The Most Efficient and Durable
Largemouth or smallmouth, the bass is one of the most popular game fish in America. While many anglers prefer fly fishing for landing this timid variety of fish, others like to depend on the more reliable spinning reels. Anglers require different equipment to land different varieties of fish. This essentially depends upon the nature and behavior of the fish. The best spinning reels for bass fishing are not so easily discovered.
Some hefty fish tend to give a tough fight on being hooked and require an equally tough fishing reel to be handled. Others are small but know how to flee quickly. So, it is very important to reel them fast. Bass weighs around 18 lbs to the maximum and requires middle range gear ratios for sufficient speed and power at the time of retrieval.
We have simplified your search by getting you the best spinning reels for bass fishing. You can go through the essential criteria required for a bass fishing reel and then select the best reel for yourself.
The Best Bass Fishing Reels for the Year 2022
Shimano Stradic Ci4+ Bass Spinning Reel
This spinning reel is best known for its portability and amazing line management techniques. The body of the reel is built out of carbon fiber and weighs around 8.6 ounces. The spool for this reel is made of cold-forged aluminium and the gears are equipped with the special Shimano quality called Hagane. Such a tough spool for a spinning reel greatly prolongs the life of the reel while ensuring that it remains efficiently functional.
Hagane gears are a lot more precise and durable than regular gears and are trademark of this popular brand. In addition to this, many parts of this reel have X-ship components which render it more accurate and reliable. The rotor for this reel is built of magnumlite to enable a greater reduction in weight along with an increase in strength.
However, the weight of this reel is slightly more in comparison to other similar spinning reels. The design of this reel has a special G-free attribute which makes its center of gravity closer to the hand of the operator. This setting works efficiently in reducing fatigue due to the continuous handling of equipment and ensures maximum comfort.
Coupled with the amazing strength of this reel is its superb resistance to corrosion. This reel is protected by CoreProtect 360-degree coating which makes it tough and resistant to all damages that water can cause. This feature greatly enhances the durability of this reel.
This sturdy reel has adequate ball bearings to maximize the smoothness in its operation. There are two Shimano A-RB roller bearings rendering smoothness to this reel’s gear system. Six additional stainless steel and S A-RB ball bearings guard all other aspects of this reel. The significant feature of Shimano A-RB bearings is their excellent corrosion-resistance and their ability to provide adequate protection from water, dirt, or even salt. Additional ease is availed by the anti-reverse switch present in this reel with the incredible Super Stopper II feature defining its excellence.
The pinion gear system for this reel is greatly precise and adequately stable offering a gear ratio of 6.2:1 for an effective high speed of retrieval. It is mind-blowing that this lightweight reel has a drag capacity of over 24 pounds. The super powerful drag system for this reel can handle the heftiest bass and work very smoothly in the process.
Pros
- This reel has a solid, durable, and lightweight structure with an effective design to further enhance the ease of operation
- This reel’s durability is owed to the CoreProtect 360-degree coating, the special Hagane gears, and the superb X-ship components that make it tougher
- This reel provides an appropriate gear ratio for bass at 6.2:1 and retrieves up to 39 inches of line per crank
- The drag capacity for this reel is about 24 pounds so that it can handle the heaviest bass
- This reel is extremely smooth in operation and is supported by shielded stainless steel bearings
Cons
- Many users report that the anti-reverse switch for this reel is less accessible
- This reel is relatively more expensive
Daiwa BG 3000 Bass Spinning Reel
This can easily be considered as the best performing reel for the most affordable price. This reel is all set to serve as your good hand for catching bass. The body of this reel is made out of anodized aluminium to provide absolute durability. Its longevity is also helped by the long-lasting exterior paint. Weighing at 10.8 ounces, this reel is sturdy at the same time.
This reel is built to sustain the rough handling that accompanies bass fishing. It has cross-cut carbon fiber drag washers and the drag system itself is built from carbon ATD. This ensures adequate protection to the reel by protecting it from damages and insults of harsh water and corrosive elements. The drag capacity for this reel is up to 15 pounds which are sufficient for handling bass of moderate sizes.
This reel has an ABS spool to further enhance the strength and endurance of the spinning reel. One special feature of this reel is the enhanced digger system which takes up rather more specs but makes your retrieval actions a lot more smooth. Equipped with a gear ratio of 5.6:1, this system is capable of providing you adequate torque and sufficient power.
Along with this, there is an air rotor which perfectly maintains the balance of the reel and the seven stainless steel bearings provide adequate smoothness for a reliable reel function.
