Fishing rods and reels are complicated and can be overwhelming for new anglers. This article will break down some of the best rod and reel combos for beginners to get you started. Additionally, we will discuss the difference between spinning and baitcasting rods and discuss fishing rod power, action, material, and length.
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Best Rod and Reel Combos For Beginners (Quick Summary)
- Pflueger President Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo (Spinning)
- Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Combo (Spinning)
- 13 Fishing Radioactive Pickle (Spinning)
- Abu Garcia Black Max Baitcasting Combo (Casting)
- 13 Fishing Modus RP2 Baitcasting Combo (Casting)
Being a beginner in the fishing industry can be a bit overwhelming, at least that’s how I felt when I first started. Fishing rods come with different powers, actions, materials, and lengths. Fishing reels can either be of the bait caster or spinning variety and have different gear ratios. I know this sounds confusing at first, but I’ll do my best to simplify what each of these terms mean and provide recommendations for rod and reel combos to get started.
Choosing Fishing Rod Power:
The power of the rod signifies how stiff it is. For example, a light power rod will easily bend and is designed for lighter lure applications. Meanwhile, a heavy power rod is much stiffer and ideal for heavier lures and larger fish. For those just getting started, a medium power rod is a great choice as it is very versatile and covers a wide range of techniques.
Choosing Fishing Rod Action:
The action of the rod signifies how much bend there is in the tip of the rod. A fast action rod will have a shorter tip section and will transition into backbone (stiff section of the rod) early. A medium or slow action rod will bend throughout the entirety of the rod, not just the tip. I highly recommend rods designed with a moderate or moderate-fast taper, which provides enough backbone to fight the fish while still allowing for a degree of flexibility to prevent the hook from pulling out. If this doesn’t make total sense, the picture below helps to illustrate the various rod actions.
Choosing Rod Material:
The main rod materials on the market today include glass, fiberglass, and graphite. For most casting applications, a graphite rod is the way to go. Glass and fiberglass rods typically heavier than graphite and have a more parabolic bend, making them ideal for trolling applications. Graphite rods are generally lighter and more sensitive, making them the go to option for jigging applications when bottom contact is imperative. For a more in-depth explanation of fishing rod materials, check out this article.
Choosing Rod Length:
Length of rods varies a lot depending on the specific technique it is designed for. Rods may vary anywhere from about 5’ in length to over 8’ in length. There is no need to go to the far ends of the spectrum as a beginner. I recommend selecting a rod anywhere between 6’ and 7’, and you will be set for most tactics.
How to Decide Between A Spinning or Baitcasting Reel:
The two reel types on the market include baitcasting reels and spinning reels. The main difference is their orientation on the rod. Baitcasting reels are attached on top of the rod while spinning rods are attached underneath. Typically, bait casters are the preferred choice for bass anglers since they allow for more precise casting and control which can be imperative for bass at times. I also recommend using baitcasting rods and reels when fishing heavier baits, since spinning combos can get slightly bulky and heavy in the larger sizes.
How to Choose the Right Gear Ratio:
Another difference that you will notice amongst reels is their gear ratio. Typically, it will say two numbers such as 5:1. All this means is that every time you turn the handle one time around, the spool of the reel turns five times. I wouldn’t worry too much about this as a beginner, but generally any reel around a 6:1 gear ratio is a good starting point.
Best Rod and Reel Combos For Beginners (More Specifics)
Pflueger President Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo
General Information: Full cork handle, 10 bearing reel system, stainless steel guides, and graphite rod blank construction
Pros: Lots of length and power options and lots of reel bearings for combo setup.
Cons: Not many two piece options
Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Combo
General Information: Mixed graphite blank construction, 5 bearing reel system, 2 piece rod configuration, and full cork handle.
Pros: Very durable rod, and relatively inexpensive
Cons: Minimal length and power options to choose from
13 Fishing Radioactive Pickle Spinning Combo
General Information:
- Precision CNC Cut Z Cast Drive Gear with a 6 Bearing Glide Oscillation System
- 14 lb Max Drag and Instant Stop Anti-Reverse
- Japanese 36 Ton PVG36T Blank Construction featuring Tangle Free Stainless Steel Guides with Zirconia Inserts
- Evolve Soft Touch Airfoil Carbon Divide Reel Seat and Carbon Grip featuring an Evolve Snaggle Tooth Hook Keeper
- 1 Year Limited Warranty
Pros: Very versatile rod and relatively good components for the price
Cons: Minimal length and power options to choose from
Abu Garcia Black Max Baitcasting Combo
General Information: Molded polymer comfort grip, 4+1 reel bearing system, power disk drag system, and graphite rod blank
Pros: Very durable rod, and relatively inexpensive
Cons: Only a 6’6″ and 7′ option
13 Fishing Modus RP2 Baitcasting Combo
General Information: 13lb disk drag, 7 bearing reel system, 36-ton graphite blank construction, and very bold “radioactive pickle” color (if you are into that sort of thing)
Pros: Very sensitive, and increased reel bearing count
Cons: Only a 7′ and 7’3″ option
More Information
I hope you enjoyed this article about the best rod and reel combos for beginners and found it to be informative!
Do you fish from shore? Check out this article about the Best Shore Fishing Gear
If you fish for walleye, check out Best Walleye Spinning Rods Under $100 and Best Walleye Spinning Reels Under $100
Looking for a budget spinning rod? Check out the Best Spinning Rods Under $100 and the Top 5 Best Spinning Rods Under $150
To learn more about the differences between baitcasting rods and spinning rods, check out this article
More Rod and Reel Reviews:
- Top 5 Best Baitcasting Rods Under $150: Gear Talk
- Top 3 Best Baitcasting Reel For The Money [Under $100, $150, $200]
- Top 5 Best Shore Fishing Rods [2023 Guide]
- Top 5 Best Spinning Rods Under $150 [2023 Guide]
- Top 5 Best Spinning Rods Under $100 [2023 Guide]
- Top 3 Best Walleye Trolling Rods For Planer Boards [2023 Guide]
