Saltwater fishing spinning reels live in the toughest environments and you need the best saltwater spinning reel that can handle it.
It’s not just the salt you need to worry about when saltwater fishing, it’s the fish too.
After considering all the options our top picks were…
You’ll be going up against the most powerful fish out there and you’ll need the right reel to back you up. Saltwater fish species tend to be much stronger than freshwater species and your freshwater reel might struggle when used in the salt.
Whether you’re going for a saltwater fly reel or a saltwater spinning reel, one thing definitely rings true. Getting the right one isn’t that easy.
There’s a huge range of choices of saltwater fishing reels and that’s why we’ve put this review together of the best saltwater spinning reels out there…
The Top Three…
Here are our top three best saltwater spinning reels from the lineup, each one in its own category.
This is so you can have a variety of fishing reels to choose from depending on your needs.
Best All-Rounder
Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel
Another great product from Penn reels. It’s pretty, durable and smooth. The retrieve is awesome thanks to the gearing and ratio, you can get your line in really quickly.
Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel
The best saltwater spinning reel all-rounder is about durability, power, and value. This saltwater fishing reel needs to do everything without breaking the bank. Whether you’re chasing tarpon or sailfish, we want a reel that can do it and survive the salt at the same time.
Our best allrounder saltwater spinning reel is the Penn Battle II. This reel’s built to survive as long as you take care of it. The drag is powerful, the fishing line capacity is big and it casts like a dream. It’s made of quality materials and will stand the test of time in salty conditions.
Best on a Budget
Daiwa BG Spinning Reel
A lot of thought has gone into this spinning reel from Daiwa. It’s been made to last in the salt along with all the features you might need out there.
Daiwa BG Spinning Reel
The ‘best on a budget’ saltwater spinning reel category is exactly what it sounds like. First of all, this saltwater reel has to survive, and while surviving, do the basics really well. You want a reel that’s well made and also good value.
The Daiwa BG is the best on a budget. It really is of great value and it’ll stand the test of time. It’s made from quality materials that’ll last, the drag is big and strong, and the line capacity is excellent.
Editor’s Choice
Daiwa Saltiga Saltwater Spinning Reel
Daiwa has put a lot of technology and durability into this spinning reel. It has been manufactured to avoid reel failure. An issue a lot of saltwater reels face is debris and saltwater getting into the rotor bearing and wearing it away.
Daiwa Saltiga Saltwater Spinning Reel
This is about the best saltwater spinning reel out there where money is no object. The spinning reel needs to do everything and more. We’re looking for the highest quality in every aspect of the spinning reel, for all circumstances.
This has to be the Daiwa Saltiga. The saltwater spinning reel is a piece of art when it comes to targeting big fish. You can confidently put a bait in front of a marlin and know the reel’s never going to fail you. It’s built from the best, for the best and biggest fish out there.
Our top picks…
We’ve lined out our top picks for saltwater spinning reels and pitted them against each other.
Each spinning reel is a winner in its own right and they all have their different strengths…
PENN Spinfisher V Spinning Fishing Reel
We all know Penn makes excellent reels and this one is no different. It’s made to handle the salt and sand, thanks to its watertight durable construction.
PENN Spinfisher V Spinning Fishing Reel
We all know Penn makes excellent reels and this one is no different. It’s made to handle the salt and sand, thanks to its watertight durable construction. Its full metal body, side plate, rotor, and heavy-duty aluminum bail wire will handle the saltiest of environments and most fish species.
The reel uses the HT-100 Slammer drag system. This system is sealed, smooth, durable and powerful…
The reel uses the HT-100 Slammer drag system. This system is sealed, smooth, durable and powerful. It’s an awesome drag against big fish and stops them quickly. The crank on this reel matches the drag, it’s smooth and you’ll be able to fight and put pressure on a fish when you need it.
Ball Bearings
There are 5 shielded stainless steel ball bearings and instant anti-reverse bearing, while a friction trip ramp prevents any pesky premature bail trips when casting.
Spool Capacity
The Superline spool needs no backing and is ready for a braided line. It comes with capacity rings marked at 1/3, 2/3, and full capacity, making it easy to load and not overfill your spool. A variety of spinning reel sizes are available with this reel, so you can choose which reel size suits you best.
