Skip to main content
Fishing Magazine
Your Fishing Magazine
TOPsSee our product TOPs
Product Reviews & Tests

Fishing Rods & Reels

Discover our 32 product reviews, ratings and buying guides for Fishing Rods & Reels.

Wrath II Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo Wrath Ii - New Model 5000 Size Reel - 7' - Medium Heavy - 2pc

PENN

Wrath II Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod Combo Wrath Ii - New...

A tough, budget setup that can pull hard but isn’t flawless

7.9/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Durability ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Strong 7’ medium-heavy rod with good backbone for...
- Quality control and shipping issues reported (scra...
Read full review
Battle Spinning Reel Kit, Size 5000, Includes Reel Cover and Spare Anodized Aluminum Spool, Right/Left Handle Position, HT-100 Front Drag System Battle Reel 3000

PENN

Battle Spinning Reel Kit, Size 5000, Includes Reel Cover and...

A tough, no-nonsense saltwater workhorse

8.7/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Durability ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Full metal body, side plate, and rotor give a toug...
- Heavier than many competitors, which can be tiring...
Read full review
HMG Casting Fishing Rod 7' - Heavy - 1pc New Model

Fenwick

HMG Casting Fishing Rod 7' - Heavy - 1pc New Model

A solid workhorse bass rod if you like stiff sticks

8.5/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Comfort ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Light and well-balanced for a heavy-power rod, com...
- Sensitivity is good but not on par with higher-end...
Read full review
St - Croix Rods Triumph Spinning Rod, TSR, Durably Sensitive with Impressive Power, High Performing Spinning Rod 7'0" Medium/Fast 1 Pc.

St Croix Rods

St - Croix Rods Triumph Spinning Rod, TSR, Durably Sensitive...

A light, sensitive stick with some durability question marks

8.2/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Durability ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Light and sensitive SCII carbon blank that clearly...
- Less forgiving than tougher rods; easier to break...
Read full review
St - Croix Rods Triumph Spinning Rod, TSR, Durably Sensitive with Impressive Power, High Performing Spinning Rod 7'0" Medium-light/Fast 2 Pc.

St Croix Rods

St - Croix Rods Triumph Spinning Rod, TSR, Durably Sensitive...

A light 7' stick that’s sensitive but not flawless

8.2/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Comfort ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Sensitive SCII carbon blank with good hook-setting...
- Hardware (guides, reel seat) is mid-range and not...
Read full review
Moonshine Rod Co - Fly Fishing Rod with Carrying Case and Extra Rod Tip Section, Slow-Medium-Fast Action 7' MHF Rambler

Moonshine Rod Company

Moonshine Rod Co - Fly Fishing Rod with Carrying Case and Ex...

A compact spinning rod with fly rod vibes

8.6/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Durability ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Good overall build quality with graphite blank, mi...
- Medium heavy fast action is not great for very lig...
Read full review
Behemoth Fly Reel – Heavy-Duty Carbon Drag, Large Arbor, Die-Cast Frame & Deep V-Spool – Freshwater & Saltwater Fly Fishing Reel for Trout, Bass, Salmon & Big Game – 5/6 to 11/12 Weights O.D Green 4/5

Redington

Behemoth Fly Reel – Heavy-Duty Carbon Drag, Large Arbor, Die...

Hard-pulling drag on a budget-friendly tank of a reel

8.5/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Durability ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Very strong carbon drag for this price range, plen...
- Heavier than many 4/5 reels; can feel bulky on lig...
Read full review
Encounter Fly Rod Outfit - Fishing Rod and Reel Combo Starter Kit 5-Weight, 9'

Orvis

Encounter Fly Rod Outfit - Fishing Rod and Reel Combo Starte...

A no-nonsense starter kit that actually feels decent on the water

8.6/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Comfort ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Forgiving 9' 5-weight rod that’s actually easy for...
- EVA handle feels cheaper and less nice than a cork...
Read full review
Compass Telescopic Fishing Rods and Combo, Sensitive Graphite Composite Blank, Easy to Travel, Packs to Just 17" in Length, Stainless Guides and Ceramic Rings, Combos w/ 4+1BB Spinning Reel A: Rod: Spin - 7'0" - Medium Heavy

KastKing

Compass Telescopic Fishing Rods and Combo, Sensitive Graphit...

A compact rod that’s handy, but not bulletproof

6.0/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Durability ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Collapses to about 17" so it fits easily in backpa...
- Thin guides and tip feel fragile and match reports...
Read full review
Kong Saltwater & Freshwater Fishing Rod, Powerful, Lightweight S-Curve Graphite Rod Blanks, Nano Resin Technology, Stainless-Steel Double-Foot Guides w/Titanium Oxide Rings, Non-Slip Handles B: Cast 7'6"/H Power/Fast(2pcs)

KastKing

Kong Saltwater & Freshwater Fishing Rod, Powerful, Lightweig...

Budget big-fish rod that actually has backbone

8.5/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Comfort ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Strong blank with plenty of backbone for big fish...
- Not versatile for lighter lures or smaller fish; v...
Read full review
Squall II Level Wind Conventional Fishing Reel Squall Ii Level Wind 30LWLC

PENN

Squall II Level Wind Conventional Fishing Reel Squall Ii Lev...

A no-nonsense workhorse for bottom fishing and trolling

8.4/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Durability ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Strong, smooth HT-100 drag and plenty of line capa...
- Graphite frame isn’t as rigid or confidence-inspir...
Read full review
Fishing Rod and Reel Combos Carbon Fiber Telescopic Fishing Pole with Reel Combo Sea Saltwater Freshwater Kit Fishing Rod Kit 2PACK Full Kit with Carrier Case 2.1M 6.89FT Ambidextrous

PLUSINNO

Fishing Rod and Reel Combos Carbon Fiber Telescopic Fishing...

Compact rods that are handy but not perfect

8.3/10 ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Value for money ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Design ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Materials ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
Packaging ☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★
+ Very portable telescopic rods with compact carry c...
- Included line and lures are mediocre and worth rep...
Read full review