Best Fishing Starter Kit

So, you’ve decided to take action on your newfound passion for angling, and you need help finding the best fishing starter kit. Through your search, you’ve probably noticed there are a lot of options out there. Plus, it doesn’t help that there is always new gear constantly surfacing the market. So, how could you possibly decide which is best for you?

Here at Hook and Bullet, we want to help you begin your journey into fishing and get you outfitted with the best starter gear for your needs. However, let’s start by looking at what things you’ll need to accomplish before you can get your lines wet.

The Prerequisites to Fishing

There are a few things you need to take care of before you can start fishing, such as:

• Obtaining a fishing license
• Finding a nearby fishing spot
• Picking a good time of day to go fish

First off, you need to purchase a fishing license before you can do anything. Or, you might find yourself getting an unpleasant citation from your local game warden. However, don’t you worry; you can visit our website’s sitemap and purchase your state’s permit.

In addition, we can even help you complete your next task on the prerequisite list by helping you locate some excellent fishing spots. For instance, all you have to do is click on our homepage and scroll down to our bait shops, tackle shops, and fishing spots map. Once you’ve found your location on the map, click the refresh button, and icons of spots near you will populate.

Lastly, before you start angling, you need to figure out the best time to go fishing. Honestly, we think any time of day is perfect for throwing a bobber on the water. Yet, if you want specifics, we recommend fishing in the early morning or late evening. During this time of day, the bite seems to be pretty hot.

Best Fishing Starter Kit

Now that we got those pre-fishing requirements out of the way, let’s look at these 14 best fishing kits and gear for beginners:

Best Freshwater Rod and Reel Combo

First off, Ugly Stik’s rods are well-known for their durability and affordability; and the GX2 meets this standard. The Ugly Stik GX2 model USSP602M30CB is an excellent all-around novice spinning combo. Its blank is composed of graphite and fiberglass material to give it both rigidity and power. Also, this model is versatile; being medium-powered, you’d be able to target species, from panfish to carp.

In addition, the included size 30 spinning reel is of acceptable quality. Notably, this reel features 3+1 ball bearings, a 5:5:1 gear ratio, and 140/6-pound test monofilament capacity.

Best Saltwater Rod and Reel Combo

Or, if you envision yourself spending more time saltwater fishing, we recommend the Okuma Tundra Surf Spinning Combo. This model is available in lengths 7’ to 9’, with reel sizes ranging from 55 to 65.

The Okuma Tundra rod has a lot of great qualities that make it ideal for saltwater fishing. For example, the blank on this rod is made of fiberglass, making it durable and lightweight. Also, this rod features aluminum-oxide guides, giving it the corrosive resistance needed to withstand saltwater applications. In addition, the included reel provides this combo with incredible castability, highlighting a multi-disc oiled felt drag system.

Best Freshwater Fishing Kit

Next, if you’re looking for a fantastic deal on freshwater tackle, then check out this 302-piece set by Plussino. This set has the essentials like:

• Hooks
• Jigheads
• Soft plastics
• Crankbaits
• Spinnerbaits
• Topwater lures
• Rooster tails
• Spoons

Seriously, with this kit, you’ll have enough tackle to spare, even if you lose some to pesky tree branches.

Best Saltwater Fishing Kit

Do you live in an area like California or Florida with choice saltwater fishing? If so, this surf fishing starter kit by Tailored Tackle would be a perfect fit for you. For example, it’s an 82-piece set that includes most of the gear you’ll need to rig up your line for surf fishing. Plus, it comes with a tackle box to keep your equipment nice and organized. Then, Tailored Tackle went above and beyond by adding a pocket guide on how to surf fish.

Best Starter Fly Fishing Kit

Or, are you interested in learning how to fly fish? Then, this starter fly fishing kit by Wild Walter is a spectacular deal! This complete fly fishing set comes with a 5/6-weight fly rod, pre-spooled reel, fly box with tackle, rod case, and an additional leader. Plus, this set comes with an affordable price tag as well. So, you won’t need to make a significant up-front investment to start your newfound hobby.

