Square bill crankbaits have been around for years in the fishing industry and the reason is simple. They catch fish. Few people would argue the effectiveness of these lures in the shallow waters.
However, simply by having the wrong fishing gear you could be missing bites or worse yet, losing fish.
With that in mind, in this post, we are going to take a look at a few features to consider when shopping for that perfect rod.
Next, we are going to look at a few different models and identify what separates them from the competition.
Let’s get started…
Table of Contents
What is the best square bill rod?
Here is a quick preview of the fishing poles that we will be taking a closer look at in this post. For more information on each, please keep reading.
- Eagle Claw Skeet Reese Square Bill Rod
- G.Loomis IMX PRO 845c
- St. Croix Avid Series Casting Rods 70 MM
First, let’s answer three important questions:
- What is the best power rating for a square bill rod?
- What is the best action for a square bill rod?
- What is the best length?
Power: Generally, when throwing square bills you will fishing in shallow water that is close to cover. These circumstances call for a somewhat powerful rod that will allow you to powerhouse the fish out from the cover.
Keep in mind though, that you won’t be fishing with huge swimbaits so you won’t need any overly powerful rod.
So, What is the best power rating for a square bill rod? I would recommend that the best rod for square bills have the power rating of Medium to Medium Heavy.
Action: Square bill crankbaits are known for that crazy erratic action that bass love.
For that reason, when choosing a rod look for one that isn’t going to take anything away from that action. If anything, you want to add to that action.
A fishing rod with a softer tip will do just that. Be careful not to select a rod with too fast of a tip or else you will run the risk of pulling the lure right out of the fish’s mouth.
What is the best action for a square bill rod? I think the best rod for square bill crankbaits should have a Moderate to Moderate Fast Action.
Length: The overall length is another important aspect to consider when searching for the best squarebill rod. Here are two important things to think about when selecting the best length.
First, think about comfort. Fishing all day long with an 8 foot pole is not going to be comfortable. So choose a rod that is comfortable for you. Don’t just think about the overall length, but also consider the handle length as well.
Next, shorter rods tend to be more accurate and thus are easier to cast into hard to reach areas. This is important when trying to get that square bill in the perfect spot.
On the other hand, longer rods also have some advantages as well.
One such advantage is they allow for long casts. This is important when trying to cover a lot of water. Remember, sometimes it can be beneficial to overcast that perfect spot and bring your lure right over it.
This will prevent you from spooking the fish and giving them the best presentation.
What is the best length? Generally, I would recommend a length of around 7 feet. Please note, that this can vary from fisherman to fisherman as we all come in different sizes. The important thing is to choose something that you are going to be comfortable with fishing for an extended amount of time.
Let’s take a look at a few examples of good square bill rods that are on the market today.
Eagle Claw Skeet Reese Square Bill Rod
- Action: Moderate Fast
- Lure Weight: 1/ 2 – 1 ounce
- Line: 10 – 20lbs
- Length: 6’8″
A rod that was designed specifically for the square bill crankbait fisherman is the Eagle Claw Skeet Reese Square Bill Rod.
When fishing with crankbaits it is important to have a delayed hookset.
Setting the hook too quickly can cause you to rip the lure from the fish’s mouth and lose the fish. This is what happens sometimes with a graphite rod as they are super sensitive.
However, with the Eagle Claw Skeet Reese Rod, you will have no such problem. It is made from a strong, lightweight and sensitive S-Glass material.
Couple this powerful fiberglass material with the soft tip and you have yourself a great square bill crankin’ rod. Increase your hookups with this setup and land more fish.
G.Loomis IMX -PRO 845 c
- Power: Medium
- Action: Moderate Fast
- Lure Weight: 3/8 – 1 ounce
- Line: 10-20lbs
- Length: 7′
- Handle Length: 15 1/4 inches
The next rod to add to our list is the G.Loomis IMX PRO 845c. We know that G. Loomis knows how to make a good fishing rod, but can we say they know how to make the best square bill rod?
Yes, without a doubt!
This rod is at a good overall length of 7 feet. It features a medium power rating with a medium fast action. It has a somewhat large lure rating. It is rated for crankbaits anywhere between 3/8 ounces and 1 ounce.
Now you might be thinking that the lure rating has quite a range, but I actually like that feature because you aren’t limiting yourself to fishing with just square bills.
With a larger rating you can use this cranking stick with other lures as well.
However, the best thing about this particular rod is the super light materials used to make it.
The guys over at G. Loomis made this rod so that it is 15 percent than other rods in its class, ultimately making them more comfortable to use when out on the water.
St. Croix Avid Series Casting Rods 70 MF
- Power: Medium
- Action: Moderate Fast
- Lure Weight: 1/4 – 5/8 ounce
- Line: 8-14lbs
- Length: 7′
Lastly, we want to have a look at the St. Croix Avid Series Casting Rods 70 MM.
The action of the square bill depends on it being able to deflect off the bottom of the water. So when choosing a good rod, we want to choose one that is going to be sensitive enough to feel the bottom.
This will allow you to deflect it off cover, giving it that erratic motion and hopefully be able to generate a strike. This calls for a sensitive rod.
That’s exactly what St.Croix designed with the St. Croix Avid Series.
Made from a premium graphite material this rod is strong, sensitive and lightweight.
Lastly, it comes in a good around length of 7 feet. Just enough stick to launch your a mile, but not too much that you are kissing the surface of the water.
Final Thoughts…
What is the best square bill rod?
Well, we talked about a few on the market that I feel are the best. We talk about the specifications to look for in the rod.
Now it’s up to you to choose one that fits you as the fisherman and the fishing conditions.
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