The Best Fishing Reels – Spinning and Baitcasting

From novice to pro - the perfect reel is available for your angling adventures

   03.24.22

The Best Fishing Reels – Spinning and Baitcasting

One of the most important and essential pieces of equipment you need for fishing is a good fishing reel. The depth of fishing reels across the various types of angling adventures is broader than you’d probably imagine, so how do you pick the best fishing reel for you? It takes a blend of construction, features, and capacity to make up the best fishing reels. When you hit upon the perfect combination, it’s like casting into that one perfect spot and getting a hookup right as the lure hits the water – Magical.

1. Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS Baitcast Reel - Pro Pick

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Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS Baitcast Reel - Pro Pick

Want to hit the water with the same reel the pros use?

One of the best baitcasting reels you’ll find, the Lew’s Tournament Pro Speed Spool checks off all the boxes for a premium reel that can elevate your fishing adventure.

“In comparison – the best bang for the buck! Had to wait awhile but well worth it. Far cast and a 20lb drag you can literally pull a hog out of the water. I highly recommend this reel for just about any species,” Joe SND

This pro-level reel has Lew’s P2 bearing-supported pinion gear technology with high-strength aluminum Speed Gears made on high-end, precision machinery. Want some power and speed? Choose from 6.8:1, 7.5:1 and 8.3:1 gear ratios. What all that means is – this is one of the smoothest reels you’ll ever use. Got a huge fish on the other end that doesn’t want to come in? It doesn’t matter thanks to the carbon fiber drag with up to 20 lbs. of drag power and a sweet, audible-click bowed anodized aluminum drag star adjuster. This reel has a low-profile one-piece aluminum frame and a cool, removable carbon palming sideplate. It has a forged, double-anodized 34mm drilled aluminum spool and rides on a 10+1 bearing system with double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings and Lew’s Zero Reverse 1-way clutch. The 6-pin/27-position QuietCast, externally-adjustable centrifugal brake is about as flawless as a reel braking system can get. Lew’s also added their Speed Dial line indicator and Speed Keeper hook keeper. Durability is aided by the Zirconia line guide and an external lube port.

Pros/Everything about this reel is a pro - it's pro level
Cons/It's a little pricey for novice anglers
Bottom Line/One of the best baitcasting reels available today

2. Shimano SLX DC Baitcast Reel - Editor’s Pick

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Shimano SLX DC Baitcast Reel - Editor’s Pick

The author's personal pick for a baitcasting reel

When I got my hands on this reel, it instantly became my go-to baitcaster. The reason is Shimano’s amazing DC brake system that basically has a tiny computer inside the reel to monitor the reel’s spool speed. It does so 1,000 times a second to monitor the line and it automatically applies braking force to the spool to maximize the casting distance and help prevent the dreaded backlash. I’ve tested other reels in the past that have touted amazing anti-backlash technology, and many of them either didn’t have any effect upon backlash, or made the reel nearly impossible to get a decent cast. This reel actually works and does exactly what it claims to do. The reel has a 4+1 bearing system that, while initially not as smooth as others, actually feels and works very well. The 12lb max drag is also efficient. Shimano has designed a reel that checks a lot of the boxes for me as a baitcaster, and the digital brake pushes it over the top. It comes in 6.3:1, 7.2:1 and 8.2:1 gear ratios and can be had in right or left handed retrieve.

Pros/The digitally-controlled braking makes casting easy, even in difficult conditions
Cons/It could be a tiny bit smoother
Bottom Line/The most technologically advanced fishing reels I've ever seen

3. Pflueger Supreme Spinning Reel

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Pflueger Supreme Spinning Reel

The latest version of a sweet spinning reel

Spinning reels are extremely popular and every angler should have a few spinning rods on the boat whenever they head out. Pflueger is one of the premier manufacturers of excellent spinning reels. The latest version of their Supreme reels, this reel exhibits everything you’d want in a spinning reel. It is extremely lightweight with a magnesium frame, and a machined aluminum spool that can handle tough braided lines as well as monofilament. The main gear is machine aluminum and the whole system rides on a 10 bearing system (9+1). It has a slower 5.2:1 retrieve that really helps with finesse fishing. This is a great reel for slow walking a worm, like a Powerbait worm rig, and I’d love to get this reel setup for a walleye trip, as I think it’d do great for presenting live bait. The reel comes in 4 size options to match the line and rod used.

Pros/Smooth action, great drag and comfortable
Cons/None
Bottom Line/The perfect spinning reel for finesse fishing

4. Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Baitcast Reel

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Bass Pro Shops Johnny Morris CarbonLite 2.0 Baitcast Reel

One of the best from Bass Pro Shops

One of those bang for the buck reels, the CarbonLite 2.0 is a worthy reel to carry Johnny Morris’ name.

“Bought this reel last summer, zero issues. Almost no backlashes and it fits my hands better than the more expensive Abu Garcia and Lews reel I own. Very good reel for a 1st time bait caster owner or an experienced one.” LakeJacomoBASS

This reel has a lot to offer for the money. It comes in three gear-ratio options – 6.8:1, 7.5:1 and a very speedy 8.3:1 for fast action baits. It rides on a smooth 10-bearing system that includes double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings and BPS’ Powerlock instant anti-reverse. A 6-disc carbon-fiber drag system helps you put on the brakes to those monster fish and liberal usage of carbon fiber in the construction makes this reel extremely light. Available in left and right handed models, as well as a sweet combo.

