Buying new bass fishing rod

[notmuchtime]

My BIL want an ultralite rod to take along on his waverunner to fish for bass on Lobdell lake. I don't think an ultralite will be able to set the hook consistintly on a decent bass. I am looking for recommendations on a good setup (rod and reel) for this application. It will have to be a comprimise 'cause he will be throwing whatever he has with him at the bass, ie, cranks, worms, jigs, spinners, etc. Thanks for the info.

[RyGuy525]

You could buy him a pack rod. Cabelas sells some pretty nice ones including a st. croix i believe.

[michiganman21]

I think it's a matter of feel when buying a rod. I only fish for bass with ultralights because I love the fight. I've caught several 20" smallmouths with an ultralight, without a problem--if you can handle a 5lb.+ smallmouth with an ultralight, any largemouth wouldn't be a problem.:fish:

[ESOX]

if you can handle a 5lb.+ smallmouth with an ultralight, any largemouth wouldn't be a problem.:fish:

Unless the large mouth was hanging out in the slop they typically do.

[djkimmel]

I'd recommend a good all around medium power rod - spinning rod might be easier to handle and cast more things from a waverunner - depending on how comfortable also he is with baitcasters - more power and control with a baitcaster, but if he likes ultra-light lures and techniques, a spinning will work better.

You can do a lot with a medium power decent 6' 6" spinning rod from ultra-light to some heavier lures and sturdier techniques. You can even slop fish if you get two spools for the spinning reel and put a super line like Power Pro on one spool. The longer rod with superline will make slop fishing feasible.

Look for a fast to medium fast tip for the most versatility and the capability to still get a quality largemouth out of those thick weed beds on Lobdell (before the lake association kills them off). The longer spinning rod helps make up for the lower cranking power of a spinning reel to get a bass away from the weeds.

A 6' rod could do it, especially for someone who isn't real tall - say 5' 8" or shorter. Some people don't like longer fishing rods, but I am speaking from the practical position of using the best tool for the job rather than just personal preference.