
- Full metal body and sideplates
- Machined and anodized aluminum spool
- 5+1 stainless steel bearing system
- Graphite composite blank
- Aluminum oxide guides
Fishing Combos Mentioned In This Post
Saltwater fishing requires fishing gear that’s specifically designed to withstand the corrosive nature of saltwater. Take your freshwater fishing reel for example. Get saltwater inside the freshwater reel, and there’s a good chance you can kiss that fishing reel goodbye.
Sure, you can use your freshwater fishing rod and reel in saltwater, but it’s probably not the best idea. I learned quickly that no matter how well I cleaned my fishing equipment after using it in the salt, it’s just never lasted very long. Freshwater rods and reels and their internal components simply aren’t designed for saltwater or made to withstand the incredible corrosive power of salt.
Read More: The Best Surf Fishing Rod And Reel Combo For The Money
So, if you’re going to be spending any significant amount of time saltwater fishing, then it’s a really good idea to have a high quality saltwater rod and reel combo. That’s exactly what I did, and now I have separate gear for saltwater and freshwater.
But acquiring all this fishing gear can be expensive. That’s why I want to share with you the best saltwater rod and reel combo for the money.
The Best Saltwater Rod And Reel Combo (Reviews)
Below is a deeper look into what I consider to be the best saltwater rod and reel combos for the money. There are more out there, but these are definitely my top picks.
1. PENN battle II Combo(Top Pick)
- Full metal body and sideplates
- Machined and anodized aluminum spool
- 5+1 stainless steel bearing system
- Graphite composite blank
- Aluminum oxide guides
It would be impossible to start this post about the best saltwater rod and reel combos and not mention Penn. Penn is one of the most recognized brands when it comes to saltwater fishing gear manufacturers. They’ve been designing and manufacturing fishing rods and reels for over 75 years.
The Penn
It’s the combination of these features with the affordable price that makes this the best rod and reel combo for saltwater, in my experience.
The Reel
The reel is braid ready and has line capacity rings marked at 1/3, 2/3, and full capacity to make sure you’re aware of exactly how much line is off the spool.
The PENN
The fishing reel also features a fluid cranking with 5 sealed stainless steel ball bearings and an instant anti-reverse bearing.
Read my in depth review of the Penn Battle II spinning reel here.
The Rod
The rod that’s part of this combo is a graphite composite Battle rod that features aluminum oxide guides which all types of fishing line will simply glide through. Available fishing rod lengths are from 6.5 ft to 10 ft.
If you want the best saltwater rod and reel combo for the money, then invest in the PENN
2. Penn Fierce III Salwater Fishing Rod and Spinning Reel
It’s no surprise that PENN has made its way onto this best saltwater rod and reel combo list yet once again. PENN is without a doubt the best saltwater fishing reel brand out there. And their Fierce III Rod and Spinning reel combo is a great example of PENN’s superior quality.
The PENN
The Reel
The
Inside the reel is a fluid cranking with 4 shielded stainless steel ball bearings and an instant anti-reverse bearing.
The drag system on this reel is a dependable oiled-felt drag that according to the PENN website makes, “…the Pursuit II the best value for the money for saltwater anglers.”
The Rod
The fishing rod that’s paired with the
The fishing rod is available in lengths ranging from 7 ft up to 10 ft.
According to the PENN website, “…the
3. penn squall Level Wind Combo
- Perfect for big game saltwater fishing
- HT 100 carbon fiber drag system
- Lightweight graphite frame and side plates
- Marine grade bronze alloy main gear
The
The Squall combo comes with a level wind reel that’s specifically designed for trolling big game fish in a variety of saltwater conditions, and in my opinion is the best saltwater level wind rod and reel combo available.
The
The Reel
The reel that comes with this saltwater fishing combo is a lightweight level wind reel featuring a graphite frame and side plates. The stainless steel gears have a higher speed gear ratio compared to the other brands.
The Dura-Drag washers in this reel almost completely eliminates all hesitation, even under very heavy and extreme drag settings.
The main and pinion gear are constructed out of stainless steel, which equals less corrosion and longer life.
The Rod
The fishing rod included with the
This is the rod and reel combo you want to have if you’re looking for a strong multi-purpose saltwater rod and reel combo. Its works perfect for inshore trolling as well as bottom fishing and jigging.
4. PLUSINNO Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
- Collapses for easy storage and travel
- Aluminum oxide guides
- Graphite blank construction
This is the only telescoping saltwater rod and reel fishing combo that’s on my list of best combos for the money. I’m generally not a huge fan of telescoping fishing rods, but I make an exception for the Plusinno saltwater combo.
The Reel
The spinning reel that’s included with this rod and reel combo features a durable plastic body casing that has a short body with a very large deep aluminum spool that has a high line capacity.
The handle is interchangeable for both left and right handed fishermen. Each turn of the handle results in an S-curve oscillating motion that results in excellent spooling of the fishing line. The gear ratio of the Plusinno reel is 5.2.1.
The Rod
The Plussino combo features an incredibly strong and durable telescoping rod which is available in lengths of 5.9 to 10.8 ft. The rod is constructed out of sensitive graphite that allows you to feel even the smallest of strikes.
The telescoping rod reel seats are made out of stainless steel and are completely resistant to saltwater corrosion.
The guides are constructed out of aluminum oxide and are not only resistant to corrosion, but also allow all types of fishing line to easily glide through.
This rod and reel combo is the perfect choice for those of you that want to fish off the jetty, piers or off the rocks.
5. ugly stik Saltwater Spinning Combo
- Graphite spinning reel
- 7ft / 2pc Medium Heavy spinning rod
- 7-year rod warranty
The final saltwater rod and reel combo I want to introduce to you is the Ugly Stik saltwater spinning combo made by Shakespeare. ugly stik has made an incredible name for themselves over the years, and they’re my go to for freshwater fishing. And now that they offer a saltwater setup, I’m excited to list them here as one of the best for the money.
This rod and reel combo features a 7 ft long medium/heavy 2 piece rod and a 50 size graphite spinning reel that’s pre-spooled with 14 lb
The other nice feature that
This
Final Thoughts
I hope this has helped you find the best saltwater rod and reel for the money FOR YOU! Every saltwater angler has their own specific needs, and that’s why I tried to offer some of the best combos but also offer a variety.
With that said, the best saltwater rod and reel combo that we’ve chosen is the Penn
(Top Pick) PENN battle II Combo
- Full metal body and sideplates
- Machined and anodized aluminum spool
- 5+1 stainless steel bearing system
- Graphite composite blank
- Aluminum oxide guides
The Penn
Read More:
The Best Penn Spinning Reel For Saltwater Fishing
The Best PENN Reels For Surf Fishing (Reviews)