Man I have spent hours and hours trying to understand fishing rods and what's best for me, since I'm a beginner, and this is by far the best video I have seen! Thank you!

Videos like this are the reason I think Tactical Bassin is the best bass fishing channel on KZfaq, you guys just get it, you guys make content for everybody and cover basically everything, nice work once again!!

Awesome video! You've just took all the leg work out of not only understanding a rods power versus action but also the application of power and action for baits. I'm thinking this is the most informative video of 2023 and will always be relevant! Thanks Matt!!

Well done es a former fishing department employee of sportsmans warehouse I always found people with that glazed look. Just knowing what power and action means allowed me to show people the right rod for their application. Hopefully this video will help those who are looking for the right rod for them. Again great job!

I’ve watched half, will finish it later but… this is the best primer on Rods I’ve ever seen. Your simplification of the r terms you use are perfect, any beginner fisherman can understand what you’re saying as well as advanced anglers Thank you, fantastic video.

Visited Lake Murray this past week and have never really been vested into fishing, this trip changed my mind about it all..no pun intended but I am officially hooked and this channel is so informative. Thank you TacticalBassin for steering a n00b in the right direction.

Ive needed a video like this for so long! Ive had a hard time keeping my head from falling off trying to research what rods and stuff to get for different techniques.

The quality of information shared not only in this video, but every single one I’ve clicked on from this channel, is by far some of the most well spoken, explanatory, and engaging I’ve come across as far as fishing info sharing goes across this platform. This guy KNOWS WHATS UP. Absolute Legend

I was super surprised only 1 dobyns rods was on the deck. Thanks again Matt for your detailed rabbit hole videos

Thank you Matt, I bought a Savage Gear Squad 7'1" MH Xtra Fast rod based on your and Tim's recommendation and I'm really pleased with it. Handles all my plastics and smaller jigs perfectly. I tell all my bassin buddies to tune into TB if you want the truth and facts straight up. Thanks for what you guys do for us weekenders.

Very knowledgeable in regards to everything. Thank you very much, best explanation I've heard in purchasing a rod. I appreciate your professionalism.

Rod codes is something that I have never known how to read without having to do a lot of research. Thank you for this video!!

Could we get a tackle tour down the pipeline? It would be fun just to see how much tackle you and Tim have!

If you're a 1Rod1Reel guy. I say go with the best you, wont be disappointed. Everyone can catch any fish on any rod or reel. But the higher end will make fishing much more enjoyable with sensitivity and retrieval. --My setup: 2021 Antares DC paired with Gloomis conquest 843C MBR I once downgraded to a Curdao DC and IMX PRO. I end up losing on my end and bought back my setup in a year. You just can't beat once you tried the high end setup

Morning Not sure I totally understand everything you said soooo i'll watch again till I do. Good video! This information is something Ive been looking for. Thanks Again I'll be watching .

Can't wait for spring..it's almost here. I got out yesterday, just to test some rods I made for this season. I think I found the golden goose for river kayak smallmouth fishing. NFC MB684-1 seems to be a perfect do it all 1/4-1/2 ounce blank. From jerkbaits to jigs.

Another way you can play with overall stiffness or moderation incorporating the same rod is changing the type of line you use, for a particular application.: Even if a rod is a "little stiff" for a particular application (Like you, Matt, touched-on describing the way you heavy jig fish, and what action rod you prefer.), if one uses monofilament fishing line instead of braid (and fluorocarbon as a choice, in-between), the stretch in general found in monofilament line allows for some overall 'give', as well. True, you might not get as much 'give' in general (or the type of 'give' you are looking for) with monofilament line as compared to a more moderately flexing rod. But line consideration can be important and can still work with an overall, more personal way of fishing, given a particular bass fishing application, and how one physically/personally fishes that application. (Let alone the type and speed of reel....OH NO, THE RABBIT HOLE IS SUCKING ME IN!!!...LOL!!!!!)

I first started back fishing with a handful $150 lews combos (which I don’t think they are the worse combos out there) but last year I picked up a few megabass rods and put a shimano curado dc on one, a MGL 70 on my jerkbait special and then another DC reel on the last one and they blows all those other combo I had out the water!!! 😂 the lightness, crispness, sensitivity, the way the rods keep a fish pinned, just everything about megabass rods are incredible!! Now that I’ve got a few higher end combos I can’t go back to fishing cheaper stuff😂😂 thanks for the video Matt awesome job, always like the rabbit hole videos🤙🏻🤙🏻😂😂

Still wanting to see a video on fishing flooded brush etc for this spring. It is right around the corner. Again Thanks for all you do.

