Great Fishing Expeditions Don’t Need Extra Dollars
It is not easy to find the appropriate spinning reel to suit your requirement. Some anglers think that expensive reels are the best in quality. This may not always be true. Many less expensive spinning reels serve just as well as any costlier reel. We understand that it is normal to be confused between the quality and price and that is why we have brought you a selection of the best spinning reels under 50 in the USA.
Your $50 spinning reel could perform just as good and be more durable than you expect. You don’t need to worry about the performance just because the reel is cheap. Always look for the essential features that define quality.
The best spinning reels under 50
Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel
This reel is often considered the best spinning reel under 50. It is rare to come across good quality reels that are easily affordable. Piscifun Flame is quite reliable when it comes to quality. The gear ratio of 5.2:1 is suitable for catching big fish that offers a tough battle. This gear ratio also allows you to retrieve faster. So, it is capable of handling both big and small fish.
The drag power is tremendous and is further enhanced by triple drag washers. This makes it impossible for burly fish to escape once they have been hooked. But a good gear ratio and a high drag power wouldn’t alone make it the best reel. This reel is also flawless when it comes to smoothness of operation. The 10 ball bearings make it possible to operate this spinning reel without any disturbing vibrations or useless noise.
This reel not only has excellent power features but it also offers incomparable comfort. Piscifun Flame is constructed out of lightweight graphite that allows it to be strong, durable, and also light in weight.
Many anglers drool over its unbelievable price tag because this reel also has the desirable classy appearance in red and matte black. One doesn’t get all the required features in a spinning reel for such a low price. Moreover, it is well proven that this reel offers a wonderful performance, comparable to the best fishing reels out there.
Anglers who love to throw long casts will especially relish this reel as it is well built for this purpose. The user-friendly operation makes it equally good for beginners and experienced anglers. Although the base material for this reel is graphite, it has a solid metal finish which doesn’t increase its weight and renders it stronger.
Pros
- The perfect gear ratio of 5.2:1 offers fast retrieval speeds and great power at the same time
- This reel is capable of catching both big and small-sized fish
- The reel is light in weight while being unexpectedly strong and durable
- The drag capacity is large and well suited to control the biggest monsters in the water
- This reel is very easy to operate because of the comfortable handle and the smoothness rendered by the sufficient number of ball bearings
- The design is attractive and comparable to a lot more expensive reels
Cons
- This reel is not as corrosion resistant as spinning reels should be
- One cannot use this reel in saltwater because of the absence of corrosion resistance
- The anti-reverse mechanism is the most attractive aspect of this reel but it may not work as well as expected
- The handle of this reel is very comfortable but requires proper care and good maintenance
KastKing Lancelot Spinning Reel
A low budget doesn’t define the quality of your spinning reel. This fact has been proven right by the KastKing Lancelot spinning reel. Very magnificent features are now available at the lowest price. The drag system for this reel is supremely capable and the overall operation is as smooth as it should be. The price may drive you to doubt the quality of this reel. But don’t let price tags fool you. This reel has more to offer than many expensive spinning reels.
KastKing Lancelot is made entirely out of metal. This is the reason for its strength and durability. Metallic construction also renders this reel essentially lightweight. As such, the results are excellent when fishing in a freshwater environment. This spinning reel is durable and works for a long time. One can fully rely on this reel for excellent performance.
KastKin Lancelot is very well recommended for beginners who are new to the game. The excellent features are easy to get a hold on, unlike many complicated spinning reels. The features can be understood without much effort. Plus, the efficient design of this reel ensures value service for a lesser price.
Pros
- Long-distance casting has been made very easy with this best quality spinning reel
- Even the retrieval speed is excellent for the price
- The body of the reel is solid and lightweight and quite durable
- The drag system for this reel is powerful at 17.5 lbs
- You can withstand the toughest fish in the trickiest waters with this reel
- The reeling motions fairly smooth owing to a good number of ball bearings
- The anti-reverse system for this reel is fair
- There are handles for both left and right-handers
- The cost of this reel is unbelievable considering the features and quality
Cons
- Many users report that this reel is not as smooth as claimed
- Some users have reviewed that it may not be fair to compare this reel to costlier reels that offer a much greater performance
Abu Garcia Black Max Spinning Reel
This may be the most comfortable spinning reel you’ll come in this price range. The basic material of construction for this reel is graphite. This makes the reel light enough to be held throughout the day and strong enough to withstand the tough forces of the target fish. This reel is considered the best ultralight spinning reel for its price. Although the base material is graphite, this reel is extremely sturdy.
