There are a whole lot of rod firms for bass anglers to pick out from. Most are nice, and it may be robust to face out within the crowd. However let’s be actual: a store-brand rod lacks the identical sexiness you get from a boutique producer. But time and time once more, I discover myself reaching for the Bass Professional Outlets Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Rod on my boat deck.
I picked this rod up a yr in the past and didn’t have excessive expectations. However I’ll be darned, after utilizing it to chuck jigs and stick pigs, I can not ignore its spectacular efficiency. In actuality, Bass Professional’s top-tier bass fishing tools is kind of good. It will probably simply compete with merchandise from extra area of interest producers at larger worth factors.
After a day on the water this winter, I discovered myself considering, “You already know what? That is one superior rod for the cash. Extra folks ought to be shopping for this.” So right here it’s, my unfiltered ideas after a season of fishing.
Briefly: For these on the lookout for a strong all-around bass rod, the 7’1″ Medium Heavy Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Casting Rod ($200) is among the greatest bang-for-the-buck choices out there. Because of high quality graphite, the rod clean is light-weight, skinny, and extremely delicate. It’s nice for throwing quite a lot of baits. Additional enhancing the worth, this U.S.-made rod is backed by a 10-year guarantee in opposition to unintended fishing-related breakage.
See the way it stacks as much as the Finest Bass Fishing Rods of 2025.
Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Rod Evaluate
-
Size:
7'1" -
Energy:
Medium heavy -
Motion:
Quick -
Lure vary:
3/8-1 oz.
Professionals
-
Made within the USA
-
Value
-
Guarantee
-
Light-weight
-
Nice sensitivity
-
Grippy deal with
-
Stable versatility
Cons
-
Some parts really feel low cost
-
Not as light-weight, versatile, or delicate as premium rods
-
Reviews of deal with delaminating
Why the Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Casting Rod Is Such a Good Deal
So why do I’ve such an infatuation with this rod, created from out of doors large Bass Professional? All of it comes right down to the worth the rod delivers, very similar to the Bass Professional spinning reel I’ve grow to be keen on. Don’t let the identify idiot you. It truly is a steal of a rod.
Made within the USA
The Platinum Signature rods are manufactured proper right here in the united statesA. and retail for $200. There are only a few rods in that worth vary that may make that declare. In truth, Cashion has been getting loads of love these days for releasing new price range rods manufactured within the U.S., as if it have been some new idea. However Bass Professional has silently stood from afar, doing that very same factor for years.
If you purchase this rod, you’re supporting American manufacturing. It additionally possible makes the rods tariff-proof, and the costs have remained regular through the years.
Guarantee of the Platinum Signature Casting Rod
As a premium product within the realm of Bass Professional, you get a stellar guarantee whenever you decide one among these rods up. In line with Bass Professional Outlets, these rods are coated below guarantee “10 years from the date of buy in opposition to defects in supplies, workmanship, and in opposition to breakage below regular fishing situations, to the unique purchaser. A dated proof of buy is required for guarantee validation.”
That, in itself, is fairly superior, since there’s no point out of restore or alternative charges. Virtually each rod producer expenses you one thing to restore a rod that you simply broke.
I’ve personally by no means needed to guarantee any of my BPS rods, however I’ve a buddy who did. He walked into his nearest Bass Professional Outlets with the damaged rod, and got here out of the shop with a brand new one.
Which means if there’s a Bass Professional Outlets or Cabela’s close to you, the Platinum Signature has a case for one of the best guarantee within the fishing {industry}. You’ll by no means be out a rod when catastrophe strikes. Regardless of what you’ll have heard concerning the company large after the Cabela’s buyout, all the pieces I’ve heard firsthand about guarantee claims has been good.
Weight and Really feel in Hand
If you decide the Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Casting rod up, it turns into evident that it’s not typical store-brand junk. The rod may be very mild and looks like different higher-end rods on my boat deck. The rod balances properly, and the burden isn’t inconsistently distributed close to the tip.
That’s due to the “RT5” graphite that makes up the rod. It’s the highest-quality graphite mix BPS gives. RT5, versus RT4 and decrease graphite BPS makes use of (manufactured abroad), permits the rod to be lighter, thinner, and extra delicate. It’s not simply advertising and marketing speak; it does make a distinction when put next aspect by aspect.
