Best saltwater spinning reels review
Any best saltwater spinning reels are pretty enjoyable while fishing. They catch almost all types of fish in either saltwater or freshwater. It is essential that you java a right-sized spinning reel. They are light to tackle and untraditional. You can have them in various sizes and ranges.
Fishing is fun with spinning reels, making fishing much easier and more convenient. They vary for saltwater and freshwater as the fish types differ in these two water bodies. Some are large enough to catch a bluefin tuna, and small ones can be the best for little fish.
So, it is a must-have accessory for fishing.
When we need saltwater spinning reels
When fishing, saltwater spinning reels are needed, fishing is easier and fun, to begin with. They can work quite conveniently, whether a small fish or a large one. You can have them at different types of speeds as well. Working with them will make your work done in less time.
Fishing reels are the best option if you are not an angler and occasionally fish. You can use them to teach your children. For a freshwater environment spinning reels are the best option.
Advantages and disadvantages of saltwater spinning reels
There are many benefits that their fishing reels offer, but nothing is perfect, so considering this, here are some advantages and disadvantages of saltwater spinning reels.
They allow less reeling, which is the utmost preference while fishing. They are a bit larger and allow more rewinding with each turn. You can switch to saltwater spinning reels for faster service.
A superior bait and a decent bait presentation will surely make the fishing easy. These fishing reels use temptation and lure to draw the fish.
You can catch almost all fish of different sizes with them, but spinning reels are a bit noisy and can lure away the bait compared to fly fishing. When fishing on the move, then spinning reels would do a better job.
Considering the price, the saltwater spinning reels are pretty affordable than traditional fly fishers. You can have them anywhere, and they are also quite portable.
Difference between Saltwater Spinning Reels vs. Freshwater Spinning Reels
You might be thinking about why there are different reels for fresh and saltwater. Long story short, saltwater spinning reels must be much more robust, corrosion-resistant, and larger than freshwater spinning reels.
Saltwater quickly corrodes the metal, and it will affect the reel material badly. You can use your freshwater reel in saltwater for a small interval, but there is a risk of damage. The sealed parts also differ in both reels.
Other than the material, they differ in size, price range, and weight. Saltwater targets bigger fish, so saltwater spinning reels’ size and weight capacity are more fiber challenging than freshwater ones.
So it is basically up to you which type of reel you prefer, depending on the water body you are fishing in. Here is a detailed review of the best saltwater spinning reels, so you don’t have to search the market to buy one.
Best all-around Saltwater Spinning Reel: Penn 295149 6.0:1

This premium generation Penn Spinfisher VI is the sixth generation of superior spinning reels of Penn. It has a size of about 2500 up to 10500. This is how you get a decent range of sizes and select any of your choices. The choice is yours, depending on the type of reel you want.
It is an excellent investment for a spinning reel as it offers strength. It has a highly flexible design with a carbon fiber drag. It offers capacity rings and twin power at an affordable price. With easy-drive gears, this is a must-choice for any angler.
With its numerous features, it is a decent spinning reel for saltwater. Having a whole metal body and a good anti-corrosion rating, it has an HT-100 drag system. There is an aluminum spool with shielded ball bearings to make your fishing experience great.
It is normal to have a carbon fiber drag with an excellent line capacity in such quality reels as this. To catch a fish confidently in deep waters, you must buy a twin power spinning reel with improved gear durability and spool.
Penn Torque III has a high-quality ball bearing and decent roller breaking to allow you to catch firm fish easily. This spinning reel is an excellent package with a reasonable price range and braid capacity. You can get it from amazon.
Best Inshore Saltwater Spinning Reel: Penn Spinfisher VI Black Gold
The Penn Spinfisher VI is a reel with quite a good body structure. The body is entire of metal and made with quality material. This spinning reel has a CNC gear technology with twin power for catching all the fish species.
It has a huge line capacity and HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers for maximum drag and firm grip. There are six stainless steel bearings, including one roller bearing. It has got everything that you need in an affordable range.
