7 Fishing Rods and Reels for Rising Anglers

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TEACH A man to fish, and you let him hold your favorite rod and reel for a day. Teach a man how to find his own rod and reel, and you’ve addicted him for life. A lot of attention gets paid to lures and boats in the fishing world, but it’s the fishing rod and reel that do the real work. The best fishing rods are made of space-age materials that mean they can last a lifetime, handle a wider variety of fish, and take a beating. But the best fishing rod brands for beginners aren’t just high-tech—they’re affordable, and built by anglers, for anglers.

The Men's Health writers and editors have curated a few of their favorite fishing rods and reels to use just in time for fishing season. Among the best fishing rods below are some of the best fishing reels to pair with them. You can choose to buy these rods and reels in a set, or you can pick one or the other to upgrade the current setup you have now. If you're looking for a no-brainer fishing rod and reel combo to buy together, our best overall fishing rod and reel set is the Ugly Stik GX2 Combo Set, due to its trusted long-term performance and insane price point of $60.

The wide selection of angling gear can be pretty overwhelming, which is why we've brought to you this simple buying guide. It's true there are other publications out there that break down the best rods and reels all the way down to every fine detail, but if you're looking for easy-to-buy fishing gear that you'll break out a few times every summer then this roundup is right up your alley. Keep scrolling to see the best fishing rods and reels to buy in 2023.

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GX2 1-Piece Fishing Rod and Spinning Reel Combo

The Ugly Stik GX2 is a do-it-all rod, and anglers love it for a simple reason: you’ll catch a lot of fishing using it. Its graphite and fiberglass construction, with one-piece stainless steel guides, means it’s tough as nails. And if The Big One breaks it (or you somehow manage to snap it in half), a new one’s not gonna bust your wallet.

You can buy a number of spinning reel sizes with this combo set, but if you're wanting to look for bass or catfish, then a spinning reel size anywhere between 30-40 should do the trick. (We like how Sportingbuddy.com has a good reel size chart that's easy to read.) Anything higher in number will be better for saltwater fishing and bigger fish, while anything less will be ideal for light fishing in lakes or ponds.

A number of our fishing experts also swear by the Ugly Stik GX2 rod for all types of fishing purposes. Topy Adriel, a writer with over 20+ years of experience fishing, and the owner of outdoorskilled.com, swears by the GX2 as a solid rod for beginners. "It is a remarkably versatile rod, suitable for both freshwater and light saltwater fishing," says Adriel. "It also performs admirably when targeting various species, including bass, trout, or even smaller inshore species."

Captain Kevin O'Maley, a fisherman for over 50+ years and owner of CBCharters.com in Gloucester, MA, also names the Ugly Stik Gx2 as a go-to fishing rod he can count on for everything, from deep sea fishing to inshore fishing. "We are currently using Ugly Stik fishing rods for almost all fisheries," says O'Maley.

And if two expert cosigns aren't enough to buy in on the Ugly Stik Gx2, we have a third recommendation from Brady Kirkpatrick, the founder and operator of GunMade.com, and avid fisherman and outdoorsman of 10+ years. "A great starting rod that I would recommend for beginners is the Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Fishing Rod—it's versatile, reliable, and highly affordable, which makes it a fantastic entry point for novices," says Kirkpatrick.

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Elite Spinning Rod

Take the Ugly Stik GX2’s toughness, build quality, and low price, and then swap in a cork handle and more graphite for extra feel and strength, and you have the Elite—which costs just a little more than the GX2.

There are two main differences between the Gx2 and the Elite: the first is the Gx2 has a foam handle, and although some like the comfort a cork handle is going to be just as light (if not lighter) and more durable and easier to grip when wet. The second is the addition of graphite: both the Elite and Gx2 contain graphite, but the Elite has approximately 35% more graphite, resulting in better bend and overall strength. These small changes might not seem like a lot, but if you're new to fishing and want to go with friends to catch small bass and catfish, upgrading to the Elite could give you a rod that's going handle a lot better than the Gx2 over time.

Ultimately this swap comes down to preference, but the Elite can give you a whole lot more edge for just a small price raise of about $20. Even better is the fact you can buy the Ugly Stik Gx2 combo set, and the swap the reel onto the Elite and keep the Gx2 as your backup.

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Battle III Spinning Inshore Fishing Reel

The Battle III reel is constructed with a durable full metal body that holds up to tough salt water fish. It features five stainless steel ball bearing and one instant anti-reserve bearing that's going to help keep things calm when the random chaos of fishing inshore ensues; plus it comes outfitted with carbon fiber washers to create a max drag of nine pounds, thus making it easier to reel in some of those big boys.

When you're looking for a spinning reel upgrade, it's always fun to opt for something that's going to open up more possibilities on the water. This is a fun upgrade you can make without having to shell out a ton of cash.

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World Class Casting Fishing Rod

Fishing rods can climb in price fast, so it's best to understand the difference between a sub-$100 rod can get you and a $300-rod. The biggest change in the price point is durability and touch. Take for example this Fenwick World Class Casting Fishing Rod, a rod that was designed with a special Powerlux 500 resin that Fenwick says helps evenly disperse tension under a load, resulting in "higher break strengths without increasing overall weight." In terms of touch, the lightweight graphite and cork construction of the rod allow for smooth casting and gentle reeling.

While we haven't personally used many Fenwick rods in the past, Bailey Eigbrett, a an avid kayak bass fisherman, tournament angler, and host of the bass fishing podcast called Serious Angler, is a big fan of Fenwick. "From throwing a wacky rig, weightless Texas rig, dropshot or flukes–this is the rod to do it," says Eigbrett. "The sensitive tip and a lot of back bone makes for a lot of success and more fish getting in the boat."

