Best Fly Rod And Reel For Beginners
Fly fishing uses unique gear and can be hard to for the novice to find out what exactly they need to go fly fishing and what equipment will work well. So we have put together a list of the best fly rod and reel for beginners to start fly fishing.
The Best Fly Fishing Combinations and Fly Rod / Reel Kits.
In a hurry? We have put the top 3 fly rod and reel combos based on quality, price and value for quick reference.
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| Brand / Model | Wild Water Flies Rod Deluxe Complete Fly Fishing Combo | KastKing Emergence Fly Fishing Combo | Sage Fly Fishing Foundation Outfit |
| Award | Best Value | Best Price | Best Quality |
| Check Price |  |
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| Pros | Wide range fly gear | Affordable combo | Quality and performance brand name |
| Cons | Fly reel not as smooth | Packaging | Expensive. Not complete kit |
- Wild Water Flies Rod Deluxe Complete Fly Fishing Combo
Number one on our list, we have Wild Water Flies Rod Deluxe Complete Fly Fishing Combo.
We have put this first on our list for various reasons, such as you get the complete fly fishing combo with this kit. The combo includes a fly reel, fly line, fly box, fishing flies and rod cover and more items included.
This fly rod is a medium-fast action rod with an IM8 graphite construction. It features a machined aluminum reel seat with a laser-etched bitt cap. Additionally, it has double lock rings for more efficiency.
Product Specifications
- Length: 9 feet
- Weight: 5/6
- No. of pieces: 4
- Fly rod material: IM8 fly rod
- Fly Reel: Preinstalled
- Action: Medium-slow action
- Reel seat: Aluminum reel seat with double lock rings
- Storage: Rod case with a reel pouch, side storage pouch with zipper
- No. of flies: 18
What we like
- Has western-style cork handle with compressed cork accent rings
- Comes with an adjustable disc drag
- Can change the reel easily from right-handed to left-handed retrieve
- Comes with Wild Water’s fly fishing accessories
- The product is highly durable for the price
- Offers excellent grip and support
What we don’t like
- Some items like the leader may have quality control issues
- The fly reel is not as smooth as a higher end fly reel
This rod is one of the best fly rods and reels for beginners since it offers various advantages at a reasonable price. Plus, it is easier to carry since it comes in four pieces, which is ideal for traveling to the fishing spot.
- KastKing Emergence Fly Fishing Combo
This rod is one of our favorites as well for fly rods and reels for beginners. It offers everything you need to go fly fishing as a beginner. The KastKing Emergence Fly Fishing Combo has an excellent design and includes, fly line, tapered leader, flies, fishing tools, rod case and more.
This combo includes high-quality aluminum reel that is also lightweight, making it easier to manage and balance with the rod. It is one of the best choices for freshwater fly fishing for beginners. You could also do some light saltwater fishing. It has a large arbor design that can offer you a better fly line retrieval and stripping the line out easier.
Product Specifications
- Weight: 4 to 8
- No. of pieces: 4
- Material: Graphite fly rod
- Reel: Aluminum fly reel, fly line with backing
- No. of hand-tied flies: 12
- Travel bag: Available
- Additional tools: Pair of stainless forceps
What we like
- Lightweight aluminum fly reel
- Extremely smooth disc drag
- Reel offers a high level of balance
- Includes a travel case
- One of the most affordable choices
- Highly durable kit
What we don’t like
- Travel case may appear to be of lower quality
- Average packaging
It includes 12 hand-tied flies that are good quality in assorted patterns. Additionally, this kit includes stainless forceps for removing flies after landing a fish, and it can be very handy when you go fly fishing. Plus, it comes with a small fly box to store your flies.
- Maxcatch Extreme Fly Fishing Combo Kit
Maxcatch Extreme Fly Fishing Combo Kit is a great fly rod kit for learning fly fishing. If you are looking for a good fly rod and reel for beginners at an affordable price, this can be the perfect choice for you. Let us discuss what makes this kit so fantastic.
The manufacturer offers this full kit at a manufacturing cost with a warranty. It includes a performance rod, a large arbor fly reel, backing, and leaders. Also, all the tools in this kit are made of quality materials.
