There was a time when rod and reel combos were entry-level setups tangled together in a bin at the big box store. But combo offerings have long evolved, and instead of spending hours in a tackle shop matching rods and reels in hopes of the right pairing, you can pick up an expertly manufactured spinning combo with solid performance at a great package price.
Combos also come in a variety of actions and sizes to suit a wide range of fishing styles for everything from striped bass to largemouth, and finesse fishing to topwater. Not to mention, a matching rod and reel looks cool, too, and for this review, we’ve included our favorite spinning combos that catch eyes as well as they catch fish.
Best Spinning Combos: Our Top Picks
- Best spinning combo overall: Shimano Nexave
- Best budget spinning combo: Okuma Veros
- Best lightweight spinning combo: KastKing ReKon
- Best saltwater spinning combo: PENN Battle IV
- Best spinning combo for bass: Lew’s Mach Smash
Best Spinning Rod and Reel Combo Overall
Shimano Nexave
MSRP: Starting at $79.99
Buy from:
Why I Love It
Shimano leads the tackle industry in technology, and I’ve witnessed over the years that their best ideas have trickled down to their more affordable tackle, including the Nexave Spinning Combo. The series includes reels in three sizes and four speeds and rods from ultralight to medium-heavy. There is a Nexave Spinning Combo for everything from finesse fishing to bouncing a Texas rig in heavy structure.
When it comes to the tech, one of my favorite features on this reel is the Propulsion Line Management System, which is designed to let the line out in smaller coils. The idea is this creates less friction and produces longer, more accurate casts. Also, the center of weight on the Naxave is closer to the reel foot, reducing fatigue on big fights or long days cranking line.
The reel is matched to their accompanying two-piece rod, so it’s easy to store and transport. The rod also features a split grip and titanium-oxide line guides to increase sensitivity for working finesse lures.
Reasons to Buy
- Six models from 1000 to 4000
- Two-piece rod
- Balanced reel
Consider Another Model If
- You prefer a one-piece rod
- You need a baitcasting combo
Bottom Line
The Shimano Nexave is the perfect combination of Shimano’s innovations and a value price tag. It’s a combo that both beginners and experienced anglers will enjoy without breaking the budget.
Best Spinning Combo for Saltwater
PENN Battle IV Spinning Combo
MSRP: Starting at $179.99
Buy from:
Why I Love It
PENN has been making saltwater fishing gear for over 100 years and they’ve figured out how to deliver a quality product at a reasonable price. The Battle IV combo is a perfect example. The combo is available in 13 models from six-foot to 10-foot and reel sizes from 1000 to 8000. The models cover everything from pan fishing to surf fishing with the power and precision to finesse a speckled trout or haul in a striped bass.
The number one priority for saltwater is that the reel is corrosion-resistant. The Battle IV body is sealed to keep water and sand out. It also has five sealed bearings and one in the handle for smooth turning retrieves. To stop a big fish, the reel uses PENN’s famous CT100 carbon fiber drag system, which uses carbon fiber drag washers to dissipate heat and maintain consistent pressure throughout a long fight with a stubborn fish
The reels are combined with carbon rod models that use one-piece stainless steel line guides, which help prevent damage compared to inserts that can pop out of the frame. The rods have options for a comfortable cork grip, or an EVA shrink wrap grip, which I find works well in wet and slimy conditions.
Reasons to Buy
- Reasonable price
- Sealed reel body
- Stainless steel line guides
- 13 Models
Consider Another Model If
- Black and gold aren’t your favorite colors
- You’re on a budget
Bottom Line
The Battle IV is a well-tested and loved series and If you start with one Battle IV model, you can add others as your fishing advances.
Best Budget Spinning Combo
Okuma Veros
MSRP: Starting at $104.99
Buy from:
Why I Love It
Do you believe in love at first sight? When it comes to a rod and reel combo, I fell in love with Okuma’s Veros spinning combo the moment I picked it up. The carbon-fiber rod, balanced reel and cork grip beg to spend the day fishing long and hard.
The rod is constructed out of premium carbon fiber with a reinforced tip designed to improve casting distance and increase sensitivity. It also has a cork grip, which I’m a big fan of, but is usually reserved for more expensive rods.
The Veros reel is optimized for saltwater with sealed bearings, a machined aluminum spool, and a rotor designed to shed water and dry quickly. To fight large saltwater fish, the Veros also boasts carbon fiber drag washers that reduce heat and maintain consistent pressure through the fight.
While the carbon drag and the carbon-fiber rod with reinforced rod tip are attractive qualities, the Veros just feels good in the hand. Maybe it’s the cork grip or the one-piece aluminum handle, but the combo has a solid presence cast after cast. The Veros is available in 2500 to 4000 reels and seven-foot and seven-foot, six-inch models. The shorter rods are great for jigging and finesse fishing, while the longer rods produce a longer cast to cover more water.
Reasons to Buy
- Inexpensive
- Sealed bearings
- Carbon-fiber rod
- Cork Grips
Consider Another Model If
- You need a heavy-action rod
- You need a two-piece rod
Bottom Line
Even with the saltwater-ready treatment, the Veros combo costs less than most rods and reels, and with versatile offerings, there is a model for most inshore fishing opportunities.
Best Bass Spinning Combo
Lew’s Mach Smash Spinning Combo
MSRP: Starting at $119.99
Buy from:
Why I Love It
Any bass angler worth their weight in soft plastics knows the names Shaw Grigsby, Hank Parker and Kevin VanDam. The greatest anglers in bass fishing history relied on Lew’s tackle to make it to the top, and their experience is woven into the Lew’s Mach Smash combo. The carbon-fiber rod and graphite reel offer reliable performance with the right features to make fishing easier.
