Best Jig Rod for Bass Fishing [Review Guide]

There are many factors that go into determining what a jig fishing rod will look and feel like.  Some of those factors include practical uses as style, length, material, and sensitivity, which we will explore individually. 

Style: Casting Rod

Casting rods coupled with a baitcasting reel are the most common setups used by bass fisherman.  Not just because of the potential for increased accuracy, the casting rod is also regarded as the stronger option over a spinning rod.

Typically, casting rods are longer overall, but the handle will be shorter for better mobility in making specialized casts to get around difficult cover.  When jig fishing, you are typically fishing through heavy cover or deep water, so you need a rod that can perform under these conditions when fighting in larger fish.

Length: 7’-7’6”

It may be awkward if you are not used to using longer fishing rods, but that extra 6-12-inches can be extremely valuable in both casting and landing fish when fishing jigs.  

The only exception to the “length” rule would be for shorter anglers.  If you have concerns about using a 7’-7’6” rod, just plan on upsizing to a rod that is 6-12-inches longer than what you would typically fish crankbaits or plastic worms with.

A rod in this range will give you better casting accuracy, especially when pitching and flipping jigs into dense cover or around overhangs.  In addition, the added length will help extend your casts in open water helping cover more water quickly.

Another benefit of a longer rod is sensitivity and leverage.  The added length on a jig fishing rod provides many variations of actions and power.  The tip can be ultra sensitive to help detect bites while the rest of the rod can have the “backbone” necessary to bring in large fish.

Material: Graphite

The most sensitive as well as most common material used for making modern day fishing rods is graphite.  However, graphite covers a large span of fishing rod qualities so digging into the details is extremely important.

Just because a manufacturer lists a rod as being made from graphite does not mean it’s a high end fishing rod.  Graphite fishing rods must go through precise processes refining the material with extreme heat to develop the proper power and action.   

The quality of the graphite fibers, the combination of layers, and the temperature of the furnace during the manufacturing process all determine the quality of the rod.  Higher furnace temps can produce lighter and more resilient rods, but the cost and time involved drive up the cost of the rod.

Different manufacturer’s also use special designations for graphite quality, but keep in mind that these designations may not be comparable across multiple brands.

For instance, IM6, IM7, and IM8 are designators of graphite raw materials made by one manufacturer.  The higher the number, the better quality of graphite.   

Sensitivity: It’s Complicated

Much like that on again, off again relationship in your wife’s favorite romantic comedy, sensitivity in a fishing rod cannot be one-sided.

Buying the “most” sensitive rod available is likely going to sacrifice other factors you will need when fishing jigs.

Most manufacturers are making this compromise for you and target their rod technology to fall in the sweet spot that provides as much sensitivity as possible, but also making the rod durable enough for service.

As many fishing rods have fallen victim over the years to a truck tailgate, we’re not talking durable enough to withstand this cringeworthy fate.  Standard fishing abuse is the goal… throwing the rod into the bottom of the boat, maybe accidentally stepping on it a time or two, and of course, it needs to withstand the occasional whipping that we all believe will unhang our favorite lure before finally cutting the line.   

Understanding that most of the technology is already built into the rod, the sensitivity question really comes down to a matter of feel and opinion.

Feel and preference is a difficult aspect to document, but we will break down the differences between action and power that should at least provide a better basis for evaluation across multiple rod options.