The Winn grip stands out probably the most. It’s mainly texturized rubber. In my hand, it’s very grippy and feels new-age, not like the traditional look of cork. In rain or snow, my hand stays glued to it, and even in moist situations, I’ve a certain grip when hammering residence hook units. It’s a professional in my guide.
There are some studies on-line of the deal with delaminating, however after a yr of constant use, mine reveals no indicators of damage. If it finally ends up delaminating, I’ll use the guarantee at my native Bass Professional.
On-the-Water Efficiency
The place the Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Excels
Sensitivity for Backside Contact Baits
When it comes time to tug jigs, the Johnny Morris Platinum Signature 7’1″ Medium Heavy rod is one among my favorites. It’s so ridiculously delicate for a rod within the $200 worth level.
Only a few weeks in the past, I used to be fishing jigs in 25 toes of water in opposition to bluff partitions on a channel swing. The fishing was more durable, and the bass have been consuming very subtly. But, I used to be in a position to rapidly detect each chunk with the Platinum Signature. You actually can really feel construction, rock ledges, and all the pieces whereas fishing this rod.
At one level, I broke off and switched to a distinct rod from one other model at an identical worth level. It felt heavy and clunky compared. So I took the time to tie a brand new jig on the BPS rod and switched again to it.
It additionally excels at throwing Texas rigs and another backside contact baits you’d throw on a bait caster. In the case of sensitivity, it’s loads of rod for the cash.
Rod Motion Permits for Respectable Versatility
Each rod producer means one thing completely different once they fee a rod’s energy and motion. There’s no commonplace measurement, and all of them differ. Some medium-heavy rods are extra like a heavy, and a few fast-actioned rods are extra reasonable than others.
I’d place this rod’s “medium-heavy, quick motion” proper in the course of industry-wide rankings. Which is to say, I believe the score is spot on, although it might be leaning a contact towards the heavy somewhat than the medium score. Barely although.
That makes it fairly a flexible rod. Outdoors of jig fishing, I actually get pleasure from this rod for fishing chatterbaits and spinnerbaits. It has sufficient spine to throw heavier variations of these baits, however has simply the correct amount of give to permit bass to swallow a shifting bait earlier than driving the hook residence.
The place the Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Struggles
Because the rod is a contact on the heavier aspect, I’ve discovered it tends to battle with casting lighter lures. It may be robust to get lengthy casts on the decrease finish of the score (3/8-1 ounce). I wouldn’t say it’s terrible by any stretch, however it’s noticeable. That’s not essentially a nasty factor, although, as a result of the rod excels on the heavier finish of its score. It’s a tradeoff.
Whereas I do love the rod’s light-weight, delicate efficiency, you shouldn’t have unrealistic expectations. This rod can’t compete with extra premium choices just like the G-Loomis NRX+. It’s not as mild, delicate, or versatile. In fact, it’s $450 cheaper.
And on that observe, a number of the parts do really feel low cost, specifically the actual seat. It’s plastic and is simply meh. However, it’s a $200 rod, and I’ll take an inexpensive reel seat for the wonderful rod efficiency.
Remaining Ideas: Who Ought to Purchase One
Until you’re a devoted angler who calls for the best possible and has the checking account to pay for it, this is a superb bass fishing rod. It’s sufficient rod for 99% of anglers on the market.
Heck, I had the chance to fish with Edwin Evers this previous spring. You already know what his rod deck was plagued by? That’s proper, Johnny Morris Platinum Signature Casting rods. Now, he’s sponsored by Bass Professional, in order that doesn’t actually say a lot. However the man did win a Redcrest championship with them, so I’m fairly certain the Platinum Signature will get it executed at your native weekend tournaments.
For the worth, it’s onerous to beat. In the event you’re wanting so as to add rods to your bass fishing arsenal, these rods are a good way to do it with out breaking the financial institution and giving up efficiency. Or, in case you simply want a top quality rod that you could depend on whereas pond hopping, it’ll do the trick.
Mainly, in case you’re purchasing on the planet of $200 bass rods, this is among the higher rods I’ve used with an exceptional guarantee. Decide one up, and also you’ll see what I’m speaking about.