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Salos Spinning Reel

Winner of our "Best New Fishing Release" in our 2023 Outdoor Awards, the Salos Spinning Reel is for the angler who's ready to take their casts and catches to the next level. The reel is made to be light as a feather, with stainless-steel bearings and a clean drag that really makes you never have to think twice about ill-performance.

Even better is the price point, which won't set you back the $200+ other reels of this caliber could.

GLX Jig & Worm Casting Rods

If you've caught the bass fishing bug, or if your best friend finally invited you to his annual bass fishing retreat, then it's time to reach for the big guns. G.Loomis rods are some of the most popular high-end bass fishing rods money can buy, and while we've only had a few run-ins with these rods ourselves, Tony Lee, an avid bass fisherman for over 25+ years, and owner of the website and Facebook group called Minnesota BassHeads, swears by the brand. "G.Loomis has some of the best and most high quality rods made," says Lee. "The combination of quality components and weight of the rods makes it the perfection rod for sensitivity and balance."

Lee also made sure to point out these high-end rods are "not for everyone," but he especially loves how the series gives him the proper sensitivity level he needs to feel the lightest bites from bass out on the water.

Tatula SV Baitcasting Fishing Reel

Daiwa makes a number of premium reels for angling, but when it comes to bass fishing the Tatula SV is a lightweight, high-strength option that is well-worth the high-end price point. What makes the Tatula SV even more unique is its long casting distance, allowing for easier positioning in spots on the water that anglers would normally have trouble getting access to.

And lastly, the Daiwa touts some of the best tech at reducing backlashes, which will help limit line entanglements that take up precious time to fix.

Battle III Spinning Reel

This premium reel is constructed with a durable full metal body that holds up to tough salt water fish. If you're looking to upgrade from your current situation, this is perfect.

Solara Fishing Rod

The Japanese love bass fishing, and Shimano has made a damn fine rod for many years. Shimano’s Solara is a good alternative to Shakespeare’s Ugly Stik. Its two-piece construction helps with travel, and at twenty bucks, it’s a perfect beginner’s rod.

Solara Spinning Freshwater Spinning Rod

The Japanese love bass fishing, and Shimano has made a damn fine rod for many years. Shimano’s Solara is a good alternative to Shakespeare’s Ugly Stik. Its two-piece construction helps with travel, and at twenty bucks, it’s a perfect beginner’s rod.

What to Consider When Shopping for Fishing Rods and Reels

Fishing Style: Understanding where you plan on fishing the most and knowing what you're hoping to catch (or what you're most likely to catch) can help make shopping for fishing rods much easier. "Whether you plan to cast from shore, fish in freshwater or saltwater, or focus on a specific species, understanding your fishing style will help you narrow down your options," says Brady Kirkpatrick.

The Ugly Stik rods we recommended above are versatile enough to go really anywhere, but other rods we've pointed out above are optimized to handle specific types of fishing better—like the G.Loomis rod for bass fishing.

Rod Material: Rods come in all types of materials, but the two most common are fiberglass and graphite. "Fiberglass rods are known for their durability and flexibility, making them ideal for beginners," says Topy Adriel. "Graphite rods, on the other hand, offer increased sensitivity and responsiveness, which can be advantageous for specific fishing techniques."

Understanding the differences in rod materials highlights another reason why we love how the Ugly Stik rods blend fiberglass and graphite, resulting in a balanced rod that's not going to feel cheap or underperform.

Rod Length: Length determines a lot, so its important to know the ballpark range of the different rod lengths. "The length of the rod affects its casting abilities, leverage, and control," says Kirkpatrick. "A shorter rod provides better control and leverage for reeling in the catch, while a longer rod can cast farther."

When it comes to finding a sweet spot length for beginner to intermediate skill levels, Adriel recommends a medium-power rod with a length between six to seven feet; "It's a versatile choice that's suitable for various fishing applications."

Rod Handle and Grip: Last major factor to consider is grip, since you'll of course be holding the rod for up to hours at a time. "Cork or EVA foam is crucial for a firm grasp, especially in wet conditions," says Adriel.

Fishing Reel Drag: The drag on your fishing reel is determined by a set of washers to create friction on your line. Different types of fishing require different drag weight, or else you can find yourself snapping your line more than you'd like. For a beginner to fishing, the basic reel on the Ugly Stik combo above will do just fine for the most part, but if you anticipate doing any type of specialty fishing (like fishing for catfish, bass, tuna) it's worth considering an upgrade. Drag weight varies a lot in fishing, so it's best to ask your friends, family, and local fishing experts to determine what's best on any given day you're out fishing.

If you don't want to worry about your reel not having the proper drag you need, upgrading to a model that's over $100—like the Penn, Florida Fishing Products, or Diawa reels we recommend above—should have you set.

Open Fishing Reel: Open fishing reels promise more accurate casting and can typically hold more spool. These types of reels are also typically better to use off of a boat. The downside to open-faced fishing reels though is they are more susceptible to backlash, so if you're a beginner to fishing you could find yourself having to fix your reel more times than you'd like.

Why Trust Us

In order to keep up with new innovations and releases, the Men's Health tech and gear team is continually testing and reviewing all of the latest products. When it comes to fishing gear, we rely on the expertise of our outdoor gear specialists and then apply a lifestyle focus to our recommendations.

We do not aim to produce the most in-depth fishing gear guide on the internet, but rather we seek to promote reliable, wallet-friendly product recommendations any guy can pickup and use when wanting to learn how to fish, or wanting to add a few extra rods and reels to their current setup.

How We Selected

For the past two years, we consulted with Men's Health's editors and writers on the best fishing rods and reels. Experts, including our own Gear and Commerce Editor, John Thompson, put a number of fishing rods and reels to the test and evaluated their performance, durability, and price point. We also considered brands and products that the greater fishing community loves.

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