Best Spinning Reels For Saltwater – Top Models Reviewed!

Fishing has been around for thousands of years and is currently the most popular hobby among Americans. The latest studies have found that fishing is more popular than golf, tennis and horse riding put together.

Moreover, there are hundreds of different annual fishing contests and tournaments including for saltwater species. This king of tournaments & seawater fishing you need best Spinning reels for saltwater. These tournaments vary greatly from trolling for tuna to slowly drifting across various bays for fish such as the flounder. If you were to ask a professional angler what is the difference between saltwater and freshwater fishing, the answer would be water.

Water causes the fishing gear to start corroding however saltwater accelerates the process much faster. The formed rust and corrosion can weaken the rod, the guides on the rod as well as the reel itself. Some anglers solve this problem by rinsing off the sea water after every fishing trip while others prefer to spray their rods and reels with a silicone based spray, for example, the WD-40.

Nowadays, the manufacturers of fishing gear, intended to be used in seawater, are using the latest production techniques as well as a specially developed blend of materials that are more prone to withstanding corrosion and rust. But, anglers will still need to take care of their spinning reels.

Best Spinning reels for Saltwater greatly vary in length, rod strength, as well as price hence each individual, will need to select their own saltwater spinning reel based on their skill level, the frequency of fishing and budget.

Comparison of 10 Best Spinning Reels for Saltwater

Top 10 Best Saltwater Spinning Reel Reviews in 2019

1. Okuma Black and Orange Speed Spinning Reel

Okuma spinning reels are manufactured in Japan under strict quality control plus these spinning reels are made with stainless steel multi discs as well as oiled drag washers.

Moreover, the dual force drag system will help you ensure you never lose a battle to a big and heavy fish plus the 9 bb bearings make this spinning reel super fast and reliable.

The spinning reel is easy to clean as you would only need to rinse off after every use besides all Okuma spinning reels are pre-treated with a silicone protectant spray to ensure that the reel does not corrode or rust before time.

Also Read: The Best Spinning Rods – Complete Buyer’s Guide

2. SeaKnight Rapid Spinning Reel – Best for Saltwater

SeaKnight Saltwater Spinning Reel has been designed especially for saltwater hence it is made with a resistant layer that will withstand rust and corrosion over a long period of time.

Because this spinning reel was designed to be used in rapid currents, the main shaft has been made from thicker and reinforced material.

Moreover, this spinning reel is made with stainless bearings and carbon fiber made drag mechanism that will be capable of dragging up to 30 pounds of fish.

Thanks to durable construction and good quality control you can be sure that no sand or sea water will enter the shaft or the bearing compartment. Professional anglers recommend purchasing this saltwater spinning reel if you are planning on fishing for large species such as Catfish, Pike and Bass.

3. Pflueger Supreme XT Saltwater Spinning Reel

Pflueger Supreme XT Spinning Reel is made with 10 bearings for added durability and longer life.

Moreover, the bearings are coated in an anti-corrosion layer as well as a silicone protectant.With this spinning reel, you could tie the braid directly to the spool.

4. Penn Clash Saltwater Spinning Reel

Fairly light and well-designed spinning reel manufactured to be used for fishing in the sea plus the all-metal body makes this spinning reel durable and long lasting.

Moreover, the Penn Clash Saltwater Spinning Reel will be great for individuals wanting to try fishing in the open sea but don’t have the financial means of buying expensive spinning reels.

Also Read: Best Fishing Pliers of 2019 – Top 7 Models Reviewed!

5. Shimano Shiragosa Saltwater Spinning Reel

Shimano is made Japanese made thus you can be sure of its durability, precision and power plus it looks really sleek and modern with its all stainless steel body.

Moreover, this saltwater spinning reel is equipped with a propulsion line that allows for much longer castings while eliminating the risk of wind knots or backlash.

6. Okuma Avenger Graphite Bait Feeder Saltwater Spinning Reel

Okuma Avenger Graphite Bait Feeder is made from high-quality stainless material that is will not corrode or rust in the sea water.

Moreover, this Okuma spinning reel model comes with an easy baitfeeding compartment that can be opened and closed easily without the need of taking apart the bail.

Plus, it comes with a 6 ball bearing as well as anti-reverse roller beating that is coated with an anti-rust layer.

7. Shimano Stradic Front Spin Reel

This model of Shimano Stainless Steel Saltwater Spinning Reel is made with Japanese steel that is very durable and resistant to corrosion and rusting.

Moreover, the new technology used in the manufacturing of this Shimano spinning reel ensures that the friction between the gear and the shaft is reduced to a minimum.

8. Souygay Saltwater Fishing Spinning Reel

Souygas saltwater spinning reel is really lightweight and very portable plus it comes with anti-reverse stopping bearing.

Anglers have reported this spinning reel being really smooth and durable moreover, the main shaft is made from carbon coated metal for better performance and reliability.