Another good video Matt. I completely agree with upgrading to braid and longer rods if you are on a budget and be a tip watcher!

Have been watching y’all’s videos for a long time and this is one of the best. Really wish I would have had this about 8 years ago! Y’all haven’t posted a “skipping” video in quite some time. What would be y’all’s favorite skipping combo. I fish a lot of docks on the coosa river so I need something that can get them out of the thick stuff. Thanks!

Man I NEEDED this. Answered so many questions that I've been stuck with in terms of decisions. Too many which rod between these two or three options to decide but I'm set now. Thanks ya'll

Really enjoyed this Matt! I’ve been hoping you guys would do this! I didn’t see a recommendation for swim jig. I’m talking 1/4, 3/8 and then the Calli style swim jig. Thanks in advance!!

Due to your "tip deflection" tips over the past few years it doesn't matter how high end of a combo I have in my hand I still watch for that.

As of now I have a Dobnys kd945 for jigs and love it for 189$ . great rod to flip 3/8-1/2 jig and super great to skip with . 😊

I'm going to do a LOT of fishing this year. Loving these videos!

As a completely new fisherman, this video is gold

Loved this whole video. I’ve been watching your videos a while over and over and the other day I decided to buy a rod with out doing any prior research. I ended up making the correct choice with out any outside bias. I couldn’t help myself and i rewatched your videos and it only confirmed that I’ve finally retained the information well enough. Thanks so much.

Awesome, complete and very helpful video. Thank you sir.

In the past I only fished spinning but finally ordered a casting combo from TW to try for cranking and I see it is one you recommend. Guess I'm learning alot from your channel. Thanks for all the videos you do, they're great!

Matt, first of all Thank You. I took your advice on a 6’10” med Zodias for my Jerkbait rod, and I love it. It stays loaded even on 1lb smallmouth. But has handled 9lb walleye in current perfectly. I take 2 rods with me everywhere. The Jerkbait and a jig rod(spinning). I need a new rod for light jigging. I throw an 1/8 oz. VMC rugby jig on a 4.25” hellgramite, 10lb flouro, Diana Ballistic 2500 reel. I’m looking for ultimate sensitivity for when I have to deadstick the small jig. I am in current 90% of the time. Either my medium sized crick or the Ohio river. I’d like to be in the $300 range. Thanks again for all your videos. You have really helped me zero in on the fish.

I've been eating up videos and reviews the past 3 weeks trying to land on a multi purpose rod to fish primarily lipless and topwater but also chatterbait, underspins and Keitechs - in other words, a more moderate action rod for trebles that can still effectively set the hook on a small to medium single hook bait. As a shore and canoe guy trying to keep it down to 2 rods, I would love to hear your thoughts on this.

This is a great explanation video!👍 Gets crazy when comparing rods for other species. A Xtra heavy catfish rod can be different for 2 different brands and doesn't mean they're the same as an Xtra heavy musky rod or extra heavy bass rod. Took me a few years to figure that out and some money wasted on rods and reels I thought would do multiuse and just don't perform or exhaust my hands and shoulder to where I cant fish past a half day.

Matt you guys read my mind. A jerkbait specific rod is on my list. I just can't make up my mind which I like the best. I'm leaning towards the Daiwa tatulua.

I rarely comment but had to with this video. Tremendous depth of information and valuable knowledge about rods. Better than all others I've encountered and it's been a lot!

