Why We Love Our Favorite Beginner Fishing Poles
Beginner Poles Are Not Just For Kids
These poles are timeless classics because they are simple, effective, and reliable. While they are great poles for beginners, there will likely never be a need to upgrade because these poles will effectively catch fish for a lifetime. Any of these pole recommendations could easily be the last pole you own.
Simplicity is very important when choosing a beginner’s fishing pole because simple reliable designs prevent tangles and other complications that could spoil the fun. These proven designs have lasted for years, caught hundreds of fish, and served quite well for friends and family enjoying their first time fishing.
Best For Anyone Over Age 9
The Zebco 202 is a simple, reliable, easy-to-use fish-catching machine. This fishing pole is believed to be the most widely produced in the world, and for us, it has proven again and again to be trouble-free and fun to cast. While some anglers may spend ten times as much on a fishing pole, they would have a tough time out-fishing the mighty Zebco 202. The Zebco 202 was introduced in 1962, although it may never be as famous as its cousin the Zebco 33. The Zebco 202 boasts a plastic housing that is rust-free and tends to be a bit more flexible and tangle-free than its cousin the Zebco 33.
We love the Zebco 202 because it easily fits in a trunk or back-seat, and it is very lightweight which makes fishing all day easy on your hands and wrist. We love this Zebco because of it’s reliability, but trout (like this guy) love the Zebco 202 because it is very accurate while casting and easy to put your bait right where you want to.
Watch the Zebco Kids Splash In Action
Best for Ages 3-5
The Zebco Kids Splash has amazing anti-tangle features like all of our favorite beginners fishing poles. There are two important features that set the Kids Splash apart for younger kids. First, this fishing rod and reel combo actually floats, which has saved us more than once when little hands get excited and drop the fishing pole in the water. Second, this set comes with a “casting plug,” which is a weighted rubber plug that ties to the end of the fishing line for casting practice in a yard, field, or playground. This is great practice for little hands to get the feel for casting.
Best For Everyone
We love, love, love the Zebco Dock Demon because it is indestructible and it’s small size makes it always handy, easy to cast in tight place, and surprisingly strong to cast as far as you need. Could a small pole like this really catch big fish? Check out DEADCRAB’s Youtube Video of the Zebco Dock Demon pulling in a giant fish from the surf. This little pole is surprisingly indestructible, which is another reason we love it.
Best For Surf Fishing
The Penn Pursuit III is the basic standard for a saltwater rod and reel combo, either for surf fishing or fishing from a pier, dock, or jetty. Saltwater is corrosive to the components for regular fishing poles, so you will want to ensure you have a reel designed for saltwater if you are fishing in bays, oceans, or rivers near the ocean. This rod and reel is built to be simple and durable, with a fast “retrieve” to bring in large saltwater fish with ease. This reel is a “spinning” reel which means there is no button to push for casing. It requires slightly larger hands, so it’s a good fit for anyone age 12 or older. If you are unfamiliar with casting a spinning reel, check out this simple how to video below from Joshua Taylor.