Also Read: Best Fishing Gloves – 2019 Top Kits Tested & Reviewed

9. Penn Battle II Saltwater Spinning Reel

Penn Battle Saltwater Spinning Reel is made with lightweight stainless steel and computer designed handle that has been reported to be very easy to hold over a long period of fishing.

Moreover, the Penn Battle II Spinning Reel comes with a 1-year warranty plus lots of anglers have reported the customer service to be very friendly and helpful.

Furthermore, anglers can choose from several different sizes and carrying case that are available at no additional cost.

10. Pflueger President Saltwater Spinning Reel

Pflueger President  Saltwater Spinning Reel has been designed especially for saltwater hence it is made with a resistant layer that will withstand rust and corrosion over a long period of time.

Because this spinning reel was designed to be used in rapid currents, the main shaft has been made from thicker and reinforced material.

Moreover, this spinning reel is made with stainless bearings and carbon fiber made drag mechanism that will be capable of dragging up to 30 pounds of fish.

Thanks to durable construction and good quality control you can be sure that no sand or sea water will enter the shaft or the bearing compartment.

Professional anglers recommend purchasing this best spinning reels for saltwater if you are planning on fishing for large species such as Catfish, Pike and Bass.

Conventional Reel or Spinning Reel

Conventional reels will be best suited for seasoned anglers however for anglers that are just getting the hand of it spinning reels will be great. Moreover, a good spinning reel will enable the angler to cast much further away without facing any backlashes or any bird nests that most individuals using conventional reels face.

Furthermore, because of damaging effect that the sea water has on the spinning reel and the fishing line, you will have to be prepared to regularly change the line plus make sure you always buy the best fishing line you can afford.

Some of these lines are made using a braided technique that makes the line much more durable and less prone to snapping. Despite the braided lines being called braided, they are actually much thinner than standard monofilament ones sold at budget prices.

Braided fishing lines have also been found to be more resistant to various abrasions that are normally caused by sharp rocks, corals and even old shipwrecks. Sadly, braided fishing lines require a more durable leader hence you might want to purchase a fluorocarbon leader if you decide to go for the braided fishing lines.

Fluorocarbon fishing lines also become practically invisible in the water thus fish will not be frightened. On another note, pay good attention to the type of hook you are using and remember to always keep it around the size of the bait you intend on using.

The reason for this is that large hooks will look unnatural whereas a small hook could miss the fish especially if it will be a large one. There is a lot of literature on various hooks however the most important types to remember is the circle hook, J hook and live bait hook.

Different Hooks

Live bait hooks have a short and smooth shank that is designed to be pinned through the whole body of live bait plus these hooks allow the angler to use the bait several times before discarding it and hooking another live bait.

On the other hand, J hooks come with several bare barbs that are located on the shank and are best used with multiple baits at one time. Lately, another type of hooks, called the circle hooks, have become pretty popular with professional anglers.

However, circle hooks have been widely reported to end up deep in the fish gullet thus making it hard to release the fish without damaging it too much.

What Is the Difference Between Baits, Lures and Knots?

New anglers are often faced with a dilemma in choosing what bait to best use, however, there isn’t an exact answer as the best bait will depend on a number of factors such as what fish you are trying to fish, how deep, and at what time of the day.

But, most professional anglers agree that the bait regardless of what it is must be close to the natural diet of the fish you are trying to fish for. Therefore, the bait could be anything from mussels, shrimps to sea worms and clamp meat plus ensure the bait size will be appropriate.

If you do not wish to deal with messy bait you could purchase specially designed lures that are produced in a wide range of size, shape, color and material. You could find spoons, plugs and even poppers plus there are a lot of lures made out of soft plastic or silicone that makes them move in the water thanks to the current.

Moreover, you could increase the luring effect by adjusting the speed of the retrieve as well as the way you move your spinning reel.

Knots

Knots are another crucial part of having a successful day at sea, like with hooks there are tons of ways to tie a good knot, however, just remember that the double Palomar knot is the best plus it is very reliable and really easy to tie even for beginners.

Do Tides Affect the Outcome of Fishing?

Professional anglers know that in order to have a successful day of fishing, one will need to take advantage of changing tides throughout the day. The rule of thumb is to arrive at your preferred fishing spot least an hour before the high tide is to peak at that spot.

Regardless of what time of the day you plan on fishing, you would need to take with your some drinking water, bucket, hat and fishing sunglasses as well as a sunscreen cream if you care about not getting burned by the sun.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has briefed on how to choose the best spinning reels for saltwater that will serve you for years to come. However, keep in mind that in order for you to get maximum out of your spinning reel you will have to take care of it.

Don’t forget to rinse off the reel after every fishing trip plus think about buying a silicone protectant spray or paste that will need to be applied every 2-3 weeks. Such silicone protectants will prevent the spinning reel from rusting or corroding due to saltwater.

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