A good combo should have a smooth reel and a well-balanced baitcasting rod, and should be easy to set up for beginners. Here are a few of the best baitcaster combos I recommend from first-hand ...

Alternatively, by using a barbed metal bait pin, I can top a real caster with a buoyant fake bait. While the price of casters can seem prohibitive, only a pint or two is needed when barbel fishing.

I try a lot of bass fishing gear over the course of a year, and I always end up with a few absolute favorites. It’s been an exceptional year for new baits. This list highlights the best of the best.