Baitcaster reel and rod combinations can really help anglers when it comes to shopping for a new rod and reel setup. Combo packages eliminate the need to search for both a reel and rod, saving the angler time and hassle by purchasing a setup that’s ready to fish when it arrives at their door. The companies offering our best baitcaster combo packages also pair up the best reel for the rod, so that you as an angler have the best setup for whatever tactic or species you wish to pursue.
This sweet-looking combo has some serious features at a very affordable price point. It won the award for best combo package at the ICAST show in 2019
The Penn Warfare combo is made to tackle and wrestle with big fish. This rod comes with some great features at an amazingly affordable price.
Quantum is a trusted and established name in the fishing world, but they also produce quality products and in this case a stellar price to boot.
What to Look For in a Baitcasting Combo Package
While most of the rods listed in this article were all picked to be able to provide great fishing all around with every presentation, some combo setups are tailored toward a specific presentation. Some are great for saltwater presentations for large fish, like the saltwater combo by Penn that we have listed in this article. Others are tailored towards presentations suited to higher speed gear ratios, like jerkbaits or crankbaits. The build of the rod will typically compliment the reel and be heavy or have a different length that suits the reel and presentations that it works best with. These are all things to consider when looking for the best baitcaster combo.
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Best Freshwater Baitcaster Combo
This combo by Lew’s has some of the coolest aesthetics around, not only does it make a fashion statement though, this combo has some serious features at a very affordable price point. The Mach Smash won the award for the best combo package at the International Convention of Allied Sportfishing Trades (ICAST) show in 2019. So this combo has that title as proof of its offerings.
Reel
The reel is a one-piece super low profile reel that is very lightweight and made of graphite, along with 3 drain ports as well as graphite side ports. The reel also has a magnetic drag system and solid brass gears that a precision CNC machined. To top it off the reel features 8 stainless steel double shield bearings, a zero reverse clutch, graphite drag star, awesome griped and textured paddles and thumb bar, and a machined all aluminum spool.
Rod
The rod is constructed from premium IM6 high-modulus graphite. The rod seat is Lew’s famous skeletal reel seat, giving the angler a lightweight rod. The grips are WINN Dri-tac Grips with a split grip setup featuring an EVA butt. And last but not least we have stainless steel line guys with stainless steel inserts for a great high-quality rod setup.
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Best Saltwater Baitcaster Combo
The Penn Warfare series is our top pick for the best saltwater combo package. It’s made to tackle and wrestle with big fish. This rod comes with some great features at an amazingly affordable price. Let’s take a look at some of the features that come with this rod and reel.
Reel
The level wind reel is constructed with a lightweight graphite frame and side plates, as well as a forged and machined aluminum spool, HT-100 carbon fiber drag system, and machined brass pinion and main gears.
Rod
The rod is a hollow tubular glass blank with a solid glass tip, which gives great sensitivity and bite detection. The rod also features stainless steel line guides with aluminum oxide inserts, a triangle EVA grip for exceptional control and comfort, and a heavy-duty graphite reel seat.
Best Baitcaster Combo for Bass
The Abu Garcia Black Max might just be the best freshwater baitcasting rod and reel combo you’ll find in today’s market for a number of reasons. It’s reasonably priced so that most anglers can afford this baitcasting combo, but it’s also loaded with solid features that make it perfect for bass fishing. It features a graphite frame and side plates, as well as a speedy 6.4:1 gear ratio. The Black Max delivers smooth casting and retrieval action and is also equipped with a duragear brass gear and stainless steel guides.
- Best freshwater baitcasting combo this season
- Graphite side plates and frame
- Incredibly versatile rod and reel combo
Reel
The reel features 4 stainless steel bearings and 1 roller bearing, alongside a machined aluminum spool, Abu Garcia’s Power Disk drag system, MagTrax drag system, compact reel foot, graphite side plates to give the reel a lighter weight and ease of handling, and the famous Duragear brass gear, all staples that anglers know and love when it comes to Abu Garcia reels.
Rod
The rod is made from 24-ton graphite construction into a one-piece blank. These rods utilize stainless steel guides and use ultra-smooth and reliable titanium oxide inserts. Solid EVA foam grips are used to give the angler a good grip and comfort in all weather conditions. The rod also comes in two sizes, from 6’6” to 7’0.
See here for more baitcasting combo choices for bass fishing.
Best Budget Baitcaster Combo
The Quantum Pulse is our pick for the best budget baitcaster combo. We look at the price and the features offered for that price, and to be honest, this one’s kind of hard to beat. Quantum has been around for a long time, and is a trusted and established name in the fishing world, but they also produce quality products and in this case a stellar price to boot.
Reel
The reel that comes with the Quantum Pulse combo has some great features, like 6+1 bearings, interchangeability with the reel handle, and being able to switch to right or left-handed retrieves. On top of that, the reel also features all metal gears, 19 inches or line per handle crank, and 3 times pickup ceramic pins that are ultra-reliable. The reel is also super smooth casting as well.
Rod
The rod included in the package is a one-piece rod coming in at 6’6”. The rod also features a split grip design with EVA grips, IM8 graphite blanks for a durable and reliably constructed rod, and dynaflow aluminum oxide guides.
Best Beginner Baitcaster Combo
And our best and final combo is the Quantum Throttle. This is our pick for the best beginner rod. While the rod still has great features, we tried to pick a rod and reel combo that matched both quality and price together, while still giving features to help beginner baitcast setup users.
Reel
The reel is middle of the road, so to speak, with a gear ratio of 7.3:1, giving the angler a good middle ground when it comes to speed and cranking power. The reel also has a 7+1 bearing and an incredible 31 inches or line retrieve per crank. It also has a large capacity spool, capable of carrying 170 yards of 30-pound braid or 135 yards of 12-pound Monofilament line.
Rod
The rod is constructed of IM8 graphite to a length of 6.75 inches. Coming with a very stylish split grip design consisting of EVA foam, as well as dynaflow Aluminum oxide guides, and a built-in hook keeping to prevent foul hooking and tangling of line.
Conclusion
Rod Combinations are great for avid anglers and beginners alike. They fill a great role, helping anglers by giving them one good matching package of a rod and reel versus making the angler search for both. Searching for a rod and reel individually is great if you know exactly what you want in a rod and reel setup, but it isn’t always necessary. We covered some great products in this article, and we hope it helps you in your choice in choosing a combo package that works well for you on the water.
