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

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Buyer's Guide: High End Rods & Reels!

The Holiday Buyer's Guide continues with a look at some of the highest-end tackle on the market! Do you love nice tackle? Are you looking to up your game?! This video is for you!!

We've already covered Entry Level to mid-range gear along with Rain Gear and Jig Fishing. It all culminates in this video on G Loomis, Megabass, Shimano, Daiwa, and more! Here are the rods...

Shimano Expride Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Shimano Expride Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Preferred Models of Expride:
-7'11" XH (AMAZING Flippin Stick),
-7'3" XH (Lightest Frog Rod we've ever used!)
-7'2" H (Great all-around rod)
-6'10" M (Matt's Favorite Jerkbait Rod)
-7' M Spinning (Great all-around for Dropshot, Shaky Head, Tube, etc)
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G Loomis GLX Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
G Loomis GLX Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2A6HH3O

Preferred Models of GLX...
-853C JWR (Tim's Dropshot, Texas Rig, light jig, small swimbaits)
-893C JWR (Great all-around rod for jigs, t-rigs, reaction, etc.)
-894C JWR (AWESOME jig Rod!)
-852S JWR (Tim's Favorite Senko Rod- Spinning)
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G Loomis NRX Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq
G Loomis NRX Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2dX9zjv

Preferred Models of NRX...
-852C JWR (Awesome Dropshot, Light Shaky Head, 2.8 Keitech, etc)
-853C JWR ( Shaky Head, T-Rig, Small Swimbaits, light jigs)
-894C JWR ( INCREDIBLE Jig Rod, Basstrix, Keitech, Swim Jig)
-822S DSR (Dropshot Spinning)
-822S SYR (ShakyHead Spinning)
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Megabass Destroyer Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY
Megabass Destroyer Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2B7NyFj

Preferred Destroyer Models...
OneTen Special (Tim's Favorite Jerkbait Rod)
Daemos ( Spinnerbait, Chatterbait, other reaction baits)
Onager (Big Glidebaits & Soft Swimbaits, Incredibly light weight)
Addermine (Spinning Ultralight Presentations)
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Daiwa Steez SVF AGS Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2mX8qwN
Daiwa Steez SVF AGS Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2Asd24a
Daiwa Steez Compile-X Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2unTSJW

Daiwa Steez Models...
8' Compile-X (Amazing Flipping and Punching Rod!)
7'2" Med/Hvy (GREAT all-around rod for reaction, jigs, T-Rigs, etc)
7'1" Heavy (Heavy Paddletail Swimbaits, Jigs)
7' Med/Lt Spinning (Dropshot, Shaky, Tube)
7' Med/Lt X Fast Spinning (Dropshot, Ned, Ultra Finesse)
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G Loomis Conquest Casting Rods: http://bit.ly/2iL1PAY
G Loomis Conquest Spinning Rods: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Conquest Rod Models...
7' Med (T-rigs, Topwater, Reaction, small swimbaits)
7' Med/Heavy (Jigs, T-Rigs, Reaction)
7'6" Med/Heavy (Small Glidebait, Jigs, T-Rigs, Pitch)
7'6" Heavy (Flipping, Small swimbaits, Frogs)
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High End Casting Reels We Recommend By Brand:

Shimano...
Antares- Heavy techniques/All around: http://bit.ly/2ha2zNI
Metanium MGL- All-Around: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB
Aldebaran 50- Finesse + Light Reaction: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Conquest 300 Reel- High End Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2kheVEq

Daiwa...
Ryoga Shrapnel JDM- High End Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2B9H3St
Steez SV TWS- All Around Performance: http://bit.ly/2hNLdb2
Steez SV- All Around Braided line Applications: http://bit.ly/2iLyDdm

Abu Garcia...
Revo MGX- Finesse: http://bit.ly/2hen4eR
Revo MGXTREME2- Lightest Revo, Finesse: http://bit.ly/2Biu5mj
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High-End Spinning Reels By Brand:

Shimano...
Stella FI: http://bit.ly/2zT8C66
Sustain FI: http://bit.ly/2v5ovAm
Exsence 3000 (INCREDIBLY LIGHT): http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Daiwa...
Steez EX: http://bit.ly/2Ats4Xh
Certate: http://bit.ly/2hjRZXg
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Preferred Line Choices...
Braided- MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Braided- Sufix 832: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Fluoro- Sunline Asassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
Fluro- Seguar AbrazX: http://bit.ly/2aaBBDX
Mono- Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Protect Your Investment...
Reel Covers: http://bit.ly/2hMy1Dj
Rod Sleeves: http://bit.ly/2vnwYip
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If you plan to purchase tackle, using the links above to reach Tackle Warehouse supports TacticalBassin and is very much appreciated by both of us! You can use the link to purchase the listed item or click around and purchase an unrelated item once on the site.

