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

ICAST GEAR REVIEW: The Best Rods, Reels, And Baits of 2025!

Here are the "best of the best" from ICAST 2025! These rods, reels, and baits, stole the show! From high end rods to budget reels, micro craw baits to big glide baits, there was a ton of exciting new gear to check out! Let's take a look!

It's easy to be overwhelmed by all the new gear at ICAST. It's hard to tell what will help your fishing, and what will just empty your wallet. Instead of risking your hard earned money on mystery gear, let us cut through the hype and show you the real stand outs! Expect a 2nd review video in the coming months to cover additional baits and gear as they become available for purchase and testing.

Below, You'll find links to all the baits and equipment in today's video, listed in the order they appeared. We've even included our favorite sizes and colors where applicable. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each.

TATULA RODS...

•Daiwa Tatula Cork Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/45setg4

•Daiwa Tatula Cork Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/4f8RRV2

ST. CROIX RODS...

•St. Croix Legend X2 Casting Rods: https://bit.ly/3IOSXcJ

•St. Croix Legend X2 Spinning Rods: https://bit.ly/4farXAh

SPINNING REELS...

•Shimano Exsence Spinning Reel: https://bit.ly/3UHL2jP

Favorite Size: 2500

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

Favorite Size: 2000

CASTING REELS...

•Daiwa Tatula X: https://bit.ly/3IPdYDV

Favorite Speed: 7.1:1

•Shimano Curado 150 M: https://bit.ly/4odTDs7

Favorite Speed: 7.4:1

•Seviin GX: https://bit.ly/4octPMZ

Favorite Speed: 7.3:1

CHATTERBAIT...

•Zman Micro Max Chatterbait: https://bit.ly/4odPVyC

Favorite Colors: Black Blue, Bluegill, Spot Remover

DUO REALIS HARDBAIT...

•Duo Realis Mido Pico: https://bit.ly/45ao366

Favorite Colors: Ghost Pearl, Ivory Halo, Morning Dawn

Great Lakes Finesse Micro Baits...

•Micro Snack Craw: https://bit.ly/4lOsTgf

Colors: Brown Pumpkin Special, Green Pumpkin Float

•Micro Juvy Craw Tube: https://bit.ly/4fdTgKd

Colors: Brown Pumpkin Special, Motor Oil

•Mini Pro Tube Head: https://bit.ly/41C1W6g

Hook Size: 1

KARASHI COLORS...

•Megabass Karashi: https://bit.ly/3LwMGS7

Ghost Color: See–Through Shad

Solid Color: Glitz Shad

Bluegill Color: Juvy Gill

GIANT DOG X COLORS...

•Megabass Giant Dog X: https://bit.ly/2yU84eE

Chrome Color: Spot Light Shad

Bone Color: Bone Python

Bluegill Color: Juvy Gill

MEGABASS SOFT BAIT...

•Megabass Haze ST: https://bit.ly/4l1S2Tq

Colors: Moroko, Live Wakasagi, Tennessee Shad

GLIDE BAIT...

•Baitsanity Chimera Shad 11.5": https://bit.ly/3U1em4P

Colors: Ghost Gizzard Shad, Hatchery Trout, Gizzard Shad

DIRTY JIGS...

•Weekender Swim Jig: https://bit.ly/3HbHUtx

Colors: Alabama Bream, Tactical Shad

•Weekender Casting Jig: https://bit.ly/40GfPRE

Colors: Supermatt Brown, The Go To

TACTICALBASSIN LURE DESIGNS (AND APPAREL)

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