Affordable bait casting rod and reel recommendations? 2025

Kyle S reply :

Hello there everyone! I'd like to add two new bait casting rods, and two new reels to my arsenal. I've got $50.00 to spend on each rod and reel, and would prefer to spend even less than that if possible. I would love some of you all's expert advice???? Thanks!

Glaucus reply :

So, $100 total or $200 total?

MN Fisher reply :

Is that $50 per rod and $50 per reel?

If so...

Rods - Diawa Aird-X...I'm happy with mine and you can find them on Amazon for under $50.

Reels - I'd up it a little and go with Pflueger President at $59. I have one and it's a very good reel for the price.

Kyle S reply :

My apologies, @Glaucus I've budgeted $200.00 total. $50.00 for each individual rod and each individual reel!

That's correct @MN Fisher!! $50.00 per rod, and $50.00 per reel! I'll look into your recommendations, thanks!!

Glaucus reply :

That's a hard budget, if I'm being honest.

Berkley Lightning rods and Abu Garcia Silver Max reels to be at/under budget.

Daiwa Aird X rods and Daiwa Fuego reels would put you a little over budget but is an outstanding combination for the price.

My advice though? Get one setup for that money. I've heard the Shimano SLX rod and reel combo is great. A Fenwick HMG rod and Daiwa Fuego or Shimano SLX reel would be great as well. Okuma EVX rods are really good at $100 and again you can slap one of those kings of $100 reels on it (Fuego or SLX). The 6'8" MH/MF Okuma EVX is such a great all purpose rod.

I wouldn't settle on getting 2 low end setups when you can get 1 nice one, or if you can swing a little more you can get 2 Aird X and Fuego setups.

I'm definitely in the minority here when I say this, so take it as you will, but if the Dobyns Fury gets recommended don't do it.

GReb reply :

I have a burner rod and reel I let my wife and friends use. It’s a 6’ BPS Graphite Series rod and Fuego. It’s actually a pretty enjoyable combo.

JLewis134 reply :

That's tough to find quality equipment at that price. If you can I would suggest spending a bit more and only get one combo. I think you'd be happy. That just my opinion. Best of luck!

r83srock reply :

Lightning rod shock and a black max will do the trick.

new2BC4bass reply :

FFO has some Berkley E-Motions for $37. No experience with them myself, but I had one of the good guys on here tell me it was a nice rod at full price.

You can find a Berkley Cherrywood HD in the $25-$26 range.

Otherwise look for house combos at places like Cabela's, BPS and Academy Sports. Haven't looked for such rod/reel at Sportsman's Warehouse, but they occasionally have some excellent deals on rods and reels.

greentrout reply :

50 dollars for a rod ... 50 dollars for a reel ... go to >> academy and kastking ... plenty of quality combinations for what you are looking to do ... walmart... bps ... too ...

good fishing ...

Glenn reply :

Perhaps of interest:

KastKing Adds Another Fishing Rod Series Priced $30 to $40 and Spinning Rod and Reel Combos Under $60

PourMyOwn reply :

Lews carbon fire rods are 39.99 at Dick's right now. They are very nice rods for 40 bucks-i have three. Search around, they are well thought of here.

Catt reply :

Combos @ Academy

Lew's American Hero $79.99

Lew's Lazer TXS $79.99

Abu Garcia Silver Max $79.99

ike8120 reply :

On 6/21/2019 at 11:52 AM, Glenn said:

Perhaps of interest:

KastKing Adds Another Fishing Rod Series Priced $30 to $40 and Spinning Rod and Reel Combos Under $60

Plus right now 15% off coupon on the rods, not the combos

Kyle S reply :

Thanks everyone, I’ll repost here and let you all know what I decide on!

BaitFinesse reply :

I would avoid those $80 combos. The reels are often OK but the rods are absolute junk. I would recommend you bump up the budget a bit and try to find a Daiwa Fuego CT on Ebay with a discount code. Guys have gotten them for as little as $50-$60 before. The Shimano SLX combo can be had for as little as $140 at times. The next time that pops up some where that would be a great buy.

If not then the best sub $100 rod and reel combo I have found at regular retail is the Kastking Spartacus and Berkley Lightning Rod. The rod will be much better than the garbage rod you get on some of the combo reels and the reel has a centrifugal and magnetic brake which is unheard of at this price point. Most cheap reels just have a linear magnetic brake so getting a real 6 pin centrifugal is a real step up. It's a cheap China reel but Kastking will toss another reel your way if there are any problems.

Spartacus: $34 on Aliexpress

Berkley Lightning Rod: 30-40 local walmart.

KastKing-8-Baitcasting-12.jpg_640x640q70.jpg_.webpFetching info...

