Top 8 Casting Rods of 2018 - Buyer's Guide

This Buyer’s Guide looks at the best rod and reel combos in the “mid-range” category. We’ve already covered combos under $200 and High-End combos. This breaks down the best "bang for the buck" rods on the market. The market is saturated with rods, let us do the hard work and find the best deals for you.

If you're looking for a last minute holiday purchase, today is the last day that ground shipping will arrive before Christmas. Whether your rod budget is $200 or $500 there is an option here to give you the best quality, sensitivity, and responsiveness for the price point.

Below is a break down of the rods and reels discussed in this video. They are sorted by price from highest to lowest to make it easy for you to see the the best values based on our review.

Casting Combos…

Rod- G Loomis GLX: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL 150: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Favorite Models… 853C JWR, 854C JWR, 893C JWR

Rod- Dobyns Champion Extreme: http://bit.ly/2ab2kRX

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL 150: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Favorite Models… 745, 746, 7’8” Heavy

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro: http://bit.ly/2R4f2Ud

Reel- Shimano Curado K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Favorite Models… 845 CBR , 966 , 854C JWR, 874C CRR

Rod- St. Croix Legend Tournament: http://bit.ly/2Ap51x5

Reel- Shimano Bantam: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Favorite Models… 6’10” Medium, 7’4” Medium Heavy, 7’5” Heavy Moderate Fast, 7’8” Medium Heavy Moderate (big cranker)

Rod- Dobyns Champion XP: http://bit.ly/29OVD4V

Reel- Shimano Tranx 200: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Favorite Models… 805 CB, 765 Flip, 764, 734

Rod- Shimano Expride: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Shimano Curado DC: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Favorite Models… 6’10 Medium, 7’2” Medium, 7’2” Heavy, 7’6” Medium Heavy, 7’11” Extra Heavy

Rod- Shimano Zodias: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Shimano Curado K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Favorite Models… 6’10” Medium. 7’2” Medium, 7’2” Medium Heavy, 7’5” Extra Heavy

Rod- Daiwa Tatula Elite: http://bit.ly/2yLDr9z

Reel- Daiwa Tatula SV TW: http://bit.ly/2xALqpz

Favorite Models… 7’1” Heavy, 7’3” Med Heavy, 7’6” Medium Heavy

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TacticalBassin's Top 8 High End Combos - Buyer's Guide

The Buyer's Guide continues with an in-depth look at HIGH END equipment! If you've wondered about the best, this video is for you! We cover both casting and spinning in this whirlwind tour of some of the best bass fishing rods and reels on earth! This video is no accident, today is CYBER MONDAY and you can score the best deals of the entire year on this gear!

Whether you're a collector, an aficionado, or just want to dabble in the world of high-end tackle, we've narrowed it down and chosen a handful of combos that we feel stand out from the rest. We're talking about the smoothest, longest-lasting, and most sensitive rod and reel combos that money can buy.

Below is a break down of our favorite gear. We've separated it into casting and spinning rods, paired with our favorite reels for each. We'll also link to some inexpensive items to help keep your new gear looking its best. In no particular order, here is the best gear in bass fishing.

Casting Combos...

1)

Rod- St. Croix Legend X Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2r3Wskp

Favorite Models Include 6'10" Medium, 7'1" Medium Heavy, 7'6" medium Heavy.

Reel- Chronarch MGL 150HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Excellent work horse reel, super smooth and durable.

2)

Rod- G Loomis NRX Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

Favorite models include 852C JWR, 853C JWR, 894C JWR

Reel- Aldebaran MGL 50HG: http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

This is the smoothest, most compact reel we own. We can't say enough about how light this reel is. Check it out, its a "must have" if you want to try a high-end reel.

3)

Rod- G Loomis Conquest Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY

Favorite Models Include 842C MBR, 844C MBR, 903C MBR

Reel- Shimano Metanium DC: http://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

This is a work horse reel that practically runs itself. Light baits, heavy baits, and everything in between. If you only want one reel, this is it.

4)

Rod- Megabass Orochi XX Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Favorite Models include the Tour Versatile, Braillist, and Extreme Mission Type F.

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

The Metanium is Shimano's high-end work horse. Its the do-everything reel that will last for years and years. If you want one reel to do every job, look no further than the Metanium.

5)

Rod- Megabass Destroyer Casting Rod: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Favorite Models Include the OneTen Special, Onager, and Daemos

Spinning Combos...

1)

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite Spinning: http://bit.ly/2pjJWMA

Favorite Models Include 7' Medium Light, 7' Medium, 6'10" Medium Light

Reel- Daiwa Certate Spinning Reel 6:1 Ratio: http://bit.ly/2hjRZXg

Probably the most free feeling handle of any spinning rod we've used. Incredibly smooth and buttery.

2)

Rod- G Loomis NRX Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Favorite models include the 852S, 802S, 872S

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Both Matt and Tim's favorite spinning reel. The word "unreal" was used over and over when describing this reel.

