Updated 12/29/2023
Looking for the best bass fishing rod and reel combo available on the market today? Look no further. I’ve done the hours of rod and reel research and testing on weight, strength, durability, and materials so you don’t have to.
Bass fishing techniques are as variable as the habitats these incredible fish live in. Anglers throwing light finesse soft plastic worms need different equipment than those throwing heavy swimbaits. This article is written to help anglers pick the right gear to maximize their chances at catching their next big bass.
Rod and reel combos are a great way to acquire functional fishing setups right out of the box. Check out our top recommendations for best bass fishing rod and reel combos by category to have the right equipment for the job.
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
Our Top Picks
Bass fishing rod and reel combos come in either spinning or baitcasting setups. Not sure which type to pick? Check out our guide to picking the right bass fishing rod and reel combo for you later in this article.
This article covers our top picks for both spinning and baitcasting combos.
Our Top Picks for Spinning Rod and Reel Combos
- Best Bass Spinning Combo for the Money: Penn Battle III Spinning Combo
- Best Bass Spinning Combo Under $50: Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo
- Best Bass Spinning Combo Under $100: KastKing Crixus Spinning Combo
- Best Bass Spinning Combo for Beginners: Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Combo
Our Top Picks for Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combos
- Best Bass Baitcaster Combo for the Money: Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcasting Combo
- Best Bass Baitcaster Combo for Beginners: Ugly Stik Elite Baitcasting Combo
- Best Bass Baitcaster Combo Under $100: KastKing Crixus Baitcasting Combo
- Best Bass Baitcaster Combo Under $300: Abu Garcia Veritas Baitcasting Combo
The Best Bass Spinning Rod & Reel Combos
Check out our recommendations for best bass fishing spinning rod and reel combos for different price points, best for the money, best for beginners, and more! We also cover baitcasting combos after the spinning combos.
1. Penn Battle III Spinning Rod & Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 6’6″ to 10′
- Power: Light to Heavy
- Rod Handle: Cork
- Reel Size: 1000 to 8000
- Ball Bearings: 5+1
Pros:
- Wide range of available rod and reel sizes and powers for various applications
- Great value for the price
Our choice for best bass fishing rod & reel combo for the money is the Penn Battle III Spinning Rod and Reel Combo which we feel is that perfect mix of premium quality with a manageable price tag. Heck, the Penn Battle III reel is our favorite spinning reel so it’s no surprise if you slap it on a decent rod we’ll think highly of it!
The reel was the 2020 ICAST Online Best of Category Winner – Saltwater Reel, includes a 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system, Penn’s HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers, and a full metal aluminum body and side plate. It is high quality designed for durability and performance and Penn really outdid themselves with the attention to detail.
The 3000 sized Penn Battle III on a 7′ medium-light rod is a perfect rod and reel setup for a bass angler looking for the best bang for their buck spinning combo.
While it may seem strange to pick a rod and reel combo rated for saltwater as our top pick, we picked this combo as our best combo for the money for three main reasons:
- Anglers can purchase this combo for bass fishing and KNOW they have a reliable setup that can handle everything you can throw at it.
- This spinning combo is available paired with rods medium power and stronger. Many freshwater-only spinning setups don’t come in heavier powers. It is perfectly acceptable for newer anglers that are not comfortable with baitcasting setups to use a spinning setup for techniques that require heavier rods like flipping, pitching, and punching.
- Many anglers starting with rod and reel combos are newer to fishing. Getting a saltwater rated setup opens up opportunities to use the same gear for saltwater fishing instead of purchasing a whole new setup if/when they go saltwater fishing.
While we generally expect a rod & reel combo to skimp in quality on one of the components, we were pleasantly surprised with this pairing by Penn. This combo is great value for the price.
2. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod and Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 4’8″ to 7′
- Power: Ultra-light to Medium-heavy
- Rod Handle: EVA Foam
- Reel Size: 20 to 50
- Ball Bearings: 3+1
Pros:
- Functional budget entry point to fishing
Our choice for best bass fishing spinning rod & reel combo under $50 is the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Rod and Reel Combo. This is the most budget friendly choice on our list.
The 6’6″ Ugly Stik GX2 in medium power is an excellent budget combo for anglers wanting to start bass fishing.
Ugly Stik rods have a reputation for being nearly indestructible which makes them a great choice for newer anglers. The rod blank on the GX2 is a combination of graphite and fiberglass which makes it heavier but also stronger than many of the other rods on this list.
