The Best £200 Lure Fishing Setup for Beginners (UK Shore Fishing Guide)
Introduction
If you are just starting out in fishing, or you’re interested in lure fishing, then look no further than this guide to help you build your perfect lure fishing setup for £200!
Let’s face it: starting out can feel expensive and confusing. You’ve probably asked yourself:
What rod should I get?
What reel, line, or lures do I need?
What tools do I need?
Don’t worry — I’ve been there, where do I spend money, where do I save?
This guide breaks everything down clearly so you can hit the water with confidence and gear that won’t let you down.
What to you’ll takeaway from this guide:
How to spend your budget wisely — what matters and what doesn’t
Where to save money and where it’s worth investing
How to get real value for money on fishing tackle
How to avoid the frustration of cheap, poor-quality gear
A clear, reliable list of gear to build your first lure fishing setup
Why £200 is the sweet spot
This budget will get a decent selection of kit you will enjoy
If you’re serious about starting lure fishing, £200 is a solid figure to aim for. It’s enough to get you reliable gear that’ll last — and save you the hassle, frustration, and regret that often comes with buying cheap tackle. Trust me… I’ve been there.
With this budget, you can build a setup that’s:
Versatile enough for most UK shore fishing spots
Capable of landing anything from Mackerel and Pollock to Bass (My favourite!)
Enjoyable to use, meaning you’ll actually want to go out and fish
Of course, spend only what you can afford. There are ways to go cheaper — second-hand gear is a great shout (I do it all the time) — but £200 strikes a nice balance between cost and quality for a suite of new kit!
Why you can trust this guide
Let me quickly introduce myself
I’m Lyle — an ultra-keen fisherman who’s obsessed with finding great tackle at great value.
I’m also saving for a house, juggling work, hobbies, and everything in between… so I know how important it is to get the most out of every pound I spend.
This guide isn’t sponsored, hyped up, or trying to sell you something you don’t need. It’s just honest advice from someone who’s spent a fair bit of time trialling gear, snapping rods, losing lures, and learning what works.
Now… on to the tackle!
Disclaimer: This blog is not sponsored by any of the brands featured, however I may make a small comission on some of the products that are linked, if you choose to buy through the links listed here, at no extra charge to you. If you do decide to buy through this article, then I thank you for your support!
The Rod - Best budget rods for UK lure fishing
A lure fishing rod is a bit of a personal preference once you’re deep into the sport — but for your first rod, you’ll want something that can:
Cast most types of lures
Handle a decent-sized fish
Communicate what’s going on under the surface
Here’s the trick: buying at the low end of a high-end brand gets you all the lovely carbon fibre tech, without the premium price tag.
Yes, top-tier rods often come with sleeker ergonomics and higher-quality fittings — but let’s be honest: if you’re just starting out, chances are your rod might take a knock before any of those fittings wear out!
A good-quality rod is essential, even for beginners. It’ll make your time on the water more enjoyable and give you the feedback you need to learn quickly and grow your skills.
A lovely autumn Bass caught on a Ceana rod
What to spend on a rod:
£50 - £100
It’s Your choice - spend less on the rod and buy more lures or spend more and enjoy a higher quality rod!
My thoughts: It’s hard to go really wrong with lure rods now, and they are fragile things. So, if you are just getting into lure fishing, then lower the budget on the rod and increase it on the reel. The reel should last a long while with proper care and will work on future rods yo'u’ll end up buying!
Recommended specifications:
Length: 8ft - 9ft 6”
Casting weight: 5g-45g
Action: Fast/Medium Fast
These specs will give you versatility across a wide range of shore fishing situations, especially around the UK.
What rods to buy
Option 1: Budget Pick - The HTO Hooligan
HTO Hooligan 88m - Available at Veals Mail order
Specs:
Length - 8’8”
Casting weight - 6 - 32g
RRP: £49.99
Action: Fast
Why the Hooligan is a great buy:
Good quality rod from HTO, a trusted British brand
Responsive action and lightweight feel
Good customer support
Excellent value for money
Covers nearly all lure fishing scenarios!