Best Starter Kit for Bass

Then, another kit we enjoy is this set of lures by Plusinno. The tackle included in this kit is virtually everything you’ll need to target bass.  For instance, this kit comes with:

• Soft plastics
• Spoons
• Spinnerbaits
• Jigs
• Jerkbaits
• Crankbaits

Best Starter Kit for Trout

Tailored Tackle’s trout kit makes fishing for trout simple and easy. For example, this set comes with all of your trout angling essentials like jerkbaits, spoons, rooster tails, grubs, jig heads, hooks, artificial worms, bobber stoppers, and a slip-float. Thus, with this kit, you will be able to target various trout species, from brooks to rainbows.

Best Starter Kit for Panfish

Are you dreaming of bluegill and crappie smothered in batter and frying oil? Well, then you might be interested in this panfish magnet kit by Trout Magnet. This panfish includes lightweight shad-dart jig heads and their deadly split-tail grubs. So, line your rod with a 2-pound test monofilament, add a split-shot, and you’re ready to tie these lures on.

Best Starter Kit for Carp

Or, are you into big game fishing? If so, carp fishing might be right up your alley. Jshanmei makes this splendid carp set. For instance, the tackle included in this kit are:

• Bobber and bead stoppers
• Hook sleeves
• Lead weights
• Safety lead clips
• Rig tubing
• Swivels
• Hooks

Best Starter Tackle Bag

Now that you’ve settled on what fish species you’re targeting, you need something for storing your tackle. Hence, we recommend the 3600 Plano Guide Series tackle bag. This bag features a rugged, hard-backed 168 denier fabric with molle attachment points. So, you would be able to clip on a flashlight, fishing pliers, line cutters, or fillet knife to it.

In addition, this tackle bag is very spacious, with its overall dimensions being: 16″ x 10″ x 9.5″. Plus, it has oversized zippers and pulls to make it even easier to pack things inside. Other highlights of this bag include a waterproof pouch for storing our phone or fishing license and a magnetic top. The magnetic dropzone on top is handy for temporarily placing lures or hooks while you’re rigging up your line.

Best Starter Fishing Vest

Or, if you prefer wearing a fishing vest over carrying a tackle bag, then we recommend Bassdash’s vest. It’s available in multiple colors, from army green to red, and it has a comfortable unisex design. In addition, we like this item because the straps are easily adjustable, so you can set it to be an exact fit.

Plus, another exciting feature is the D-ring on the back to carry your fishing net while wading. Additionally, this product has many storage options, from its 18 pockets to its multiple attachment loops. Whether fishing from the bank or wading in the water, this vest is a phenomenal way to carry your essential tackle.

Best Starter Fly Waist Pack

Do you plan on doing a lot of fly fishing and want an alternative from the traditional tackle box? This waist pack by Allen Eagle River is excellent for storing fly gear. For one, it’s spacious, and it can hold up to six fly boxes or two 9” tackle boxes. Also, it’s comfortable with a mesh padded adjustable waist belt. Lastly, it even has a pouch to hold a water bottle and various loops for attaching fly fishing accessories.

Best Starter Fly Lanyard

FlyLanyards is an excellent, well-made fly fishing lanyard that could replace having to use a vest. For instance, this lanyard features foam pads and neckstraps, making it lightweight and comfortable to wear. Also, the attachment hooks contain a durable stainless-steel material built to hold virtually all your fly fishing essentials.

Best All-Purpose Fishing Line

Last on our list of things to carry is some quality fishing line. We like Spiderwire’s Ultracast Ultimate Monofilament line for its strength, sensitivity, and hook setting ability. Also, it has a thinner diameter than your typical monofilament, which increases its castability. Plus, this line gives a natural presentation to topwater lures and jerkbaits.

Which of These 14 Items Are You Going To Try?

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to pick up my favorite rod and gear and go fishing. So, which of these 14 items do you plan on adding to your tackle collection? Please, let us know in the comments below. Do you have any questions about species-specific tackle? If so, we would love to hear them so we can answer them in future articles. Or, if you enjoyed these kit ideas, please share them with your friends on social media.