again I would buy another BG and take the 100 bucks I saved on the reel and get a better rod with it. The BG is that good. The Ci4 and Tatula are good reels but they are so light I have issue balancing them on rods. If that was of no concern I would take the Tatula over the other three without a second thought.
The Mojo uses the SCIII material but it is not the same blank as an Avid, that being said its a heck of a rod for the price.
burrows reply :
On 2/4/2018 at 7:44 PM, PatrickKnight said:
I own both a Stradic FK and a BG. I have also fished the Ci4+ and the new Tatula LT. Given the choice all over again I would buy another BG and take the 100 bucks I saved on the reel and get a better rod with it. The BG is that good. The Ci4 and Tatula are good reels but they are so light I have issue balancing them on rods. If that was of no concern I would take the Tatula over the other three without a second thought.
The Mojo uses the SCIII material but it is not the same blank as an Avid, that being said its a heck of a rod for the price.
You sure love the bg, I personally fish with a stradikci4 smooth and has never let me down as far as ballance goes well you can't put a ci4 on a mojo and expect it to balance it won't it will be tip heavy you have to pair it with an equally expensive rod unfortunately to get that ballance. I think the bg is probably the best 100 dollar reel out there rite now as far as all around fishing freshwater and salt however for me personally targeting only bass I would prefer the new Exeler lt or fuego lt for bass fishing. They are just smaller reels lighter and kinda designed for the bass fishing or lure fishing.
PatrickKnight reply :
On 2/4/2018 at 8:26 PM, Burro said:You sure love the bg, I personally fish with a stradikci4 smooth and has never let me down as far as ballance goes well you can't put a ci4 on a mojo and expect it to balance it won't it will be tip heavy you have to pair it with an equally expensive rod unfortunately to get that ballance. I think the bg is probably the best 100 dollar reel out there rite now as far as all around fishing freshwater and salt however for me personally targeting only bass I would prefer the new Exeler lt or fuego lt for bass fishing. They are just smaller reels lighter and kinda designed for the bass fishing or lure fishing.
The only LT reel I have used so far has been the Tatula but if the lower end ones are in the same ballpark they will be a solid choice. I am only speaking for reels I have personally fished.
The only way I have seen a Ci4 balance is with a full cork handle. Which is fine by me as I prefer them but I know a lot of people don't.
You are right I do kidda have a crush on my BG.
burrows reply :
On 2/4/2018 at 8:33 PM, PatrickKnight said:
The only way I have seen a Ci4 balance is with a full cork handle. Which is fine by me as I prefer them but I know a lot of people don't.
I have mine on a zodias and it's a split grip, ballance is optimal.
TylerT123 reply :
On 2/4/2018 at 7:44 PM, PatrickKnight said:
The Mojo uses the SCIII material but it is not the same blank as an Avid, that being said its a heck of a rod for the price.
I thought that SCIII was the blank..? The website says SCIII graphite blank.
Boomstick reply :
For reels, I picked up a Daiwa BG 2000 earlier this year for finesse fishing. I haven't really got to use it yet being in the northeast but my initial impression of this reel is extremely high. It feels like I am holding a slightly heavier Shimano Curado Ci4+ where the bail doesn't hit my larger hands. Plus they have a very solid reputation for holding up for virtually forever. I have also had great luck with the Pflueger President and Mitchell 300 pro (which is an extremely smooth operating reel), but my initial impression is that the BG will ultimately be my favorite. This lets me spend more money on the rod, and since I don't really mind the extra weight of the reels personally.
I am still unsure what I am going to buy for a rod. I am currently leaning towards either a brand that is blocked on this site or a Dobyns Sierra 702SF. The Bass X or a Mojo bass might be an option as well. Most of my current spinning rods are nothing too great.
LCG reply :
On 2/5/2018 at 12:15 AM, TylerT123 said:I thought that SCIII was the blank..? The website says SCIII graphite blank.
ScIII is only part of what makes a rod. There are other components that makes up the whole rod which affects the handling and action. That being said I have a mojo bass 6'8 m-xf spinning rod and an avid x 6'6 Mh-f casting rod and while they are different, the mojo is no slouch. My favorite spinning rod so far.
TylerT123 reply :
On 2/5/2018 at 4:44 AM, Luke G. said:ScIII is only part of what makes a rod. There are other components that makes up the whole rod which affects the handling and action. That being said I have a mojo bass 6'8 m-xf spinning rod and an avid x 6'6 Mh-f casting rod and while they are different, the mojo is no slouch. My favorite spinning rod so far.
I’m talking about the BLANK. The Avid and the Mojo’s blank is the same, SCIII. Burro said that they weren’t, while St. Croix’s website says that the SCIII is the blank. I don’t see what you’re getting at...
LCG reply :
On 2/5/2018 at 4:58 AM, TylerT123 said:I’m talking about the BLANK. The Avid and the Mojo’s blank is the same, SCIII. Burro said that they weren’t, while St. Croix’s website says that the SCIII is the blank. I don’t see what you’re getting at...
The blanks are made from the same material ie ScIII. But the does not make them the same blank.
A lot of engineering goes into making rod blanks. The avid has a different taper. ScIII is only 1 piece of a much bigger picture. There are better informed people here on this forum that can probably better explain this.
The mojo is a great rod, I love mine. The avid is even better, and yes you can tell the difference between made in Mexico and made in America. And I am Canadian 
Think of putting a Ferrari engine into a Ford. Then saying the Ford and the Ferrari are the same car. Same engine sure, but very different cars. Tires, transmission, suspension, ground clearance, etc are fine tuned.
Darren. reply :
Welcome aboard!
I have 5 Stradics, and if I picked today, I'd get the
CI4+. One difference between me and a lot of folks
is I prefer to use smaller reels - 1000 size.
