Recommended Spinning Reels - High End, Mid Range, and Budget
There is a lot of hoopla and hype in the marketing of fishing tackle, just like in most things. It can be hard to separate the substance from the sizzle. We have tried to do that to the best of our ability on this site by highlighting some things that have worked well for us. Below are recommendations for the best high end, midrange, and budget range spinning reels that we know of. These are our unbiased opinions as we am not compensated by any of these tackle companies. We don't care what brand you buy. We have personally used every item listed below, and most of the fish shown on this website (at least in our photos) were caught on tackle described on this site.
High End - Daiwa Certate
This is my favorite premium reel from Daiwa. It is a pleasure to use in every respect and is as close to engineering perfection as I have experienced in a spinning reel. The retrieve is smooth and the drag is strong. Every component is of high quality. It comes in three different sizes here in the US and you can get many other sizes on eBay if you don't mind paying extra for the Japanese versions. You can use it in fresh or saltwater, making it more versatile than the Steez although it is a tad heavier. However, the weight savings on the Steez are not as great as they are for the baitcasting models. the main competitor for this reel is the Shimano Stella but I just don't feel that it stacks up. Some of the many fish you can use this reel for include Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Peacock Bass, Pike, Permit, Snook, and Bluefin Trevally (if you are using the larger sizes of the reels).It is loaded with premium features
This is my favorite premium reel from Daiwa. It is a pleasure to use in every respect and is as close to engineering perfection as I have experienced in a spinning reel. The retrieve is smooth and the drag is strong. Every component is of high quality. It comes in three different sizes here in the US and you can get many other sizes on eBay if you don't mind paying extra for the Japanese versions. You can use it in fresh or saltwater, making it more versatile than the Steez although it is a tad heavier. However, the weight savings on the Steez are not as great as they are for the baitcasting models. the main competitor for this reel is the Shimano Stella but I just don't feel that it stacks up. Some of the many fish you can use this reel for include Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Peacock Bass, Pike, Permit, Snook, and Bluefin Trevally (if you are using the larger sizes of the reels).It is loaded with premium features
- Mag Sealed
- Air Rotor of corrosion-proof Zaion carbon material for lightweight strength and sensitivity
- 8 CRBB corrosion resistant ball bearings plus roller bearing
- Air Bail®–tubular stainless for lightweight strength, with no sharp bends to snag line
- Digigear digitally designed and cut gearing–ultra smooth, ultra powerful and ultra durable
- High speed retrieve
- Lightweight aluminum body
- Waterproof drag combines stainless and Teflon-impregnated felt discs for ultra-smooth fish stopping power–with precision click adjustment
- Lightweight, forged and machined aluminum ABSII Spool
High End - Daiwa Saltiga
This is a very specialized and expensive reel that few people will ever get. However, if you want to fish for really tough saltwater fish with a spinning reel this is the one you should use. I don't recommend any other heavy saltwater spinning reel; most just don't hold up. It is one of the only spinning reels that can consistently stand up to Giant Trevally, Yellowtail, Tuna, Wahoo, and any other big fish that you might cast topwater lures to. These have excellent line capacity to hold lots of heavy braid you will need to pursue these fish. They cast great, retrieve great, and have an unbelievably strong drag system. They have 14 ball bearings for unparalleled performance. The main competitor is the Shimano Stella but I just don't feel the Stella stacks up. Below are some of the features:
It is very expensive and doesn't really go on sale, but if you want the best this is it.
This is a very specialized and expensive reel that few people will ever get. However, if you want to fish for really tough saltwater fish with a spinning reel this is the one you should use. I don't recommend any other heavy saltwater spinning reel; most just don't hold up. It is one of the only spinning reels that can consistently stand up to Giant Trevally, Yellowtail, Tuna, Wahoo, and any other big fish that you might cast topwater lures to. These have excellent line capacity to hold lots of heavy braid you will need to pursue these fish. They cast great, retrieve great, and have an unbelievably strong drag system. They have 14 ball bearings for unparalleled performance. The main competitor is the Shimano Stella but I just don't feel the Stella stacks up. Below are some of the features:
- Mag Sealed to keep saltwater out
- Air Rotor of corrosion-proof Zaion carbon material for lightweight strength and sensitivity–shifts balance rearward for comfort
- Automatic rotor brake keeps rotor stationary when bail is open
- Lightweight Aluminum spool with carbon accents. Hard stainless lip is Titanium Nitrided to be virtually cut proof.
- Waterproof UT Carbon Drag, ultra smooth and fade free
- Smooth, 14 ball bearing drive including 4 CRBB corrosion resistant ball bearings
- Sealed, two ball bearing line roller
- Dual, full-time infinite anti-reverse
- Air Bail®–tubular stainless for lightweight strength
- Manual bail trip for maximum reliability
- Digigear digitally designed and cut gearing–ultra smooth, ultra powerful and ultra durable
- Rigid aluminum body
- Machined aluminum handle arm with lightened, two-piece machined knob
It is very expensive and doesn't really go on sale, but if you want the best this is it.
