5 Best Beginner Fishing Rods & Combos
| Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Berkley Cherrywood HD Spinning Rod | Our Favorite | Amazon |
 | 2. Sougayilang Fishing Rod Combos | Premium Pick | Amazon |
 | 3. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo | Great Value | Amazon |
 | 4. Plusinno Spinning Rod and Reel Combo Kit | Amazon | |
 | 5. Shimano Solora 2-Piece Spinning Rod | Amazon |
Pricing of these Beginner Fishing Rods & Reels Range Between $15-63
While fishing is one of the most entertaining outdoor activities, the tools that are used can make it more exciting and help you catch more. If you want to master fishing and you’re only a novice angler, you should decide on a gear that’s especially designed for beginners.
One of the most difficult decisions when choosing your fishing gear is to find the rod. The market has a lot to offer, from simple rods and combos that include reels. The combos are probably the wisest choice for those who want good quality at a fair price and who are looking to gain some fishing experience.
Have a look over this article if you want to find out about the types of rods you need to use and the most popular brands available. Before getting to know the marketed rods better, let’s see how you could determine what you need according to the factors that influence performance and the types of rods you should use.
Is the Length of the Rod Important?
The length of the rod depends a lot on the fishing technique you’re looking to adopt and the water conditions. You can buy rods at lengths from 2 to 20 feet or 0.6 to 6 m. If you want to go fly fishing, you should opt for a longer rod. In case you’re looking to fish with short lures, a shorter rod that’s designed to help you fight pike and bass is more suitable.
What Material Should the Rod be Made From?
Initially, fishing rods were all made from bamboo. Nowadays, the materials used for manufacturing the poles are more advanced and durable, such as graphite or fiberglass. If you decide on a carbon and fiberglass composite, you get more durability, toughness and flexibility. Graphite rods are lightweight and sensitive, but a little bit stiffer. More than this, graphite is a material that breaks easier than fiberglass.
What About the Action?
The action of a rod is determined by how the rod flexes when it has force applied to it. How much the rod bends also indicates how far it can be casted.
Fast action rods are better for larger fish because their top third bends more. Besides, fast action rods are less stiff than other types, so they’re suitable for fish that put up a fight.
There are also the medium action rods that bend the top half and are perfect for beginner anglers.
The slow action fishing rods bend in the lower third and are ideal for catching smaller fish.
How Should I Determine the Power of my Rod?
The power of the rod is given by how much pressure the pole needs in order to bend when it’s in action. Fishing rods can be:
- Ultralight
- Light
- Medium light
- Medium
- Medium heavy
- Heavy
- Extra Heavy
While light rods don’t need as much bending power, the heavy ones require a lot of pressure to be applied in order for them to bend.
What Types of Rods Are Out There?
According to the fishing technique you want to employ as a beginner, there are many rod types you could choose from. Have a look over the next section of this article to see how each rod could help you catch more fish and have a truly exciting experience.
Fly Fishing
The fly fishing rods are usually 6 to 14 feet or 1.8 to 4.2 m long. They’re almost weightless and allow you to cast flies that are tied to fur so that these appear to be insects. Being very flexible, these rods are ideal for catching flying types of fish.
Spinning
Spinning rods have a fixed below just under the rod, so they allow the bait’s weight to draw the line in. They’re suitable for beginners as a result of their versatility and simplicity, not to mention they can be used with both live and artificial bait.
Trolling
Trolling rods are the perfect choice if you want to drag the lure behind your boat or kayak. This way, you entice the fish in the vicinity to bite and after to be caught. There are 3 important features each trolling rod should have:
- Release lever
- The reel handle should have a line braking system
- They should come with line out alarm
Trolling rods are very versatile and flexible, so they easily catch any fish. However, they’re illegal in some parts of the world and American states, so before using them, check with the local authorities and see what laws they have on fishing.
Bait Casting
As soon as you gain more experience fishing, you can opt for the bait casting rods, which are perfect for northern pike and bass. There are many of them available on the market, all designed for different types of fish, at many lengths and with different features.
5 Best Beginner Fishing Rods
Here’s the part of the article in which you find out which are the best 5 beginner fishing rods. You’ll notice that both combos and simple rods are included. Depending on your experience, you can choose a combo or a rod to which you can attach a suitable reel. These rods are all affordable and designed to offer beginner anglers the most exciting fishing experience.
