Best starter kit for put and take

The nice thing about put and take is that the bar to entry is low, and a good starter kit need be neither expensive nor complicated. The goal is simple: the right things in the right size so you can start fishing at once and have fun. Here is the complete list of what the kit should contain, and what to prioritise.

Our pick

A ready-made spinning combo where rod and reel are matched is the cheapest and safest way to start. These fit stocked rainbow trout and brown trout well.

• Best for most people – Mitchell Tanager spinning combo (4.3★). Complete rod and reel with line and bait, aimed at brown trout and perch. See price on Amazon
• Compact for travel – Mitchell Tanager Camo II telescopic (4.3★). Collapses and is easy to take along. See price on Amazon
• Known brand – Abu Garcia Max X Spinning Combo (4.0★). A robust all-round set from a long-established fishing brand. See price on Amazon

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What you need

• Rod and reel. A light-to-medium spinning rod of 6–8 feet with a spinning reel in size 2000–2500. A matched spinning combo is cheapest and simplest.
• Line and leader. Thin main line and a fluorocarbon leader for clear water.
• Hooks and small bits. Hooks, a running weight and a bubble float for bait fishing, plus swivels.
• Baits. A little PowerBait for bait fishing and a couple of small spinners or spoons.
• Landing and handling. A net, forceps and something to kill the fish with.

What to prioritise

Spend the money on the right size and a working drag, not on the most expensive. Stocked rainbow trout usually weigh half a kilo to two kilos, so light to medium class goes a long way, and heavy pike gear only makes the fishing clumsy. A net and forceps are cheap but underestimated: without a net many fish are lost at the edge, and without forceps unhooking gets messy.

Price bands

A simple spinning combo costs from a few hundred kronor up to a little over a thousand, and on top of that come line and a few baits. In the lower part you get working gear to try, but very cheap sets sometimes have a reel with a stiff drag. Sit in the middle layer if you know you want to fish a fair bit, so the tackle lasts longer and feels more enjoyable.

Combo or parts

A ready-made spinning combo where rod and reel belong together is the safest way to start, because everything is matched. Buy parts separately only when you know what you want to upgrade. Once the kit is in place, read the beginner’s guide for how you use it, and see the whole tackle overview. More buying guides sit under best.