Part of the inshore fishing appeal is that the targets - redfish, snook, black drum, whatever - can potentially be massive. Matching your inshore fishing gear to the targets is critical. 2000 or 3000 size reels are great for smaller and medium-sized fish like trout and saltwater bass, while 7000 and up are best for sharks and other massive inshore targets.

Corrosion is one of the biggest concerns when it comes to inshore spinning reels. Some materials like graphite and aluminum are the most corrosion-resistant. They’re also the most lightweight so that the angler won’t fatigue as easily after casting for long periods. The weight of the reel should match the rod so that the balance of the combo feels right.

Shimano has built an incredibly strong inshore spinning reel with its Stradic line. They are manufactured with a Hagane steel body, which means they can readily handle any abuse from the harsh conditions of inshore fishing. The body of this reel never seems to flex, not even around the reel foot, which is very unusual for inshore spinning reels. Shimano has also included some innovative design features into this reel, like the cranking power in the handle that can handle any sized target within 100 miles of the coast.

Most standard inshore spinning reels have lots of bulk and weight that throw off the balance of a rod and reel combo, but the center of gravity on this Shimano reel feels much lower, closer to the rod. The drag system is top-notch as well, easily stopping even large targets and forcing them to turn back toward the boat. The overall operation of this spinning reel is smooth. They’ve also treated it with a water-repellent coating to ensure it stays in working condition for many seasons. It should come as no surprise that Shimano has built the best inshore saltwater spinning reel available, but the Stradic is impressive even for them.

For a pro-level inshore spinning reel, nothing beats this robust model from Quantum. It has a low-profile design, but it’s certainly one of the strongest inshore spinning reels on the market. With a whopping 30 pounds of drag power, there are very few fish this reel won’t be able to handle. However, Quantum has also taken great pains to make sure this reel operates smoothly in addition to all that power. Ceramic washers are helped by the 8 ball bearings placed at crucial points to give this reel effortless and even action.

The reel foot is very well-placed on this model. The balance of its weight is close to the rod, which will help reduce the likelihood of fatigue and also put the power on the angler’s side when a fish bites at the lure. The whole body has been treated with anti-corrosive coatings to make sure the reel doesn’t succumb to salt sprays and other elements that could wreck a lesser model.

This reel works excellently with live baits but casting lighter plastic lures can be tricky without something to weight them down on the line. Still, if you’re going after large targets, this is the best inshore spinning reel for bass and other monsters near the coast.

If the entries on this list so far have been outside your price range, look no further than the Shimano Sedona Fi, which is by far the best inshore spinning reel for the money. It still has a smooth operation and enough drag power considering its size, and it’s a much smaller investment. One drawback is that they appear to have removed the toggle switch that releases the spool, which used to be on other models. That can help prevent a line snap and isn’t essential, but it would be a helpful addition.

Other than that, everything an angle needs to haul in some large targets is on this reel. It doesn't hold as much line as some other reels, and it only has 7 pounds of drag power unless you go with the larger 5000 size, which has 24 pounds of drag. The smaller reel is designed more for mid-sized targets or fishing near a dock or boat. If you want to cast further, pair one of the larger reels in this series with a long rod, and you shouldn’t have any problems. For the majority of inshore fishing where bass and flounder are the primary targets, this Sedona works great.

The all-black exterior of this inshore spinning reel has a striking visual appeal, and its performance is even more impressive. From its large line capacity to its fish-stopping drag power, the Penn Conflict II is the best inshore spinning reel under $150. It has an excellent retrieval rate for covering long distances, which is ideal because it allows anglers to cast long-distance without any issue. Penn's design lends this reel a smooth operation as per usual. This 3000 size reel pairs well with a 6- or 7-foot inshore rod, and the larger 7000 size works well for longer rods for even better long-distance casting.

One slightly annoying thing about this reel is that it only has a front drag dial. The drag system works fantastically, but if you suddenly need to make adjustments, it can be hard to reach around to the dial. The anti-reverse works very well and doesn’t budge as you might find on some other inshore spinning reels. The handle also offers plenty of torque, which comes in handy with larger, more powerful targets. Although the line capacity is very good on this reel, it might be wise to leave some line off the spool to prevent wind knots when you cast.

Unlike many other reels of this size, this Abu Garcia Revo pairs smooth reeling action with enough weight to have some felt presence on the rod. That makes it great to have when you have a fish on the line because you can be more aware of the reel without having to look at it. It also has one of the best retrieval rates on the market, a whopping 40 inches for the 40 size. The Abu Garcia Revo Inshore 60 spinning reel has an even higher rate. Either one is great for casting.

Unlike some reels that specialize in either huge targets or smaller ones, this reel can handle mid-sized and larger ones. Pretty much anything you manage to hook other than the biggest sea monsters can be bested with this reel at hand. Both the 40 and 60 have an all-aluminum body that makes this reel durable and fairly lightweight, although it's certainly not an ultralight model. There are drag dials on both the side and front of the reel, which is great for last-minute adjustments. This reel doesn’t suffer corrosion easily, and it's strong enough to last for a long time with relatively minimal maintenance. 

First, you need to spool the line on the spinning reel. You can do this by attaching the end of the line to the spool and then reeling backward while letting the factory spool spin to feed the line onto your reel.

Most fishing rods connect to spinning reels with twist-close reel seats. Make sure everything is snug. The best bait for inshore fishing is probably going to be live bait, which can be heavy. To cast that, make sure you have your reel settings right, open your bail, and cast with a flick of the wrist. Once the lure hits the water, close the bail if it doesn’t close automatically.

The best place to find inshore spinning reels from leading companies like Shimano is Amazon. Many come with additional accessories, and the warranties still apply the vast majority of the time. It’s also much easier to compare different reels, and you're more likely to find them in stock on Amazon.

To catch fish inshore, you need a corrosion-resistant reel with lots of drag power that casts easily. The Shimano Stradic FL is the best inshore spinning reel because it has all of these features and a silky smooth operation that makes casting and retrieval a cinch.