The choice of your next saltwater spinning reel can be difficult; there is such a wide selection available. How do you know whether one is better than the other? What are the search criteria you should be using? In this article, I hope to make your decision easier by presenting you with facts that can help you find the Best Saltwater Spin Reels.

Difference: saltwater spinning reels and a freshwater spinning reels?

The primary difference between freshwater and saltwater spinning reels will be the materials from which they are made.

Saltwater can destroy your equipment within a couple of months if it is not designed for the job. It would be best if you chose spinning reels constructed of corrosion-resistant materials.

A saltwater spinning reel may also have to cope with the increased stress that it will encounter from potentially significantly larger species. The final difference is going to have a cost.

To buy a saltwater spinning reel built from high quality materials to fight corrosion, and strong enough to handle larger species, will cost more than freshwater spinning reels.

Important choosing factors

When choosing Saltwater Spinning Reels, make sure you consider these key points:

• Will your reel assist casting?
• Does it have the leverage required to catch fish?
• Can it handle the fishing tackle and weight of large game?
• Can your reel handle the effects of the saltwater?
• Can your reel handle the environment

You need to look at each potential purchase and ask these questions.and then make your choice on the answers you get.

Sealed v non-sealed saltwater spinning reels

Saltwater will corrode. It is a big problem, and if your reel is not sealed, saltwater will get inside the reel and play havoc with the components.

Rinsing off the reel with fresh water after use will help, but eventually, the seawater will win. The seals work like gaskets and do not allow the saltwater to reach the inner components, thus protecting them.

Some people do not bother with sealed spinning reels and rely solely on rinsing the equipment and cleaning it thoroughly.

These are typically the same people that will b once again in the market for a freshwater reel within a few months.

The line capacity

How much line capacity does a saltwater fishing reel have? This capacity is an important question to ask when purchasing a spinning reel. Fishing in the ocean does require a more robust line with a more extensive line per capacity to accommodate the enough fishing line.

Your rod also needs to be more durable. Most keen fishermen will have various types of braided line in their kit, and your saltwater fishing reel needs the capacity to hold thicker and longer lines.

The gear ratio ht 100

The gear ratio on a saltwater reel will control how often the spool is going to revolve for every turn of the handle. An example would be a gear ratio of 7.3:1.

This designation means that every time you turn the handle one complete revolution, you will turn the spool by 7.3 times.

A low gear ration gives you more power to haul up large fish from deep water, whereas a high gear ratio will retrieve the fishing line faster. Knowing the type of fish that you will be targeting is a factor in making this choice.

Now we have set some criteria to base our decisions; it is time to look at some recommendations. You will be surprised when you realize that our most preferred option is a fish saltwater spinning reel that has been discontinued.

We liked it that much, and it is still available in stores for now. The product was just too expensive and did not fit into the range.

The best saltwater spinning reel – there’s a few. Here is our recommended list

Why this is the winner

It was a close-run thing when we brought price into the equation.

The fact that the runner up reel is now discontinued means that although Penn Battle II 5000 Spinning Fishing Reel has separated itself further from the pack.

What makes this fish saltwater spinning reel miles above the rest as supported by it’s Amazon Choice badge is that Durability, high speed and elegance is tied in with its 100 carbon fiber drag and body.

Although its a lightweight package, there is no single component that feels compromised and the cranking build, superline spool and braids feel premium. Its also quite affordable to put the cherry on top.

What we liked

• A quality reel with a full stainless steel metal body side, rotor, braided line retrieve and side plate.
• The heavy duty ht 100 carbon fiber drag pressure system also appealed very much as it is a potent option.

What we didn’t like

• It is a pretty standard model with no real choice of colors and styles,
• Although nowhere in the same price range as the Accurate SR-30, it is still on the pricy end of the market.

Final Thoughts

This model will last you a long time and should need a minimum amount of maintenance, a very worthy and humble winner in our opinion.

Its one of the better offshore saltwater spinning reels for a shade over $100, and the carbon drag operates very smoothly. It also features a full metal body.

Why this reed was just edged out

The real deal-breaker is simple, this saltwater baitcasting reel model is currently unavailable, but this may change in the near future so lets focus on the positives. The Accurate SR-30 is an excellent all-round reel that offers just about every feature you are going to need.

It has been constructed from a single solid piece of aluminum (aircraft grade) with titanium spool and max drag plates. This reel will stand up to everything you throw at it.

Ok, you probably guessed by now that this is a top of the range reel and comes in at a pretty hefty price. But heck, you deserve it!

What we liked

• This reel has almost instantaneous air rotor spool change.
• It features a dual maximum drag system (drag on both sides of the spool)
• The gear ratio is 6.2 1 Perfect!
• Gorgeous yet functional stainless steel body

What we didn’t like

• Well, we do not like the price, but if you are going to make a reel like this that is composed of top of the range materials and engineering, I suppose that you have to charge a premium price.

Final Thoughts

This reel is pretty well unbreakable and is going to last a long time.

I imagine if you sat down and made a projection on how much you will spend in a lifetime on a kit, that its longevity makes it far less expensive long term than buying cheaper alternatives; at least that is what I am trying to convince myself.

The thing is that although Accurate will continue to service this model, they have now discontinued it. It is still available in stores but not for long, so if you want this reel, it’s now or never.

The Daiwa BG8000 is a very fluid setup, featuring digital and laser cut components we feel that every year the reel size is redesigned its always an improvement upon its predecessor which is rare in todays rushed upgrades.