In other words, this is one of the best saltwater reels with powerful drag-smooth capacity rings and decent spools. You can consider it for catching freshwater fish or different fish species. It is also a good choice for deeper waters as it comes with a twin-power SW. The drive gears are pretty strong.
This Penn Spinfisher VI has a brilliant design with a beautifully coater black and gold body. This aesthetic design goes well with the deep blue waters of the ocean. Spinfisher VI has improved gear durability with instant anti-reverse bearings. This is a good deal at a reasonable price.
In short, Penn Spinfisher VI having a multifilament fishing line is a choice you must not skip if you want a pleasurable fishing experience. With a strong structure and durable build, it has much to offer you. You can get it from amazon.
Best Saltwater Spinning Reel for Jigging: Penn Spinfisher Vi Long Cast Black Gold
Suppose you are looking for a long-lasting reel with a well-built structure and high durability. You are just at the right place. This reel is entirely trustworthy for fishing in saltwater. It will surely enhance your fishing experience with a quality built structure.
The Penn Battle spinning creek is excellent in all respects. This is your reel if you want a decent quality reel within an affordable range. Being lightweight, it is pretty easy to handle. The corrosion-resistant parts of this reel are instrumental in challenging water conditions.
It has six ball bearings, including roller bearings with high-tech gear and a monoline capacity. It has been tested to have good strength against big fishers. It has a decent drag ratio and is sustainable under pressure. You can choose this one if you want to save money. All in all, it is a good choice.
Our third runner-up is no less than any of the others. It has a powerful drag and a braided line capacity for catching powerful fish in deep waters. In this price range, it is no doubt a decent choice.
The gear technology and the spool with stainless steel bearings add more to this fishing reel’s alluring beauty and perfectness. In short, it is a good quality reel for you to consider. You can get it from amazon.
Best Saltwater Spinning Reel for Tuna: Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel
The Penn Battle 3 is all you want to have a smooth, lightweight spinning reel. So many spinning reels promise high ends, but not everyone proves it true. In this regard, the Penn Battle III has proven to be the best in each respect.
It has been specially designed to be used in harsh environments, and it can withstand the high pressure of larger fish. It can give you all the pleasures of quality fishing at a reasonable price. It has a decent waterproof rating and is pretty good in saltwater.
It has innovative features that you want in your ideal reel. The parts are highly corrosion-resistant and, being lightweight, is very easy to handle and work with. The drag quality and durability of battle 3 are pretty remarkable.
Our Pen Battle II is not less than any other when it comes to quality reels. With an efficient and waterproof drag for pelagic fishing in blue waters. It has an HT-100 carbon fiber drag system with a vast line capacity to easily catch larger fish.
The stainless steel bearings with improved gear durability make this fishing reel the best in its price range. With all these features and a decent spool, it would not be wrong to cast it as one of the best saltwater spinning reels. You can get it from amazon.
Best Saltwater Spinning Reel for Bottom Fishing: Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel
The Penn Slammer 3 is an excellent saltwater spinning reel with an extensive range of available sizes. This reel has a complete metal body with high-quality HT-100 carbon fiber washers. There are four stainless steel ball bearings along with a roller bearing.
The size range of this slammer three-spinning reel is extensive, so you can easily choose the reel of your required size. Considering the budget, it is quite a good and affordable reel with enhanced quality.
In short, this spinning reel is the one that must be your choice. You can search the market, but all the reels are in no comparison with this kind of spinning reel. It comes with a Shimano twin power with brass pinion gears.
In short, the Penn Slammer III is a decent saltwater spinning reel to be considered with instant anti-reverse bearing technology. You can use them anywhere in fresh waters and saltwater to catch fish.
It has a monoline capacity and a primary drag to offer excellent strength while catching fish. It will surely make your fishing experience more fun. You can consider buying Penn Slammer III in an affordable range without putting a strain on the budget. You can get it from amazon.