3)

Rod- G Loomis Conquest Spinning: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Favorite Models Include 742S and 902S

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Both Matt and Tim's favorite spinning reel. The word "unreal" was used over and over when describing this reel.

We use the following equipment in conjunction with our high end gear...

Braided Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Monofilament Line- Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Fluorocarbon Line- Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Casting Reel Cover- Shimano Neoprene: http://bit.ly/2SflhFy

Spinning Reel Cover- Shimano Neoprene: http://bit.ly/2KC19uI

Rod Sleeves- Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2TJSF8X

Rod Sleeves- Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2AoTECD

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Buyer's Guide: Best Rod/Reel Combos Under $200

Looking for the best gear this Holiday season? We've got 5 rods and 5 reels that you need to take a look at. They're light, sensitive, and best of all they won't break the bank! Whether you're a new fisherman or just looking for a deal, we've got you covered!

In the past we've struggled to locate any rods below the $100 mark that we felt were worth a mention. That mark seems to be the cut off for purchasing quality equipment but we searched high and low and found 2 options that are worth trying. Additionally

Below is a break down of the 5 lines of rods and 5 models of reels we recommend trying. For your convenience we've including some of our favorite models from each line of rods. The Black Friday sale begins today at 8 AM Pacific time so be sure to check them out! If you were hoping for high end tackle for Black Friday keep in mind the sale will run Friday through Tuesday so be patient, high end content is coming!

The Rods...

-Dobyns Colt: http://bit.ly/2lU0LfV

Favorite models include 7' MH, 7' MH Cranking, 7'3" Heavy

-13 Fishing Defy Black: http://bit.ly/2Ak3F3M

Favorite Models Include 7'1" Medium, 7'1' Medium Heavy, 7'6" Medium Heavy

-Dobyns Fury Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Favorite Models Include 7' Med/Heavy, 7' Heavy, 7'3" Mag Heavy, 7'6" med Heavy.

-Shimano SLX Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Favorite Models Include 6'10 Medium, 7'2" Medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy, 7'2" Heavy, 7'5" Heavy

-Shimano SLX Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2AdvIC1

Favorite Models Include 6'9" Medium, 7' Medium Light, 7' Medium

-St. Croix Bass X Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Favorite Models Include 7'1" medium, 7'2" Medium Heavy, 7'4" Heavy

-Dobyns Fury Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Favorite Models Include 7' Medium Light, 7' Medium

The Reels...

Daiwa CR 80 Casting Reel: http://bit.ly/2Cgk5Nh

13 Fishing Origin TX Casting Reel: http://bit.ly/2NUHiej

Shimano SLX Casting Reel: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Shimano NASCI Spinning Reel: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Daiwa Fuego LT Spinning Reel: http://bit.ly/2yDmdtQ

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Swimbait Buyer's Guide: Glide Baits, Hardbaits, and Topwater

Today we're exploring big swimbaits! The buyer's guide series continues with an in-depth look at glide baits, multi-joint hardbaits, and even a few topwater options. You can go broke buying swimbaits and they're not all created equal so today we're sharing some of our favorite baits that consistently produce BIG bass!

If you're wondering which baits you should try or which baits to buy for a loved one, look no further. Today's focus is hard swimbaits but tomorrow we'll follow up with a BONUS video on soft swimbaits. From budget friendly to extreme, we're covering all the bases and making it as easy as possible for you.

Below you'll find a breakdown of the baits by category, recommended colors, as well as our rod and reel choices for various baits. If you have any questions be sure to leave them in the comment section and we'll help you make your selection.

Glide Baits...

-Gan Craft 230: http://bit.ly/2fLjSnm

(Dark Rainbow, Ghost Chart Shad, Se Ayu, Stocker Rainbow)

-S-Waver 168 and 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh

(Lite Trout, Rainbow Trout, Warden Hitch, Bone)

-Baitsanity Explorer Glide: http://bit.ly/2DcI1yM

(Trout and Carp)

-Baitsanity Tails: http://bit.ly/2R0yP7x

(Holdover Trout Hard PVC, Dark Carp Hard PVC)

Topwater Baits...

-Spro BBZ 8" Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2cU1x5P

(Any color for topwater)

-Johnny Rat Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2q9CNA8

(Either color but overall we prefer the larger Johnny)

Multi-Joint Baits...

-Jackall DowzSwimmer 220: http://bit.ly/2OqDNMM

(RT Spawn Gill, RT Trout, Ghost Scale Minnow)

-Bucca's Bull Shad Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2eJ8gWM

(Prefer 5" and 6" Sizes)

-Bucca's Bull Gill: http://bit.ly/2f1ASHn

(Bluegill and Dirty Bone)

Big Glidebait Combo...

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 AHG: http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw

Line- 80 lb Power Pro MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 30 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Small Bait Rod...

Rod- IMX Pro 904 SWBR: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS

Reel- Metanium MGL HG 150: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Line- 30 lb Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 15 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Budget Friendly Combo...

Rod- Dobyns 795 Fury: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Reel- Cardiff 300: http://bit.ly/2cvhtMO

Line- 65 lb Power Pro: http://bit.ly/2aFg46b

Leader- 25 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

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