Your Fishing Magazine

Sougayilang Telescopic Combo Review: a handy travel rod that’s good… if you accept its weak spots

Fishing Rod Reel Combo with Telescopic Fishing Pole Spinning Reel Carrier Bag for Travel Saltwater Freshwater Fishing 1.8M/5.91FT A-fishing Full Kits With Carrier Case

Sougayilang

+ Very portable telescopic rod and carry case, easy...

+ Reel is smooth and usable, can be reused on a bett...

+ Complete kit (rod, reel, line, lures, bag) that’s...

PENN Battle Spinning Reel Kit 2500 Review: a tough little workhorse for everyday fishing

Battle Spinning Reel Kit, Size 5000, Includes Reel Cover and Spare Anodized Aluminum Spool, Right/Left Handle Position, HT-100 Front Drag System Battle Reel Kit 2500

PENN

+ Full metal body and rotor give a solid, durable fe...

+ HT-100 carbon drag is smooth and strong enough for...

+ Kit includes a genuinely useful spare spool and a...

Ugly Stik GX2 7' Travel Spinning Rod Review: tough, packable, and not afraid of abuse

6’6” GX2 Spinning Rod, Three Piece Spinning Rod, 6-15lb Line Rating, Medium Rod Power, Moderate Fast Action, 1/8-5/8 oz - Lure Rating New Model 7' - Medium - 4pc

Ugly Stik

+ Very durable graphite/fiberglass build and tough o...

+ 4-piece design packs down small and is easy to tra...

+ Forgiving moderate-fast action handles a wide rang...

Current trends

How to choose and fish a tube jig with confidence

26/02/2026

by Melissa Beaumont

How to choose and fish a tube jig with confidence

Learn how to choose, rig, and fish a tube jig for bass, trout, lake trout, and even saltwater species with professional yet accessible tactics.

Choosing the best striped bass surf fishing rods for serious beach anglers

Rods & Reels

25/02/2026

Choosing the best striped bass surf fishing rods for serious beach anglers

Why a fishing line ring can be the perfect catch for passionate anglers

Fishing Lines

23/02/2026

Why a fishing line ring can be the perfect catch for passionate anglers

Why the wedding ring lure remains a classic original for selective fish

22/02/2026

Why the wedding ring lure remains a classic original for selective fish

Refined kokanee fishing lures that turn strikes into landed fish

+ Very durable graphite/fiberglass build and tough one-piece stainless guides

21/02/2026

Refined kokanee fishing lures that turn strikes into landed fish

Our latest product comparisons

See all comparisons →

Product Top

Guide: the 4 best spinning rods (February 2026)

Ugly Stik

6’6” GX2 Spinning Rod

☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ 8.6/10

+ 4-piece design packs down small and is easy to travel with

St Croix Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod 7'0"

☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ 8.2/10

St Croix Rods

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod 7'0"

☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ 8.2/10

See full comparison →

Product Top

Top 3: best casting rods (February 2026)

Kong Saltwater & Freshwater Fishing Rod, Powerful, Lightweight S-Curve Graphite Rod Blanks, Nano Resin Technology, Stainless-Steel Double-Foot Guides w/Titanium Oxide Rings, Non-Slip Handles B: Cast 7'6"/H Power/Fast(2pcs)

KastKing

Kong Fishing Rod 7'6" H Power

☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ 8.5/10

+ Strong blank with plenty of backbone for big fish and heavy sinkers

+ Double-foot stainless guides with smooth rings that handle heavy braid well

Fenwick

HMG Casting Fishing Rod 7' - Heavy

☆☆☆☆☆ ★★★★★ 8.5/10

ENTSPORT

E Series Camo Legend Casting Rod

See full comparison →

Product Top

The best telescopic rods: our top 10 (February 2026)

PLUSINNO

Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combo 1.8M

+ Very compact telescopic design that fits easily in a backpack or car

+ Rod and reel combo is usable out of the box once you add line and lures

PLUSINNO

Kids Fishing Pole Combo

PLUSINNO

Telescopic Fishing Rod and Reel Combo 1.8M

See full comparison →

Spotlight

Refining vertical jigging for lake trout in deep clear water

Freshwater Lakes

20/02/2026

Refining vertical jigging for lake trout in deep clear water

Refine vertical jigging for lake trout with precise gear choices, deep water tactics, and seasonal strategies tailored to recreational anglers targeting big lakers.

Mastering bottom bounce for walleye: refined rigs, rods, and real control

Learn how to master bottom bounce for walleye with precise rigs, rods, and boat control, and understand the gear gaps recreational anglers still face.

