Picking the wrong choice of spinning reel can end up ruining your fishing experience. For instance, if you are fishing in saltwater, you should equip yourself with the best saltwater spinning reel.
Do not just pick any fishing reel because not all are designed to handle saltwater conditions. The right saltwater spinning reel should be strong and durable and most important corrosion resistant.
The best saltwater spinning reels are made by re-known brands like Shimano, Okuma, Penn and Abu Garcia just to mention a few. If you are wondering which is the most recommendable saltwater spinning reel, this guide will help you choose the right one.
With any of these saltwater fishing reels, it will be easy for you to acquire a product that will serve your inshore and surf fishing requirements.
Why You Would Need A Spinning Reel
- To enhance your fishing abilities
- To get the most out of your fishing experience
- To capture the best without lots of struggles
- To make the most enjoyable of your time out fishing.
Things To Consider When Buying A Saltwater Spinning Reel
Finding a spinning reel, a good one can be such a daunting task as there are hundreds of options to choose from. However, with the right information, you can be able to get the best spinning reel out in the market. The following are some of the things you need to consider when getting a good spinning reel.
Reel Body
For any equipment or tool, it is important to know what the body is made of. This determines how long the equipment can last and if it is appropriate for the conditions you will be working in.
For example, in spinning reels, there are two main material used to make them, aluminum and graphite. While graphite is a lighter option, putting less stress on the forearm and wrist, aluminum is a tougher and more durable option for the same.
Ball Bearings
Ball bearings also referred to as bushing are small balls that you may find inside moving parts of machines that make the movement smooth and stable. Spinning reels have ball bearings as well and in saltwater spinning reels as in every other case, the more the ball bearings the smoother the machine or equipment.
So when out getting one it is good to go for one with a higher number of ball bearings even when they might be a bit more expensive. The outcome is much more enjoyable and effective.
Reel Size And Weight
When out fishing, a lot of factors determine how long you will stay out in the water with your spinning reel. The reel size and weight are one of the most important considerations.
The heavier the reel, the more pressure it exerts on the wrist and forearm and thus increasing chances of fatigue. This means you will not be able to stay in the water for long. On the other hand, a smaller and lighter reel will give you more time to do what you do best without causing tiredness or fatigue.
Reel Gear Ratio
Unlike casting reels, the spool in a spinning reel does not rotate; it is stationary, and it is the bail that wraps around the spool for retrieval. Therefore, in spinning reels, the reel gear ratio refers to the number of times the bail goes round the spool with one turn of the handle.
There are three ratios 4:1, 5:1 and 6:1 going from low to medium to high respectively. Thus to get the best, fastest retrieval it is best to get a 6:1 reel and for a slow retrieval 4:1 would be your reel. For medium retrieval 5:1 is the one.
Anti- Reverse
Anti-reverse refers to a feature in saltwater spinning reels that prevent the handle of a spinning reel from spinning back when it has been pulled in.
This feature is important in making sure your catch doesn’t go back into the water and get lost which can be a low point especially if you spent some time to get your fish. Thus when shopping for a spinning reel, it is important to have one that has a good and well-functioning anti-reverse to make sure your work doesn’t go to waste.
Ten Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Review in 2019
1. Shimano Tekota 300 Conventional Trolling Reel
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The frame and body of the spinning reel has to be made to perfection to be able to last long while still performing its functions as it should.
The Shimano Tekota 300 Conventional Trolling Reel is made with a Diecast aluminum frame that gives it the flexibility of being able to deal with both freshwater and saltwater conditions.
The handle of the reel has to be one that is made in a manner that is enables the user to operate without having a hard time or struggling too much.
In this light, the knob should be both large enough to hold and have a great grip. The Shimano Tekota 300 Conventional Trolling Reel is an expert at this with a Septon Handle Grip and an oversized Cast Control knob which make using the reel easy as ABC.
The ball bearings as seen earlier are a very important factor in the smoothness and stability of a reel. The Shimano Tekota 300 Conventional Trolling Reel is made with 3 ball bearings that are enough to make the reel work just well. On top of that, it has a 1 more roller bearing.
