I don't know about where you fish Barnes but a bass rod is a broken rod where I fish! Yes, you can catch small fish but whos after small fish?

Bassman, There is nothing worse than not being properly prepared when the bite is on. If you do use the bass rod be prepared for failure! A 3 to 4oz weight alone will have that thing bent over, now cast it and it may break, if it does get you out there and a 15 to 20lb+ fish gives it a jerk the game is over. Either the line is snapped like butter or the rod too!

Go buy a cheap SW setup (around $40) with 20lb test and go have some fun. I've had 20# test snap many times on a big stripers, not to mention the blues with their razor sharp teeth. If the blues are around you should get some steel leaders or some 60# leader. Don't use freshwater steel leaders because the clips are too small and the fish will separate the connection. Get some 3 and 4oz weights(depends where you fish), some hooks, bait and a plug or two for sure. Do watch out when handling a blue.