Whether you are an avid angler or just starting, fishing is a great practice that can help you unwind, soothe off stress, relate to nature and have some fun. You can also make fishing a family hobby, part of your holiday adventure, or a great way to socialize with friends and family.
Although, hardcore and experienced fishermen may purchase fishing rod and reel separately, this should be a no-go-area for beginners as the amount of effort and resources that may result in futility can be too much. A cost-effective, time-effective and effortless means is to get the best fishing rod and reel combo.
Here are some of the best fishing rod and reel combo available in the market.
Top 5 The Best Fishing Rod And Reel Combo For The Money
| Image | Product | |
|---|---|---|
Best for Saltwater Hesitant Fishes  | Penn Squall Lever Drag Combo
| Check Price |
Best Saltwater Big Games  | Penn Battle II & Battle III
| Check Price |
Best New and Pro Fly Anglers  | Redington Crosswater Outfit Fishing Rod
| Check Price |
Best for Two-hand Anglers  | Zebco 33 Spincast Reel and 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo
| Check Price |
Best for Baitcasting  | Lew's Fishing American Hero Speed Spool Baitcasting Combo
| Check Price |
Penn Squall Lever Drag Combo – Best for Saltwater Hesitant Fishes
Have you been fishing in the warm sea and the huge wahoo keeps smoking your reels? Maybe other sport fishes have been outsmarting your cast when hooked and you need a way out?
The Penn Squall Lever Drag Fishing Combo is the modern-day fisherman succor featuring a proprietary Dura-drag washer system that allows you to bring in hesitant species, even under intense resistance.
This combo allows you to go fishing nearshore for the big dolphins and kings, thanks to its higher speed stainless steel gear ratio.
As of the design, it’s made from light graphite frame and sideplate, while the spool is forged from polished aluminum, both offering high flexibility and sensitivity respectively. It is available in four different sizes to accommodate various needs.
Just below the frame, the lever drag handle is intuitively positioned to give a tangle free line action. So, if you are looking for a real workhorse that can take on angling in heavy saltwater, the squall drag lever fishing combo is a no-frill choice with many good things to talk about.
Features
- One-piece tubular glass blank with a solid tip
- Switchable lugs
- Double-digit anti-reverse
- 6 stainless steel bearings
Pros
- Available in four sizes
- Perfect for Pros and beginners
- Anti-corrosion frame
- Ambidextrous design
Cons
- Has no warranty
Penn Battle II & Battle II Fishing Combo – Best Saltwater Big Games
If you’ve tried several reels and rod combo that break and fail when it matters most, it’s high time you considered going for the Penn battle II and III fishing combo. This item features an impressive HT -100 carbon fiber drag system that gives a smooth powerful drag to conquer saltwater big games.
With its impressive array of features, the Penn battle II and III fishing combo is surely a great compromise of price vs performance. The fishing rod and reel combo have a full metal frame and sideplate with exceptional durability. Both require little time-to-time lubrication to keep functioning as your favorite and longtime fishing companion.
It features an excellent nail wire made from heavy-duty aluminum for durability, a rotor that facilitates smooth casting and an instant anti-reverse bearing that’ll neither tangle nor get hooked. Also, the fishing rod comes with the durable aluminum oxide guides covered with an anti-rust coating and requires fresh water rinsing after each use to keep it in great working conditions.
Features
- 5+1 stainless steel bearings
- HT-100 drag system
- Fluid cranking with instant anti reverse
- Graphite composite blanket
Pros
- Available in different sizes
- Great entry level rod and reel combo
- Good for big games
- Great gearing for fast casting and retrieval
Cons
- Comes with no warranty
- Only available in a single color
Redington Crosswater Outfit Fishing Rod – Best New and Pro Fly Anglers
Founded in 1992, Redington has become a household name and powerhouse of innovative gears for anglers all over the world and this tool is another testimony to the value they offer. The Redington Crosswater outfit combo comprises of an easy-to-cast, medium-fast action fly rod that’s made from graphite.
It comes in either 2-piece or 4-piece models to give new and pro fly anglers alike the flexibility and ease to fish on the go. This Crosswater fly fishing combo offers function and style at a reasonable price. In addition, it’s a unique design that features; a disc-drag system with head-turning hooks that will never let go of your catch.