Shimano Tekota 300 Features
- Diecast aluminum frame
- Aluminum braced graphite non- handle
- Manual clutch lever
- Septon Handle Grip
- Oversized Cast Control Knob
- Line Capacity: 12/275, 14/220, 16/185
- Maximum Drag: 12 pounds.
2. Penn Affinity LC 7000 Moulinet Saltwater Spinning Reel
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The weight of a spinning reel determines to a large extent how long one can stay out in the water. This is because heavier spinning reels take a toll on the user by exerting extra pressure on the wrist and forearm. This causes fatigue.
The Penn Special Senator 114 Fishing Reel is made with a graphite frame that is lightweight and thus reduces chances of fatigue by a good range. You can thus stay out in the water fishing for a longer time as compared to when using reels made of other materials.
The spool has to be one that lasts a long time, and it, therefore, needs to be made with the right material. The spool in this fishing reel is made of anodized aluminum which means you as the user can then enjoy the benefits of its wonderful services for a longer period.
Apart from these the Penn Special Senator 114 Fishing Reel has additional features which make it stand out from other reels including high strength marine grade bronze alloy main gear, precision machined stainless steel pinion gear and a multi- disk star drag system for smooth and consistent drag.
Penn Affinity LC 7000 Features
- Lightweight graphite frame
- Machined and anodized aluminum spool
- Precision machined stainless steel pinion gear
- High-strength marine grade bronze alloy main gear
- Multi-disk star drag system for smooth and consistent drag
3. Penn Special Senator 114 Fishing Reel
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The weight of a spinning reel determines to a large extent how long one can stay out in the water. This is because heavier spinning reels take a toll on the user by exerting extra pressure on the wrist and forearm. This causes fatigue.
The Penn Special Senator 114 Fishing Reel is made with a graphite frame that is lightweight and thus reduces chances of fatigue by a good range. You can thus stay out in the water fishing for a longer time as compared to when using reels made of other materials.
The spool has to be one that lasts a long time, and it, therefore, needs to be made with the right material. The spool in this fishing reel is made of anodized aluminum which means you as the user can then enjoy the benefits of its wonderful services for a longer period.
Apart from these the Penn Special Senator 114 Fishing Reel has additional features which make it stand out from other reels including high strength marine grade bronze alloy main gear, precision machined stainless steel pinion gear and a multi-disk star drag system for smooth and consistent drag.
Penn Special Senator 114 Features
- Lightweight graphite frame
- Machined and anodized aluminum spool
- Precision machined stainless steel pinion gear
- High-strength marine grade bronze alloy main gear
- Multi-disk star drag system for smooth and consistent drag
4. Daiwa Opus Saltwater Spinning Reel
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If a spinning reel can operate in more than just one environment, it can be such a big plus. The versatility which lets a spinning reel be used in both salt water and fresh water just comfortably is incredible.
Anyone out to fish will love this feature. This spinning reel is an expert at this. It portrays extra heavy action in freshwater and heavy action in saltwater; you will not be disappointed.
The weight also is another factor that you will need to look out for in a product like this. This is because when the spinning reel is too heavy, it will foster fatigue which will jeopardize how effective one is at a fishing exercise. This spinning reel weighs just 20.1 oz. and on top of that has a gear ratio of 4.6:1 which is fairly good.
Smoothness and stability are two things that can never be ignored in the making of any spinning reel and this is achieved by the use of ball bearings. The Daiwa Opus Saltwater Spinning Reel is equipped with ball bearings that help it achieve the two necessary features mentioned above; smoothness and stability.
Daiwa Opus Features
- Versatility, can be used in both freshwater and salt water.
- Gear ratio of 4.6:1
- Weighs only 20.1 oz.
- Equipped with ball bearings.
5. Okuma Trio High-Speed Spinning Reel
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The Okuma spinning reel is also one of the best saltwater spinning reels in the market today. Its features are just more than wonderful, and having this reel is having perfection on your hands.
This reel comes with a hybrid body made of both aluminum and graphite, a perfect combination that brings with it excellent resistance to rust while at the same time offering trustable durability and super lightweight.
Smoothness and stability are things this spinning reel understands perfectly. This can be seen openly without a doubt in the number of ball bearings in this reel.
