Best Saltwater Spinning Reels in 2022 – Top Models Reviewed!

Fishing has been around for thousands of years and is currently the most popular hobby among Americans. The latest studies have found that fishing is more popular than golf, tennis and horse riding put together. Moreover, there are hundreds of different annual fishing contests and tournaments including for saltwater species. This king of tournaments & seawater fishing you need best Spinning reels for saltwater.

These tournaments vary greatly from trolling for tuna to slowly drifting across various bays for fish such as the flounder. If you were to ask a professional angler what is the difference between saltwater and freshwater fishing, the answer would be water. Water causes the fishing gear to start corroding however saltwater accelerates the process much faster. The formed rust and corrosion can weaken the rod, the guides on the rod as well as the reel itself.

Some anglers solve this problem by rinsing off the sea water after every fishing trip while others prefer to spray their rods and reels with a silicone based spray, for example, the WD-40. Nowadays, the manufacturers of fishing gear, intended to be used in seawater, are using the latest production techniques as well as a specially developed blend of materials that are more prone to withstanding corrosion and rust.

But, anglers will still need to take care of their spinning reels. Best Spinning reels for Saltwater greatly vary in length, rod strength, as well as price hence each individual, will need to select their own saltwater spinning reel based on their skill level, the frequency of fishing and budget.

Top 10 Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Review in 2022

1. Penn Battle II Saltwater Spinning Reel

Penn Battle Saltwater Spinning Reel is made with lightweight stainless steel and computer designed handle that has been reported to be very easy to hold over a long period of fishing.

Moreover, the Penn Battle II Spinning Reel comes with a 1-year warranty plus lots of anglers have reported the customer service to be very friendly and helpful. Furthermore, anglers can choose from several different sizes and carrying case that are available at no additional cost.

2. Daiwa Bg Spinning Reel

If you’re looking for the best saltwater spinning reel for an affordable price, you can’t beat this Daiwa reel. The black anodized machined aluminum housing is deceptively simple, but it houses an oversized “digi-gear” with a gear ratio of 5.6:1, which has astonished many anglers.

Anyone who’s used this reel has sung nothing but praise. It has a very smooth action and casts beautifully without any tangles. The solid screw-in handle, waterproof drag system, and manual return bail all make it very formidable.

Moreover, depending on the size of the reel, you either get the Infinite anti-reverse system or the Infinite Dual anti-reverse system. Make sure to treat it well, and give it a rinse with fresh water after fishing in saltwater, and it’ll serve you for years. All in all, it’s quite a good choice for an affordable reel.

Also Read: Best Catfish Reel – Top Option in the Market

3. Pflueger President Saltwater Spinning Reel

Pflueger President Saltwater Spinning Reel has been designed especially for saltwater hence it is made with a resistant layer that will withstand rust and corrosion over a long period of time.

Because this spinning reel was designed to be used in rapid currents, the main shaft has been made from thicker and reinforced material. Moreover, this spinning reel is made with stainless bearings and carbon fiber made drag mechanism that will be capable of dragging up to 30 pounds of fish.

Thanks to durable construction and good quality control you can be sure that no sand or sea water will enter the shaft or the bearing compartment. Professional anglers recommend purchasing this best spinning reels for saltwater if you are planning on fishing for large species such as Catfish, Pike and Bass.

4. KastKing Megatron Spinning Reel

This KastKing reel has a rugged build, and its unique features will help you angle in both freshwater and saltwater without a hitch. The precise geometric forms in its structure help to reduce weight, and at the same time, maintains strength.

The rigid aerospace aluminum alloy skeletal design frame allows the reel to be highly maneuverable. It has a triple-disc carbon fiber drag system, which can deliver over 30 lbs of weight. It also gives you solid and flawless drag without any startup hesitation. Hence, no snapped fishing line and lost fish.

5. SeaKnight Rapid Spinning Reel

SeaKnight Saltwater Spinning Reel has been designed especially for saltwater hence it is made with a resistant layer that will withstand rust and corrosion over a long period of time.

Because this spinning reel was designed to be used in rapid currents, the main shaft has been made from thicker and reinforced material. Moreover, this spinning reel is made with stainless bearings and carbon fiber made drag mechanism that will be capable of dragging up to 30 pounds of fish.

Thanks to durable construction and good quality control you can be sure that no sand or sea water will enter the shaft or the bearing compartment. Professional anglers recommend purchasing this best spinning reels for saltwater if you are planning on fishing for large species such as Catfish, Pike and Bass.

6. Penn Clash Saltwater Spinning Reel

Fairly light and well-designed spinning reel manufactured to be used for fishing in the sea plus the all-metal body makes this spinning reel durable and long lasting.

Moreover, the Penn Clash Saltwater Spinning Reel will be great for individuals wanting to try fishing in the open sea but don’t have the financial means of buying expensive spinning reels.

7. Souygay Saltwater Fishing Spinning Reel

Souygas saltwater spinning reel is really lightweight and very portable plus it comes with anti-reverse stopping bearing.

Anglers have reported this spinning reel being really smooth and durable moreover, the main shaft is made from carbon coated metal for better performance and reliability.

Also Read: Best Saltwater Baitcasting Reels – Check Out This Guide

8. Dr.Fish Saltwater Spinning Reel

Specially designed for surf fishing, this saltwater spinning reel pleases the crowd by casting a great distance. It also has a huge line capacity and a max drag of 48 lbs, which helps fight and catch large fish. The reel also seems to cast quite far.