We like this offshore spinning reel for even nearshore fishing and the aluminium screw in handle (machined) is rock solid.

What we liked

• The offshore saltwater reel size uses first-rate materials and has a solid feel to it
• It has an anodized aluminum computer controlled-machined body and cover.
• This process is going to make this unit tough enough for the stresses of a saltwater environment.
• It is a very smooth reel and has excellent drag
• Instant anti reverse
• The braid ready marked aluminum spool capacity

What we didn’t like

• The Daiwa is not waterproof. Only the ATD max drag system is waterproof.
• It will probably resist water, but not so efficiently as other models.
• The aluminum body is anodized, but they only painted the ready spool.
• For manual sessions, you might find this model a tad heavy for its size when you’re fishing

Final Thoughts

In this model, we had a reel that functions very well and was quite impressively smooth but failed in the level of waterproofing and a cheaper finish. The oversized gears gave the reel a substantial feel. It comes with ten options to choose from, so there is a reel for everyone.

Penn is relatively new to the saltwater fishing market. With the Penn Spinfisher V and the Spinfisher VI, they have produced one of the best reels you will find in the stores today.

It is a durable workhorse at a really attractive price. They get a smooth feel to this reel because of the unique rotor design developed by Penn.

What we liked

• Spinfisher V, like the Penn Slammer III is both resistant to corrosion and watertight.
• Wide choice of versions available
• A product built to last
• It has a watertight design
• It has a full metal body with intuitive aluminum bail wire and smooth drag design

What we didn’t like

• It does not operate so well as some other models in this class.
• Priced at the higher end

Final Thoughts

This fifth-generation model is possibly the most durable reel on the market. However, the durability comes at the price of lower performance in some departments—still, a great buy which we recommend.

If I think about this reel, the single word that comes to mind is “design.” The manufacturer has pulled out all the stops to produce a well-designed product that looks stunning.

It has many extra touches that stand out like Japanese Hami cut 3604 brass gears, which operated so quietly compared to other brands.

What we liked

• A gear ratio of 7:1 rather than the typical 6.2 1 makes this a versatile reel.
• Powerful Fibre max drag and twin wind shafts
• Dependable brake and quiet stainless steel ball bearings
• More extended handle per crank that inspires confidence

What we didn’t like

• Should not be used with a heavy rod because of casting issues.
• The spring on the thumb bar is not strong enough

Final Thoughts

It’s a pretty good reel, not a great reel but a good buy. It’s not expensive, and for the price level, you could do worse. Stick with heavier bait to avoid problems.

The advantages of higher pinion gear ratios include the ability to get the fish reeled in quickly. If, for example, it is near to a structure, you can pull it away immediately.

Now this reel with a 7:1 gear ratio is going to be quick.

This spinning reel has a gear ratio of about 4.9:1 (i prefer 6.2 1) and has a fishing braided line capacity of 300 yards (14lb mono). It’s a higher-priced and heavy reel with fluid stainless steel ball bearings.

It is very saltwater resistant and features a smooth max drag clicker.

What we liked

• It is an excellent reel for tossing live bait for big fish (Tarpon)
• Comes packaged very well, fluid drag washers, roller bearing and a gear system with top of the braided line reel features
• It has a big sturdy handle that offers a good grip
• Knuckles never get close to the spinning reel as it turns
• Reel comes with sturdy braided line capacity rings and a drag system similar and trustworthy like the slammer drag system

What we didn’t like

• It is a heavy reel if you’re looking to use it for offshore fishing
• Priced at the higher end

Final Thoughts

This reel has a sealed stainless steel component housing to stop seawater from entering. The manufacturers offer three-year parts and service warranty, which is unusual these days.

If you use artificial lures and make a lot of casts, this may not be the spinning reel for you. It’s better for heavier bait.

Why this is the winner

This inshore spinning reel is a high-end model that has both excellent features and some bad ones. It is an excellent reel for inshore fishing; it is light and durable (apart from the clicker), and so is excellent for casting artificials all day.

Sometimes the drags become very sticky, and performance is at the middle of the scale. There are worse, but also better reels around.

What we liked

• It is a saltwater resistant reel (most important)
• It feels a durable design, but for some reason, the clicker is less so.
• It is a lightweight spinning reel, and continual casting will not be tricky.
• It has a good warranty.
• 11+1 ball bearings

What we didn’t like

• Did I mention the clicker? If it breaks, you don’t hear your max drag.
• The open and exposed bearing system
• There are lightweight reels that are more competitively priced.

Final Thoughts

The specs are impressive, with a 6.2 1 gear ratio, 11+1 ball bearings, and a maximum drag of 30 lbs.

Remember, it is a lightweight spinning reel. As an inshore fishing reel, it is pretty good and deserves a place on our list.

I hope you enjoyed this best saltwater spinning reel round up review that will make buying your first or next spinning reel purchase easier for your fishing trip. We have a mix of products in this list of Best Saltwater Spinning Reels.

Some are heavyweight for fighting fish species, and other freshwater reels are lightweight and designed for inshore waters. When facing the additional challenges that saltwater fishing presents, these salt & freshwater reels handle the issues relatively well, whether you are casting or trolling.

No two big game reels are alike, make sure you physical view the potential spinning reel for saltwater before purchase. We hope that this article has given you the positive points and negative points to consider.