About the Hooligan
HTO are known for delivering solid gear without the hype, and the Hooligan is no exception.
It’s forgiving enough for beginners but still gives you that zingy feel that makes lure fishing so addictive.
If you’re looking for a rod that can take a few knocks, handle a wide range of lures, and still feel great in hand — the Hooligan’s a great option.
As a disclaimer: I have not fished with the new Hooligan range yet, however the previous generation of rods was reputed to be great by many anglers, especially for the money.
Top end pick: Majorcraft Ceana
Major Craft Ceana Seabass CNSS-902ml
The Ceana’s Specs:
Length - 9’
Casting weight - 10 - 30g
RRP: £99.99
Action: Fast
Why you’ll love the Ceana
The Ceana is a fantastic rod that delivers Major Craft quality at a sort of entry level price.
The rods action is great, it casts lures well right at its casting weight range and defo has more in the tank than its rating, meaning you can really cast hard a 30g lure with no fear.
Major craft is a fantastic Japanese brand, which produce some of the finest rods on the market. The Ceana is peach, enjoying all of that R&D investment the higher priced rods get, but in a lower priced package!
Why you should buy the Ceana:
Great quality carbon from Major craft, a leading brand in lure fishing
Comfortable grip design
Versatile casting weight range
Good quality guides & eyes
Looks the part
I have already reviewed the shorter & lighter version of the rod I have recommended in this blog here (Psst! I love it!)
Buying a rod second hand
If you really want to stretch your budget, you can find great second-hand rods on Facebook Marketplace or other local platforms. Just search “lure fishing rod” and aim for something within the spec ranges above.
But be careful — rods are fragile and you’ll want to inspect for:
Cracked or worn eyelets (these can damage your line)
Cracks along the blank (listen for odd creaks or flex noises)
Reel seat and fittings (should feel snug, not rattly)
A good second-hand rod can save you money, but don’t buy blind — ask for detailed photos or a video before handing over your cash.
The Reel
Its worthwhile spending some money of a reel, if anything its the thing you need to be able to trust the most in your setup, and a good reel will last you a good while with regular cleaning & maintenance.
A reel from a good brand is crucial. A poor quality reel will be more likely to cause knots & frustration, which will lead to lost tackle, potentially lost fish and most importantly burn your precious time!
To get the best value out of the reel you choose, go for something thats at the low to mid price range of a brand that offers higher end reels. This way, you get the benefit of extensive R&D at the fraction of the price while only missing out on the odd feature, which you won’t even notice when starting out.
What to spend on a reel:
£30 - £100
Key features to look for:
Sizes between 2500 - 4000 - The higher the number the bigger the reel,
this range is good for lure fishing
Good line lay - The way the reel organises the line on the spool
Lightweight
Front drag
Fixed spool design
What reels to get:
Top end of budget: Shimano Sedona
Shimano Sedona C3000 FJ - Veals mail order
Sedona Specifations:
Price: Around £80
Size: 3000
Materials: XT-7 Shimano special material
About the Sedona
A great mid level reel from Shimano which offers excellent line lay & smooth operation for a very reasonable price.
Shimano’s offer great quality & value for money and you won’t go wrong with a Sahara. Get one in 2500 or 3000 size and it will pair very nicely with most lure fishing rods.
Coming in at around £80, this reel will leave slightly less budget for lures but it will be so worth it!
My Dad bought one of these and it is fantastic for the money. Lovely & smooth, with a solid feel. In some ways this reel feels tougher than some of the higher end Shimanos purely for that reason.
