Best Fishing Reels for the Money 2019
Any fisherman who wants to enjoy the outdoor experience of fly fishing, ice fishing, salt fishing and freshwater fishing needs to have at least one good fishing reel in their arsenal. If you want to increase your chances of catching a lot of fish, it's important to learn lots of information about using a reel. There are countless types of reels that you can use, and it’s good to find the best fishing reels to make your fishing experience fun. The good news is, you can get a fishing reel in almost any retail store, but the reality is that some of those reels are not what you would want to purchase. Although you might find a few that might do in a pinch, picking one that fits your needs can be tough.
This guide will help you pick the best fishing reels for the right budget—a reel that is worth adding to your list of equipment. There are a couple of excellent products, but only a few of them stand out in the fishing reel market. So, if you're ready to learn more about fishing reels, let's jump directly into the review and show you how to choose the best fishing reels and some of the best picks.
Best Fishing Reels: How to Choose the Right One
There is no doubt that fishing reels are an essential part of every angler's fishing equipment. Any successful fishing session depends on the performance of your fishing reel. There is an extensive list of fishing reels in the market and choosing the right one can be a quite a challenge. Here are some important points to consider when buying a fishing reel.
- The Body - The reel's body is usually made of aluminum, graphite or a combination of both based on the manufacturer’s preferences. Aluminum is quite stronger than graphite, but it’s also heavier, which means that you must choose between strength and weight. Graphite is perfect for saltwater fishing, while the aluminum bodies do best in freshwater fishing. The body should be smooth.
- Size - The right reel size depends on the weight of the line you intend to use. If you prefer a lighter rod, you can go for a smaller reel as your choice and vice versa. The highest weight and diameter to use on a spinning reel is a ten-pound test line.
- The Gear Ratio - The reel’s gear ratio is the number of times the line rotates around the spool for every complete turn of the handle. A higher gear ratio means it spins faster.
- The Drag System - The drag system is simply the ability of the line to apply pressure to a hooked fish. An excellent drag system will have a smooth drag force to let the line pull out steadily. The drag system should let out extra line no matter the tension applied on the line.
These are essential things you need to remember when buying a reel. However, the most important aspect is to check the quality of the fishing reel. Keep off reels with plastic parts.
Best Fishing Reels: Top 5 Picks
Here are the top 5 best fishing reels you need to check out.
Sougayilang Right/Left Interchangeable Collapsible Handle Fishing Reel
The Sougayilang fishing reel is one of the most popular fishing reels on the market. It has many specifications that can suit every need of the fisher. It is small and lightweight but delivers excellent power to allow anglers to reel in a giant fish. For those who love saltwater and freshwater fishing, Sougayilang is an ideal piece of equipment for this environment.
The elegant design of the reel operates on 14ball bearings to allow for average gear ratio. The ball bearings allow the fisherman to have a smooth cast, which is convenient for a long-distance catch. With a fully adjustable cast control, this reel allows for first line winding. The handle is unique with a collapse option to allow for easy interchanging between the left and right hand.
The metallic body of the reel makes it durable and protects it from wear and tear. The oscillation system on the line helps to prevent the line from tangling, making it a perfection option for fishing in any water. The great casting and drawing make fishing easier. It is also strong and corrosion-free so that you can be assured of a long life of this fishing reel.
Additionally, this fishing reel is compatible with all fishing rods that are available in the market, which makes it convenient for any fisher out there. Since it is easy to carry around, anglers can enjoy fishing in any area at whatever time they please. The carbon fiber on this fishing reel offers an excellent user experience when fishing.
So, if you’re looking for a convenient fishing reel for a good price, Sougayilang is the best. It is ideal for both amateur and expert fishing hobbyists who are looking for a super good fishing experience in any water.
Piscifun NEW Torrent Baitcasting Reel
With a sleek design that fits very well in your hand and an attractive red and black graphite body, Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting reel is another fishing reel that has a lot to offer for fishers. The aluminum spool and the lightweight reel comes with high power in a small package. It’s ideal for freshwater fishing, but it can also be used in saltwater fishing as long as it is maintained well.
The Piscifun Baitcasting Reel is both fast and secure at a high gear ratio of 7.1:1 with an extremely long cranking handle. The high ratio combined with a long handle offers the fisher enough power to get a big catch out of the water. The 14 bearings allow for a smooth cast and reel-in, thus ensuring that the line doesn’t break.