Thanks to Matt and Tim im not that guy any more i know what rods to pick for each technique 👍

I also think when you get into the light power rods, just because they're so light the can work double duty. For instance the Dobyns Sierra BFS rods. I have the 7 ft extra fast 1 power. I use it for micro jigs and micro flipping tiny Texas rigs, but because it's extra fast it works for tiny jerkbaits like an X-Nanahan and smaller, and even tiny squarebills, shad raps and so on. One of the super rare rods that can be used for jerkbaits even though that's not it's intended purpose at all. Paired with the Curado BFS I can do the same cadences easily as I can with a full size JB and a Megabass JB special with Aldebaren. I didn't like fishing smaller jerkbaits before this set up as they had to be thrown on spinning equipment and it was difficult to make the baits act exactly the way I wanted on spinning gear. Besides the ease of use, it has made those catches on days when your just grinding out small bites so much more enjoyable. A 3-3 1/2 lb smallmouth on BFS is like a DD on regular gear! 😃 *edit- since I mentioned the Megabass Orochi-XX Jerkbait special, that is another rod that pulls double duty well. Besides obviously Jerkbaits and topwater, it does mid sized crankbaits surprisingly well. Matter of fact, Randy Blauket can have any Megabass rod he wants so he could have the flatside special or whatever to throw crankbaits, yet he uses the Jerkbait special instead. I had never tried it till I heard him say that, I gave it a whirl and it works amazingly well! One less "specialty" rod needed on the deck!

Just Awesome. Great help for a beginner like me. Covers it all. Not just which ones to buy, but also why to buy. Overall a great video. Thanks a lot.

Great video Matt. I would love to see a video on just the GLoomis MBR rods you talk so much about. With all of your experience fishing them, it would be great to know your thoughts about the differences between the Conquest, NRX +, GLX, and IMX-PRO lines of rods. I now the material gets better with each series as they go up in price, but I was just curious on what would you throw on each series if you had your choice of rod to use. You stated many times about using these for multiple applications and going down the rabbit hole I think would be a great video.

I love the 894 NRX+ I have several. Perfect for jig or Texas rig. I have a couple of 895s for flipping.

You guys are my favorite bass fishing go to channel. I fish here on Clearlake can where you Matt used to guide and I have been looking for a bladed jig rod that loades further into the blank. I have tried the I rod chatter/ swim jig rod a champion 734 and still i am not sure. This video really helps me as I've been confused with this subject from the jump. Thank you for the help!

Great video! Always enjoy the rod reviews. I believe Ark Rods have regular actions.

Love that you guys give great options for high end and budget guys! It makes it so much easier to find good quality gear for different techniques! On that note, any suggestions on a budget friendly chatter bait rod?

Made this video right on time. Been looking to upgrade my equipment this year. Wanting to go shamono DC and groom's rod. Thanks for the info. Do one on reels next plz

I recently got the 6' 10" Poison Ultima. It is an amazing BFS rod.

You are a guru. You know stuff and how to relay that to others in a way they can understand. Thanks for doing what you do!! Best channel for fishing knowledge.

👏👏You made it so simple Matt,thank you ❤️👊

This was great. Only needed to stop and rewind a few times, not complaining, to get everything to soak in. definitely in my favorite list. Please do reels like this next. I have no clue when to turn on and off the breaks on my bait casters and would love to know what I should do with those things depending on the bait/presentation I am using. Or are they set and forget?

Thank you !! You made this very simple compared to the other hundreds of videos out there.

Hey Matt, just wanted to say thank you for all you guys do for the bass fishing community. I was primarily an inshore saltwater guy but your channel has gotten me hooked on bass fishing to the point I hardly go into the salt anymore. I am curious if either you or Tim have used or owned Phenix rods? and if so, what you think of them. I currently use a 7'2 medium heavy M1 as my do it all rod and I really like it. It's not as high end as a lot of the gear you guys use, but its the most expensive rod I've used and I love it.

Great video dude, my family and I always enjoy your videos ,keep them coming

the deflection thing is wild i use that type of thing on fly fishing when nymphing all the time whether its the tip of the rod, the indicator doing something funny, or just noticing bumps along the bottom until one feels different but NEVER thought about applying that to bass fishing with gear of course that makes sense here too rule of thumb: setting the hook is free

"Awesome content guys, y'all are always putting out the best info,just purchased my first G Loomis rod yesterday a GCX 853s spinning rod and I must say being a baitcasting guy,I'm blown away at how good these rods are,I'm now rethinking my whole rod arsenal at this point,just like y'all said GLoomis rods are 🔥,Tight lines"

Yes! Been waiting for this video! You guys are the best and have helped me so much as a new fisherman. Made a lot of mistakes as a new pole buyer.

