Greatest Fishing Rod and Reel Combos of 2024

Fishing rod and reel combos are a handy method to get out on the water faster. When you can all the time pair a rod and reel collectively by yourself, looking for the correct setup will be overwhelming and complicated. There are countless rod and reel choices and getting match is usually a tough activity.

Fortunately, rod and reel combos are available in all kinds of setups, from trout spinning reels to baitcasting rods. I’ve been fishing for greater than a decade and have used some nice combos and a few not-so-great ones. What I’ve realized is {that a} good setup must be effectively balanced, capable of face up to some abuse, and, if it’s vital to you, budget-friendly.

Under, we’ve narrowed down the very best fishing rod and reel combos we’ve examined over time from high manufacturers like Penn, Lew’s, and Pflueger, whether or not you’re into fly fishing or chasing catfish.

The Greatest Rod and Reel Combos

Greatest General

Specs

• Reel Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
• Max Drag Lb: 10 lbs of drag
• Rod Size: 4 toes 8 inches to 7 toes
• Rod Energy: Ultralight, mild, medium mild, medium
• Weight: 14.11 ounces

Professionals

• Big selection of sizes
• Effectively balanced and comfy to fish
• Tremendous easy reel

Cons

The Pflueger President Spinning Combo is the very best fishing rod and reel combo for anybody getting began, however certainly not is it only for newcomers. The President reel has gained legendary standing as one among Pflueger’s greatest spinning reels and rightfully so. The reel itself provides an incredible drag system that’s tremendous easy with low start-up inertia. That is essential when battling massive fish that take lengthy runs, as low start-up inertia means the drag engages instantly to stop the road from breaking.

Paired with an IM-8 Graphite rod that’s tremendous delicate, the combo can detect even probably the most delicate takes. It’s supplied in rod lengths from 4′ 8″ to 7′, the shorter rods are designed to forged smaller lures with ease, excellent for trout or panfish. The 7′ combo is my most well-liked all-around rod and reel; it’s an incredible setup for bass fishing and even higher in the event you’re not fairly positive what you wish to fish for. Once I consider the Pflueger President combo, utility and sturdiness come to thoughts at a value level that may’t be overwhelmed.

Greatest Saltwater

Specs

• Reel Gear Ratio: 5.6:1 and 5.7:1
• Max Drag Lb: 13.2, 15.4, and 17.6
• Rod Size: 7 toes
• Rod Energy: Medium mild, medium, medium heavy

Professionals

• Highly effective drag system
• Aluminum guides
• Provided in a variety of sizes

Cons

• The reel is considerably heavy

New anglers can discover saltwater fishing intimidating with numerous choices of saltwater reels and rods available on the market that may value an arm and a leg. The Daiwa Saltwater BG Combo solves this difficulty with a bulletproof combo at a budget-friendly value. I’ve fished Daiwa BG reels religiously the final couple of seasons and don’t have anything however good issues to say. Simply from holding one, it’s constructed to final. With a sturdy aluminum building to stop corrosion and outsized gears, the reel will final years to come back. I’ve fought loads of massive snook and tarpon, and the reel performs the identical because it did day one. 

It’s supplied in a number of configurations to cowl all types of fishing conditions however the very best all-around combo is the 7-foot medium rod with a Daiwa BG 3000. The reel has 15.4lbs of drag which is greater than sufficient to cease even massive fish and, not like most 3000 sized reels, is barely outsized. This lets you add further line for warm fish that take lengthy runs. The 7-foot medium motion rod is tremendous correct and delicate sufficient to position casts in hard-to-reach locations. Cork grips on the rod add a pleasant contact that’s sometimes solely seen on higher-end rods as of late. Pair it with 30lb braid and the BG combo is prepared for almost any saltwater fish you’ll encounter.

