ENTSPORT E Series Camo Legend Casting Rod Review: a budget 2-in-1 bass rod that does the job

I’ve been using the ENTSPORT E Series Camo Legend 7' casting rod for weekend bass fishing, mostly from the bank and out of a small jon boat. I picked it up because I wanted a cheap baitcaster rod I wouldn’t cry over if it got tossed in the water or stepped on, and the whole “2 tips in one kit” thing sounded handy. I’m not sponsored, I paid for it, and I’ve fished it with a few different reels and line setups.

Over roughly a month, I ran it with 30 lb braid and 12–15 lb mono, throwing Texas rigs, small jigs, spinnerbaits, and a couple of squarebills. Nothing crazy heavy, mostly typical bass lures in the 1/4–3/4 oz range. I swapped between the medium and medium heavy tips just to see if it was a gimmick or actually useful.

My first impression was basically: it’s light, it doesn’t feel like a toy, but it also doesn’t feel like a $150 rod. Somewhere in the middle. The blank feels decent in the hand, the guides don’t look fancy, and the camo handle is a bit loud visually, but for the price, I wasn’t expecting anything fancy anyway. I mainly cared about whether it could cast cleanly and handle fish without exploding.

Short version: it gets the job done for casual bass fishing and as a backup rod. It’s not perfect, it’s not going to replace higher-end gear, but for someone on a budget or needing a rod they’re not afraid to beat up, it’s pretty solid. If you’re picky about finish quality and perfect guide alignment, you’ll probably find stuff to complain about, but if you just want to fish, it works.

From a value point of view, this rod sits in a good spot. You’re basically paying the price of one budget rod and getting two different power options in the same kit. For someone who doesn’t want to buy multiple rods, that’s pretty appealing. You can run the medium tip for smaller lures and reaction baits, and swap to the medium heavy tip when you want to throw jigs or heavier Texas rigs. In practice, it really does feel like having two rods that share a handle.

Compared to other cheap rods I’ve used from big-box stores, this ENTSPORT holds its own. The blank feels at least as good, sometimes better, and the overall build is on par. Where it falls behind more expensive rods is sensitivity and finish quality, but that’s expected. If you’re just starting with baitcasting or need a backup rod to keep in the truck, this is a decent choice that won’t wreck your budget.

On the downside, the quality control isn’t perfect. Slightly crooked guides, a bit of sloppy epoxy, and the loud camo design might turn off some people. Also, if you already own a couple of solid rods, this isn’t going to replace them. It’s more of a budget workhorse or beater rod than a main high-end setup. But for the price, especially considering the extra tip, it’s good value for money.

So if you’re a casual angler, a beginner, or just want something cheap you can throw in the car and not worry about, it makes sense. If you’re picky about every detail and really into finesse and high sensitivity, you’ll probably be happier spending more on a better-known mid-range brand.

Visually, this rod is not subtle. The camo EVA split grip is pretty loud, and either you like that or you don’t. Personally, I don’t care much what a rod looks like as long as it fishes well, but if you’re into clean, minimalist gear, this one is a bit flashy. The blank itself is black, with some basic graphics, nothing fancy. From a distance it looks like a typical budget bass rod you’d find on Amazon or at a big-box store.

The split grip design keeps things light and gives you open blank between the grip and reel seat. The butt section length is decent for two-handed casting, and I had no trouble bombing spinnerbaits or lipless cranks. The trigger grip area is sized fine; I used it with a couple of mid-range baitcasters and everything seated without awkward gaps. The reel seat has those aluminum hoods they advertise as corrosion resistant. Mine hasn’t seen saltwater, just freshwater lakes and rivers, but I haven’t seen any flaking or rust spots yet.

One thing I did notice is that guide alignment isn’t perfect. On my rod, one of the guides is slightly off-center. It doesn’t ruin the fishing experience, but if you’re picky, you’ll see it right away. The guide wraps and epoxy are okay but clearly mass-produced — a few uneven spots, a bit of extra epoxy here and there. Functionally fine, just not pretty if you inspect it closely.

