Help me find a lure fishing rod. Blimey, where do you start? How much money do you want to spend? What’s your target species? Bass! How big is the lure, Argh!! Let’s face it; there are many things to consider when choosing a pukka bass rod if you’re a serious lure fisherman.
Going back in time when I first chucked that Yo Zuri Arc Minnow out into the sea at 4 a.m., I have to say things have come a long way since then. That was way back in the ’80s when Keith (an old friend) introduced me to this fantastic lure-fishing sport.
My First Lure Fishing Rod Was A Carp Rod
The rods back then were Daiwa carp rods with an ABU cardinal reel loaded with Maxima mono line, that brown stuff. I must admit that the line felt silky smooth and, in fact, of quality, but there was still no patch on today’s braids. Honestly, I’ve still got that rod, but it’s stuck up in the loft. I have dusted off once, though I used it, and to be quite honest, the difference between that old Daiwa and the rod I’ve been using today is remarkable. We’ll get into that in a bit.
Cheapo Lure Fishing Rod
Another rod I had bought was a £30 lure rod that I snapped the very first day I went to use it(I hadn’t even left the house). Yes, I clumsily trapped the rod eye in a gap around the top of the door frame. Anyway, I managed to repair it as it broke right at the end. I got the broken bit out of the rod-eye and managed to stick it back on.
Value For Money
Amazingly enough,(going off track) when I first acquired a ZZiplex rod, the first thing I noticed was the action in the tip, especially when you had any weight on the end of it, like a fish. The action was on the tip. You also noticed this when casting; it was only towards the end that the rod seemed to bend.
I used that broken/repaired 30 quider for a while before I came across my first Major Craft rod…The Zaltz.
You Get What You Pay For
Amazingly enough,(going off track) when I first acquired a ZZiplex rod, the first thing I noticed was the action in the tip, especially when you had any weight on the end of it, like a fish. The action was in the tip. You also noticed this when casting; it was only towards the end that the rod seemed to bend.
Here are 3 lure fishing rods around the £300 mark you should consider buying
How I Met The Bass Man And Discovered Major Craft Lure Fishing Rods
I first met the ‘Bass Man’ at work taxi driving, and I heard him talking to another driver about fishing. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I ended up chatting to him about lure fishing for bass once I had mentioned our local fishing mark.
I didn’t realise how good an angler he was till I went fishing with him. He also worked in a tackle shop at the time that had all the effective lures on sale. At that time, my mate Dave wanted to get into lure fishing. So we bought these Major Zaltz, and I have pretty much used Major Craft ever since.
Savage Gear Bushwhacker lure rod
Oh, I forgot to mention I had a Savage Gear Bushwhacker lure rod. I only bought the Bushwhacker because It was under £100. I liked this rod too; it was very well made, but miles too short. For me, I wouldn’t make that mistake again. Don’t get me wrong, a great little to,d but to me would be great for a kayak fisherman out on the water.
How much would you spend on a lure fishing rod?
I have never spent more than £220 on a fishing rod. But I do understand the price difference. For instance, the bassman has a custom-made DFR rod that probably costs more than £400. But what is so remarkable is the lightness of the rod; this is why you pay the money IMO. If you’re surface lure fishing, you want an ultralight rod.
Is Surface Lure Fishing Harder With a Heavier Rod
When I’m surface lure fishing, using the Zaltz seems hard work after a while and will change how I hold the rod. I am nowhere near the angler the bassman is; he walks the dog’s action down to a tee. His lighter rod must contribute to the action he gets from the lure. He can do that consistently for hours.
Practice makes Perfect
If you fished for hours and fished nearly every day, you would be a master at surface lure fishing. My point is it’s easier with a lighter rod. But, in turn, it’s going to cost you more money.
With most types of fishing, you will find that this is the case; I have seen fly rods for over £800. WHAT? I’m not saying you have to go out and remortgage your house to get surface lure fishing down to a fine art. You don’t. If I could fish more, I would be more than happy with the Zaltz and better at surface lure fishing. I have never fished a whole session, just surface lure fishing anyway, so it’s not a given. I love any style of lure fishing as long as we are catching; who cares?
Why I chose the Skyroad
Now I know that the real lure fishermen do not like to give away their marks. My fishing friends are definitely no exception. One night, roughly 2 a.m., we were waiting for the tide to turn (the flood) because we knew the bass seemed to move in great numbers from other previous nights. For any newbies out there, it’s good to take advantage when you find the fish like this, trust me, it doesn’t last. Now the Bassman had been rinsing them out on the previous nights, so I had joined him. I was going to take the day off work to recover. (I would’ve been f—-d otherwise).
Get Them While You Can
Now just as we were heading to our hotspot, way out on the low tide mark a light appeared from the shore and ultimately the Bassman went into panic mode. There is no way the intruder saw us because we were a long way away and hadn’t put our lights on (Another no, no in the Bassman world).
We moved off the mark and headed for the gullies about 100 yards away to hide. We took cover lying in the gutter and watched as the light got closer and closer to the mark where we had planned to fish. Then, to our utter horror, the bloke stopped and walked towards where we were hiding.
