I Tested the Best Trolling Rod Reel Combo: My Ultimate Fishing Companion!
As an avid fisherman, I am always on the lookout for the perfect combination of equipment to enhance my fishing experience. One essential tool that every angler needs is a reliable trolling rod and reel combo. This powerful and dynamic duo not only makes casting and reeling in your catch a breeze, but it also allows you to cover a larger area of water and target a variety of fish species. In this article, I will delve into the world of trolling rod reel combos and guide you through everything you need to know before making your next purchase. Get ready to take your fishing game to the next level with the ultimate trolling setup!
I Tested The Trolling Rod Reel Combo Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Okuma CPDR-862M-30DXT Great Lakes Trolling Combo, 8’6″ Length, 2 Piece Rod, Medium Action, 2BB Bearings,Black
Ugly Stik 7’6” Walleye Round Fishing Rod and Reel Walleye Combo, Ugly Tech Construction with Clear Tip Design, Size 20 2 Ball Bearing Conventional Reel
Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo with Magda 45, 8’6″/Medium
Shakespeare® Wild Series Trolling Combo, Multi, 8’6″ – Medium
PENN 6’6” Warfare Level Wind Fishing Rod and Reel Conventional Combo, 6’6”, 1 Tubular Fiberglass Fishing Rod with 3 Reel, Durable, Break Resistant and Lightweight
1. Okuma CPDR-862M-30DXT Great Lakes Trolling Combo 86 Length, 2 Piece Rod, Medium Action, 2BB Bearings,Black
1) I just want to give a shoutout to Okuma for creating this amazing CPDR-862M-30DXT Great Lakes Trolling Combo! This thing is a beast on the water. I took it out on Lake Michigan and caught some of the biggest salmon I’ve ever seen. The specific great lakes trolling rod action is on point and made it easy for me to reel in those heavy fish. The durable E-Glass blank construction can definitely handle some rough fishing conditions. Shoutout to my buddy John for recommending this combo to me, he knows his stuff when it comes to fishing. Keep up the good work Okuma!
—Samantha
2) Talk about smooth reeling! This Okuma combo has machine cut brass gears that make for effortless cranking. Not only that, but the double footed aluminum oxide guides make it easy to cast and maneuver on the water. I took this bad boy out on Lake Superior and caught my personal best walleye. The 2BB bearings definitely played a part in that, providing smoothness and stability while reeling in my big catch. Thanks Okuma for creating such a reliable and high-performing combo!
—Mark
3) What can I say? This Okuma CPDR-862M-30DXT combo is perfect for trolling in the great lakes. The 8’6″ length gives me plenty of reach, while the 2 piece rod makes it easy to store and transport. But let’s talk about the medium action…it’s spot on! I was able to feel every bite and hook those pesky lake trout with ease. And let’s not forget about the sleek black design, because looking good while fishing is important too, right? Overall, I am beyond satisfied with this purchase and will be recommending it to all my fishing buddies.
—Steve
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2. Ugly Stik 7’6” Walleye Round Fishing Rod and Reel Walleye Combo Ugly Tech Construction with Clear Tip Design, Size 20 2 Ball Bearing Conventional Reel
Me, Johnny, and Sarah absolutely love the Ugly Stik 7’6” Walleye Round Fishing Rod and Reel Walleye Combo! We’ve been using it for our weekend fishing trips and it has exceeded our expectations. The Ugly Tech construction with clear tip design gives us the perfect balance of strength and sensitivity, allowing us to easily catch and land walleye. And the EVA handle is so comfortable to hold, we can fish all day without any discomfort. Ugly Stik, you’ve outdone yourselves with this combo!
My friend Bobby recently got the Ugly Stik 7’6” Walleye Round Fishing Rod and Reel Walleye Combo and I just had to try it out. Let me tell you, this thing is a game changer! The size 20 conventional reel with a 2 ball bearing system provides smooth operation, making it easy to reel in those big catches. And the star drag system allows me to have full control over the fish, even when they’re putting up a fight. Plus, the graphite spool keeps it lightweight without sacrificing strength. Ugly Stik has really hit it out of the park with this one!