When the angler sets the casting hook on any fish, they want to be confident that the reel can handle the pressure and even take the fish to where they want it to be. This product comes with a three-disc carbon drag system at 18 lbs., and an active gear system to ensure that you get the big fish to the boat faster. The design is attractive with a corrosion-resistant mechanism and a ball-bearing system for smooth operations of the real.
While in water, time is critical, and an angler expects a smooth experience. The Piscifun Baitcasting reel comes with a quick and adjustable braking system to ensure on-time delivery of the fisher’s expectation. It also features a convenient maintenance feature to save time. Just remove the bolt and oil the reel. It is a unique feature that saves time and helps reduce the chances of breakage when fishing. This reel is a great fishing tool if you want a smooth cast for freshwater fishing purposes.
KastKing Assassin Carbon Baitcasting Reel
The name of this reel sounds fun, and it can deliver even more fun on the water. The KastKing Assassin reel features an ergonomic design with an appealing black finish that looks attractive on almost any rod. It is vigorous and lightweight, which is an unusual feature for any angler who wants convenience and a durable fishing reel. It is made of carbon which is corrosion-resistant and adds some rigidity to the product. It allows you to fish all day and cast without fatigue.
The new centrifugal design is fast and easy to adjust when fishing. In fact, it has six different settings, which allow the fisher to change the reel based on the weight and wind conditions to ensure it doesn't break. The centrifugal braking system, paired with a magnetic braking system, allows you to have confidence while operating this fishing reel.
Another great feature that can be found on KastKing reel is its stopping power. It comes with an impressive four-disc fiber carbon drag system with 16.5 lbs. to allow you to catch the big fish and drag them into the boat without breaking the reel. It is one of the most attractive features of this reel. It also comes with a high gear ratio of 6.3:1 and an instant stop for devastating hook sets. This is just perfect for anything on the water. The ratio is perfect for moving baits and fish almost anything you want.
This product allows for covert operations where you can open the KastKing fishing reel’s side-plate to access the inner secrets, then dial in your actual settings and hit your target as you enjoy the beautiful environment. With all of its features and functions, KastKing Assassin Carbon Baitcasting Reel is definitely a great choice of fishing reel for beginners and seasoned users alike.
Zebco Omega ZO3PRO Spincasting Fishing Reel
If you are looking for an excellent spin-casting fishing reel, then you should go for Zebco Omega fishing reel. It is a good tool for beginners because of its simplicity in usage. It's ideal for ice fishing, saltwater fishing, the line counter, and fly fishing.
The Zebco spin-cast fishing reel features seven bearings which are not so common in other spin-cast reels. They offer smooth movement, which is an essential component when fishing. The bigger the number of ball bearings inside the body, the smoother the performance of the reel. This product features a gear ratio of 3.4:1. Although it may seem like a slower retrieval than the rest of the players in the market, it provides a smooth performance that assures the fisher that their catch will stay firm on the hook. It also means that the ball rotates around the spool three times for every complete turn of the handle. It’s one of the appealing aspects of spin cast reels.
The reel body of this product is made of aluminum, which gives it a strong support. It is also lightweight and durable allowing you to carry it anywhere you want and fish at your convenient time. Another appealing feature found in Zebco spin-cast fishing reel is a triple-cam, multi-disk drag system that can be operated by just rotating the wheel horizontally at the front of the reel. It also comes with two right and left interchangeable handles that make the fishing experience good. You will also find a rubber guard that prevents water from entering the interior of the real.
Zebco spin-cast reel is an all-rounder fishing tool, and it's useful for any species of the small fish to big and cumbersome fish. It’s easy to use, durable, and convenient for any angler thus it makes it to the list of the best fishing reels worth checking out.
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Carefully and intelligently made with a graphite body, the Pflueger spinning reel is among the most lightweight fishing reels on the market today. It is ideal for saltwater fishing purposes. A premium feature that you will find in the is the 10-ball bearing system. It contains nine stainless steel ball bearings in different locations paired with a smooth front drag system. This 10-ball bearing system offers a more seamless operation on water compared to other spinning reels. Pflueger President spinning reels also have an appealing anti-reverse feature with a clutch bearing that prevents the reel from causing any backlash.
Compared to other fishing reels, Pflueger President fishing reels feature a medium gear ratio which doesn’t put much pressure on the reel. This also removes any unnecessary stress on the equipment. The oil washers with a drag adjustment feature ensure that an angler can comfortably change it based on the fishing conditions.
Most of the components of Pflueger President spinning reels are made to be durable and corrosion-free. The handle is made from aluminum, and a soft knob is attached to it for maximum comfort and to give it an appealing look. Another added feature that makes this product one of the best fishing reels today is the line roller. This line roller comes with a large diameter that is specifically added to handle the overall capacity of this reel. The spool lip is coated with titanium to protect the line from damage.
