5 Best Trout Fishing Rod and Reel Combos of 2024

You should choose your rod for trout fishing by matching the power, action, and length to your likely fishing conditions. As a guide, I have over 30 rods. Some get used often, while others serve a specific purpose and don’t get used as much.

I always get asked about the rods and reels I use, so I reviewed a bunch of rod and reel combos to take the guesswork out of it for you.

Our Top 5 Picks For Best Trout Spinning Combos

1. St. Croix X-Trek Freshwater System Spinning Combo – Best Overall
2. Shimano Symetre Spinning Rod and Reel Combo – Best Ultralight spinning combo for trout
3. Berkley Lightning Rod Spinning Combo – Best Budget Trout Combo
4. Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Elite Spinning Combo – Best From Bass Pro Shops
5. Ugly Stik GX2 Spinning Combo – 3 Piece Travel rod

Trout Fishing Rod Factors to Consider

The fishing rod that I hand to my clients on guide trips is determined by the type of river and the potential size of the trout we are fishing. You should also consider these factors.

Rod Length

Many anglers believe a 6’6″ rod is an ideal length for trout fishing because it is long enough to reach hot spots and holes when casting, but i change my rod length base on the method I use and the size of the river.

• Short Rods – 5 feet to 6’6″: This length is good in tight cover when casting lures.
• Medium Length – 7-foot: Best all-purpose rod length suitable for lures, float fishing, and drift fishing.
• Long Rods – 9 to 10-foot: Best for float fishing in medium to large rivers.

Rod Power

A brown or rainbow trout generally will weigh two pounds or less, while some are up to 8 pounds.

Unless you target lake trout on a sizeable body of water or steelhead during their annual runs, a light or ultralight spinning rod should do a fine job of letting you feel the fish strike, set the hook, and battle it while reeling it in.

Rod Action

The rod action refers to how much the rod will bend compared to its power rating. A slow-action rod bends about half of the rod while you are fighting a trout that has taken your presentation. A slow action is a great choice if you are using a short ultralight spinning rod that is about 5′ in length.

Because I prefer a 6’6″ ultralight spinning rod, I find a moderate action is ideal for my fishing rods. You might want a faster action if you are using a light or medium-light rod.

As long as it lets you feel the action on the other end of the line and set the hook, the rod action is working in your favor.

Trout Reel Factors To Consider

An ultralight spinning reel that holds a good amount of line, has an aluminum spool, and smoothly retrieves the line while reeling is ideal for trout fishing.

I also like spinning reels that have an anti-reverse switch that lets me position the bail where I want it prior to casting. Here’s a closer look at some of the spinning reel factors to consider.

Drag

The drag helps you to tire out a big fish and bring it to your net, boat, or shore instead of getting away. A good drag system is ideal for pairing a reel with an ultralight spinning rod.

Ball Bearings

Ball bearings enable the reel to retrieve the line smoothly while giving you a better feel for the lure and any fish that might take it. A general rule of thumb is the more bearings, the better, but that is not an absolute rule.

The quality of the bearings makes a big difference. Sealed stainless steel ball bearings are the best for a smooth retrieve and have the advantage of preventing saltwater penetration when surf fishing.

Line Capacity

You need a good amount of line capacity to support long casts and give you more line for battling big fish. A spinning reel that holds anywhere from about 180 yards to nearly 300 yards of your preferred trout fishing line and that has a slightly elongated spool supports longer casts.

A good ultralight reel with a lot of line will help you to catch trout under a variety of conditions while you are fishing on a river or stream.

Gear Ratio

The gear ratio is very important to identify a great reel to catch trout. The gear ratio refers to how many times the spool completely turns for each time you turn the handle.

Many of the best ultra-light spinning reels have a gear ratio of 5.2:1, which means the spool turns 5.2 times every time you turn the handle.

Some great ones also have a 6.2:1 ratio, which is great for reeling in your catch. The lower the ratio, the more torque you get. The higher the ratio, the faster you can reel in the line.

Best Trout Fishing Rod and Reel Combos

A great combo will enable you to catch a variety of fish, including those that are well above the line rating and rod power. The following are five combos that you might consider when you want to catch trout or another great species of fish.

St. Croix X-Trek Freshwater System Spinning Combo – Best Overall

The St. Croix X-Trek spinning combos have a lot to offer when you want to catch trout and other popular river fish.

The handcrafted rod contains St. Croix’s proprietary combination of SCII carbon and fortified resin system technology that makes the rod lighter and stronger with a better feel.

The well-balanced reel and rod combo is available in 6’6″ or 7′ lengths with a fast action. It includes the X-rek spinning reel with an aluminum spool, composite body, and a steel shaft for added strength. A 6.2:1 gear ratio is great for trout fishing and a lot of fun as part of an ultralight combo.

Shimano Symetre Spinning Rod and Reel Combo

I like how light and sensitive this rod combo feels in the hands. I found that the reel is smooth when casting and reeling in lures or baits.

When fighting fish, the drag is smooth and easy to adjust while fighting even bigger trout. Last summer, my clients and I landed a lot of trout on this in the Ultralight 5’6 inch size. I also own the same 7-foot medium, which I use for bigger lures and bigger trout and bass.

I found that it is well-balanced and strong, and the two-piece design makes traveling up and down rivers easier.

The Shimano Symetre Combo spinning rod is available in lengths ranging from 5’6″ to 7′ in ultra-light, light, or medium power.

Berkley Lightning Rod Spinning Combo – Best Budget Trout Combo

The Berkley Lighting spinning combo is a terrific budget combo for trout fishing. It pairs the composite Lightning ultralight spinning rod with an ultralight fishing reel that has eight bearings for smooth retrieval with a 5:1 ratio.

You can buy the Lightning fishing rods in a variety of lengths, powers, and actions, but the ultralight gear is especially suited for catching smaller trout and gives you an ideally sensitive rod.

Ugly Stik GX2 Trout Fishing Reel and Rod Combo

The Ugly Stik GX2 reel and rod combos are another great value for trout fishing. Thanks to their combination of graphite and fiberglass construction, Ugly Stik rods are renowned for their strength and durability, and the GX2 holds up well to your expectations.

Even a shorter rod will enable you to land surprisingly big fish that likely would break an ultralight rod made by virtually any other brand.

You can buy an Ugly Stik GX2 travel kit that has a light or an ultralight Ugly Stik rod that breaks down into three pieces or choose among more standard one- and two-piece rods.

The GX2 reel has four bearings and an oversized bail wire that holds firmly when you are reeling in a bigger fish. The Ugly Stik reel and rod combo is a great value.

Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Elite Spinning Combo – Best From Bass Pro Shops

Another exceptional ultralight option is the Bass Pro Shops Micro Lite Elite. The ultralight rod has a graphite composite blank with a split-grip EVA handle and a cushioned reel seat. The guides are made out of stainless steel and greatly reduce friction when casting.

The ultralight spinning rod is available in a variety of lengths with moderate action, which is my favorite for trout fishing when paired with the right reel combo.

This combo includes a seven-bearing spinning reel with a graphite frame, a durable aluminum handle, and a powerlock anti-reverse system. A carbon fiber drag helps you to tire our bigger fish, while a 5.2:1 gear ratio helps you to retrieve your trout at a good pace.

This option is available through Bass Pro Shops outlets and online.

That concludes this article. If you use a combo that you would like to recommend, let us know in the comments below.

Tight Lines,

Graham