Product Specifications
- Length: 9 feet
- Weight: 3/5/6/8
- No. of pieces: 4 piece rod
- Material: Aluminum large arbor reel with pre-loaded line and backing and leaders
- Travel case: Yes. Durable travel case included
- No. of flies: 12 hand-tied flies
What we like
- Perfect for longer-distance casting
- Comes with one year warranty
- Pre-loaded aluminum reel
- Exclusive Maxlinq rod technology
- Hand-tied flies come in a waterproof box
- The travel case is also durable
What we don’t like
- Fast action can be uncomfortable for beginners
- The flies could have been better assorted sizes
If you are looking for something durable and sticks with you for a long time, we recommend this kit. It is easier for beginners since the fly reel is pre-loaded. Plus, it comes with a waterproof fly box for the flies and some tools.
- Piscifun Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Combo
Next up, we have Piscifun Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Combo. This product has made it to the list of the best fly rod and reels for beginners for numerous reasons. One of the most important reasons is that it contains an excellent 4-piece 5/6wt 9-foot rod that suits novices really well.
With this fantastic combo, you can start your fly fishing adventures today, and it will not disappoint you. The most important factor is the fly rod is super lightweight, making it one of the best fly rods among all the kits. It is a slow-action rod that is excellent for fishing small trout and learners to fly fishing.
Product Specifications
- Length: 9 feet
- Weight: 5-6
- No. of sections: 4 sections
- Reel type: Mid arbor reel with drag, preinstalled fly lines, and backing
- Fly box: Fly box with three fourth dozen of 3 different fly pattern
- Travel case: Included
- Additional features: Stainless steel line cutter
What we like
- Half wells cork handles make it great for beginners
- The reel is made of die-cast premium aluminum alloy
- Perfect for fly fishing in small streams and catching small trout
- High-quality stainless steel line clippers are durable
- The pre-spooled fly line can help you in saving time
- Very convenient to carry the kit
What we don’t like
- The travel kit is not so durable
- Quality control is lacking on some items
The entire kit contains tools that are made of high-quality materials, which makes it one of the most durable kits. They offer a limited-time warranty where you can get any damage to the items fixed.
- Redington VICE Fly Fishing Outfit
Redington VICE Fly Fishing Outfit is a unique product among the great fly rod and reel combinations for beginners. It has numerous features that make it a perfect choice for learners. As you read on, you will discover why these are so brilliant.
Firstly, it offers an easy casting fast action, which is very beneficial for novices to fly fishing. Secondly, it has an anodized machined aluminum reel seat. This reel seat makes it ideal for all weather conditions.
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: 31.5 x 2 x 2 inches
- Weight in pounds: 2 pounds
- Fly rod: Redington vice fly rod
- Weight:6-weight fly rod
- Material: Aluminum reel seat that is suitable for all water conditions
- Cast action: Easy-casting fast action
- Case: Available for reel and rod
- No. of sections: 4 sections
What we like
- Offer easy creating fast action perfect for beginners
- It is laser-etched with numbers for quick rod identification
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Includes Rio mainstream fly, ID reel, reel, and rod case
- The rod is very lightweight
- ID Reel is highly customizable, making it more suitable for beginners
What we don’t like
- Expensive when compared to kits of similar quality
- Doesn’t include leaders, tippets, flies, fly box and fishing tools.
The Redington VICE Fly Fishing Outfit offers one of the best rods among major competitors and has a great name in fishing; hence it can be excellent to learn fly fishing with this kit.
- Temple Fork Outfitters NXT Black Label Kit
The Temple Fork Outfitters NXT Black Label Kit is the next best fly rod and reel for beginners. Here is why it has been made to our exclusive list. Firstly, it helps beginners flatten the learning curve by making it rewarding as well as easier by its build and features.
The rods contain aluminum oxide stripping guides and anodized aluminum up-locking steel. These features make this kit extremely suitable for various weather and fishing conditions. Therefore, as a beginner, you can explore this kit to learn more about fishing.