Cleaning Tips for Saltwater Spinning Reels
It is not hidden that salt water can harshly affect our spinning reel. Saltwater can corrode away your spinning reel. So after you use them, you should wash them off properly. Here are some tips you can follow for washing saltwater reels.
- The foremost thing you should consider is avoiding buying a reel’s internal components-powered hose to clean the reel. This can cause more damage than it can recover. You can use a wet cloth or towel to absorb the moisture and dirt.
- You can move the reel in freshwater or soak it, and this way, your reel will be free of all the contaminants.
- You can use a furniture polish clever to clean it up, which will further save your reel from saltwater.
- You must maintain the reel and lubricate it with oil so that no grinding occurs while reviving.
Any equipment will last longer if you properly care for or maintain it. So follow the above tips, and you will surely make your fishing reel last longer.
Saltwater spinning reels Buying guide.
There are certain things that one might consider before buying a saltwater reel. Buying a decent product is not easy. One must have proper knowledge about what he is buying. So here are a few things you should never ignore while buying a spinning reel.
What are you fishing for?
Your spinning reel choice mainly varies with what you are fishing for and where you are fishing. The type of reel you select is deeply impacted by it. It also affects whether you are fishing in an ocean or coastal. Based on that, you can choose the type of reel for saltwater or freshwater bodies.
If you plan to fish the larger fish, you can go for this one. Similarly, the size of your prey also impacts the reel selection. So first, decide what you will be using your reel most for. It would help if you did not skip this critical criterion while searching for a decent spinning reel.
Line Capacity
This is an essential factor one must not overlook while looking for a decent-quality spinning reel. It depends upon the size and weight of your prey. If you target larger fishes, you will require a more extensive line capacity and vice versa. It will affect the force you must apply while taking down the prey.
This is why you must not forget to check the braided line ratings. You must also ensure you know the reel’s size ratings. Typically, a typical spinning reel range is up to 300 yards. And this capacity will decide your prey. If you want a trophy, you must know what to do.
Using Braid
This is a feature that a saltwater fisherman must not overlook. Braid is needed on the reel for fishing in saltwater. A lone fisherman can ignore this one and go on to the next. This will help you to spool up your reel quickly.
There are different types of reels, and all are not compatible with using braids. Braided lines are not compatible with all kinds of reels. You will need a rod to use a bid on the reels that do not support braid.
Handles and Cranks
You must know what you will use it for when you buy something. Similarly, the more comfortable you are with your reel, the more suitable it will be. So choose a reel carefully and ensure you have a good grip.
You must be able to handle it properly. For that, you can look for comfortable handles that you can work smoothly with. How you handle your split will decide the ease of using a saltwater reel, so take a good look at each before you buy a corrosion-resistant reel.
Make sure that the handle is strong enough. If the knob is flimsy, it cannot hold up the fish properly. So particularly for bigger fishes, you must target a solid and comfortable handle and cranks.
Braided-line Compatibility
The braided line accounts for the strength and sensitivity of the reel. For offshore fishing, you must have a reel with good braided power so that it can do the work smoothly. The smooth and proper spooling is achieved through a decent braided line capacity.
This braided line also slides along the spools while reeling, so it will be complicated for you whether fish take all the line-ups. That is why a rubber-type material is available so that the slipping of fish is avoided and the grip over the prey is more substantial. This will give you leverage while catching the prey.
In short, this is an essential factor that must be considered while looking for a saltwater fishing reel.
How Heavy Is The Reel
Lightweight reels are preferred over heavy reels as they allow longer for you to prey. You can pray for a longer time with lighter reels and cast the line longer distances than with a heavy reel. Similarly, for longer distances, lighter reels are preferred so that you can do your fishing comfortably. This is the main thing you must not ignore while buying a fishing reel.
Considerict density of saltwater is excellent for using a lightweight reel as it would do a better job. Fishing is less challenging and much easier with lightweight reels. But while looking for a lightweight reel, you must not compromise on the quality of the reel. So consider these factors before buying a saltwater fishing reel.
