Original Article: Best Saltwater Spinning Reels – Top 5 of 2020
Saltwater fishing is a great way to relax and enjoy a day on the water. Having the right gear can make that experience better. When considering gear, consider durability and corrosion resistance.
A fact about coastal regions is the corrosion factor from the ocean and its inlets. Cars often corrode over time for people who live here. The same factor will affect your reel, making corrosion resistance essential.
The best saltwater spinning reels offer durability and great operation through extreme elements. Always consider the smoothness of a reel when buying for good operation while fishing.
Another key thing to look at that I would like to include is spool size. When saltwater fishing you are likely to use more line. Compensate this by purchasing a reel that offers a larger spool.
The best saltwater spinning reel will be the reel best suited for your fishing. This includes many factors, including the factors we discussed above.
Modulus rates the hardness of a rod and that effects action and flexibility. Some reels may feel better or worse on certain modulus ratings so consider this as well.
Let us look at a few different brands available and see if any of them are a match for you. If not, it will at least educate you on what is out there and what features are available.
Top 5 Saltwater Spinning Reels
Daiwa BG Saltwater Fishing Reel
Durability is a heavy factor as we have already discussed and the Daiwa BG Fishing Reel delivers. Featuring a patented Hard Boyz spool and cover, this reel resists corrosion very well.
The spool on this reel is a great option for braided line and it was in fact, designed for this purpose. Another feature this reel offers are a dry drag that prevents moisture. This will make the reel perform better, longer.
Many reels today have perforated spools to allow quick drying and some are not. This reel is not perforated which may cause it to gather and keep moisture. While this is a small detail, keep it in mind when choosing.
This reel has a capacity of 135 yards at smaller weights, and 110 at larger weights. This is a good range of capacity for line, but 20-pound test is the recommended largest.
This reel is durable and simple in design. This makes it a good all-around reel for veteran and beginner anglers. These features are a good value when you look at the price of this reel as well.
FEATURES
- Hard Boyz durable design
- Dry drag system
- Braided line designed spool
- Comfort crank handle
- Great capacity for line
- Durable design
- Dry drag system prevents moisture
- Non-Perforated spool cover
- Poor choice for monofilament line
Plusinno Spinning Fishing Reel 9+1 BB
This saltwater fishing reel is a great choice for all-around fishing in saltwater. This Plusinno Fishing Reel has 9 ball-bearing for smooth action and operation.
Over time, a reel gets choppy and less smooth from wear and tear. This reel will last longer with the extra bearings. This reel also only weighs 8.5 ounces for a lighter experience.
Reel weight is a matter of preference for most and may not be a large factor in your decision though. This reel is CNC made offering great physical durability.
The stopping power of this reel is massive at 12 pounds. This makes it a great option for those who play the drag when fishing. I like a strong drag for handling snags making this a great reel.
The carbon fiber frame of this reel offers great resistance to sodium-rich water but is not as strong as others. This is a tradeoff though and can be great for your fishing style.
FEATURES
- Carbon fiber frame
- 9 Bearing design
- Large stopping power
- Hardened metal Shaft
- Carbon fiber frame
- Lightweight design
- Great for fighting large fish
Okuma Azores Saltwater Fishing Reel
The Okuma Azores is a great all-around fishing reel for high capacity spooling. At 10-pound test, the smaller of the reels can hold 200 yards and the larger reel can hold 450 yards of 20-pound test.
When saltwater fishing, you will find situations where having more line is better than less. Situations such as trolling and depth fishing are but a few such situations. This reel excels in this area.
Drag features on this reel are on par with similar brands and other models as well. The drag itself is very precise making for great control while fighting fish as well.
This reel weighs in at 14 ounce which is average for a reel of this size. Higher spooling capacity options of this reel will weigh more but not by much.
The durability of this reel is extraordinarily strong due to its aluminum make that resists corrosion. When fishing in saltwater environments, aluminum materials will always excel most materials.
FEATURES
- Aluminum material build
- Precision drag controls
- Mechanical stabilizing system
- Carbonite and felt drag washers
- Precision drag for better control
- Various sizes and spool capacities
- Capable of handling larger amounts of line
- Enclosed reel will retain moisture
KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III
The Baitfeeder III offers a great experience for a cheaper price. This reel is available in smaller capacities as well for variety. This KastKing reel also comes braid ready with a spool designed for braided line.
The thing we like most about this reel is that it is a simplistic yet detailed design. The bearings are stainless steel to resist corrosion while retaining a smooth action. The wall of the reel itself is solid with one small perforation.
This design allows airflow to keep things dry inside the reel but also keeps debris out. When fishing I always keep an extra spool lined and ready to go, which means I must buy another spool. This reel comes with an extra which makes it a great deal.
