If you're looking to upgrade your freshwater fishing setup, these 16 pieces of tackle will maximize your angling potential. Whether you're chasing finesse strikes with high-speed spinning reels or hurling big baits with powerful low-profile options, this roundup highlights the latest and greatest gear from industry leaders like Abu Garcia, Shimano, Berkley, and more. This guide has everything you need to dominate your next day on the water.
Rods, Reels and Combos
Abu Garcia Zata Baitcast Combo
The Abu Garcia Zata Baitcast Combo combines sleek design with high performance. Built with lightweight graphite frames and premium components, these combos offer smooth, powerful casting and retrieval. The 10+1 bearing system ensures ultra-smooth operation, while the custom Winn grips provide superior comfort and control. MSRP: $279
Abu Garcia Veritas Spinning Combo
The Veritas spinning combos deliver high-performance innovation from tip to handle. Featuring a 10+1 bearing system and a lightweight aluminum frame, the combo pairs seamlessly with a Powerlux 100-infused rod—15% stronger and 5% lighter. Other features include titanium alloy guides and weather-resistant EVA grips. MSRP: $349
Abu Garcia Revo SX Low Profile Reel
This fifth generation of Revo reels has been designed to provide best-in-class precision, power and performance. The Revo SX features our X2-Cräftic alloy frame and asymmetrical body design to provide the ultimate balance in weight, strength and ergonomics. The Revo SX has the torque and power you need in a workhorse fishing reel. MSRP: $189
Abu Garcia Revo Rocket Spinning Reel
The Revo Rocket spinning reel fills a gap in the arsenal with a faster gear ratio for finesse applications. The Revo Rocket is the answer to the long casting dilemma, and is designed to pick up slack quickly with a blazing fast gear ratio of 7.6:1, ensuring a better hookset and more opportunities to catch fish. MSRP: $229
Abu Garcia Beast Spinning Reel
The Beast Spinning Reel is engineered for anglers who demand brute strength and refined control. Built to handle oversized baits and hard-fighting fish, its rugged X2-Cräftic alloy frame, eight total bearings (including salt shield) and advanced line control system make a reel purpose-built for power and precision in any water. MSRP: $229-$279
Abu Garcia Beast Low Profile Reels
The completely redesigned Beast Low Profile Reels deliver unmatched cranking power, drag strength and durability in a surprisingly palmable profile. This reel is built to dominate for anglers who throw big baits and profiles. Ultimately, Beast reels bring brute force and refined control to every cast. MSRP: $249-$349
Shimano Exsence B
The Exsence B is engineered with Shimano’s most advanced technologies, empowering anglers with longer, more accurate casts, ultra-responsive control and smooth, powerful retrieves. The lightweight frame is now available in a 2500-size option. For those who use precision presentations, this reel is made for subtle bites and fluid retrieves. MSRP: $599-$609
Baits and Accessories
Strike King Final Copy Swimbait
Strike King's new Final Copy is a pre-rigged soft swimbait engineered for big strikes and deep-water domination. Crafted with a forward-weighted design, the Final Copy swims true at any retrieve speed. The heavy, scented plastic helps it sink faster and stay in the strike zone longer, giving anglers an edge when targeting deeper-holding bass. MSRP: $11-$13
Shimano Gravitator 220 SS
The Gravitator 220SS glide bait redefines versatility and action control. Shimano’s ARMABOOST technology enhances casting distance, while the Action Modifying Insert allows anglers to adjust lure behavior to match fish activity. Available in six models, the Gravitator 220SS is a strike-inducing powerhouse. MSRP: $49
Berkley PowerBait CullShad
Cull up with the Berkley PowerBait CullShad. Taking shallow-water swimbaiting to a new level, the CullShad combines big-profile drawing power with proprietary Honey Comb technology for next-level action and durability. Additionally, the smart weighting ability, hassle-free harness, and hook clip gives you an advantage cast after cast. MSRP: $10.49-$14 (berkeley-fishing.com)
Berkley PowerBait Nessie
Embark on uncharted waters with the Berkley PowerBait Nessie—a groundbreaking glide bait pushing the boundaries of big-profile fishing. Skip, slide and cast this soft-bodied marvel, available in three sizes (5-inch to 9-inch), offering versatility in retrieval speeds. Unlock new dimensions in bait fishing with Berkley's innovative design. MSRP: $9.49-$15
Berkley Slobberknocker
The Slobberknocker features an innovative through-head design unique among bladed jigs. Countless hours spent testing on and off the water yielded a unique design that delivers consistent vibration plus easily goes through heavy cover while staying engaged. The Slobberknocker features a Berkley silicone skirt infused with PowerBait flavor. MSRP: $10
Berkley Choppo
Along with precision performance and fish catching ability, the Choppo is also easy to use. Perfectly balanced to deliver immediate action while swimming straight at a variety of speeds, the propeller’s enhanced surface area delivers an unbelievable amount of sound and spray. Additionally, the 3X anti-rust Fusion19 hooks will outlast the competition. MSRP: $9-$14
Rapala ClapTail
The ClapTail 110 is built with a metal prop and trailing back blade that collide on the retrieve to produce a two-tone fish-attracting sound. Featuring a durable plastic body weighted to ensure long casts and consistent retrieves, the ClapTail 110 creates a wealth of topwater commotion to make big fish rise to the surface for explosive topwater bites. MSRP: $21
More Gear
MinnKota Kayak Terrova
The Kayak Terrova offers effortless, reliable control for your kayak. With Minn Kota's most advanced GPS trolling system, including Spot-Lock®, you can unlock the ability to maneuver your boat the way you want. Stow and deploy with ease and let the motor do the rest so you can make the most of your time out on the water. MSRP: $1,499
Frabill Trophy Haul Net
Trophy Haul nets combine 80 years of expertise and cutting-edge technology to bring you the best nets on the market. All models include trusted Frabill features, including conservation netting, mesh guard hoops and flat bottoms. This revolutionary net features a 48-inch sliding handle and a 18x21-inch hoop size. MSRP: $129-$149
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