Selecting the right fishing reel can be tricky. There are a ton of styles and sizes to choose from. Here is a list of my favorite spinning reels for three different styles of fishing.
Best Inshore Spinning Reel
The number one spinning reel on my list for inshore fishing in saltwater is the Penn Battle 4000. This reel is a workhorse and can handle everything from trout and redfish to big snook and juvenile tarpon. The Penn Battle 4000 is lightweight, extremely durable and has a super smooth drag system. It is built to handle the elements and withstand the harsh saltwater environment. In addition, this reel is very affordable, so you won’t be breaking the bank. This is a highly reliable spinning reel for any angler looking to do some inshore fishing.
Second Pick
The Diawa BG 4000 is my second favorite option for inshore fishing. It’s exceptionally durable and has a waterproof drag system. This reel is more than capable of putting big inshore fish in the boat.
Best Offshore Spinning Reel
When it comes to offshore spinning reels, its hard to beat the Penn Spinfisher VI 8500. This reel has a very smooth drag system and is equipped with 40 pounds of max drag. It can hold up to six-hundred yards of 50-pound slick braided line, so you never have to worry about getting spooled by a giant fish. This strong, efficient reel recovers 42 inches of line per turn of the handle. It is perfect for tuna, dolphinfish, kingfish, wahoo, sailfish, tarpon and sharks. The Penn Spinfisher VI 8500 does not disappoint and is a great reel for any offshore angler.
Second Pick
The Diawa BG 6500 is my preferred backup spinning reel for offshore fishing. Although it’s smaller than the Penn Spinfisher 8500, it’s very strong and can hold up to five-hundred and fifty yards of 50-pound braided line. It can handle some of the largest offshore fish.
Best Freshwater Spinning Reel
For freshwater fishing, my favorite spinning reel is the Pflueger President. It is very affordable, super lightweight, and has a very smooth drag. It’s great for panfish, perch, bass, catfish, walleye and pike. It’s an awesome reel for the price and is perfect for anything freshwater related.
All these spinning reels are fantastic choices, no matter what kind of fishing you enjoy. They’re each very high-quality, long-lasting reels that will get the job done and help anglers land more fish. If you’re in the market for a new spinning reel, none of these will disappoint.