Abu Garcia Black Max offers a fair drag capacity and remarkable ease of operation. The resistance offered by the drag system is further enhanced by the carbon fiber drag washers employed in its structure.
There are stainless steel ball bearings to provide the requisite smoothness in function and reduction of noise.
While there are many good features to count, light-weightedness reigns supreme. This reel is ultralightweight and is much loved by anglers who want to go for cheaper reels while aiming to fish for long durations. This quality reduces the strain on wrists anglers pretty well complain about.
Even beginners can get used to the functions of this reel very easily. There is nothing difficult to get familiarized with. The easy and learnable features make this reel a very good option for beginners looking for cheap spinning reels.
Pros
- This reel is very affordable and offers good quality for a less price
- The drag system is very efficient and is further complemented by the carbon fiber drag washers
- There are a good number of stainless steel ball bearings to enhance the smoothness of this reel
- The best part about this reel is its ultra light-weightedness
- It is possible to operate this reel all day long without any discomfort
- The base material is graphite but the reel is overall sturdy
- This reel is appropriate for beginners because it isn’t difficult to get used to its operation
Cons
- Many users report that this reel is not very smooth in functioning
- It is especially reported that the casting is rough
- Many users aren’t satisfied with the quality of construction which can probably be very well improved
- This reel is only good for beginners
- Professionals don’t feel that this spinning reel is adequate
Consider the Following Features Before Selecting a Spinning Reel
Pay attention to the number of ball bearings employed in your spinning reel. Make sure the gear ratio is suitable for your purpose of fishing. The material of the reel will influence its weight and consequently your comfort in operation. Also, the anti-reverse handle must be easy to operate to avoid the hassle.
Look for Sufficient Number of Ball Bearings
Ball bearings are present between the moving parts of the reel to ensure their smooth gliding. This reduces friction and adds to the smoothness of the operation of the reel. Ball bearings ultimately affect the efficiency of the reel because it would be noisy and rugged without them.
It is recommended to prefer stainless steel ball bearings because they don’t get worn out easily. Ceramic ball bearings are also readily employed in many modern spinning reels. They have even more resistance to corrosion and damage and work admirably well even in saltwater. Your spinning reel will be as smooth as the number of ball bearings employed.
Make Sure That the Gear Ratio of the Reel Suits Your Purpose
It is very important to take note of the gear ratio while selecting a spinning reel. This is because different gear ratios have different outcomes which depend on the type of fishing you want to indulge in.
Gear ratio is appropriately defined as the number of times the spool of the reel rotates in response to one turn of its handle. A higher gear ratio would impart more retrieval speed to the fishing reel and is apt for catching small fish that escape swiftly.
On the other hand, a lower gear ratio will impart more power so that you can fight the tough and burly fish in the waters. Your gear ratio primarily affects your speed of retrieval.
The Material of Your Reel Should Impart Lightweightedness
Your spinning reel needs to be durable for it to survive for long. You don’t want to end up buying a new reel after every few fishing trips. This doesn’t mean that your reel should be heavy. The material of construction should be strong enough to last long while also being light in weight.
Metallic reels are considered the most robust when it comes to spinning reels. Smaller fish can also be targeted with light plastic reels. While graphite reels are both strong and lightweight. It will be easier to work for long periods on reels that don’t tire your arms.
The Anti-Reverse Handle Should Be Easily Accessible and Comfortable
This is an essential feature of spinning reels. By incorporating the function of the drag component, the anti-reverse handle ensures that the handle doesn’t get locked while preventing the fish escape.
Conclusion
Out of the spinning reels that we have reviewed, Abu Garcia Black Max has the least satisfied customers although the quality of the reel is perfect for its price. This reel lags in offering adequate smoothness in function and isn’t considered appropriate for professional anglers. The good things about this reel are sufficient for it to be used well by beginners.
First of all, it is cheap and serves as great as an introduction to the sport. Its drag system is well enough for medium-sized fish. It is smooth enough for expeditions that may as well be undertaken by beginners and is strong to withstand at least some test of time.
KastKing Lancelot has an excellent performance although some users claim that it isn’t as smooth as the more expensive reels it is compared with. But for its price, KastKing Lancelot has all the features an angler requires for reeling in a big freshwater treat. It is difficult to get such an efficient drag system and a good gear system for this price. Unlike many cheap spinning reels, the anti-reverse system of this reel works fairly well.
Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel is considered the best spinning reel for this price. This is chiefly because of its ability to throw long casts. The large drag capacity and the efficient gear ratio and retrieval rate make this reel the best option for anglers searching in this range.
Piscifun Flame is reportedly the best spinning reel under 50.