Best for beginners
Spinning reel, 2500 size
Best for panfish, trout and small bass
- Size
- 2500
- Ratio
- 5.2:1
- Line
- 4-10 lb
Price and stock change. Amazon shows the current price.
Independent fishing gear reviews
Find the right fishing gear before you spend the money
Buying guides for rods, reels, tackle, boats and clothing. Each pick shows the specs that matter in plain words, with a link to the current price on Amazon.
- Specs explained, not just listed
- Pros and cons for every pick
- Always a link to today's price on Amazon
What are you fishing?
Choose where you fish and see what to buy first.
Starter spinning combo7'0" medium rod with a 2500-size reel suits bass, trout and panfish.Fishing pliersHook removal, split rings and a line cutter in one tool.Tackle boxAdjustable dividers keep hooks and lures sorted.
Surf rodRods around 9 to 12 feet cast farther from the beach.Corrosion-resistant reelLook for a sealed drag, and rinse it after every trip.Saltwater pliersStainless or coated metal holds up to salt.
Ice rod and reel comboShort rods work well for jigging inside a shelter.Portable shelterCheck the wind rating and how fast it sets up.Hand augerMatch the blade size to the fish you target.
Trolling motorThrust and shaft length depend on your boat.Fish finderSonar and GPS on one screen.Life jacketPick a Coast Guard approved type for how you fish.
See top picks- No paid rankingsBrands cannot buy a place on our lists.
- Specs in plain wordsWhat size, gear ratio and drag mean when you fish.
- Dated and updatedEvery guide shows when we last checked it.
- Prices stay on AmazonWe link to the live price instead of copying it.
Shop by category
Start with what you need, then open the guide that compares it.
Rods & Reels
Spinning, baitcasting and combos
Tackle & Accessories
Line, hooks and terminal tackle
Baits & Attractants
Lures, soft baits and scents
Fishing Tools
Pliers, scales, nets and gaffs
Tackle Boxes & Storage
Boxes, trays and bags
Boating & Marine
Motors, covers, safety and trailers
Marine Electronics
Fish finders, GPS and chartplotters
Apparel & Gear
Waders, vests and rain jackets
Start here: top picks
Sample picks. In the live site these come from your own research.
Best combo
Rod and reel combo, 7'0" medium
Best first setup for general freshwater fishing
- Length
- 7'0"
- Power
- Medium
- Pieces
- 2
Price and stock change. Amazon shows the current price.
Best under $50
Tackle box with adjustable trays
Best for keeping hooks and lures sorted
- Trays
- 3
- Latches
- Metal
- Size
- Medium
Price and stock change. Amazon shows the current price.
Best tool
Fishing pliers with line cutter
Best for hook removal and split rings
- Length
- 7 in
- Finish
- Coated
- Use
- Fresh/Salt
Price and stock change. Amazon shows the current price.
How we choose what to recommend
- 1
Research the specs
We read maker specifications and manuals, then check what owners say on retailer pages.
- 2
Compare for real use
We match each product to a job, such as bank fishing, surf or a small boat.
- 3
Explain the trade-offs
Every pick lists what it does well and where it falls short.
Fishing gear under $50
Good starter gear that will not stretch your budget.
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Brands we cover
- Shimano
- Penn
- Daiwa
- Abu Garcia
- St. Croix
- 13 Fishing
- Maui Jim
- Columbia
- Simms
Brand names belong to their owners. We are not affiliated with them.