How to choose the right fishing flasher for smarter trolling success

Learn how to choose and rig the right fishing flasher, compare prices and brands, and build a trolling system that truly fits recreational anglers’ needs.

10 best spinning combos: our comparison (February 2026)

A detailed guide to choosing the best spinning combos, covering components, pricing, brands, buying checklists, and maintenance for recreational anglers.

Ranking of the 3 best fly reels (February 2026)

Professional guide for recreational anglers on choosing the best fly reels, balancing rods and lines, and evaluating value, drag and large arbor performance.

Which spinning reels to choose? Top 3 (February 2026)

A detailed guide to choosing the best spinning reels, covering features, saltwater and freshwater performance, pricing, maintenance, and real world angling needs.

The best telescopic rods: our top 10 (February 2026)

A professional guide to the best telescopic rods, covering materials, key models, travel performance, casting weight, and value for recreational fishing.

Top 3: best casting rods (February 2026)

A detailed guide to choosing the best casting rods, from blank materials to power ratings, to build a versatile, high performing baitcasting lineup for recreational fishing.

Guide: the 4 best spinning rods (February 2026)

A professional guide to choosing the best spinning rods for recreational fishing, covering specs, brands, combos, value, and buying strategies for anglers.

Top 6: best fly rods (February 2026)

Learn how to choose the best fly rods for trout fishing, from action and weight to length, feel, and warranty, with practical tips for real recreational anglers.

St Croix Triumph Spinning Rod Review: a light, sensitive stick with some durability question marks

The St. Croix Triumph 7'0" Medium/Fast spinning rod is a solid choice for anglers who care about feel and fish within the stated specs. It’s light, reasonably sensitive, and handles common bass and walleye techniques well: jigs, plastics, small cranks, and light spinnerbaits. The SCII carbon blank a...

St. Croix Triumph Spinning Rod Review: a light 7' stick that’s sensitive but not flawless

The St. Croix Triumph 7'0" Medium-Light/Fast 2-piece is a solid mid-range spinning rod that does what it’s supposed to do without pretending to be a high-end model. The blank is the star here: it’s sensitive enough to feel light bites and bottom changes, and it has more backbone than a lot of other...

Ugly Stik GX2 7' Travel Spinning Rod Review: tough, packable, and not afraid of abuse

This 7' Ugly Stik GX2 travel spinning rod is basically a tough, no-nonsense pack rod. It’s not trying to be the lightest or the most sensitive; it just aims to survive being hauled around and still handle real fish. In that sense, it does its job well. Casting is smooth enough, the moderate-fast act...

Quicksilver Black Diamond 3-Blade Prop Review: a no-nonsense aluminum prop that gets the job done

After using the Quicksilver Black Diamond 3-Blade Aluminum Propeller (14.5" x 19", QA1916X) on a Mercury 150, my conclusion is pretty straightforward: it’s a solid, practical choice if you care more about reliability and cost than chasing top speed. It does what it’s supposed to do—gets the boat on...

Seaguar InvizX Fluorocarbon Review: clear, soft line that actually behaves on the reel

Seaguar InvizX 25 lb is a solid choice if you’re looking for a fluorocarbon main line that you can actually fish all day without constant frustration. It’s softer and more manageable than a lot of other fluoros, casts well enough on both baitcasters and heavier spinning setups, and gives you that mi...

MISSION SENTRY 2.0 Review: the boat fender that actually stays where you put it

Overall, the MISSION SENTRY 2.0 fenders are well thought out and genuinely practical. The shape, angled hang, and no-roll design make a real difference on modern boats where round fenders don’t sit right. The integrated strap and locking system are the main win: no knots, quick height adjustment, an...

PENN Squall II Level Wind 30LWLC Review: a no-nonsense workhorse for bottom fishing and trolling

The PENN Squall II Level Wind 30LWLC is a no-nonsense, boat-focused reel that does what it’s supposed to do: hold a lot of line, crank hard, keep the drag smooth, and make life easier for people who aren’t pros with conventional reels. The level wind and line counter are genuinely useful features, n...

Orvis Encounter Fly Rod Outfit Review: a no-nonsense starter kit that actually feels decent on the water

Overall, the Orvis Encounter 9' 5-weight outfit is a straightforward, no-drama starter kit that actually fishes well. The rod has a forgiving medium action, the reel is simple but functional, and the included line is perfectly okay for learning and casual fishing. It’s not light and crisp like more...

