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Best Fishing Rod for Beginners
A first fishing rod should be easy to cast, forgiving and versatile enough for the fish near you. Here is what to look for, and what to avoid.
The recommended first setup
For most adults the best first rod is a 6 ft 6 in to 7 ft, medium-light or medium power, fast-action spinning rod sold as a combo with a size 2500 spinning reel and 6–10 lb monofilament line. It casts light lures and bait, handles bass, trout, panfish and catfish in ponds and lakes, and is simple to learn. Browse beginner spinning combos and compare them with this specification.
For children under about eight, a 4½–5½ ft spincast combo with a push-button reel is easier to cast and tangles less. Older children can move to a short spinning combo.
What to avoid
- Very cheap rods with plastic guide inserts that crack and fray line.
- Heavy, stiff rods bought for “big fish” — they make light lures impossible to cast.
- Baitcasting reels as a first reel; backlashes are frustrating while learning.
- Rods too long for where you fish, such as 8-foot rods on small creeks.
A simple starter kit
- Hooks in sizes 6 to 1/0, split shot and a few bobbers for bait fishing.
- A small selection of soft plastic worms, inline spinners and a couple of jigs.
- Needle-nose pliers, line clippers and a small tackle box.
- A fishing licence if your state or country requires one — check your local wildlife agency.
Learning to cast a spinning reel
- Leave about 12 inches of line hanging from the rod tip.
- Hold the line against the rod with your index finger and open the bail.
- Bring the rod back to about one o'clock, then cast forward smoothly.
- Release the line with your finger as the rod points toward the target.
- Close the bail by hand and reel to take up slack.
Where to start fishing
Public ponds and small lakes are ideal for beginners because fish such as bluegill and bass are plentiful near the bank. Many state agencies stock community fishing ponds and list them online. Early morning and evening are usually the most productive times, and a simple worm under a bobber catches fish almost everywhere.