Best Spinning Reels 2023

Jun 15, 2023

When it comes to fishing gear, the spinning reel is often overlooked in favor of rods, lures or even the vessel you intend to fish from, despite being one of the most important parts of any fishing rig. Truth be told, a solid reel can make or break a day on the water, and the best spinning reels are capable of enduring a great deal of abuse and still managing to smoothly reel in a giant fish. It’s a simple tool, but so integral at the same time—you don’t realize how key a reel is to fishing until you’re left without one.

The best spinning reels help you reel in lunkers with ease.

A great fishing reel will store and dispense hundreds of feet of fishing line over and over throughout the day. And when you do hook into a monster, the reel becomes that much more important as you pull in your catch. It’s one of the pieces of gear you interact with on every cast, so it needs to be lightweight, comfortable, strong and smooth. From components to materials and weight to size, there’s a lot to consider when looking for the ideal spinning reel.

With hundreds of spinning reels on the market these days, finding the one that’s right for you can be a daunting task, but we’re here to help. We’ve taken the time to break down some of the best options for a cast that’s smooth as butter. Whether you’re a novice on the water or a seasoned veteran, here are the best spinning reels to help you cast and catch with total confidence.

Amazon

This reel is lightweight and versatile for any fishing situation, be it fresh or saltwater. Redesigned in 2022 with Mag Sealed material to keep salt out of the components, the reel also uses Zaion material, making it lightweight but durable. It’s a great all-round reel in that you can use it to haul in a giant bass or finesse in a smaller trout. With five sizes and a monocoque body, this Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT will deliver for all anglers looking to reel in a lunker.

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Walmart

The Shimano Sedona FJ is ideal for beginners learning to fish with a spinning rod and reel. New for 2023, Shimano’s state-of-the-art, cold-forged Hagane Gear technology translates to long-lasting smoothness and durability, setting it apart from the competition. The resistance and resilience of the Sedona FJ series is perfect for entry-level fishers, and the brand’s SilentDrive tech ensures a quiet, seamless reel for each catch. Shimano uses its special G-Free Body technology, meaning the reel’s weight sits closer to the rod, which in turn makes for a more comfortable cast throughout long days of fishing.

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Amazon

The Pflueger line of reels has been catching fish for years, and the President Spinning reel is a great option to have in one’s bag for all types of fishing. For around $50, this is a quality reel that provides smooth, lightweight retrieval. The reel is composed of a graphite body and rotor with a corrosion-resistant finish and has an aluminum handle with rubber knobs for left or right-handed reeling. The 5.2:1 gear ratio has an aluminum spool and 6 pound drag system. It also includes an Anti Reverse system, which means that the 7-ball bearing system will run smoothly. The time has come to catch fish without breaking the bank.

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Amazon

Saltwater reels are a step apart, having to stand up to a beating from the ocean with each cast. The Daiwa BG Spinning Reel has an industrial-grade Hardbodyz body and side cover that ensure it will perform in the harshest conditions. The reel strength is still lightweight, so it won’t get too heavy on the open water, thanks in part to the Air Rotor which cuts out up to 15% of the excess weight and balances the load evenly. This reel is unique because of the Braid-ready Dynamic Cut aluminum ABS spool that pairs with the waterproof carbon ADT drag, so it will reel smoothly even when it gets a little salt or grime on it.

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Fish USA

A new addition to the CoreSolid lineup of spinning reels for Shimano, the Stradic FM embraces the best technologies from the company’s various reels. New to the redesigned reel is the InfinityXross technology, which extends the gear tooth horizontally to distribute load across the tooth more evenly, thus adding strength and durability as you look to handle those big bass. Shimano’s cold-forged Hagane gears and the MicroModule II makes for a smooth cast and retrieval each time, and a new Anti-Twist Fin elastic polymer on the underside of the roller provides superb line management for anglers. The InfinityDrive on this reel makes for stronger cranking power with a light rotation when pulling in bass from the weeds. The Stradic FM has Shimano's X-Protect water-repellent coating and water-channeling labyrinth construction to keep it lasting and performing for years, especially in salt water.

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Amazon

Sometimes you just need a reel that rips, one that can get a line in or out quickly. The KastKing Speed Demon Elite Spinning Reel boasts the fastest retrieval rate speed and line pickup on the market. With a 7.4:1 gear ratio, it provides a “speed demon” spin. The size 2000 KingKast reel has 38.6 IPT and 3000 has 42.1 IPT. And the reel has a carbon fiber drag of 17.6 pounds for big bass. Why would you need such speed? For those fast-paced bass fishing tournaments where time is of the essence, a reel like the Speed Demon Elite can mean the difference between winning and losing.

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We fish regularly and use a variety of fishing reels to land catches large and small. We’ve tested many of these spinning reels ourselves and consulted with experts on others. When putting together this list of the best spinning reels, we relied on expert advice, in-depth research and independent reviews. We also performed in-depth research on product specs, weight, technology, designs and specific features that set these spinning reels apart from the rest. And our finger is on the pulse of the fishing industry, ensuring we know what to look for in a good spinning reel.