It’s November and that means the holidays are right around the corner. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be diving into all kinds of bass gear… rods, reels, baits, etc… and I’ll be sharing some of my personal recommendations to help you figure out your Christmas shopping list.
And it coincides with Tackle Warehouse’s Black Friday sale, which will be running for the next three weeks. Kicking off Week 1, they’re running sales on line, weights, terminal, sunglasses and more, but they’re also running 20% off on select combos.
In fishing, a combo refers to the rod and reel together. You can buy them separately and build your own combo, or you can buy them together. Generally, and I think this goes for most bass anglers, I prefer to build my own combo… buy a rod for the technique I want, and then pair it up with a reel for said technique.
However, a number of brands offer pre-made combos, and in some cases, they offer good value and versatility for general fishing, and I think they especially make a lot of sense for younger anglers, beginner anglers, or someone trying to buy a gift for someone.
Combo Pros & Cons
Long story short… manufacturers will usually offer a combo at a discount compared to buying separate rods and reels. Not always, but usually. They are also only offered in very versatile, standard sizes and actions, which can cover a lot of techniques for you with one rod and reel… that’s why they’re great for someone getting their first rod and reel.
They also generally come in a matching color… which doesn’t matter on the water, but who wants to fish an ugly rod combo? Nobody…
But at the same time, you’re never getting the top of the line. The absolute best rods and reels on the market are almost never sold in combos, and if you’re looking for a special technique, you might not find it available in a pre-made combo. Which, once again, is why these can make great gifts for young or beginner anglers who are just getting started in the bass world.
There are a number of combos on the market, for all the manufacturers, at some very different price points… so here’s a few of my favorites:
Shimano Caius Casting
Shimano quality at beginner-friendly price. You really can’t go wrong with any Shimano fishing product. They’re a gold standard in the industry for a reason and this Caius combo is a great entry level option for a new angler. A Caius reel is nearly $100 so to get a decent rod with it for only $65 bucks… it’s a good deal. Available in a 7′ medium heavy rod, you really can’t go wrong with this as first combo.
Shimano Caius Casting Combo – $164.99
They don’t have a matching spinning combo, but they do offer the Nexave combo that is pretty solid.
St. Croix GXR Bass
Wisconsin’s own St. Croix, and its reel company, Seviin, pair up for a high-quality combo that is available in both spinning and casting models. And unlike most combo offerings, they actually have a few different models that can cover a variety of techniques.
In the baitcaster, they offer an all-purpose, a reaction, and a frog/flipping combo… so you can realistically fish 90% of the casting techniques with just these combos. The spinning model also offers some versatility to cover all the bases.
St. Croix GXR Bass Spinning Combo – $215.00
St. Croix GXR Bass Casting Combo – $225.00
Abu Garcia Revo X
The Revo X is a really solid, fairly budget friendly reel from Abu Garcia, and they’ve paired it up with rods that are similar to their Vendetta line.
I have Revo X reels, I have Vendetta rods, and I have two of these combos… they fish great, they hold up, they look clean… it would make for a great gift and won’t break the bank.
Abu Garcia Revo X Casting Combo – $229.95
Abu Garcia Revo X Spinning Combo – $229.95
Daiwa Fuego
You can’t go wrong with Daiwa and the Fuego is a great place to start. Arguably their best budget rod and reel, you’re getting a do-it-all workhorse… one that they offer both individually as well. I have a couple Fuego reels that I use on various rods (my Chatterbait rod is one of them), and for the price, they’re tough to beat.
Daiwa Fuego Casting Combo – $239.99
Daiwa Fuego Spinning Combo – $214.99
Abu Garcia Veritas
Another offering from Abu Garcia, and this is one of the most expensive combos you can find, but you’re getting more quality than you’d expect from a pre-made combo. Pairing their Veritas Rod with the underrated Zata Reel, it’s legit.
I have a Veritas spinning combo and for some reason, when I’m fishing with friends or family, it’s the rod everybody wants to borrow. And when they get it in hand, they fall in love with it.
Abu Garcia Veritas Casting Combo – $349.95
Abu Garcia Veritas Spinning Combo – $349.95
*This post contains links through the Tackle Warehouse Affiliate Program. While all products are independently selected by myself and the expert Riff Outdoors team, if you use these links to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
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