Greatest Surf Fishing

Specs

• Reel Gear Ratio: 5.6:1 
• Max Drag Lb: 25 lbs 
• Rod Size: 9 toes

Professionals

• Carbon Fiber Drag System
• One Piece Guides
• Accessible in journey fashions

Cons

The Penn Battle III Combo is a workhorse within the Penn lineup and is made to carry as much as the brutal situations of surf fishing. If you wish to know what a setup is manufactured from, carry it to the seaside for a day and also you’ll shortly discover out its price. The greatest surf fishing reels and rods can value lots of of {dollars} and even then, can nonetheless succumb to sand and salt very quickly. The Penn Battle reels are overbuilt to face up to the harshest days within the salt with carbon fiber drag methods that received’t corrode even when absolutely submerged. Whereas the reel is nice the rod is much more spectacular. Numerous combos will pair a pleasant reel with a lackluster rod which will be problematic for any surf fisherman.

The Penn Battle Rod has a smooth taper to it and is tremendous snug within the hand, balancing completely with the reel. I’ve discovered the extra snug a rod feels the additional you’ll be able to forged it and that is no exception. Final 12 months in the course of the mullet run I put the Penn Battle combo via its paces with zero failures. The 6000 measurement reels have 25lbs of drag to cease giants and the rod allowed me to succeed in these hard-to-reach fish hanging previous the breakers.  

Greatest Baitcasting

Specs

• Reel Gear Ratio: 7.5:1
• Max Drag Lb: 15
• Rod Size: 7 toes
• Rod Energy: Medium heavy

Professionals

• 10 bearing reel for easy casting
• Patented no foul hook keeper
• Provided in left-handed and right-handed retrieves

Cons

• Solely supplied in one-piece rods

Anybody seeking to get into bass fishing is aware of how intimidating a baitcaster combo will be. Pairing baitcasting rod with a reel will be tough in the event you by no means used one, and casting it may be even trickier. The Lew’s Pace Spool LFS Baitcast Combo is a premium setup at an entry-level value that’s straightforward to fish. Baitcasting reels depend on bearings to make easy and correct casts whereas avoiding backlashes. Usually talking, the extra bearings a reel has the higher they forged and the Pace Spool LFS has 10 premium bearings. For these new to baitcasting reels, set the strain knob so the bait barely falls if you free spool it, flip the aspect brake midway, and also you’re good to start out casting. 

I’ve been totally impressed with this combo, and it performs simply in addition to a number of of my high-end baitcasting setups. The 7-foot medium-heavy rod throws nearly any lure a bass would eat. I pitch jigs, throw crankbaits, and frogfish with this setup and have had no issues. Whereas extra superior methods may name for particular rods, it is a nice all-around rod and the medium-heavy motion has sufficient spine to horse large fish out of thick vegetation. 

Lately, I took this setup frog fishing for snakeheads in Florida. Working a frog near the financial institution an 8lb snakehead crushed my bait. After a number of hectic moments and some selection phrases, I used to be capable of flip the snakehead out of the water and onto land. In all essence snakeheads are bass on steroids, so the actual fact this combo held as much as a fish of this caliber means any bass received’t stand an opportunity. In the event you’ve by no means fished a baitcaster, spooling it with 15lb monofilament is an efficient begin because it’s far more forgiving and more durable to backlash, however if you find yourself prepared, 30lb braided line is what you need.

Greatest Fly Fishing

Specs

• Reel Gear Ratio: 1:1
• Max Drag Lb: 5
• Rod Size: 8 toes 6 inches, 9 toes, 10 toes

Professionals

• Effectively stability rod for the cash
• Comes with a fly line and backing
• 4-piece rod for simple storage

Cons

• Fishes higher with a nicer fly line

For years, the fly fishing group has come throughout as prestigious and caught up, however because of an enormous change in tradition, it’s extra accessible than ever. Many corporations, together with Orvis, have lastly began to construct high quality gear tailor-made to anglers coming into the game. The Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod Outfit is the primary combo that I’ve laid my fingers on that really holds its personal towards premium setups. Orvis has put vital time into the Clearwater lineup, and the trickle-down know-how is instantly obvious. Constructed with high quality elements, together with premium cork and guides, the Clearwater is simple to make correct and lengthy casts with. The Clearwater even took residence the very best worth award in our fly rod take a look at.

