For the stubborn fish in the ocean
Saltwater fishing is as exciting as it sounds. You do not know whether you’ll land the biggest treat of your life or return with empty buckets. The probability of both these outcomes is equal.
Fishing in saltwater requires a good quality reel with a powerful drag system that can retrieve the most challenging fish in the ocean. The fish in the ocean are way more strong, fast, and tough than freshwater fishes. Fighting these burly monsters requires tremendous power that only a few saltwater reels can offer.
More than that, it is important for a good saltwater reel to be durable. Every reel cannot endure the tough and corrosive environment of the sea and the aggressive movements of the target fish. You would also want one reel to fulfill both your freshwater and saltwater requirements. We have brought you exactly what you are looking for.
The Best Saltwater Spinning Reels
Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reel
This amazing fishing reel by Daiwa can be operated in both freshwater and saltwater environments. The superior quality reel is quite affordable and wouldn’t go hard on your pocket.
This reel has a full-metal construction, popularly known as HardBodyz. The overall design is lightweight, as you would require at the sea. The construction is durable and strong. This reel will not easily get damaged by seawater. As ideal, the drag system is encased in a waterproof cover that cannot be broken in by saltwater.
The handle for this reel has a carbon automated aluminum screw. This screw is responsible for securing the handle firmly. The medium-sized model has an anti-reverse feature and the larger sized models have dual anti-reverse feature options.
The spool for this reel is dynamic cut Aluminium ABS and there isn’t the need for a mono backing. This braided spool can be effectively used without any problem of slippage. In addition to this, there is a rubber gasket around the spool which makes it even easier to braid.
The casting distance for this reel is extraordinary. The drag is smooth and has a large capacity. The retrieval is fast owing to a higher gear ratio. The smooth and controlled noise operation of this reel has been possible because of the 7 stainless steel ball bearings.
Pros
- This reel is quite affordable and offers good quality for a lower price
- The drag system is waterproof and well protected against the abuses of the sea
- The drag capacity is large enough for the saltwater fish
- The reeling action is smooth and fast because of a high gear ratio
- The braided lines are smoothly packed back into the spool owing to special features in this reel
- There are seven ball bearings for enhanced smoothness
- The reel is made fully out of metal which renders it enough strength to withstand the salty water
- The casting distance is long and well suited to saltwater
Cons
- Some users have reported that the ball roller for this reel is susceptible to corrosion and reduces the overall smooth action of the equipment
- Many users report that this reel is not as light in weight as it is claimed
Shimano Stradic FK Saltwater Spinning Reel
Shimano has a great reputation in offering good quality and excellent saltwater spinning reels. Stradic FK is tough and efficient while being silk smooth in operation. An added excellent feature of the reel is its versatility. This widely trusted brand has made a technological wonder called Hagane which is all about durability, strength, and toughness. Hagane body parts and gears have been incorporated in this reel to offer you an excellent fishing experience.
The full metal construction of this reel makes it quite solid and resistant to the impactful blows of the seawater. The tough metal structure has reduced the reel’s flexibility while elevating its cranking power. And it is super light. All these factors make this reel have a tremendous win as compared to other reels.
The makers of this reel utilized the 3D design technique and the cold-forging technology to arrive at this marvel. The Hahane gears in this reel are supremely durable, strong, and smooth in operation.
A total of seven ball bearings diligently work to reduce friction and enhance the smoothness of operation of the reel. Great casting distances can be achieved with the help of this reel along with all other parts, even the ball bearings are protected for adequate protection against corrosion due to saltwater.
Pros
- This reel is very lightweight and comfortable to use
- The quality of construction is superior
- The reel is solid, durable, and tough
- The price well suits the quality of this reel
- The overall construction is corrosion resistant
Cons
- Some users face problems because of the absence of an anti-reverse lever
Penn Clash Fishing Saltwater Spinning Reel
This solid fishing reel is built to adequately operate in the challenging environment of the sea. Some of the groundbreaking features of this reel include the gear system based on CNC, carbon fiber drag washers, a good number of ball bearings, strong and lightweight construction, and well-built braids.
This reel has successfully combined advanced technology with great quality. The entire reel is constructed out of metal and there are built-in CNC gears. The ball bearings are made of stainless steel. Besides, there is an aluminum bail wire for added strength.
The strength of this reel does not compromise on the light-weightedness. The body is also effectively sealed to prevent saltwater corrosion. All these factors enable this reel to be very durable.
The large braid line capacity coupled with a gear ratio of 5.6:1 makes this reel smooth and reliable. In fact, there are seven unique models of this reel to suit every angler’s unique taste.
The use of a braided line in this spinning reel makes it possible to operate smoothly without encountering any knots. This reel doesn’t require a mono backing for operation. The spool is built to effectively handle the braided line without creating any difficulties.
