2025 BUYER'S GUIDE: The Best High End Rod And Reel Combos For Bass Fishing!

Extreme Sensitivity! Ultra light reels! Welcome to the world of high end tackle!  Whether you're a tackle nut, a serious angler thinking about investing in your first high–end combo, or a newer fisherman who's just wants to see what's out there, this video is packed with information for you! Come along as we check out the best high end rods and reels on the market!

There are many reasons to purchase high end rods and reels. Some anglers purchase them for the durability, others for sensitivity, and still others for the feather light weight. Whatever your reason, you know that high end gear is amazing! Today we’re eliminating all the guess work and showing you our personal favorite models for bass fishing. You can see both Tim and Matt's unique fishing styles come out in the gear they choose, as well as in the information they pour out about the pairings.

Below you’ll find links to every combo the guys show in the video. We’ve listed them in the order they were discussed by the anglers, to help you find the exact combo you’re searching for. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

SPINNING COMBOS (lowest to Highest)...

Rod– Shimano Expride B: https://bit.ly/47Cdeee

Favorite Models: 6'10" MH, 7'4" M+

Reel– Shimano Sustain: https://bit.ly/47SJ3R6

Favorite Size: 2500

Rod– Shimano Champion Extreme HP: https://bit.ly/29OVnDa

Favorite Models: 7' Light (701), 7'4" Med Light (742)

Reel– Shimano Twin Power FE: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Favorite Size: 3000

Rod– St. Croix Legend Elite: https://bit.ly/2pjJWMA

Favorite Models: 6'10" ML, 7'6" Medium

Reel– Daiwa Luvias ST: https://bit.ly/459jXLv

Favorite Size: 2000SS–H

Rod– G Loomis GLX: https://bit.ly/2A6HH3O

Favorite Models: 891S JWR, 892S JWR

Reel– Shimano Exsence A: https://bit.ly/4oBLYnM

Favorite Size: 2500

CASTING COMBOS (lowest to Highest)...

Rod– Shimano Expride B: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Favorite Models: 7'2" ML, 6'10" Medium, 7'4" Heavy

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL: https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Speed: HG (7.1:1)

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer JDM Models: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer USA Models: https://bit.ly/3wHoXpD

Favorite Models: Oneten Stick (JDM), Daemos (USA), Mark 56 (USA)

Reel– Shimano Aldebaran MGL: https://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Speed: HG (7.4:1)

Rod– Fenwick Elite: https://bit.ly/3MyC6tb

Models: 7'1" Medium, 7'3" Medium Heavy

Reel– Abu Garcia Zenon X: https://bit.ly/4klsOju

Speed: 8.3:1

Rod– G Loomis GLX: https://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Models: 843C MBR, 844C MBR

Reel– Shimano DC 70 A: https://bit.ly/2qrSZvs

Speed: 7.1:1

Rod– Dobyns Xtasy: https://bit.ly/36fIHCg

Models: 7''5" Mag Heavy (755), 7'5" Heavy (754)

Reel– Daiwa Mangetsu: https://bit.ly/3YwWAZK

Speed: 7.3:1

Rod– St. Croix Legend X2: https://bit.ly/3IOSXcJ

Models: 7'4" Heavy, 7'3" Medium Heavy, 6'8" Medium

Reel– Shimano Metanium MGL: https://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Speed: HG (7.1:1)

SWIMBAIT COMBO...

Rod– Shimano Outlier Series: https://bit.ly/3EuHPiT

Favorite Models: 7'9" MH+, 7'11" Heavy+

Reel– Shimano Calcutta Conquest MD: https://bit.ly/3ZBEK5p

Speed: 7.5:1

BAIT FINESSE COMBOS...

Rod– Megabass P5 Destroyer: https://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Model: Pop X Stick, Kasumi Six Eleven

Reel– Daiwa PX BF70: https://bit.ly/3y0fWw0

Rod– Abu Garcia Zenon: https://bit.ly/49WVp8U

Models: 7'1" Medium Light, 7'1" Medium Mod

Reel– Zenon MG LTX BFS: https://bit.ly/4aSBckW

Speed: 8.3:1

PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...

•Best Jigs– https://youtu.be/KVy_HzsNdv4

•Best Chatterbaits– https://youtu.be/NaLpakzewTs

•Best Spinnerbaits/A Rigs– https://youtu.be/ipLAgQwf_t0

•Best Fishing Rods– https://youtu.be/d4sEMLCcETs

•Best Entry Level Combos– https://youtu.be/4O2ewrZzuJw

•Best Budget Baller Combos– https://youtu.be/sTtrvJ6xPYE

•Best "Affordable" Combos– https://youtu.be/HU5KG3rENDA

WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to apparel and merch! See it here…

•TacticalBassin Apparel and Merch: https://bit.ly/3ZxEI0z

•TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz

BUYER'S GUIDE: $500 ROD AND REEL COMBOS!

These are the best "Bang For The Buck" rods in bass fishing! If you want your money to go the farthest, this is the price point where it happens! The sensitivity of these models is incredible, the weight reduction is amazing, and you can get it all at a very affordable price! These are truly high end rods, without the high end price tag.

At this price point it's all about sensitivity and durability. Each of these rods offers incredible value and should be considered an asset in your angling line up. The jump in quality from $300 combos to $500 combos, is the biggest increase at any price point in bass fishing. These are truly high end rods, without the high end price tag. There's a reason you see these rods on deck in all our videos!

