The Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Review
Saltwater fishing is always interesting. You never can tell what the day holds for you. And if you are lucky to catch the big fish, then your fishing reel is what will determine if you will effectively reel it in or let it swim away. Having a good fishing reel is very important; it can make or break your fishing trip.
Nowadays, with the advancement of technology and the large market for fishing gear, there is a large selection of high quality saltwater spinning reels to choose from. Which makes choosing the best saltwater spinning reels more difficult than before. Leading manufacturers like Okuma, Abu Garcia, Shimano, and Pence are bringing together design and technology to produce stronger, smoother and more durable reels for big game fishing on and offshore.
In a Hurry? Here’s Our Top Picks
(Click top of table to sort to your liking in each category, ie, alphabetical, price low to high etc.) Click any image for more information
| Best Saltwater Reels | Title | Models | Buy From Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
  | Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Reel | 5 Sizes go with the Pressp40 for more line capacity, great low budget choice | Check Price |
  | Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel | 6 model sizes: 1-2-3-5-6-and 8000 series | Check Price |
  | Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reel | 2 Models: BG Spin 6 + 1, 5.6 : 1 and the 8000 | Check Price |
  | SHIMANO Stradic FK Spinning Reel | Great reel fresh or salt water | Check Price |
  | Okuma Cedros Saltwater Spinning Reel | 3 Choices 8000-10000-14000 Models | Check Price |
  | Penn 5.1:1 Gear Ratio 50" Retrieve Rate Ambidextrous Torque II Spinning 9500 Reel | 1 Great Reel Model 9500 | Check Price |
Are you into an exciting adventure of deep sea fishing or ocean surf fishing looking for a saltwater spinning reel, or a multipurpose fishing reel for saltwater and freshwater fishing? We have got you covered. We have researched the market and compiled a list of the top saltwater spinning reels. So, take a look at the following list of 6 best saltwater fishing reels for the money at different price points. The top six reviews follow below the table provided for your quick reference in case your in a hurry to get fishing. You can also check out images for more details.
Penn Battle II Fishing Saltwater Spinning Reel
This is one of my favorite saltwater spinning reels at a great price for inshore fishing. Its durable design, attractive cosmetics, and a silky smooth HT-100 drag are some of the reasons why many fishermen fish this reel. The reel construction, line capacity, power, bearing count, gear ratio, and strong drag system meet the specifications of the best saltwater fishing reel that is capable of conquering big saltwater fish. Its Full Metal Body structure allows it to sustain precision gear alignment under severe punishment.
This is by far the best value at its price on the market for your money. It will suit your needs whether you are a surf, kayak, or inshore fisherman. No backing is required because of the rubber gasket that prevents superline from sliding. All you have to do is choose the series with the number of bearings, size and weight, gear ratio, and the line capacity you need. The following are what makes this reel a surf and deep sea fisherman’s favorite.
- Its high-quality, strong and durable construction
- Strong drag without sacrificing its smoothness
- It is both right and left-handed
- The construction is completely non-corrosive
- It is completely braided friendly and does not need backing
- Its affordable prices and great value
- It comes with powerful HT-100 drag Washer
Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reel
This reel is loaded with advanced Daiwa features well above its price point. Its lightweight hard body structure and side cover offer strength in the form of scratch and corrosion resistance. Its unique shape reduces unnecessary weight while equally distributing the pressure all over the rotor to guarantee maximum strength.
The water-resistant carbon ATD drag system allows for smooth performance when a large fish takes a run. Its screw-in-knob design offers zero movements between the main gear and the handle lever. This lack of movement gives the fisherman control and confidence when turning the knob. If you are in need of a high-quality but inexpensive fishing reel that will handle saltwater fishing without any problem, then take a look at what Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reel has to offer. The following are what make this reel fisherman favorite.
- Excellent price and value
- Strong and durable construction
- Its offers smooth reeling action
- It comes with a water-resistant drag system
- It accommodates braided lines without problems
The Stradic reels are based on a technological concept referred to as Hagane. This is about strength, durability, and reliability. It comes with a Hagane body and gears. So, if you are in need of a high-quality reel that lasts many years and works well with everything from small species like trout, snookies to even bigger species like Tarpon with the 5000 series, the Shimano Stradic FK is the best deal. The following are what make these reel fishermen favorites.
- It has a sleek and attractive appearance
- Light and comfortable to handle
- Durable and high-quality construction
- Value for the money
- Lightweight without sacrificing durability
- It provides excellent and smooth performance
- It is corrosive resistant
Pflueger President Saltwater Spinning Reel
This reel is famous for being lightweight and fast in action; the President spinning reels are a real pleasure to use. Prepare your best rods with a Pflueger President Spinning Reel to have success on your next fishing trip. With a durable graphite body, rotor, and double shielded stainless-steel ball bearings, it offers reliable and smooth operation. Its aluminum structure and handle withstand the elements as soft-touch knobs offer a comfortable grip. And its thumb bar allows for fast spool release.
It provides smooth action and the reliable durability that experienced fishermen need. Its smooth operation and light weight make this an excellent choice for novice fishermen. And there are different sizes to suit different fishing needs. The following are what makes these reel fishermen favorite.
- Lightweight aluminum and graphite construction
- You can attach a braided line directly without backing
- It delivers smooth casting, retrieving, winding
- It is strong and sturdy build
- Affordable price and incredible value.
Okuma Cedros Spinning Reels
These reels are specifically designed for saltwater use. It comes with a rotor and rigid aluminum body and is specifically built to do battle with big fish. The reel blade Body is designed to maintain solid and comfortable body size and the alumilite construction guarantees great resistance. Okuma Cedros spinning reel is designed around a die-cast aluminum frame that provides strength and rigidity. The reel is particularly built to battle big fish and is suitable for deep water vertical jigging.