A rod and reel combo in this price range will unsurprisingly have basic components like stainless steel guides and a basic reel. That said, you don’t need expensive equipment to catch fish and the GX2 is priced for a no-regrets purchase!
3. KastKing Crixus Spinning Rod and Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 5’6″ to 7′
- Power: Light to Medium-heavy
- Rod Handle: Superpolymer rubber handle
- Reel Size: 2000 to 3000
Pros:
- Great bang for your buck
Our choice for best bass fishing spinning rod and reel setup under $100 is the KastKing Crixus Spinning Rod and Reel Combo. Bumping the price point up slightly makes a big improvement on quality.
The 6’6″ medium power Crixus spinning combo is a great rod and reel combo for bass anglers wanting a solid quality setup for a fair price.
The rod has a lightweight IM6 graphite blank. It has a grippy superpolymer handle plus stainless steel guides with zirconium oxide rings. All the rod blanks are two piece which means they are super easy to break down and transport.
The reel is fairly basic and comes in either 2000 or 3000 size at a 5.2:1 gear ratio. Functional but not overly fancy.
4. Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod and Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 5′ to 7′
- Power: Ultra-light or Medium
- Rod Handle: Cork
- Reel Size: 25 to 35
- Ball Bearings: 4+1
Pros:
- Great value for the price
- Sturdy and reliable
Our choice for best bass fishing rod and reel combo for beginners is the Ugly Stik Elite Spinning Rod and Reel Combo. The Ugly Stik Elite line is a step up from the Ugly Stik GX2 line and includes a cork handle, a smoother reel, and a rod blank with 35% more graphite which makes the Elite slightly lighter.
The Ugly Stik Elite Combo in 7′ medium power is a perfect spinning combo for beginner bass anglers. The cork handle and slightly lighter weight makes the Elite combo a pleasure to fish with using nearly all bass fishing techniques.
We think the Ugly Stik Elite is at a great price point where you get decent quality gear for a reasonable price. Don’t think twice about grabbing this combo for your foray into bass fishing.
The Best Bass Baitcaster Rod & Reel Combos
Check out our recommendations for best bass fishing baitcasting rod and reel combos for different price points, best for the money, best for beginners and more!
5. Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 6’10”
- Power: Medium-heavy
- Rod Handle: Split Rubber & EVA Foam
- Reel Size: One size low-profile
- Ball Bearings: 7+1
Pros:
- Great value for the price
Our choice for best bass fishing baitcasting rod and reel combo is the Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combo. This combo is ICAST 2019’s best of show Baitcast Combo award winner. It is a great value proposition for a baitcasting combo.
The rod features an IM6 graphite blank which is lightweight and sensitive. It has stainless steel guides and inserts. The grip is a split grip with a no-slip rubber top portion and an EVA foam butt.
The reel is on the faster side for baitcasting reels with a 7.5:1 gear ratio. It fits up to 110 yards of 50 lb braid which is more than enough capacity for all types of bass fishing.
The combo comes in left and right handed versions of one size; 6’10” medium-heavy power. The Mach Smash line of reels and rods are also sold separately and come in a few different variants.
We picked this baitcasting combo as our best combo for the money because you get a solid quality rod and reel for a great price. This setup should last any bass angler a long time.
6. Ugly Stik Elite Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 6’6″
- Power: Medium-heavy
- Rod Handle: Cork
- Reel Size: One size low-profile
- Ball Bearings: 2+1
Pros:
- Durable & Budget Friendly
Our choice for best bass fishing baitcasting rod & reel combo for beginners is the Ugly Stik Elite Baitcasting Combo. This combo is reliable and durable making it perfect for beginners to break into bass fishing with a baitcasting setup.
The Ugly Stik Elite Baitcasting combo features a composite rod blank made of fiberglass and graphite. While including fiberglass in the blank increases weight and reduces sensitivity, it also adds additional strength which can be good for newer anglers that may push their equipment a little too hard.
We do like the 6’6″ medium-heavy option, but we also wish this combo was offered in additional rod lengths and powers. The reel isn’t as smooth or sensitive as higher-end baitcasting reels but that’s ok for a beginner setup! The price is right on this combo as a way to try out a baitcasting setup without breaking the bank.
7. KastKing Crixus Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 6′ to 7′
- Power: Medium to Medium-heavy
- Rod Handle: Superpolymer rubber grip
- Reel Size: One size low-profile
- Ball Bearings: 7+1
Pros:
- Great bang for your buck
Our choice for best bass fishing baitcasting rod and reel setup under $100 is the KastKing Crixus Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combo. Bumping the price point up slightly makes a big improvement on quality.
