Are you just getting into fishing? Looking for the best fishing rod and reel combo for beginners?
If so, you have come to the right place. In this article, I am going to talk about 4 of my favorite rod and reel combos to help you make the best choice.
What is the best fishing rod and reel combo for beginners?
Here is a preview of my top 4 choices. Please keep reading below for more information on each one.
- Abu Garcia Black Max Rod Reel Combo
- Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Reel and Rod Combo
- Lew’s Fishing American Heroes Combo Series
- Abu Garcia Ike Dude Rod Reel Combo
Reel Features:
- Gear Ratio: 6.4:1
- Ball Bearings: 4+1
- Line Capacity: 12lbs / 145 yards of Mono, 30lbs/ 140 yards of braid
- Magnetic Braking System
- Maximum Drag: 15 pounds
Rod Features: (available in three options)
- 6’6″ Medium, Moderate Fast Action Graphite Rod – 1 piece
- 6’6″ Medium, Moderate Fast Action Graphite Rod – 2 pieces
- 7 ‘ Medium Heavy, Fast Action Graphite Rod – 1 piece
Are you a beginner angler? Are you nervous about trying out a baitcasting reel? Afraid you are only going to experience one backlash after another backlash? If so, you are not alone.
So many of us started out just like you with those same fears, but there is no better way to learn than with one of my favorite starter baitcasting rod and reel combos, the Abu Garcia Black Max Rod Reel Combo.
What I like most about this reel, that really makes it great for beginners, is the gear ratio. It comes at a good all around gear ratio of 6.4:1.
What this means for you, is that this reel can be used for just about anything, chatterbaits, swimbaits, spinnerbaits you name it. In the future, after you have had some experience fishing different techniques you will have a better idea of the kind of gear ratio works for you. But for now, starting off with a 6.4:1 is a great option.
Another great feature is the magnetic braking system. This braking systems, which Abu Garcia includes on most of their starter reels, is going to offer consistent pressure on the line throughout the cast. By doing so, it will help to reduce the chance backlashing.
However, keep in mind that if you are just starting out with a baitcasting reel, the chances are pretty high that you will experience many backlashes. Don’t let that discourage you, even some of us experienced anglers still have a backlash every once and awhile. The important thing is to get out there and practice, practice, practice.
Lastly, this combo includes a graphite rod. You have three options. You can choose a 6’6″ medium, moderate fast action one piece or two piece rod. A 6-foot rod is a good option to start out with as they will give you more control and tend to be more accurate.
Should I choose the one piece or the two piece? This mainly comes down to your personal preference, however, if you plan on doing a lot of traveling I would recommend the two piece setup.
You also have the 7′ medium-heavy, fast action 1 piece rod option. Medium-heavy means how much power the rod has and the fast action means how much the tip is going to bend. This type of rod is perfect for crankbait fishing, topwater fishing and even works great with swimbaits.
Overall I am very pleased with what the Abu Garcia Black Max Rod Reel Combo has to offer at such an affordable price.
Reel Features:
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
- Ball Bearings: 3+1
- Line Capacity: 10lbs / 210 yards of Mono
- Magnetic Braking System
Rod Features: (available in 7 different options with a graphite and fiberglass blank)
- 4’8″ Ultra Light – 1 piece
- 5′ Light – 1 piece
- 6′ Medium 1-piece
- 6’6″ Medium Heavy 1 piece
- 6’6″ Medium – 1 piece
- 7 ‘ Medium Heavy 1 piece
- 7′ Ultra-Light – 1 piece
If you aren’t comfortable with baitcasters and you want to stick to spinning gear you might want to check out the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Reel and Rod Combo.
First, let’s take a look at what the reel has to offer. It is a simple spinning reel designed specifically for beginners. Keep in mind that Shakespeare isn’t known for their reels, they are more famous for making well-constructed fishing rods.
