Best Rod and Reel Combo Under 100 Dollars For 2021 (Reviews and Comparisons)

Last updated on February 27th, 2021

Fishing rod and reel sets are often cheaper than buying all of the equipment separately, plus you can be certain that the rod and reel are compatible with one another. Simple combos are a great way of getting beginner fishing hobbyists used to the fishing flow and gain a bit of confidence.

Having so much affordable fishing equipment on the market is great for anyone that loves fishing, but can make the shopping process very difficult for any newcomers to the sport. All we want is good quality fishing equipment that is easy to use and won’t give way halfway through a fishing trip… is that too much to ask for?

I have done the dirty work for you and found nine fishing rod and reel combos that are reliable and under $100. Better yet, I have pinpointed their strengths and weaknesses so that you can make a more informed shopping decision.

Reasons to Buy a Rod and Reel Combo

1. All parts are compatible and work well together.
2. Inexperienced hobbyists can get used to using simpler equipment.
3. More convenient than buying the rod and reel separately.
4. Getting a set is often cheaper than getting the parts separately.
5. Acts as a great ‘starter kit’ for beginners.
6. Combos are often easier to pack away and take on road trips.
7. Keeping all of the rod’s components in the same brand makes replacing worn-out pieces easier.

There is nothing nicer than eating food that you have caught, prepared and cooked all by yourself. Fishing certainly fulfills that need without having to break a sweat! All you need is the right gear and some good friends and a fun day out by the lake also saves you a trip to the store to get dinner…result!

Our Best Rod and Reel Combo Under 100 Dollars Reviews and Comparisons

1. Penn Fishing Battle II 4000 Combo

Product Highlights

The Penn Fishing Battle II is a robust rod and reel combo that is great for saltwater fishing in particular.

Features

• Aluminium bail wire
• Full-metal body
• Metal side plate and rotor
• 6:2:1 gear ratio
• For large game fish
• HT-100 carbon fiber drag system
• 15 pounds maximum drag
• Stainless steel ball bearings

 

 

What We Like About Penn Fishing Battle II 4000 Combo

The fishing rod feels very balanced and easy to control. If you plan on fishing for larger fish this is a great rod and reel combo to go for as it can handle large fish without feeling like it’s about to snap, nor does it struggle to reel them in.

What We Don’t Like About Penn Fishing Battle II 4000 Combo

Because the rod is so long it is a bit hard to package properly for delivery, thus often gets damaged in transit. Strong fish such as fully grown tuna put up a good fight against this rod and often win, causing permanent damage to the rod.

2. Daiwa Mini System MiniSpin Reel and Rod Combo

Product Highlights

An ultra-light rod and reel combo that comes with a travel case and is easy to transport.

Features

• Comes with a hard case
• Portable
• Ultralight reel
• 5.1 to 1 retrieve
• GyroSpin balancing
• 4.5 foot rod

 

 

What We Like About Daiwa Mini System MiniSpin Reel and Rod Combo

Such a compact and easy to use a fishing rod. It is designed for catching smaller fish rather than massive saltwater fish. The hard case comes in handy if you want to keep it in the boot of your car and protects the rod from getting damaged in storage or during road trips.

What We Don’t Like About Daiwa Mini System MiniSpin Reel and Rod Combo

If you don’t put the rod together exactly as instructed it will constantly come apart while you fish. The line tangles up now and then which if not rectified in time could be a big problem and even cut your fishing trip short.

3. Plusinno Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

Product Highlights

Full fishing rod kit that is available in four sizes to suit your specific fishing needs.

Features

• Reel and rod combo
• High density carbon fibre mixed with fibreglass
• Great elasticity
• Anti-seawater corrosion properties
• Has EVA Fore Grip for comfort
• 5:2:1 gear ratio
• Anti-reverse feature

 

 

What We Like About Plusinno Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

Most of the setups fit into a rucksack very easily and are light enough to carry around for a long period of time. You can reel in some impressive fish using these combos as you can easily reel in fish that weigh up to 15 pounds.

What We Don’t Like About Plusinno Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

The rod tip is fragile, so don’t expect to catch 20-pound fish with the rod and have it stay intact. There isn’t a lot of flexibility in the rod either, so it is fine for live baits as you must set the hook quickly, but not so good for jerk baits.

4. Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ice Fishing Combo

Product Highlights

The Shakespeare Ugly Stik is a rod and reel combo that is perfect for ice fishing. It comes in four sizes and has an edgy, modern look.

Features

• Looks modern
• Well suited for ice applications
• Clear tip design
• wist-lock reel set
• EVA handles
• Stainless steel guides
• 1 ball bearing

 

 

What We Like About Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ice Fishing Combo

The rod is the perfect in-between weight, it’s light enough to hook and sturdy enough to pull in heavy fish. It’s sensitive and makes you aware of a catch straight away so you can respond accordingly.