The 7′ medium-heavy power Crixus baitcasting combo is a great rod and reel combo for bass anglers wanting a solid quality setup for a fair price.
The rod has a lightweight IM6 graphite blank. It has a grippy superpolymer handle plus stainless steel guides with zirconium oxide rings. All the rod blanks are two piece which means they are easy to break down and transport.
The reel is fairly basic and comes in a 6.5:1 gear ratio with a smooth 7+1 ball bearings. Functional but not overly fancy. This is a great bang-for-your-buck baitcasting combo.
8. Abu Garcia Veritas Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combo
- Rod Length: 7′ to 7’3″
- Power: Medium-heavy to Heavy
- Rod Handle: EVA Foam
- Reel Size: One size low-profile
- Ball Bearings: 10+1
Pros:
- Superior quality rod and reel compared to most combos
Our choice for best bass fishing baitcasting rod and reel combo under $300 is the Abu Garcia Veritas Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combo. Once you move into this price range, you start getting into top-tier fishing equipment.
While we wish the combo came in more sizes, the 7′ and 7’3″ options are perfect all-around bass rods for anglers.
The rod is a sensitive, lightweight graphite blank made of Abu Garcia’s Powerlux 100 that they claim is 15% stronger and 5% lighter than rods without the Powerlux resin. It includes titanium alloy guides with lightweight zirconium inserts that keep weight low and are nearly impervious to corrosion.
The reel is plenty smooth with 10+1 bearings and it’s light graphite frame and sideplates. Between the rod and reel, the rod is a little higher end. Anglers with a little extra budget should definitely think about picking up the Veritas Baitcasting Combo.
Conclusion
Fishing rod and reel combos are a great no-fuss way to get into bass fishing for a reasonable price.
We recommend anglers grab a combo with a solid reel, like our top choices Penn Battle III Spinning Rod & Reel Combo and the Lew’s Mach Smash Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combo, then upgrade the rod later.
Check out our related articles for great bass reels:
Check out our related articles for great bass rods:
- Best Baitcasting Rods for Bass
- Best Bass Spinning Rods
- Best Smallmouth Bass Rods
- Best Flipping & Pitching Rods
- Best Jig Rods for Bass
- Best Frog Fishing Rods
How to Choose The Best Bass Rod and Reel Combo For You
Choosing the best bass rod and reel combo for you should start with picking between a spinning or a baitcasting rod and reel setup. Next, anglers should think about factors like rod size, power, action, and materials plus reel size, line capacity, and drag capabilities.
Spinning vs Baitcasting Rod and Reel Combos
The most important considerations for bass anglers trying to pick a rod and reel combo is to decide if they want a spinning or baitcaster rod and reel setup.
Spinning reels get matched with spinning rods and baitcasting reels get matched with baitcasting rods. The primary difference between the rods is spinning rods have larger eyelets placed on the bottom of the rod and casting rods have smaller eyelets placed on the top of the rod. Combo purchases will have the reel matched with the correct type of rod.
Spinning reels are the best all-around choice for beginners because spinning rods and reels can effectively perform nearly every fishing technique. Pro anglers primarily use spinning setups for light finesse setups and live bait rigs. Beginner to intermediate anglers shouldn’t be afraid to use a spinning setup for almost everything.
Baitcaster reels excel at accurate, repeated casts. Anglers can use their thumb to slow down the spool for superior accuracy when compared to spinning reels. Baitcasters are also more comfortable to repeatedly cast because you only need to press the button and thumb the spool vs holding your line with a finger for spinning setup casting. Baitcasting reels struggle with casting light baits, especially into the wind, because the reel can backlash which can be extremely frustrating to the angler.
In summary, spinning setups are great for almost everything while baitcasting setups are best for repeatedly casting medium to heavy baits. Pick what is best for your application.
Rod Length
Bass anglers should pick rod length based on what kind of fishing they intend to do. Generally, longer rods can cast further, and shorter rods are easier to maneuver, cast accurately, and are sturdier.
An excellent all-around length is 7 feet long. This is a great length to be able to cast relatively far but still have the accuracy to pinpoint cast to a specific spot. For vertical jigging and live bait rigs, many anglers drop down closer to 6’6″. For flipping, pitching, and punching, many bass anglers size up to 7’6″ or 8′ to allow for easier casting. Techniques like covering water with spinnerbaits and crankbaits may want longer rods between 7′ and 8′ to comfortably cast long distances all day long.
