Best Rod and Reel Combos for Lake Fishing
To save you the shopping hassle, we have compiled a list of our top five rod and reel combos for lake fishing that check all these boxes and don’t cost much.
1. Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Combo
The Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 is one of the most versatile lake fishing options and comes as a medium-heavy power spinning rod and reel combo, and sports a graphite and fiberglass construction for low weight and maximum sensitivity. It comes with the Clear Tip design that emphasizes high strength, an ergonomic EVA grip for comfort, and is 7’ long. It also comes with a 5.2:1 gear ratio spinning reel, runs on 3+1 bearings, and features compression bail springs for reel durability.
- Heavy-duty performance.
- Lightweight and sensitive.
- Very durable; exceptionally versatile.
2. Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo
The Okuma Great Lakes comes as a two-piece conventional rod and reel especially adapted to trolling. It stands at 10’ long, comes with medium/heavy power, an ergonomic EVA grip, and features ten line guides for precise performance and uniform load distribution. It also features a high-performance conventional reel that runs on 2 bearings and delivers high torque through its brass gears.
- Ideal for trolling.
- Heavy-duty performance.
- Smooth action, very durable.
3. Pflueger President/Fenwick Spinning Combo
This unique combo combines a Fenwick Eagle fishing rod and Pflueger spinning reel, bringing the best of two worlds. The rod sports a high-modulus graphite construction, is very lightweight and sensitive, and ultra-smooth stainless steel guides. The reel comes with a 10-bearing system for exceptional smoothness, features a braid-ready spool, and an overall sleek design.
- Lightweight and sensitive.
- Very durable, smooth performance.
- Sleek design.
4. Ugly Stik Catfish Fishing Combo
The Ugly Stik fishing combo is specially designed for anglers targeting catfish and comes as a spinning, casting, or conventional combo. It is 7’ long, comes with medium-heavy power, and the Ugly Stik clear tip design for strength. It also comes with a size 50 reel that runs on 1+1 bearings and sports a durable aluminum construction.
- Lightweight and sensitive.
- Very versatile.
- Smooth performance.
5. Cadence CC5 Spinning Combo
The Cadence CC5 comes as a spinning rod and reel combo, sports a graphite construction, and comes in a range of performance ratings for variety. It comes with double EVA grips, is exceptionally lightweight, and sensitive. It also comes with a high-performance size 1000 to 4000 spinning reel that runs on 8+1 bearings, delivers between 10 to 20lb. of drag, and gear ratios for slow or quick retrieval.
- Very lightweight.
- Varying options for choice.
- Durable, ergonomic design.
Rod and Reel Combos for Lake Fishing
Lake fishing offers a vast variety of species that are easier to catch and less strain on your equipment. When choosing a rod and reel combo for lake fishing, you want a unit that is lightweight, built to handle your target specie, and doesn’t cost much.
Our buying guide reviews the best rod and reel combos for lake fishing based on their specified features and tested performance to give you the best options to choose from. We then take it a step further and outline the factors you should consider and qualities you should look out for in a rod and reel combo for lake fishing before you make a purchase.
Type
The first factor you want to consider for a rod and reel combo for lake fishing is the type you want to get. There are generally four types of fishing combos – spinning, baitcasting, conventional, and spincast combos.
Spinning combos are the most versatile and most popular choice on the market. They boast of impressive casting range and affordability.
Baitcasting combos are suited to larger species and are common with experienced anglers who want to fish in lakes. They boast of more accurate casts.
Spincast combos, somewhat combine the pros of both spinning and baitcasting combos and are ideal for newbie anglers.
Conventional combos are the ideal choice for anglers who want to target the largest lake species and use techniques like trolling. They boast of large line capacities and superior reeling power.
Target Species
Your choice for the type of fishing combo you go for and your other equipment will depend largely on the species you are after. The lakes come with a wide variety of species that sit over a range of weights, sizes, and fighting power.
For smaller target fish, you will typically go for lightweight, ultralight spinning or spincast combos that emphasize sensitivity. For larger species, you will favor heavy-power baitcasting or conventional combos that emphasize impressive fighting power.
Materials
Everything fishing is done in or around water, so you want your rod and reel combo to be exceptionally durable and corrosion-resistant.
Fishing reels will usually be made of graphite, aluminum alloys, or composites. Graphite reels are lightweight and exceptionally durable. Aluminum reels boast of higher strengths and will take a beating better than graphite reels.
The fishing rod in the combo will be usually made from fiberglass, graphite, or a composite. Fiberglass rods are lightweight, tough, and the most affordable. Graphite rods are lighter and more sensitive.
Higher-end rod and reel combos for lake fishing come with composite constructions and offer the best combinations of low weight, sensitivity, and durability, but are the most expensive.