Durability & Corrosion Resistance
No one wants a product with less durability. Everyone wants a product that is worth the price, so look for the build and material of the reel before buying it. Saltwater has corrosive nature and can ruin the material of the reel. So there are special reels made for saltwater and others for freshwater. You must know corrosion-resistant materials before you buy a waterproof reel.
Ensure that the reel you put us is well shielded from salt water, and the bearings material must also not be ignored. The reel’s internal components must also be made of good material so that your reel lasts longer and is durable in every environment.
It would be best if you took care of the reel with proper maintenance and washing, so there is no problem. The reel must be protected, so there is no chance of entering any contaminant or sand.
Drag, Strong and Smooth
You must know that larger fishes strain your reel, and it isn’t easy to catch them. So it would be best if you considered buying a reel with a more significant drag that can work smoothly. The reel must be strong enough to handle the pressure. It should be sturdy enough to handle all the pressure and resist it.
It would be best if you landed on a reel that can work better for small and more significant fishes. But the reel should do the whole procedure safely, so it is not broken. We can handle the usual drag in about 15-17 lbs, so choose a reel to work efficiently with that drag without breaking. Not forgetting these critical factors while buying a fishing reel would be best.
People Also Ask about the best saltwater spinning reels
Who makes the best saltwater spinning reels?
While many brands make quality spinning re, the Penn Battle spinning reel is the best. It is highly durable with a strong structure. With powerful drag and a comfortable but firm grip, You must consider this one in salty and freshwater conditions.
What is the best saltwater inshore spinning reel?
For inshore fishing, it is essential that the reel is strong and has enormous strength to handle larger fish. Such reels have a sturdy structure and a strong build. You have multiple options for spinning reels, such as SHIMANO TRANX, KASTKING SPARTACUS MAXIMUS, ABU GARCIA REVO, and ARDENT APEX PRO, that you can go with any of these.
How do I choose a saltwater spinning reel?
In the above section, we have provided an extensive guide on selecting a decent saltwater spinning reel. You must check out all the above parameters to make a quality purchase. It will surely help you in finding what you are looking for. We have summarized everything for you.
What is the best fishing reel for the money?
Penn Battle II is the most affordable of all the reels. If you have less budget, you can go for this one. While all the products mentioned in our list are of decent quality and highly durable, you can select any of them according to your bud. So the choice is up to you.
How do I choose a saltwater rod and reel?
You can select the reel for saltwater as mentioned above, and similarly, for a rod, firm or challenging, you can follow the same procedure and find the most suitable rod with your spinning reel. The rod must also be durable and have a decent quality built, but you should keep the reel and rod.
Can I use my freshwater fishing rod and reel in saltwater?
As discussed earlier in the differences between saltwater and freshwater spinning reels, saltwater can damage the material of a freshwater fishing reel. So, for best performance, you can buy separate reels for both water bodies, and from the money point of view, you can use the saltwater reel in freshwater conveniently.
How many ball bearings should a good spinning reel have?
Usually, there are four ball bearings at the lower end of the reel. There is a maximum of 5 ball bearings at the start. These account for the efficient performance of the spinning reel. Mostly along with these ball bearings, you get two roller bearings. They are required to support the reel handle and provide a threshold.
What is the best saltwater fishing rod and reel?
All the spinning, as mentioned earlier, reels are the best, considering the durability and sturdiness of the reel. You can select any of the above that you find the best in your range and requirements.
Best saltwater spinning reels review Final words.
In short, the market is full of different types of spinning reels. There are different prices, sizes, and models available. Finding a decent one among them is certainly not easy, but we have done your job for you. Before buying a spinning reel, look at the above article to know what you are looking for.
The choice of the reel mainly depends upon your range and the type of fishing you are doing. All the above products are premium in thor categories and equally comfortable for neophytes and pros. In case of any questions, let us know. Happy fishing!