Bass Pro Shops® Extreme XPS® Rods®

The Extreme XPS Rod Series from Bass Pro Shops is an upper-middle level rod designed for somewhat experienced anglers who are looking for an equipment upgrade worthy of weekend tournament action. Available in lengths 5'6" up to nearly 8', the Extreme series offers a wide range of styles and sizes for all types of fishing. All Extreme rods are available with a traditional spinner handle, or trigger handle, and are compatible with the Bass Pro Shops Balancer™ weight system.

First Impressions

I ordered this rod online, direct from Bass Pro Shops' website, and when I first received my shipping tube I thought they forgot to pack the rod it was so light. When I held the Extreme, I could not believe how lightweight it felt and how much "pop" it seemed to have on the snap. This rod was an upgrade to my Bass Pro Shops Bionic Blade (another great rod) which was trampled and snapped by one of my 100+ lb. Newfoundlands on an outing late in '07. Another lesson learned: roof racks and/or travel tubes are worth the investment if you have dogs. Unfortunately, I ordered in the dead of winter, so I had to wait a couple months before I could use it and the anticipation was killing me.

Fishing the Rod

First thing I did was to outfit this stick with my Shimano Sahara 1500 spinning reel and swap out the Balancer™ counterweights from my old rod to this new one. For those that aren't familiar with the Bass Pro Shops Balancer weight system, it is essentially a series of brass-plated, donut-shaped weights that slip over a 2" bolt that screws directly into the butt end of the rod (see picture at bottom right). Most Bass Pro Shops rods are equipped for this feature, but traditionalists have been doing it for years on other rods by adding weight (such as quarter-sized slugs or blanks) under the butt cap and then either gluing them in place or using tape. If you've never used a counter-balanced rod, you have no idea what you are missing! When the rod is in perfect balance you can position the rod (with line and reel) on one finger just above the reel seat and the rod should remain horizontal on one finger. Once balanced, you will feel more bites, get truer action and reduce fatigue.

Using the Extreme XPS (6'6" Medium), I set out targeting Spring Largemouths with three types of tackle set-ups: Booyah™ Blade spinnerbaits for top water; Rapala DT6® and XRAP® crankbaits for middle water; and a Carolina rig with Berkley® Gulp!® Alive Minnows for deep water. The fact that this rod can handle all three types of fishing, hints at its diversity in a wide range of conditions.

Luckily, I didn't have to wait long to test the action on this rod. Within my first hour, on the first day of bass season, I locked onto a 6lb. Smallmouth on the Carolina rig with Gulp Minnow Grub. Unfortunately, after this great start, little did I know this would be my last Smallmouth over 3lbs. until October nearly 5½ months later! The rod was true under all conditions and I was able to fish through the entire season using this stick with the Shimano Sahara as my primary set-up. Largemouth, smallmouth, and Northern Pike all tested the strength of the rod and it passed with flying colors, yet it remains delicate enough for panfish and finesse fishing.

Review Summary

I originally mail-ordered this rod direct from Bass Pro Shops' web site, and it has since become my standard rod. I now own two (1 - 6'6" Med; 1 - 7' Med/Hvy). A little more advanced than a starter rod, I'd strongly recommend it to any one who is ready to upgrade their equipment and find out the feel of a more, professional-like set-up. For the price point (under $100), it's hard to find a better rod that will handle a wide variety of conditions and excel. Our rating: Outstanding (93)