Top 7 Spinning Rods of 2018 - Buyer's Guide

This Buyer’s Guide looks at the best rod and reel spinning combos in the “mid-range” category. We’ve already covered combos under $200 and High-End combos. This breaks down the best "bang for the buck" spinning rods on the market. The market is saturated with brands claiming to be the best, let us do the hard work and find the best rods at the best prices for you. 

 If you're looking for a last minute holiday purchase, today is the last day that ground shipping will arrive before Christmas. Whether your rod budget is $200 or $500 there is an option here to give you the best quality, sensitivity, and responsiveness for the price point. 

Below is a break down of the rods and reels discussed in this video. They are sorted by price from highest to lowest to make it easy for you to see the the best values based on our review. 

Spinning Combos…

Rod- G Loomis GLX: http://bit.ly/2A6HH3O

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Favorite Models… 852S JWR, 820S DSR, 853S JWR

Rod- Dobyns Champion Extreme: http://bit.ly/29OVnDa

Reel- Shimano Ultregra 2500: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

Favorite Models… 742, 741

Rod- Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS: http://bit.ly/2QHupT9

Reel- Daiwa Tatula LT 2000: http://bit.ly/2zrq4id 

Favorite Models… 7’6” ML, 7’4” medium

Rod- Shimano Expride: http://bit.ly/2osaj3q

Reel: Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Favorite Models… 7’ Light +, 6’10” Medium Light, 7’ Medium

Rod- Shimano Zodias: http://bit.ly/2jOUXAO

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 1000: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Favorite Models… 6’8” Medium Light, 7’ Medium Light, 7’ Medium

Rod- Cashion Elite: http://bit.ly/2xJGGPt

Reel- Shimano Nasci 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC

Favorite Models… 7’ Medium Light, 7’ Medium, 7’ Medium Heavy

Rod- Dobyns Sierra: http://bit.ly/2EyotZU

Reel: Ultregra 2500: http://bit.ly/2nfApml

Favorite Models… 7’ Light, 7’ Medium Light

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Shimano Bantam MGL Casting Reel Review

Is It Worth The Money? What sets this reel apart from the rest? Tim explores the technology in the all-new Shimano Bantam MGL and puts it to the test. 

This reel lands between the Metanium MGL and Chronarch MGL on price with a retail price of $349.99 At that price there better be some serious technology to back it up. Shimano did not disappoint! This is the first low-profile bait caster to incorporate a solid frame construction. Why should that matter to you? The sensitivity is absolutely unmatched. You literally feel more bites through the reel than you will with a traditional reel. It also has micro module gearing, infinite braking, X-Ship, Hagane, and a variety of other proprietary technologies. 

When will it be available? Some gear ratios are available now, the rest are available for pre-order and will be shipping in a few weeks. 

Bantam MGL Reel: http://bit.ly/2H44yjG

Tim paired it with... 
Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
Flash Pointer 115 Jerkbait: http://bit.ly/2aHz588

Is $349 out of your budget? No worries! Here are some of our other favorite reels at different price points from lowest to highest...

$89- Caenan 150 A: http://bit.ly/2geIvbD
$99- Casitas 150: http://bit.ly/2geKxsp
$179- Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh
$279- Chronarch MGL: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB
$419- Metanium MGL: http://bit.ly/2ezIBfB

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Explorer Glide Bait by Baitsanity - Swimbait Review

If you're a swimbait fisherman this video is for you! Its not very often we pick up a bait and start catching big bass right away. The Explorer Glide is one of those baits we "connected" with and we felt compelled to do this review and share our experiences with you.

 Matt caught a 31 lb Striped Bass on his 3rd cast with this swimbait and that was only the beginning! Its a true swimbait at 9.5" in length and 5 ounces in total weight. It is offered in two colors (Trout and Carp) and we've been told there will be a variety of tail options available in the future.

You'll need a dedicated rod designed for this style of fishing to throw the bait effectively but if you're into throwing big baits, this is a bait you need to check out! 

Baitsanity Explorer Glide bait: http://bit.ly/2DcI1yM
Direct Hook Replacement- Owner ST-36 Hooks: http://bit.ly/2cWpeyw
(1/0 replaces stock hook, 2/0 will also work for increased hookup)
Upgraded Hook Replacement- Owner ST-56 Hooks: http://bit.ly/2cVg7xW
Upgraded Split Rings- Hyperwire Silver Size 5: http://bit.ly/2aTH3f1

Matt's Favorite Setup for this bait...
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 966: http://bit.ly/2x9kxuS
Reel- Shimano Tranx 300 AHG (Power Handle): http://bit.ly/2kYsvRw
Line- 80 lb Power Pro MaxCuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ
Leader- 30 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Other rods we've used that will work for this application (from least to most expensive)...

Dobyns Fury 806H: http://bit.ly/2bGvlVV
Okuma Guide Silent 7'11" XH: http://bit.ly/2o8bAfc
Dobyns Champion 867: http://bit.ly/2aivwYX
Megabass Destroyer Onager: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY

Other Glide Baits we have confidence in (from least to most expensive)...

S-Waver 200: http://bit.ly/2aiu8Sh
Smith Baits Hitch X: http://bit.ly/2GlscHd
Gan Craft 230: http://bit.ly/2fLjSnm
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Which Jerkbaits Catch Fish? | Buyer's Guide!

If you've seen ANY of our UNDERWATER VIDEOS you know the power of a Jerkbait!! Its INCREDIBLE how BRUTAL Bass are when they crush it! But not all jerk baits are created equal...

 Some jerk baits work much better than others. We're not saying the baits on this list are the only jerk baits that catch fish but we are saying they're our favorites. If you want to get on a jerk bait bite this year, fish these baits with confidence. If the bite is there, you're going to find it!

Deep Baits... 
Lucky Craft Staysee 90: http://bit.ly/2dBzMmz
Lucky Craft Pointer DD 78: http://bit.ly/2e0sQj7
Megabass Vision 110 +1: http://bit.ly/2iGYOCX

Mid-Range Baits:
Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb
Megabass Vision 110 Magnum: http://bit.ly/2vdZOWf
Jackall Rerange: http://bit.ly/2ge0qED
Lucky Craft Flash Pointer SP: http://bit.ly/2aHz588

Hook/Split Ring Upgrades...
Aaron Martens Nano Finesse Treble: http://bit.ly/2dWWAut
Megabass Katsuage Outbarb Hook: http://bit.ly/2r9lUmI
Owner Hyperwire Split Rings (Size 2 or 3): http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX
Hook Covers: http://bit.ly/2lj89Ui

Jerkbaits Colors... 
-Ghost Minnow (Clear)
-Chartreuse Shad (White)
-American Shad (Reflective)

Matt's Favorite Jerkbait Combo...
Rod- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL
Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB
Line- Sufix 832 15 lb: http://bit.ly/2ae93Ji
Leader- 12 lb Sunline Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

High-End Jerkbait Combo...
Megabass Destroyer OneTen Special: http://bit.ly/2wVOSbY
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran 50: http://bit.ly/2fdX1Uy
Line- 12 lb Sunline Fluoro: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Budget Jerkbait Combo...
Rod- Exage 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2mGp1Vc
Reel- Casitas 150: http://bit.ly/2geKxsp
Line- 12 lb Seaguar AbrazX: http://bit.ly/2aaBBDX

Jerkbait Storage...
Plano Waterproof Box: http://bit.ly/2fvjcFB
Bass Mafia Casket 3700: http://bit.ly/2fg5ouM
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