Given the lightness of the CI4+, longer rods will be
more tip-heavy. I use rods from 5'9" to 6'6" with
6' being the current sweet spot for me.
St Croix is probably my favorite brand in your price
range. As you're discovering, we are going to be all
over the map in terms of recommendations and what
*we* each like over other brands.
So best advice is to get to a Bass Pro, Cabelas, etc.,
and find some rods and reels that catch your fancy.
Our recommendations are great starting points for both.
Put the reel you like on a rod you like and see what you
think in terms of how it balances in your hands. Does
it *feel* right, or just OK? Try another rod, try another
reel, and so on.
I did this at Bass Pro years ago. I went in all set on
particular brands, but left with completely different
gear. Been pretty happy since.
Daltonluoma reply :
Thanks again! I have heard great about both the stradic and daiwa, I know people say one is 100 dollar reel and the other is a 250, I guess to me I'm looking for the best one that is gonna last me the longest and feel like the day I bought it. Is it worth it to spend the extra 150 for the shimano? And you guys said the shimano is lighter? Just trying to make sure I make the best decision. And I guess my other questions is what's your guys preference on size, I just bass fish, I don't try going for northern or anything else so I guess what would be the ideal size of reel and poll? I have always liked fishing but sense last year is when I really started getting into it so getting into more of the precise stuff so just trying to get the best info!
I have always liked a poll to where I can feel every little tug or hit so what size would you guys recommend, I don't think I wanna go too short, so I guess what is like the perfect length poll to you guys?
LCG reply :
Shimano stradic is a very nice reel. 2500 size should be ideal. No experience with daiwa spinning reels, but I have one of their casting reels and they are solid and smooth.
As for rod length, 6'6" - 7'6". Length, feel, and balance is something you just have to try in person. When you find the perfect rod for you, you'll know it
Last year, I went to bass pro and spent a few hours looking at and holding almost every rod they had. When I found the st Croix mojo bass 6'8 m-xf spinning rod, I knew that's what I was looking for. Perfect feel, length, and action for me.
PatrickKnight reply :
On 2/6/2018 at 8:25 AM, Daltonluoma said:Thanks again! I have heard great about both the stradic and daiwa, I know people say one is 100 dollar reel and the other is a 250, I guess to me I'm looking for the best one that is gonna last me the longest and feel like the day I bought it. Is it worth it to spend the extra 150 for the shimano? And you guys said the shimano is lighter? Just trying to make sure I make the best decision. And I guess my other questions is what's your guys preference on size, I just bass fish, I don't try going for northern or anything else so I guess what would be the ideal size of reel and poll? I have always liked fishing but sense last year is when I really started getting into it so getting into more of the precise stuff so just trying to get the best info!
I have always liked a poll to where I can feel every little tug or hit so what size would you guys recommend, I don't think I wanna go too short, so I guess what is like the perfect length poll to you guys?
Get a Stradic 2500 put Carbontex drag washers in it and pair it with whatever 7 foot medium power rod feels best in your hand.
This combo should last you for a decade if you take care of it.
I still have Stradics that are over 10 years old and working (1000 and 2000 FG). I can not say the same thing about any Daiwa branded reel.
NYWayfarer reply :
I would recommend the Lew's Custom Pro Speed Spin.
11+1 Stainless steel ball bearings, Aluminum body and sideplate with flush and drain port, C60 Carbon skeletal rotor with fat aluminum bail wire, Lightweight double anodized knurled (braid ready) aluminum spool, Smooth sealed carbon multi-disc drag system, Aluminum handle with Winn Dri-Tac knob, 6.2:1 gear ratio.
All that and it looks fantastic as well. It's my favorite spinning reel.
Mikeltee reply :
Id spend more on the rod than i would the reel. If you are getting into bass fishing i wouldnt spend much at all on spinning gear. Id put that money into baitcasting gear. If you want to just see if you like it get a medium heavy ugly stick elite and a president reel for under $100. If you like it then spend your money on a $200 rod and a $150 baitcasting reel. I made the mistake of dropping $500 on a high end do it all spinning setup to check out bass fishing. I used it twice before I got BC gear and now it just sits there.
GreenPig reply :
I fish a Stradic 2500 ci4+ on a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 7'6" medium fast action and Stradic 1000 ci4+ on a BPS Carbonlite 2.0 medium - light fast action. Very light and well balanced combos. I puchased at the BPS and recieved $50 off each rod (combo deal).
Matt_3479 reply :
Like many others here I would recommend the st. Croix mojo, dobyns fury or daiwa tatula lt rod over the bass x. The mojo is a good step up. The daiwa tatula lt is a great rod for the money.
as far as reels go, im partial to shimano so for the 100 dollar range I’d recommend the nasci. Buttery smooth and super solid. Have had mine and fished hard for years. I do recommmend stepping up to the stradic if budget allows. Just a better reel. Other options are the daiwa fuego. I don’t own one but fished it a few times and there a good feeling reel. Can’t comment on the bg as I haven’t even felt one
Alex Mitchell reply :
I have found some Good Spinning Reels for bass fishing here and Good Spinning rods for bass fishing here. I think they will be helpful for you also. If you want, you can check them.
new2BC4bass reply :
Thread is a year and a half old. My guess is that the OP already bought his rod and reel. Or he decided fishing wasn't for him.
cookieman reply :
maybe old post but there are others of us out here looking now. some good info here
new2BC4bass reply :
On 8/22/2019 at 7:46 AM, cookieman said:maybe old post but there are others of us out here looking now. some good info here
I often read older threads that have been brought back up to the top. (After all I did read this one. 
) As you say, sometimes there is new information.
I feel that it is usually advantageous to start a new thread if you have questions or want to give an opinion on some gear.
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