2 in 1 travel backpack Waterfly Elite 2-in-1 Lightweight off daypack create a modular setup that adapts to any trip Peak Design Travel 2-in-1 Backpack

Best Starter Kit Under $300: Redington Wrangler 690-4 Best Starter Kit Under $300 Redington Wrangler 690-4 See It Pros Most affordable rod in the lineup Comes with everything you need to hit the water Cons Made in China with basic components on a fairly drab blank Score Card Accuracy: 3/6 Ease of Cast: 4/5 Max Distance: 70 feet Key Features 9-foot, 4-piece Moderate action Full wells grip with fighting butt Aluminum up-locking reel seat, ceramic-lined chrome stripper guides, chrome snake guides Made in China Redington has been offering starter fly rod kits for decades, and the Wrangler carries on this tradition

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Just be aware that most bass tournaments prohibit live bait

To gather a variety of perspectives, our test crew included world champion long caster Ryan White, a couple of surf fishing weekend warriors, and one complete newb still getting the hang of timing casts with crashing waves