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Are you looking for fishing reels? Do you want to find the best fishing reels for your fishing trips? Do you encounter problems with big and powerful fish when fishing? It can be a little annoying when the fishing reels you have cause you to lose your catch. In this article, we review some of the best fishing reels available on the market to help you find the right fishing reels for your fishing trips.

Top Product
KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel
  • Smooth Drag
  • Smooth Retrieve
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1. KastKing Fishing Reel

KastKing Spinning Reel
  • Compact
  • High Performance
  • Superior Drag System
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The KastKing fishing reel is a high-performance fishing reel for your fishing trips. It can be frustrating when the fishing reel causes you to lose your catch. This fishing reel is a lightweight fishing reel with a computer balancing system that delivers high performance. It is a size 500 spinning reel.

Additionally, its superior drag system delivers good stopping power up to 17.5 lbs. It has a hardened metal shaft, very good mesh drive gear, and precision machined pinion gear that delivers fish-fighting power. This fishing reel will improve your catch rate and make you appear like a fishing pro. This fishing reel is perfect for ice fishing.

What We Like:

Compact

High Performance

Superior Drag System

2. Penn Pursuit III Fishing Reel

Penn Pursuit III Spinning Fishing Reel
  • Stainless-Steel Bearing System
  • Superline Spool
  • Superior Drag System
  • Lightweight
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The Penn Pursuit III is a fishing reel for both the experienced and beginner angler. It features an HT-100 carbon fiber drag system to withstand the hard fight that large fish will put up when hooked. This fishing reel has a lightweight and corrosion-resistant graphite body. You benefit from a smooth operation thanks to its shielded stainless-steel ball bearings. Additionally, its line capacity rings indicate how many lines you have out.

What We Like:

Stainless-Steel Bearing System

Smooth Drag System

Superline Spool

Lightweight

3. PENN Battle Spinning Reel Kit

The PENN Battle spinning reel kit includes the PENN BATTLE spinning reel with a spare anodized aluminum spool and a PENN neoprene reel cover. This spinning reel is well designed to withstand the fight from fish with its heavy-duty aluminum bail wire. This spinning reel is size 3000. This spinning reel and spool will work well when you hook a large and powerful fish with its HT-100 front drag system.

What We Like:

Durable

Smooth Drag

4. KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel

The KastKing Sharky III fishing reel is any angler’s dream fishing reel as it is what you need to land trophy fish in saltwater and freshwater. It features a high percentage of fiber-reinforced graphite body and rotor. This fishing reel also has a smooth and reliable drag. With its quiet and smooth retrieve, you will have no problem reeling in your catch.

What We Like:

Smooth Drag

Smooth Retrieve

5. KastKing Royale Legend II Baitcasting Reel

KastKing Royale Legend II Baitcasting Reel
  • Cross-Fire Magnetic Brake System
  • Faster Gear Ratios
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The KastKing Royale Legend II is a compact size low profile bait caster fishing reel that is comfortable when you reel in your catch. It is a durable and high-performance baitcasting reel that most baitcasting anglers like to use on their fishing trips. Additionally, this baitcasting reel features faster gear ratios for crankbaits and jigs. This fishing reel also features a new dynamic magnetic braking system with 8 magnetic buttons.

What We Like:

Cross-Fire Magnetic Brake System

Faster Gear Ratios

6. KastKing Megatron Fishing Reel

The KastKing Megatron fishing reel is designed to withstand the fierce fight that some fish will put up when hooked. It has enormous strength and durability to handle hard fights from large and powerful fish. Additionally, it features a smooth carbon fiber drag system that delivers over 30 lbs. of stopping power. This fishing reel works in freshwater and saltwater thanks to its double-shielded stainless ball bearings.

What We Like:

Durable

Smooth Drag System

7. Pflueger Fishing Reel

Pflueger Spinning Reel
  • Durable
  • Smooth Drag System
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The Pflueger fishing reel features a 7-bearing system that has corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball bearings. It also features a lightweight graphite reel construction. This fishing reel also has a braid-ready spool with the braid tied directly to the spool. Additionally, this fishing reel features a smooth drag with its sealed drag system.

What We Like:

Smooth Drag

Durable

8. KastKing Valiant Spinning Reel

The KastKing Valiant spinning reel is built for power and speed which allows anglers to use it in freshwater or saltwater fishing. If you are looking for a spinning reel with both power and speed when fishing, then the KasyKing Valiant Gold Eagle is one spinning reel that you should consider. Additionally, its drag system provides 22 lb of power to withstand the fight that some fish will put up when hooked.

What We Like:

Fast & Powerful

Lightweight

9. PENN Fierce III Fishing Reel

PENN Fierce III Spinning Reel
  • HT-100 Front Drag System
  • Smooth Retrieve
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The PENN Fierce III can be used for inshore or nearshore fishing thanks to its HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers. You will experience smooth retrieves when using this fishing reel. It is available in a range of sizes from 1000 to 8000. You also benefit from easy line alignment with its heavy-duty aluminum bail wire and super line spool.

What We Like:

Smooth Retrieve

HT-100 Front Drag System

Types of Fishing Reels

1. Spinning Reels

Spinning reels are not as simple as spin-casting reels. They provide improved casting, enhanced durability, more efficiency, and better performance. Spinning reels feature a spool in the middle, a drag knob on top, and a metal bail that locks and unlocks the line. Additionally, spinning reels are operated from the bottom of the rod and the eyelets are on the bottom as well.

