Back in the day, my trusty Daiwa 212 RL combo was all I needed for bass fishing. Now, thanks to a friend’s advice, I tried dozens of modern combos and discovered which ones actually give the best results.
Last updated: January 13th, 2025
- Best Overall: PENN Battle III Rod and Reel Combo
- Best Spinning: St. Croix X-Trek Combo
- Best Budget: Ugly Stik GX2 Combo
- Best for Flipping and Pitching: Abu Garcia Max Pro Baitcast Combo
- Best Ultralight: Daiwa Mini System Minispin Combo
- Best Spinning: Redington Original All-Water Kit
- Methodology
- Benefits of Choosing a Rod and Reel Combo
- How to Choose a Rod and Reel Combo
- Final Thoughts
Best Overall: PENN Battle III Rod and Reel Combo
Specs
Pros
Cons
Why I Chose It
In my experience testing dozens of combos, the PENN Battle III Combo (priced under $130) hits the sweet spot of quality and value that most beginners are looking for. I find it to be a better option than the latest Battle IV model.
I spent a weekend putting this combo through its paces at a local pond, and here’s why it stood out: the composite rod, a mixture of graphite and fiberglass, gave the perfect balance of durability and sensitivity.
Another great thing about the rod is that it has one-piece guides which means the guides are part of the rod instead of being glued or woven on.
If you’re a beginner, this is a fantastic rod for bass fishing because it’s durable and sensitive enough to feel a soft bite.
When I tried it at the pond, I landed five bass in a row using a Texas-rigged Matrix Craw. The largest was 2.5 pounds, and the rod handled it like a champ.
The rod can also be used for other fish like trout, redfish, or walleye.
When it comes to the reel, I was impressed by how smooth it feels, thanks to the CNC-machined gears (which, as per PENN, are cut from a single piece of metal). Trust me, you’ll notice the difference the first time you cast.
Another thing that sets the reel apart is the HT-100 Carbon Fiber Drag System which makes the reel drag pull smooth without jerking. When hooking a big bass, you don’t want the line being pulled out in sudden spurts, as this adds more tension.
The only downside that I can see is that the reel is slightly heavy due to the metal sides. Despite PENN’s attempts to reduce weight with design holes, it still comes in at 9.7 oz.
That said, overall, the Battle III Combo hits on all cylinders and has the potential to serve your fishing needs for a long time if properly maintained.
You can also go for the new Battle IV Combo (priced at nearly $190) in which the reel comes with the Hydro Armor sealing system to protect critical components. However, considering the price difference, the Battle III makes for a better deal.
Best Spinning: St. Croix X-Trek Combo
Specs
Pros
Cons
Why I Chose It
Here’s what actually happened when I put the St. Croix’s X-Trek Combo through marsh fishing tests – and why it nearly beat our top pick.
Just seconds into my cast, a bass erupted on my lure. Though I missed the initial strike (my fault, not the rod’s), the fish came back for a second shot. This time, when I connected, I hauled in a solid 2-pound bass.
The rod’s backbone, SCII Carbon Fiber blank, really showed its worth. St. Croix has coated the rod with something called Fortified Resin which seems to have increased the rod’s strength even more.
The X-Trek reel too surprised me with its smoothness, thanks to those 5 stainless steel bearings. While it’s a bit on the heavier side at just under two pounds, I know that good quality reels can be heavy so I see this as a sign of solid construction.
This rod is perfect for fishermen who use drop-shot rigs for big bass. The reel is very light which is good for finesse fishing, especially on the bottom.
Overall, I think the St. Croix’s X-Trek combo is the one to go with if you’re looking for strength and sensitivity with smooth casting ability. It comes quite close to the PENN Battle III but at under $190, it’s on the expensive side.
This combo can work not just for freshwater but saltwater fishing as well.
Best Budget: Ugly Stik GX2 Combo
Specs
Pros
Cons
Why I Chose It
Here’s something you need to know: bass fishing combos don’t need to cost a fortune. After testing the Ugly Stik GX2 Combo, I discovered what makes this sub-$70 setup such a good deal.
For starters, the combo offers impressive variety, with rod lengths ranging from 5′ to 7′ paired with their GX2 spinning reel.
The rod is made of aluminum which is great for beginner anglers because it can take a beating. While you will be sacrificing some sensitivity, the tip is still sensitive enough for bass fishing.
