Are you looking for the best saltwater spinning reel?
Whether you are fishing the surf, flats, or deep-water miles of the coast, you are on the hunt for large, aggressive fish.
Technique and instinct are only part of the process for success. It also takes well-crafted gear to land saltwater species. One of the most important pieces of gear includes the reel, and we will provide and discuss seven spinning reels for saltwater fishing that will get the job done consistently.
What is the best saltwater spinning reel?
Here is a quick preview of my favorites:
- Fin-Nor Offshore
- Penn Slammer III
- Daiwa ISLA Saltwater Series
- SHIMANO BAITRUNNER D
- Penn Clash
- Revo Inshore
Features: (Size 75 Model)
- Gear Ratio: 4.4:1
- Retrieval Rate: 40 inches
- Line Capacity: Mono: 460 yards/20lbs, Braid: 365 yards/65 yards
- Maximum Drag: 60 lbs
- Ball Bearings: 4 double shield stainless steel ball bearings.
The first on our list of the best saltwater spinning reel is the Fin-Nor Offshore Spinning Reel. Fin-Nor Offshore reels are one of the top brands in saltwater fishing and are available in several models from the 4500 to the 9500.
The sealed drag system includes 11 carbon fiber and steel washers resulting in controllable and smooth drag from 35lbs for the 4500 model and up to 60lbs for the 9500. This is enough pressure to halt any fish making a run towards structures or deeper waters where the chances of a line break increase.
The Offshore models have gear ratios ranging from the 45000’s 4.7:1 to the 9500’s 4.4:1. You might notice that this is one of the lower gear ratios, but given the large spool size, the line retrieval rates are pretty high.
One of the best features of the Offshore models are the huge spools. If you’re fishing deep water, then the Fin-Nor is a perfect reel. The 4500 model can hold 300yds of 50lb test while the 9500 model can hold 470yds of 65lb braided line.
What you’re getting with a Fin-Nor Offshore spinning reel is a powerful reel with incredible spool size and max drag to handle deep running saltwater species.
Check out this very detailed review in the following video:
Features: (6500 Model)
- Gear Ratio: 5.6:1
- Retrieval Rate: 42 inches
- Line Capacity: Mono: 345 yards/15lbs, Braid: 410 yards/40 yards
- Maximum Drag: 40 lbs
- Weight: 24.3 ounces
Penn Slammer III 6500. This reel is available from a 3500 size to a 10500 size. There is no fish that you will be fishing for that the Pen Slammer III doesn’t have you covered.
This reel features a full metal body, side plate and rotor. It is equipped with a dura drag system. What exactly is the dura drag system? It is built in a way that allows for a smooth drag but is nearly indestructible. Just from those two features, the all-metal body design and the dura drag system, that alone tells you the quality and forethought that was put into the making of this reel. This reel will last you many fishing seasons to come.
What’s in the inside? Brass. All brass. This means higher quality and durability.
Next and probably the most important thing when looking for the best saltwater spinning reel is how waterproof is the reel? Are the ball bearings sealed?
What is interesting about this reel is they did an IPX6 test on it. Basically, it is a waterproofing test for reels. During the test, they shot water at the most critical spots while it is spinning. How did the reel do? It passed the test. Yes, it is waterproof, but obviously, I wouldn’t recommend that you submerge in under the water if all possible.
The reason I wouldn’t recommend that is because the more times you put it under the water the more opportunities you are allowing the possibility for water to enter and do damage.
Learn more in the following video:
Features: (7000H Model)
- Gear Ratio: 5.7:1
- Retrieval Rate: 54.7 inches
- Line Capacity: Mono: 350 yards/25lbs, Braid: 550 yards/80 yards
- Maximum Drag: 66 lbs
- Weight: 29 ounces
- Ball Bearings: 10 ball bearing system
If you’re planning on chasing the larger fish such as marlin or tarpon, the Daiwa ISLA Saltwater Series 7000His your reel. Forged aluminum bodies and handles result in powerful reels able to provide the cranking power needed to land larger saltwater species.
All models are “Mag sealed” using nano fluids to offer the most corrosion resistant reel on our list. There is no automatic bail flip on this real, and while this might be a con to some anglers, it does provide increased corrosion resistance, and also helps eliminate tangles and wind knots when casting.
All models contain a ten bearing system resulting in a smooth performance that will last for countless saltwater trips due to the extreme corrosion resistance.
The sealed carbon drag system produces 22lbs of max drag resistance on the ISLA 4000H model and 66lbs on the ISLA 7000H and 7000BULL models. The drag range of the ISLA models allows fine-tuned adjustments at higher ranges where on other rods such acute adjustments are wasted.
Gear ratios for the ISLA 4000H, 5000H, and 7000H are 5.7:1 and have higher retrieval speeds while the Daiwa ISLA 7000BULL has a ratio of 4.3:1 and is designed for power.
It should be obvious that if you’re looking to land the biggest and baddest fish in the ocean, the Daiwa ISLA Saltwater Series is a necessary piece of your outfit.
