Bass Fishing

The Venator bass fishing collection is a rod rack, not a tackle wall. Every item here is a blank: Old 18's Kinetic, Buoyancy and Suppressor series, KISTLER rods cut in Texas for one technique each, and the 1 of 220 limited-edition glow-blank casting rods — 220 made of each design, and no restock once a design sells through. Lengths run 6'6" to 7'6", powers from ultra light through heavy, in both spinning and casting.

If you are after lures, line or terminal tackle, those sit elsewhere in fishing. This page is for choosing the rod you will fish all season.

How to choose a bass rod

• Spinning or casting: spinning handles light line and finesse presentations — drop shot, shaky head, small swimbaits. Casting gives more torque and accuracy for jigs, Texas rigs, frogs and heavy cover.
• Power: ultra light to light for finesse, medium as the all-rounder, medium heavy and heavy for jigs, big baits and pulling fish out of cover.
• Action: fast tips load quickly and drive a single hook. Moderate-fast bends further into the blank, which keeps treble-hooked fish pinned on crankbaits and jerkbaits.
• Length: 6'6" to 7'0" for accuracy in tight water; 7'2" and longer for casting distance and hook-set leverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I start with a spinning or casting rod for bass?

Spinning. A 7'0" medium or medium light spinning rod covers finesse presentations, lighter line and most situations a newer angler meets, and it is far more forgiving to cast. Add a medium heavy casting rod second, once you are fishing jigs and heavy cover.

What is the most versatile bass rod?

A 7'0" medium in fast or moderate-fast action. It throws most of the middle of a tackle box — soft plastics, spinnerbaits, mid-depth crankbaits — without fighting you on any of them.

What does moderate-fast action mean?

How far down the blank bends under load. Fast bends mostly in the tip; moderate-fast bends further into the middle. Slower actions cushion head-shakes, which matters with treble hooks and matters much less with a single wide-gap hook.

What is a 1 of 220 rod?

A limited run. Each design is built on an advanced S-Glass and E-Glass glow blank and only 220 of that design were made. Both current designs — The Rattlesnake and The Testament of Time — are casting rods at $119.

Fishing light line for pressured bass? See our finesse fishing rods, including BFS casting setups. Also see saltwater rods, ice rods, crappie rods and KISTLER rods.