Weight
This reel is a little heavy, so casting with it all day will be tiring. It’s sealed but to be honest, no reel is 100% waterproof. Water will get in there somehow. The seals on this reel don’t let the water out, so you’ll have to take it apart to truly dry it.
It comes with live liner mode which allows you to set up to 6lbs of drag while live baiting, after which you can engage your normal drag. It’s super quiet though so you might not hear it when a fish takes.
Reels with live liner mode such as spinfishers or baitrunners allows you to let fish run with the bait, which can help set hooks easier when bait fishing.
Specs
- Mono capacity YD/LB: 306/10, 270/12, 240/15
- Braid capacity YD/LB: 425/20, 320/30, 250/40
- Max Drag: 30lb
- Gear Ratio: 5.6:1
- Ball bearings: 6
- Weight: 13.4oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 35”
- Retrieve Side: Right/Left Full Specs
Pros
- Live Liner system is very useful for live baiting, letting set up to 6lbs of drag before you apply the main drag.
- Has a powerful and super smooth drag.
- It’s very durable.
Cons
- The Live Liner mode is very quiet when a fish takes.
- This is a heavy reel and it’ll tire you out if you’re planning on casting all day.
- The reel is sealed but not 100% waterproof.
Best All-Rounder
Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel
Another great reel from Penn. It’s pretty, durable and smooth. The retrieve is awesome thanks to the gearing and ratio, you can get your line in really quickly.
Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel
the body, side plate, and rotor are made from aluminum…
Another great reel from Penn. It’s pretty, durable, and smooth. The retrieve is awesome thanks to the gearing and ratio, you can get your line in really quickly. The body, side plate, and rotor are made from aluminum so it’ll take a lot of punishment and still keep its gear alignment.
The gearing on this is impressive, you can retrieve so quickly. It’s awesome for topwater fishing or putting the heat on a big fish.
The gearing on this is impressive, you can retrieve so quickly. It’s awesome for topwater fishing or putting the heat on a big fish…
It includes the HT-100 Slammer drag which uses carbon fiber drag washers. If you’ve had a reel that uses this drag, you know how smooth and powerful it is.
Ball Bearings
The reel has 5 sealed stainless steel ball bearings, an instant anti-reverse bearing, a heavy-duty aluminum bail wire, and the Superline spool. This spool is braid ready with line capacity rings making it super easy to fill compared to other reels.
As long as you line it with the best braid for spinning reels, you shouldn’t have a problem.
The drag on this reel is fully sealed and you’ll have to look after it. The main gear can go after a few seasons, this is rare and you can easily replace the part. It’s heavy, but it does need to be to deal with big fish. You will get tired if you’re casting this all day.
Specs
- Mono capacity YD/LB: 340/20, 310/25, 230/30
- Braid capacity YD/LB: 475/50, 390/65, 345/80
- Max Drag: 30lb
- Gear Ratio: 5:3:1
- Ball bearings: 6
- Weight: 30.2oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 44”
- Retrieve Side: Right/Left Full Specs
Pros
- Excellent gearing
- The HT-100 drag is so smooth and reliable.
- It’s built like a tank and will put up with all conditions.
Cons
- This reel’s heavy but that’s what you need for big ocean fish.
- The main gear can go after a season or two but these cases are rare and it’s replaceable.
- The drag isn’t fully sealed but you’ll have to spend a lot more to get one that is.
Shimano Stradic FL Spinning Fishing Reel
Shimano are known for their quality and are always improving their products. This reel’s made with a full metal body, constructed to ensure high rigidity.
Shimano Stradic FL Spinning Fishing Reel
Shimano are known for their quality and are always improving their products. And Shimano reels are no exception. The Shimano Stradic FL is made with a full metal body, constructed to ensure high rigidity and a better quality reel. The stiffness makes it impact resistant and removes body flexing. This means all your winding power is directed into your retrieve, making it really efficient.
The drag is super smooth and is made from Shimano’s CrossCarbonDrag…
The drag is super smooth and is made from Shimano’s CrossCarbonDrag. This allows more drag settings along with smoothness. It’s labeled as the smoothest Shimano drag ever, and everyone agrees.
Bearings
Internally the stainless steel bearings are shielded on both sides, reducing the possibility of salt or sand sticking in their rotation. Combine this with the sealed X Protect system and the metal body and you have a great spinning reel that’ll stand the test of time.