What I do like about the design is the two different tips. The medium tip has a bit more flex and is better for lighter lures or treble hook baits, while the medium heavy tip feels stiffer and better for Texas rigs, jigs, or anything you’re dragging on the bottom. Swapping tips is quick, and it honestly feels like having two rods that share the same handle. So from a design standpoint, it’s not classy, but it’s practical, and that fits the price point.

Comfort-wise, this rod is actually one of the better budget sticks I’ve used. The weight is low, and paired with a normal-sized baitcaster, the setup doesn’t feel tip-heavy. I fished it for several hours straight throwing spinnerbaits and Texas rigs, and my wrist and forearm felt fine. On heavier, clunkier rods, you feel that fatigue a lot quicker, especially when you’re chunking and winding nonstop.

The EVA split grip is shaped decently. The rear handle length gives you enough leverage for two-handed casts without jamming the butt into your ribs. The front grip area is small but enough to choke up on if you like to palm the reel. The trigger is comfortable; it didn’t dig into my finger even after a long day. I’ve had cheaper rods where the trigger shape is awkward and leaves a sore spot — this one didn’t do that.

I also like the exposed blank reel seat for comfort and feel. You can rest your finger directly on the blank, which helps with sensitivity on bottom contact baits. Even when wearing thin gloves, I could still feel taps from smaller fish on jigs and Texas rigs. The soft-touch finish on the reel seat doesn’t feel cheap or plasticky, which is a nice bonus at this price.

In terms of fatigue, this rod is totally fine for a casual angler or someone just getting into baitcasting. It’s not some super high-end featherweight, but it’s light enough that you don’t think about it. The only minor comfort issue is the camo grip texture can get a little slick when fully soaked, but it’s not terrible. A quick wipe on your shirt and it’s fine again. Overall, for long sessions on the water, it’s more comfortable than I expected for a low-cost rod.

The rod blank is advertised as 24-ton carbon fiber, which is pretty standard language for budget rods these days. In the hand, it feels light and reasonably crisp, but not as sharp or responsive as more expensive graphite rods. If you’ve only used cheap fiberglass or older heavy rods, this will feel like a nice upgrade. If you’re coming from $150+ rods, you’ll feel the difference in sensitivity and overall refinement.

The EVA handles are high-density, or at least that’s what the brand claims. In real use, they feel firm, not squishy, and they haven’t started peeling or getting shiny after a handful of trips. I’ve fished it in hot weather with sweaty hands and a bit of rain, and the grip stayed decent. It’s not cork, but for a rod that’s going to get abused, EVA is fine. I’d rather beat up EVA than nice cork on a cheap setup.

The guides are marketed as some “K-R” and “Finesse” series, but realistically they’re just basic stainless-style guides with inserts. The inserts haven’t popped out or cracked on me, and they’ve handled braid without any grinding or squealing. However, when you look closely, you can tell these aren’t high-end guides — the frames are a bit chunky, and the finish isn’t super smooth. They do the job, and for this price, that’s about all I expect.

The reel seat has a soft-touch coating and metal hoods. It actually feels okay, and I like the exposed blank section under your fingers for better contact. The seat has held my reels tight with no wiggle. Overall, the materials are what you’d expect in this price range: functional, not fancy. The blank is the best part; the components are decent but clearly budget. For a backup or starter rod, I’m fine with that trade-off.

Durability is where I was a bit skeptical at first, just because of the price and the fact that it comes with two tips. After several trips, some rough handling in the car, and a couple of accidental knocks against the boat, the rod is still in one piece. The 24-ton carbon blank hasn’t shown any cracks or soft spots, and the ferrule connection between butt and tip hasn’t loosened up. I check it every now and then, and it still seats tight.

The guides are usually the weak point on cheap rods. On this one, all the guide inserts are still intact, and I haven’t seen any bending or warping, even after snagging and pulling hard a few times. The wraps and epoxy aren’t pretty, but they haven’t started peeling or cracking. If you toss it around carelessly, I’m sure you could bend a guide, but that’s true for most rods.