The reel has a high density, corrosion-resistant reel body, so you can tell that it’ll be perfectly safe even if you accidentally dip it in saltwater. The side plate and rotor on this reel are both sealed and waterproof. The spool is made of CNC aluminum, and users seem to love the spring-loaded teeth that hold the line.

9. Cadence Stout Saltwater Spinning Reel

High-performance features for a competitive price- that’s the strength of this Cadence reel. Its enhanced aluminum-alloy body is firmly corrosion-resistant. To make sure it lasts long, the manufacturer coated the entire reel with their special saltwater treatment. Even the ball-bearing system is sealed.

This reel’s GV-5H rotor doesn’t flex even a little, and it also comes in a wide variety of sizes. The aluminum braid-ready spool lets you tie a braided line to the spool without any backing at all. Moreover, the ball-bearing system is also anti-corrosive, enabling max smoothness during retrieval.

10. Shimano Shiragosa Saltwater Spinning Reel

Shimano is made Japanese made thus you can be sure of its durability, precision and power plus it looks really sleek and modern with its all stainless steel body.

Moreover, this best spinning reels for saltwater is equipped with a propulsion line that allows for much longer castings while eliminating the risk of wind knots or backlash.

Also Read: Best Baitcasting Reel Under 100 – Buying Guide & Reviews

Conventional Reel or Spinning Reel

Conventional reels will be best suited for seasoned anglers however for anglers that are just getting the hand of it spinning reels will be great. Moreover, a good spinning reel will enable the angler to cast much further away without facing any backlashes or any bird nests that most individuals using conventional reels face.

Furthermore, because of damaging effect that the sea water has on the spinning reel and the fishing line, you will have to be prepared to regularly change the line plus make sure you always buy the best fishing line you can afford. Some of these lines are made using a braided technique that makes the line much more durable and less prone to snapping.

Despite the braided lines being called braided, they are actually much thinner than standard monofilament ones sold at budget prices. Braided fishing lines have also been found to be more resistant to various abrasions that are normally caused by sharp rocks, corals and even old shipwrecks. Sadly, braided fishing lines require a more durable leader hence you might want to purchase a fluorocarbon leader if you decide to go for the braided fishing lines.

Fluorocarbon fishing lines also become practically invisible in the water thus fish will not be frightened. On another note, pay good attention to the type of hook you are using and remember to always keep it around the size of the bait you intend on using.

The reason for this is that large hooks will look unnatural whereas a small hook could miss the fish especially if it will be a large one. There is a lot of literature on various hooks however the most important types to remember is the circle hook, J hook and live bait hook.

Different Hooks

Live bait hooks have a short and smooth shank that is designed to be pinned through the whole body of live bait plus these hooks allow the angler to use the bait several times before discarding it and hooking another live bait. On the other hand, J hooks come with several bare barbs that are located on the shank and are best used with multiple baits at one time.

Lately, another type of hooks, called the circle hooks, have become pretty popular with professional anglers. However, circle hooks have been widely reported to end up deep in the fish gullet thus making it hard to release the fish without damaging it too much.

What Is the Difference Between Baits, Lures and Knots?

New anglers are often faced with a dilemma in choosing what bait to best use, however, there isn’t an exact answer as the best bait will depend on a number of factors such as what fish you are trying to fish, how deep, and at what time of the day. But, most professional anglers agree that the bait regardless of what it is must be close to the natural diet of the fish you are trying to fish for.

Therefore, the bait could be anything from mussels, shrimps to sea worms and clamp meat plus ensure the bait size will be appropriate. If you do not wish to deal with messy bait you could purchase specially designed lures that are produced in a wide range of size, shape, color and material.

You could find spoons, plugs and even poppers plus there are a lot of lures made out of soft plastic or silicone that makes them move in the water thanks to the current. Moreover, you could increase the luring effect by adjusting the speed of the retrieve as well as the way you move your spinning reel.

Knots

Knots are another crucial part of having a successful day at sea, like with hooks there are tons of ways to tie a good knot, however, just remember that the double Palomar knot is the best plus it is very reliable and really easy to tie even for beginners.

Do Tides Affect the Outcome of Fishing?

Professional anglers know that in order to have a successful day of fishing, one will need to take advantage of changing tides throughout the day. The rule of thumb is to arrive at your preferred fishing spot least an hour before the high tide is to peak at that spot.

Regardless of what time of the day you plan on fishing, you would need to take with your some drinking water, bucket, hat and fishing sunglasses as well as a sunscreen cream if you care about not getting burned by the sun.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Is a Spinning Reel Worth It?

A: There are plenty of reasons to buy a spinning reel, and one of them is that they are easy to use with their ease of switching left and right-hand orientations. They are also suitable for lightweight lures and can be cast near the shoreline or trees with a sidearm cast. But they have one disadvantage, which is that they are heavier and bulkier devices.

Q: Do You Need to Buy Both Reels or Rods?

A: Yes, we would encourage you to buy a reel or rod together because they are essential when fishing. You will lose so many fishes without them, but when you purchase a rod and reel, you will not. Ensure that you buy more expensive rods and reels and ensure that you buy them together because brands will give you more discounts.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has briefed on how to choose the best spinning reels for saltwater that will serve you for years to come. However, keep in mind that in order for you to get maximum out of your spinning reel you will have to take care of it.

Don’t forget to rinse off the reel after every fishing trip plus think about buying a silicone protectant spray or paste that will need to be applied every 2-3 weeks. Such silicone protectants will prevent the spinning reel from rusting or corroding due to saltwater.