Fishing is a great activity to take up whether you’re looking for a new hobby, want to spend time outdoors, or are hoping to catch your dinner. But, in order to fish, you need the proper supplies—and that includes a good fishing rod and reel combo.

There are countless different fishing rod and reel combos on the market, which can make it hard to decide which one is right for you. To help you make a decision, we’ve put together a list of the nine best fishing rod and reel combos, complete with prices and key features.

We’ve also included a comparison section to help you understand which product is the best fit for your needs. And, finally, we’ll give you our overall recommendation.

So, if you’re in the market for a new fishing rod and reel combo, read on.

Top 9 Fishing Rod and Reel Combos

1. PENN Pursuit III and graphite spinning reel combo

Price: $49.95

Key features:

-The PENN Pursuit III spinning reel is made with graphite and comes pre-spooled with monofilament line.

-The combo includes a two-piece, six-foot rod.

-The reel has five ball bearings and a gear ratio of 5.2:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1/2 ounce.

2. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 and spinning reel combo

Price: $59.95

Key features:

-The Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 spinning reel is made with a durable fiberglass and graphite construction.

-The combo includes a two-piece, six-foot rod.

-The reel has three ball bearings and a gear ratio of 5.2:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1/4 ounce.

3. Daiwa Mini System Minispin spinning reel and rod combo

Price: $34.99

Key features:

-The Daiwa Mini System Minispin spinning reel is made with a durable plastic construction.

-The combo includes a two-piece, four-foot rod.

-The reel has two ball bearings and a gear ratio of 4.7:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1/16 ounce.

4. Abu Garcia Black Max and spinning reel combo

Price: $54.95

Key features:

-The Abu Garcia Black Max spinning reel is made with a durable graphite construction.

-The combo includes a two-piece, six-foot rod.

-The reel has five ball bearings and a gear ratio of 5.1:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1/4 ounce.

5. Pflueger Lady Trion and spinning reel combo

Price: $54.95

Key features:

-The Pflueger Lady Trion spinning reel is made with a durable graphite construction.

-The combo includes a two-piece, six-foot rod.

-The reel has five ball bearings and a gear ratio of 5.2:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1/4 ounce.

6. Okuma Celilo and spinning reel combo

Price: $39.99

Key features:

-The Okuma Celilo spinning reel is made with a durable graphite construction.

-The combo includes a two-piece, six-foot rod.

-The reel has five ball bearings and a gear ratio of 5.0:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1/4 ounce.

7. Zebco 33 and spincast reel combo

Price: $29.99

Key features:

-The Zebco 33 spincast reel is made with a durable plastic construction.

-The combo includes a two-piece, six-foot rod.

-The reel has three ball bearings and a gear ratio of 4.3:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1/4 ounce.

8. Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite and spinning reel combo

Price: $79.95

Key features:

-The Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite spinning reel is made with a durable fiberglass and graphite construction.

-The combo includes a two-piece, seven-foot rod.

-The reel has nine ball bearings and a gear ratio of 6.0:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1/2 ounce.

9. Daiwa Saltiga and spinning reel combo

Price: $199.99

Key features:

-The Daiwa Saltiga spinning reel is made with a durable aluminum construction.

-The combo includes a two-piece, seven-foot rod.

-The reel has 15 ball bearings and a gear ratio of 6.3:1.

-The rod is rated for use with lures weighing up to 1 ounce.

Comparison Section

Now that you’ve seen our top nine picks for the best fishing rod and reel combo, it’s time to compare them side-by-side. This will help you understand the key differences between each product and make a decision about which one is right for you.

First, let’s compare the prices. As you can see, the combos on our list range in price from $34.99 to $199.99. So, if you’re on a budget, the Daiwa Mini System Minispin spinning reel and rod combo or the Zebco 33 spincast reel combo might be a good option for you.

On the other hand, if you’re willing to spend a bit more money, the Daiwa Saltiga spinning reel and rod combo or the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite spinning reel and rod combo might be a better choice.

Next, let’s compare the key features. All of the combos on our list come with a two-piece rod, but the length of the rod varies from four feet to seven feet. So, if you’re looking for a shorter rod, the Daiwa Mini System Minispin spinning reel and rod combo might be a good option. But, if you want a longer rod, the Shakespeare Ugly Stik Elite spinning reel and rod combo or the Daiwa Saltiga spinning reel and rod combo might be a better choice.

When it comes to the reel, the construction varies from plastic to graphite to aluminum. So, if you’re looking for a durable reel, the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 spinning reel or the Daiwa Saltiga spinning reel might be a good option.

The reel also has a different number of ball bearings, which can affect the smoothness of the reel. So, if you want a reel with a lot of ball bearings, the Daiwa Saltiga spinning reel might be a good choice. But, if you don’t want to spend as much money, a reel with fewer ball bearings, like the Zebco 33 spincast reel, might be a better option.

Finally, the gear ratio varies from 4.3:1 to 6.3:1. So, if you’re looking for a reel with a high gear ratio, the Daiwa Saltiga spinning reel might be a good option. But, if you’re looking for a reel with a lower gear ratio, the Zebco 33 spincast reel might be a better choice.

Conclusion and Recommendation

After comparing the prices, key features, and gear ratios of the different fishing rod and reel combos on our list, we’ve come to the conclusion that the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 spinning reel and rod combo is the best overall option.

This combo is affordably priced at $59.95 and it comes with a durable fiberglass and graphite reel. The reel also has a high gear ratio of 5.2:1, which means you’ll be able to reel in your fish quickly.

But, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Daiwa Mini System Minispin spinning reel and rod combo might be a better choice for you. This combo is priced at just $34.99 and it comes with a durable plastic reel.

Ultimately, the best fishing rod and reel combo for you will depend on your budget and your preferences. But, we hope our list has helped you narrow down your choices and find the perfect combo for your needs.