During testing at a small cut near my camp, I landed two small bass on it. The rod handled spinnerbaits and crankbaits particularly well, though I’d steer clear of deep jigging or finesse techniques due to the reduced sensitivity.
If you’re just getting into bass fishing, this is exactly where you want to start.
The reel does its job with three ball bearings. Sure, you’ll notice some roughness compared to pricier models with 5+ bearings, but I had no issues working a spinnerbait with 10-pound mono.
The ambidextrous handle allows the reel to be switched to right-handed or left-handed reeling.
Overall, at under $70, I think this Ugly Stik GX2 combo offers legendary Ugly Stik durability and more than enough performance for beginner anglers or anyone on a budget.
The shorter rod options, starting at 5′, make it versatile enough to serve as a travel setup or ultralight rig as well.
Best for Flipping and Pitching: Abu Garcia Max Pro Baitcast Combo
Specs
Pros
Cons
Why I Chose It
The Abu Garcia Max Pro Baitcast Combo comes with a 7′ rod paired with their Max Pro Low Profile baitcasting reel, and it’s specifically designed for flipping and pitching techniques.
The rod’s 24-ton graphite blank gives you serious backbone to rip big bass out of vegetation and structure.
The molded polymer handle fits perfectly in your palm, while the smooth rubber trigger nestles between your fingers for precise control.
The Max Pro Low Profile Baitcast Reel is where this combo really shines. With 7 stainless steel ball bearings, you get butter-smooth retrieves.
However, I think the best feature of the reel is the Magtrax Magnetic Braking System. While it takes some getting used to, this system uses magnets around the spool.
These magnets are adjustable, allowing the angler to choose the amount of braking force they want to apply to the spool as it spins during a cast. As the spool spins faster and faster during a cast, the magnets will begin to slow it down, reducing the likelihood of backlash.
I put this combo to the test on a shoreline loaded with lilies. Not once did I pop the line, even while aggressively pulling bass from thick cover.
My best catch was a 2.2-pound largemouth that I landed in under five seconds. That’s the great thing about a quality flipping pole, there’s no hesitation about ripping the fish out of the water quickly.
I found that this sub-$120 Abu Garcia Max Pro combo isn’t ideal for crankbaits or spinnerbaits.
However, if you’re looking for a dedicated flipping and pitching setup to handle tough spots, this is your answer.
Best Ultralight: Daiwa Mini System Minispin Combo
Specs
Pros
Cons
Why I Chose It
The Daiwa Mini System Minispin Combo features a compact 4.5′ rod paired with their Ultralight MS-S500T reel. But this is what makes this setup special: how it packs surprising power into such a small package.
The rod breaks down into five pieces, making it perfect for travel, and comes with a hard plastic carrying case.
Despite its ultralight classification, the composite construction (a mix of graphite and fiberglass) gives it impressive stiffness and a fast action that works great with spinnerbaits and other retrievable lures.
I tested this combo alongside the South Bend Microlite and Shimano Solara – both rods I’ve used for years with bream but never for bass.
I will say that the reel on the South Bend leaves something to be desired as it just feels cheap to me. The Solara was a better fishing rod combo but not as good as the Daiwa.
While throwing a Johnson’s Beetle Spin, I hooked into a 1.5-pound bass that put on quite a show. The drag screamed initially, but after a fun 7-8-minute fight, I landed the fish without any issues.
The reel, though equipped with just one ball bearing, feels smooth and well-made. I managed to catch three bass total during testing, and while I did experience the rod sections coming loose once, a firm push to reseat them solved the problem.
Overall, if you’ve never tried ultralight fishing for bass, this combo delivers the sensitivity and excitement you’re looking for.
While it’s on the pricier side for an ultralight setup ($70 range), the quality and portability make it worth considering.
Best Spinning: Redington Original All-Water Kit
Specs
Pros
Cons
Why I Chose It
The Redington Original All-Water fly-fishing combo kit pairs a 4-piece 9′ composite rod with their Crosswater Fly Reel. I had the chance to try this combo out and I have to say it was the best feeling fly rod that I have ever fished with.
Think of it this way: it’s like switching from a car without power steering to one with it. The preloaded line flows effortlessly, laying down on the water with precision.