With that being said this is a simple reel that is great for starters. It has a 5.2:1 gear ratio which is a little on the slower side of the spectrum, but once again the important thing is to get out there and find out what works for you.
What really makes this combo shine is the different selection of rods. In total, there are 7 different rods that you can choose from. They range from a 4’8″ rod all the way up to a 7-foot rod.
To help you make the best decision as to which rod to choose, let’s take a look at some of the rods and mention in what situations I personally would use them.
The first one that I want to look at is the 4’8″ ultralight. Being that it has an ultralight power rating it is designed for smaller fish such as trout, panfish or crappie. Yes, you could catch bigger fish on it, but by its design, it is made for smaller fish.
Next up, I want to highlight the 6’6″ medium heavy rod. I believe that the 6-foot range is a good range for beginners.
I say that because as I mentioned earlier shorter rods are going to give you more control and thus make a more accurate cast. This is especially helpful when fishing with spinning gear.
The medium heavy power rating is great when fishing for larger fish such as bass or walleye specifically with techniques such as crankbait fishing, swimbait fishing or topwater.
Lastly the 7-foot medium heavy rod. Once again the medium heavy power is going to excel with larger fish. The overall length is really going to help you launch your lures further. So, if you think you will be fishing with crankbaits or spinnerbaits and want to cover a lot of water, the 7-foot option is going to allow you to do just that.
Reel Features:
- Gear Ratio: 6.4:1
- Ball Bearings: 4+1
- Line Capacity: 12lbs / 210 yards
- Magnetic Braking System
- Maximum Drag: 10lbs
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
Rod Features:
- IM6 graphite blank
- 6’6″ Medium Heavy
Let’s face it if you are going to go through the trouble to search for the best fishing rod and reel combo you are going to want to buy something that is going to last more than a few years. You will want to buy a fishing combo that isn’t just for beginners, but one that can satisfy the needs of an experienced angler as well.
That is what I really like about the next one on our list, the Lew’s Fishing American Heroes Combo Series.
This isn’t your basic rod and reel setup, but it is a step up into the more advanced, more premium rod and reel combos out there.
Let’s take a closer look. The reel is made with a graphite frame and graphite side plates. The graphite material is lighter than other materials used on the market and helps to keep it lightweight. In fact, this reel only weighs 7.2 ounces.
It is equipped with 5 stainless steel ball bearings giving you a smooth turn every time. Speaking of turn, this bad boy has a 6.4:1 gear ratio which as we mentioned before is a good all around gear ratio for just about any type of fishing.
It is also equipped with a magnetic braking system allowing you to keep control of your cast. The magnetic braking system is accessible externally allowing you to easily adjust the brakes on the go.
Lastly, let’s talk about the rod. This combo is equipped with a 6’6″ medium heavy IM6 graphite rod.
What does IM6 graphite mean? Using IM6 graphite to build a rod basically means that they were able to create a strong, sensitive rod, but the IM6 material is going to help keep it lightweight. In simple terms, it is going to be a more premium choice than others on the market.
Are you just looking for a simple rod and reel combo? Are you looking to buy a combo as a gift for your son or daughter?
If so, you will really enjoy the next option on our list it is the Abu Garcia Ike Dude Rod Reel Combo.
This is a 6-foot medium rod with a basic spinning reel.
I personally have bought this spinning reel for one of my fishing buddies and I love this combo. It is super easy to use, it is lightweight and best of all it is great for beginners.
Final Thoughts…
So, what is the best fishing rod and reel combo for beginners? In this post, we talked about 4 of my favorites. However, if I had to narrow it down to just two I would pick the Abu Garcia Black Max and the Lew’s Fishing American Heroes Combo Series.
I like the Abu Garcia Combo because it is simple, easy to use and last forever. I also like the American Heros Series because it isn’t just limited to beginners. This is a great reel to have for many years to come.
What are your thoughts? What was your first rod and reel combo? Please share with us your experience in the comments below.
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