Keeping an extra spool lined and ready to go is a good way to fish more and tie less. I often keep different colors and tests handy when fishing myself.
The stopping power of this reel comes from its felt washers. This reel can stop and hold 26 pounds of force making it a great option for catching larger fish. The only downside to a felt washer build is its tendency to absorb moisture, but this is a small issue.
FEATURES
- Extra spool
- Felt washers
- Breathable reel wall
- Stainless steel bearings
- Extra spool included
- Spool designed for braided line
- High drag power for larger fish
- Felt washers may absorb moisture
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
The Pflueger President model is a simplistic design that also has other models of higher capacity. This reel is a great addition to any rod as a general-purpose saltwater rod due to this.
The reel itself houses 10 bearings that offer a smooth action. This makes retrieval fun and effortless. The gearing of this reel makes oscillation slower for better line laying as well. This is a great feature for larger spool sizes in terms of line management.
As with some other reels that we looked at, this reel has a carbon fiber frame. Carbon fiber is a great material for lightweight setups while still being corrosion resistant.
When comparing carbon fiber to aluminum, the carbon fiber will be lighter than the aluminum. Keep this, and how you fish in mind when purchasing.
When considering a gift for another angler or even a child, this reel makes an excellent choice. The simplicity and performance are a good balance for any angler.
FEATURES
- Carbon fiber build
- Crank reversal design
- Slow oscillating reel
- 10 Bearing components
- Simple design is easy to clean
- 10 Bearing design offers smooth action
- Slow oscillating design resists tangles
What You Should Consider
Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion resistance is exactly what it sounds like but there is a little more to it than that. Saltwater fishing is more corrosive than freshwater fishing. Because of this, consideration of the material of the reel is crucial.
Aluminum is resistant to moisture while being durable. This makes aluminum reels a great choice for those who are hard on equipment (such as children).
Aluminum cannot, however, meet the corrosive resistance of carbon fiber (also known as graphite). Carbon fiber is exceptionally lightweight as well which is why it is a popular choice for fishing rods.
We recommend that you consider not just the water in which you fish, but also the air around you. Saltwater evaporation condenses into water particles that wear on your gear as well.
Spool Size
As we have seen above, some reels come with an extra spool and that is great. But how to tell what reel you need depends on how much line you need.
Trolling behind watercraft typically requires more line than other styles of saltwater fishing. But shore fishing may not need as much line. Consider the way you fish most and plan your purchase around that style.
I have found that a spool that has a little bit of column A and column B is a good choice. My spools tend to have the ability to get the lure where it needs to go but can also fish more close range as well.
With that said, read the spool ratings in comparison to the pound test that you use. I use a 20-pound test and my spool is rated best for a line slightly above that.
Consider What’s Inside as Well
When buying a freshwater spinning reel, we do not worry as much about inside components but when buying a saltwater fishing reel, it is essential.
Sodium eats metals very quickly if it is not protected in some way. It is important that you buy correctly the first time to avoid having to buy again.
Most saltwater fishing reels are going to preach corrosive resistance but consider all the parts involved. Bearings must be stainless steel or better in terms of resistance for example.
Many spinning reels use parts for their drag. Often it is felt and metal washers. Consider the water tightness of this component as they are often not resistant.
Many saltwater spinning reels offer watertight components and you should always opt for them. This is a very crucial thing to consider to prevent your reel from corroding from the inside.
When a saltwater fishing reel is made, they are often made with similar parts as freshwater spinning reels. Always pay attention to this detail when shopping to make sure you get the best gear.
Get a General Idea of What You Want
There are many choices for saltwater spinning reels available and they are not all created equal. Consider your fishing tactics and styles to determine what you need.
Do you need more line at a higher pound test. You will want to look for a larger reel with a spool that can accommodate that. Or maybe you use a lighter line and you only need a mid-range spinning reel.
Cost is usually a big factor in many people’s decisions, and it should be. There are many products out there that cost a small fortune, but you will be surprised at the performance of a cheaper option.
The reels we discussed here range from $50.00 to $125.00 which is a good range of products for most budgets. A saltwater reel is a good investment and do not be afraid however to go a little higher than your budget for quality.
Consider the corrosive factor heavily. This is important to protect your investment. One sure way to fight back corrosion is to dry your gear after use in saltwater. Can of air works well for drying interior components as well.
The fun thing about selecting a new saltwater reel is the learning involved. Typically, freshwater spinning reels for sale do not advertise their components as well as saltwater reels.
At the end of the day, the best saltwater spinning reels get the job done and continue to do it for a long time. Once you buy a good product once, you will not have to buy it twice.
