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Ark Catalyzer Baitcasting Rod, Expert Tested

Our bass fishing expert breaks down the best budget baitcaster on the market and the techniques it is best for
ARK Catalyzer rod on boat deck next to a fishing rod
The author tested the ARK Catalyzer while fishing a variety of fishing techniques this summer. (Photo/Shaye Baker)

Ark Catalyzer Baitcasting Rod, Expert Tested

The ARK Catalyzer is the best rod for the money that I’ve ever picked up. My initial impressions were strong when I pulled the Catalyzer out of the rod tube last May. And now, months later, the Catalyzer series has proven itself time and time again–to the point that it earned the award for Best Budget Rod during the recent side-by-side comparison of 11 different casting rods for our Best Baitcasting Rods test.

For $60, this baitcaster is unbeatable. I have two different models from the Catalyzer series and have caught fish using a variety of different techniques with these rods, but laying into shallow bass on a hollow-body frog was no doubt my favorite. Frogging with this rod was also the most telling when it comes to the strength of the Catalyzer. Below is an in-depth look at the 7’2” heavy power/fast action Catalyzer, along with notes on the other models from this series.

Angler reeling in lure on the Ark Catalyzer rod
The author testing the Ark Catalyzer casting rod on the water. (Photo/Shaye Baker)

Ark Catalyzer Overview

My expectations for a rod priced at 60 bucks weren't high. I’ve fished with other budget rods between $50 and $100, and they are usually heavy and sometimes fail when put under the strain of a hefty hookset. So, when I ordered the Catalyzer, I wasn’t optimistic until I opened it up and held it in my hand.

The Catalyzer is a touch heavier than most high-end rods I've fished with, but it is well-balanced—especially considering this rod is heavier than other models that cost four times as much. The split grip EVA foam handles have a nice and comfortable feel. The rod blank itself is a little rough to the touch above the first guide. But that seemed to be more of an aesthetic compromise—perhaps to keep costs down—and one that I frankly couldn’t have cared less about as long as it performed well on the water. The stainless steel guides, exposed section of the rod blank in the reel seat, and well-placed bait keeper all added to the great first impression. Here's how it stacked up on the water.

Best Budget
Ark Catalyzer

Ark Catalyzer
See at Ark Rods

Specs

  • Rod Type: Casting

  • Pieces: 1 Rod Length: 7’2”

  • Rod Power: Heavy

  • Rod Action: Fast

  • Line Rating: 12-25 pound

  • Lure Rating: 3/8-1 1/2 ounce

Other notable features

  • 36-ton high modulus graphite

  • Stainless steel guides

  • High-density EVA grips

  • Custom reel seat with an exposed blank

  • Reinforced hook keeper

  • Limited 90-day warranty

  • Three models

Angler holds up bass with frog in mouth next to rod
The Ark Catalyzer excelled at throwing frogs during the test. (Photo/Shaye Baker)

On the water Performance

The 7’2” heavy/fast was the first of the Catalyzer Series that I tested. Of the three models available, this is best suited for power fishing techniques. So when I hit the water, I immediately tied on a hollow-body frog. It was plenty long and strong enough to wrestle big bass out of fairly thick cover without sacrificing a soft enough tip for making roll casts and skipping the bait under docks and bushes.

I was impressed by the rod’s strength and overall quality during the test. I didn't hold back when laying into big bass, and the Catalyzer handled every heavy hookset. Based on it's performance, the 7’2” would also make a great pitching and flipping rod as well. I wouldn’t go as far as punching with it, though ARK did put a lure weight rating of up to 1 1/2 ounces—which is surprising given the fact they offer a 90-day warranty on it too. Though I wouldn’t recommend punching with it, ARK is confident the rod can handle it.

I also purchased the 7’3” medium heavy in preparation for our baitcasting rods test. This slightly longer model excelled at throwing a 6th Sense 6-inch Trace Swimbait. It had plenty of power to lob the bait out but was soft enough in its action to load up on the hookset and sink trebles into fish without tearing through them.

The 7’3” medium heavy is also great for fishing spinnerbaits, ChatterBaits, and even crankbaits. And one last note: Though I’ve never actually fished with the 7’ medium heavy, based on what I saw out of the 7’3”, I believe the shorter medium heavy would be great for topwaters, lipless cranks, squarebills, some jigs, and buzzbaits, too. The biggest downside to the catalyzer series is the limited options for rods. I'd like to see them expand this line in the future to include more models tailored for different styles of fishing.

The butt end of the Ark Catalyzer fishing rod
The Ark Catalyzer features a comfortable foam EVA handle. (Photo/Shaye Baker)

Final Thoughts

At less than half the price, the Catalyzer is in the ballpark with many of the $200 rods when looking at strength, quality, and durability. For the up-and-coming angler, this is the perfect casting rod series. You can do a ton with just the 7’ medium heavy. And if you add the other two models in as well, you could fish most casting techniques effectively—and it would still cost under $200.

Even for a guy like me who has been fishing for decades and still fishes competitively with a fair amount of regularity, the Catalyzer is a rod that I can comfortably and confidently fish with all day long. Like I said, there is no better rod for the money than the ARK Catalyzer.