The EVA grips are holding up well. No chunks missing, no major wear spots yet. The camo pattern is purely cosmetic, and it hasn’t faded in any noticeable way. The reel seat threads still tighten smoothly, and the aluminum hoods haven’t corroded, at least in freshwater use. I wouldn’t trust this as a dedicated saltwater rod without a good rinse every time, but for bass and other freshwater species, it seems fine.

What I like from a durability standpoint is the second tip. If you break one, you’re not totally out of luck; you still have the other. Obviously if you snap the butt section, that’s game over, but having a backup tip is nice peace of mind. Overall, I’d say durability is pretty solid for the money. It’s not indestructible, but if you treat it reasonably and don’t high-stick fish like crazy, it should last a good while.

On the water, the Camo Legend performs better than its price suggests, but you do feel that it’s a budget rod. With the medium tip, I had good luck throwing squarebill crankbaits, small spinnerbaits, and lighter Texas rigs around 1/4–3/8 oz. The rod loads up nicely on the cast, and you can get decent distance without feeling like you’re overworking it. For treble hook baits, the softer medium tip is the better choice; it keeps fish pinned without ripping hooks out.

With the medium heavy tip, the rod stiffens up noticeably. I used it for 3/8–1/2 oz jigs and Texas rigs with 12–15 lb mono and 30 lb braid. Hooksets felt solid, and the backbone is strong enough to pull fish out of light cover. I wouldn’t use this as a heavy flipping stick in thick mats, but for docks, laydowns, and general structure, it holds up. The fast action is legit: most of the bend is in the top third, which is what you want for bottom contact baits.

In terms of sensitivity, it’s decent but not mind-blowing. I could feel bottom changes (rock vs mud) and most bites, especially with braid. Compared to a mid-range $120+ rod, you definitely lose some feel, but for casual fishing it’s fine. If you’re really into finesse and want to feel every pebble, you’ll want something better. For weekend anglers, it’s good enough to detect strikes and set the hook in time.

Casting performance is pretty clean. The line flows through the guides without much friction, and I didn’t have weird line slap issues. I threw mostly 1/4–3/4 oz lures, which seems to be the sweet spot. When I pushed it with something closer to 1 oz, the medium heavy tip handled it but you can tell you’re near the limit. Overall, it does the job for bass fishing in typical conditions, and that’s really what matters here.

Out of the box, the ENTSPORT Camo Legend comes in a simple rod bag with the butt section and two separate tip sections: one labeled medium and one medium heavy. No fancy hard case, just a fabric sleeve that’s good enough to keep things from getting scratched in the car. For the price point, I wasn’t expecting more, and honestly the bag is fine for tossing it in the trunk.

The rod is a 2-piece design, so you’ve got the butt plus whichever tip you choose. The connection feels snug; there’s not a lot of wobble at the ferrule if you seat it properly. The whole setup is pretty light — the rod itself is around 0.4 pounds, and you can feel that when you pick it up. It doesn’t feel like a broomstick. The rated line weight is up to 26 lb, and lure rating is around 1.1 oz, but in real use I’d say it’s happiest in the 3/8–3/4 oz range.

In terms of layout, you get 6+1 guides (six plus the tip), so guide spacing is pretty standard for a 7' casting rod. The company likes to mention the “K-R” and “Finesse” guide series, but in hand they just look like basic corrosion-resistant guides. Nothing fancy, but they’ve held up so far with braid and mono without grooves or weird noise. The reel seat is one of those open exposure types where you can feel the blank with your fingers, which I like for bottom contact baits.

Overall, the presentation is simple: one butt, two tips, a sleeve, and that’s it. No instructions, no fancy branding pack, nothing to baby. For a budget rod, that’s fine. The main selling point here is really the two power options in one kit, and that’s the only thing that makes it stand out in a very crowded cheap rod market.