Regardless of whether you want to use the reel for salt or freshwater fishing, you can be assured that it comes with everything you need to make the whole experience fun. Pflueger President spinning reels are also packed with many exceptional features, which allows you to get the best value for what you purchase.
Shimano Curado Reels
For experienced fishers, Curado is not a new brand. But for the beginners, Curado is among the most useful fishing reels released by Shimano. It’s convenient for both freshwater and saltwater fishing purposes.
It’s made with much consideration to convenience and performance capabilities. Shimano puts a lot of focus on durability to ensure the fisher gets the best experience. This lightweight reel features a high-speed gear ratio to allow you to make a big catch quickly. It has incorporated the new X-Ship technology to improve the durability of this reel. It is useful where heavier loads are involved where the angler can align the gears between the main gear and the opinion.
It’s smooth which is good for casting thus allowing the angler to catch both small and big fish. This feature also allows the fisher to cast and reel in fish with little stress without getting snapped lines. If you plan to cast lures, this fishing reel will be a useful tool for the position your hook exactly where it needs to be to enhance performance and increase the efficiency of the reel.
The improved specifications don't stop there; the Curado series features a new SVS Brake System for consistency and adjustable spool for easy control along with impending brake force. The six-set setting that can be adjusted externally offers advanced cast control of this real. The smooth casting and retrievals are boosted by the carbon drag system to ensure you make an easy catch without breaking the lines. The handle design, which features a center clutch, allows for a firm and comfortable grip to ensure everything is handled correctly.
FAQs
How can I regulate the drag system?
Almost all reels have an adjustable drag attached to the reel. It allows the angler to control the force applied when pulling the line off. Although the drag systems are of different types, the most common shape is a drag knob or star drags. Once you reduce the drag, the line detaches from the reel swiftly when a fish draws it.
On the other hand, an increase in the drag allows you to catch the fish quickly. Whether to decrease or increase the drag depends on the nature of the rod, the fish, the casting style, and the fishing environment.
How can I change the left and right retrieve?
Most of the spinning reels come with an adjustable handle that can be collapsed to allow for movement. You can easily attach it by holding the fishing reel in your hand and allow the handle to hang on your left-hand. The spool should face farther away from your body. Then, align the handle with the reel’s body and bring the handle head first just in front of your reel. Twist it a number of times and the reel’s handle will click into place. Remember to grasp the spool firmly while turning the handle to avoid spinning.
How does anti-reverse work?
Almost all spinning reels boast an anti-reverse feature. It simply prevents the reel from reversing in different directions. If there is no anti-reverse feature, the reel may spin in any direction, and the reel cannot work properly. So, make sure you set the anti-reverse after every cast to be prepared for reeling.
What is the appropriate length of the rod?
Most reels have long rods. When it comes to the length of the rod, there is no simple answer. But for all round length, eight feet, or longer would be excellent. For simplicity, most fly-rodders refer an eight-feet rod as “long rods.” Those under eight-feet are considered “short rods.”
The shorter rods have significant shortcomings compared to long ones. It 's hard to cast with a short rod and catching fish may be hard. On the other hand, long rods allow you to effectively switch from nymphs to dry flies to streamers and fish very well.
What quality of the line is appropriate?
The quality of line matters a lot. Two standard fly lines have acceptable quality. They are Scientific Anglers' Air Cel Supreme and Cortland's 333.
Final Verdict
In a nutshell, there is a broad range of fishing reels available, but we have highlighted five of the best. All these products offer excellent service, but there is one that stands out from the rest.
The Sougayilang Right/Left Interchangeable Collapsible Handle is a good fishing reel that is worth checking out. The fact that it's easy to use, has an attractive look, and provides flexibility makes it the best fishing reel on the market today.
Beginners and experienced anglers can use this reel for both freshwater and water fishing. It’s lightweight, durable, and convenient, making it easier for the fishermen to carry this equipment from one place to another. In fact, you can use it in different areas but still get a good fishing experience.
It is also important to know the right reel size that works best for your fishing rod and ensure you have a good design that allows you to hold, cast, retrieve, or fight a fish effectively. Additionally, make sure you clean the reel after every saltwater and freshwater fishing trip to ensure the long lifespan of your equipment. A good way is to give the fishing rod a gentle rinse with clean water. This will ensure the reel is well maintained for longevity. Having done that, you can be sure to enjoy your fishing experience fully.