Obi_Wan reply :

On 6/22/2019 at 5:34 AM, BaitFinesse said:

I would avoid those $80 combos. The reels are often OK but the rods are absolute junk. I would recommend you bump up the budget a bit and try to find a Daiwa Fuego CT on Ebay with a discount code. Guys have gotten them for as little as $50-$60 before. The Shimano SLX combined can be had for as little as $140 at times. The next time that pops up some where that would be a great buy.

If not then the best sub $100 rod and reel combo I have found at regular retail is the Kastking Spartacus and Berkley Lightning Rod. The rod will be much better than the garbage rod you get on some of the combo reels and the reel has a centrifugal and magnetic brake which is unheard of at this price point. Most cheap reels just have a linear magnetic brake so getting a real 6 pin centrifugal is a real step up. It's a cheap China reel but Kastking will toss another reel your way if there are any problems.

Spartacus: $34 on Aliexpress

Berkley Lightning Rod: 30-40 local walmart.

KastKing-8-Baitcasting-12.jpg_640x640q70.jpg_.webpUnavailable

I have a Spartacus reel and a lightning rod. Hard to beat for the money. I used the Spartacus in Canada for Walleye with 8lb line and it worked like a champ.

NYWayfarer reply :

DSG right now, Lew’s Mach 2 combo for $139 And a Pflueger Monarch combo for $59

ike8120 reply :

I have a Dobyns FR733C mated with a KastKing Assassin. Rod was on sale $109.00 and Reel was under 50 bucks. Just because it is a 50 dollar reel don't sell it short. Also KK makes reels that much more expensive.

Jake51823 reply :

I’ve had hands on experience with the abu Garcia pro max combo which is right in your wheel house at $99.99 but right now Walmart has a rollback for the 7 MH for $80.00. I never had any issues with it and it reeled in my PB up until I purchased my new fb origin which I’ve been loving.

Cahabafly reply :

Personally I would say probably just get one combo with that money. Go with an SLX Combo, 7' MH. It should do all you need it to for 160 at tackledirect. If you're set on two rods, the best value will be found with combos from Lews or Abu Garcia. I'll link a few that i've used and personally recommend. Stay away from 13 fishing, favorite, or any of the amazon brands (Kastking, piscifun, etc.); their cheap stuff is tossed in and poor quality.

SLX: https://www.tackledirect.com/shimano-slx-casting-combos.html

Lew's Combo: https://www.lews.com/combos/lasermg (my favorite but only has MH models)

Pro Max: Pro Max Combo (Link was too long)

Catt reply :

On 6/22/2019 at 5:34 AM, BaitFinesse said:

I would avoid those $80 combos. The reels are often OK but the rods are absolute junk.

In most instances I would agree but not with Lew's.

After 2 years of hard usage & hundreds of bass both reels have had no issues. Both rods are light, sensitive, & have to strength to move big bass in heavy cover.

r83srock reply :

On 6/23/2019 at 7:49 PM, Catt said:

In most instances I would agree but not with Lew's.

After 2 years of hard usage & hundreds of bass both reels have had no issues. Both rods are light, sensitive, & have to strength to move big bass in heavy cover.

That boy carries a certain confidence, rightfully so with a tank like that!

newyorktoiowa57 reply :

The Lews hank Parker Speed stick can be tough to beat at $40.

bunz559 reply :

I's recommend the new SLX's. I have 1 rod and 2 reels. For the price, can't beat them. The Dobyn's Fury is a proven budget friendly rod, but I feel the new SLX slightly pulls ahead because of lighter weight.

Kyle S reply :

Thanks again to everyone for all of your suggestions!! I ended up going a wee bit over my budget. For the rod I went with a Lew's speed stick TP1 Black 6'10" MH, and for the reel I decided on a Lew's Tournament MB. Rod was 129.00 and reel was 139.00. Also.....I just purchased two Abu Garcia Black Max's from Academy Sports during yesterdays online flash sale of 25% all reels! I've heard quite a bit about these reels so I figured i'd give them a shot and see what all the hype was about. I got them for 29.99 a piece. Later this evening I plan on picking up two rods to pair with the new reels...so much for that 200.00 budget????????

zell_pop1 reply :

2 Abu Silver Max reels and 2 Fenwick Eagle rods should be about $200.

superkamikazee reply :

Daiwa AIRD-X + Abu Garcia Pro Max = $49 + $73 = a darn good setup.

I now have 3 of these rods, a 6'6" medium fast, and 2 7' MH fast (1 spinning, 1 bait caster), and these are really great rods for the money. I mean, Matt Allen from Tactical Bassin' even recommended them, and they never recommend rods under $100.

I find the rods to be sensitive, light, built well, nice guides, and I don't feel I'm missing much when compared to my Lews Speed Stick TP-1, which cost quite a bit more. At the same time, I also don't have any issues with my 15 year old 6' medium 2 piece Ugly Stick. People claim those are not sensitive or they're numb feeling, but I can feel fish on a senko and crank bait thumps just fine, so idk lol.

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