Recommended Baitcasting Reels - Budget, Mid Range, High End
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. I have tried to do that to the best of our ability on this site by highlighting some things that have worked well for me. Below are recommendations for the best high end, midrange, and budget range baitcasting reels that I know of. These are my unbiased opinions as we am not compensated by any of these tackle companies. I don't care what brand you buy. I have personally used every item listed below, and most of the fish shown on this website (at least in the photos) were caught on tackle described on this site.
Note: For reels I generally recommended the fastest gear ratio models below. I feel it is always easier to reel more slowly than more quickly and with the faster ratio you have the speed when you need it.
Note: For reels I generally recommended the fastest gear ratio models below. I feel it is always easier to reel more slowly than more quickly and with the faster ratio you have the speed when you need it.
Budget - Daiwa Tatula SV TW
If you are on a budget, these reels are a solid choice. They are actually not all that cheap, but worth saving a little for. The SV spool gives you a little more distance on your casts, as does the T-wing which reduces friction as the line goes through the levelwind. They aren't fancy, but they should do the trick. Good for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, and other freshwater fish. These can also be used for inshore saltwater fish like Snook. Below are some of the features:
If you were thinking about getting a reel anyway, please consider purchasing through the link below if you found anything useful on this site:
If you are on a budget, these reels are a solid choice. They are actually not all that cheap, but worth saving a little for. The SV spool gives you a little more distance on your casts, as does the T-wing which reduces friction as the line goes through the levelwind. They aren't fancy, but they should do the trick. Good for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, and other freshwater fish. These can also be used for inshore saltwater fish like Snook. Below are some of the features:
- TWS (LONG CAST WITH MINIMAL BACKLASH)
- SV CONCEPT
- AIR ROTATION
- Aluminum Frame
- Ultimate Tournament Drag
- Cut-Away 90mm Swept Handle
- Custom Soft-Touch Handle Knob
- H: Gold, HS: Red, XS: Purple
If you were thinking about getting a reel anyway, please consider purchasing through the link below if you found anything useful on this site:
Mid Range - Daiwa TD Zillion
In my humble opinion Daiwa makes the best baitcasting reels and therefore most of the reels on this page are made by them. The TD Zillion is a rock-solid, high-quality option at a mid-range price. A little heavier than the Steez but still acceptably light at 8.8 ounces, it allows you to cast all day and easily fits in the palm of your hand. The drag system maxes at 13.2lbs, which is plenty for most types of freshwater fishing. Also, if you were fishing heavy line in heavy cover the beauty of baitcasting reels is you can add more drag with your thumb. It has a magsealed bearing with magnetic oil to fight corrosion, and the t-wing system reduces friction on the levelwind for more casting distance. There are many other baitcasters made by other manufacturers, and I certainly haven't fished them all, but in handling them I really feel like the Zillion is the cream of the crop for this class of reel. See below for a list of some of the features:
- 1 Magsealed ball bearing (MBB)
- 10 Bearing System (1 MBB + 8 CRBB + 1RB)
- T-Wing System (TWS)
- Ultimate Tournament Carbon Drag (UTD) with 15.4 lbs drag max
- Large 100mm swept power handle with cutouts for reduced weight
- EVA custom handle knob
- Rugged, lightweight aluminum frame
- Free-floating A7075 aluminum alloy spool starts faster, spins longer
- Durable Zaion lightweight side plate (gear side)
- 6 Point support system
- Magforce®-Z cast control
- Zaion swept star drag
- Micro-click tension knob
This is a great reel for Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Peacock Bass, and other freshwater fish.
