Our pick
Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2
This rod is known for its strength, durability, and versatility. It’s strong enough to handle salmon and other saltwater fish, but sensitive enough for trout.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $40.
Daiwa BG SW Spinning Reel
In the Daiwa, you get a reel with build quality and durability comparable to those of models costing $200 or more.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $134.
The Daiwa BG SW and medium or medium-heavy Ugly Stik GX2 combination is more versatile and durable than anything else in the same price range. Spending less means losing out on long-term durability; spending more means you’re paying for features designed for specific kinds of fishing, or lighter-weight materials that are nice to have but unnecessary for a general-purpose fishing setup. (Daiwa’s 1500–2500 models are ideal for small trout streams but can also handle light inshore fishing for spotted seatrout and flounder, while the larger 5000 and 8000 models will handle larger inshore species and perhaps even small tuna and dolphinfish.)
However, if you never plan on targeting anything larger than trout and small freshwater bass or small inshore saltwater species (about 1 to 4 pounds), you can get away with the ultra-light version of the Ugly Stik GX2 and a smaller BG SW reel (size 2500 or less) and save a few bucks. If you’re fishing from shore in thick brush or in a narrow stream, consider a shorter rod, down to 5 feet or even 4 feet 6 inches, for tiny creeks and brooks.
Compared with our previous pick, the Penn Battle II—not to mention many higher-end Penn and Shimano reels—the BG SW is equipped with a more durable rotor, as well as stronger, individual springs for the anti-reverse clutch (which keeps the reel from spinning backward), and most notably, the very same ball bearings included in Daiwa’s and Shimano’s most expensive models.
The BG SW’s design allows trapped water (a common issue with braided line especially) to drain through the reel. The drag mechanism is the same one found in higher-end $200-plus reels, but unique in the $100 range. This makes it comparable in durability to reels that cost twice as much.
Runner-up
Shimano Saguaro
This rod is a dependable workhorse, especially when casting heavier lures, but it may be too stiff for bait and bottom fishing.
Buying Options
*At the time of publishing, the price was $0.
Those are our overall picks for people who aren’t totally sure what kind of fishing they want to focus on. But we also spent some time looking into alternatives for people who have a better idea of what they specifically need.