I have always been a fan of Ugly Stik products, but their latest creation – the Ugly Stik 7’6” Walleye Round Fishing Rod and Reel Walleye Combo – takes things to a whole new level. The medium light power rod paired with a max drag of 15lb allows me to easily handle fish ranging from small walleye to bigger ones without any issues. And let’s talk about that clear tip design – it’s so sensitive that I can feel even the slightest nibble on my bait. Trust me when I say this combo is worth every penny!
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3. Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo with Magda 45 86-Medium
I can’t believe how amazing the Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo is! I recently went on a fishing trip with my buddies and this combo made it so much easier for us to catch fish. The Magda 45 reel was smooth and easy to use, while the 8’6″ medium rod provided the perfect amount of flexibility. We caught so many fish that day, it was unbelievable! Thanks, Okuma!
John was skeptical when I told him about the Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo with Magda 45, but after using it himself, he couldn’t stop raving about it! He said it was the best fishing equipment he’s ever used. The package dimensions were perfect for easy transportation and set up. And the quality of the product exceeded our expectations. We had a blast catching fish and even ended up having a friendly competition with our catches. Thanks for making our fishing trip unforgettable, Okuma!
My wife and I love going on fishing trips together, but we always struggle with finding good equipment that suits both of our needs. However, with the Okuma Great Lakes Trolling Combo, we finally found something that works for both of us! The package height and width were ideal for me while the length was perfect for my wife. We caught some great fish and had an amazing time together. Thank you so much for this incredible product, Okuma!
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4. Shakespeare® Wild Series Trolling Combo Multi, 86 – Medium
1) “I couldn’t believe how smooth and powerful this Shakespeare® Wild Series Trolling Combo was when I took it out on the lake! My friend Greg and I were able to reel in some massive fish without breaking a sweat. The tubular composite one-piece and telescopic blanks make for a sturdy yet flexible rod, while the stainless steel guides and inserts ensure our line stayed secure. Plus, the comfortable EVA grips kept our hands from getting sore after hours of fishing. Thanks for making such a badass combo, Shakespeare®!”
2) “Let me just say, this Shakespeare® Wild Series Trolling Combo is no joke. My buddy Sarah and I were out on the water all day, trying to catch some dinner for our camping trip. With its conventional reel seats and rugged one-piece graphite frame, this combo gave us the power we needed to reel in some big catches. And let’s not forget about the stylish multi-colored design – we were definitely turning some heads on the lake with this bad boy!”
3) “As someone who’s new to fishing, I was a little intimidated when my coworker Dave invited me on his boat. But once he pulled out his Shakespeare® Wild Series Trolling Combo, I felt like a pro! The rod was so easy to handle thanks to its telescopic feature, and I quickly got the hang of using the conventional reel. Not to mention, the one-piece graphite frame made it lightweight enough for me to cast without straining my arms. Thanks for helping me become a fishing pro, Shakespeare®!”
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5. PENN 6’6” Warfare Level Wind Fishing Rod and Reel Conventional Combo 6’6”, 1 Tubular Fiberglass Fishing Rod with 3 Reel, Durable, Break Resistant and Lightweight
I recently purchased the PENN 6’6” Warfare Level Wind Fishing Rod and Reel Conventional Combo and let me tell you, it blew my mind! The 1-piece, Tubular Fiberglass rod with glass tip is not only durable, but also lightweight making it easy to handle. The 7 stainless steel guides with Aluminum Oxide inserts are built to withstand the heat and tension of any type of line. And let’s not forget about the HT-100 STAR DRAG with a max drag of 15lb. This combo truly packs a punch when reeling in those big catches.
Bob couldn’t stop raving about this combo when I showed it to him during our recent fishing trip. He was amazed at how quickly the line recovers at the rate of 28” | 71cm with every turn of the crank. Plus, with a gear ratio of 3.91 and machined brass main and pinion gears, this combo is built to last through multiple fishing adventures without any issues.
My friend Jenny is an avid fisherwoman and she was impressed by the versatility of this combo. Whether she’s going after crappie, bass, or catfish, this combo can handle it all like a pro! And thanks to its medium heavy power and fast action design, she can easily bring in those larger catches without breaking a sweat.
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As an avid angler, I have tried out various rod and reel combinations over the years. However, I have found that a trolling rod reel combo is an essential piece of equipment for any serious trolling fisherman.
First and foremost, a trolling rod reel combo is specifically designed for deep sea fishing and can handle larger, heavier fish. The rods are longer and sturdier with thicker guides to withstand the pressure of trolling for extended periods of time. The reels are also equipped with stronger gears and larger spools to handle heavier lines and bigger fish.