At normal casting ranges, the rod is designed to optimize your performance, thanks to is tappers, running lines and shorter heads that get your feet wet even as a first-timer. The outfit includes a graphite fly rod, a backing, a flying line, and a cordura rod tube with a plastic reinforced case caps that will last longer.
Features
- Packable plastic casing
- Different lengths
- Crosswater pre-spooled reel
- Standard RIO mainstream product
Pros
- Best for fly fishing
- Suitable for newbies and experts
- Good value for money
- Has alignment dots for easy rod set up
Cons
- The reel is essentially plastic
Zebco 33 Spincast Reel and 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo – Best for Two-hand Anglers
The Zebco 33 Spincast Reel and 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo is a reliable and high-performing spincast combo from one of the world-leading fishing gear producers. This combo includes a 5.6 inch medium-moderate action rod that’s easy to use and will let you cast like a pro.
While it gives a very easy push-a-button usability that’s ideal for beginners, avid anglers can also get long hours of reliable action from this combo. Thanks to its tangle-free and user-friendly build. It comes with a larger gear ratio and an extra 33 spin cast reel that lets you retrieve 20% faster and get extra adventurous.
You don’t need to remain hyper-sensitive and attentive to know when a fish takes your bait, thanks to its built-in bite alert, and an automatic clicker that switches on to notify you when a game is hooked.
Considering the construction, this rod and reel in this combo are forged from tough fiberglass that guarantees a long time of bass, pan, or lake fishing. It comes in an ambidextrous design that lets you switch until you find a comfortable hand and better still. If you choose to be a two-hand angler, you will always find peace in its reversible handle.
Features
- Ambidextrous reversible handle
- Dual ceramic pick up pins
- Quick-set anti-reverse
Pros
- Can be used by right and left handlers
- 12 months warranty
- Durable all-metal gear
- Comfortable EVA grip handle
Cons
- Some customers complain about its poor package
Lew’s Fishing American Hero Speed Spool Baitcasting Combo – Best for Baitcasting
More than just fishing rod and reel, experience fishermen looking for superb accuracy and precision will find a great deal in Lew’s American baitcasting rod and reel combo. Featuring a 6.1 medium heavy rod constructed from premium multilayer IM6 graphite for high-end structural integrity, the combo also has an exposed blank for high rod sensitivity and instant transmission of vibration.
At just 7.2 ounces and in one piece, the reel includes a 5 double-shielded stainless steel bearing system that aid smoothness, while it’s one way zero reverse clutch will help get rid of back play. You will get a completely adjustable drag system from this combo, thanks to its externally adjustable magnetic controlled system (MCS).
The handle features a high-density EVA foam split grip and the patented Lew’s custom “No Foul” hook keeper, for extended comfort and stability. Also, the reel seat has a cushioned stainless covering for a great handy job. It includes an anodized aluminum spool, a graphite composite frame and side plate, a bowed graphite drag system, and hhig-quality solid brass main gear and crankshaft.
Features
- Durable Rulon drag system
- Up to 15 lbs. drag power
- One-piece side plates
- Machined forged aluminum anodized blue spool
Pros
- Best for baitcasting
- Ideal for professionals with experience
- Accurate and durable
Cons
- Can be very difficult to maneuver for beginners
Features To Consider When Choosing the Best Fishing Rod And Reel Combo
As you venture into the market to pick up your ideal fishing combo, you will find more than enough products appealing to your sight and budget. To select any, you should be able to look beyond the apparent. Here’s everything you need to know before buying any fishing rod and reel combo.
Understanding Your Type of Fishing
The fishing rod and reel combo are manufactured for different kinds of fishing. The type of combo you want to purchase should fit the kind of fishing you are going for.
Generally, the fishing combo ranges from the more popular, affordable, and beginner-friendly spinning combos, the lure casting combo, baitcasting combos to the more difficult fly casting combo. You need to identify what each combo works the best for.
Some combos are designed to perform well in freshwater and will fail when used in seawater. Also, when fishing on seawater, you should know an anti-rust combo is a must and not an option.
Shorter rods are ideal for icy water, spinning and casting rod are good for all-round fishing, while some rods are best for surfing deep ocean environment. So how do you select the best fishing rod and reel combo? Continue reading below.
