Top 5 Rod and Reel Combos For Bass Fishing!

Which fishing rod should you get first? Which rods give you the best "bang for the buck?" Are there rods that can do it all? Should I use a spinning reel or a baitcaster? These are questions we get constantly so today we're showing you the top rods every angler should own. We're explaining the different lengths, actions, and powers so you know how to get the most for your money when you're shopping for rods. 

Choosing 5 rods proved more difficult than we expected. Matt and Tim had no problem deciding on the first 4 but when it came to that 5th rod they just couldn't agree. As a result, you're actually getting the top 6 rods every angler should own! Whether you're a brand new angler, looking for one rod that can do it all, or a seasoned pro with an affinity for high-end gear, we've got you covered. 

Today's video description is very detailed. We've broken down the top 6 rods into 3 different categories. The first section is dedicated to versatile high-end gear, the second to mid-priced combos that bring the best "Bank For the Buck", and the last section, to "budget" options that far exceed exceptions. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Budget Casting… 

Medium- Bass X 7'1 Medium: http://bit.ly/2r0xWAs

Matching Reel- Shimano SLX HG: http://bit.ly/2NfdOnk

Medium heavy- Dobyns Fury 7' Medium Heavy 703: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV

Matching Reel- Daiwa Fuego CT: http://bit.ly/35hugfH

Crankbait- Shimano Intenza 7'2" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2QADLTq

Matching Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Heavy- Shimano SLX 7'5" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Matching Reel- Shimano SLX 150 XT: http://bit.ly/2BRTYL8

Budget Spinning… 

Medium- Dobyns Fury 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2e7HZPF

Matching Reel- Shimano Nasci 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Medium Light- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn

Matching Reel- Shimano Nasci 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

All-Around Casting… 

Medium- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Matching Reel- Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

**Best Rod we've found at any price for jerkbaits**

Medium heavy- Daiwa Tatula Elite 7'3" Ehrler: http://bit.ly/2yLDr9z

Matching Reel- Daiwa Tatula Elite HS: http://bit.ly/2ONCBS1

Crankbait- Zodias 7'6" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Matching Reel- Shimano Tranx 200: http://bit.ly/2Tv0yCy

**Can throw 10XDs, 6XDs, and Squarebills, Awesome all-around combo**

Heavy- Shimano Zodias 7'5" Heavy: https://bit.ly/3aeQbYW

Matching Reel- Shimano Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

**This Rod is available for PRE-ORDER and is worth every penny!!**

All-Around Spinning… 

Medium- St. Croix 7'1" Medium Legend Tournament: https://bit.ly/3kmQN2F

Matching Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Medium Light- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Matching Reel- Shimano Vanford 2500: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

**Vanford available for PRE-ORDER only**

High End Casting… 

Medium- G Loomis NRX 852C JWR: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq

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

Medium heavy- G Loomis GLX 843C MBR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Matching Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Crankbait- Megabass Orochi XX 7’11” Launcher: http://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Matching Reel- Shimano Bantam MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Heavy- Megabass Destroyer P5 Tequila Baccarac: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

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

**This Rod is INCREDIBLY versatile, throwing everything from frogs to swimbaits, to flipping and punching**

High-End Spinning… 

Medium- Conquest 902S SJR: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

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

Medium Light- Megabass Destroyer Flyssa: http://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

Matching Reel- Daiwa Certate LT 3000: http://bit.ly/35Kclij

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

How To Find Fish On Any Lake! (Beginner to Advanced Maps and Electronics)

Its easy! You can find fish on ANY lake with these simple tricks! Its all about eliminating water quickly and searching for high percentage water. Come along as we look at the fastest way to find fish with a lake map, then take an in-depth look at how to break down a lake with advanced sonar mapping. 

Step one to breaking down any lake is deciding if you want a short term breakdown or an in-depth breakdown. If the goal is short term (day or weekend trip, week long vacation, etc) then the goal is to locate the single spot on the lake that has the highest odds of holding fish and focusing all of your attention in that one area. If your goal is to truly understand a lake (long term, in-depth) we'll divide the lake into sections and begin building repeatable patterns. 

The key to breaking down any lake is quality mapping. Whether you accomplish this with high end electronics, a map card, or a quality paper map, just depends on how much time you want to put in to the project. Below are links to the equipment we use, the most reliable map cards on the market, and the best paper maps of the most popular lakes around the country. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Related Videos... 

Google Earth Video- https://youtu.be/_ZgGGBWbyEs

How To Read Lake Maps Video (Circa 2011): https://youtu.be/Xo5ADb6Tgoc

Fishing Chickamauga in 2019 Video- https://youtu.be/gvBwBkjlwmA

Paper Maps... 