There is a special feature in this reel to notify about the line capacity after every 1/3rd of the line. This will keep you clear about the amount of line left in the spool. Penn Clash is capable of throwing long distance casts with ease. This is just what a sea fisherman needs.
Pros
- The construction of this reel is solid and fully waterproof
- A braided line is used in this reel and the spool is built to effectively handle the braid
- The overall construction is tough and durable
- This reel is perfect in the sense that it appears great along with being durable and lightweight
- The CNC gears further enhance the reel’s durability
Cons
- This reel is more costly than other comparable saltwater fishing reels
The Best Saltwater Spinning Reel Ought to Have Some Essential Features
The Quality of Construction Should Be Excellent
The quality of a saltwater fishing reel is defined by its resistance to corrosion and toughness to withstand the challenging environment of the sea.
The sea is known for aggressively abusing metal, composite, and plastic equipment. This is because of the corrosive seawater and the constant harsh waves. In addition to that, the sea has hard-to-battle fish. There is sand, seaweed, rocks, algae, and the path in seawater is never straight.
A good quality reel will withstand all the challenges posed in the harsh seawater. Anglers should be confident about the toughness and the corrosion resistance of their spinning reels. The quality of a reel is defined by its material of construction. Substances like graphite, heavy-duty aluminum, carbon fiber, stainless steel, and ceramic are typically used to build corrosion-resistant spinning reels.
These materials possess the sturdiness required in seawater. The most commonly used materials are machined aluminum and graphite. While machined aluminum lasts long and is strong and lightweight, the lightweight graphite is also capable of handling extreme pressure.
One should also look for the corrosion resistance in internal components of the reel. Ensure that the seals, gaskets, and protective coatings are all of the good-quality material. If a reel isn’t adequately protected, thorough manual cleaning will be required for adequate maintenance.
Good Saltwater Reels Deliver Adequate Power
Most saltwater reels are equipped with high power metal gears. Enquire carefully into your reel’s gear ratio. Gear ratio refers to the number of times the spool rotates when the handle undergoes a single crank. The gear ratio determines the ease with which the fish will be pulled out of water.
High gear ratios are ideal for quickly retrieving small-sized fish and faster reel ins. Low gear ratios are ideal for handling large-sized fish.
A Quality Saltwater Reel Is adequately Smooth
Smoothness in spinning reels is attained through little devices known as ball bearings. Although inconspicuous, ball bearings are responsible for smooth operation and vibration-free retrievals. A higher number of ball bearings would make the reel operation smoother. A minimum of five ball bearings is necessary to ensure smooth reel action.
Good Saltwater Spinning Reels Have a Large Drag Capacity
The difficult thing about saltwater fishing is the strain put on the equipment by the tough ocean fish. This strain is adequately counteracted by efficient drag systems that take the load upon themselves and prevent the rod or line from damage.
Make sure your selected reel is strong enough to land the biggest fish you set your eyes on. The ocean requires drag systems at least 17 pounds incapacity. Be cautious about strong drags that could break your line. Also, make sure that your reel’s drag system is sufficiently ventilated.
You’d Fish Better in Saltwater with Smoother Retrieves
One essential feature of good quality spinning reels is the ability to retrieve smoothly. They can lock tight when you set the hook so that there is no hassle in stacking the line back into the spool.
Line retrieval ultimately depends upon the gear ratio and the ball bearing count. A higher gear ratio will ensure faster line retrieval and a lower gear ratio’s line retrieval will be equally slow. As you must be aware, more number of ball bearings make retrievals smooth.
Saltwater Reels Are Generally Light in Weight
You cannot dare to use a heavy reel in saltwater. This is because the density of seawater is already high. A heavy reel might not operate smoothly here.
Moreover, lightweight reels are much more comfortable to use. In situations where you ought to operate your reel by hand, a lightweight spinning reel would be a boon.
Conclusion
All of the three saltwater fishing reels we have listed are excellent and smooth in operation while offering minimum hassle. Their construction is durable, strong, and well sustainable for the harsh saltwater environment. However, Daiwa BG has encountered some negative reviews regarding the lack of corrosion resistance in the ball bearings. This flaw hinders the smooth operation of the reel. It has also been reported that this reel isn’t as light in weight as it is called. Keeping this in mind, you may want to consider the other two reels we have reviewed.
The Shimano Stradic FK is best in quality and is undoubtedly perfect for landing big treats in the seawater. Its only flaw is the absence of an anti-reverse lever. Well, many users do not have a problem in this aspect because the reel is perfectly fine otherwise.
The Penn Clash saltwater fishing reel may be the best choice amongst these three. Every feature of this reel speaks well to anglers. There is no drawback in the quality and operation of this reel. The only factor which may influence your decision is the cost. This reel is more expensive than others but well worth the price and all the amazing tough fish in the sea.