Product Specifications
- Weight: 5 and 8
- Material: IM6 graphite rod
- Reel: Aluminum reel seat
- Casting: Weight forward line for easy casting
- Case: Comes with a rod case as well as a travel case
- Durable: Yes
What we like
- The rods are amazingly high performance
- They look beautiful in their matte black coating
- Has an aluminum oxide stripping guide
- Comes with an impregnated stainless-steel snake guides
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- One of the easiest kit to use
What we don’t like
- This kit is quite expensive, depending on size selection
- Not a complete fly fishing combo, only rod, reel, fly line and backing
This great kit comes with a Cordura rod and reel travel case that you can take for fishing immediately. Plus, it has a 20 pounds Dacron backing and a weight-forward floating line that can benefit all kinds of users, including greenhorns.
- Echo Base Flies Rod Kit
Next, we have Echo Base Flies Rod Kit that has numerous benefits to offer a beginner. If you are looking for good fly fishing gear that offers you an easy learning experience with some fun, this can be a great choice for you.
The Echo Base Flies Rod Kit comes with an Echo base 8′ 4 pieces four weight Fly Rod and an Echo Base Fly Reel. All the materials in this kit are of extremely good quality. Therefore, it is one of the most durable kits you will find for the novice.
It also has a Hi-Vis Echo Base weight forward floating line. Plus, it has 100 yards of 20 pounds Dracon Backing and a nice 9′ 2X leader.
Product Specifications
- Weight: 4 weight
- Material: Aluminum reel
- No. of pieces: 4 pieces for making your travel easier
- Contents: Fly rod, reel, backing, weight forward fly line
- Case: Protective cases are available rod and reel
- Action: Medium to fast action
What we like
- High-quality materials
- Comes with 12 months warranty on the reel and a lifetime on the rod
- Available at an affordable price
- Excellent Dracon backing
- Has a Hi-Vis Echo Base weight forward floating line
- Perfect for beginners
What we don’t like
- Does not contain any additional fly gear
This kit contains the best fly rod and reel for beginners. If you are looking for something highly durable that can help you learn real fast, this can be the best choice for you. Moreover, the rod and the carrying case look very elegant.
- Net Angler Fly Fishing Rod
The upcoming product for the top fly rod and reel for beginners is the Net Angler Fly Fishing Rod. This combo is one of the most top-rated products among the competitors. So, what makes this combo so popular?
Firstly, it offers high-quality rods and reels at an affordable price which most manufacturers do not. It is marketed as a fly fishing outfit starter kit that contains a 5/6 Weight Fly Complete Starter Package. The package includes a fly fishing rod, fly fishing reel, and various other fly fishing essentials.
The manufacturers aim to provide that is extremely friendly to beginners. Therefore, it is lightweight and convenient to carry around. Also, it is very comfortable for beginners to handle and cast.
Product Specifications
- Weight: 5/6 weight
- No. of Flies: 16 + 12 pieces
- Reel: High-quality fly reel with pre-spooled fly line
- No. of rod sections: Four sections fly rod
- Seat: Metal adjustable reel seat
What we like
- The fly rod is extremely lightweight
- The reel is pre-spooled, making it highly time saving and comfortable
- Includes 28 pieces of high-quality trout flies
- 16 pieces of trout flies come in a waterproof fly box
- It has a durable aluminum construction
- Has a superior Teflon disc drag
What we don’t like
- Although it offers excellent value for money, it is not among the cheapest combos
- Assorted flies do not come in different sizes
It comes with a fly fishing bag that holds everything in place for you to carry around conveniently. Additionally, it has a convenient storage pouch with zip locks on the sides of the case. You can use it to keep your files safe. Some additional items are stainless steel forceps, leaser straightener and cleaner, retractor, and a fishing line nipper.
- Sage Fly Fishing Foundation Outfit
Sage Fly Fishing Foundation Outfit is another top-rated product among the best fly rod and reels for beginners. It is handcrafted in Bainbridge Island, the USA, with top-quality materials.
This kit has a brilliant Graphite IIIe Technology that can be very useful to beginners trying to learn new tricks with fly fishing. It comes in a stealth black bank color that makes the rod extremely beautiful.