X Protect gives a water repellent coating and a water channeling, labyrinth construction so water doesn’t make it to the important parts if it does make it in there.
Additional Feature
And, as with all new Shimano reels, the Shimano Stradic FL includes the G-FreeBody system. This moves the center of gravity closer to your hand’s position, to make it easier to cast all day.
The reel doesn’t have the biggest line capacity or max drag, I wouldn’t want to go offshore fishing with it and look for big fish, but it’ll work well for inshore species. It’s also not fully sealed so you’ll have to look after it very well to keep it alive.
Specs
- Mono capacity LB/YD: 10/240, 12/195, 14/165
- Braid capacity LB/YD: 20/220, 30/200, 40/160
- Max Drag: 24lb
- Gear Ratio: 6:2:1
- Ball bearings: 6+1
- Weight: 11.3oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 41 inch
- Retrieve Side: Right/Left Full Specs
Pros
- Very light, you can cast all day with it.
- Reduces twisting and backlash by up to 50%.
- Built with the sea in mind.
Cons
- Doesn’t have the biggest spool capacity.
- Isn’t fully sealed. You’ll have to look after it well.
- Pretty low max drag, I wouldn’t want to go up against a 50kg tuna with this.
Accurate SR30
This reel seems immortal. The quality of design and materials is second to none. It’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum and has barely any plastic parts inside, so there’s nothing to corrode or break.
Accurate SR30
This reel seems immortal. The quality of design and materials is second to none. It’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum and has barely any plastic parts inside, so there’s nothing to corrode or break.
The quality of design and materials is second to none. It’s made from aircraft-grade aluminum…
It uses a twin drag system, the only true one in the world, with a heat-dissipating system. If you have ever dealt with a big fish, you know how hot your reel can get when they take a huge run, and Accurate have built this reel for just that situation.
The reel also includes a unique pre-set knob for drag tension, a bit like an offshore reel, and a spool that can take a huge amount of line, both are key when you’re fishing for giants.
NOTE
This reel is pricey, but it’s an investment that will last a lifetime. Thanks to it’s incredible durability, it’s really heavy. If you plan on casting all day with this, it’ll hurt.
Specs
- Mono capacity YD/LB: 550/30
- Braid capacity YD/LB: 375/80
- Max Drag: 35lb
- Gear Ratio: 6:0:1
- Ball bearings: 14
- Weight: 40oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: N/A
- Retrieve Side: Right/Left Full Specs
Pros
- The line capacity on this is out of this world.
- Materials used are the highest quality aircraft grade aluminum.
- The twin drag is the only one of its kind. It’s super smooth and powerful.
Cons
- It’s really heavy, I mean 10oz more than a heavy reel.
- This reel is an investment. The price is scary but it’ll last a lifetime.
Abu Garcia Revo Inshore
This reel will put any inshore saltwater species to the test. Don’t take it as an offshore spinning reel though, the spool doesn’t have the capacity for larger lines and you’ll get schooled by a big fish.
Abu Garcia Revo Inshore
This reel will put any inshore saltwater species to the test. Don’t take it as an offshore spinning reel though, the spool doesn’t have the capacity for larger lines and you’ll get schooled by a big saltwater fish. The reel has been made for inshore and is designed for saltwater. The aluminum body, machined aluminum main gear for improved gear durability, and the carbon drag system are all built to brush off corrosion.
The drag system is smooth and easily adjustable while being powerful…
The drag system is smooth and easily adjustable while being powerful. The reel also includes seven ball bearings and the Rocket line management system which helps you cast far and accurately. You can put a braided line directly onto the spool as it’s machined aluminum and braid ready.
Here are my recommendations for the best braided fishing lines that you can use on this reel.
Light but Tough
The reel is super light whilst being smooth and durable. It’s perfect for inshore fishing where casting matters and you do a lot of it. I wouldn’t take this reel offshore fishing, it won’t handle large fish. The reel can stick sometimes and the bearings can grind after using it for a while, both of these cases are rare though.
This reel is perfect for inshore fishing, but how about your rod? Get the best inshore rod here and match it with your Revo Inshore reel.
