Rod And Reel Combination Basics:
What are we talking about with a Rod and Reel Combo? If you’re new to fishing, a “combination” fishing setup consists of two main parts: the fishing rod and the reel. The rod provides the flexibility needed to cast and reel in fish, while the reel holds the fishing line and facilitates its retrieval.
If you’re not sure about rod flexibility or need help understanding what I’m talking about, be sure to read my article on Fishing Rods 101: A Complete Guide for Anglers. This will explain the difference between a rods power and it’s action.
Choosing the Right Combo:
When selecting a fishing rod and reel combo, consider factors such as the type of fishing you plan to do, the size of the fish you’re targeting, and your skill level. For children, I recommend starting with a lightweight spincast combo as its easy to handle and learn. For adults, choose a combo that matches your intended fishing style. It could be casual bank fishing, or more specialized techniques like a flipping stick, or ultralight rig for trout. You goal in buying a rod and reel combo for the first time should be:
- Be easy to learn and use.
- Be capable of catching the fish species you’re targeting
- Be capable of being used efficiently in the fishing environment
- Be affordable!
Don’t forget, fishing is NO FUN for you, or your kids, if you struggle with your rod and reels every time you go fishing. If you have a buddy who fishes, take him or her along for advice when you go shopping.
Rod and Reel Compatibility:
First think you need to consider is your fishing skills. If you’re new to fishing, never used a rod and reel before and you’re looking to invest in a rod and reel. I recommend you choose a spincast. If your experienced, then you need to decide between a spinning rod and reel or moving up into a baitcast setup.
The second thing is what kind of fish are you targeting? Trout, Bass, Catfish, Crappie? You’ll need to consider the species and then be sure that the fishing rod and reel your pick are compatible in terms of size and weight. The rod’s power and action should complement the reel’s capabilities. Ultra-light and light rods and reels are suitable for smaller fish like crappie and trout, or using finesse techniques for bass.
Your heavier rods like medium-heavy and heavy are designed for larger species like big bass and catfish, and using heavy lures or fishing in waters with lots of cover and structure in the water column.
Third and last. What kind of environment are you fishing in? Look at both in and out of the water. No matter that your wife or girlfriend tells you, rod length matters. First think to know is, the longer the rod, the longer distance you can cast with it. Cool huh? But keep in mind the area your in.
Here in AZ, if you want to fish for Apache trout, you might find yourself in a small canyon where a 6′ or 7′ rod wont work. Forget about a 9′ or 10′ fly rod. Or maybe your along the banks of the Gila River and you have a lot of trees with overhead branches. While you have some nice shade to sit in on a hot day, you no room to swing your long rod much less room to cast. That short little 5′ 6″ or 6′ rod sure would come in handy now eh?
What about whats under water or on the water’s surface? Using an light rod and reel in this situation may very well cost you lures as you snag grass, lilies and other structures under the water. Worse case is stripping out your reels gears or possibly breaking your rod, trying to pull a lure loose in these circumstances.
So think about the environment and plan accordingly or as best as you can. Now that you have an idea or two in mind, let’s look at your options.
Spincast Rod And Reel Combinations:
Spincast reels are a great option for beginners new to fishing. If you’re an occasional angler or a child, spincast reels are really easy 
to learn to cast with and easy to use due to their user-friendly design. These reels are closed faced, which helps protect the line from tangling and makes casting really simple.
In choosing a spincast combo, for young kids, I suggest a light setup like the Zebco 33 Micro Spincast Reel and 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo. It comes with a 4’5″ rod and 4lb test. And it’s the perfect setup for trout fun too. For adults, I would recommend the Zebco Slingshot Spincast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo, or for a double-whammy, the Zebco 202 & 404 Combo 2-Pack. For basically $40 you get both the 202 (size 30) reel and the 404 (size 30) reel. This meets both medium and medium heavy rod actions. So you’re covered for trout and bass 202 reel and then you have a decent catfish rig too with that 404 reel.
For casual fishing trips and for those who are just starting out, you can’t beat a spincast rod and reel combination. Easy to learn and use, plus these are very affordable. It’s a great choice for beginners just starting out or casual 1-4 fishing trips a year. I have 3 of these I use for young kids or loaners if someone wants to go fishing with me.
Spinning Rod And Reel Combinations:
Now we’re stepping up our fishing game. Spinning reels are versatile and probably the most used rod and reel combos among both beginners and experienced anglers. Spinning reels are known for their open-face design, allowing the line to flow off the spool with minimal resistance and for offering much more control over your casting distance and accuracy. This makes them suitable for various fishing techniques, such as casting lures and live bait.