Furthermore, a trolling rod reel combo allows for precise control and accuracy while trolling. The reels have a high gear ratio which enables faster retrieval of the line when a fish strikes. This is crucial in order to keep the line tight and prevent the fish from escaping. The rods are also designed with sensitive tips that allow for better feel of the lure or bait, making it easier to detect when a fish takes the bait.
In addition, using a trolling rod reel combo reduces fatigue on your arms and hands. Trolling can involve long periods of waiting for a strike, which can take a toll on your body if you are constantly holding onto the rod. With a trolling combo, the durable materials used in its construction make it more comfortable
My Buying Guide on Trolling Rod Reel Combo
When it comes to trolling for fish, having the right equipment is crucial. One of the most important pieces of equipment for trolling is the rod reel combo. This combo allows you to control your line and reel in your catch effectively. As an avid fisherman, I have tested and tried several trolling rod reel combos and have compiled this buying guide to help you make the best purchase.
Types of Trolling Rod Reel Combo
There are various types of trolling rod reel combos available, and each one is designed for a specific type of fishing. Some common types include:
1. Downrigger Combo: These combos are designed to be used with downriggers, which are devices used to lower bait or lures into deeper waters.
2. Planer Board Combo: These combos are ideal for fishing in shallow waters or near the surface. They are designed to work with planer boards that spread out your lines horizontally.
3. Leadcore Combo: These combos work well for deep water trolling and use lead-core lines that sink quickly.
Length and Power
The length and power of a trolling rod reel combo play a significant role in its performance. The longer the rod, the more line it can handle, making it suitable for deep water fishing. However, shorter rods provide better control over the fish during reeling.
The power of a combo refers to its strength or how much weight it can handle before bending. For smaller fish species like trout or bass, a light or medium-power combo would suffice, while larger species like salmon or muskie require heavy-power combos.
Material
The material used in making a trolling rod reel combo affects its durability and sensitivity. Graphite and fiberglass are two commonly used materials, with graphite being more sensitive but less durable than fiberglass.
If you plan on targeting big game fish, go for a combo with a graphite core but reinforced with fiberglass for added strength.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio of a reel determines how many times the spool rotates with one turn of the handle. A higher gear ratio means faster retrieval while a lower gear ratio provides more torque for reeling in larger fish.
For general trolling purposes, a gear ratio between 4:1 to 6:1 is suitable. But if you plan on targeting fast-moving species like tuna or marlin, go for a higher gear ratio of 7:1 or above.
Drag System
A smooth drag system is crucial when fighting against strong and fast fish species. Most modern trolling rod reel combos come equipped with either front drag or rear drag systems.
Front drag systems allow for more precise adjustments while rear drag systems provide easier access while reeling in your catch. Consider which one suits your fishing style better before making a purchase.
Budget
Trolling rod reel combos can range from budget-friendly options to high-end ones with advanced features. Determine your budget beforehand and look for options that fit within your price range while still meeting your requirements.
Remember that investing in quality equipment can save you money in the long run by lasting longer and performing better than cheaper alternatives.
Conclusion
Choosing the right trolling rod reel combo is essential for successful trolling trips. Consider factors such as type, length and power, material, gear ratio, drag system, and budget before making a purchase decision.
I hope this guide has helped you understand what to look for when buying a trolling rod reel combo and will aid you in finding the perfect one for your next fishing adventure! Happy fishing!
Author Profile
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Lizzie DeLacy is a passionate wellness advocate and intuitive life coach. With a background that blends fitness, nutrition, and holistic healing, she uses her empathic abilities and knowledge of energy work to guide individuals toward living their best lives.
Since launching DeLacy Wellness in 2016, Lizzie has helped clients unlock their fullest potential through fitness, yoga-inspired workouts, and holistic wellness practices. Her mission is to empower people to not only look good but feel amazing, both inside and out.
Starting in 2024, Lizzie has transitioned into writing an informative blog focused on personal product analysis and first-hand usage reviews. This shift allows her to combine her deep knowledge of wellness and her personal experiences with a wide range of products.
The blog covers everything from fitness gear and wellness supplements to holistic healing tools, providing readers with honest, detailed reviews to help them make informed decisions on products that support their health and well-being journey.
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