Specs
- Mono capacity YD/LB: 205/14
- Braid capacity YD/LB: 200/20
- Max Drag: 24lb
- Gear Ratio: 5:6:1
- Ball bearings: 7
- Weight: 14oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 35 inch
- Retrieve Side: Left/Right Full Specs
Pros
- Super lightweight saltwater spinning reel, you won’t get tired casting all day.
- Excellent retrieve rate which is important when you’re pulling in lures all the time.
- Rocket line propulsion system helps you cast further.
Cons
- It is only for the salt. If you wanted a multi-use reel, this isn’t it.
- There are some reports of the reel arm sticking, but they’re rare.
- Bearings can also start to grind after some use.
Editor’s Choice
Daiwa Saltiga Saltwater Spinning Reel
Daiwa has put a lot of technology and durability into this reel. It has been manufactured to avoid reel failure. An issue a lot of saltwater reels face is debris and saltwater getting into the rotor bearing and wearing it away.
Daiwa Saltiga Saltwater Spinning Reel
Daiwa has put a lot of technology and durability into this reel. It has been manufactured to avoid reel failure. An issue a lot of saltwater reels face is debris and saltwater getting into the rotor bearing and wearing it away. Daiwa uses magnetic oil to stop this happening and to make the reel smoother.
The reel is built for durability with its aluminum body, handle and drag system…
The reel is built for durability with its aluminum body, handle and drag system, and you won’t be worried about big fish with it either. It holds so much fishing line, up to 330 yards and can have 55 pounds of drag. If that isn’t a reel built for a big fish, I don’t know what is! The retrieve rate matches the line capacity with a pick up of 40 or so inches per crank.
Weight
It’s heavy, because it’s made for big fish. If it wasn’t it would probably fail against those monsters out there. This isn’t something you want to be casting all day. It’s also one of the most costly reels out there, but you are getting amazing quality with it.
Specs
- Mono capacity YD/LB: 16/330, 20/280
- Braid capacity LB/YD: 50/330, 65/280
- Max Drag: 55.1 lbs
- Gear Ratio: 4.8:1
- Ball bearings: 12
- Weight: 23.2 oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 38.6 inch
- Retrieve Side: Right/Left Full Specs
Pros
- Excellent line capacity, drag pressure and retrieve rate combination
- It’s made with the future in mind, you won’t have to replace it if you look after it.
- The reel is reliable, no matter what you’re going for.
Cons
- It’s a little heavy, but as we have said already it needs to be.
- It’s definitely an investment, but thats because its so well made.
Best on a Budget
Daiwa BG
A lot of thought has gone into this spinning reel from Daiwa. It’s been made to last in the salt along with all the features you might need out there.
Daiwa BG
A lot of thought has gone into this spinning reel from Daiwa. It’s been made to last in the salt along with all the features you might need out there. The body is made from aluminum, so it won’t corrode. The Digigear System makes the retrieve super smooth and it picks up like quick.
This reel has got it all with a bit extra…
Drag & Line Capacity
The line capacity is huge, the spool is ready for a braided line, the drag is waterproof and powerful. This reel has got it all with a bit extra. The pick up on the bail is made to stop twists and loops for easy casting, although you may not be able to cast this reel all day as it’s heavy. It does need to be heavy to handle big fish though.
It’s also one of the best spinning reels for bass, if that’s your preferred catch. It is not without it’s issues though.
The roller on the bail can corrode, it’s quite rare and they’re easy to replace.
Specs
- Mono capacity LB/YD: 20/550, 25/440, 30/370
- Braid capacity LB/YD: 50/730, 65/590, 80/440
- Max Drag: 33lb
- Gear Ratio: 5:3:1
- Ball bearings: 7
- Weight: 30oz
- Retrieve rate, per crank: 53.3 inch
- Retrieve Side: Right/Left Full Specs
Pros
- The drag is smooth and powerful, you can go up against most species and win.
- Huge line capacity, nothing’s going to spool you on this reel.
- Built to last.
Cons
- It’s quite heavy, casting all day won’t be easy but you’ll get used to it.
- Bail roller can corrode easily when used heavily in saltwater but it’s not expensive to replace.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Saltwater Spin Reel
Here are some things to think about before you buy a spinning reel…
What are you fishing for?
This choice has a big impact on what kind of spinning reel you get. Do you want a reel that can handle any fish in the ocean or a reel that’s just for inshore?
