Top 8 Best Surf Casting Reels (2023 Buyer’s Guide)

Choosing the best surf casting or overhead reel (also known as a conventional reel) can be tough. These days, we’re kinda spoiled for choice.

After considering all the options our top picks were…

There’s a number of best saltwater baitcasting reels on the market, but which is best for the surf? Well…there’s no outright best. There’s only what’s best for you, your circumstances and your fishing applications…

“Best” is situational and subjective, indeed highly subjective at times. Brand loyalty alone impacts our ability to assess a reel impartially. 

And still, there are countless variables beyond brand that should be considered when Identifying the best surf casting reel.

I’d never be so bold as to state which surf casting reel is the best overall. In fact, beware of the advice of those that do.

After 40 solid years of saltwater surf fishing, I do know a good reel for the surf when I see one. I know the bad ones too.

In this article, I’m going to identify eight good ones, and you can be the judge as to whether or not any of them suit you.

Before we get into it, however, I want to very briefly, address the spin versus casting argument and address the issue of level-wind.

Let’s take a quick look on the top three picks.

The Top Three…

Here are our top three choices from the lineup, each one in its own category.

Eight of the Best Surf Casting Reels

Here are all the top surf fishing reels we reviewed.

We’ve lined out all our top picks and pitted them against each other.

Spin Versus Casting (Overhead)

The spin v casting reel debate has and will rage on forever. Ultimately, because it’s a personal preference these days.

The spin v casting reel debate has and will rage on forever…

There’s even an element of reel snobbery, with the more complex casting reels considered the more elite weapon in some fishing circles. 

While a few short decades ago the casting reel was king, spin technology has saddled right up next to casting reels, diminishing its claims to the throne.

The Rise of Spin

Some modern surf spinning reels now offer the same strength and even greater drag capacities than casters. 

With the right techniques, they can also outcast the casting reel, despite the seemingly advantageous physics bestowed on the casting reel.

The spool capacities of big spinning reels have also advanced significantly. The big Daiwas and Shimanos can hold astonishing amounts of braided lines.

Importantly, the big game-changer is that the spin reel is far easier for everybody to master…

Importantly, the big game-changer is that spin reels are far easier for everybody to master. This is a big advantage over the casting reel.

An average angler can expect to get every bit of casting performance from a spin reel, where they may never get the best from their baitcaster.

There are also spinfisher and baitrunner reels that have a live liner mode that is great for surf fishing.

The Casting Reel Issue

Getting serious casting distances from your casting reel takes skill. An angler needs to learn and hone that skill. Here’s a guide for casting farther if you want to know how to improve and increase casting distance.

The infuriating messy bird’s nest you can make with overrun or backlash can completely destroy a day’s saltwater fishing. And, while you may have mastered the reel, the potential of a bird’s nest is ever-present. 

…physics denies us the opportunity to be rid of backlash forever

Regardless of the superb casting technologies available, regardless of the skill of the user, physics denies us the opportunity to be rid of backlash forever.

Further to this, not all casting reels are created equally. Some are better casters than others. Some are more user-friendly than others. Others are better designed for fishing from the dock.

NOTE

Some casting technologies and reel designs are not only just better than others, but innately more conducive to a speedy mastery, depending on the user, of course.

Choosing a Casting Reel

It can be nigh on impossible to make that assessment in a shop, or online. You won’t really know its casting capacity until you’ve used it and learned its ‘personality’ relative to your abilities.

TIP

If you’ve never used one before, see if you can use a friend’s first. Alternatively, just do some research and take it on. 

These days, there’s a lot of excellent affordable casting surf reels. To be honest, you will see a lot of anglers who are very content with surf casting reels purchased at a particularly modest price point. 

And, by the way, by the time you read this, you’ll also feel reasonably well equipped to make a solid purchase, whether a noob or experienced. In case you’re considering looking for baitcasting reels not just for the surf, check out this review.

The Casting Reel Advantage in the Surf

The perpendicular configuration of a casting reel helps prevent line twist. This can be a major advantage in a churning surf when casting huge distances.

Line twist can kill cast distance, as well as promote knots. Further line twist issues include poor bait presentation and poor lure performance.

Line twist is barely an issue with a casting reel. 

And importantly, the perpendicular configuration is naturally stronger than that of a spin reel.

A Quick Word About Level Wind

One of the most important features of a surf reel is its casting credentials. Ideally, a surf casting reel should be able to cast long distances with pretty heavy weights. 