If you'd prefer to bookmark our link so you can use it to support Tacticalbassin any time without the frustration of searching for our links, save the following: http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/?from=tbassin

Need Apparel This Holiday/Winter Season? Get your Tacticalbassin Apparel by emailing tacticalbassinapparel@gmail.com We have Hats, Hoodies, and Sunshirts available now!

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TacticalBassin's 2017 Rod and Reel Arsenals

We keep receiving requests for a tour of our 2017 rod and reel arsenals. We heard your requests and are excited to share our gear with you! Here is a first person look at the rods and reels we'll be using this year.

Links to our favorite combos...

Rod- Dobyns 742 Champion Extreme HP Spinning: http://bit.ly/29OVnDa
Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4 Spinning 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Rod- Dobyns 783 Spinning: Discountinued
Reel- Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4 Spinning 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Rod- Loomis NRX 852C JWR Casting: http://bit.ly/2hedqsq
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50 HG: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Rod- G Loomis 802C JWR: http://bit.ly/2bQr6Gh
Reel- Shimano Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- Shimano Zodias 7'2" Medium heavy: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6" MH "Big Cranker": http://bit.ly/2bPOSpx
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- G Loomis GLX 894C JWR Casting: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Rod- G Loomis GLX 895C JWR Casting: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT
Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

Rod- G Loomis 845 CBR: http://bit.ly/2c58qD3
Reel- Shimano Curado 70: http://bit.ly/2apmDJt

Rod- Dobyns Champion Extreme 784: http://bit.ly/2ab2kRX
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- Dobyns Champion 805CB: http://bit.ly/29OVD4V
Reel- Abu Garcia Orra Winch: http://bit.ly/2hbQg6l

Rod- Dobyns 746 Champion Extreme HP: http://bit.ly/2ab2kRX
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I: http://bit.ly/2acRpsK

Rod- Daiwa Steez 7' Medium: http://bit.ly/2jPjJUG
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy

Rod- G Loomis Swimbait 955: http://bit.ly/2emaKYZ
Reel- Calcutta Conquest: http://bit.ly/2kheVEq

Rod- G Loomis Swimbait 956: http://bit.ly/2emaKYZ
Reel- Calcutta Conquest: http://bit.ly/2kheVEq

Rod- Dobyns Swimbait 806H: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Reel- Shimano Curado 300: http://bit.ly/2bqtNx8

Rod- Dobyns Swimbait 908: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Reel- Shimano Calcutta 400B: http://bit.ly/2b6NX0d

Custom Rods: Contact Curt via facebook or Instagram @Curtdemerathfishing for custom rods like you see in the video. He can do custom sizes, actions, etc.

Matt And Tim both LOVE high end bass fishing gear but we know that not everyone can afford to use the best gear on the market. We spent years and years using low end bass fishing rods and have slowly worked our way up. Don't feel pressured to spend outside of your budget but when the time is right, be sure to check out the equipment we use as a point of reference for your own fishing.

You do not need the top of the line rods and reels to catch more bass but it definitely makes the experience more fun!

We hope you enjoyed this in depth look at our rod and reel arsenal for 2017. Be sure to check out part 2 as we head over to Tim's garage to check out his awesome rod and reel setups for 2017!

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High End Fishing Combo Buyer's Guide

The Holiday Buyer's Guide series continues! Today we explore our Top 10 favorite high end combos. If you're a fishing tackle junky this is the video for you!

We know that some anglers can't afford the highest level of bass fishing gear and that's perfectly okay. You don't NEED $1000+ combos to catch bass. However, if you've arrived at a place where you are able to do so, it absolutely makes it more fun!

Matt and Tim's Top 10 favorite rod and reel combos are listed below. If you plan to make purchases please consider using the links provided to reach Tackle Warehouse before placing your order. We appreciate you supporting TacticalBassin while doing your holiday shopping!

Matt's Favorite Combos:

Rod- Dobyns 742 Champion Extreme HP Spinning
Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4 Spinning 2500

Rod- G Loomis NRX 852C JWR Casting
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50 HG

Rod- St. Croix Legend Elite 7'6" MH "Big Cranker"
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I

Rod- G Loomis GLX 894C JWR Casting
Reel- Shimano Metanium MGL

Rod- Dobyns 746 Champion Extreme HP
Reel- Shimano Curado 200I

Tim's Favorite Combos:

Rod- G Loomis Dropshot Spinning
Reel- Shimano Sustain Spinning 1000