If you’re fishing inshore, you won’t be needing a saltwater fishing reel that’ll handle a marlin. If you want a saltwater reel you can catch snapper with today and try to catch fish like a big tuna tomorrow, you’re going to need something a little sturdier.
Line Capacity
Line capacity is closely related to the fish you’re going to target. Some fish take huge runs and you just can’t stop them. If you’re catching fish which take long runs you’re going to need a lot of line, and therefore a big line capacity.
If you’re fishing inshore you don’t really need to worry too much about this, but you do if you’re going offshore saltwater fishing.
Using Braid
You’re most likely going to be putting a braided line on your saltwater spinning reel and you’ll need to know the best braided line knots if you’re a saltwater fisherman. If you’re a mono person, then this part will not mean much to you. When using braid, you’ll want a braid ready spool on your reel so you can spool it up easily.
TIP
Most reels are braid ready these days, but just check before you buy.
If you’re new to spinning reels, you might wanna check out this easy step-by-step guide on How to Put Line on a Spinning Reel, and also this guide on How to Use a Spinning Reel.
How Heavy Is The Reel
Imagine carrying around a heavy bag all day on your saltwater fishing trip, that’s a similar feeling to having to cast a heavy reel all day. It gets uncomfortable, tiring and can affect your day’s fishing. We don’t want that! If the fishing you’re doing involves consistently casting, you’ll want a lighter reel. It’ll make your time on the water much more enjoyable.
TIP
If you’re after huge fish, like giant tuna, there isn’t really a way around the weight issue, the reel needs to be heavy enough to handle the fish.
Durability & Corrosion Resistance
You’re taking this spinning reel into its most harsh environment, the salt. Just like the best ice fishing reel, it needs to be durable. If it’s not built for the distance, it’ll only last a week before you have to take it apart, clean and oil everything and put it back together. And then it’ll break again!
RECOMMENDATION
Make sure it has materials with corrosion resistance and is as sealed as it can be. This’ll help to keep the mean salt out.
Drag, Strong and Smooth
When fishing in the ocean, your drag needs to be as good as it can get. The fish you’re going after take serious runs and you’ll need a reel that can keep up. Make sure the maximum drag on the reel is high enough for the species you want to target. The drag needs to be sealed and made of quality reel materials.
TIP
Test the reel before you buy it if you can. Turn the drag to the maximum and pull line off it. It should be very hard to pull off and be as smooth as butter.
Conclusion
After considering all the options, our top best saltwater spinning reels were…
Best All-Rounder
The allrounder prize goes to the Penn Battle II. This reel’s built to survive, as long as you take care of it. The drag’s powerful, the line capacity is big and it casts like a dream. It’s made of quality reel materials and will stand the test of time in salty conditions. We have a Penn Battle II review, if you want an in-depth look at it.
Best on a Budget
The best on a budget saltwater spinning reel is the Daiwa BG. This spinning reel comes with all the features you need and at the right price.
Yes, it’s a little heavier than the other spinning reels in the line-up, but that’s thanks to the quality of the materials inside it. It’s built to last, has excellent line capacity and a large maximum drag so you can target big fish species with confidence when you want to.
Editor’s Choice
The editor’s choice is the best spinning reel in the line up, and it has to be the Daiwa Saltiga. The spinning reel is a piece of art when it comes to targeting big fish. You can confidently put a bait in front of a marlin and know the reel’s not going to fail you. It’s built from the best, for the best and biggest fish out there.
Just in case the above options are not for you, I’d recommend the Penn Clash spinning reel. It’s built to snag all sizes of fish in freshwater or saltwater. Here’s the review.
Spinning Out!
Thanks for reading my best saltwater spinning reels review and I hope you learned something from it. Don’t forget to share this to other saltwater anglers who might need this on their next saltwater fishing trip.
If ever you are new to saltwater fishing, my advice is to go with spinning reels that doesn’t break the bank like the Sougayilang fishing reels. Their good fishing reels to start with. And when you get a hang of saltwater spinning reels, maybe you can upgrade to a better one like the Okuma Cedros.
Always remember that your saltwater fishing tackle will be in perfect harmony when you’re using the right and best saltwater fishing reel for the fish you target.
And don’t ever forget to maintain your fishing gears after every fishing trip. Even the best saltwater reels will succumb to the harsh environment of the salt.