What We Don’t Like About Shakespeare Ugly Stik Ice Fishing Combo

The reel is not at the same quality level as the rod and pro ice fishers may be disappointed with that. It is fragile and ridged, if a strong fish bites, the rod doesn’t have enough give in it to fight the fish and could snap in half in the middle of reeling the fish in.

5. Zebco 202 Spincast Combo

Product Highlights

Zebco 202 Spincast combo has a patented design and made using durable material, great for experienced fishermen.

Features

• All metal gears
• Stainless steel pick-up pin
• Pre spooled with a 10 lb line
• Patented no tangle design
• Dial-adjustable drag
• EVA handle
• 2 bobbers
• 18 hooks
• 5 swivels
• 3 split-shot sinkers
• 1 spinner attachment
• 3 jig heads
• 4 swimbaits
• 8 curly-tail jigs

 

 

What We Like About Zebco 202 Spincast Combo

The combo comes with a 44 piece tackle kit containing lots of useful equipment stated above in the features section. Beginners and experienced fishermen can use the set, it is simple and easy enough to use and professional fishermen will feel like they are using a high-quality rod.

What We Don’t Like About Product Name

The reel needs to be handled with a lot of care and patience otherwise it will break. It feels more like a children’s rod rather than an adult combo, maybe it is because it’s so lightweight.

6. Sougayilang Portable Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

Product Highlights

The Sougayilang rod is left and right-hand spinning rod with a travel carbon rod and an aluminum reel.

Features

• High quality guide rings
• Carbon fiber rod
• CNC aluminum spool
• Spare graphite spool
• 13+1 bearing
• 1 year worry-free service
• Non-slip EVA knob

 

 

What We Like About Sougayilang Portable Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

The reel and drag are extremely smooth and makes the most difficult part of fishing much easier. You get both strength and flexibility with this rod as it can bend and twist in all directions without snapping.

What We Don’t Like About Sougayilang Portable Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

The spool and some parts of the rod and reel are not rust-proof, turning the flexible combo into a rigid fishing set that is almost impossible to use. If you don’t hold it in the right way as a fish is pulling and tugging, the rod may snap..

7. Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo

Product Highlights

The Okuma Great Lakes trolling combo has specific trolling features that hobbyist fishermen will love.

Features

• Double footed aluminum oxide guides
• Stainless steel
• Hooded reel seats
• EVA foam grips
• Cut brass gearing
• Medium action

What We Like About Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo

The reel is easy to grip and control, especially with a big catch. Taking the rod out on saltwater fishing trips won’t rust the rod as the majority of the rod and reel combo is rustproof and made of stainless metal material.

What We Don’t Like About Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo

Cranking the handle may loosen the drag wheel now and then, so be very careful it doesn’t come off completely.

8. KastKing Crixus Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

Product Highlights

True performance fishing rod and reel that is light and very sensitive.

Features

• Sensitive
• Lightweight
• IM6 graphite rod
• Made of carbon fiber
• Stainless-steel guide frames
• Powerful drags
• Can withstand pressure
• Great for large freshwater fish

 

 

What We Like About KastKing Crixus Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

You will be able to reel in some big bass and catfish without your friend having to help you. As soon as you have a bite you will feel it due to the sensitivity level that the rod has. It is an extremely high-performance reel that is made to last for years.

What We Don’t Like About KastKing Crixus Fishing Rod and Reel Combo

The rod and reel are either for right-handed people or left-handed people, there are no switching hands as the reel is L/H or R/H specific. The general setup isn’t all that great and although it doesn’t have anything mechanically wrong with it, it just doesn’t flow as well as other rod and reel combos out there.

9. Zebco 33 Spincast Reel and Rod Combo

Product Highlights

A professional rod with anti-reverse reel features that help you control a bite and reel it in with ease.

Features

• 3:6:1 retrieve ratio
• Ball-bearing drive
• Quickset anti-reverse
• Graphite frame
• Interchangeable right or left hand retrieve
• 10 pound cajun line
• 100 yards of stooled line

 

 

What We Like About Zebco 33 Spincast Reel and Rod Combo

The Zebco 33 reel and rod combo are very simplistic and easy to use, you certainly don’t have to be a master fisherman to use it successfully. It is easy to reel in medium-sized fish without breaking the line and is an overall great hobby fishing rod.

What We Don’t Like About Zebco 33 Spincast Reel and Rod Combo

The connection joint is a massive weak point on the rod and inexperienced fishermen may not know how to handle the rod to stop it from snapping. It is very difficult to cast the rod further than 6 feet or so and it is utterly infuriating because it comes down to the reel itself and not the casting technique.

Final Verdict

Out of the above rod and reel combos the Penn Fishing Battle II 4000 is the most reliable and effective combo to go for. It is made of high-quality materials and catches small and large fish brilliantly (with a bit of practice of course). Try it out for yourselves, you won’t regret it!