Rod Power
Rod power is the fishing industry’s terminology for rod stiffness. Rod powers range from ultralight to heavy. Medium power is a great all around choice for bass fishing because medium power rods have enough backbone to handle a tough fighting largemouth or smallmouth bass while retaining enough sensitivity to detect subtle strikes.
Bass anglers fishing thick vegetation with techniques like flipping, pitching, punching, or frog fishing commonly weight up to medium-heavy or heavy power rods to ensure there is enough backbone to rip fish out of lily pads or other matted aquatic plants.
Rod Action
Rod action refers to how far down the rod will bend when pressure is applied to the tip. Rod actions range from extra-fast (bends near tip) to slow (nearly the whole rod bends).
The faster the action, the more sensitive the rod will feel. The slower the action, the more casting distance you can get (the rod will feel like it whips more when you cast).
Bass rod and reel combos with fast actions are ideal. They provide a balance of accurate casting and sensitivity for most fishing techniques.
Portability
Another key factor to picking the best bass rod and reel combo is portability.
Seven foot long rods fit in most vehicles and boat rod holders. Much longer and you may run into problems. Make sure you check if your rod can fit in your vehicle before you make a purchase!
Think about purchasing multi-piece ‘travel’ versions of rods and/or look into travel cases to help protect your rod during transport. There’s nothing worse than accidentally breaking a guide or the rod tip on the way to the boat launch.
Handle Material
Rod handle feel is an important factor to consider when picking a bass fishing rod. Common handle types are rubber shrink tube, cork tape, or neoprene. Rubber shrink is usually considered a more budget option, whereas cork or neoprene feels better to grip and handle.
Rod Guide Material
Rod guide material is important because lower quality materials are heavier and will rust quicker and could potentially fail. This can be partially avoided by rinsing rod guides with freshwater after every trip.
The highest end rods have titanium or silicone carbide (SiC) rod guides whereas middle end or budget rods will have some variation of aluminum oxide or stainless steel.
Higher end rod guides are made with lighter materials with lower friction that will either rust slower or not at all. Less expensive rod guides are heavier and will succumb to the elements more quickly.
For additional information on rod guide considerations, check out our article that explains fishing rod guides in detail.
Rod Material
Rod material affects how rod strength and how it deforms during casting or reeling in a fish. Common rod materials are graphite, fiberglass, and composite. Check out our deep dive on rod blanks for more information.
Graphite
Graphite rods have incredible sensitivity in lightweight packages. They are great for detecting subtle fish strikes. Graphite rod disadvantages are that the rods can be a little weaker than the other options and more susceptible to breakage, especially around nicks or scratches.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is strong, durable and flexible but weighs more than graphite. They are less sensitive than the other types of rod materials.
Composite
Composite rod materials are a mix of graphite and fiberglass that seek to have the light weight and sensitivity of graphite rods with the strength of fiberglass rods.
Reel Seat
Reel seats are the component where the fishing reel is secured onto the fishing rod by tightening a locking nut. The basic parts of a reel seat are the body, hood, locking nut, and barrel threads. Common reel seat materials are either graphite or aluminum which are both lightweight, corrosion resistant materials. Reel seats are sized to match the power of the rod. For example, a reel seat on an ultralight fishing rod won’t fit a massive 10000 size spinning reel.
Most freshwater applications utilize fully graphite reel seats due to graphite’s light weight. For heavier duty saltwater applications, reel seats are commonly upgraded to machine-grade aluminum for increased strength. For targeting the largest fish on the planet, the complete rod butt and reel seat can be aluminum for maximum strength.
Reel Line Capacity
Line capacity refers to how much fishing line fits on the reel. The total spool capacity is specified by mono vs braid and line strength as pound test. An example line capacity would be “200 yards of 20-pound test braid”.
Braid is smaller diameter than mono at the same line strength which means you can fit more braid on a reel. Also, higher pound test line is larger diameter and will take up more space on the reel spool.
Since most bass fishing is relatively close quarters, reel line capacity isn’t a major concern for picking a bass fishing rod and reel combo. 150 to 200 yards of line capacity is more than enough for bass fishing because anglers commonly use less than the first 50 yards of line on their spool.