My first and one of my favorite spinning combos is actually the $80 Lew's Smash. Hard to beat it at that price as long as you don't mind the bright neon red. I find myself using that rod more often than any of my other more pricey spinning setups

I primarily run with mh fast, have a couple mediums but as a bank angler with toothy critters lurking I need that backbone.

Hey Matt, great video, very informative. I learned a lot. Thanks!

I realy enjoy your video Sir, coz i strarted to learn my long time favorite hubbies, and i will continue watching your amazing lecture,teaching,helping and ect. like me. Thank you idol

You guys have got to try the Kastking Blackhawk II 6 foot 6 Medium telescoping rod paired with the Zephyr BFS reel. Can still throw 3/16 lures and up.

I have 15 rods. I was that guy 30yrs ago. Thanks again 🤙☮️🙏😎

Being the rod and reel nut that I am I would love to see a video that goes down the rabbit hole and just freaking geek out on gear.

Love it thanks Matt. I’ll shoot for that $70 rod later this year. But all y’all out there remember, you can be Matt Robertson at the Elites and throw it all on Ugly Sticks and Eagle Claws!

My favorite budget baitcaster is the 13 fishing META its definitely become a go to rod for me

Moderate action rods are generally great for light wire an treble hooks. Extra fast action rods are key for jerkbaits. Kvd splash ploppers. Medium heavy fast action is good for a wide array of lures like jigs Texas rigs frogs chatterbait bobber with 14 to 16 inch leed line with a bait holder hook. An shaky head lures hellraizer. Heavy rods with fast action is great for heavy covor using heavier weighted lures to get those really big fish in heavy covor.

Please go deeper into the rabbit hole :) I know you know more, and clearly you're passionate about it! Please give us the long seminar version of rods & their ratings! Why would I not want a more sensitive rod for treble hooks? Is sensitive not universally better? Why do two rods of the same make and model feel different? Why do two rods with different manufactures, but the same ratings feel totally different, and how can I game this/ How accurate are those lure weight ratings, really? can I throw 1/8 oz on a medium heavy? Can I throw 1 oz on a medium? How do different manufactures trend (I too have noticed St Croix is usually more moderate, and I'm almost ready to write them off b/c of it). Thank you, your videos are amazing, super informative and inspirational.

Listen, i really dont want to sound like im being a jerk or anything beacuse i truly love you guys and tactical bassin has helped me so much, the point i wanted to make is i feel like the "big corporate bass" industry has way over complicated bass fishing, guys used to catch monsters on cane poles and a real worm, what has changed in your opinion? Love you guys keep it up!!

Thanks for being our Rosetta Stone so that we can decipher rods!

I love your passion for fishing Matt! I've been down a lot of rabbit holes because of tacticalbassin. 😂 I do have one question though. I'm looking for a higher end magdraft freestyle rod. What do you think about the 7'7 heavy Shimano expride. Great video Matt! 🤙

I finally have a better understanding of all the different actions on rods. I usually just buy med hvy or hvy fast action for all my rods. But after this video, im gonna try out a few moderate action rods for my cranks and topwaters

Great video. I was hoping you could make a video targeted toward bank fishing/kayak fishing. Not all of us have tricked out bass boats with storage for 6 rods at a time. At most my gf and I bring out two rods each and trade them back and forth depending on what we want to throw.

Great detailed video as always !

Yeah it’s me, the guy looking at the rods; I don’t even know what kind of fish I’m focusing on much less which rods suit which techniques for those fish!

I'm a bank guy and junk fishing is the game ..three rods that can do everything I could run across..now that is a video that needs to be made less gear that overlap so you don't feel like man if I only had a rod that would throw a ned or a glide

Well I hope your going to go down the shimano line of reels and talk about your favorites and what you use them for by technique. Like would you still buy the Chronoarch over the new Curado 150 and why? What would you use other than just the Metanium? Thank you for all you do.

The Daiwa Tatula Elite rods have a few regular rods in that lineup. I know you guys are Shimano guys but I’m surprised you and Tim haven’t talked about that Daiwa Zillion SV. I was a Metanium guy until I got that reel. Thanks guys!

Looking to get my first $200 finesse combo. Should I go higher end rod and mid reel or higher end reel with mid rod? Mojo Bass 7’6” med-light with a Diawa Revros Or SLX 7’ med-light with a Miravel Help!

great video , i ordered a Shimano SLX from this video so hope it helps y'all out some

Matt, very helpful!

