Fishing reels continue to get better every year and are smoother and built to last. Plenty of great spinning reels are on the market, and even the lower-priced options are much better than a comparable reel just a few years ago. It's good for us as anglers looking to buy gear right now because everything is improved with technological advances.
Many brands introduce technologies and features at their higher-end products first, which trickles down to more inexpensive gear over the years, another benefit for anyone looking for their next reel.
The following spinning reel buyer's guide contains a few things to consider when shopping for your next reel and recommendations for different budgets.
Three Things To Consider: Drag Systems, Bearings, And Size.
Drag quality is one of the most important things that differentiate spinning reels. That's one of the differences between reel prices, and the more you spend, the better the drag system. This is an essential part of the reel as you generally use lighter lines with spinning gear, and the drag is critical for landing more of the fish you hook.
Many brands mention the number of bearings as a selling point when looking at reels. In theory, the more bearings, the smoother the reel will be. While they are essential, the quality of the bearing is just as important. That's why you'll sometimes see inexpensive reels with twice as many bearings as a reel that costs much more. When choosing your next reel, take it with a grain of salt and consider its other features and brand reputation.
If you buy a new spinning reel, picking the reel size is another important consideration. 2500 to 3000-sized reels are an excellent all-around size for most bass fishing applications. Some brands may call it a 20 or 30-size. It’s a mid-sized reel that can do many things. A smaller reel can lead to issues with the line being wrapped more tightly due to the smaller spool size and can cause more line twist. Some anglers also prefer a 4000 or 40-sized reel for better line flow and casting distance, which can also be a benefit, although they will weigh more.
Budget-Friendly Options
For this article, we're talking reels that retail for under $100, and there are some great ones to choose from. All of the major reel brands have something that fits this category.
At around $90, the Shimano Sahara is a great option and comes from one of the best brands in fishing. It's a solid reel that won't break the bank. One thing it includes is a durable gearing system that is built to last.
Coming in at under $70, Daiwa Revros LT is a well-built reel and even better considering the price. It has some of Daiwa's technology from more expensive reels and is buttery smooth and durable thanks to a composite housing that will withstand abuse.
The Next Step Up
Spending more can get you a better reel with a generally lighter frame and step up in terms of drag systems. These reels listed sell between $100 and $350, quite the range and still what most would consider a high-end reel. The following are solid reels that will do everything you need with bass fishing and are built to last.
Shimano's Stradic has undergone many iterations over the years, all of which have been great reels. Some anglers still use versions that came out decades ago and have put them to the test over the years. But no matter which version they have come out with, they've all been solid.
One step up from the Stradic is the Shimano Vanford. It has a lot of the same qualities as the Stradic but is also lighter because they use a CI4+ carbon material that is both light and strong.
The Daiwa Tatula LT and Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT also fit this range, and the "LT" designation is for light and tough. They are both excellent reels with many fans, and like all reels in this range, they are built to last many years.
One of Abu Garcia's top offerings is the ultra-lightweight Revo MGX. It's a well-built reel with a strong C6 carbon body and several features for line management and better casting. There is also an MGXTreme version that costs a little more, but it's even lighter.
Top-Of-The-Line
If you go with the best reel that money can buy for bass fishing, there are just two options, and they are from the biggest names in fishing gear: Shimano and Daiwa.
On the Shimano side of things is their flagship Stella, which has undergone several iterations over the years. They aren't cheap, starting at around $800, but they are exceptionally smooth, and everything about the reels screams quality. The sleek-looking reels do everything you could ask for and have a great drag system.
For Daiwa, it's their Exist, an amazingly smooth reel with 13 top-quality bearings, a lightweight magnesium frame, and a buttery-smooth drag system. The price is high, starting at around $850, but it's one of the best spinning reels ever produced.
When shopping for your next spinning reel, the first thing to consider is how much you are willing to spend. There are many great choices from the different manufacturers who have all designed something for every budget. The reels listed above are proven and should last many fishing seasons.