High End - Daiwa Steez
This is another reel whose quality is immediately apparently upon first handling it. Because of its magnesium frame it is extremely light but the drag is strong on the gears are extremely smooth. It is an absolute pleasure to use but the downsides are that it cannot be used it saltwater because it lacks corrosion resistance and they only basically make one size. Otherwise, if you can afford one and the one size is what you are looking for you will enjoy every turn of the handle. An excellent choice for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, and other midsize freshwater fish. Below is a list of its premium features:
This is another reel whose quality is immediately apparently upon first handling it. Because of its magnesium frame it is extremely light but the drag is strong on the gears are extremely smooth. It is an absolute pleasure to use but the downsides are that it cannot be used it saltwater because it lacks corrosion resistance and they only basically make one size. Otherwise, if you can afford one and the one size is what you are looking for you will enjoy every turn of the handle. An excellent choice for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, and other midsize freshwater fish. Below is a list of its premium features:
- Starting at just 6.9 ounces, they are the lightest reels of their kind
- “Air Metal” Magnesium body, side-cover and rotor
- “Air Spool” (ultra-lightweight composite) with reverse-taper (ABS) design
- Digigear™ digital gear design
- 11 CRBB Super Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearings plus roller bearing
- Tubular Stainless Air Bail®
- Infinite Anti-Reverse
- Advanced Locomotive Levelwind
- Washable design with sealed, waterproof drag system
- Precision, super micro-pitch drag adjustment
- Pillar-type tight oscillation system,ultra-quiet and smooth
- Precision, stainless main shaft
Mid Range - Shimano Stradic CI4
This reel is one of the first of a new trend towards mid range reels using lighter carbon fiber components. This results in a lighter reel that is less tiring to use but still durable. If you don't want to spring for a Certate or a Steez, this is an excellent choice for Trout, Largemouth Bass, Crappie (1000 size), and Bluegill (1000 size). Below are some of the features (Shimano is big on fancy sounding feature names like Aero Wrap and Propulsion Line Management System):
- Ultra-lightweight CI4 Frame, Sideplate and Rotor Construction
- Paladin Gear Durability Enhancement
- Propulsion Line Management System: Propulsion Spool Lip, SR One-Piece Bail Wire, Power Roller III, Redesigned Bail Trip, S-Arm Cam
- Aero Wrap II Oscillation
- SR-Concept: SR 3D Gear, SR Handle, SR One-Piece Bail Wire
- S A-RB Ball Bearings
- Aluminum Spool
- S-Concept: S-Rotor, S-Guard, S-Arm Cam
- Machined Aluminum Handle
- Direct Drive Mechanism (Thread In Handle Attachment)
- Round EVA Handle Grip
- WP Drag (Waterproof Drag)
- Maintenance Port
- Fluidrive II
- Floating Shaft
- Dyna-Balance
- Super Stopper II
- Repairable Clicker
- Approved for use in Saltwater
- Rated for use with Mono, Fluorocarbon and Braided lines
Mid Range - Shimano Symetre FJ
If you want good performance for about half the price of the Stradic CI4 you can go with the Symetre. The Symetre comes in sizes ranging from 500 to 4000, and this wide range should handle almost any freshwater fish. The 500 size makes an excellent choice for panfish such as Crappie and Bluegill, while the 2500 size is good for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, and other midsize freshwater gamefish. I would probably go with a baitcasting reel for anything big enough to use the 4000 size for, but that is just me. See below for the list of features:
- Propulsion Line Management System: Propulsion Spool Lip, SR One-Piece Bail Wire, Power Roller III, Redesigned Bail Trip, S-Arm Cam
- Slow Oscillation
- SR Concept: SR One-Piece Bail Wire
- S A-RB Bearings (Shielded A-RB)
- Aluminum Frame (GR on 500 & 1000)
- Lightweight Graphite Sideplate & Rotor
- Cold Forged Aluminum Spool
- S-Concept: S-Rotor, S-Guard, S-Arm Cam
- Machined Aluminum Handle
- Rubber Handle Grips
- Maintenance Port
- Fluidrive II
- Floating Shaft
- Dyna-Balance
- Super Stopper II
- Repairable Clicker
- Approved for use in Saltwater
- Rated for use with Mono, Fluorocarbon and Braided lines
Budget - Shimano Sedona FD
This is a fine entry level reel that is similar to the Symetre but costs about half as much. It has just a couple fewer features as listed below:
It comes in a couple fewer sizes but still enough to cover your bases for freshwater fish. The 500 size makes an excellent choice for panfish such as Crappie and Bluegill, while the 2500 size is good for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, and other midsize freshwater gamefish. I would probably go with a baitcasting reel for anything big enough to use the 4000 size for, but that is just me.
This is a fine entry level reel that is similar to the Symetre but costs about half as much. It has just a couple fewer features as listed below:
- Propulsion Line Management System: Propulsion Spool Lip, Power Roller III, S-Arm Cam
- Redesigned Bail Trip (500 size only)
- Varispeed Oscillation (slow oscillation on 500 size)
- Shielded Stainless Steel Ball Bearings
- Lightweight Graphite Frame Sideplate, & Rotor
- Cold Forged Aluminum Spool
- S-Concept: S-Rotor (500 size only), S-Guard, S-Arm Cam
- Ported Handle Shank (except 500 size)
- Rubber Handle Grips
- Maintenance Port (500 size only)
- Fluidrive II
- Dyna-Balance
- Super Stopper II
- Repairable Clicker
- Approved for use in Saltwater
- Rated for use with Mono, Fluorocarbon and PowerPro lines
It comes in a couple fewer sizes but still enough to cover your bases for freshwater fish. The 500 size makes an excellent choice for panfish such as Crappie and Bluegill, while the 2500 size is good for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, and other midsize freshwater gamefish. I would probably go with a baitcasting reel for anything big enough to use the 4000 size for, but that is just me.