-Fishing Hotspots Maps: https://bit.ly/2FgBWHi

-Fish-N-Maps: https://bit.ly/2QXY5gt

Map Cards... 

-LakeMaster Plus Digital Charts (What we use): http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

-Navionics Hot Maps: http://bit.ly/2ZitTiR

Our Electronics... 

-Humminbird Solix 12 G2: http://bit.ly/2AE2YDB

-Humminbird Solix 15 G2: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Finding Secret Fishing Spots With Google Earth! (Actual Favorite Waypoints Shown!)

There are so many Google Earth Tricks fishermen don't know how to use! With our cross country move we've been spending a ton of time on the computer preparing to explore new lakes. We've found a bunch of new spots using this method and today we're showing you how to do the same. Come along to some of our favorite fisheries and see our best spots as you learn the methods! (If you're a California angler, get ready to write down some coordinates!)

Every angler knows you can jump on google maps and get a good idea of what a lake looks like before you arrive. But few anglers know how to remove distortion from the map, jump between different water levels and times of year, drop waypoints, and export all of it to the electronics on your boat. Its amazing how far technology has come and if you're not progressing, you're falling behind. 

Google Earth is just one of the tools you have available as an angler today. Modern electronics have seen huge advancements as have the mapping cards that we use with those units. Google Earth is a free program that any angler with a computer can use. We combine that program with a few different electronics to maximize our time on the water. Below you'll find links to a few of our favorite items from different brands to help maximize your time on the water. 

Our Electronics and Mapping... 

-Humminbird Solix 15 CHIRP G2 Depth Finder: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

-Lakemaster Plus Digital Charts: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc

Budget Alternatives... 

Humminbird- Helix 7 CHIRP G3 Sonar: http://bit.ly/2SoFl8a

Lowrance- Elite 7 Ti2 Fishfinder: https://bit.ly/3aY4m4S

Alternative Mapping... 

Navionics Hot Maps Platinum: http://bit.ly/2ZitTiR

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G

Reel Review - Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B (2020 Shimano Metanium)

The 2020 Metanium MGL 150 B is an awesome new reel from Shimano! We put it through the paces the past few months before weighing in with a review. With requests pouring in, its time to share our experiences. In a word, this reel is AWESOME! 

Aside from the Metanium name, the reel is hardly recognizable when compared to its former counterparts. The Metanium MGL has reached new heights with features like a Magnesium frame, CoreSolid body (1 piece frame), and an MGL III Spool. The reel itself feels very similar to the Bantam but is several ounces lighter. The finished product is light weight, incredibly strong, and ultra smooth. 

After fishing these reels hard for months we've seen no reduction in performance. They're as smooth as the day we opened the boxes, if not smoother. We've been using this reel for "finesse power" techniques. These are cross over techniques where you need the ability to throw light baits but you still need torque and power after you get the bite. It shines for finesse jigs, small to mid-size crankbaits, keitechs, topwater, dock fishing, etc. 

See the reel here... 

-Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

If you're interested in other Shimano reels at different price points, here are a few of the others we've reviewed in recent years. 

-Shimano Antares 70: https://youtu.be/6qMtpGqcG-w

-Shimano Bantam MGL: https://youtu.be/_o_xtIlBmXQ

-Shimano Curado 150 DC: https://youtu.be/7Q9_5SuLP-8

-Shimano SLX DC: https://youtu.be/s4DTn-Q_SU0

Crankbait Combo With The Metanium... 

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK

Line- Sunline Crank FC 12 lb: https://bit.ly/3fohguC

Buzzbait Combo With The Metanium…

Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B: https://bit.ly/34HlAAk

Rod- Jackall Poison Adrena 7’4” Heavy: https://bit.ly/3diigiT

Line- Power Pro Maxcuatro 50 lb Braid: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Different Reel Speeds/Techniques...

8.1:1 (XG)- Buzzbait, Toads, Burning Lipless, Speed Cranking, Squarebills, Whopper Plopper

7.1:1 (HG)- Topwater, Spinnerbait, Chatterbait, Hopping Jigs, Shaky head, Underspin, Most Moving Baits

6.2:1 (Standard)- Carolina Rig, Finesse Fishing, Dragging Jigs, Bottom Crawling Swimbaits, All Around Universal Speed

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel... 

TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2TwBWs7

TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie: http://bit.ly/2FVD9Rs

TacticalBassin Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/2TvFMBD

TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt: http://bit.ly/38cVi9G