Below you’ll find links to the rods and reels in the video. We’ve included our favorite models for each line of rods as well as our preferred sizes and speeds for the reels. Additionally, we've included a list of our favorite multi–purpose models from the different lines. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

PREVIOUS BUYER'S GUIDES...

Buyer's Guide: Best Jigs And Jig Trailers– https://youtu.be/OQwFNTORnN4

Buyer's Guide: Best Chatterbaits And Trailers– https://youtu.be/14NqxFIWGgo

Buyer's Guide: $100 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/2eCEb3G3VE0

Buyer's Guide: $200 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/AcrTDhtaSQg

Buyer's Guide: $300 Rod And Reel Combos– https://youtu.be/aFhefLwNHGQ

SPINNING COMBO #1...

Rod– Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS: https://bit.ly/44O7Fqo

Models: 7'1" Medium, 7'6" Medium Light Medium

Reel– Daiwa Procyon MQ LT: https://bit.ly/46x4Ytp

Size: 2500–XH

SPINNING COMBO #2...

Rod– Shimano Expride B: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Models: 6'8" Medium, 6'10" MH SB, 7' Light

Reel– Shimano Vanford: https://bit.ly/3WAPNO1

Size: 3000

SPINNING COMBO #3...

Rod– Megabass Orochi XX: https://bit.ly/2XkVoej

Models: 6'8" Ronin, 6'11" Whipsnake, 7' Shakeyhead

Reel– Shimano Sustain FJ: https://bit.ly/3BQLlNP

Size: 2500

BAIT FINESSE COMBO #1...

Rod– Cashion Icon Bait Finesse: https://bit.ly/3mLIIes

Model: 6'10" Medium Light, 7'2" Medium Light

Reel– Daiwa Tatula BF 70: https://bit.ly/4b7UbYM

BAIT FINESSE COMBO #2...

Rod– Shimano Expride B: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Model: 6'8" Light

Reel– Shimano Curado BFS: https://bit.ly/2QGRVF2

BAITCASTING COMBO #1...

Rod– St. Croix Legend Tournament: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

Models: 7'2" MHM, 7'4" Heavy, 6'8" Medium XFast

Reel– Daiwa Tatula SV TW: https://bit.ly/401hGOK

Speed: 7.1:1

BAITCASTING COMBO #2...

Rod– Megabass Orochi XX: https://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Models: Braillist, EMTF, Perfect Pitch

Reel– Shimano Curado 150 MGL: https://bit.ly/2TQHwrP

Speed: 7.4:1

BAITCASTING COMBO #3...

Rod– Shimano Expride B: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Models: 7'2" Med Light, 6'10" Medium, 7'7" Heavy

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Speed: 7.4:1

BAITCAST COMBO #4...

Rod– Fenwick Elite: https://bit.ly/3MyC6tb

Model: 7'3" Medium Heavy, 7'1" Medium Extra Fast

Reel– 13 Fishing Concept C2: https://bit.ly/2NlzZhg

Speed: 7.5:1

BAITCAST COMBO #5...

Rod– G Loomis IMX Pro: https://bit.ly/2FQj6CZ

Models: 855C CBR, 845 CBR

Reel– Shimano Curado 70 MGL: https://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Speed: 7.4:1

OUR FAVORITE MULTI PURPOSE MODELS FROM ALL BRANDS...

•Shimano Expride B 7'2" Medium Light: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Primary Use: Blade Bait/Tail Spin

Secondary Use: BFS Flipping, Finesse Jigs, Senko, Walking Topwater

•Megabass Orochi XX Braillist: https://bit.ly/2OSVNwH

Primary Use: Jig Fishing

Secondary Use: Small Glide Bait, Magdraft, Big Texas Rigs

•Shimano Expride B 6'10" Medium: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Primary Use: Jerkbait

Secondary Use: Topwater, Micro Jig, Shaky Head, 5" Senko, Free Rig

•St. Croix Legend Tournament 7'4" Heavy Fast: https://bit.ly/3Iow9KV

Primary Use: Paddle Tail Swimbaits

Secondary Use: Frog, Swim Jig, Spinnerbait

•G Loomis IMX Pro 844C MBR (7' Heavy): https://bit.ly/2lVATTC

Primary Use: Football Jigs

Secondary Use: Spinnerbait, Chatterbait, Buzzbait, Texas Rig

•Shimano Expride B 7'7" Heavy: https://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Primary Use: Alabama Rig

Secondary Use: Flipping Jig, Big Worms, Carolina Rig, 6" Soft Swimbaits

•Megabass Orochi XX Ronin: https://bit.ly/2XkVoej

Primary Use: Jerkbait

Secondary Use: Mid Strolling, Shaky Head, Tube

•Shimano Expride B 6'10" Med Solid Tip: https://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Primary Use: Strolling

Secondary Use: Ned, Hair Jig, Dropshot, Popper, Dice

•Fenwick Elite 7'1" Medium Heavy: https://bit.ly/3MyC6tb

Primary Use: Soft Jerkbait

Secondary Use: Free Rig, Light Texas Rig, Spinnerbait, Chatterbait, Gravity Baits

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

We have a variety of custom lure designs and apparel available! Everything from Swimbaits and crankbaits, to hats and hoodies! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here... 

TacticalBassin Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz