Spinning reels are ideal for use with lighter bait and lures. They’re also much less susceptible to the backlash problems inherent in baitcast type reels. This makes them perfect for youngsters or anyone who is just getting into fishing. That doesn’t mean spinning reals aren’t great for any level of fisherman, they just come with fewer headaches.
When paired with a good spinning rod they are a great combination for a wide variety of fishing. In this article we’re reviewing the 5 best spinning reels on the market.
Top 5 Spinning Reel Reviews
Product Weight of spinning reel Durability of reel body Drag system Spinning reel spool Additional features Links
KastKing Kodiak Spinning Reel Very light Very Good Very Good Very Good Average https://www.amazon.com/KastKing-Fishing-Spinning-Catfish-Saltwater/dp/B01HDB2LX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479792470&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=spinning+reels+for+fishing&psc=1
Pisfun Spinning Reel Very light Good Good Very Good Good https://www.amazon.com/Pisfun-Spinning-Fishing-Freshwater-Saltwater/dp/B01BR3QJZ8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Penn Battle II Spinning Reel Light Good Very Good Very Good Good https://www.amazon.com/Penn-Battle-II-Spinning-Reel/dp/B01829VLSU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Zebco Omega Spincast Spinning Reel Heavy Good Average Good Good https://www.amazon.com/Zebco-Omega-ZO3PRO-Spincast-Fishing/dp/B0049MMFOO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Okuma Trio High Speed Spinning Reel Light Good Good Good Bad https://www.amazon.com/Okuma-Speed-Spinning-Orange-Trio-30S/dp/B0045E6FK6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Fin-Nor LT100 Spinning Reel Heavy Good Very Good Good Bad https://www.amazon.com/Fin-Nor-LT100-Lethal-Spinning-Reel/dp/B00F5ESE7C/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
FyshFlyer Willer Spinning Reel Average Good Good Average Average https://www.amazon.com/FyshFlyer-Spinning-Stainless-Aluminum-Saltwater/dp/B010WV43F4/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Supertrip Spinning Reel Light Very Good Very Good Good Good https://www.amazon.com/Supertrip-Aluminum-Saltwater-Fishing-Spinning/dp/B01H047E16/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
KastKing Sharky II Spinning Reel Light Very Good Very Good Very Good Good https://www.amazon.com/Holiday-Sale-KastKing-Sharky-Spinning/dp/B00MC10CJO/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Abu Garcia Revo MGX Spinning Reel Very light Very Good Very Good Very Good Good https://www.amazon.com/Abu-Garcia-Revo-Spinning-Reel/dp/B01AZIU3XU/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
KastKing Kodiak Spinning Reel Review
The weight of this fishing gear is fairly light. The use of plastic in non-stress areas supported with stainless for the critical components is able to smartly reduce the weight of the reel.
As to it’s durability, this is an extremely solid and durable product. Simply because, it has an all zero flex aluminum body and rotor. As we know, aluminum is a very high strength metal. Also, it is enhanced with 15% thicker stainless steel main shaft and has fortified brass gears drag system that ultimately leads to a smooth and flawless performance.
Appearance wise, it is very pleasing to look at with the combination colors of silver, gold and gun metal. Every area of the reel is smoothly finished without a sharp edge anywhere ( lesser chances of injuring your fingers). The reel itself feels sturdy and solid.
Moving on to the drag system, it is equipped with a carbon fiber drag system that gives the Kodiak reel 39.5 lbs. / 18 Kg of massive power to fight the some of the largest saltwater trophy fish. That’s some pretty big fish we’re talking about!
Equip it with 50Ib of braid and the reel will retrieve absolutely smoothly with no tangling involved.Also, it’s specially designed aluminum spool and rotor structure prevent water and sand from getting in making it saltwater ready. Moreover, it comes with a one year warranty. There are hardly any major disadvantages with this product.
Pisfun Fishing Reel Review
This reel is lightweight and does not feel bulky at all so it is great for long periods of use. No need to worry about onset of fatigue in the hands. The Pisfun’s body is made out of graphite and also boasts being constructed out of corrosion resistant materials making it very durable.
The rugged graphite frame and rotor can take more than their share of rattling around on the waves and days of continuous fishing. Its’s smooth and precise design might as well be tailored for the Olympics of fishing! It has a nice smooth finish and is compact as well.
It’s drag system comprises of a multi-disk drag system with Japanese oiled felt drag washers. This is indeed a plus, as most products are only equipped with the traditional drag system with no drag washers included.Thus, expect nothing less than smooth and admirable ease of use with this product.
Moreover,it also comes with 6 oiled ball bearings that do a great job at reducing friction and ensuring little effort is needed in performing a fishing task. Although a lot of the other spinning reels come with 10 ball bearings or more, this still functions very well, but keep in mind that it may be just a little slower in reeling in fish.Overall, this device performs both very smoothly and quietly.
In matters concerning the spool, this product is equipped with a double anodized aluminum spool and has no trouble in reeling in big catches. It’s even simple and easy enough for even children to use ( aged from 9 onwards ). Hence, this will also be a good purchase for beginners to begin practice with.
This device comes with a refund and a 100% no questions asked guarantee so you have nothing to lose really. If you are dissatisfied with something, there is comfort in knowing that you can just return it without going through the tedious questions and procedure.
Their customer service is one of the best as well. The disadvantages of this item include the bail flip being a little stiff and sticky. Other than that, everything else works just fine.
Penn Battle II Spinning Reel
At 8.1 oz, it is slightly heavier than your average spinning reel but not heavy enough to cause strain or discomfort. Durability wise, as a customer, you will be pleased to know that it has a full metal body, side plate and rotor. The metal is all non-corrosive with very little plastic in this reel so rest assured, it will be lasting you for a very long time.
Also,there are no side plate screws hidden under the rotor therefore enabling you to take off the side plate for service and inspection without taking off the rotor. Another plus being, the screws don’t get badgered up with standard screwdrivers and are easy to take off. As we know, the less fiddling, the less damage.
The 6 ball bearings included allow you to use it in saltwater without worrying about corrosion and ensures smooth reeling. Furthermore, the HT 100 carbon fiber drag washers allow the drags to be easily adjusted and operate smoothly even with a biggie on the line.
The Versa-Drag washers that are keyed into the spool allows both sides of each drag washer to be used giving the Battle II higher maximum drags, more range, and smoother start ups than the other competition.
This feature also makes it so that you only need 1 or 2 clicks which makes all the difference since repeated clicking will not be necessary.Also, it is important to note that all HT-100 washers are greased with Penn’s proprietary PENN grease for longevity. For the additional feature, it comes with a heavy duty aluminum wire.
The main disadvantage seems to be that there are occasionally binding issues when reeling in fish, hence to stay on top of that issue, you will have maintain the fishing reel properly. Another tiny disadvantage is that it does not do very well in freshwater fishing as the description itself states that it is more geared for freshwater fishing.
Zebco Omega Spinning Reel
Weighing at 1.3 pounds, this product is a little on the heavier side. The Zebco’s signature ceramic line guide and aircraft grade aluminum covers enhances its durability and should you last you for a very long time. The overall construction is very good and as a bonus, you can set up the reel for left or right hand retrieve.
Also, it comes in the color black and thus will not show scratches and scuffs unlike the chrome models, hence if you are a person who is bothered easily when it comes to unpleasant marks ruining the appearance of the spinning reel, this may be the one for you. The built in triple cam multi drag system enables the reel to operate smooth and accurately.
In matters regarding the spool, it is one that oscillates, adding further effectiveness and reliability on the function of this product. As for it’s additional features, it comes with a one year warranty and an extra spool of cajun wire monofilament. Moreover, the sealed rubber action button that is included will keep out water just a little more.
Regarding this product’s disadvantages, the spool line can tend to tighten up and the spool itself wobbles a bit, due to the oscillating motion and despite the rubber grip on the push button, it is not very solid causing the thumb to slip off when it is wet. If you are willing to overlook those, this will be a great purchase.
Okuma Trio High Speed Reel
This Okuma spinning reel is fairly light and makes fishing a breeze! In terms of durability, it’s crossover of aluminum and graphite hybrid body lends the reel amazing strength and durability, which will be great for use concerning heavier lures.
The Okuma’s drag system is one of the best simply because the Precision Dual Force Drag System (DFD) incorporates both surfaces of the spool to maximize high-end drag pressure, leading to overall efficiency and smoothness. Reeling in a huge catch will be an easy feat. At this price point, you will not find another product with a stronger drag.
There are 10 plus 1 stainless steel ball bearings included, a total of 11 ball bearings.Also, the reel is smooth as glass and gathers line quickly. The spool is designed with graphite arbor and aluminum lip, enabling it to function at it’s best.
The spool construction houses the drags system in an aluminum drag chamber for added stability and smoothness. On top of that, this reel is very well sealed and does not need much maintenance. Which is great for your wallet as maintenance for these kind of things usually cost quite a bit. In terms of additional features, there are none to be offered sadly.
Another disadvantage would be that the reel makes a cracking sound when reeling in fish. This may be annoying to some people and this device is also not waterproof, hence quite a bit of water tends to get in. This may start messing up with the gears and mechanism of the reel over long periods of time.
Thus, you may want to head down to the hardware store and see what you can do to fix that, maybe getting a sealant or something along those lines.
Fin-Nor LT100 Lethal Spinning Reel
The Fin-Nor fishing reel is slightly on the heavier side ( do not mistaken it for being bulky ), thus it will be better suited for reeling in heavy catch. As described on the label itself, this spinning reel is saltwater durable due to it’s all aluminum body and side plates.
It’s Megashield multi-layer feature offers corrosion protection, thus increasing the product’s longevity. Regarding the drag system, this item here comes with a multi stack carbon fiber drag system and 6 double-shielded stainless steel bearings.
With that being said, the user should experience no struggle at all when using this reel, even when reeling in heavy tackle! Here is some extra piece of information, this device is mostly purchased in casting for bull red drums and medium sized sharks, thus if you are looking forward in testing your skills with the big guys, you will not be disappointed.
Also, this Fin-Nor product comes with a forged and machined aluminum spool that is braid ready. Get some braid (the kind that works best with this spinning reel ) and just spool it in. Unfortunately, this product does not come with any additional features such as warranty or casings.
Some of the other disadvantages would be that the handle on the reel is a definite weak spot and will sometimes have to be replaced because the allen screw that holds the handle to the shaft shears off. In addition to that, the knob on the handle makes an annoying noise. However it is not too loud and can certainly be put up with.
FyshFlyer Willer Fishing Reel Review
This fishing gear comes in a few different series, from 2000-6000. Naturally the ones that are at a 6000 specification is going to be more heavier than that of a 2000. Thus, it depends on which size you are going for really.
Let us have a look at the durability of this product. Having a high strength, high modulus corrosion free graphite body makes it perfect for saltwater fishing. It is great value for money as it has the look and feel of a more expensive spinning reel.
Moving on to the drag system, this fishing reel has a front and rear drag function, suitable for those whom want a superior quality for inshore & offshore spin-cast fishing. The Willer Series is said to own the best carbon fiber drags leading to a wonderful drag system. Feel free to put their claim to the test!
As many other products, it comes with the normal aluminum spool( great for better casting and lesser line tangles). The CNC machined handles gives the reel a smooth feel and comes with no-slip knobs as well. You may be pleased to know that this reel has a left or right hand exchange retrievable function.
Also, the Willer spinning reel is equipped with 9 Premium Stainless Steel Ball Bearings and 1 Instant Stop Anti-reverse Bearing, 10 in total causing the line to have less friction. In terms of additional features, it has an auto return feature which guarantees better castability. There is not much of a disadvantage to this product so yay to that!
Supertrip Spinning Reel for Fishing
From the displayed image, this looks like a huge reel, however it is much lighter than expected. This lightness is a big positive because over long periods of time heavy reels really take a toll and can wear out your body. The reel has a nice color to it and the wooden grain designed handle knob is a huge hit among customers.
The body is made from full metal aluminum so of course it’s going to be very durable as aluminum is known to be corrosion resistant. It comes with a front drag and all its interval parts have been toughened and made so that it has a gear durability that is two times higher than that of industry standard spinning reels.
A plus point, as it gives the reel brute strength during fights and retrieves with troublesome thrashing fish. As do most products, this one too comes with an aluminum spool that is highly rigid. Thus, retrieve is silky smooth and very fluid owing to its 12 ball bearing system as well.
If you thought 10 ball bearings are great, this 12 system one will amaze you. On top of that, something that lends this product a lot of convenience is the ability of the handles to fold over while being stored with the simple push of a button, which is great as most people have many other rods and reels in their rod box at any given time. Hence, this feature keeps them from getting caught up and tangled with other reels or even lines.
As an additional feature, this spinning reel comes with a 12 month warranty. The only downside to this item is that the gear tends to get stuck so you will have to manually flip the bar. Other than that, it is a great deal.
KastKing Sharky II Spinning Reel
This device comes in many different models, thus the respective spinning reels will be at different sizes. Overall though, this spinning reel is considered quite light and great for everyday use even. The KastKing Sharky II is a step up from it’s normal one and is even more spectacular as it is more lighter and stronger.
Durability wise, this fishing reel is made from materials of the highest quality, has stronger precision gears, reinforced body and is corrosion resistant. Seriously, what more can you ask for! Due to it’s reliable triple disc carbon fiber drag, it has no problem in effortlessly reeling in up to 19 kg of fish.
That is 1 kg more than the KastKing Kodiak reel. The drag is also super easy to set.If you thought the previous spool from this line seems impressive enough, well think again. The Sharky II product has an even lighter and stronger CNC machined aluminum spool that has more even line lay, internal grooves for lube retention, and more fishing line capacity.
For those of you who do more than the usual conventional fishing, you will be extremely happy to know that this solid reel can handle a skipjack or bluefish! During casting, the line spools out well and there were no problems with tangled lines or back spinning. As you can already tell, this item is so easy to use and hassle free.
And for it’s extremely affordable price, you certainly can’t go wrong. In terms of additional features, since this item is a step up to it’s previous one, I guess that counts, as major improvements were made and this product was very well thought out.
You may also be interested to know that the customer service for Kastking sharky are amazing, so if you are in need of a spare part or replacement, do not hesitate to reach out to them. They proudly back up their brand and will work with you to resolve the issue at hand.
As with all good items, there are bound to be a few flaws here and there. One of it being, the spinning reel has a small glitch when winding it back in and the bail sometimes closes when casting, which may or may not cost you a fish. In retrospect, this is still an amazing spinning reel with value for money.
Abu Garcia Revo MGX Spinning Reel
You’re probably gaping with your jaw wide open and thinking how ridiculously expensive this spinning reel is. Before completely dismissing this product off, why don’t you give it a chance and continue reading to see what it has to offer?
Let’s start off with its weight. It is extremely lightweight and no, being light does not make it weak in any form or way. In fact, it is probably just as strong as the heavier reels out there. This reel is made with some serious high technology. It is evident in both the make and feel.
By incorporating a unique magnesium alloy one-piece gearbox design and then adding the powerful C6 stem and rotor, this spinning reel has immense strength. If you notice, most conventional reels are made of aluminum mostly and not really magnesium.
For even more outstanding performance and durability, the gears are precision-machined aluminum and the main shaft is constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum to handle the heaviest of fish! If you are concerned about corrosion, this will wipe your worries away, the HPCR bearings included will provide increased protection from corrosion, so you can enjoy it for many years to come leading to added longevity.