During testing, I hooked into two bass and landed both – an impressive hookup percentage for a fly rod. The highlight was a 2-pounder which was pure ecstasy while reeling in.
While the rod performs beautifully, I firmly think that the reel is the better product here. It handled the fight smoothly and proved its worth. When you’re investing in a combo, you want both components to deliver, and this setup does exactly that.
The only real limitation is that the rod only comes in a 9′ length so if you like a really long rod this isn’t the rod for you.
Overall, for targeting bass with flies, this Redington Original All-Water combo has earned its place as my go-to setup. Yes, it’s on the pricier side at about $200, but the quality justifies the investment.
Methodology
For the test, I made four separate trips and was able to catch over 100 bass easily which allowed me to rate each rod and reel combo for things like hookset, retrieve, and landing strength.
In addition, here are a few other factors that I considered while testing the combos:
- Casting Distance and Accuracy: It’s great to be able to make long casts, but it’s even better when those long casts hit the target.
I tested all the combos with the same lure (a Texas-rigged Craw) and was able to rate them based on how far I was able to cast and how on target each cast was.
- Rod Action: Confidence is a huge factor in bass fishing. The wrong rod can affect lure performance. I tested all the rods with different lures to see how the lures handled when ripped through structure, tightlined, and their ability to keep the fish on the hook.
- Reel Performance: While the rod is important, I believe the most crucial part of the combo is the reel. Some manufacturers try to cut corners by pairing a cheap reel with an expensive rod and vice versa. I tried out all the combos and was able to find out which reels performed best.
- Hookup Percentage: The goal of having a great rod and reel combo is to catch fish right? I tested all the combos and was able to tally how many fish were missed and how many hooksets landed! (Not all of them were the rod’s fault)
- Reel Seat Fit: I’m sure you’ve fished with a rod and reel that seemed like they were fighting each other. Maybe some were creaky or squeaking, while others had a reel that was too big or too small for the rod. I tested out all the combos and put them to the test to see which ones were a perfect match.
Benefits of Choosing a Rod and Reel Combo
After decades of fishing and choosing rod and reel combos, I’ve come up with a few pointers to help you in your quest to choose the perfect combo.
First, let’s look at the benefits to buying a combo instead of mixing and matching rods to reels.
Custom Match
The benefit of buying a combination rod and reel setup is undoubtedly the greatest benefit.
Typically, when a combo is created, the best reel is selected to match the rod. For instance, If you have a 1500 series reel, you don’t want to join it to a 7.5’ heavy rod with fast action.
Rod and reel companies understand their products so they are the best at deciding which rods should be used with which reels.
Better Price
Rod and reel combos are almost always cheaper than buying the rod reel individually. It’s just good business.
Companies know that selling two products in one purchase is a great way to move merchandise, so if you find a rod that you like, make sure that it has a combo option. You may save a few bucks and score a setup of a lifetime!
How to Choose a Rod and Reel Combo
There’s no one blueprint to selecting the perfect rod and reel combo however there are a few things to keep in mind when doing your research.
First, start with a favorite. I’m sure you have a favorite rod that comes to mind when I say that right? Take that rod and do some research to see if it has a combination option.
Nowadays combinations are becoming very popular and more companies are doing the hard work for you.
The same is true for a reel. If you have a favorite reel, do some research and see if a manufacturer has a combo that they sell with a rod that’s attached to your favorite reel.
Final Thoughts
I certainly learned a lot by taking the different rod and reel combinations out on the water for a test.
The list that I’ve put together was based on my trip to the marsh but is also a combined analysis of 40 years of fishing with rod and reel combos.
So let’s review our top pick!
For the best rod and reel combo overall, I choose the PENN Battle III Rod and Reel Combo. It topped the list for casting accuracy, rod strength, reel quality, and rod sensitivity.
The 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system provides an ultra-smooth retrieve. The composite blank provides a great mix of sensitivity and strength.
The one-piece guides make the rod overall more durable, and the CNC Gear Technology takes the reel to the next level!
While the PENN Battle lll won overall, you really can’t go wrong with all the combos mentioned in this best bass fishing rod and reel combo guide.
Give them a try and tell me what you think!
Recent Updates
- Nov 20th 2024: Removed the Abu Garcia Revo X LTD as it’s currently unavailable.
