Choosing A Bass Fishing Rod for Beginners

How do you know what to choose?

Gear Ratio/Reel: When you're starting from scratch for fishing it's important to get a fishing rod that is going to be easy for you to learn on. WHATEVER you do, do not get a closed faced reel. They are a mess. Stay away from them. For learning purposes, I recommend a medium or medium heavy action rod with a 6.0:1 gear ratio. Honestly, about any rod you pick from Walmart that is a medium heavy will do. You do not need to spend a bunch of money to begin fishing. Once you get more into fishing you can dive deeper into the rod of your choice.  

Rod: I know it feels a bit overwhelming walking into the store and seeing all these different rods and reels. Just pick one up. See how it feels to you. If you're short like me, you might prefer a shorter rod. But since you're just learning there's no need to be very technical about anything. Grab something that feels right to you as long as it's a medium or medium heavy. This can be found on the bottom of the rod by reel on a rod/reel combo. Shakespeare/Ugly Stick makes a great affordable rod/reel combo that can be purchased at Walmart or Dick's Sporting Goods.