Take a closer look in the following video:
Features: (6000D Model)
- Gear Ratio: 4.8:1
- Retrieval Rate: 35 inches
- Line Capacity: Mono: 170 yards/16lbs, Braid: 130 yards/65 yards
- Maximum Drag: 20 lbs
- Weight: 20 ounces
- Ball Bearings: 4 ball bearing system
The SHIMANO BAITRUNNER D SERIES comes in four models, the BTR4000D, 6000D, 8000D, and 12000D and is designed to handle smaller to medium-sized saltwater species.
The Shimano Baitrunner D model gives the angler the option to let fish run with the bait without feeling drag pressure. This is managed by a simple switch that allows the line to be taken freely with the bail closed. Once you are ready to set the hook, hit the switch and the reel returns to normal settings and provides instant stopping power and hook set.
The drag system on the Baitrunner is sealed and contains carbon fiber drag washers that can apply a max drag of 15-20lbs from the 4000D to 12000D model.
The models have a gear ratio from 4.8:1 on the 4000D to 4.4:1 for the 12000D. Although these ratios are low, you have to remember these reels are designed for live bait and not fast lure retrieval.
Take a closer look in the following video:
Features: (6000 Model)
- Gear Ratio: 5.6:1
- Retrieval Rate: 41 inches
- Line Capacity: Mono: 335 yards/15lbs, Braid: 335 yards/50 yards
- Maximum Drag: 25 lbs
- Weight: 20.7 ounces
- Ball Bearings: 9 ball bearing system
The Penn Clash Spinning Reel has a machined aluminum body, rotor, and bail wire that can stand up to heavy fishing for large saltwater species.
The drag system is sealed, preventing corrosion from saltwater and can put up to 25lb of drag pressure on running fish. The range of drag on the Clash is incredible, giving you maximum drag adjustment on both ends of the spectrum.
The 8000 model has nine sealed bearings, including an anti-reverse bearing and a gear ratio of 4.7:1. While this gear ratio might seem low, it results in a powerful reel that is needed when trying to land large and aggressive fish. This “CNC” gear technology uses machined brass gear making the system on the clash not only durable but provides smoothness and long-term functionality not common for reels this size.
The Penn Clash models 6000 and 8000 are ideal for handling larger saltwater species as they can hold 335yds of 50lb and 465yds of 50lb test braided line respectively. The 8000 can also be spooled with 300yds of 80lb test.
Learn more in the following video:
Features: (60 Model)
- Gear Ratio: 5.6:1
- Retrieval Rate: 35 inches
- Line Capacity: Mono: 205 yards/14lbs, Braid: 200 yards/20 yards
- Maximum Drag: 24 lbs
- Weight: 14 ounces
- Ball Bearings: 7 ball bearing system
The Revo Inshore Spinning Reel produced by Abu Garcia is a fantastic reel for chasing speckled trout, drums, and other small to medium-sized saltwater fish.
The Revo Inshore is available in the REVO2INS30, REVO2INS35, REVO2INS40, and REVO2INS60 models. All are made from machine cast aluminum alloys and have a 6+1 bearing system including an anti-reverse bearing to reduce back play during line retrieval.
The Revo Inshore reels have fast retrieval rates with gear ratios of 6.2:1 for the 30, 35, and 40 and a ratio of 5.6:1 for the 60 model. These high gear ratios and line retrieval speeds are optimal when fishing for inshore species with jigs, spoons, and spinner lures.
With smaller game fish you are doing a lot more casting and retrieving. The Revo Inshore’s spool design, oscillation system, and bail angle have produced a very efficient reel that can release and retrieve line effectively and cut down on tangles and wind knots commonly seen with spinning reels.
The spool size along with the max drag of 17 and 24lbs generated by the carbon matrix drag system is a perfect balance for handling inshore game fish.
Learn more in the following video:
Features: (7500 Model)
- Gear Ratio: 5.5:1
- Maximum Drag: 30 lbs
- Weight: 16 ounces
- Ball Bearings: 18 ball bearing system
The last on our list of the best saltwater spinning reel is the very affordable Saltwater Fishing Reel. Keep in mind just because it is the last on my list doesn’t mean it isn’t a good reel. You definitely won’t be disappointed with the quality reel you have here.
It has a good all around gear ratio of 5.5:1 giving you lots of torque to fish with bigger lures and catch bigger fish. This reel features an 18 ball bearing system, giving you that to be coveted smooth drag system. The ball bearings are sealed protecting it from water damage.
Basically, this reel has everything you could want in a saltwater reel at an affordable price. It is dustproof, waterproof, scratch proof and could we add walletproof? Maybe not, but the thing is you will definitely be satisfied with this reel.
Final Thoughts…
What is the best saltwater spinning reel? Well, there are many good options on the market. No of which you will be disappointed fishing with. The important thing to remember is that when the fight is on you shouldn’t be worrying if your gear is up to the task. Invest in one of these spinning reels and the thought will never enter your mind as you go head to head with any fish in the ocean.
Share with us your thoughts on what is the best saltwater spinning reel in the comments below…
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