You can catch even monster fish with the best surf fishing reels. All it takes is patience, careful planning and preparations, and well… the best equipment you can find out there. And this is why we’re here, to guide you through the countless products on the market and to the best surf fishing reels you can purchase.
It is “love it or hate it” with surf fishing since it requires you to stand on the shoreline and activate all your patience and skill to land that big catch. The best surf reels should allow for further casting and a good low drag system that leaves the fish space to swim with the bait before setting the hook. Without further ado, let’s jump into the action. These reels received some of the best surf fishing reels reviews and I’ll tell you why.
Top 7 Best Surf Fishing Reels Review in 2022
The best reels for surf fishing should be reliable, durable, they should allow for long-range casting, and should be able to withstand the toughest conditions. It would be nice to be corrosive-resistant, properly-sealed so that it doesn’t break down after the first dunk in angry saltwater.
With these in mind, we have created a list of the best products on the market right now, but what’s more important than that, is that they’re the best for you. So, if you’re looking for the best cheap fishing reels for surf, we’ve got you covered. If you’re looking for the best conventional reels for surf fishing, you’ll find them here. So, shall we proceed?
1. KastKing Sharky III Shaft Fishing Reel
This next-generation spinning reel from KastKing features a solid build. It offers superb performance, allowing anglers to use it in various fishing conditions with ease. The reel also comes with a triple-disc carbon fiber drag system that allows for better resistance and smoother operation when fishing.
The Sharky III also features KastKing’s KISS technology that gives it incredible water and dirt resistance, offering longer-lasting protection and durability. Aside from this, it has a Shark Fin Braid-Ready aluminum spool that provides a better and smoother retrieval performance.
It also has high-density EVA grip handles that offer better control and comfort over the reel. Moreover, this reel features an interchangeable hand retrieve option, making it versatile and ideal for most anglers. Considering all that, KastKing’s Sharky III spinning reel is perfect for most uses, making it an excellent and versatile option for most anglers.
- Incredible performance and durability
- High-quality materials for a longer lifespan
- Versatile and heavy-duty
- Smoother operation
- It can be too small for some uses
2. Dr.Fish Spinning Reel for Surf Fishing
This is a spinning reel that boasts 13+1 stainless steel ball bearings for smooth action and strength to withstand almost any saltwater environment. One of the best surf fishing reels, this Dr. Fish product also features a sealed and waterproof side plate and rotor, so water cannot wreak havoc on the internal mechanism.
The spool is made of aluminum; it can support some heavy long-range casting. The drag system can handle the pressure from large fish without much fuss.
Its anti-reverse system helps improve the speed and the distance you can cast to. All in all, the reel looks very sturdy, like it can take a beating. The gear ratio is 3.9:1 and you can put more and heavier lines on your reel if you know you’re going to put up fights with bigger fish.
- Durable and sturdy
- Excellent line capacity
- Rust-resistant and anti-corrosive protection
- Waterproof rotor and side plates
- 13 ball bearings and smooth casting
- It might feel a little bit on the heavy and bulky side
3. Tsunami Shield Surf Spinning Reel
This Tsunami Shield 6000 Series boasts a carbon fiber drag system you can easily adjust the way you want. It can endure rough fishing conditions without feeling like it’s struggling. The design is a classic one. It features a machined aluminum spool and body, 4+1 ball bearings, and a max drag of 30lb. The gear ratio is 4.9:1.
It is corrosion-resistant and sealed to keep unwanted mud and water from its internal mechanism. At 16.5oz it is a decent surf fishing reel, with a smooth drag, and can handle tough saltwater situations. All these make it one of the best conventional reels for surf fishing.
- Solid construction
- Good casting ability
- Ergonomic, and comfortable handle
- Carbon fiber drag system you can adjust easily
- It might feel a little on the heavy side
- The bail system might not be the softest out there
Also Read: Best Baitcasting Reel Under 100 – Excellent and Versatile Option
4. Diwa KCN Surf Fishing Reel
Maybe one of the best cheap fishing reels for surf fishing, this Diwa product is sealed with a KCN intrusion shield system to help keep the water and dirt out.
The retrieve is smooth; this almost feels like silk. It offers good line capacity to try and go for big fish whenever you want, thanks to its Shark Fin Brain Ready aluminum spool.
It includes 12+1 ball bearings, instant lock anti-reverse, some stainless steel to give you confidence that you’ve got a reliable reel in your hands. The handle is made from aluminum, the line capacity is pretty incredible, and the reel overall is quite affordable. So, good points for this Diwa Spinning Fishing Reel!
