Best Baitcasting Rods for Bass
Five 7-foot medium heavy baitcasting rods for bass, from the Abu Garcia Vendetta I fish to St. Croix, Lew's, Ugly Stik and Fenwick, and what to look for.
The short answer
I fish a 7 foot, medium heavy, fast baitcasting rod for jigs, finesse baits and spinners, the Abu Garcia Vendetta, and every rod on this page matches that spec. The St. Croix Mojo Bass, Lew's Custom Lite, Ugly Stik Carbon and Fenwick Eagle are alternatives I like from reputation and online reviews, not my own use.
Top picks at a glance
Abu Garcia Vendetta Casting Rod (7', Medium Heavy, Fast)
Best for: Jigs, finesse baits and spinners
My daily baitcasting rod. It is light and sensitive enough that I feel ticks and bites on the line, and the medium heavy power has the backbone for jigs. Hands-on pick.
Pros
- Light in the hand
- Sensitive enough to feel ticks and hits
- Fast action with medium heavy backbone
Cons
- The one-piece blank is awkward to transport without a truck
St. Croix Mojo Bass Trigon Casting Rod (7', Medium Heavy)
Best for: Anglers who want a premium-brand rod
St. Croix's Mojo Bass line. I picked this one from its reputation and online reviews, not my own use. The 7' medium heavy model I checked is moderate fast rather than fast, so confirm the action on the Amazon page.
Pros
- St. Croix reputation
- SCIII carbon blank
- 7' medium heavy is rated 12-20 lb
Cons
- The 7' medium heavy I checked is moderate fast, not the fast action I prefer
- Costs more than the Ugly Stik and Fenwick
Lew's Custom Lite Casting Rod (medium heavy)
Best for: Anglers who want a lightweight graphite rod
Lew's Custom Lite line, chosen from its reputation and online reviews, not my own use. The line has no exact 7' medium heavy, so the closest models are 7'3" and 7'4".
Pros
- HM85 graphite blanks
- Wide range of lengths and powers
- Medium heavy models in fast and moderate fast
Cons
- No exact 7' medium heavy in the line
- Piece count is not listed
Ugly Stik Carbon Casting Rod (7', Medium Heavy, Fast)
Best for: Anglers on a budget who want a tough rod
Ugly Stik's Carbon series, which the maker calls its lightest Ugly Stik ever. I own an older Ugly Stik spinning rod that I found heavy, and I have not fished this casting rod, so I cannot say whether the Carbon fixes that.
Pros
- 7' medium heavy fast model (USCBCA701MH)
- Rated 12-20 lb, matching my Vendetta
- 10-year warranty
Cons
- My older Ugly Stik was heavy, and I have not tested the Carbon
Fenwick Eagle Casting Rod (7', Medium Heavy, Fast)
Best for: Anglers on a budget who want a lifetime warranty
Fenwick's Eagle line, picked from its reputation and online reviews, not my own use. The 7' medium heavy fast model I checked is EGLB70MH-FC.
Pros
- 7' medium heavy fast model
- 24/30-ton graphite blend with zirconia guide inserts
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Lowest line rating here at 10-17 lb
The right baitcasting rod depends on what you throw, but I keep it simple. I fish a 7 foot, medium heavy, fast rod for jigs, finesse baits and spinners, and every rod on this page is built around those specs.
A quick note on how I wrote this
I fish the Abu Garcia Vendetta myself, so that entry comes from my own use. The other four are alternatives I think are good based on reputation and online reviews. I have not fished them, and I say so each time.
About the Amazon links: several of them go to a rod’s model line, not one specific rod. The spec I recommend is 7 foot, medium heavy, fast. Use the links as a place to find that spec on the Amazon page, and confirm the length, power, action and model number before you order. I cannot guarantee a link lands on the exact rod.
What I look for
- Length and power: 7 feet, medium heavy. It is a versatile bass setup, and the power has the backbone for jigs without feeling like a broomstick.
- Action: fast. The bend sits at the tip, which helps with sensitivity and hook-setting.
- Weight and sensitivity: a light rod that lets me feel ticks and hits on the line.
- One piece or two: a one-piece rod is fine until you have to haul it. That is my only complaint about my Vendetta.
For how I use the rod, see my Vendetta casting rod review and my football jig guide.
Abu Garcia Vendetta 7’ medium heavy fast: the one I fish
This is the rod I fish most, paired with my Shimano SLX DC reel. It is light and sensitive, and the fast action and medium heavy power cover jigs, finesse baits and spinners for me.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)St. Croix Mojo Bass
St. Croix has a strong reputation, and the Mojo Bass line is a popular choice. I have not fished it. The 7’ medium heavy model I checked is moderate fast, not the fast action I prefer, so check the action before you buy.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Lew’s Custom Lite
Lew’s Custom Lite rods use HM85 graphite blanks and come in a wide range of lengths and powers. The line has no exact 7’ medium heavy, so the closest are a 7’3” fast and a 7’4” moderate fast. I have not fished it.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Ugly Stik Carbon
I own an older Ugly Stik spinning rod. It was fine, but heavy enough that I tired faster than with my lighter Vendetta. Ugly Stik calls the Carbon series its lightest yet, and it has a 7’ medium heavy fast model rated 12-20 lb, the same as my Vendetta. I have not tested it, so I cannot say whether it fixes the weight.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Fenwick Eagle
The Fenwick Eagle line has a 7’ medium heavy fast model with a lower line rating of 10-17 lb and a limited lifetime warranty. I have not fished it.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)How to choose
- Start with the spec: 7 foot, medium heavy, fast.
- Check the weight. You will hold it for hours.
- Check the line rating against the line you plan to spool. It differs from rod to rod, from 10-17 lb on the Fenwick to 12-20 lb on the Vendetta.
- Pair it with a forgiving reel. My best baitcasting reels for beginners and reels by technique cover that.
- Check the Amazon page for the exact length, power and action before you order.
Specs come from manufacturer and retailer tables for the 7 foot medium heavy models, or the closest ones in the line. Only the Abu Garcia Vendetta entry reflects my own use. Some Amazon links go to a model line, so confirm the exact rod before ordering.
For rods the experts keep picking, see best bass fishing rods.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best baitcasting rod for bass?
For jigs, finesse baits and spinners, I like a 7 foot, medium heavy, fast baitcasting rod. I fish the Abu Garcia Vendetta in that spec.
Why a fast action baitcasting rod?
A fast action puts the bend at the tip, which gives good sensitivity and hook-setting. It helps me feel ticks and light bites.
Do the Amazon links go to the exact rod?
Not always. Some links go to the model line, not one specific rod. Look for the 7 foot, medium heavy version on the Amazon page and confirm the specs before ordering.
Is a one-piece rod a problem?
Only for transport. Without a truck, a one-piece 7 footer can be awkward to carry. It is my one complaint about my Vendetta.
Which baitcasting rod do you use?
The Abu Garcia Vendetta, 7 feet, medium heavy, fast, with a Shimano SLX DC reel.