This is a very attractive reel with its gold and blue highlights; its drilled-out super cranking knob handle looks very cool. The following are the great features that make Okuma Cedros spinning reels fishermen favorites.
- Smooth lubricated drag
- Elliptical gearing gives a precise line lay-up
- 90-degree crank handle is excellent for jigging
- Left right screw in handle
- Construction is aluminum/mag alloy
- Anti reverse system
PENN Slammer III 9500 Saltwater Spinning Reel
This Penn reel is supported by popular demand. Designed for heavy-duty fishing from shore or boat, and is trusted by fishermen around the world. PENN Slammer III reels come with a new IPX6 sealed system that keeps water out of the drag system and gearbox.
Shark fishermen and others looking for a high-drag and low-geared reel would like to consider this reel. It met the requirements as a heavy-duty fishing reel designed to offer performance while taking abuse. The reel full-metal construction body is sealed according to the IP6 standard, and the rotor and side plate are made of metal. The Penn CNC cut-gears are installed in a 6 stainless steel ball-bearing system that keeps the reel running evenly and smoothly in all load conditions. The following are what make this reel fisherman favorite.
- Heavy construction with a full metal body
- Amazing crank handle and knob
- It can cast far on a big rod
- Braid-ready spool
- Dura drag Slammer proprietary drag system
- Shore or boat heavy duty fishing reel
Related: Top 10 Best surf fishing rods to go with your best reel.
What to look out for when buying a saltwater spinning reel
Now let’s take a look at what you need to consider when choosing the best saltwater spinning reel. The listed are some of the best, but how do you know the right ones to choose from? What makes one feel better than the order? To make sure you choose the best reel for your kind of fishing, the following are what you need to consider when purchasing a saltwater spinning reel.
Quality Materials
Make sure the reel body and components are made of strong, durable and corrosion-resistant materials, such as graphite, heavy aluminum, titanium, high-quality stainless steel, carbon fibers, and ceramics. The saltwater reel must be highly resistant to corrosion. Materials such as magnesium that is excellent for freshwater are not good on the ocean.
Graphite is strong and lightweight; it does not flex easily which means it can handle intense pressure very well. The machined aluminum makes for a strong long-lasting and light-weight reel that can last for many years of saltwater use. These materials make the reel strong enough to handle heavy loads and lightweight, and also comfortable to use. Your choice of materials will depend on the weight, cost, and durability you want from the reel.
Corrosion Resistance
The saltwater reel must be highly resistant to corrosion. Choose a non-corrosive construction as well as corrosive protective features like graphite construction, aluminum, titanium, carbon fiber drag systems, and high-quality stainless steel bearings. For interior components, make sure they are protected from the abrasive and corrosive nature of seawater.
Look for gaskets, protective coatings, and quality seals that prevent saltwater and sand from entering and damaging the inner parts like the gears, bearings, and the drag system. Unsealed saltwater reels require extra care and manual cleaning and should be easy to disassemble and replace for easy cleaning after exposure to saltwater.
Gear Ratio
The reel gear ratio determines the number of times the spool rotates with each turn of the crank handle. For instance, on a reel with a gear ratio of 7.3: 1, the spool rotates 7.3 times with each crank. Go for a high gear ratio for quick retrieves when fishing with spinners or top-water plugs and also for pulling in a long line when trolling. The low gear ratio will offer more force to pull large fish from deep water.
Anti-reflective handle
The anti-reflective handling feature prevents the handle from going back and prevents the line from pulling back as soon as it reeled and ensures that the line does not slack. It also discourages the fish from pulling the line farther.
Some reels let the anti-reverse mechanism to be disconnected in order to back wind the handle in case you need to give line when the drag is a lock. Another advantage is the ability to use the handle with the right or left hand. An ergonomic non-slip handle is important, as it is convenient to handle and maintain a grip on the reel when hooking a big fish.
Braid Ready
The braided line offers many benefits to a saltwater fisherman. Therefore, it is important that any reel you choose can use this braided line. Thanks to its strength, casting distance and sensitivity. It is important that any reel you choose can easily accommodate braid and even monofilament line.
Though almost all modern reels can use braided lines, the best reel comes with special features that are designed to limit slippage and is strong enough to withstand the cutting power of this line when it is under pressure.
The only problem is that even the best braided lines tend to slide on the spool; this makes it difficult to reel without a monofilament backing. A lot of the best saltwater spinning reels are designed to accommodate braided lines. They come with a rubber gasket where the line connects to the reel. This prevents spillage and reduces the need for backing.
Line Capacity
Saltwater fishing has to do with deep water and long runs; even smaller fish can get away when provided with a wide escape route. The important feature in any quality fishing reel is the ability to maintain sufficient lines to face the challenges without losing your catch because you get spooled. In most cases, the minimum capacity should be 300 yards.
Make sure the reel you choose will hold enough lines of the size and type you intend to use, at least a hundred yards. You don’t want the line to run out in the middle of the action. Most spools also have an indicator that shows how many lines remain. Note that spool configuration also affects castability.
Deeper spools cast fine but still provide enough line capacity to hunt large fish and cover long distances. And lastly, don’t forget that a well-distributed oscillating line lay is necessary to prevent unevenly line build-up across the spool, which destroys casting range and accuracy.
Conclusion To Best Saltwater Spinning Reels For The Money
Have fun fishing and I hope this helped you to choose the best saltwater spinning reels for the money to suit your needs and budget. Keep in mind that these were evaluated on the best choices for the money and top reviews by other real fisherman, as well as from experience.
This means there is a top reel for everyone’s budget here on this list of quality choices to get you out fishing as soon as the delivery man knocks on the door. Grab one in your price range and I will see you on the water.
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