Why you should buy the Sedona:
Great line lay - less knots or tangles waiting to happen
Great value for money
High end feel
Looks epic, you’ll be proud to show this off
Shimano smoothness & reliability
See a dedicated review of the Sedona here: Fishmag - Shimano Sedona review
Low end of budget: Daiwa Crossfire
Daiwa Crossfire LT 3000 - Amazon
Specs of the Crossfirew
Price: Roughly £32 (Amazon)
Size: 3000
Material: Aluminium & ABS
About the Crossfire
Daiwa have been in the reel game since 1950, originating in Japan. They are a trusted brand in many countries, especially the UK & Australia, where the likes of Briggsy, Cavy & Brooksy opt for the Certate line of Daiwas for their GT sportfishing.
The Crossfire range is Daiwas entry level, and they provide them with great features for the money. They are Ali construction which at this price point is a huge win!
You wont go far wrong with a Daiwa
As a disclaimer: I have not fished extensively with a Crossfire, having only used a friends for part of a session however I am happy to recommend it. I would suggest careful maintenance to make sure it lasts though.
Why you should buy the Crossfire
You get Daiwa’s carry-over technology & R&D from their pricier reels
Aluminium body
Sleek looking design that will suit loads of rods
Trustworthy brand
Buying a second hand reel - Is it worth the risk?
Buying second hand can work out well, if you manage to pick something up thats relatively new and unused.
I have personally had success in the past, and I love to get a bargain where I can, as it means I can spend more on lures!
Any reel that does get used in the salt will eventually wear and fail if its not been rinsed and serviced periodically. So bear that in mind.
Tips for buying a second hand reel
Look out for corrosion on the body & spool - This will highlight poor treatment of the reel by the owner. Proper rinsing and cleaning will prevent this.
Make sure the action of smooth. Wind it up, or ask for a video of the reel being reeled by the seller (with sound on!!) You don’t want any roughness or else you may find that you’ll be tearing it apart and servicing it.
Test the line roller bearing - The bit the line runs through on the bail arm. This is often the first thing to go. Run some line through it, or use your fingernail to spin the bearing. If it is rough or stuck, its often no biggie as you can replace them for around £10 normally. (My Shimano Stradic requires a new line roller every year)
Test the anti reverse! Ask the seller to wind the reel forward and attempt to wind it back a few times. Often if moisture enters the reel, the anti reverse clutch inside can fail. (Ahem, looking at my Penn slammer..). If this is failing I’d walk away. Modern lure reels often only spin one way, unless they have a switch, by the way.
I bought this Shimano second hand!
This Shimano Stradic c3000 I bought second hand (from a friend), and its been excellent. Sure, I have to replace the roller bearing annually, but its given me zero hassle in the 2/3 years of my ownership!
The Fishing Line - Mainline & Leader
You need two different lines for lure fishing.
A mainline and what’s known as a leader, which goes on the end.
Mainline = Braid
Incredible casting distance
Zero Stetch - lets you feel every bump, knock & nibble
Better hooksets & lure control
Leader = Flouro
Excellent wear resistance
Nearly invisible to fish
Get any colour mainline you fancy - this has been long debated but really, it doesn't make all that much odds, Get something that is visible to you or that complements your rod & reel setup.
What to spend on fishing lines for UK species:
Mainline (Braid): £20
Leader (Fluorocarbon): £10
What to look for in mainline:
Braid material
12lb - 30lb in breaking strain rating
8 strand aka 8x
150m length (this is enough to fill your reel)
What to look for in leaders:
Fluorocarbon material
The same or slightly lighter breaking strain as your mainline
Clear in colour
What mainline to get:
Sick braid by Berkeley is as the name suggests, sick!
I absolutely love this stuff and have bought several spools over the last couple of years in a few different strengths & colours and they have all been fantastic. It’s one of the best braid for UK lure fishing.
At a great price this braid feels good in your fingers, casts well, delivers tactile information well & ties knots easily and does not have a habit of causing knots as far as I have experienced.
