Looks like I'll be doing some light fishing in the near future, so I need a rod and reel. I'd like to keep the budget for the combo in the neighborhood of $100, although I have some flexibility.

I'd prefer a spinning reel, but I'm not very serious about it so what recommendations do you all have for a good general purpose combo setup? I'll be doing most of it from a dock or kayak, and probably mostly be after bass, bluegill, or catfish.

Dick's Sporting Goods, Walmart, or Academy (if they are in your area) will all have some spinning combos in that price range. Lew's makes some, there are some Ugly Stick combos, and others. I would expect they are all similar in quality. I would think you want a medium power rod for bass and catfish, but a medium light would be okay for those, and give you a little more versatility with smaller baits for smaller fish.

If you could go $100 for the rod, and $50 to $75 or a little more for the reel, you'll get a noticeable step up in fishing quality. I think you'll get more bang for your buck by spending on the rod over the reel. There is no denying the appeal of a nice reel, but if I had to pick between a good rod and a good reel, I'd take the better rod.

If you want to stay much more inexpensive, the Zebco combos with a 33 reel are surprisingly fishable for $35.

A medium or medium light 6' rod and a 4000/4500 size spinning reel spooled with 8 or 10 Lb test mono would be a good starter.

Try Tackle Direct or FishUSA , they both list spinning combos.

While there are $100 combos out there - they'll be of low quality and performance.

$100+ on a rod and $50+ on a spinning reel will get you a much better setup.

Piscifun is a bargain brand for reels. I have one of their new carbon X2s that I'm looking forward to trying out this year. I don't think it's going to replace my $150 Abu Garcia reels, but it was surprisingly smooth while spooling it up and a couple ounces lighter than the Abu. If nothing else my wife or kids can use it and it'll be much better than the combos that they've bought over the years.

Most 'store brand' rods in that $100 range will be decent, Bass Pro (cabelas), scheels etc all have their house brands. They'll likely have the most in stock variety.

Med/Light fast will provide some flexibility to cast small gear (gills) and still be ok for light bass baits or channel cat rigs. A dedicated bass or cat rod would be medium/medium heavy.

Get the longest rod you can easily transport. On the rare occasion I fish from shore I can fit 7' rods in my truck if I angle them and no one is riding in the passenger seat. $400 combos aren't going in the bed of the truck.

Yes, you’ll want to spend a bit more.
I have been really happy with this combo for many years now.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/e...g-rod-and-reel-combo

As other's have said, if you increase your budget by about 50%, you'll have gear that's 100% better. I highly recommend Shimano spinning reels... get the most expensive one you can afford in the 2500/3000 series. And when you do catch a fish, come back and share a photo of it with us.

If you are in Ashland VA let me know. I have a rod and reel for you. Under your budget.

Where do you live?

A sensitive rod is a dream to fish with. Like anything, you get what ya pay for. Spin casting reels are easier to manage. Please don't support Dick's. Support a local business and let an experienced person steer you to quality gear.

If you have the inclination should be plenty on Facebook marketplace also.

My neighbor was cleaning out a few years ago, about 5 or so very workable rods ended up at the curb, along with a similar number of mostly closed faces Zebco reels. I gave most the once over & took them home. The reels got a strip down, cleaning & light oil.

Just casting off a dock or so, a closed faced Zebco 404 would work. If used on wants to do a field strip, cleaning & light oil.

I’m gearing up to meet a friend in Helena, MT in June, fly-fishing. I have two fly rods from years back. I got one additional reel on local Facebook, $10. For a day or two I have most gear, I do plan to get new, quality fly line though.

It’s common for fishing gear to sit in a corner of a garage after initial use, nothing wrong with it 20 years later.

You want a rod long enough to bring the line around the bow of the kayak when you have a fish on. While I agree with everyone else that $150 gets you much better gear than $100, I’d spend the same or more on the reel than the rod. I’d get a $100 reel and a $50 rod. The difference between a $50 rod and a $100 rod isn’t as much as the difference between a $50 reel and a $100 reel. Shimano NASCI 3000.

Some might poo poo it, but I've gotten excellent service from my Penn Fierce 3 combo (mine's a 3000). You can choose the size based on need, easy enough to break down and clean if you drop into the water (not waterproof housing). Take a look and if you can lay hands on one, do so before buying.

As with everything else, buy what you can afford and if it costs a bit more to get quality, bite the bullet. I like Shimano, but with hobbies like Land Cruisers, guns, hunting, and fishing, I also need to be frugal intermittently.

Fishing poles? Not today! We don’t need no steenkin’ fishing pole!

Doc Hollywood, in a previous scene Doc removed a hook from the guys finger. If you’ve not seen the movie, you HAVE to see it.


.

Most sporting good stores will sell rod/reel combos. My preference is Ugly Stik. All of my rods are Ugly Stiks. The reel that comes with a combo will likely be fine to start. Most combos start around $40-70.00

If you want a nicer reel my preference is an Ugly Stick and an Okuma open face reel.

Rods come in different weights. If you're just fishing inland lakes for bass and pan fish a medium would suffice. Medium/Heavy if the area is prone to larger bass or Pike & Walleye.

Walmart at one time sold Falcon BooCo rods. I have purchased probably 3 of them and they seem to hold up relatively well. They were also if memory serves me correct in your price range. Good luck in your search.

Yes, a small Penn Fierce combo from Bass Pro should serve you well. Bass pro is liquidating their Fierce III's since the introduction of the Fierce IV (which I have), so there are great prices on the combos right now. You could be all set for $60. The only difference between the Fierce III and the Fierce IV is that the IV has sealed ball bearings, while the III does not. Not a factor if you're fishing fresh water.
https://www.basspro.com/shop/e...e-iii-spinning-combo

With braided line being so thin, you can load it with lots of 8 pound or 10 mound test. For example, 10 pound braided line is the same diameter as 4 pound monofilament.
PowerPro braided line is made in the USA. There are other US made braided lines out there as well.

https://www.amazon.com/Power-S...003CUNZTS&th=1&psc=1

A Penn fierce 2000 might be small enough for bluegill and just big enough for bass and catfish, depending on the size of the cat. A 2000 series reel is pretty small and my 2000's were primarily used for trout which is fine for the bluegill. A 3000 series might be the ticket for you.

I like to buy American, whenever possible, so if you want to exceed your budget and spring for a nice, but affordable, US made fishing rod, there's Bull Bay Rods made out of Lakeland, FL. They have a decent rod for $130. Pair that with a nice Shimano in a 2500 size or a Daiwa BG-2500 and you're set.
https://www.amazon.com/Daiwa-B...g-Reel/dp/B01JH8FHS0

The Banshee rod would be my first pick, but it's $169.
https://bull-bay-tackle-compan...products/banshee-rod

The Infantry rod comes in at $134 and I think it's a bargain for a US made rod.
https://bull-bay-tackle-compan...roducts/infantry-rod

I personally have the Assault rod, which I purchased in Lakeland, for $199. I use it for inshore saltwater fishing and I have a Penn Fierce 4000, but I regret not going with a Daiwa BG-3000 instead.
https://bull-bay-tackle-compan...products/assault-rod

For fishing reels, my preference is the Daiwa BG series. I own a 3000 and a 4000 size. They are much smoother than my Penn Fierce IV and you get similar quality with the BG series as you would the higher end and more expensive Shimano reels. The BG series is literally the gold standard these days when it comes to spinning reels. They retail for about $130, depending on the size.

Hope this helps.

Tony.