The reel has five ball bearings for smooth retrieves. Designed for braided line, the anodized aluminum spool is light and stiff. On the rod side, the IM6 graphite blank and stainless guides with aluminum oxide inserts are durable and sensitive. The Mach Smash really stands out with a bright racecar red finish on the rod and matching reel. To make the reel feel like a million bucks, the Mach Smash combo has Winn grips in the handle and a textured padded knob on the reel handle that stays grippy when fishing gets wet and slimy.
Reasons to Buy
- Great price
- Cool red finish
- Five ball bearings
- Winn grips
Consider Another Model If
- Red is not your color
- You prefer cork handles
Bottom Line
Anglers looking for a reliable rod and reel that gets attention won’t be able to take their eyes off the candy-apple red Mach Smash combo. But beauty is more than skin deep—this looker packs a super smooth reel and high-performance rod.
Best Lightweight Spinning Combo
KastKing ReKon SW
MSRP: Starting at $154.99
Buy from:
Why I Love It
Carbon fiber drag, carbon fiber rod, five shielded ball bearings and stainless steel line-guides are all combined in the KastKing ReKon SW. Designed for the rigors of saltwater fishing, the ReKon SW shaves weight without compromising strength. KastKing’s ultra-light combo punches above its weight class with a sensitive and responsive rod and a smooth, durable reel.
The glass-infused nylon reel body and rotor keep weight down for making a million casts over a long day. Stainless steel guides with zirconia rings resist corrosion and wear and tear from braided line.
I also like the cork grips in the lighter models for good looks and a solid grip. The heavier models use EVA grips, which are more durable and comfortable. The focus of the Rekon combo is comfort, achieved through weight reduction and ergonomic design.
The KastKing ReKon SW is available in five models from medium-light to heavy, matched to 3000 to 6000 spinning reels. A 3000 reel and medium-light rod is perfect for sight fishing for light lures and smaller fish. The 6000 reel and heavy-action rod will tame a cobia, bull red drum, tarpon and other nearshore trophies.
Reasons to Buy
- Five shielded ball bearings
- Five models
- Reasonable Price
Consider Another Model If
- You need a sealed reel body
- You need an ultra-light- or light-action rod
Bottom Line
When it comes to fishing tackle, saving weight usually comes with sacrificing durability. KastKing’s ReKon SW shaves ounces without cutting quality.
Spinning rod and reel combo buying advice
Purchasing a factory-matched rod and reel takes the guesswork out of choosing fishing tackle. Best of all, the package deal tends to make spinning combos less expensive than buying a rod and reel separately.
When I buy a spinning combo, I start by looking for quality components in the rod and reel. This begins with a carbon-fiber rod with corrosion-resistant line guides and reel seat. I also like a lightweight spinning reel with carbon-fiber drag washers, water-resistant body and durable brass or stainless steel components.
Since a rod and reel combo is designed to work together, manufacturers experiment with wild colors and designs, so many of the options out there look as good as they fish. But I don’t let bright colors fool me. Here are a few points I take into account when deciding on a spin combo.
Matching a spinning combo with tackle and techniques
Combos come in numerous sizes and styles, creating a long-running flow chart to decide on the right pair for how you plan to fish. Because they are generally more sensitive and easier to cast, I often turn to spinning combos as the perfect pairing for finesse fishing and light rigs.
Since the rod and reel are already matched, I use the “lure-weight” rating on the fishing rod for the lure or rig I plan to use. I also consider rod action. Fast rods are stiffer for finesse jigging, while a slower rod absorbs the shock of a big fish striking a topwater lure.
Length is yet another factor to consider, and the rule of thumb on rod length is that a longer rod casts farther and a shorter rod is more accurate.
Getting the best spinning combo for the money
The spinning combos I tested here range in price from $105 to over $200. That’s less expensive than separately purchasing a decent rod or reel. Just as with used cars and old houses, when it comes to fishing combos, you get what you pay for. A more expensive combo general includes things like a sealed reel body or cork grips that improve performance and increase the combo’s lifespan. However, the good news is that many of the premium features have trickled down from more expensive models, adding value to inexpensive tackle. For example, all the combos in our review combine sensitive, lightweight and durable carbon-fiber fishing rods with corrosion-resistant spinning reels.
Manufacturers have encouraged anglers to purchase a matching rod and reel by cutting the price and adding on value. Cost-conscious anglers can outfit an entire arsenal of rods and reels with prematched combos without breaking the bank.
Best Spinning Combo Brands
How we tested the best spinning combos
My first fishing rod was a Shimano spinning combo with a brown fiberglass rod and a wooden reel handle. I carried that simple combo everywhere and learned how to fish for a half dozen species. While I didn’t put the spinning combos in this review to the same extensive abuse as my childhood setup, I did put the combos here through the paces on and off the water.
The first test was the unboxing. In the garage, I examined the fit and finish, aesthetic details and overall look of each matching setup considered. Out in the yard, I rigged them up and gave each practice casts to test the balance and compatibility with recommended lures. On the water, I looked at casting distance, accuracy, sensitivity, responsiveness, and comfort by taking each combo through its paces.
The toughest aspect to evaluate in a short testing period is durability, but within my time with the rod and reels included in this article, none showed signs of failure.
Best of all, I was lucky enough to catch a few fish on these setups.
Feature Image: Ric Burnley