Product Specifications
- Weights: 5 to 6 weights
- No. of rod sections: 4 section rod for convenient transport
- Reel: Includes Sage Black or Platinum 2200 reel
- Guide: Hard chrome snake guides and tip-top
- Color: Stealth Black blank color
- Dimensions: 31.5 x 3 x 3 inches
What we like
- Amazing new Graphite IIIe Technology
- It has black primary wraps with silver trim wraps
- Includes a 2200 reel that you can choose from Sage black or platinum
- Includes a tapered leader
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
- Manufactured in the USA
What we don’t like
- This product is very expensive
- Not a fly fishing combo. Does not include extra fly fishing tools and equipment like, flies, tippet material and forceps, etc.
If you are looking for something highly functional and extremely appealing to the eyes, we recommend this one. Sage Fly Fishing Foundation Outfit is a high-performing beginner kit that even an experienced person can use. It also includes an RIO Gold fly line, a rugged black nylon rod, and a durable reel case.
Sage fly rods are among the best fly rods in the world, so if you want a taste of precision, power and quality, then Sage is your brand.
- Orvis 9-Foot Fly Fishing Combo
Last on our list of the best fly rod and reel for beginners, we have Orvis 9-foot fly fishing combo. It proves to a perfect outfit for a hardcore angler. However, the pricing of this product is reasonable.
It aids in providing smooth and crisp performance. Hence, it can be very helpful and easy to adjust to for beginners. If you are looking for something that offers crisp performance, then the Orvis 9-foot fly fishing combo can be the best choice for your fishing.
The Orvis 9-foot fly fishing combo includes a weight-forward floating line and includes backing.
Product Specifications
- Length: 9 foot
- Weight: 5 weight
- Material: Graphite rod
- Weight in pounds: 3.1 Pounds
- Dimension: 41.1 x 8.5 x 5.1 inches
- No. of pieces: 4 pieces for an easier commute
- Reel: High-quality large arbor encounter reel included
- Protection Case: Cases for rod and reel included for protection
What we like
- Simple construction with lightweight materials
- Extremely lightweight suitable for beginners
- Fits within a small budget
- Highly durable rod and reel
- Convenient to travel around with
- Perfect for small and big fly fishes in shallow waters
What we don’t like
- Does not include additional items or flies
This combo is a great value outfits that come with a high-quality rod and reel of this kind. It is a good choice for fly fishing as the Orvis brand has been around in the fly fishing industry for a long time now.
The Orvis fly rod, reel and line are ideal as an all-around rod for fish species of various sizes, including the extra-large ones.
FAQs
Do you need a sinking fly line or floating fly line for a beginner?
Most beginner fly fishing combos will have a floating fly line included.
A floating fly line will make it easier for a beginner to lift the line off the water and false cast it. Rather than an intermediate or sinking line, which is harder to pull out and off the water for a learner.
If the fish are feeding deeper down, you can use a bead headed fly or weighted fly to get down deeper to the fish.
For saltwater fly fishing from a boat an intermediate or sinking line might be used, depending on what depth the fish are feeding.
What is the best brand fly rod and reel for beginners?
You can get some great value fly fishing brands for the novice. But for the best quality gear, well known brands like Orvis, Redington, Loomis and Sage Fly Rods to name a few, are going to be the best choice. Obviously for the quality materials and workmanship you have to pay more.
What length fly rod for a beginner to fly fishing?
A fly rod length of around 8’6” to 9” will work.
For beginners a rod that is too long will be a bit more awkward to control and you really don’t need the extra length. A too short of rod also makes it hard to control and you won’t get much distance in the cast, as the rod won’t load up much.
With most beginner fly fishing combos, the fly rod will be around 9 foot or a bit shorter.
Generally a lighter weight fly rod and line, like a 3, 4 or 5 weight will be shorter. A 6, 7 or 8 weight will be around 9 foot or so, depending on the type of fishing techniques and fish species targeted.
Conclusion.
Picking a beginner fly rod and reel or combo kit isn’t hard with our list of the top fly gear. Some of these kits have everything you need to start fly fishing, others on the list are just the fly rod, reel and fly line. Extras like a tapered leader and tippet material flies can be easily sourced with the gear.
Other items like fishing nets, line nippers, fishing waders and a fly vest can be purchased later on when you know you enjoy fly fishing and the want to pursue this fascinating and addictive sport.
Resources
Best Fly Fishing Rod Under $100