Reel Ball Bearings
Ball bearings in fishing reels are small, spherical bearings that reduce friction and increase smoothness of a reel’s operation. They are located within the internal mechanism of the reel and allow the reel’s moving parts to rotate smoothly against each other.
Most quality reels have at least four ball bearings. More ball bearings is usually better because the higher the number of ball bearings, the more friction is reduced and less wear and tear on the internal reel components. That said, ball bearing quality and material choice is also important. I would rather have four high-quality ball bearings than ten low quality bearings.
Most ball bearings are stainless steel but can also be ceramic. Many reels list something like “5+1 bearings” – this reel would be five ball bearings plus one roller bearing.
Reel Drag System
Drag systems on fishing reels provide resistance to the spool as line is retrieved. A loose drag makes it easier for the spool to spin freely and a tight drag makes it difficult to rotate the spool.
Drag systems work using a series of washers or disks pressed together by a drag knob or level (usually on the top of spinning reels). As the drag is tightened, the drag washers are pressed together which increases resistance on the spool. Drag should be set to match the strength and size of the target fish species.
Setting the drag properly is an art. You want the drag tight enough to reel in the fish, but not tight enough where a strong pull could snap your line or cause your fishing knot to fail. When the drag is properly set, a strong pull from a fish should be able to pull some line from your reel.
Reel Gear Ratio
The gear ratio on a fishing reel refers to the relationship between the number of turns on the spool for every turn of the handle. For example, a gear ratio of 5:1 means the spool rotates five times for every turn of the handle.
Gear ratio is an important consideration when selecting a fishing reel because it affects the speed at which you can retrieve your line. A higher gear ratio is better for situations where you need to reel long distances or require fast bait presentations. A lower gear ratio is preferred for situations where a lower retrieval rate is desired, like when using finesse techniques.
Most reels have a gear ratio between 4:1 to 7:1. Many medium size reels are around 6.2:1 gear ratio which is a great for most applications.
Reel Material Quality
Material quality is an important consideration for picking a bass reel. Fishing reels are typically made of a combination of metal, rubber, and plastic parts. The body of the reel is usually made of aluminum or another type of metal to provide strength and durability. Plastic is used for many of the peripheral parts like the handle or drag knob because it is lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
Rubber seals may be used to protect against water, dirt, and sand ingress. High-end reels may have ceramic bearings or higher quality metal components.
Look for reels made of high-quality materials with solid, durable construction.
Reel Brakes
Baitcasting reels have reel brakes. When you make a cast with a baitcasting reel, the momentum of the bait pulls line off of the spool. The spool rotates fastest at the beginning of the cast when forces are the highest. The reel brake slows down rotation of the spool to keep the fishing line tight on the spool and stop a backlash mess.
Brakes are important because if the spool rotates faster than the speed your bait is pulling out line, your reel will become a huge backlash mess.
Bass Rod & Reel Combo Frequently Asked Questions
What type of rod is best for bass fishing?
The best type of rod for bass fishing depends on the type of fishing technique. Light-weight finesse setups are best with 7′ medium-light or medium power spinning rods. Heavier techniques like crankbaits and spinner baits are better with medium to heavy power baitcasting rods because of the superior casting accuracy and comfort of casting.
What reel to pair with bass fishing rod?
Spinning reels should be matched with spinning rods and baitcasting reels should be matched with baitcasting rods. Spinning reels between 2500 to 3500 size are perfect for most bass fishing applications. Baitcasting reels are great for repeatedly casting heavier lures.
What is the best length bass rod and reel combo?
The best length bass rod and reel combo is 7 feet long. This is a perfect rod length for long casts without sacrificing accuracy and comfort for a long day on the water.
How many yards of line do you need for a bass rod and reel combo?
Line capacity is not a huge consideration for bass fishing. Bass rod and reel combos only need around 150 yards of line on the reel spool because most casts will be less than 50 yards.
Is mono or braid better for bass fishing?
Braided fishing line is preferable for bassfishing. Braided line has significantly smaller diameter for the same strength line when compared to mono. This can be key while bass fishing because wind and waves will constantly pull at your line. The smaller diameter means less effect from the elements.
Written By: Andrew Juran
Andrew is a seasoned angler with over 25 years of experience fishing across the United States. He has caught hundreds of bass using various techniques and mentored many in the art of fishing. An advocate for sustainable fishing, Andrew is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association, an organization committed to marine conservation.
For frequent fishing tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and real-time catches, connect with Andrew on Instagram