Pros
- This reel has a solid and resistant body and a super smooth means of operation
- The drag capacity and the gear ratio for this reel is perfect for bass of all sizes
- All components of this reel are durable and built to last
Cons
- Many users report that the spool for this reel is not as strong and resilient as other comparable reels
Pflueger Supreme SUP XTS P35x Bass Spinning Reel
This is considered the most comfortable reel for catching bass. The effective strength of the Pflueger Supreme is owed to its magnesium body and side plate that provide requisite light-weightedness while being strong and durable. The aluminium spool is also double anodized to further protect the reel from corrosion and subsequent damage.
While some users report issues with the working of the reel with both braided and monolines, others report that it works well once you get used to it. The carbon drag system for this reel is very easy to operate and is capable of handling medium size bass up to 12 pounds.
The gear ratio for this reel is 6.2:1 for rendering it a high retrieval speed and up to 33.8 inches of line with every turn of the handle. The effective smoothness of this reel is the work of ten stainless steel ball bearings that are adequately protected against corrosion.
Pros
- This reel is sturdy, lightweight, durable, and efficient for a very low price
- The drag system for this reel is effectively sealed, smooth in function, and can handle fish as heavy as 12 pounds
- The best quality of this reel is its incomparable light-weightedness
- The gear ratio of 6.2:1 is perfect for bass
- There are ten stainless steel ball bearings in this reel that provide very smooth function
- The knob for the anti-reverse function is very accessible
Look for These Essential Features While Selecting a Spinning Reel for Bass
There are essential criteria for the selection of every feature offered in spinning reels. It is important to know what features you require and which ones you don’t. Specific gear ratios are suitable for specific varieties of fish. It is your responsibility to know and select the appropriate gear ratio for the bass you want to land.
The gear ratio of your reel will in turn affect your speed of line retrieval. Also, pay attention to the material of construction of your reel. Check whether it is durable and judge by its strength. The drag system for the reel should be very tough and powerful for efficiently handling fighter fish. At the same time, ensure that your reel has quality bearings to afford smooth function.
Bass Requires Middle to the High Range Gear Ratio
Gear ratio refers to the number of rotations your spool undergoes when you turn the handle of the reel one time. Bass do not offer a tough fight when hooked. They instead tend to swiftly escape the danger. This is generally known by anglers because shy fish like these make swift escapes even in response to the slightest disturbance on the water.
This situation requires a reel with a high gear ratio so that the speed of retrieval is high. A high gear ratio such as 6.0:1 entails adequate power to reel in fish even if it is heavy. Our carefully selected reels very well match the gear ratios most suitable for bass. A higher gear ratio will ensure that more line is retrieved per crank so that the fish is reeled in faster.
Assure That the Material of Your Reel Is Sufficiently Strong
Your reel should be strong enough to withstand the usual pressures that fishing equipment go through when they belong to dedicated anglers. At the same time, your reel must be sufficiently lightweight.
A graphite reel may be lighter and just strong enough, but an aluminium reel will be a lot more durable. Although, you’d require an even more resilient and enduring metallic reel if you aim to go fishing in saltwater.
However, bass fishing in freshwater requires an adequately lightweight reel. An aluminium reel will tire out your arms more than a graphite reel would. So, a well-protected graphite reel is the best choice for fishing bass in freshwater.
Your Drag Power Must Match the Size of Your Bass
The function of a drag system is to put pressure on the hooked fish and make it give in. The pressure should be sufficient to stop the forward movement of the fish before you begin to reel it in. At the same time, the pressure must not be so large that high tension builds in your fishing line. When this happens, the fish can snap your line and take away some valuable portion of your equipment.
The drag system of your reel should be as powerful as the size of the target fish. Anglers generally prefer a drag up to 15 pounds for bass. A front drag system works better in general and affords more longevity to the reel but a rear drag system comes handy in building urgent tension during fights and is more comfortable to operate.
Your Reel Must Be Sufficiently Smooth
The smoothness of your spinning reel depends upon the quality of its bearings. More ball bearings are believed to render a higher amount of smoothness. But this is not true. More smoothness is rendered by a better quality of ball bearings. Stainless steel bearings provide the smoothest function and an additional anti-reverse bearing is a boon.
Conclusion
The Shimano Stradic Ci4+, Daiwa BG 3000, and Pflueger Supreme SUP XTS P35x are the three best spinning reels for catching bass. While there is no match for the water-resistance and durability of Shimano, Daiwa offers you the best performance at the most affordable price. Pflueger Supreme is the easiest spinning reel to operate and all three are supremely efficient and perfectly built for landing bass.
The strong and resilient materials of construction, the appropriate gear ratios, the excellent drag, and the incomparable smoothness of these reels is a treat for every angler who knows what hunting for bass is like. The timidity of bass demands quick action. These reels are built to ease your impulses and drive you faster.