Top Spinning Reels Compared

Why Use a Spinning Reel?

Many anglers like spinning reels because they’re easier to use and clean than baitcasters. Also, they're great for using lighter setups. Trout fishing, for example, where finesse fishing tactics and fly lures are used, works great with a spinning reel.

Some anglers prefer jigging with a spinning reel because it's easier to let the lure sink to the bottom. Spinning reels are great for saltwater since they can be sprayed off at the end. Ideally, that will be enough for most of the time, with some more intensive cleaning periodically. Beginners and ocean anglers can both reel in great catches on a spinning reel.

Buyer’s Guide: Considerations for Choosing a Spinning Reel

Type of Fish & Environment

Reel Features

The best spinning reels have full metal bodies and a moderately fast gear ratio. Don't expect a really fast ratio on any of them, but some get into the high sixes. Most are also lightweight, making them easy to balance on a rod. They're generally relatively small, aside from the monster sizes that are built for catching huge ocean targets.

Spinning reels should be comfortable to hold and have some torque in the handle. That depends on what it’s made of and how much grip it has. The internal gears should also be built to provide some torque.

Drag System

For the most stopping power, pick a drag system made out of a durable material like carbon fiber. They last longer and have more strength. There are other kinds like oiled felt that cost much less but wear out faster, too.

Drag systems can be controlled on the front or rear of the reel. Front drag systems usually have larger washers and therefore perform better, but rear drag can be quickly modified when you have a fish on. Many spinning reels have both, allowing the angler the best of both worlds.

Ball Bearings & Bail

Well-placed ball bearings go a long way making the operation of a spinning reel smooth. A bearing-supported pinion gear adds smoothness and also keeps gears from wearing down for longer. Some low-quality reels try to hide behind low bearing counts, so make sure to do your research.

The bail can be manual or automatic. Look for one made out of a durable metal like aluminum. It should never flip on accident, only when you flip it. It should also be built right into the body rather than attaching with screws that may loosen or get lost during maintenance.

Spool Style

Many spools are made of strong materials like machined aluminum to ensure they will keep performing under pressure. Most spinning reels these days have a skirted spool that goes right up to the front of the reel body.

This meeting point is called the lip, and it can affect line lay and how line comes off the reel. The motion of the spool and the way line comes off the reel both affect how smooth the reel feels. There are also oversized spools that can hold more line and pull in more line per turn of the handle.

Anti-Reverse Handles

To keep the handle from accidentally turning the other way and losing line to a fish during a fight, almost every reel now has a bearing in the handle that stops backward motion. This is called the anti-reverse.

Instant anti-reverse means there should be no reverse movement whatsoever, while other anti-reverse handles might wiggle back a slight amount. Handles can also be joined to the reel with a thread or with a rivet that goes through the body and attaches with a rivet on the other side. Riveted handles offer more power and reeling strength.

Line Capacity

Spinning reels should hold enough line to keep a fish snagged if it goes on a run. Some fishing styles like trolling and vertical jigging at great depths require having a lot of line available as well. Some reels are designed not to need any backing for braided line and hold line right up to the lip without any casting interference, allowing the angler even more line at hand.

Design & Appearance

Most modern spinning reels are designed in one or two colors out of strong metal materials like graphite or aluminum. The best spinning reels also have some kind of corrosion-resistance treatment to keep them looking and working great for many seasons.

The way the reel body is joined should be flush and feel like one solid piece. Reels get dropped and banged around all the time, so the right reel should be able to withstand some abuse without bending out of shape or scratching easily.

Price & Warranty

Spinning reels can run from several hundred dollars to well under fifty. There is a difference in construction and materials used, but most name-brand reels perform admirably at every price point. Standard warranties last for one year from the original sale and protect against mistakes during manufacture. Other warranties last longer, up to the lifetime of the reel, and might cover a bit more, but the limited warranty is the most common by far.

10 Best Spinning Reels Reviewed

Not sure which brand to purchase? We have reviewed the best models available to anglers and explained why these are our top choices. Read our reviews and watch our video to find the products for you and start catching fish today!

1. Penn Slammer III

2. Daiwa BG 1500

3. PENN Spinfisher V 8500ll

For many of the same benefits offered by other saltwater spinning reels at a lower price, the Penn Spinfisher V spinning reel is the most popular model. It has a robust full metal body that's built to be watertight to keep corrosive elements away from critical interior parts like the main gear and the drag system.

Braid can be wound directly onto the spool with no backing and fits right up to the lip without any interference or backlashing. This is not a lightweight reel, but it is a powerful reel that can handle saltwater angling, even in the surf.

One of the standout features of this reel is its castability. Most of the time, casting with a spinning reel can be less than impressive, but with this Penn reel has a narrow spool and lays line down perfectly every time. If you pair it with the right 10'+ fishing rod, you'll be able to send your lures flying what seems like a mile. The only downside is that with the weight of this reel, casting repeatedly over long periods is likely to tire out the hands and arms.

The cranking action is smooth on this reel, which isn't a huge surprise coming from Penn. What is pleasantly unexpected is the stopping power it has. Typically there's a tradeoff between casting and power, but this reel has both in abundance.

Despite its weight, this reel is going to do whatever you'd need a large spinning reel to do. It's the best spinning reel for the money, and that investment is bound to keep serving you for a long time thanks to its durable, watertight construction.

4. KastKing Sharky III 1000

5. Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000 XG

6. Abu Garcia Revo Sx

7. Daiwa Ballistic LT Freshwater 4000D

8. Shimano Stradic HG

While baitcasting reels might have cornered the market on freshwater angling for a lot of fishing enthusiasts, there are still some excepted spinning reels that prove the rule. This Shimano is one of those reels.

