Your Fishing Magazine

Top 5: best fly rods (February 2026)

Quicksilver Black Diamond 3-Blade Prop Review: a no-nonsense aluminum prop that gets the job done

After using the Quicksilver Black Diamond 3-Blade Aluminum Propeller (14.5" x 19", QA1916X) on a Mercury 150, my conclusion is pretty straightforward: it’s a solid, practical choice if you care more about reliability and cost than chasing top speed. It does what it’s supposed to do—gets the boat on...

by Sophia Connelly

Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon Review: clear, soft line that actually behaves on the reel

Seaguar InvizX 25 lb is a solid choice if you’re looking for a fluorocarbon main line that you can actually fish all day without constant frustration. It’s softer and more manageable than a lot of other fluoros, casts well enough on both baitcasters and heavier spinning setups, and gives you that mi...

by Liam O'Doherty

MISSION SENTRY 2.0 Review: the boat fender that actually stays where you put it

Overall, the MISSION SENTRY 2.0 fenders are well thought out and genuinely practical. The shape, angled hang, and no-roll design make a real difference on modern boats where round fenders don’t sit right. The integrated strap and locking system are the main win: no knots, quick height adjustment, an...

by Noah Harrison

PENN Squall II Level Wind 30LWLC Review: a no-nonsense workhorse for bottom fishing and trolling

The PENN Squall II Level Wind 30LWLC is a no-nonsense, boat-focused reel that does what it’s supposed to do: hold a lot of line, crank hard, keep the drag smooth, and make life easier for people who aren’t pros with conventional reels. The level wind and line counter are genuinely useful features, n...

by Liam O'Doherty

Orvis Encounter Fly Rod Outfit Review: a no-nonsense starter kit that actually feels decent on the water

Overall, the Orvis Encounter 9' 5-weight outfit is a straightforward, no-drama starter kit that actually fishes well. The rod has a forgiving medium action, the reel is simple but functional, and the included line is perfectly okay for learning and casual fishing. It’s not light and crisp like more...

by Sophia Connelly

Newport NV-Series 55lb Review: a straightforward saltwater trolling motor that gets the job done

Overall, the Newport NV-Series 55lb is a practical, no-frills trolling motor that does what most people need on small boats, kayaks, and inflatables. It delivers enough thrust to push a loaded boat at around 3–4 mph, runs fairly quietly, and is simple to mount and use. The build quality is solid for...

by Ethan Mackenzie

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel Review: hard-pulling drag on a budget-friendly tank of a reel

The Redington Behemoth 4/5 is a chunky, no‑nonsense fly reel with a legitimately strong drag and a big, useful large‑arbor spool. It’s not a showpiece and it doesn’t feel like a high‑end machined reel, but it gets the core job done: it holds your line, picks it up quickly, and can actually slow down...

by Melissa Beaumont

Moonshine Rambler 7' MHF Review: a compact spinning rod with fly rod vibes

After actually fishing the Moonshine Rambler 7' MHF, my take is that it’s a solid, no‑nonsense spinning rod with a bit more character and support than the usual mid‑priced options. It casts well in its sweet spot (around 1/4–1/2 oz), has decent sensitivity, and feels comfortable to fish all day than...

by Liam O'Doherty

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod Review: a light, sensitive stick that’s solid but not perfect

After fishing this St. Croix Triumph 7'0" Medium-Light/Fast 2-piece for a while, my overall feeling is that it’s a solid mid-range spinning rod that does its main job well: it’s light, reasonably sensitive, and comfortable to fish all day. The SCII carbon blank is the real highlight. You can feel bo...

by Charlotte Ng

St Croix Triumph Spinning Rod Review: a sensitive stick with some trust issues

The St Croix Triumph 7'0" Medium/Fast spinning rod is a light, sensitive, mid-range rod that fishes well when you stay within its limits. It’s comfortable, nicely balanced, and does a good job with 1/4–1/2 oz lures and 6–12 lb line. If you like feeling exactly what your jig or Texas rig is doing on...

by Ethan Mackenzie

PENN Battle Spinning Reel Kit Review: a tough, no-nonsense saltwater workhorse

After putting the PENN Battle Spinning Reel Kit through real use, my overall take is simple: it’s a tough, practical reel bundle that makes the most sense for saltwater or heavier freshwater fishing. The full metal body, solid bail wire, and HT-100 drag give you a reel you can lean on without worryi...

by Melissa Beaumont

Pflueger President Spinning Combo Review: a light, capable setup with some question marks on the rod

Overall, the Pflueger President 30 size, 6'9" medium-light combo is a mixed bag. The reel is the strong point: it’s smooth enough, has a usable drag, decent line management, and feels like it can handle several seasons of normal freshwater use. If you’ve used President reels before, this one is in l...

by Charlotte Ng

Redington Behemoth 9/10 Review: budget bruiser with serious drag power

The Redington Behemoth 9/10 is basically a budget bruiser. It’s heavy, a bit rough around the edges, and not the prettiest reel after a few trips, but it pulls hard and keeps working. The carbon drag is genuinely strong, the backing capacity is huge, and real users have landed serious fish on it: ki...

by Charlotte Ng

Moonshine Rambler 6' ULF Review: a compact ultralight rod that’s fun to fish and easy to live with

The Moonshine Rambler 6' ULF is a solid ultralight spinning rod for people who actually get out and fish small waters on a regular basis. It casts light lures well, has enough backbone to handle surprise bigger fish on light line, and feels noticeably better than the usual bargain-bin ultralights. T...

by Raphael Duval

Redington Behemoth 5/6 Review: budget bruiser with serious drag power

The Redington Behemoth 5/6 is basically a budget bruiser. You’re getting a reel with serious drag strength, plenty of backing capacity, and a frame that can handle some abuse. It’s not refined, it’s not light, and it won’t stay pretty for long, but it does what most people actually need a reel to do...

by Melissa Beaumont

Moonshine Drifter II 7wt 10' Review: a solid workhorse euro/indicator rod that doesn’t feel overpriced

After fishing the Moonshine Drifter II 7wt 10' for a bit, my take is pretty simple: it’s a reliable, well-thought-out mid-range rod that does the job without drama. The moderate-fast action, 10' length, and 7wt rating make it a good choice for indicator nymphing, light streamer work, and general tro...

by Melissa Beaumont

Moonshine Drifter II 5wt Review: a solid mid-priced fly rod with a smart backup tip

Overall, the Moonshine Drifter II 5wt 9' is a solid mid-range trout rod that focuses more on practical fishing than on flashy branding. The moderate-fast action is forgiving enough for newer anglers but still controlled enough for someone with experience to enjoy. It handles typical trout work—dries...

by Angel Delgado

Ventures Fly Co 122 Fly Assortment Review: a no-fuss starter kit that actually catches fish

Overall, the Ventures Fly Co 122 fly assortment is a practical, no-nonsense kit that does what it’s supposed to: give you a wide range of usable flies that actually catch fish, without forcing you into fly tying or spending a fortune at the shop. The flies are decent quality, the hooks are sharp eno...

by Angel Delgado

PENN Battle Spinning Reel Kit 2500 Review: a tough little workhorse for everyday fishing

Overall, the PENN Battle Spinning Reel Kit 2500 is a solid choice if you want a tough, no-nonsense spinning reel that can handle both freshwater and light saltwater use. The full metal body, HT-100 drag, and stainless bearings give it a sturdy feel, and on the water it does exactly what you need: re...

by Angel Delgado