The Best Fishing Rods and Reels for Your Waters

Being a MidWesterner, it’s hard not to take a look at the Great Lakes as an ideal fishing location. I’ve caught everything from monster salmon, to panfish while enjoying my time on one of the five lakes, and have extremely fond memories of catching some huge bass on Lake Michigan. It was no surprise to me to see it listed as one of the top 100 lakes for fishing by Abu Garcia. I agree with one of their picks for the lake, too. The Abu Garcia Revo X spinning reel is an outstanding big-water reel for bass fishing, as well as other species like walleye. The reel works well with all types of line thanks to the Rocket line management system. You really do get less line twist, which lets me control the presentation of everything from jigs to spinnerbaits. It has 6 HPCR bearings, plus 1 roller bearing for a smooth action.

Tip: I like to bounce a jig tipped with a minnow, or some GULP! bait off the rock heads of piers along the Michigan lakeshore for smallmouth action you cannot beat. You need a reel like this one that lets the feeling of the line come to you.

If you’re fishing for bass, you want a rod that has the backbone for strong hook sets and big action. If you’re chasing walleyes, you must have a sensitive reel that can transfer those soft “hits” when the fish mouths the bait. A great spinning rod, and one that matches perfectly with the Revo X reel, is the Vertitas. This rod features Abu Garcia’s 30 ton graphite blank that improves break strength by 22% and tip strength by a full 33% over other similar spinning rods. The rod has Titanium alloy guides with Zirconium inserts that work to decrease friction with the line for better casting. Simply put it’s a great Rod that provides the strength and sensitivity you want for bass, walleye, and other game fish.

Tip: I like to use rod sleeves, especially for my one-piece rods, to keep them from tangling and possibly damaging the guides.

This is a reel that is near and dear to my heart. It doesn’t matter if you’re pulling in monster stripers, massive catfish, or – my favorite – Kenia River King Salmon, you want an Abu Garcia C3 reel. I have personally caught and released some absolute stunning Kenai kings with one, including the one hanging on my wall. These reels flat-out crank in the big ones. And the best part is, they do it again and again and again. Want proof? Ask the fishing guides, the ones who buy all their own gear, which reels they use to catch big fish. Odds are better than good it’s a C3. These tough reels have a 2 ball-bearing drive with a roller bearing. The gears are brass for long life and the reel comes with Abu’s Carbon Matrix drag for fighting power. There are even special editions for Catfish, Stripers and carp, although I’m partial to the original silver salmon slayer.

Tip: I prefer to turn my wrist as I cast for a little added control.  It helps me reduce the chances of a backlash when using heavier lures/bait rigs.

I remember the first king salmon I caught on a Fenwick rod. We were floating through a hole and I latched onto a decent feeling fish, but when I got my hooks back to the boat, it wasn’t a fish, but a Fenwick rod. I grabbed the rod and realized that there was a really GOOD fish on the other end of the line. The rod was amazing, with a great feel for everything the fish was doing. I could feel every subtle head shake and bump, yet there was plenty of backbone to bring the fish to the surface.The latest HMX rod utilizes blanks of a proprietary blend of carbon fiber, with true fast tapers. Stainless steel Sea Guide SS316 sloped guides with Zirconium inserts keep line friction and overall weight to a minimum. Fuji reel seats clamp down solidly on reels. The handle on the Fenwick HMX Salmon/Steelhead Casting Rod features strategically placed TAC on cork for maximum comfort and control in all weather.

Tip: With a big-fish rod, I like to take it out and try to work something along the bottom and the rocks, so I get a feel for what non-fish bumps feel like. With a rod as sensitive as the Fenwick, it’ll help you not miss a strike when it comes.

My first real fishing rod was an Ugly Stik. I had it and used it right up until my wife slammed the garage door on it. If you’re looking for a do-it-all rod for fishing everywhere, you want an Ugly Stik. What makes this rod and reel combo so prefect is how versatile it is. You can use it to catch fish just about anywhere. You get a 3+1 ball-bearing reel with an aluminum body that it matched to a 6-foot GX-2 rod. These rods are a blend of graphite and fiberglass. The graphite gives you the sensitivity, while the fiberglass gives you serious strength.

Tip: I like to carry one in the truck for those times when I see some water that needs fishing.

My Daughter loves the Abu Garcia Revo Ike reel because it’s pretty. I love it because it is buttery smooth and helps me catch fish – lots of fish. Designed with champion angler Mike Iconelli, the Revo Ike baitcaster has 10+1 ball bearings, brass gearing and an amazing drag system that puts you in charge of the fight. I started out just using it for bass fishing, but have found that I like it for pike and walleye as well. It comes in either a 6.1:, or an 8.0:1 gear ratio, so you can have the perfect reel for tossing soft plastics, or buzzing topwater baits.

Tip: I like pitching Powerbait ribbed worms next to structures like docks or fallen trees.