Picking the Right Rod for Bayou Bass

If you only bring one rod to the bayou, make it a 7-foot medium-heavy baitcaster. It throws everything we fish here — jigs, spinnerbaits, frogs, and Texas rigs — and it has the backbone to pull a good bass out of the cypress before she wraps you. Spool it with 30-50 lb braid for cover, or 15 lb fluorocarbon if the water's clear. Bring a lighter spinning setup for bream and finesse days and you're covered for anything the Basin throws at you.