For these beginning, the 9-foot, 5 weight combo is an ideal all-around trout rod that transfers effectively into heat water fishing for bass and panfish. Previously, many combos have had mediocre reels, constructed extra to carry the fly line than to battle fish. The Clearwater reel is way from that. It’s a die-cast reel that means it’s poured in a mould to economize in comparison with absolutely machined aluminum reels. What units this reel aside is the elements that go into it; the drag elements are similar to these utilized in Orvis’s higher-end reels. The result’s a easy reel with low start-up inertia at a funds value. 

With regards to casting, the rod is quick motion however nonetheless forgiving and is tremendous useful for newcomers studying to forged. Roll casting and overhead casting come pure, and in the event you’ve by no means forged a fly rod earlier than, a half-hour on the entrance garden can take you a great distance. Above all, the rod is protected by Orvis’s legendary no-questions-asked 25-year guarantee so you’ll be able to fish in confidence realizing you’ll be taken care of it doesn’t matter what occurs.

Greatest Spinning

Specs

• Reel Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Max Drag Lb: 14
• Rod Size: 6 toes 10 inches, 7 toes, 7 toes 2 inches
• Rod Energy: Medium mild, medium

Professionals

• Easy drag
• Excessive-end guides
• Snug grips
• Nice rod sensitivity

Cons

Though the value tag on Lew’s Mach Jacked Spinning Combo isn’t precisely high-end, the efficiency is about as shut as you’ll get in a prepackaged setup. It’s light-weight, tremendous delicate, and has a particularly easy drag system. The combo is accessible in three largemouth–targeted tournament-level lengths and actions that work properly whether or not you’re an off-the-cuff weekend bass angler or a critical competitor.  

The rod options high-end guides and ergonomic customized Winn Extremely grips. The reel has a premium 10-bearing system and a light-weight C40 carbon rotor with a one-piece bail. It casts like an absolute dream. 

Greatest Catfish

Specs

• Reel Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Max Drag Lb: 12
• Rod Size: 6 toes 6 inches
• Rod Energy: Medium

Professionals

• Reasonably priced
• Sturdy building
• Good for catfishing

Cons

I grew up fishing Ugly Stik combos, and so they proceed to be inexpensive crowd-pleasers some forty years later. The model’s GX2 combos provide extra refinement and higher efficiency than the combos of my youth. Nonetheless, that very same fabulous fiberglass and graphite, practically indestructible building continues to be there. These infants are ultra-durable with sufficient sensitivity to maintain the enjoyable in reeling in good-sized channel cats. The GX2 combo will work for some bass-fishing purposes, however catfishing is the place this factor actually shines. 

The rod options sturdy stainless-steel guides and a sturdy reel, so that is one that may journey round within the mattress of your truck with out worries. And since it’s extremely well-priced, you received’t cry too many tears if it walks off whilst you’re parked on the native gasoline station. 

Greatest Crappie

Specs

• Reel Gear Ratio: 4.9:1
• Max Drag Lb: 10
• Rod Size: 7 toes 6 inches
• Rod Energy: Medium

Professionals

• Versatile 
• Reasonably priced
• Snug cork deal with
• Motion excellent for panfish

Cons

• Solely obtainable as a one-piece rod

With this combo, you are able to do nearly something—forged deep, dip shallow water, shoot below docks, pitch to submerged cowl, you identify it. Constructed from high-modulus graphite, the one-piece rod provides nice sensitivity and motion with out sacrificing sturdiness. It’s well-balanced and outfitted with gold alloy guides and a real Portuguese cork knob deal with. 

B’n’M rounds out the combo with their 75 Reel, a 7+1 BB reel with a 4.9:1 gear ratio.  The reel additionally has a reversible deal with for right- or left-hand retrieve. All in all a wonderful setup that permits you to catch crappie proper out of the field. 

How We Examined Fishing Rod and Reel Combos

Over the previous decade, we’ve fished for absolutely anything that may swim. This journey has taken us to numerous locations and has concerned just about each fishing method below the solar. With that type of expertise below our belts, we perceive the essential standards for locating a strong rod and reel combo. 

