Fly fishing for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass is probably one of the most challenging, yet best ways to target these awesome big fish species.
The feeling of hooking and fighting bass on a fly rod is second to none.
When a bass explodes from cover to inhale your flies, your heart is in your mouth. Holding them tight to stop them snagging you is a whole other game.
To be successful, you will need the best fly rod for bass and that is what we are here to help you find.
Here is a quick look at the top three fly rods from the lineup…
The Top Three
Top Pick
Thomas and Thomas Zone Fly Rod
Great rod for smallmouth bass. Made from highest quality materials and designed to last in any environment.
Thomas and Thomas Zone Fly Rod
The best all-rounder is the T&T Zone.
It is lightweight, well balanced, made with incredible quality, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
It has everything you need for bass fly fishing and is an excellent choice for anyone who is good at fly fishing but still requires a rod that will let them get away with the odd mistake.
Best Value
Redington Vice Fly Rod
Balanced beautifully and is made from all the right components for fresh-water and salt-water.
Redington Vice Fly Rod
The best fly rod for bass if you are on a budget is the Redington Vice.
It is tough, versatile, forgiving, and high-quality.
It casts well and can handle large flies, and comes with a lifetime warranty – it is also the least expensive in the review.
Editor’s Choice
Sage Pulse Fly Rod
An incredibly well balanced rod and it’s size is ideal for all-around bass fishing
Sage Pulse Fly Rod
My personal best fly rod for bass from the review is the Sage Pulse.
This is because I am looking for zero forgiveness with maximum performance.
If you know you are good and want to fish the best you possibly can, the Pulse is the way to go.
You can cast further and more accurately with this rod than any of the others due to its superior build. But, you will have to know how to get the most out of it.
Our Best Bass Fly Rods
Here are all the best bass fly rods reviewed…
Top Pick
Thomas and Thomas Zone Fly Rod
Great rod for smallmouth fishing. Made from highest quality materials and designed to last in any environment.
Thomas and Thomas Zone Fly Rod
T&T has been a fishing rod manufacturer since 1968 and has won the loyalty of many anglers.
Their rods are beautifully made, well balanced, cast great, and come with an awesome lifetime warranty.
Build
The Zone is made from a graphite blank along with T&T’s own proprietary StratoTherm resin.
The addition of the resin allows them to use less material while maintaining the strength of the rod, giving you a lightweight but durable casting machine.
Reel Seat & Guides
The zone fly rod comes with an anodized aluminum reel seat and titanium guides.
These materials are of the highest quality and designed to last in any environment.
This makes the Zone ideal for use in both fresh-water and salt-water.
Features
The model chosen below is a 6 weight rod that is perhaps a little small for targeting largemouth bass, but it will certainly do a great job as your dedicated fishing rod for smallmouth.
Casting
It casts like a dream and you will have no issues turning a bass fly over with it.
It is also quite a forgiving rod to cast with, a beginner will quickly get used to it and be able to put the fly where it needs to be.
The fishing rod is a little expensive but for the quality, It is worth it.
You’re getting the performance of a fishing rod that could be twice the price.
Specs
- Model: 906-4
- Weight: 6 wt
- Length: 9 ft
- Line: 6/7 wt
- Action: Fast
- Pieces: 4
- Rod Tube: Yes
Pros
- Loads beautifully
- Made of a premium graphite blank with StratoTherm resin for durability and performance
- Good value
- Easy to travel with
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Top-quality titanium & zirconium guides designed to survive the harshest environments
- Anodized aluminum reel seat for life in saltwater
Cons
- Weight might be a low for big bass
- Expensive
Editor’s Choice
Sage PULSE Fly Rod
An incredibly well balanced rod and it’s size is ideal for all-around bass fishing
Sage PULSE Fly Rod
Sage is probably a fishing brand you have heard of before.
They make exceptionally high-quality rods and reels that are used by pros the world over.
Each of their fishing rods is made to perform, comes with a lifetime warranty, and are pretty expensive.
The Sage Pulse is priced as a mid-market rod, and while it is not cheap, it is a pretty amazing fly fish rod.
Build
The blank is made from Graphite IIIe Technology that makes it strong, light, and super durable.