If your picking a Spinning combination for the first time. Look for a size 30 or a size 3000 reel and a medium powered rod in the 6’6″ to 7′ foot long range. This would be a great middle-of-the-road combination and you can fish with this from the bank, in a boat or kayak. For example the Lew’s Mach Smash Spinning Combo you see pictured on the left is a great combination. And don’t rule out another great spinning combination like the Abu Garcia Black Max X Spinning Combo you see pictured to the right. 
You can take it further by looking into a finesse rig setup. Running a light or medium light rod using finesse tackle is a way-fun way to hook bass, especially when they’re being uber finicky. Another thing to consider is your reel’s gear ratio. You cant go wrong staying in the middle of the road with something in the 5.1 to 6.8 range. Anything higher or lower would tend to fill a more specialized role for your gear.
A Spinning Rig will Change How You Fish
Whatever spinning combination you choose. Once you get used to casting with a spinning reel, its hard to go back to a spincast rig. Making longer casts and improved accuracy, this will literally change how you fish. I think you’ll find yourself not only using new types of baits, and expanding your casting skills, but also changing how your present a bait or lure in the water. Going from spincast to spinning is definately a huge step up.
I love spinning rods and reels. These are my most versatile rigs and is what I use the most. My 9 foot light rig is for crappie, 2 ultralight spinning rigs for trout, a medium-light rig for finesse fishing. Plus 2 mediums: one for top water action using frogs and whopper-ploppers for example. The other for sinking lures like swimbaits, jerkbaits or crankbaits. Then I have a medium-heavy combination that I use around heavy water structures, with Texas and Carolina rigs, or my bait-ball rig. Let’s not forget there is 2 heavier spinning rigs for just for catfishing.
Baitcast Rod And Reel Combinations:
Now this is ‘big league” stuff. Baitcast reels are a lot more advanced and provide greater control over casting accuracy. By advanced I mean, you buy your first baitcast combo, you need to practice casting with it before you step out on the bank or in a boat and try to use it. If not, all you’ll be doing is trying to un-snarl that rats-nest you made on your first or second cast. LOL
The most important thing about using a baitcasting reel in my opinion is setting up your brake and spool tensioner to help prevent backlash before you do anything else. If you’ve done this, then you should be able to cast. Listen, I watched a YouTube video some 8 yr old kid did on how to set up your baitcast reel. I figured if he can do it, so can I. LOL After watching that video, I figured it out, and now, baitcasters are a piece of cake to use.
Who uses baitcasting reels? In my world, they’re popular among anglers who target larger fish like bass. Mine are used only for bass. I have 4 baitcasting combo’s. One is my Abu Garcia Vengeance Low Profile Baitcast Combo. Another which I got on Bass ProShops. That has a Lew’s reel on a Bass ProShops heavy rod. My KastKing reel is married to a Cadence rod. And my last one is the first baitcast combo rig I bought at Cabela’s about 10 years ago.
Why use Baitcasting Combos?
For me, stepping into the baitcasting arena meant being more specialized. My Lew’s rig is my “flipping stick.” Its a 7″4″ heavy fast action rod with a 7.5:1 gear ratio. the KastKing Reel is on a medium-slow action rod and the other two are medium heavy’s.
To recap: baitcast reels require some practice to master. If you don’t practice and become proficient it will lead to backlashes or tangles in the line.
Conclusion:
Spincast, spinning, and baitcast reels all cater to different needs and skill levels. Hopefully, you had the time and was able to research a bit before making first rod and reel purchase. Selecting the right rod and reel combo is an important step in ensuring that you have both an enjoyable and a successful fishing experience.
Keep in mind, the joy of fishing is not only in the catch, but also in the learning and exploring. Tight lines everyone!
Featured Affiliate Shopping Links In this Article
** Note! I am an affiliate marketer. If you have any questions, please visit my Affiliate Disclosure page.
Zebco 33 Micro Spincast Reel and 2-Piece Fishing Rod Combo
Zebco Slingshot Spincast Reel and Fishing Rod Combo
Zebco 202 & 404 Combo 2-Pack
Lew’s Mach Smash Spinning Combo
Abu Garcia Black Max X Spinning Combo
Shakespeare 9′ Crappie Hunter Spinning Rod and Reel Combo
Lew’s Cat Daddy Spinning Combo
Abu Garcia Vengeance Low Profile Baitcast Combo
