Summer is approaching quickly.  If you are looking to get into fishing, you are gonna need a couple of rods and reels. We will go over some of the cheaper options and some of the higher quality options.

Now if you are just starting to get into fishing you don’t need much. You can easily get by with one or two rod and reel combos. One spinning combo and one bait cast combo.

A good starting rod for anglers of all ages is a spinning rod. For the cheap option, I would recommend an Abu Garcia Vengeance. This 7 foot medium power spinning rod is a very versatile option for all beginner anglers. 

The reel I would pair with the Vengeance would be a Source K from 13 Fishing. This specific reel has a gear ratio of 5.1:1, which means that the spool of line will turn 5.1 times after every full rotation of the reel handle.

That is the cheaper option for a spinning rod and reel combo, which would be roughly $80. Next, we will get into the more expensive, higher quality option.

Starting with the rod again, the St. Croix Bass X rod is very high quality. I again would recommend a 7 foot rod, this one you could get either a medium or a medium-heavy power. 

As for the reel, a Daiwa Fuego LT is an excellent option. This reel comes in a 5.2:1 gear ratio or a 6.2:1, both are good options. 

So those are some recommendations for spinning rods and reels, next up will be bait cast options.

We are going to start with the cheap option for a bait cast rod. A Berkley Lightning Rod. For beginners, a 7 foot medium heavy power bait casting rod is always a great option. 

A cheap option for a bait casting reel is a Pflueger Trion. This reel comes in a 7.3:1 gear ratio. Bait casters can be slightly more difficult to operate.  Before using it on the water, it is always a good idea to take it out and practice in your backyard. 

The more expensive bait casting rod I would recommend is an Abu Garcia Veritas. Again a 7 foot medium heavy power rod is a solid choice. You could get a 7’3” if you feel you’d like that little extra length, which would make your casting more accurate. 

Lastly, the more expensive option for a bait casting reel would be a Daiwa Tatula 100. This reel comes in gear ratios 6.3:1, 7.1:1 and 8.1:1. Any of these are good options, it will vary person to person depending on which you prefer, or what technique you will be using it for.