Newport NV-Series 55lb Review: a straightforward saltwater trolling motor that gets the job done

Overall, the Newport NV-Series 55lb is a practical, no-frills trolling motor that does what most people need on small boats, kayaks, and inflatables. It delivers enough thrust to push a loaded boat at around 3–4 mph, runs fairly quietly, and is simple to mount and use. The build quality is solid for...

Redington Behemoth Fly Reel Review: hard-pulling drag on a budget-friendly tank of a reel

The Redington Behemoth 4/5 is a chunky, no‑nonsense fly reel with a legitimately strong drag and a big, useful large‑arbor spool. It’s not a showpiece and it doesn’t feel like a high‑end machined reel, but it gets the core job done: it holds your line, picks it up quickly, and can actually slow down...

by Melissa Beaumont

Fishing reel gear ratio chart: understanding the best ratios for your fishing success

The biggest bluefin tuna ever caught: a deep dive into the record-breaking catch

Biggest Catches

The biggest bluefin tuna ever caught: a deep dive into the record-breaking catch

Fishing calendar 2024: your ultimate guide to the best fishing days

Freshwater Lakes

Fishing calendar 2024: your ultimate guide to the best fishing days

Common striped saltwater fish in florida

Saltwater Beaches

Common striped saltwater fish in florida

Understanding fish sex: a deep dive into reproductive behaviors and changes

Endangered Species

Understanding fish sex: a deep dive into reproductive behaviors and changes

Do fish have penises

Silver fish with yellow fins saltwater: a deep dive into identification and fishing tips

Deep Sea

Silver fish with yellow fins saltwater: a deep dive into identification and fishing tips

Fishing Lines

Fishing line strength chart: understanding the essentials for every angler

How to tie the perfect braid to leader knot for fishing success

Fishing Lines

How to tie the perfect braid to leader knot for fishing success

The world record bluefin tuna: an in-depth look at the giants of the sea

Biggest Catches

The world record bluefin tuna: an in-depth look at the giants of the sea

Understanding fish vision: how fish see the underwater world

Understanding fish vision: how fish see the underwater world

Decoding Luminous Lures: Are They Really a Game-Changer in Recreational Fishing?

Lures & Baits

Decoding Luminous Lures: Are They Really a Game-Changer in Recreational Fishing?

Lake erie walleye: the ultimate guide for anglers

Freshwater Lakes

Lake erie walleye: the ultimate guide for anglers

Micro skiff: your ultimate guide to portable fishing boats

Micro skiff: your ultimate guide to portable fishing boats

Fish vision vs human vision: understanding the differences

Fishing Impact

Fish vision vs human vision: understanding the differences

Endangered Species

Do fish have sex

Fishing Techniques

Choosing the right big game fishing rods for your next adventure

Deep Sea

21/01/2026

Choosing the right big game fishing rods for your next adventure

Explore how to select the best big game fishing rods for recreational fishing. Learn about key features, materials, and tips to enhance your big game fishing experience.

Choosing the right ice fishing jacket for your winter adventures

Find out how to select the best ice fishing jacket for your needs. Learn about key features, insulation, and what makes a jacket ideal for recreational fishermen on the ice.

Gear & Equipment

PLUSINNO Telescopic Combo Review: a handy starter kit you can throw in the trunk

Overall, the PLUSINNO telescopic rod and reel combo is a practical, no‑frills fishing kit that does what it says. The big strengths are the compact telescopic design, the included reel and basic tackle, and the carry case that makes it easy to throw everything in the car or take it on trips. Perform...

KastKing Compass 6'0" Telescopic Rod Review: compact travel stick that trades feel for convenience

The KastKing Compass 6'0" medium spinning telescopic rod is basically a practical travel tool, not a precision instrument. It packs down tiny, fits in almost any bag or car, and is perfectly capable of handling bass, trout, and similar freshwater fish as long as you stay within its limits. The blank...

Locations & Spots

Exploring the diverse species of fish in Alaska for recreational anglers

Unforgettable fishing vacations in Costa Rica: gear, tips, and local insights

28/12/2025

Unforgettable fishing vacations in Costa Rica: gear, tips, and local insights

Top fish species to catch on Kodiak Island for recreational anglers

28/12/2025

Top fish species to catch on Kodiak Island for recreational anglers

Experience unforgettable virginia beach charter fishing trips

28/12/2025

Experience unforgettable virginia beach charter fishing trips

Conservation & Ethics

Choosing the right lobster gauge for responsible recreational fishing

Catch & Release