HOW TO SELECT BEST FISHING ROD AND REEL COMBO
Selecting the right fishing gears can be a serious headache for anglers especially newbie, as there are varieties of brands on the market waiting to cash in from you. Technology may have breathed a fresh wave on the fishing industry, but fishing rod and reel combo remain one of the very few things there’s yet to be an alternative for.
To avoid any guesswork and save yourself the stress and potential regrets of money and time-wasting by trying to match the rod A to reel B or otherwise. The combo is your savior and a reliable savior indeed when chosen aright. Below are features you should look out for when choosing the best fishing rod and reel combo.
Throwing weight
In addition to the length of the rod and the handle, the casting weight also plays an important role. The casting weight indicates how heavy the bait can be on the fishing rod without the spinning rod breaking through. The casting weight also provides information about the area in which you should use the fishing rod. A light bait that hangs on a spinning rod that is designed for many times its weight cannot be cast well because the rod cannot load itself properly due to the lack of weight. Accordingly, the bait will not fly far. The following categories subdivide the casting weight:
- Ultralight spinning rod: 1 to 10 grams
- Light spinning rod: 5 to 30 grams
- Medium spinning rod: 40 to 60 grams
- Heavy spinning rod: 50 to 120 grams
- Ultra-heavy spinning rod: 100 to 250 grams
Action and Length
These two factors work inter-dependently and should be considered along. If your interest is a small catch like sunfish, what you should look for is a slow action rod with a length of about 7 to 10 feet. On the other hand, for a bigger fish, you need a fast action rod with a shorter length of about 5 to 7 feet.
The shorter rods give you more power and control to handle big species better while longer rods give more sensitivity, adjustability and flexibility.
Blank material
Another crucial factor that can have a significant impact on the action of your rod is its material.
Fiberglass and graphite are the two commonly used to produce the poles. Fiberglass is a heavy model and is stronger and tough, making it perfect for freshwater big specie. Graphite, on the other hand, is mostly used for their sheer sensitivity and flexibility.
Nowadays, manufacturers have found a way of combining these two materials to produce rods that incorporates the attribute and functionality of both to give users the best.
Reel material
Besides the rod material, you also need to consider what material is your reel body made. This will enable you to select the best for your purpose and be ascertained of its durability. Common materials are plastic, aluminum, graphite, or a combination of some.
As with rods, graphite reels are light in weight and more durable, while aluminum reels are more flexible and ideal for seawater. Thanks to their anti-rust property.
Real seat
The point of attachment, where the reel meets the rod is called the real seat. This is the area where the reel can be mounted by sliding the foot of the reel into the appropriate collars and tightening them down to eliminate any wobble. The fishing reel must be chosen in such a way as to guarantee a solid fishing trim, especially from top to bottom.
Handle
Starting from the bottom of the fishing rod, the handle is the grip point of the rod. The handle of a fishing rod is generally made of cork or EVA foam for a comfortable and durable grip and can be of a different length.
Generally, longer grips are best for longer casts because you can use both hands for more grips. The shorter handles may be good for anglers who want to cast shorter casts, or use one hand, or for those who use the roll casting technique.
Anglers can also try to opt for a split handle type, particularly popular with bass anglers, or a pistol grip, which can help keep the overall weight of the rod low, ideal for shorter casts and with longer lures.
Ringing
You should also consider the quality of the rings on the fishing rod. Not only is there a lot of weight on these rings, but the constant hauling in and casting out of the bait or the hauling in of the catch creates friction through the fishing line. Inferior quality rings are quickly affected by wear. At best, the rings on your tang are made of silicon carbide.
Conclusion
We have come to the end of this guide, you would’ve noticed some fishing rod and reel combos are niche-specific and will work best on some water environments and style of fishing than others. The Lew’s Fishing American Hero is a great deal for baitcasting, the Redington Crosswater Outfit will work best for fly fishing, the Zebco 33 Spincast will do lake fishing, the Penn Battle II & Battle II is great for big games, and the Penn Squall Lever Drag Combo can be entrusted with saltwater hesitant species.
So, whichever you go for, they all have great qualities and excellent properties required to make your fishing experience better at non-bank breaking cost.
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