It is incredibly well balanced and once you get to grips with it, you will see your casts going further and more accurately every time you use it.
Guides and Reel Seat
The guides and reel seat on the Pulse are made from hardened chromium and anodized aluminum.
Not only does this make them incredibly long-lasting, it means you can use this rod in any environment from fresh-water to salt-water.
You can cast bass one day and bonefish the next without any worries.
Length
The model below is a seven weight rod at 9ft long with fast action.
This is the ideal all-round size for fishing for bass.
The rod weight and length give enough gusto to cast a heavy fly in the wind and it is the perfect power balance for fighting both, big largemouth and littler smallmouth, with just one set up.
Specs
- Model: 790-4
- Weight: 7 wt
- Length: 9 ft
- Action: Fast
- Line: 7/8
- Pieces: 4
- Rod Tube: Yes
Pros
- Casts far with pinpoint accuracy
- Made to last thanks to the Graphite III Technology blank
- Tough enough to hold bass from cover
- Nice weight for casting into the wind
- Comes with reel seat and guides
- Great to travel with
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
Temple Fork Outfitters LK Legacy Fly Rod
Beautifully balanced, forgiving, and you will be able to put a fly exactly where you want it to be.
Temple Fork Outfitters LK Legacy Fly Rod
If you love to fly fish the Temple Fork Outfitters (TFO) is a brand you have probably heard of.
They are excellent at making quality fly fishing rods at more affordable prices than brands like Sage or T&T.
You can expect to pay half the amount for a fly fishing rod of similar quality but you do not get as good a warranty with it.
The LK Legacy is an awesome fly fishing rod to fish with.
Build
It is beautifully balanced, forgiving, and you will be able to put a fly exactly where you want it to be, even over a long distance.
The blank is made from a mixture of carbon fiber and graphite, making the fly fishing rod both durable and light.
You will be able to cast all day long without arm ache holding you back from fishing hard.
The guides are made from ultra hard-chromium impregnated anodized steel and are made for stripping.
Guides
This is ideal for fly rods for bass as you will be stripping a lot while fishing, and the less friction caused by the guides the better.
The model chosen below is an 8 weight at 9ft long. If you’re looking for great 8wt reel options to pair with this rod, check out this 8wt reel shootout article.
This is the ideal combination for fishing for big largemouths and in windy areas.
Weight
The extra weight will allow you to punch into the wind, turn over big flies, and handle a big bass once you hook up.
It is also quite a versatile set-up that can be used for other fresh-water species like lake trout and for bonefish on salt-water flats too. It does not come with a rod tube so you might have to buy one or put it in a tube you already have at home to travel safely with it.
Specs
- Model: TF 08 90 4 LK
- Weight: 8wt
- Length: 9 ft
- Action: Fast
- Line: 8/9 wt
- Pieces: 4
- Rod Tube: No
Pros
- Affordable and high-quality
- For use in both fresh-water and salt-water
- The 8wt is the ideal weight for handling big bass and punching into the wind
- Casts well with great accuracy
- Made from a high modulus carbon fiber and graphite blank for durability
- Exclusive guides that are tough and long-lasting
Cons
- Rod tube not included
- Does not come with a lifetime warranty
Fenwick AETOS Fly Rod
Forgiving to cast while still providing great length and accuracy when you get it right.
Fenwick AETOS Fly Rod
Fenwick is another fishing brand that has struck the balance nicely between quality and affordability.
You get everything you need from a Fenwick fishing fly rod and the only sacrifice is a slight drop in quality and a lesser warranty.
The Aetos fly rod is a particularly nice rod for fly fishing.
Its action is not as fast as others which makes it a lot more forgiving to cast while still providing great length and accuracy when you get it right.
Build
The blank is made from top quality graphite creating a light fly rod with durability and performance.
It comes with an aluminum anodized double up lock reel seat and corrosion-resistant guides that make it ideal for use in both fresh-water and salt-water.
It does not have to be for bass fly fishing.
Features
The model below is similar to the TFO above in terms of specs and is ideal for big poppers and punching into the wind.