The durable Hagane material that keeps so many Shimano reels working season after season is used inside and out on the Stradic HG. One of the biggest draws to the company for many anglers, the X-Ship technology, has been built into this reel as well. It’s more a cohesive design strategy than a specific piece of the reel, but the key components are larger gears for more efficiency and increased torque.

The X-Ship design also provides for a super easy handle rotation. Bearings supporting the pinion gear also protect against common reel system shortfalls. All in all, it's an attempt to make Shimano spinning reels more powerful and more effective, and it works to great success in this model.

Cranking the handle is smooth, and the resistance in the drag system, while less than on some more robust reels, is consistent and dependable. The weight of the reel has also been reconstructed to move it closer to the angler's hand for a more balanced feeling.

It can be a little challenging to understand what exactly is in this reel because it's all described in promotional jargon, but rest assured that Shimano has put some serious work into making this reel perform well beyond what's expected from a spinning reel of this size.

20-pound and above targets are not impossible to catch with this reel and the proper setup, although smaller fish and finesse angling is more common. It will take some greasing or oiling every now and again to keep the gears working silently, but it's not a taxing process to do once a year or so.

9. Cadence CS5

Barely any heavier than the lightest spinning reels available, the Cadence CS5 packs a considerable punch in terms of stopping power and speed. It can certainly haul some fish in, and the easiness of it’s cranking and casting is just what anglers of all kinds are looking for.

Most of the reel body and the side plates are built from a carbon composite that doesn’t feel as hearty as some of the more expensive models but doesn’t feel cheap either. It still has a carbon fiber drag system and a machined aluminum spool, both of which can take a tremendous beating.

Part of what makes this reel operate so smoothly is its large number of ball bearings, but their placement is just as important. Where most other spinning reels that are saltwater-rated have some kind of seal or waterproofing, the CS5 seems to rely solely on the corrosion resistance of its ball bearings, which will withstand some of the elements but probably not rougher situations like surf fishing or submersion. Still, for this kind of price point, the Cadence CS5 is plenty tough.

The amount of line this reel can hold and the controlling effect the drag system has on casting will allow the user to fish swimbaits, crankbaits, spoons, and jigs with this reel. Keeping in mind that it’s a light reel and should be used to fish small targets with light lures, this is still likely the best spinning reel under $100 for the versatility it has in freshwater sources where baitcasters normally reign.

10. Okuma Ceymar C-10

Quick Guide to Spinning Reel Mechanism & Operation

When the handle is rotated forward on a spinning reel, the bail rotates to guide line back onto the spool. The bail can be flipped to disengage it, which allows line to flow off the spool during a cast. Drag helps control line on a cast and adds tension on the line to help stop fish.

Too much drag can snap the line, while too little will let the fish swim away with your line. Fish can also be controlled with the anti-reverse switch, which will allow the angler to back-reel to afford more line.

Choosing the Right Gear Ratio

Spinning Reel Sizing Guide

Try to match the size of the reel with your target and what the average size fish is where you usually fish. Technique is also an important consideration. If you plan on casting a long distance, then a reel with greater line capacity will be needed.

Remember that spin reel test comes in different weights, and reels hold less of a larger line. Larger reels might be called 8000 or 800 size. They hold more line and can also be filled 2/3rds of the way for less line twist.

Using a Spinning Reel for the First Time

How to put line on a spinning reel

How to spool a spinning reel

Spinning reels put line on a reel clockwise, so the line should come off the factory spool counterclockwise to help eliminate line twist. Some lubricants can be applied to fishing line during spooling that will help resolve memory issues in the test and keep the line lasting longer.

How to cast a spinning reel

People Also Ask (FAQs)

How can I fix a broken anti-reverse on a spinning reel?

Many times the anti-reverse just needs to be cleaned out. Make sure it’s free of gunk and grime before you start more advanced repair. They’re usually held on with a pin and spring. If the spring is loose, just put it back on carefully. If the pin is broken or missing, you’ll need new housing, which is a much greater effort.

Can saltwater spinning reels be used in freshwater environments?

What are the differences between a spin casting reel vs. baitcaster vs. spinning reel?

A baitcasting reel is harder to cast at first. The spool itself moves on a baitcaster, and a thumb is required to cast properly. Spinning reels have a bail that moves around the spool to lay line, and casting is much easier for most.

A spincasting reel is kind of a mix of the two; it’s a baitcaster that’s operated with a thumb on a button on the rear of the reel. This is how many anglers get their start, but some continue using spincasters well after the early stages.

What is the best fishing line for spinning reels?

Most of the best spinning reels have been designed to use braided Powerpro line without needing any backing. That means all of the line on the spool can be used. There are other strong braided lines that work well with a fluoro leader, but in the end, it depends on how and what you're fishing.

What types of lures and baits should I use with my spinning reel?

Larger reels generally call for larger lures and baits. For live bait, a larger spinning reel with a huge line capacity for shark and tuna works best. For finesse fishing trout, an ultralight spinning reel with light fly lures does excellent. Bass fishing with a medium-sized reel and anything between 10 and the 20-pound test is best.

What are the best spinning reel brands?

Are there any special care and maintenance steps for spinning reels?

Spray off a spinning reel with fresh water after each use in any environment. If you have a method of blow-drying or toweling off the reel after that, you should. Some lubricants and treatments can be applied as a final step, just make sure the reel is dry before you store it. Store reels off the rod with the line fixed some way in a dry, level place.

Where is the best place to find spinning reels for sale?

Most of the major brands have their own websites, but the merchandise is generally limited to only the newest iterations of their reels. Try Amazon, where manufacturers offload lots of their reels from preceding years at fair prices with just as much quality as you’d get from a brick and mortar store.

Conclusion