Human Crabs Hiding in the Gullies…Whatever Next?
Can you imagine what he would have thought if he’d discovered a couple of human crabs hiding in the gullies? FFS this was going to be embarrassing. I was getting angry, to be honest, and got up I’d had enough.
Then he turned away and headed to the water’s edge and started to fish. He had his light on (probably because he’s sensible and didn’t want to fall arse over tit clambering over the rocks. Not like ‘Muggins’ here who’s fallen over bollock deep in the water loads of time).
The next night I bumped into him again only this time I spoke to him. He said he’d been down the night before and had caught a lobster and a couple of bass. I see he had all the gear but the rod (a Major Craft Sky Road) was amazing. It just seemed light as a feather compared to my Zaltz so I just had to get one; they are a great rod.
What weight class is best for a lure fishing rod
The Zaltz that I had used for years is 15 to 42g which is absolutely great for our type of lure fishing. This will cast a big pachinko with no problem, but I still feel it’s a tad heavy for surface lure fishing. Although the pachinko is a surface lure, I probably wouldn’t use one on a lighter-class rod. My ideal lure rod class would be around the 10 to 30g weight class.
Is there a particular lure fishing rod for the surface
No, as far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t make any difference that the rods are designed to cast different lure weights, not what type of lure they are. But please remember that the rod class is there for a reason. Do not forget to check the rod class when you purchase your lure rod. YOU DON’T WANT TO SNAP IT.
Lure Fishing Rod Q&A – What You Need To Know Before You Buy
Q: What is a lure fishing rod, and how is it different from other rods?
A lure fishing rod is designed specifically for casting and retrieving artificial lures. Unlike bait rods, they’re usually more responsive, lighter in weight, and built to give you better control and feedback from the lure. The right rod will help bring your lure to life – essential if you’re targeting reactive predators like bass.
Q: What length should a lure fishing rod be?
It depends on where you’re fishing. For shore fishing, a rod between 8ft and 9.6ft is ideal – long enough to get a decent cast, short enough to control your lure. If you’re fishing from a kayak or tight spots, something shorter (like 6.6ft–7.6ft) might suit better. But as I found out with the Bushwhacker – too short, and you’ll regret it!
Q: What casting weight should I look for in a lure rod?
This is crucial. You want a rod classed to handle the lures you’ll actually be using. For general bass fishing, a 10–30g or 15–42g rod is spot-on. The Zaltz I’ve used for years is rated to 42g, and it chucks a Pachinko with ease, but feels a bit heavy after hours of walking the dog. If you’re mostly using smaller surface lures, drop to a 7–28g or even lighter.
Q: Is a lighter rod better for surface lure fishing?
Yes – 100%. Surface lures like the Patch or the Asturie work best with finesse. A lighter rod helps with subtle twitches and makes it less tiring on your wrist. I learnt this the hard way watching the Bassman effortlessly dance his lure across the water while I was shifting grip every five minutes.
Q: Can I use a cheap lure rod to get started?
You can, but be warned – cheap often means cheerful until it snaps in your hallway doorframe before the first session (ask me how I know). If you’re on a tight budget, go for brands like Savage Gear or Shimano that offer solid entry-level rods under £100. But if you’re serious, spend a bit more. Trust me, you’ll feel the difference.
Q: What’s the difference between a £50 rod and a £300 rod?
Lightness, responsiveness, build quality – it all ramps up. You’re not just paying for a name. A high-end rod like the Major Craft Skyroad or a custom DFR is featherlight, finely tuned, and makes fishing feel better. It’s like the difference between driving a Ford and an Audi. They both get you there, but one makes it a joy.
Q: Are all lure rods suitable for all types of lures?
Not exactly. While most rods don’t care what type of lure you use, they do care how heavy it is. A rod rated 10–30g won’t like a 50g sinking stickbait. Likewise, a rod rated up to 50g won’t give the finesse needed for a 12g Patch Jr. Always match the lure weight to the rod’s sweet spot for best performance – and to avoid breakages!
Q: What is the best lure fishing rod for bass in the UK?
Tough one – it depends on your style. But here are a few proven favourites:
- Major Craft Zaltz (15–42g) – a workhorse, handles big lures and tough sessions
- Major Craft Skyroad (10–30g) – lighter, more refined, perfect for surface and sub-surface lures
- Savage Gear SGS6 – newer and packed with features, great value at mid-range
- Custom DFR rods – if you’re flush, these are elite level – light, sensitive, beautiful
Q: How much should I spend on my first proper lure rod?
If you’re serious, aim for £100–£220. Anything below that is entry-level and may lack the sensitivity or strength needed for regular use. Over £300, you’re into premium territory. For most bass anglers in the UK, the sweet spot is around £150–£200.
Q: Should I choose braid or mono for my lure setup?
Nowadays, it’s braid all day long. The sensitivity and casting distance are night and day compared to the old brown Maxima mono we used back in the ’80s. If you’re still using mono, you’re fishing in the past, mate.
