Every Rod Profile Against Every Category of Bait
A rod throws a bait when three things are true at once. The bait is heavy enough to bend the rod and light enough not to overwhelm it. The rod bends where that bait's hooks need it to. The line the rod is built around is strong enough for the fish. This page runs that test across all 6 rod profiles and all 12 baits on the site. That is 72 pairings, gathered into 36 cells by bait category. Each one is a works, marginal or wrong, with its reason attached.
Rod profiles run down the page and bait categories across it, both ordered by weight, because weight is the rating that decides a rod first. The top-left corner is 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning against the lightest baits on the site. The bottom-right is 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up against the heaviest. What that ordering shows is a band of workable pairings running corner to corner, with two large areas of nothing on either side of it.
Those empty areas answer a real question. They are not a gap in the table. A rod built to lift fish off the floor of the ocean and a rod built to cast something you can barely feel are not near each other on any axis. No amount of technique closes that distance. If you own one and are looking at the other's column, the grid is telling you that you are looking at a second rod, not a substitute.
A cell carries the best verdict any bait in that category manages. The count beneath says how many of them manage it. "Works, 2 of 4" means two of the four baits in that column are inside the window and the other two are not. Both halves matter, and the reasons under each cell name every bait individually.
Three Words, and What Each One Is Claiming
- works
- The bait sits inside the rod's stated casting window, the rod bends where that hook needs it to, and the line the rod is rated for holds the fish the bait is fished for.
- marginal
- Castable, and compromised. Either only part of the weight range the bait is sold in falls inside the window, or the tip fights the hook, or the line rating is light for the fish. The reason says which.
- wrong
- The weight falls outside the window entirely, so the rod either never bends against the bait or is asked to carry more than it was built for. This is the one failure no technique gets around, and the only one the engine treats as fatal.
The Grid, Lightest to Heaviest on Both Axes
Every cell links to the reasons behind it. Nothing on this page depends on hovering.
What Decided Every Cell Above
6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning
casts 1/16-3/8 oz · rated for 4-10 lb line
Soft plastic: marginal4 of 4
Of the 4 in the soft plastic column, the 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning rod throws 4 badly.
Shrimp-imitation soft plasticmarginal
A fast tip reads the faint knock of a bite and sets an exposed jighead — a hook with its weight molded on at the eye — with a short jab on your fast-action rod. The line this rod is rated for is light for a fish that takes line back off the reel around oyster bars and grass flats.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Texas-rigged soft plastic wormmarginal
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook — one hook point on one shaft — home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Paddle-tail swimbait on a jigheadmarginal
A fast tip reads the faint knock of a bite and sets an exposed jighead with a short jab on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Creature baitmarginal
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Crankbait: marginal1 of 3
Of the 3 in the crankbait column, the 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning rod throws 1 badly and cannot cast 2.
Lipless crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles — three hook points sharing one shaft — out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Squarebill crankbaitwrong
A 3/8-3/4 oz squarebill crankbait is outside what a 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
A 1/2-7/8 oz medium-diving crankbait is outside what a 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Live bait: marginal1 of 1
Of the 1 in the live bait column, the 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning rod throws 1 badly.
Live shrimpmarginal
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod. The line this rod is rated for is light for a fish that takes line back off the reel around oyster bars and grass flats.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Topwater: marginal1 of 2
Of the 2 in the topwater column, the 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning rod throws 1 badly and cannot cast 1.
Poppermarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
A 1/2-7/8 oz walking topwater plug is outside what a 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Metal jig: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the metal jig column, the 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning rod cannot cast 1.
Deep-drop jigwrong
A 16-48 oz deep-drop jig is outside what a 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Rigged bait: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the rigged bait column, the 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning rod cannot cast 1.
Rigged squid deep-drop baitwrong
A 64-160 oz rigged squid deep-drop bait is outside what a 6'9" medium-light, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
7'0" medium, fast action spinning
casts 1/8-5/8 oz · rated for 6-14 lb line
Soft plastic: works2 of 4
Of the 4 in the soft plastic column, the 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod throws 2 and throws 2 badly.
Texas-rigged soft plastic wormworks
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Paddle-tail swimbait on a jigheadworks
A fast tip reads the faint knock of a bite and sets an exposed jighead with a short jab on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, which is the fish it does best against. The answer is not the same for every fish this bait is fished for.
Shrimp-imitation soft plasticmarginal
A fast tip reads the faint knock of a bite and sets an exposed jighead with a short jab on your fast-action rod. The line this rod is rated for is light for a fish that takes line back off the reel around oyster bars and grass flats.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Creature baitmarginal
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Crankbait: marginal3 of 3
Of the 3 in the crankbait column, the 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod throws 3 badly.
Lipless crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Squarebill crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Medium-diving crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Live bait: marginal1 of 1
Of the 1 in the live bait column, the 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod throws 1 badly.
Live shrimpmarginal
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod. The line this rod is rated for is light for a fish that takes line back off the reel around oyster bars and grass flats.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Topwater: marginal2 of 2
Of the 2 in the topwater column, the 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod throws 2 badly.
Poppermarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Walking topwater plugmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Metal jig: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the metal jig column, the 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod cannot cast 1.
Deep-drop jigwrong
A 16-48 oz deep-drop jig is outside what a 7'0" medium, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Rigged bait: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the rigged bait column, the 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod cannot cast 1.
Rigged squid deep-drop baitwrong
A 64-160 oz rigged squid deep-drop bait is outside what a 7'0" medium, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting
casts 1/4-1 1/4 oz · rated for 12-20 lb line
Soft plastic: works4 of 4
Of the 4 in the soft plastic column, the 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod throws 4.
Shrimp-imitation soft plasticworks
A fast tip reads the faint knock of a bite and sets an exposed jighead with a short jab on your fast-action rod.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Texas-rigged soft plastic wormworks
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Paddle-tail swimbait on a jigheadworks
A fast tip reads the faint knock of a bite and sets an exposed jighead with a short jab on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Creature baitworks
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Crankbait: marginal3 of 3
Of the 3 in the crankbait column, the 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod throws 3 badly.
Lipless crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Squarebill crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Medium-diving crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Live bait: works1 of 1
Of the 1 in the live bait column, the 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod throws 1.
Live shrimpworks
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Topwater: marginal2 of 2
Of the 2 in the topwater column, the 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod throws 2 badly.
Poppermarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Walking topwater plugmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Metal jig: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the metal jig column, the 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod cannot cast 1.
Deep-drop jigwrong
A 16-48 oz deep-drop jig is outside what a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Rigged bait: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the rigged bait column, the 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod cannot cast 1.
Rigged squid deep-drop baitwrong
A 64-160 oz rigged squid deep-drop bait is outside what a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
7'0" medium, moderate action casting
casts 3/8-7/8 oz · rated for 10-17 lb line
Soft plastic: marginal4 of 4
Of the 4 in the soft plastic column, the 7'0" medium, moderate action casting rod throws 4 badly.
Shrimp-imitation soft plasticmarginal
On a moderate-action rod a softer tip mutes the light bite an exposed jighead depends on. The line this rod is rated for is light for a fish that takes line back off the reel around oyster bars and grass flats.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Texas-rigged soft plastic wormmarginal
On a moderate-action rod the tip gives before a buried single hook ever clears the plastic.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Paddle-tail swimbait on a jigheadmarginal
On a moderate-action rod a softer tip mutes the light bite an exposed jighead depends on.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Creature baitmarginal
On a moderate-action rod the tip gives before a buried single hook ever clears the plastic.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Crankbait: works3 of 3
Of the 3 in the crankbait column, the 7'0" medium, moderate action casting rod throws 3.
Lipless crankbaitworks
The rod bends well down its length and keeps small trebles pinned through a head shake on your moderate-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Squarebill crankbaitworks
The rod bends well down its length and keeps small trebles pinned through a head shake on your moderate-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
The rod bends well down its length and keeps small trebles pinned through a head shake on your moderate-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Live bait: marginal1 of 1
Of the 1 in the live bait column, the 7'0" medium, moderate action casting rod throws 1 badly.
Live shrimpmarginal
On a moderate-action rod the tip gives before a buried single hook ever clears the plastic. The line this rod is rated for is light for a fish that takes line back off the reel around oyster bars and grass flats.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Topwater: works2 of 2
Of the 2 in the topwater column, the 7'0" medium, moderate action casting rod throws 2.
Popperworks
The rod bends well down its length and keeps small trebles pinned through a head shake on your moderate-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, which is the fish it does best against. The answer is not the same for every fish this bait is fished for.
The rod bends well down its length and keeps small trebles pinned through a head shake on your moderate-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, which is the fish it does best against. The answer is not the same for every fish this bait is fished for.
Metal jig: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the metal jig column, the 7'0" medium, moderate action casting rod cannot cast 1.
Deep-drop jigwrong
A 16-48 oz deep-drop jig is outside what a 7'0" medium, moderate action casting will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Rigged bait: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the rigged bait column, the 7'0" medium, moderate action casting rod cannot cast 1.
Rigged squid deep-drop baitwrong
A 64-160 oz rigged squid deep-drop bait is outside what a 7'0" medium, moderate action casting will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning
casts 3/8-1 1/2 oz · rated for 10-25 lb line
Soft plastic: works3 of 4
Of the 4 in the soft plastic column, the 7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning rod throws 3 and throws 1 badly.
Texas-rigged soft plastic wormworks
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Paddle-tail swimbait on a jigheadworks
A fast tip reads the faint knock of a bite and sets an exposed jighead with a short jab on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Creature baitworks
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Shrimp-imitation soft plasticmarginal
A fast tip reads the faint knock of a bite and sets an exposed jighead with a short jab on your fast-action rod.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Crankbait: marginal3 of 3
Of the 3 in the crankbait column, the 7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning rod throws 3 badly.
Lipless crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Squarebill crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Medium-diving crankbaitmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Live bait: works1 of 1
Of the 1 in the live bait column, the 7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning rod throws 1.
Live shrimpworks
A fast tip moves enough line to drive a buried single hook home on your fast-action rod.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Topwater: marginal2 of 2
Of the 2 in the topwater column, the 7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning rod throws 2 badly.
Poppermarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Walking topwater plugmarginal
On a fast-action rod a stiff tip levers small trebles out of hard jaw tissue the moment a fish shakes.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Metal jig: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the metal jig column, the 7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning rod cannot cast 1.
Deep-drop jigwrong
A 16-48 oz deep-drop jig is outside what a 7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Rigged bait: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the rigged bait column, the 7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning rod cannot cast 1.
Rigged squid deep-drop baitwrong
A 64-160 oz rigged squid deep-drop bait is outside what a 7'6" medium-heavy, fast action spinning will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod, rated 32-200 oz.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up
casts 32-200 oz · rated for 80-200 lb line
Soft plastic: wrong4 of 4
Of the 4 in the soft plastic column, the 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod cannot cast 4.
Shrimp-imitation soft plasticwrong
A 1/8-1/2 oz shrimp-imitation soft plastic is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod, rated 1/8-5/8 oz.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Texas-rigged soft plastic wormwrong
A 3/16-3/4 oz texas-rigged soft plastic worm is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Paddle-tail swimbait on a jigheadwrong
A 1/4-3/4 oz paddle-tail swimbait on a jighead is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Creature baitwrong
A 5/16-1 1/4 oz creature bait is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Crankbait: wrong3 of 3
Of the 3 in the crankbait column, the 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod cannot cast 3.
Lipless crankbaitwrong
A 1/4-3/4 oz lipless crankbait is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Squarebill crankbaitwrong
A 3/8-3/4 oz squarebill crankbait is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
A 1/2-7/8 oz medium-diving crankbait is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Live bait: wrong1 of 1
Of the 1 in the live bait column, the 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod cannot cast 1.
Live shrimpwrong
A 1/4-5/8 oz live shrimp is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod, rated 1/8-5/8 oz.
Judged against redfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Topwater: wrong2 of 2
Of the 2 in the topwater column, the 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod cannot cast 2.
Popperwrong
A 1/4-5/8 oz popper is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium, fast action spinning rod, rated 1/8-5/8 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
A 1/2-7/8 oz walking topwater plug is outside what a 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up will cast. The rod either never bends against it or is asked to carry more than it was built for.
It would take something like a 7'0" medium-heavy, fast action casting rod, rated 1/4-1 1/4 oz.
Judged against largemouth bass, the fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Metal jig: marginal1 of 1
Of the 1 in the metal jig column, the 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod throws 1 badly.
Deep-drop jigmarginal
The moderate bend gives a circle hook — a point curved back to catch the jaw's corner as line tightens — the steady pull it sets against on your moderate-action rod.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Rigged bait: works1 of 1
Of the 1 in the rigged bait column, the 5'6" extra-heavy, moderate action stand-up rod throws 1.
Rigged squid deep-drop baitworks
The moderate bend gives a circle hook the steady pull it sets against on your moderate-action rod.
Judged against swordfish, the one fish this bait is fished for on this site.
Nothing Here Is Hand-Written
Every verdict here is the same matching engine that answers the species pages and the profile pages, asked the same question in a different order. Four rules decide it: the bait's weight against the rod's rating, where the rod bends against the hook type, the line rating against how the fish fights, and the rod type against the water. Only the first makes a rod flatly wrong. The rest make it a rod you can fish and should not, which is a different sentence and the reason the middle column exists.
A bait has to be judged against a fish, because the line rating only means something against something that pulls. So each bait is run against every fish it is fished for, and the best of those answers is what the cell shows. The detail under each cell names the fish the verdict was reached against, and says so when the answer is not the same for all of them.
Because the grid is computed, it cannot go stale against the data and it cannot disagree with the rest of the site. Add a rod profile and a row appears; add a bait in a new category and a column appears with it. If a cell here ever contradicts what a species page says about the same pairing, that is not a difference of opinion. It is one bug, in the engine, visible from two directions.
What a Works Cell Means
What this grid answers is whether a rod can present a bait. What it does not answer is whether you should. A rod that casts a squarebill fine may still be the third-best thing to be holding for the fish you are after. The ranking that settles that lives on the species pages, where the fish is known. Read a row here to find out what is possible, then read the fish to find out what is worth doing.
Columns are not the same size either. One category on this site is a single bait and another is four. A column that reads wrong from top to bottom may be one heavy bait and not a whole family of them, and a column that reads works everywhere may be one forgiving one. The count under each cell and the list beneath it are there so the width of a column never has to be guessed at.
Nothing here says anything about reels, line type, leader or how a bait is worked once it is in the water. Those change the outcome of a day and they do not change whether the rod bends against the bait, which is the only question this page is answering.
Where This Decision Goes Next
The same profiles compared on what they cast
Casting windows and line ratings side by side, which is the view for deciding whether two rods are a pair to choose between or a pair to own.
The baits behind these columns, one at a time
What each bait is, how it is fished, and the conditions it fails in. That is the half of the answer a category cannot carry.
Turn one row of this into an answer
Five questions, four of them skippable. The grid says what a shape can throw; naming a fish and a water says which of those you should be throwing, and in what order.