It is a little longer than the TFO and will give you some extra leverage to hold bass from cover.
It is the ideal fly fishing setup for largemouth but might be a little overpowered for smallmouth.
Specs
- Weight: 8 wt
- Length: 9’6”
- Action: Fast
- Line: 8/9 wt
- Pieces: 4
- Rod Tube: Yes
Pros
- Affordable for a decent fishing rod
- Lovely, forgiving cast and gives pinpoint accuracy
- Well made from a durable and light graphite blank
- Comes with excellent guides
- Great reel seat
- Can be used in both fresh-water and salt-water
Cons
- More of a medium action fishing rod
- Lower quality overall
- Warranty is limited and for 5-years only
Best Value
Redington VICE Fly Rod
Balanced beautifully and is made from all the right components for fresh-water and salt-water.
Redington VICE Fly Rod
Redington fly fishing gear is a part of the Farbank Group with Sage and Rio Fly Line, but it is the more affordable side of the coin.
They make some of the best affordable quality fly fishing gear with the benefit of an amazing lifetime warranty you only usually get from the more expensive brands.
Build
The Vice fly fishing gear is great at throwing big flies far and accurately, ideal for bass fishing.
The fly fishing gear is balanced beautifully and is made from all the right components for fresh-water and salt-water, so it does not just have to be a bass rod.
Blank
Made from a carbon fiber blank, for excellent performance, it is tough enough to handle any bass that comes along.
tough enough to handle any bass that comes along…
It is a little heavy for some, so you may get a little arm ache but it is not that heavy and you will get used to it over time.
The model below is a 7 weight, an ideal all-round weight for largemouth and smallmouth fishing.
It has 6 inches of extra length compared to most in the review which will give you some extra leverage when trying to steer a bass away from cover.
Specs
- Model: 5-5021T-796-4
- Weight: 7wt
- Length: 9’6”
- Action: Fast
- Line: 7/8 wt
- Pieces: 4
- Rod Tube: Yes
Pros
- High-quality fly rod for a very affordable price
- Comes with an excellent lifetime warranty for such a low price
- Made for salt-water and fresh-water use
- High-quality components from the guides to the reel seat
- Casts excellently – it throws big flies far and accurately
- Made from a durable carbon fiber blank that lasts
Cons
- It is a little heavy for some
What Is A Bass Fly Rod?
A fly fishing rod for bass is no different from your normal fly rod. There is nothing to be confused about here.
You could use any fishing fly rod for bass but you might struggle if it does not have the right specifications needed to cast a bass fly properly – or have enough strength to fight them.
Do You Need A Specific Type Of Fly Rod For Bass?
It is best to have specific fly rods for bass when fly fishing for bass, but it is not about the ‘type’ of fly fishing rod and more about having the right specifications.
Bass love big flies and to hide around cover…
In order to be successful, you will need to have a fly fishing gear that can cast a bass fly long and accurately, plus be able to stop them dashing for snags.
This all comes down to the fly rod weight and fly rod length.
What Makes The Best Fly Rod For Bass?
The best fly rod for bass will be the right weight, length, right line and action for casting heavy bass flies far and accurately.
It should have enough backbone to stop a bass tangling you up in any cover during the fight – which bass love to do.
You can use the same bass fly fishing rod for both smallmouth bass and largemouth bass species.
All that matters is cast and backbone. But, it could be more fun and challenging to have one fly fishing gear for each, and here is why.
Largemouth Bass
The Largemouth bass is bigger, more aggressive, and harder fighters than smallmouth bass.
For these reasons, you will want a heavier weight fly rod to handle them as you will be casting bigger bass flies and have a tougher contender on the end of the fly line.
The best fly fishing gear specs for largemouth bass fishing are a 7-8 weight rod, around 9ft long with a medium-fast or fast action.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass are a bit smaller and while you could use your largemouth fly rod to catch them with, it will not be as much fun.
Picking a lighter weight rod for smallmouth will mean you feel every part of the experience that little bit more and you will have a more satisfying experience when catching a smallmouth bass.
RECOMMENDATION
The best fly fishing gear specs for smallmouth bass fishing are a 6 weight rod, around 9ft long with a medium-fast or fast action.
