The Best Budget Saltwater Fishing Gear for 2025: Fly, Inshore, Surf, and Offshore Picks

Looking to get out on the water without breaking the bank? Whether you’re new to saltwater fishing or need backup gear that performs without the premium price tag, we’ve got you covered. At Saltwater Edge, we only carry gear we’ve tested and trust—no matter the price point. In this guide, we break down our top picks for budget fly, inshore, surf, and offshore fishing setups for 2025.

🎣 Budget Fly Fishing Setup

🌀 Reel: TFO NTR Fly Reel – Under $200

The TFO NTR (No Tools Required) is the ideal entry point for saltwater fly fishing. Lightweight, solid, and field-serviceable with just your hands, it’s perfect for those who want simplicity and durability at a great price.

• Tool-free design for easy maintenance

• Anti-reverse bearing and simple drag system

• Black and silver color options

• Great for beginners or as a reliable backup reel

🌀 Reel Upgrade: Redington Grande – Just over $300

Need something tougher? The Redington Grande offers serious drag, a sealed system, and high capacity—ideal for Albie season or jetty fly fishing.

• Robust and sealed for harsh conditions

• Strong drag for hard runs

• Multiple colors (champagne, black, blue)

• Great for 7–10wt setups

🪝 Rod: Greys Wing Salt – Retail ~$350

The Greys Wing Salt is a fast-action saltwater fly rod that punches above its weight. Originally $550, now marked down and includes a gift card to get your fly line.

• Powerful action for casting in wind

• Excellent build quality at a mid-range price

• Ideal for New England saltwater fly anglers

• Try it in-store—cast before you buy!

🐟 Budget Inshore Spinning Setup

🪝 Rod: Tsunami Carbon Shield III – $99–$119

This latest release improves on a Saltwater Edge favorite. The Carbon Shield III features titanium guides (a rarity at this price), an improved blank, and solid feel.

• Full titanium guides (usually a $45 upgrade per guide)

• Light, responsive, and durable

• Great range of sizes

• Warranty-backed by Tsunami

🌀 Reel: Shimano Spheros Inshore 3000 – $119

Pair it with the Carbon Shield for a dream combo. The Spheros Inshore is saltwater-tough, incredibly smooth, and comes with Shimano’s CoreProtect technology.

• Built for saltwater, not sealed but resistant

• Perfect for back bay stripers and albies

• Classic Shimano feel at an entry-level price

• Available in 3000 and 4000 sizes

🌊 Budget Surf Fishing Setup

🌀 Entry Reel: Quantum Benchmark – $139–$159

If you're just starting to surfcast, the Benchmark gives you salt and splash resistance, solid drag, and smooth performance—all without draining your wallet.

• Enough sealing to handle light splashes and sand

• Smooth drag for schoolies and blues

• Great value for beginner surfcasters

🌀 Upgrade Reel: Tsunami SaltX II – $399

Want to fish like the Van Staal guys without the Van Staal price? The SaltX II offers serious sealing and surf-ready performance.

• Redesigned and more reliable than the SaltX I

• Fully sealed and surf-approved

• Competes with reels $200–300 more

• Smooth, strong, and lighter than expected

🪝 Rod: Tsunami Forged Surf Rod – Under $250

The Forged rod series surprised us all. Tested hard all last season, these rods are incredibly durable, comfortable, and perform like much more expensive sticks.

• Excellent tip recovery and backbone

• Rubberized cork grips for durability

• Ideal for plugging, jigging, or bait fishing

• Long-lasting and perfect for everyday surfcasting

🐋 Budget Offshore Jigging Setup

🪝 Rod: Jigging World Luminous High Pitch – $199

If you’re ready to chase tuna without spending four figures, this Jigging World rod gets it done. Powerful enough for rec-size bluefin and built to last.

• 350 and 450 models ideal for New England offshore

• High-pitch jigging style

• Affordable but battle-tested

🌀 Reel: Shimano Spheros SW 14K+ – Starts at ~$199

Nicknamed the “Baby Stella,” this Spheros SW gives you flagship tech at a budget price.

• CoreProtect and heat sink technology

• Great for jigging and popping

• Shimano smoothness and reliability

• Proven tuna-catching machine

💬 Need Help Choosing?

Whether you’re trying a new style of fishing or replacing older gear, the Saltwater Edge team is here to help. Use our live chat, give us a call, or visit the shop in Rhode Island. When you chat with us, you're talking to real anglers like Coby and the crew, not bots or outsourced reps.