- Lightweight and easy to use
- 12+1 ball bearings
- Smooth retrieve
- Good line capacity
- Sealed body and rotor
- Certain components are still made of plastic
5. YONGZHI Surf Fishing Reel
One of the best-rated Surf Fishing Reels, this Yongzhi fishing reel boats a gear ratio of 4.1:1 and 13+1 double-shielded stainless steel bearing. It features triple premium carbon drag washers, an anti-twist line roller, a stainless steel shaft, and an ergonomic knob.
You can very easily turn it from left-handed to right-handed use. It looks great and gives you confidence in the big fights. The 13+1 high-precision stainless ball bearings offer an overall smooth function and consistent retrieval experience. The side plates and rotor are water-sealed.
The manufacturer assures that the integrated high-density anti-corrosion body can withstand even the toughest saltwater conditions and fights. The spool is made from aluminum and can accommodate braid or monofilament lines for long-distance castings. It can fight tuna, shark, yellowtails, striped bass, kingfish, or mackerel. So, yes, it’s quite a heavy-duty surf fishing reel you can rely on.
- Triple Premium carbon drag washers
- Crisp click sound
- Anti-twist line roller
- 13+1 double-shielded stainless steel bearings
- Ergonomic handle
- They used plastic for certain components
6. Sougayilang Surf Fishing Reels
The Sougayilang 1000 is a high-quality fishing reel that uses a propulsion management system. That allows for longer casting distances without worrying about wind knots or backlashes. It comes with a CNC aluminum spool with an interchangeable feature that makes it incredibly powerful and versatile.
It features a gear ratio of 4.7:1 with 10+1 high-quality ball bearings that allow for better resistance and smoother operations when in use. Also it comes with an EVA handle that offers improved comfort and control to users.
With its graphite body and stainless steel shaft, this spinning reel offers incredible durability and powerful performance that’s unmatched by others. In essence, the Sougayilang 1000 is the perfect spinning reel for almost any kind of fishing, whether you’re catching kingfish or tuna.
- Solidly built for a powerful performance
- High-quality materials that offer increased durability
- Extensive casting range with improved control
- Versatile
- Line tangles after several uses
Also Read: How to Set Up a Fishing Reel – Ideal Tips for You
7. Diwa KCN3 Surf Fishing Reel
Among the top surf reels on our list, you will also find this Diwa Spinning reel with 12+1 stainless steel BB and a max drag capability of 70 lbs. This specific product we’re featuring here has a carbon fiber frame, an oversized stainless steel main shaft and strong precision mesh manganese brass pinion gears.
The reel is sealed with a KNC3 Intrusion Shield System which the manufacturer ensures it protects the mechanism inside, as well as the body and rotor from water and dirt. As for additional features, you also get instant lock anti-reverse, interchangeable right or left aluminum handle, and double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings.
- 12+1 double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings
- Water and dirt protection
- Corrosive-resistant
- Smooth operation
- High max drag capacity
- It looks like they used a great deal of plastic
How to Purchase the Best Surf Fishing Reel for You
As you could see, there are lots of options on the market, a lot more than the seven products we’ve rounded up above. They’ve all got their pros and cons and the most important thing is how you feel about it, your style of surf fishing, your level of proficiency, and your expectations.
Fortunately, or unfortunately, there are no “universal best surf fishing reels”; you’ve got to pick the best for you. It sounds worse than it is because by following a few simple steps, you can easily choose the best reels for surf fishing. Let’s see!
The Most Important Technical Features to Consider in Top Surf Reels
Every product comes with a quite big and overwhelming description, so we’ll help you navigate through them more easily. So, here you’ll find the most important features to consider and what they mean if you’re a beginner.
Corrosion Resistance and Sealing
There’s no way you can protect your reel from getting in contact with the saltwater while surf fishing. Sometimes, it might even take a dunk, and saltwater is known for its corrosive properties. So, the reel should be resistant to the damaging effect of the saltwater if you want it to function properly for a long while.
The inner components of the reel, from the ball bearings to the drag system and gears should be shielded from any abrasion, so the reel should be sealed properly and not let any water or dirt get to its inside mechanism. However, this doesn’t mean you don’t need to clean and maintain fishing reel properly after every use.
The Drag
Surf fishing is known for giving you the chance to land big catches, worthy of a picture and praise. Even if you’re not after the monster of Loch Ness, still there is such a diverse variety of species in the sea, that you need a reel with a good drag to rely on. A powerful and smooth drag is your ticket to a happy fishing experience.