Pros/Good range of gear ratios available, smooth action
Cons/Braking is a little less than expected
Bottom Line/One of Bass Pro Shop's most popular reels for a reason - Buy the combo for a balanced set

5. Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel

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Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel

One of the most popular spinning reels on the market

How could we have a list of the best fishing reels and not have the Abu Garcia Revo SX? It is one of their most popular spinning reels and an excellent choice for anglers.

“I bought size 10 for a med/lt 7 foot rod. It casts a mile with 1/8th oz. jig. I will definitely buy another one for my carbonlite 2.0 m/h.” Bonafide ss127

The Revo SX is light, thanks to the strong, Insert-Molded C6 carbon body and one-piece X-craftic aluminum gearbox. Abu Garcia loaded that gearbox with computer-optimized, smoother-meshing AMGearing machined aluminum gears. The Revo SX has a graphite rotor with the company’s Everlast bail for long life and aiding the light feel. Casting further is also helped by Abu’s Rocket line management system with a braid-ready machined aluminum spool with the company’s Rocket spool lip design. Reeling in finesse presentations even with the faster 6.2:1 gear ratio is possible due to Abu Garcia’s Slow Oscillation system that gives you optimal control, regardless of the lure or line choice The Revo SX rides on eight stainless steel HPCR bearings + 1 roller bearing for the K-Clutch anti-reverse combined with Abu’s Carbon Matrix hybrid drag system means you have a smooth reel, with great control and power to haul in the hawgs.

Pros/Faster 6.2:1 ratio, Abu Garcia quality
Cons/None
Bottom Line/A great reel that Abu Garcia stands behind

Gear ratios explained

Simply put – The gear ratio is how many times the spool does a complete revolution for every complete revolution of the handle. The higher the ratio, the faster the reel is.

Some baits require a fast retrieve to work right, and for the pros fishing tournaments, you want to be able to maximize the time on the water, so those few seconds you can make up between casts and retrieves is crucial. It also affects the bait. You want a slower reel for subtle baits, like select soft plastics or crankbaits, but you want a faster return for spinner baits.

Spinning reel rigged up and ready
Every fishing reel has a gear ratio, with some being slower than others. Pick the right speed for your type of fishing and match the best fishing reel to it. – Photo by Derrek Sigler

This is one of the main reasons you see many anglers with multiple rods all rigged up and ready to go. They may have three of the same rod and reel combination, but the lure and gear ration is different, so they can get the best presentation possible.

Spool braking types

Most every baitcasting reel has some form of spool braking to help you dial in how the reel performs. We all know that the most important brake is our thumb, as we use it to control the spool, line and cast. And we all know what happens when we don’t use enough thumb. The reel’s adjustable brake helps by putting some friction or force on the spool to help you. Some reels let you add so much brake, it’s hard to cast. That is what you look for, however, when casting big baits, like when you fish for muskies or catfish.

High speed baitcast reel
Every baitcasting reel has some form of spool braking system. The best fishing reels have adjustable brakes, and some even have automatically adjusting ones. – Photo by Derrek Sigler

There are two basic types of baitcast reel braking system – Magnetic and mechanical. Magnetic brakes are far superior in that you can adjust them quite a bit to suit your style and bait size. The latest advancement is a reel like the Shimano SLX DC. It digitally controls the magnetic brake, giving you amazing control over the reel.

Mechanical brakes use a system similar to automotive brakes, where friction is the stopping force. These systems tend to be found on the lower priced baitcasters and don’t have as much adjustability. However, they can really clamp down on the spool, so for those just starting to get the handle on using a baitcaster, this isn’t a bad idea.

How do I know what size fishing reel to get?

The various sized reels are based on line capacity, with bigger reels being set up for heavier line and in larger amounts. These reels are better suited for fighting bigger fish.

How do I pick the best fishing reel for me?

You need to know what type of fishing you plan to do, but if you’re looking for an all-around reel for many types of fishing, get something in a medium size with a medium-level gear ratio. Also, set a budget for yourself and look for the better reviewed reels in that price range.

Avatar Author ID 667 - 1121091833

Derrek Sigler has been a professional outdoor writer for more than two decades since earning his Master’s Degree in creative writing with a thesis about fishing humor. But if you ask anyone that knows him, he’s been telling fishin’ stories since he was old enough to hold a pole. He has written for Cabela’s and served as editorial director for Gun Digest books. Over the years, he has also written for Petersen’s Hunting, North American Whitetail Magazine, Wildfowl, Grand View Media, and has worked with Bass Pro Shops, Hard Core Brands and Bone Collector. Successful Farming had him write for their magazine and he has appeared on their TV show to discuss hunting and ATVs on multiple occasions. He writes about the things he loves - hunting, fishing, camping, trucks, ATVs, boating, snowmobiles and the outdoor lifestyle he enjoys with his family in their home state of Michigan and more as they adventure around North America.

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