Roundup Bass Rod & Reel Combos
Best Spinning Combos for Finesse Bass Fishing
The spinning rod and reel I use for drop shotting, the exact line and rig behind it, plus a lighter rod and a step-up reel if you want to build your own combo.
The short answer
For finesse bass fishing I run a 7' medium heavy fast Abu Garcia Vendetta spinning rod with a Pflueger President size 30, 10 pound braid and a 10 pound fluorocarbon leader. Spinning gear lets you fish light lures with confidence and without the problems you can run into on a baitcaster. If you want something lighter for small baits, a medium light Vendetta is the rod I would add next.
Top picks at a glance
Abu Garcia Vendetta 7' Medium Heavy Fast Spinning Rod
Best for: Drop shotting with 3/8 oz weights
This is the spinning rod I use for drop shotting. It has the same dimensions as my casting rod: 7 feet, medium heavy, fast action. It is rated for 8 to 14 lb line and 1/4 to 3/4 oz lures, so my 10 lb braid and 3/8 oz weight sit well inside its range.
Pros
- Rated 8-14 lb line and 1/4-3/4 oz, which fits a 3/8 oz drop shot
- 30-ton graphite keeps it light
- Matches the feel of my Vendetta casting rod
Cons
- One-piece, so it is awkward to transport
- Medium heavy is more power than very light baits need
Pflueger President Spinning Reel, Size 30
Best for: Light lures where you want smooth casting and reeling
The best spinning reel I have ever used. It is light, smooth casting and reeling, and feels durable in my hands, and I have never had an issue fishing it. The size 30 is listed at 5.2:1 and 6.2 oz.
Pros
- Light and smooth to cast and reel
- Feels durable in hand, no issues so far
- Slow 5.2:1 ratio suits drop shotting
Cons
- Slow ratio is not built for covering water fast
- I use spinning gear sparingly, so my time on it is limited
Abu Garcia Vendetta 6'9" Medium Light Fast Spinning Rod
Best for: Small, light finesse baits
A lighter rod in the same Vendetta family, rated 6 to 10 lb line and 1/8 to 1/2 oz lures. I have not fished it, so this entry rests on the manufacturer specs and the brand reputation behind my other Vendetta rods.
Pros
- Lighter power for small baits
- Same Vendetta line and build as my rods
- 1/8-1/2 oz range covers light drop shot weights
Cons
- 10 lb line sits at the top of its rating
- I have not fished this exact rod
Shimano Ultegra FB 2500HG Spinning Reel
Best for: Anglers who want a Shimano reel with a strong drag
A step-up option from a brand I trust on my baitcaster. This listing is the older FB generation of the Ultegra, listed at 6.0:1, 8.5 oz, 20 lb max drag and 35 inches per crank. I have not used it, so this entry rests on retailer specs and brand reputation.
Pros
- 20 lb max drag
- Shimano build with a water-resistant drag knob
- Faster 6.0:1 ratio than the President
Cons
- At 8.5 oz it is heavier than the President
- Older generation of the Ultegra
- I have not used it
I fish my baitcaster almost exclusively. But when I go finesse, I switch to spinning gear and drop shot. Spinning is simply better for light lures: you can fish them with confidence and without the problems that come with a baitcaster.
My finesse spinning setup
Here is exactly what I run when I drop shot:
- Rod: Abu Garcia Vendetta spinning, 7’, medium heavy, fast. Same dimensions as my casting rod.
- Reel: Pflueger President, size 30.
- Braid: 10 lb Sufix 832, low-vis green.
- Leader: 10 lb Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon.
- Weight: 3/8 oz tungsten.
- Hook: a smaller hook, just to hook the nose of the worm.
If you want the full story on braid and leaders, read my braid to fluorocarbon leader guide and my Sufix 832 review.
The rod: Abu Garcia Vendetta 7’ medium heavy
I picked this because I already know the Vendetta from my casting setup, and I wanted the same length, power and action on the spinning side. It is rated for 8 to 14 lb line and 1/4 to 3/4 oz lures, so my 10 lb braid and 3/8 oz weight sit comfortably in range. The one thing to know is that it is a one-piece rod, which makes it harder to transport, the same drawback I describe in my Vendetta casting rod review.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)The reel: Pflueger President size 30
I love this reel. It is the best spinning reel I have ever used. It is light, it casts and reels smoothly, and it feels durable in my hands. I have not dealt with any issues when fishing it. The size 30 is listed at a slow 5.2:1, which suits drop shotting because you are working the bait in place, not reeling it fast.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)The rig behind the combo
The combo is only half of it. These are the parts of my drop shot:
Braid, 10 lb Sufix 832. I use the low-vis green. Check that the page has the 10 lb low-vis green option selected before you order.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Leader, 10 lb Berkley Vanish. Same pound test as the braid, so the line stays balanced.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Weight, 3/8 oz tungsten. Check that the 3/8 oz option is selected on the page.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Hook. I use a smaller hook and only hook the nose of the worm.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)If you want to build your own combo
I have not fished the next two, so these picks rest on the manufacturers’ published specs and brand reputation.
A lighter rod: Vendetta 6’9” medium light
This Vendetta is rated for 6 to 10 lb line and 1/8 to 1/2 oz lures, so it is a better match for very small baits. It sits in the same family as my rod, so you get the same build at lighter power. Keep in mind that 10 lb line is at the top of its rating.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)A step-up reel: Shimano Ultegra FB 2500HG
I trust Shimano on my baitcaster, which is why this one made the list. The listing on the page is the older FB generation of the Ultegra. It is listed at 6.0:1, 8.5 oz, 20 lb max drag, with line capacity of 10 lb mono at 120 yards or 10 lb PowerPro at 150 yards. It is heavier than my President, so for me weight is the trade-off.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Which combo should you buy?
- Want what I fish: the Vendetta 7’ medium heavy plus the President size 30.
- Fishing very small baits: add the Vendetta 6’9” medium light.
- Want a stronger drag and a Shimano: look at the Ultegra FB, and accept the extra weight.
The setup and the thoughts on the Vendetta 7’ rod and the Pflueger President are from my own use. The Vendetta 6’9” rod and the Ultegra FB are researched picks I have not fished, with specs taken from Abu Garcia and retailer listings.
Frequently asked questions
Why use spinning gear for finesse bass fishing?
Spinning gear lets you fish lightweight lures with confidence and without the problems you can run into on a baitcaster. I fish my baitcaster almost exclusively, but I reach for spinning gear when I drop shot.
What spinning setup do you use for drop shotting?
A 7' medium heavy fast Abu Garcia Vendetta spinning rod with a Pflueger President size 30, 10 lb Sufix 832 low-vis green braid, a 10 lb Berkley Vanish fluorocarbon leader and a 3/8 oz weight.
What weight do you use on a drop shot?
I use a 3/8 oz weight, tied with a smaller hook that I run through the nose of the worm.
Do I need a leader on a spinning reel?
I use one. The braid is easy for fish to see, so I tie a fluorocarbon leader of the same pound test.
Is the Pflueger President a good finesse reel?
It is the best spinning reel I have used. It is light, smooth casting and reeling, and feels durable, and I do not deal with issues when I fish it.