Just get this line it’s great! 😃
What Leader to get:
Berkley Trilene Flourocarbon Leader - 22lb
Trilene has been my go to for years now. Its reliable, ties well & provides a trusty bit of protection on the end of my mainline.
As with any fluorocarbon line, its near invisible underwater. This means that you still have a chance of tempting a shy fish.
You will not be disappointed by Trilene, get some!
Best lures for UK shore fishing
Warning:
Shopping for lures is just like shopping for sweets for anglers.
It’s fun and its easy to rack up a big basket. But if you are looking to get started in lure fishing, stick to a few of these lures from the list below & spend what you feel.
(Get a couple from category, often the fish will wont take one type over another!)
Recommended budget allocation: £30-£50
Metals - Versatile & easy to use
Great for mackerel, bass, pollock and more. Just cast, let them sink a bit, then retrieve — simple and deadly.
Soft plastics - Versatile & adaptable to any target fish
Brilliant for Bass, Pollock and Wrasse. Use lighter ones with just hook for shallow areas and equip a jigheaded option if you need more depth, say if you are fishing off a headland.
These options are also weedless, which means the hook point is in the body of the lure, and is hard to snag up on the bottom, meaning you lose less gear, win!
BLUK Split shads - Natural mix - Bass lures UK (Made in Cornwall, UK!)
Fiiish Black Minnow 105 No2.5 16g head - Veals mail order
Megabass Super Spindleworm 5 inch - Veals mail order
Topwater lures - For targeting Bass, the ultimate way to lure fish
For targeting Bass on the surface — nothing beats a Bass smashing a topwater lure. I dont have a photo of it but trust me, its absolutely exhilarating!
This youtube video by Slippy Limpets shows you some insane topwater footage, check it out.
HTO Kamikaze 125 - 500g Flashing plate - The new kid on the block, a more budget friendly option - Available from VMO
Xorus Patchinko 125 - 500g/Ayu/Nacre
IMA Salt Skimmer - Any colour - From VMO
Topwaters tend to be pretty expensive but they are lost less often than other types of lure and you can build your collection over time to what you prefer.
Sub-Surface Lures
These mimic wounded fish and work incredibly well in shallow water or when the bait is moving quickly.
Here’s a mix of high-end and budget picks. The cheaper ones work well too — just consider upgrading the hooks if you can.
Tools you'll need for shore fishing
Now you’ve chosen your rod, reel & lures, you still need a few last bits. These will make your life easier when unhooking fish and will help you look after the fish better.
Total spend on extra tools: £20-£25
Pliers
£15-30
Invest in a decent pair of aluminium pliers with a split ring nose. You’ll use these for:
Removing hooks from fish safely
Changing hooks and split rings on lures
Avoiding a treble hook to the hand (trust me, it’ll happen…)
I’ve had the same pair for a couple of years now. They’ve been used, abused, and dunked — and they’re still going strong.
View Seadra fishing pliers on Bass Lures UK
View Fishing pliers I use on Amazon - These have been super reliable for me!
Lure clips
Price: £1.50-3
Grab a pack of Breakaway Mini Link clips or Seadra Speed Clips.
These little clips let you switch lures quickly without retying knots — saving time and reducing stress mid-session.
Fast lure changes = more time fishing, less time faffing.
View Breakaway mini link clips on Bass Lures UK
View Seadra speed clips on Veals Mail order
View Breakaway mini link clips on Amazon
Conclusion - You should have what you need!
There you have it – your complete £200 lure fishing setup, handpicked to give you the best start possible without blowing the bank.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you make sense of what to buy, what to avoid, and where your money is best spent. With this kit, you’ll be ready to hit the coast with confidence, knowing your gear won’t let you down when that first bass hits your lure.
Fishing should be fun, not frustrating – and having solid, reliable tackle is the best way to make sure of that. Stick to the recommendations here and you’ll be well on your way to building skills, landing fish, and enjoying the amazing world of lure fishing.
Tight lines, Lyle 🎣