1. Berkley Cherrywood HD Spinning Rod Review
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It’s been 30 years since Berkley is making what can be called the best fishing rods available. The Cherrywood series feature the hybrid construction meant for increased sensitivity that can’t be matched by other rods. This spinning rod has a high-quality handle that offers more comfort and a superior grip.
The Berkley Cherrywood HD Spinning Rod has SS304 guides that are tougher than the aluminum oxide ones and at the same time 55% lighter. Besides, these guides have been tested many times, so they’ve proven how dependable they can be.
This spinning rod for beginners is very stylish and lightweight, so also easy to handle and to stow. With a simple design, it offers great action and reduces fatigue as a result of its ingenious cork handle design. Because it’s both flexible and sensitive, it’s sure to not miss catches even when the water conditions are difficult.
The downsizes of the Berkley Cherrywood HD Spinning Rod are that it can’t hold heavy fish and it easily breaks if not handled with care.
2. Sougayilang Fishing Rod Combos Review
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The Sougayilang Fishing Rod Combos are ideal for both fresh and saltwater. More than this, they each come with a carrier bag for traveling and storage. The other fishing tools included in the combos are: the fishing line, a spare spool, fishing lures and 12 other accessories you need for fishing.
The rods in the Sougayilang Fishing Rod Combos feature hooded stainless-steel reel seats. They’re resistant to corrosion and the harsh seawater conditions. It can be said they’re ideal for beginners as a result of their versatility and the many accessories that come with them. Besides, they’re of high-quality and very affordable.
The bearings on the Sougayilang fishing rods are dust and waterproof, also made from zinc for more durability. As far as the line roller goes, this has a brand-new design that decreases the fatigue and the line twist. The handles of these rods are interchangeable and made from aluminum, therefore more lightweight.
What’s not so good about the Sougayilang rods is that they can’t handle increased tension and snags, so they should be used mostly on lakes and rivers.
3. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo Review
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The Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Kit is ideal for those beginner anglers who want to up their fishing game. Aside from the anti-reverse bearing that makes sure the gears are smooth, the reel features others 4 ball bearings meant to make the setting of the hook more rapid.
The rod in the Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo has a spool made from machined anodized aluminum. This spool features a larger bail wire for more durability. The combo also includes compression bail springs meant to increase the durability of the reel. The rod’s handle is very comfortable and feels soft.
The Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod is sturdy and very durable, also sensitive and of high-quality. Its only downsize is that it can’t be casted for a long time because it’s quite heavy.
4. Plusinno Spinning Rod and Reel Combo Kit Review
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The Plusinno Spinning Rod and Reel Combo Kit is especially designed for beginners. Including a rod, a reel, 6 lures, 6 hooks, the line, 4 sinkers, a bag and many other accessories, this kit is designed to make the fishing experience more enjoyable.
The rod in the Plusinno Spinning Rod and Reel Combo Kit is flexible enough for fish that put up a fight, also made from a carbon fiberglass blend. This construction makes it durable and tough. When it comes to the reel seats, these are from stainless-steel and hooded, so resistant to corrosion.
The fact that the same rod is telescopic helps travelers who are passionate about fishing. As far as the handle goes, this is designed to offer a lot of action and to be comfortable. The reel in the combo is made from aluminum and more durable.
In spite of being compact, the Plussino Spinning Rod in this kit has a larger line capacity and spool for more efficiency. Besides, it’s equipped with an anti-reverse power gear for more strength. It can be said that its downsize is that it’s made from plastic.
5. Shimano Solora 2-Piece Spinning Rod Review
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Being a medium power rod that offers swift action, the Shimano Solora is ideal for beginners. More than this, it’s built from aero-glass and very durable. Featuring guides made from aluminum oxide and a reel seat built with graphite, it’s also resistant to corrosion.
The cork handles on the Shimano Solora Spinning Rod offer an increased grip and are designed for comfort. The fact that this pole is 2-piece makes it easier to transport and store in small spaces. Besides, it casts long and is versatile enough for those who have just started to learn a thing or two about fishing.
The Shimano Solora 2-Piece Spinning Rod is available in many sizes, so you can choose it according to your fishing needs. Besides, it’s very sensitive, meaning it detects movement as soon as the fish has touched the bait. Some anglers may find it tough to handle, while others who fish in more difficult conditions might think it breaks too easily.