Earlier than we hit the water, we narrowed down the choices to create an inventory of rigs we needed to check. We based mostly our choice on the next standards:

• Sturdiness: Will the combo face up to harsh situations and abuse?
• Weight: How heavy is it, and does the load have an effect on efficiency?
• Dimension: Does the rod break down in any respect, and may you journey with it?
• Drag: What number of kilos of drag does the reel have?
• Gear Ratio: What’s the deal with crank-to-spool flip ratio?
• Parts: What supplies are the rod and reel manufactured from, and the way does that translate to longevity?
• Worth: Is it budget-friendly for brand spanking new anglers?

As soon as we had the shortlist, we hit the water to see how these rod and reel combos carry out for real-world fishing. 

How one can Choose a Rod and Reel Combo

For newbie anglers, a fishing rod combo is an ideal setup to get began. A top quality combo will final years, and the rod and reel are paired to match in order that they really feel balanced and comfy in your hand. To not point out, shopping for a combo is budget-friendly so you might have some leftover money to pick sort out to hit the water prepared. Realizing the goal species, measurement of the rod and reel, the place you’ll be fishing, and what your funds seems to be like are all good beginning factors. 

Sort of Fish

Determining what fish you can be focusing on is step one find the correct combo. Not all combos are the identical. In the event you go off of seems to be alone, you may be under-gunned when it comes time to fish. Focusing on greater fish like salmon requires massive reels which are able to holding as much as blistering runs and a rod that’s delicate sufficient to guard mild strains. Understanding what you’re up towards may also help slim your selection to some good choices which are effectively suited to years to come back.

Dimension

As nice as a one-piece rod is, not all anglers have the area to retailer a 7ft or longer rod, and touring with them will be one other story in itself. If area is a matter then search for combos with rods that break down in a number of items. A two-piece rod is a superb compromise between sensitivity and comfort, they pack down comparatively small and may journey in nearly any automobile. When area is a critical difficulty, a number of combos are available in journey choices that break down into 4 to six items relying on the setup. I choose these kinds if I’m flying someplace to fish or require one thing sufficiently small to stuff in a backpack.

Freshwater vs. Saltwater

There’s a vital distinction between saltwater and freshwater combos. When you can take a saltwater combo in freshwater, doing the reverse will be laborious in your gear. Freshwater setups are nice at what they’re designed for, however they can’t stand as much as the abuse of saltwater fishing. The salt will get into reels and eats away on the gears and inside elements inflicting them to rust and jam up. Saltwater reels are designed to face as much as the abuse, and a few even include absolutely sealed drags to maintain saltwater out, even when utterly submerged. Look carefully on the combo you find yourself going with and ensure it’s prepared for the situations you propose to fish in and it’ll final for much longer.

Value

Anglers simply getting began could also be hesitant to spend lots of on their first setup. Fortunately for newcomers, there are many nice setups at a budget-friendly value. Most main corporations provide strong rod and reel setups which have a variety of options just like their high-end fashions. One other benefit to purchasing combos is you usually save some huge cash. Many corporations provide combos for a major low cost in comparison with shopping for the identical rod and reel individually.

FAQs

Even the very best anglers began someplace, and likelihood is, it was with a combo. They’re inexpensive, able to go, and may do the whole lot their costlier counterparts can. However choosing the proper one for you will not be all the time straightforward. Bear in mind to consider how you propose to make use of it, what you wish to catch, and what your expertise degree is. My high picks cowl all kinds of angling methods and conditions to get everybody began it doesn’t matter what swims in your yard. So do a little analysis and take into consideration what sort of fishing you hope to do, and the fishing rod and reel combo you select will likely be by your aspect alongside your journey.

Why Belief Us

For greater than 125 years, Subject & Stream has been offering readers with sincere and genuine protection of outside gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outside, and that zeal comes via in our product evaluations. You possibly can rely on F&S to maintain you updated on the very best new gear. And after we write a few product—whether or not it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cowl the great and the dangerous, so precisely what to anticipate earlier than you determine to make a purchase order.