It’s drag system is of Carbon Matrix and it provides smooth, consistent drag pressure across the entire drag range. If you are wondering how come this product is so lightweight despite all the amazing features and technology, here is the answer: C6 carbon body and rotor provide significant weight reduction without sacrificing strength and durability.
Moving on to the spool, the machined aluminum braid-ready spool allows braid to be tied directly to the spool without any slip and the rocket spool lip design allows better control of line coming off the spool( that way, you are not wasting the line ). Some additional information are it is both right- and left-hand retrieve and has a 12 bearing system (11 stainless steel HPCR bearings + 1 roller bearing).
Having a rocket line management system which provides better control for all types of fishing lines can be listed as it’s additional feature. The only disadvantage to this product would be that there is a minor friction sound when turning the handle.
Considerations When Purchasing a Spinning Reel
Depending on your budget there are several things to consider when choosing your reel.
Boat vs Shore Fishing
Will you spend most of your time fishing from shore or a boat? Conditions can vary greatly depending on your location on the water. If you’re fishing from a boat you can end up with quite a bit of wind in your face. In these cases a higher quality reel is going to allow you to cast farther and not backlash as much.
Weight
As with any item, the more bulkier and heavier, the less pleasing it is to use.Same case here. There are plenty of products on the market that are very lightweight and increases the comfort of the user.
Of course, you would have to also take the size of your rod into consideration. If it is huge and wide, and you attach a small spinning reel, without a doubt it’s going to be quite uncomfortable to use as the distribution of the weight is not even and same goes for vice versa.
On the other hand, if you are planning on catching big fishes, then a larger spinning reel would be ideal, choose one that is not heavy however. A standard size one will do just fine for the smaller fishes in streams and rivers or for the conventional fishing.
Durability of Reel Body
Naturally, you would expect the reel to last a long time especially if you paid a hefty price for it. Therefore, let us look at what makes a durable fishing gear. The body serves as the outer casing and this is usually where you judge on how durable it is.
Typically most bodies are made out of aluminum or graphite. The aluminum ones are more suitable for fresh water fishing and the graphite ones are great for saltwater fishing. This is because these two materials react differently on the contact of different salt content of water. So, be sure to choose one that suits your fishing environment.
Some are even known to have a mixture of aluminum and graphite so that the fishing reel is able to function in both types of environment.
The Drag System
The drag system plays a fairly important role as they are mechanical means of applying variable pressure to the line spool in order to act as a friction brake against it. Fishing reels usually has two types: front drag and rear drag system.
Front drags are mechanically simpler and more capable of higher drag forces and over time, leads to consistent performance. Rear drags on the other hand, are more mechanically complicated but however, easier to adjust in mid fight.
Rear drags are commonly used by seasoned professionals and highly skilled people, so if you are starting out as a beginner, a rear drag would be recommended.
The Spool
Putting line on the reel may seem easy, but if done incorrectly, you will be facing difficulties throughout the activity. Hence, it is important to select a spinning reel spool that is of high quality ( either aluminum or graphite )and has a good mechanism. The most famous ones being are, skirted spool, internal spool and the long cast spool.
Each has its own advantages so choose based on your circumstances and capabilities. An additional tip in spooling a spinning reel, is that you need to put on the fishing line in the same direction the reel itself turns. For example, if the spool turns counterclockwise, then you will have to load the line coming off the spool counterclockwise as well .
Conclusion
I hope that this article has shed some light in helping you make a decision as to which kind of spinning reel to purchase. If you are a beginner, this all may seem quite overwhelming and the hundreds of choices out there may even scare you, which is why we have taken the liberty of selecting and reviewing the best 10 fishing reels out there. Backpacks always come in handy as well.
One of the things you can do is start brushing up on your knowledge on various type of products, on it’s mechanism and all things related. Because you may find that you don’t really understand some of the terms used here. Fear not, because there are tons of websites, blogs and even videos that will be able to help you out.
Once you’re done with that, all that is left to do is read through this article carefully, peruse the comparison table and make a decision. I hope you enjoyed reading this article and happy fishing everyone!