2. Baitcasting Reels

Baitcasting reels are often used by experienced and professional anglers. it features more power and precision than the other fishing reels. Baitcasting reels require more maintenance as they have more moving parts than a spinning or baitcasting reel. Hence, there is more of a learning curve to baitcasting reels than the other fishing reels.

A baitcasting reel sits on top of the rod handle and has a semi-enclosed design with a sturdy build. This reel also has a spool tension knob and a braking system that provides extra performance and customization. This knob and the braking system are used to adjust how fast the line is going out of the reel.

3. Conventional Reels

Conventional reels are often used for deep-sea game fishing as they are made of heavy-duty graphite and machined aluminum. With a semi-open design and an oversized handle, you can crank in larger fish. Additionally, conventional reels also feature a multi-disc drag system that handles large line capacity and extended retrieval periods.

4. Spincast Reels

A spin-cast reel is simple and easy to use. It is similar to the standard spinning reel and is affordable. It is designed with a closed face with a metal cone on top. This design of the spin-casting reel keeps water, dirt, and anything out of the spool. Spincast reels don’t require a lot of maintenance and tend to last for some period of time.

Additionally, spin casting reels have a simple drag mechanism which is controlled by a slider knob. This allows you to increase the amount of pressure or decrease it depending on which tackle you are using and the fish that you are trying to catch.

5. Fly Fishing Reels

Fly fishing reels are lightweight, basic, and affordable. These reels are designed for precision when fly fishing. The spool of the fly fishing reel is called an arbor.

What To Consider When Choosing A Fishing Reel

1. Drag System

The drag system of the fishing reel is one of the most important features to consider. It allows you to feed the line when it is needed. There are some fish that will pull away instantly with so much power when it is hooked, such that if you quickly feed the line, the fish can pull your entire system out of your hands and into the water.

The need for a smooth, high-quality drag system cannot be overstated. A front drag system is a popular choice for many anglers since it is closer to the spool and easier to access and adjust during the catch.

2. Instant Anti-Reverse Handles

The instant anti-reverse handle feature is very important when fishing. You don’t want a fishing reel that has a backward motion on the handle. If the handle can move backward, that can prevent a powerful and accurate hook set which will greatly reduce your success rate.

3. Ball Bearings

A smooth retrieve is always essential when fishing as you want to quickly and smoothly reel in your catch. The amount of ball bearings plays a major role in how smooth the retrieve will be. The greater the number of ball bearings, the smoother the retrieve will be. A fishing reel with 5 ball bearings will provide a good amount of smoothness for the retrieve.

4. Gear Ratio

The gear ratio of the fishing reel is also important for a fast and efficient fishing reel. The gear ratio you choose has a direct relationship with the type of fishing that you will do. Gear ratio is the number of times the ball rotates around the spool during one rotation of the handle. A 5:1 gear ratio is considered a good gear ratio for fishing.

5. Size

The size of the fishing reel is also very important. It is directly linked to the size of the fishing line you will use. The lighter the line you will use, the smaller the reel you should choose. Always check the line capacity information that you can find on the spool or the product chart.

6. Spool Material

The material that the spool is made of is another important factor to consider when choosing a fishing reel. Most fishing reels are made of aluminum and graphite. Aluminium is a better choice than graphite as aluminum will not crack.

7. Frame Construction

The frame construction is also important to take into consideration when choosing a fishing reel. The popular choices are narrow graphite and aluminum. Graphite frames are lighter and corrosion-resistant but aluminum frames are stronger and more durable.

8. Line Spool

The line spool is a feature that you should pay close attention to. The line should lie flat and level from the top to the bottom with no humps or bumps. If the fishing reel comes with shims, that is not a good sign. It is a red sign and not a plus for that fishing reel.

9. Handle Knob

The handle is also important. When choosing a fishing reel, make sure you choose one with a comfortable handle. How comfortable the handle is, goes a long way to you successfully fishing on the waters. Pay close attention to the grip and make sure it is comfortable and does not make holding the reel awkward or may cause hand pain if you fish for a long day. EVA material is a better option than hard rubber or plastic.

Best Fishing Reels

What's the difference between 3000 and 4000 reels?
There is not much difference between a 3000 and a 4000 reel. There is a slight difference in height.
Why do pros use fluorocarbon?
Fluorocarbon leaders are very sensitive and detect even the faintest of bites. Additionally, it is not easily visible to the fish.
Which is better monofilament or fluorocarbon?
Fluorocarbon leaders are more abrasion resistant than standard nylon monofilament. Additionally, fluorocarbon leaders are not impacted from ultraviolet rays like monofilament. Fluorocarbon leaders also don’t absorb water like monofilament leaders; they are waterproof.
Do fish see fluorocarbon?
Fluorocarbon, especially pink fluorocarbon leader, blends with the water making it difficult for the fish to see it as it becomes invisible.

The Bottom Line

The fishing reel can be the difference between reeling in a large and combative fish and losing it as well as your line. There are many fishing reels on the market today and in this article, we reviewed some of the best fishing reels to help you find just the right one for your fishing trips. If you are interested in fish finders, read the best fish finders to get the right one when you fishing from your boat.

If you like to catch fish like halibut and largemouth bass, then you can read how to catch halibut and how to catch largemouth bass for tips and strategies on how to catch more halibuts and largemouth bass.

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