Spinning Reel

T hese are an important part of the fishing gear as they aid the fisherman in dragging the capture out of the water. Therefore, the reel needs to be solid, powerful, easy to maneuver, and most importantly, should eliminate hand fatigue. All the below-mentioned models are chosen based on these details and they proved to be the best choices for a novice or experienced fishermen.

Top 12 Spinning Reels Compared

Photo	Product	Material	Drag system	Ball bearings	Highlight	Maximum drag	Price
Best Overall	1. Shimano Stradic STC5000XGFK	Metal	Frontal	6+1	G-Force body	24 pounds	Check Price
	2. Daiwa BG	Anodized Aluminum	Frontal	6+1	Braided line ready spool	30 pounds	Check Price
Our Choice	3. Penn Battle II 3000	Saltwater resistant metal	Carbon fiber	5+1 stainless steel	Fluid cranking	15 pounds	Check Price
	4. KastKing Sharky III	Graphite	Carbon fiber	10+1 stainless steel	Anti-Twist line roller	39.5 pounds	Check Price
Best for Bass	5. Cadence Fishing CS5 Reel	Saltwater resistant metal	Carbon fiber	8 stainless steel	S-Curve Oscillation System	36 pounds	Check Price
	6. Pflueger President	Graphite	Sealed	10 stainless steel	Soft-touch grip	10 pounds	Check Price
Best for Saltwater	7. KastKing Summer and Centron 2000	Saltwater resistant metal	Centron Superior	9+1 stainless steel	Alloy drive gear	12 pounds	Check Price
	8. Penn Pursuit II 5000	Graphite	Oiled felt	4+1 stainless steel	Instant Anti-Reverse	20 pounds	Check Price
	9. Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel	Aluminum	Triple Drag Washers	9+1 High Quality Ball Bearings	Zinc Drive Gear	19.8 pounds	Check Price
Best for the Money	10. Sougayilang DK1000	Saltwater resistant metal	Carbon fiber	10+1 stainless steel	S-Curve Oscillation System	N/A	Check Price
	11. Shimano Sedona FI 2500	Saltwater resistant metal	N/A	3+1 stainless steel	Propulsion Line Management System	9 pounds	Check Price
	12. Okuma Ceymar	Saltwater resistant metal	Multi-disc oiled felt	7+1 stainless steel	Precision Elliptical Gearing system	10 pounds	Check Price

1. Shimano Stradic STC5000XGFK

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Using the latest tech available, the Shimano is an indispensable tool in an angler’s collection as it improves the fishing experience greatly. Its G-free body ensures weight balance is granted so that fatigue won’t occur. It features 6 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing, and it is able to drag up to 24 pounds, which makes it perfect for catching bigger fish.

The line retrieve per crank it delivers is 41 inches, and as it weighs a mere 11.3 ounces, it will be a cinch to fish all day long with it attached. When it comes to mono line capacity, it provides 10 pounds per 240 yards, 12 pounds per 195 yards, and 14 pounds per 165 yards. Lastly, when it comes to the PowerPro line capacity, it offers 20 pounds per 220 yards, 30 pounds per 200 yards, and 40 pounds per 160 yards.

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2. Daiwa BG

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Regardless if you are a beginner or a pro when it comes to fishing, a gear piece we recommend you invest in is the Daiwa BG as it provides a maximum drag of 30 pounds. It boasts a black anodized machined aluminum body and cover that grant strength and stability of the internal parts. This build also makes it scratch and corrosion-resistant so that it looks as good as new for years to come. It uses an air rotor that weighs considerably less when compared to ordinary rotors, its unique shape distributing stress evenly for maximum strength, while unnecessary weight is dramatically reduced.

It features a large drive gear that increases contact points between the gear and the tooth for more power and torque. The ABS spool it features causes less friction to promote easier and longer casting. The screw-in handle design ensures there is no movement or play between the handle arm and the main gear to give you better control over the handle as it rotates. Furthermore, the manufacturer covers it with a 1-year warranty.

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3. Penn Battle II 3000

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Fishermen know how important the reel can be when trying to pull out a huge fish that is struggling with their needle. All the components are made of rugged metal, including the side plate and rotor, so they are designed to last. There are five stainless steel ball bearings included in the body. The drag system is treated with grease so you won’t experience resistance when pulling the wire.

Moreover, the cranking has five stainless steel ball bearings that contribute to the ease of handling it. In order to prevent rotor back play, it has an anti-reverse bearing that helps you set the spool without interruption. The entire construction is designed to make it easy to use, including the rubber gasket on the spool that prevents it from slipping.

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4. KastKing Sharky III

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Not only does the Sharky III boast a stunning design, but its strong build ensures you will be able to use it in all fishing conditions without fearing it might be damaged. It is designed to be saltwater resistant, so it won’t corrode after contact with it. What makes it so durable is the fiber-reinforced graphite body and rotor design. It delivers an outstanding 39.5-pound drag, which means that you can pretty much catch anything without worrying it might break.

Due to the braid ready aluminum spool it features, it will deliver a smooth performance. It comes with 10+1 saltwater rated double shielded stainless steel ball bearings, and an instant lock anti-reverse feature which enhances safety in use. Its anti-twist line roller prevents annoying snarls and tangles. Furthermore, it comes at a very low price, and the manufacturing company backs it for a whole year against defects.

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5. Cadence Fishing CS5 Reel

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This lightweight carbon composite frame and side plates have 8 balls bearing plus an instant anti-reverse bearing. The efficient powerful carbon fiber drag system, has an aluminum spool, an ergonomic EVA handle knob, a stainless steel main shaft, and an aluminum pinion gear and metal handle arm. In other words, this model has been made to ensure efficiency, strength, and comfort for numerous years to come.

This model is the ideal solution to use for gamefish including fish like bass, walleye, and trout. As well as, it’s also popular to use on species such as redfish, speckle trout, and flounder with a rise after fishing. As well as, the oversized ergonomic handle will allow you to hold it for a long period of time without feeling hand fatigue.

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6. Pflueger President

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This 10 bearing system features stainless steel ball bearings that are corrosion resistant, ensuring the durability of your investment throughout the years. As opposed to most entries on the market, it features a graphite body and rotor design that makes it lightweight and incredibly easy to handle.

With it, you can drag fish that weigh up to 10 pounds, which ensures you won’t have trouble with large catch from now on. For your convenience, it allows you to tie braid directly onto the spool. In addition, the slow oscillation gearing it features helps minimize the twist of the line while improving line lay.

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7. KastKing Summer and Centron 2000

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This is one of the latest products and fishermen are throwing positive reviews at it. Firstly, because it is a great deal that offers the quality of a more expensive model. Secondly, because it is extremely easy to use and very powerful, taking away the hassle of more complicated reels. It’s also incredibly powerful as it is able to stop up to 12 pounds in only one movement.

There are 9 Central ball bearings that put it in motion and another one that is able to stop the spool instantly. With such an interesting design and numerous great features, it can certainly be a great purchase for any fishing passionate.

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8. Penn Pursuit II 5000

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Penn is undoubtedly one of the manufacturing companies of gear for anglers, and the Pursuit II 5000 is a perfect example of their excellence. With a stunning 20-pounds drag and a high bearing count of 5 – 4+1 – this is a must-have for any angler who is serious about catching big fish.

It features a stainless steel bearing system, and it is made with corrosion-resistant graphite which ensures it will last a long time and look perfect regardless how often you use it. It comes with an anodized aluminum spool which is machined. In addition, it features Instant Anti-Reverse which eliminates rotor back play completely, delivering instant hook-ups every time.

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9. Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel

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This sharp spinning reel has been designed with a hollow body, x shape spool, and personalized handle. Due to the fact that it isn’t filled, the lightweight body will allow you to hold it for a long period of time without developing hand aches. The 9 high-quality ball bearings plus one roller bearing will deliver high precision engagement so you can enjoy a smooth experience. The incredible drag power of 19.8 lbs means that you can fish for any type of fish you want.

Without a doubt, not many models can boast with this amount of power especially because they have mesh teeth on the drive gear. The triple drag washers will provide a smooth operation so it reduces the line break rat. What numerous customers have enjoyed is the crisp click sound feature when you go after the fish. The rotor design will help you spool the line onto the reel much more evenly. This will also have a positive effect on the cast distance.

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10. Sougayilang DK1000

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If the design were the main choosing detail, this would certainly be your top favorite choice. But this is not all there is to the Sougayilang. It is also very powerful while maintaining a low weight, which is what mainly makes it easy to use. The metal it’s made of is very solid and the overall aspect is of a rigid reel with a metal collapsible handle and an aluminum spool. You can easily control it thanks to the S-Curve oscillation system that lines the wire and allows you to retreat it with short movements.

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11. Shimano Sedona FI

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Another great and lasting fishing real comes from Shimano and is a truly remarkable tool that will help you increase your capture portfolio. It is built to provide smoothness and you can see that from how easily it reels. However, it’s also very strong particularly thanks to the G Free Body that boasts an interesting design in the meaning that all the interior components are placed very close to the rod.