Amazing video! Can you please re-make the fishing line video, braid to liter sizes, etc. Thanks

I might have missed it, but what action do you recommend for a lot of regular swimbaits with a single hook, like a 3.75 with a 1/4oz dirty jigs swim bait head? Also, does that Halo KS II rod fit the bill for that bait?

Yep Matt, I think you said it all, either I'd buy five rods for a hundred bucks I spend $500 for one

Thanks Matt, very good info. Have you guys used the Okuma TCS line of rods? I would love to hear your opinion.

Stop thinking ur dragging it on or being long winded. Jk. I could listen to u guys talk about this stuff all day everyday. In fact I almost do. Love how in-depth u get.

I can tell you that the Sustain is just as accurate as any baitcaster that reel is scary good lol For those Budget / Beginners I highly recommend two rods, Fenwick HMG or HMX, and Dobyns Fury. Then find a sale on a Shimano Nasci or Ultegra or really treat yourself and find a Stradic (they are on clearance for 160ish due to a new line coming out soon.

What budget rod listed would you use for a small swimbait / glidebait. S-waver 168 to be exact.

Thanks

That mysterious 2 on the 13 fishing is a number that is always a mix on the brands. Like i know shimano on the expride As the number would have a 1 for spinning and a 2 for casting. Examples: The 270M for spinning and 172MH for casting but the expride Bs dont have it. I think it just depends on what the company wants to do with it.

Thanks for all the great info..

Daiwa also makes regular rods. Super cool stuff.

Would it be possible to note next to the rods who's pick it is? I only ask because When I look at your Bladed Jig rod selections, in this video you list the Shimano Expride 7'2" MH Glass, but in other videos, quite recently, you list the G.Loomis IMX Pro 883C BJR. SO whish one is best? There is about a $200 difference in those rods. Do they both perform differently? Or do your rod selections really change that often from video to video? Any help would be great as I'm in the market for this type of rod. Thank You. I went and dropped a lot of money on the P5 X-Bites because you had it listed in a video as your texas rig rod once and then I've never seen it again. Not sure if that's the best Texas Rig rod, feels better as a jig rod. I still think it would be great to do a Long Form video where you and Tim just talk about each of your favorite rods for every technique and WHY. Thanks Again! Cheers!

Hey Matt I was wondering if you or Tim have used a castaway rod? If so what's your opinion on them? I have a medium heavy that i've used for over a decade and I use it for senkos and other weightless Texas rigged plastics. I love it

I think the hardest part of choosing a rod is figuring out which brands have the powers and actions that fit your personal feel on the water. And when there's 60 brands and your budget is lower and you can't try half of those brands.... How many rods did you go through that you tried out that didn't end up fitting your preferences? At that point you feel like you've wasted your money. That's (at least in my case) when you see people like me staring at a shop full of rods. I have an idea of what type of rod I want and what price point I can buy but which brand has the power and action that fits my style of fishing because no 2 brands are the same.

The best budget rods are ugly sticks. I have a useca701mh that I use for everything and I do mean everything. I use it for 1/8 okashira heads, ned rigs, dyna response, all the way to the s-waver, punching, and even a home made 4 ounce glide bait but the rods rated for 1/4-3/4 ounce so it feels like my rods going to break when I cast lol.

Awesome video Matt

I’ve been looking at crank bait rods and asking what you think about the G.Loomis GCX Crankbait Casting Rod - 7ft, Medium Heavy Power, Moderate Fast Action. I’ve also been looking at the Orochi XX Flatside Special. I would appreciate your thoughts if they could be used for anything else besides crank baits and which would be a better choice.

Phenix feather and the duckett mirco magic pro have been great for me

Could some of the letters you're not sure about be handle styles? Awesome info. Learned a ton on how to read the rods I have now.

Hey Matt! Awesome video! just wondering if you think the pflueger president paired with the Shimano Intenza 7' med light for a good budget ned rig rod is a decent set up. I was also thinking about getting the same type of rod but instead just getting the slx. Any thoughts or feedback? Thanks!

10:45 the gentleman cast a fly😂

Dropshot as stated medium moderate fast action rods. Will have enough back bone if u get stuck on brush an covor.