How To Choose The Fly Fishing Rod For Bass
Fly Rod Weight
The weight of bass fly rods describes its thickness and therefore the size of fly it can cast and the size of fish it can handle.
We are not talking about weight in terms of heaviness, It is more about the power of the fly rod. The weight range of best fly rods is from 1-16 weight, and the higher the number, the more powerful the fly rod, and the bigger the fish and flies it can handle.
RECOMMENDATION
When bass fishing, your ideal rod will be a 6, 7, or 8 weight depending on the size flies you want to cast and the size of bass you intend to catch.
A 7 weight is a good allrounder, while an 8 weight is ideal for big largemouth bass and a 6 weight is best for little smallmouth bass. And if you would like to fish for larger species, a 9 weight fly rod would be the best choice. Here’s my review of the best 9wt fly rod if you’re looking for one.
Fly Rod Action
The action of a fly rod describes where along the rod it will bend and is measured from slow to fast.
Slow action fly rods will bend near the butt section and fast action fly rods near the tip.
A slow action fly rod will be very bendy and sluggish while a fast action rod will be stiff and sensitive.
When fly fishing for bass, you will want a medium-fast to fast action rod…
When fly fishing for bass, you will want a medium-fast to fast action fly rod.
The bass has a hard mouth.
You will need the stiffness of the fly rod to set the hook properly to be able to keep control of them during the fight.
Fly Rod Length
The lengths of fly rods vary for many reasons and when choosing the right length for fly fishing for bass, you should consider:
- Where are you going to be fishing?
- Are you going to be in an open area with space behind you
- Is it going to be tight?
The average and best length fly fishing bass rods are around 9ft long.
This is the middle of the road length that is long enough for wide-open spaces but will also let you do some tight casting when you have close cover behind you.
Fly Rod Material
Fly rods can be made from a range of materials including graphite, carbon fiber, fiberglass, and bamboo.
Each material has its own properties and you can pick any of them for bass fly fishing but some are better than others.
Graphite & Carbon Fiber
Graphite and carbon fiber are quite similar materials. They are both light, durable, strong, and powerful.
Graphite fly rods tend to be a little less expensive while carbon fiber fly rods can take more of a beating and perform a little better.
The performance will not be noticeable to most anglers but if you are a pro fly fisherman, you will pick up on it.
Graphite and carbon fiber fly rods are the best fly rods to cast with and are the best for beginners and pros alike.
They are also the best fly rods for bass because they are stiff enough for setting the hook and light enough to keep casting with all-day.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass fly rods are exceptionally bendy.
This makes them quite soft and hard to cast with but for an experienced fly fisherman, this will not be an issue.
They are also pretty much unbreakable and will bend pretty much in half. This means you will be able to hold on to and stop a fish as long as your fly line does not break.
They are not ideal for bass fishing as they are heavy and do not have the stiffness you need to set the hook properly into the hard mouth of a bass.
Bamboo
Bamboo rods are quite delicate, expensive, and heavy.
They will make your arm ache if you’re casting them all day,
This is not ideal when fly fishing for species like bass where you have to blind cast at cover for long periods.
Summing Up
Now you have read all the reviews, do you know which rod is best for you?
It can be a hard decision to make but just remember that all the best fly rods for bass in the review are great fly rods, just pick a fly rod that has the right specs for you and be sure to get the right fly line for your fly rod.
If you need a little help, here are my best bass fly rods…
Best Value
If you are looking to spend a little but get a lot then the Redington Vice fly fishing gear is for you.
It has all the right specs for large and smallmouth, comes with a lifetime warranty, and it is really versatile.
Best All-Rounder
If you are at the level where you want some top-performance along with a little forgiveness, the T&T Zone fly rod has got your back.
The fly rod casts beautifully but is not too stiff to show you every time you mess up a cast.
This means you can improve your casting while still hitting the right fishing spots.
Editor’s Choice
The Sage Pulse fly rod will let you know every time you mess up, it is stiff, high performing, and unforgiving.
It is an ideal fly rod for skilled fly fisherman who want a fly rod that lets them put the fly exactly where they want it to be, every time.