In my reel selection below I have included several reels that have level winds. Immediately I hear the surf casting reel puritans question the choice of a surf reel with level wind.

Because the line on a level wind must pass through a relatively small line guide, friction will come into play and negatively impact distance.

Level-wind

As we all know, friction is the arch-nemesis of the long cast. A level wind will decrease casting distance… at least on paper.

A good, well-designed level wind does, however, have the advantage of ensuring that line is evenly packed onto the spool.

A spool that is packed consistently and evenly will allow for excellent cast distance because it peels off the spool so easily.

Brilliant for the Average Angler

A level wind is a brilliant inclusion for the average angler, despite the probable loss of distance.

Surf fishing, particularly with lures, requires frequent lengthy retrieves. Without a level wind feature, an angler must become extremely proficient at packing the spool evenly with finger control.

This can be pretty tough while managing tricky surf conditions or battling a fish.

An unevenly packed casting reel casts poorly…in anybody’s hands…

If you cannot pack your spool evenly, you will likely negate the casting distance benefits of NOT having a level wind. An unevenly packed casting reel casts poorly…in anybody’s hands.

As with just about anything in life, there’s a trade-off and compromise. With casting surf reels, the trade-offs are only very minor, but they are there nonetheless and should be considered. 

The Ranking Process

So, instead of pros and cons, I’ll provide a bullet point list of key considerations for each reel.

In conclusion, I’ll name the top pick, the best value, and the one I’d buy…money no barrier.

Conclusion

Here’s a quick recap of our top three best surf fishing reels…

Editor’s Top Pick

My top pick goes to the Daiwa M7HTMAGST Millionaire Surf Reel. This would be my go-to daily workhorse. 

Regardless of what I was targeting at the beach, this surf fishing reel would come with me. It’s lightweight, yet very strong and a legendary cast. 

I would target just about every surf dwelling species with this reel, in a variety of conditions.

Best on a Budget

It’s impossible to look past the KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel S60. I’m a big fan of getting anglers out on the water with quality kit for less. 

Yep, I’m a little suspicious about durability and reliability at such a price tag. But it’s such a small outlay.

And if you’re still having second thoughts about the reliability of KastKing reels, this KastKing Stealth detailed review can clear up those doubts

Also, I have it on trusted authority that the KastKing is the reel deal. If my kids can afford to go out and buy this reel on their pocket money and tackle big surf fish on the beach, then it gets my budget tick.

If you need baitcast reels for other types of fishing, here are more great but affordable baitcast reel options.

Editor’s Choice

The Shimano Calcutta. It’s a classic. There’s something X-factor about the Calcutta that can’t be illustrated via the features and specifications.

The balance of casting length and the level wind is a winner for me, and it just feels so good in your hand.

Conclusion

All the reels on the list are great. They’ll all perform beautifully in the surf depending on your skill level and experience.

All of the level winds are great for the less experienced. Being able to pack a spool mechanically makes such a difference to the next cast.

If I jigged as much as I cast, I’d definitely choose the Okuma. This is one heck of a reel, and probably the most versatile of the eight listed.

Tougher Reel

For those anglers who are rough on their gear, choose the Penn. The graphite construction is a little more forgiving.

For casting with a level wind while restricted by budget, my first choice would be the Daiwa Saltist. 

Obviously, as stated before, the tightest of tight budgets should head for the KastKing Rover.

Versatile

The Daiwa Millionaire is ideal for those heading to the beach without a target in mind. It’s great for the avid cast and hope angler. The sort of angler who welcomes a mixed bag, and will adapt their approach to whatever fish are about.

The Shimano Torium is for those surf anglers chasing a larger class of surf fish. The spool capacity and drag capacity are designed to catch monster fish.

This is true too of the Calcutta. However, there’s an added level of class in the Calcutta that few reels manage to compete with.

Right Reel for You

Whatever surf fishing reel you choose, if it’s one of the best surf fishing reel from this list, I’m pretty confident you can’t go wrong.

But if you need surf fishing options try checking out this guide, or if you prefer a spinning reel, you might want to check out my review of the best surf fishing spinning reels.

A final word. Whichever saltwater reel you choose, just remember. Corrosion resistance inclusions only go so far.

The beach, sand, and salt kill expensive and cheap reels alike. Take care of your fishing gear, Clean it, and you can expect it will last countless sessions against the toughest of fish.