Collection: Bass Rods

Choosing the best fly rod for bass can be challenging for some people. But it doesn't have to be! Many people tend to "recycle" a rod that they already have. Whether it is a 5wt or 6wt trout stick, or a 7wt or 8wt saltwater rod that they can throw a heavier line on. While both of those options are totally fine if that's what you have available to you, there are rods out there that are better purpose-built tools to get you out there catching big smalljaws and bucketmouths!

Bass Rod Basics

Most anglers opt for 6wt-8wt rods when fishing for bass. As with *most* freshwater scenarios, think of your rod as a fly delivery system, not a fish-fighting tool. Of course, an 8wt rod will whoop an 18 inch bass a bit better than a 6wt, but the right 6wt will wrangle that same fish without issue. If you're an angler who likes throwing big junk most of the time, the 7wt or 8wt will probably be best for you. If you are more of a small streamer/foam bug angler, the 6wt or 7wt might be the rod for you. If you ask anyone who spends a lot of time fishing for bass, the 7wt will rise as the favorite line weight. It's got the finesse to throw foam bugs and the backbone to throw big swim-flies. We would generally recommend that the 7wt is a great place to start.

Of course, fly rods often come in different lengths, but the 9 foot fly rod is definitely the best all-around tool for wrangling bass. Many purpose-built bass rods often come in a little bit shorter in the 8ft - 8ft 10in range. Shorter rods have some advantages in the sense that they have lighter swing weights, have more lifting power, can pick up and shoot a good bit of line, and can be more accurate than their 9ft counterparts. If you're building a whole quiver, a collection of both 9ft and sub-9ft rods for maximum performance and versatility.

Best All-Around Rod: G. Loomis IMX Pro V2 Fly Rod - Coming in at $595, the IMX Pro V2 is one of the best deals in the industry. In an era of $700 "mid-priced" rods, the IMX Pro V2 packs premium performance into a sub $600 price tag.The 9ft 6wt model is a great option for anglers throwing smaller streamers and topwater flies while the 8ft 10in 7wt and 8wt pack a huge punch when throwing big streamers.

Best Budget Rod: St. Croix Connect Fly Rod - The St. Croix Connect is the shop favorite rod in the budget price class. We well bunch of 9ft 7wt Connects to anglers looking to get fresh into bass fishing. At $295, this stick will do everything that you want it to and more!

Best Premium Rod: Orvis Helios D Fly Rod - Simply put, the Orvis Helios D is an absolutely incredible fly rod. There are five tapers in the Helios D family that are great bass sticks. The 9ft 6wt, 7wt, and 8wt models, and the 8ft 5in 7wt and 8wt. They're light, accurate, an absolute pleasure to cast, and covered by Orvis' incredible warranty.

Best Specialty Rod: G. Loomis NRX+ SF Fly Rod - The NRX+ SF is our owner, Mike Schultz', signature rod with G. Loomis. Built at 8ft 8in in both a 7wt and 8wt, the NRX+ SF is made for throwing big swim flies. It has a tip section that gives a lot of feedback and helps you animate those flies on the strip. If you are looking for that cannon-like rod that will throw big game changers, the G.Loomis NRX+ SF is for you!

Have questions on choosing your first/next bass rod? Give us a call here at the shop at 734-544-1761 or email us 24/7 at orders@schultzoutfitters.com. We would love to chat rods with you!