The Best Fishing Rods and Reels for Every Guy’s Budget

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.

Read more: Fish With the Most Protein

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.

Read more: Best Gifts for Outdoorsmen

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.

Read more: Best Camping Essentials

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."

Read more: Best Gifts for Men

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.

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.

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.