The Okuma Trio High-Speed Spinning Reel has nine ball bearings! With this much ball bearings, there is absolutely no one who can worry about smoothness or stability, these ball bearings take care of that squarely.
The anti-reverse which is also a wonderful feature present in all nice spinning reels is featured in the Okuma Trio High-Speed Spinning Reel. It is a quickest anti-reverse roller bearing that ensures your handle doesn’t go back in the opposite direction and end up jeopardizing one’s catch.
Okuma Trio Features
- Hybrid spool design, graphite harbor and aluminum lip
- Aluminum and graphite hybrid body
- The precision dual force drag system
- Nine ball bearings + one stainless steel ball bearings
- Quick- set anti-reverse roller bearing
6. Penn Battle II Spinning Reel
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There is a lot of seriousness dedicated to smooth working in the making of this spinning reel. These are the kinds of equipment that make you want to stay out in the water forever because of their smoothness. The Penn Battle II Spinning Reel is made with six ball bearings, which as you may guess make work super easy super enjoyable.
Durability is also something everyone shopping for a spinning reel has to take consideration of. If your spinning reel is really good but doesn’t even stay for a considerable amount of time, and you have to replace or fix it now and then, then you ought to find a better reel that can last just like this one. It is made with a full metal body, side plate, and rotor which guarantees long lasting service without the need for constant repair and fixing.
Just like any good and well performing spinning reel, the Penn Battle II Spinning Reel is equipped with an instant anti-reverse bearing that works to make sure your handle doesn’t lose direction and roll back. It kicks into action anytime this scenario presents itself.
Penn Battle II Features
- Six ball bearings
- Full Metal body, side plate and rotor
- HT- 10 carbon fiber drag washers
- Instant anti- reverse bearing
- Heavy duty aluminum ball wire
7. Corrosion Resistant Spinning Reel
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This spinning reel has to be top of the list of incredible spinning reels. Very few spinning reels match the excellence portrayed in this wonderful product.
To begin with, the Corrosion Resistant Spinning Reel is made with a patented design that consists of a sealed system, and stainless steel screws that enhance the reel’s waterproof, dustproof and scratchproof properties. It is also an expert at corrosion prevention.
The reel also features a parallel winding reel spool design that offers for more even fishing line spooling and longer casting distance. The reel also has a stainless steel copper alloy main axis with a dual bearing system that accounts for better reeling on not just small fish but big ones as well.
For smoothness and stability, the Corrosion Resistant Spinning Reel is more than an expert. It is equipped with 18 sealed stainless steel ball bearings. This ensures smooth casting and retrieval.
Corrosion Resistant Features
- Patented unique design
- Parallel winding reel spool
- Stainless steel copper alloy main axis
- Sturdy metal shaft
- 18 stainless steel ball bearings
8. Okuma Avenger ABF Graphite Bait Feeder Reel
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It is an almost basic fact for any well-performing spinning reel to take smoothness into consideration. This spinning reel has put itself into that bracket by having quite a good number of ball bearings to achieve this smoothness and stability.
The Okuma Avenger ABF Graphite Bait Feeder Reel has 6 ball bearings that ensure smoothness of operation and stability.
The anti-reverse which prevents the handle from rolling back when being pulled in is a very important feature, and that is why the Okuma Avenger ABF Graphite Bait Feeder Reel is made with a quick set anti-reverse bearing that sees to it that no reverse action is experienced.
Corrosion can be a menace sometimes as you will find a pretty good reel that has fallen completely as a result of rusting and corrosion. The Okuma Avenger ABF Graphite Bait Feeder Reel has a corrosion resistant feature that makes sure the spinning reel remains intact and in good shape for as long as possible.
Okuma Avenger Features
- Bait feeding system that allows for disengagement of the spool
- Multi- disk drag system
- Six ball bearings
- Anti- reverse roller bearing
- Corrosion resistant.
Final Verdict
It is a difficult job to make an informed choice with hundreds saltwater spinning reels out in the market. This article makes it easy for anyone by giving knowledge and a variety of the best options in the market today. After reading the reviews and guide, you become an expert and can make a wise choice when pick