The strength is needed to resist even the toughest conditions, like big waves and currents. So, to make sure you’re not left empty-handed by a big fish, make sure you choose a reel with at least 20 lbs of stopping power. If you’re targeting even larger species, go for larger drags.
The Ball Bearings
The ball bearings ensure smooth operation when casting and retrieving. So, the more, the merrier, for faster and smoother casts and retrieves. The best reels for surf fishing usually have a high number of bearings. Another important aspect here is the anti-reverse bearing which helps remove any sight of back play when the setting hooks.
The Size and Weight
As you could see, the surf fishing reels are sized as 2000, 3000, even 10000. Of course, the higher this number, the larger the reel. Why so many choices? Well, the small reels are good for freshwater fishing. They are not equipped with strong drag systems or too large spools for huge line capacity like the heavy-duty saltwater surf fishing reels.
If you know you’re going to fish mainly in saltwater, then go for the bigger sizes, with strong drag systems, large line capacity, and a high number of ball bearings. Surf fishing is usually the sport of large fishing reels because more often than not, you’re battling large species of fish able to put up a good fight.
Also Read: Best Shimano Spinning Reels on the Market Right Now
The Gear Ratio
The gear ratio can be a thing of preference for any angler. However, it’s not just that. Basically, that ratio tells us how many turns the spool makes when you turn the handle once. If you’re used to one type of gear ratio and used it for a long time, it might be hard to change. Nevertheless, you should know that the higher the gear ratio, the faster you can reel up the fish. But that’s not everything.
A low gear ratio is also good because it gives you more torque and helps you deal with large fish and big fights. So, it’s a matter of balance here between speed and torque. Depending on your expectations, and previous experience, you need to make this choice with great care.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the Best Time for Surf Fishing?
A: Many anglers claim that you will have the best results if you go surf fishing from right before dawn to around 10 AM, and then go back two or three hours before dusk to do it again. This is usually the time when the fish are feeding, and they’re the most reckless.
Q: Do I Have Any Chance to Catch Fish in Rough Surf?
A: Of course, you do. Actually, you need to take advantage of rough surf because that’s when the fish leave their shelter and swim towards the shoreline to feed. So, rough surf? Pack your gear and go fishing. It’s more of a rule of the thumb, though. It doesn’t guarantee you the biggest catch ever, in any case. Ok?
Q: Does the Color of Line Matter in Surf Fishing?
A: Yes, it does, and anglers recommend the fluorocarbon line because it is almost invisible underwater. However, if you want to use a braided line, then choose a blueish color that matches the color of the ocean or sea. It might be more difficult than you’d believe, though.
Q: How Do I Properly Cast in the Surf?
A: The unwritten laws of surf fishing say that you should cast as long as the sand bars hidden under the waves are. The space between the shore and the sand bars is one place where the fish like to gather. So, do not cast further than the first 2 or 3 sandbars separating the shore from the open sea.
Q: What Is Surf Fishing?
A: The sport of catching fish standing on the shoreline or wading in the water is surf fishing. Surf fishing may or may not involve casting a lure or bait, a general term, which applies to all kinds of shore fishing, including sandy and rocky beaches, rock jetties, or even fishing piers.
More specifically, the words surfcasting or beach casting apply to surf fishing from the shore by casting at or near the shoreline into the surf. Surf fishing is conducted in saltwater, with only a few exceptions. The belief that one has to cast as far out as possible to reach the fish is the most common misconception regarding surf fishing.
Q: What Size Reel Should I Buy?
A: A 500 to 1000 size reel would be better if you’re targeting smaller fish. If your reel is too wide, you’ll have more line than you need, which will hinder your casting reach. You probably don’t need 400 yards of 6lb line to catch trout, but it is seen in the store all the time. A 3000 size reel will be brought in by customers and ask for a 6lb thread. A 500 to 1000 size reel would be better suited.
Q: What Is the Best Bait to Be Used in a Reel for Surf Fishing?
A: Sand Fleas are the best lure for surf fishing by far. You’ve heard the term, well, “Match the hatch,” sand fleas are the most popular surfing food for fish. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs, and fresh peeled shrimp are other items that create decent bait.
It’s Not Difficult to Choose the Best Reels for Surf Fishing
As you could see, it’s not such a big deal to choose one of the top surf reels on the market that fit your needs. It all comes down to setting your expectations straight, knowing what you want, and reading all the detailed specs of the product. Now, happy fishing, and may you land big catches with your best surf fishing reels!