This not only makes it easier to maneuver but also more durable. All models are built using 3 ball bearings and an additional reverse bearing. The combination of the Propulsion Line Management System and HAGANE Gear make it a very reliable choice both for novice and expert anglers.

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12. Okuma Ceymar

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It’s not easy finding the spinning reel that will make your fishing more comfortable but you can give this one a go and see how well you get along. It boasts a very powerful multi-disc drag system that helps you handle the spool with more ease. It also comes with a set of anti-reverse ball bearings for increased precision and smoothness.

The body is made of a corrosion-resistant material so you can use it in saltwater without worrying about any damage. Speaking of which, the spool is made of a strong aluminum that can resist 2-tone weights. To make sure you enjoy the best of it, the manufacturer offers a limited 1-year warranty.

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What To Look For

If you want only the best for your money, there are certain things that you must take into consideration before you purchase whatever model you wish. Whilst it is true that some features are more important than others, they all have similar ones. This is because we have only chosen the companies that are worthy of mentioning. We strongly believe that you shouldn’t waste your money on a meaningless purchase.

• Drag – This is probably the most important feature because you want a top quality drag system. You will notice that when you are dealing with big fishes, you want a smooth system so you can bring them to the surface without too much hustle and energy. This is also the case even for the smaller sized ones. In addition to this, if the dragging system operates smoothly, you will notice that you will engage much faster with the hook even if the fish is continuously jumping in and out of the water. If you do not pay attention and purchase a knock-off version, the drag will break off whatever the size of the fish is.
• Material – There are many jobs you can choose from. For example, plastic, high-grade metal, and carbon. In this situation, it all depends on what you find the most suitable for your needs. Of course, you will find that plastic and aluminum are popular because of their price. In comparison with carbon and magnesium as they are more expensive due to the fact that they are lightweight yet rigid. If you are a beginner or you do not want to invest a lot of money into this, we recommend one that is made out of plastic or metal.
• Bearings – You will notice that it comes with more than just one bearing. You should note that the amount of bearings does not have an effect on how effective the model will be. Nonetheless, you should remember that 4 bearings are more than enough. Anything more is just a strategy by the companies to add value to your model. Thus, ensure that you pay close attention to the brands you purchase from.

Conclusion

We included only reputable manufacturers that use the most modern technology into the production process so that the reel you end up with is going to last you for years, serving by your side impeccably to help you catch fish like a pro. Before we put an end to this journey into what the reel market offers, let’s first take a look at what some of your best picks are once again.

Best Overall: Shimano Stradic STC5000XGFK
Even though it doesn’t completely depart from the design and traits that have made Shimano the kind of reels, the Stradic model we picked for our #1 spot integrates the latest technologies to provide anglers with as pleasant of an experience when fishing as possible. One of its most impressive features is the G-free body design that reduces fatigue to enhance your experience as the weight-balance ratio is improved. Moreover, it is manufactured to boast a high resistance to intense use and unfriendly conditions as advanced cold forging technology is used in the manufacturing process.

Editor’s Choice: Penn Battle II 3000
The durable design alongside the eye-catching aesthetics of the Penn Battle II makes it a favorite among anglers and the model that attracted our attention the most. To make your life easy when you handle it and pull your catch in, it features a total of 5 stainless steel bearings on the cranking, the fluid movement being a guarantee. Furthermore, the drag system is grease treated to get rid of any resistance when you pull the wire.

Best Spinning Reel for Bass: Cadence Fishing CS5 Reel
Is bass your favorite catch? Then increase your likelihood to go through with the process and catch as much bass as the water harvests with the Cadence C5, a reel that doesn’t only specialize in this fish through its design but that comes at a reasonable price as well, making for one of the more affordable top selections on the market. Best of all, it is designed to reduce hand fatigue to a minimum so that you can spend endless hours fishing as it features an oversized ergonomic handle specially thought out for the comfort of the angler.

Best Spinning Reel for Saltwater: KastKing Summer and Centron 2000
KastKing is one of the leading reel manufacturers and the materials used in the production process of the Centron 2000 make it the go-to for saltwater fishing. With an exquisite design and lightweight to not tire you out quickly during your angling adventures, it is a dependable tool you are sure to use for years on end, even if you hit the waters often. Furthermore, the CNC machined aluminum spool provides superior line lay, and it even features internal grooves that retain the lube longer.

Best Spinning Reel for the Money: Sougayilang DK1000
The wisest acquisition you could make if you don’t have the highest budget available, the DK1000 might be one of the cheaper entries on the market, but it is durable in its design and a go-to even for more serious anglers who dabble with big-size catches too. Despite the cheap asking price, it offers a smooth drag and it features quality interior parts that give you the power you need when fighting to catch the fish.