Click below to purchase:
Mid Range - Shimano Curado E
The Curado is a fine mid range low profile baitcasting reel with a high speed retrieve ratio and a good amount of line capacity. For those two reasons it is an excellent choice for Amazon trips for Peacock Bass. It is also very good for inshore saltwater fish such as Calico Bass and Sand Bass. One of my friends caught a 37lb yellowtail with one of these using a bass rod, although it took a very long time and the reel had to be serviced afterwards. Below are some of the features:
Click on the link below to purchase:
The Curado is a fine mid range low profile baitcasting reel with a high speed retrieve ratio and a good amount of line capacity. For those two reasons it is an excellent choice for Amazon trips for Peacock Bass. It is also very good for inshore saltwater fish such as Calico Bass and Sand Bass. One of my friends caught a 37lb yellowtail with one of these using a bass rod, although it took a very long time and the reel had to be serviced afterwards. Below are some of the features:
- Aluminum Frame
- Lightweight Graphite Sideplates
- Recessed Reel Foot
- High Efficiency Gearing (HEG)
- Super Free Bearing Supported Pinion Gear System (SF)
- A7075 Aluminum Magnumlite Spool
- Dartainium Drag
- 5 Bearings
- 4 Shielded Stainless Steel BB
- Roller Clutch Bearing
- Variable Brake System (VBS) with Reduced Mass Hub
- Super Stopper
- Assist Stopper
- Septon PV Power Grips
- 1/8 Turn Easy Access Attached Sideplate
- Metal Cast Control Knob
- Anodized Spool and Handle
- Disengaging Levelwind System
- Quickfire II Clutch Bar
Click on the link below to purchase:
High End - Daiwa Steez
Cautionary Note: Once you use this reel you will have a very hard time going back to any other freshwater baitcasting reel. Its magnesium body causes it to weigh in at a ridiculously light 5.5 ounces, allowing you to cast all day without fatigue. Despite its lightweight frame, it boasts strong gears and a very fast 7.1:1 retrieve ratio. It has a buttery smooth retrieve with no wobble and no slip for rock solid hooksets. It is as much of a work of art as a fishing reel, but one that is meant to be used and loved. Again, it is not cheap, but as soon as you handle it you will know and appreciate why. Again my only complaint is that it is only available in limited sizes. Then again, if it wasn't I might bankrupt myself buying all the other sizes. I would not recommend regular use of this reel in saltwater as the magnesium is not very corrosion resistant. The SV spool and t-wing design give you some meaningful extra casting distance versus other reels. It is primarily used for Largemouth Bass but could be used for any number of other freshwater fish such as Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Peacock Bass, etc. The main competition is the Shimano Core. I have never fished with it but I handled it in the store and I swear by the Steez. Here are some of the features:
Click below to purchase the Steez. If you were going to purchase one anyway and learned anything from this site, I would appreciate it if you would purchase it through the link below:
Cautionary Note: Once you use this reel you will have a very hard time going back to any other freshwater baitcasting reel. Its magnesium body causes it to weigh in at a ridiculously light 5.5 ounces, allowing you to cast all day without fatigue. Despite its lightweight frame, it boasts strong gears and a very fast 7.1:1 retrieve ratio. It has a buttery smooth retrieve with no wobble and no slip for rock solid hooksets. It is as much of a work of art as a fishing reel, but one that is meant to be used and loved. Again, it is not cheap, but as soon as you handle it you will know and appreciate why. Again my only complaint is that it is only available in limited sizes. Then again, if it wasn't I might bankrupt myself buying all the other sizes. I would not recommend regular use of this reel in saltwater as the magnesium is not very corrosion resistant. The SV spool and t-wing design give you some meaningful extra casting distance versus other reels. It is primarily used for Largemouth Bass but could be used for any number of other freshwater fish such as Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Peacock Bass, etc. The main competition is the Shimano Core. I have never fished with it but I handled it in the store and I swear by the Steez. Here are some of the features:
- -SV Spool
-G1 Duralumin Spool
-AIR BRAKE System
-TWS T-Wing System
-Magnesium Frame & Side Cover
-Ultimate Tournament Drag
-Cut-Away 80mm Swept Handle
-Custom Light Weight Soft-Touch Handle Knob
-Made in Japan
Click below to purchase the Steez. If you were going to purchase one anyway and learned anything from this site, I would appreciate it if you would purchase it through the link below:
