Top Saltwater Fishing Reels: Your Ultimate Buying Guide

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Choosing the right fishing reels for saltwater is no easy task. Mostly because the market is flooded with a bevy of choices already. Things get even more complicated when newer anglers realize how punishing saltwater is on fishing gear. In the end, there is no single fishing reel that can handle every style of saltwater angling. What works best for redfish in the mangroves of Florida will usually be different from what you might use for marlin offshore in Central America.

Whether you’re just getting started catching stripers from the surf or looking for the most advanced fly reels for that bonefish trip of a lifetime, there’s sure to be something that fits your needs. These are the best fishing reels for saltwater currently being made today.

Spinning Reels

Baitcasting Reels

Conventional Reels

Fly Reels

Spinning Reels

Best Overall: Shimano Saragosa SW

Specs

• Sizes: 6000, 25000
• Gear Ratios: 4.4:1, 6.2:1
• Bearings: 5+1, 6+1

While it’s impossible to choose a reel that will work for every saltwater situation, the Shimano Saragosa comes close. Surf, bottom fishing, offshore, flats-fishing, trolling—the Saragosa can do just about everything. It has outstanding drag performance, superior reliability, and the muscle to stop the largest and most powerful saltwater species. The lightweight and unbelievably smooth-operating Saragosa is a top choice for the best saltwater spinning reel for everything from fluke and sea bass to corvina and halibut to redfish and sea trout, even school tuna and trophy tarpon—essentially most species around the world.

Further, while not a budget reel, it is relatively affordable when compared to other spinning reels with this same level of performance, and is used by many charter captains. This is also one of the best saltwater kayak fishing reels, and is even used for bottom fishing for anglers who prefer spinning gear over conventional reels. The only criticism of the Saragosa is it may not stand up to the very harshest shore-based angling that some fisherman subject their reels to, particularly those in the Northeast who regularly have their reels submerged.

Best Under $100: Penn Fierce IV

Specs

• Sizes: 3000
• Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Bearings: 4+1

The options for best saltwater spinning reel for under $100 are limited, but the Penn Fierce is one, and it’s a good choice. The reel has been around for many years, and is now in its third iteration. It has a good reputation as a reliable and fairly tough budget reel that performs well from shore, boat or kayak, and even outperforms more expensive reels from other brands. It is ready to accept braided line, and is available in a large variety of sizes to suit any need, with most sizes coming in under $100.

Best Value: Daiwa BG

Specs

• Sizes: 1500, 8000
• Gear Ratios: 5.3:1, 5.7:1
• Bearings: 6+1

While the Daiwa BG is over $100, it is one of the most legendary and best value saltwater reels in production today. The Daiwa has the reputation of being strong, smooth, and very reliable across a huge spectrum of uses, from surf to inshore to offshore. It’s also an absolute joy to cast. It is used around the world in pursuit of a giant variety of species, and the newest version does not disappoint, living up to those that came before it. If you are on a tight budget, but have a few more dollars to spend, the Daiwa BG is a great choice. In fact, the BG outperforms some other reels that cost much more, making it one of the best budget spinning reels.

Best Premium: Shimano Stella SW

Specs

• Sizes: 8000, 18000
• Gear Ratios: 5.6:1, 6.2:1
• Bearings: 13+1

If you’re looking for the very best premium saltwater spinning reel to use in the salt for powerful offshore pelagics or giant inshore species, look no further than the Stella SW. While the Daiwa Saltiga and Okuma Makaira both offer solid alternatives, and are both amazing pieces of fishing technology, I have to give the nod to the Stella. With a rich history and a huge number of trophy fish landed, the Stella has a reputation worldwide as one of, if not the, very best of the best when it comes to saltwater reels—spinning or otherwise. It is made of the strongest and most reliable components available, and is also well known for its ability to sustain incredibly long runs against a nearly locked drag without overheating. Parts are relatively easy to get, and you can even service it yourself (unlike some other reels of this caliber). While it is one of the most expensive spinning reels you can buy, it delivers on the investment, and will for decades.

Best for Surf Fishing: Penn Authority

Specs

• Sizes: 3500, 10500
• Gear Ratios: 4.2:1, 6.2:1
• Bearings: 12+1

The Penn Authority splashed onto the scene in 2022 and immediately began picking up accolades for its design, winning best of category at ICAST 2022. It’s got a 12+1 stainless steel bearing system that runs silky smooth. It’s a real joy to operate. The Authority is also an incredibly versatile reel. It will handle a snook, striper, or red drum from the beach quite handily. However, we’ve also tested this reel far offshore and used it to tangle with an angry, hundred-pound yellowfin tuna. The stainless steel gears are built to take a serious beating from larger fish. That metal construction extends to the reel body itself. The quality is very noticeable when you pick it up. This is a beefy, well-made reel.

Penn gave this reel an IPX8 sealed body and spool. According to Penn’s engineers, it’s designed to spend up to 30 minutes completely submerged before water is going to leak inside. It’s that same sealing that helps keep sand and other beach grime out of the internal workings. The Authority is a great choice for anyone who wants durability and the ability to tackle a bevy of saltwater game fish with one reel. The only real downside is that the Authority comes with a rather hefty price tag than other saltwater surf fishing reels that might be a little much for some surf fishermen’s budgets.

Baitcasting Reels

Best Overall: Daiwa Lexa HD

Specs

• Sizes: 300, 400
• Gear Ratios: 5.1:1, 8.1:1
• Bearings: 6+1

If you’re a boat or kayak fisherman who uses a variety of techniques, the Daiwa Lexa HD is our choice for the best saltwater baitcasting reel. It performs well for vertical jigging, throwing lures and poppers, live-lining bait, and just about everything in between. It’s powerful but very compact, and reflects the trend of boat and kayak anglers to move towards more compact, modern baitcasting reels. If you use braided line, the Daiwa Lexa HD has enough line capacity to tackle a large spectrum of species. And unlike some of its rivals, such as the Penn Fathom II Low Profile, the Lexa has a level wind that makes it very user friendly.

Best Budget: Quantum Accurist

Specs

• Sizes: 100
• Gear Ratios: 7.0:1
• Bearings: 8+1

The Quantum Accurist Inshore is the best budget saltwater baitcasting reel for the kayak, boat, or even shore-based anglers. Quantum is well known for making great reels at very affordable prices, which stand up well for their intended purposes. Anglers like the pitching switch on the budget Accurist Inshore, which allows you to quickly adjust the depth of your bottom fishing offering with one hand: a huge advantage when compared to spinning reels. The reel is also strong enough to tackle most inshore species, with a smooth drag and saltwater-rated internals. However, the line capacity is somewhat limited compared to more expensive reels like the Daiwa Lexa, Shimano Tranx, Penn Squall, or Okuma Komodo, and if you’re going to tackle very large fish, you might want to consider upgrading to one of these larger and stronger reels. The Accurist comes in both right- and left-handed models.

Best for Large Fish: Shimano Tranx

Specs

• Sizes: 500
• Gear Ratio: 4.6:1
• Bearings: 5+1

The Shimano Tranx 500 is a great alternative to the Daiwa Lexa if you’re looking for the best saltwater baitcasting reel for large fish. The Tranx 500 is simply a larger, more rugged reel. You can use it to fish for some of the very largest inshore species from boat or kayak. It’s one of the best saltwater reels for bottom fishing, and is even up to some light blue-water fishing. It has a great reputation among a variety of anglers all over the world, and has the signature Shimano smoothness. It’s substantially more expensive than the lighter and more compact Daiwa Lexa, but if you are chasing larger fish or need more line capacity, the Tranx 500 HG or Tranx 500 PG is a better choice. The HG version has a high gear ratio and is good for fast retrieves, while the PG is designed for cranking in large, heavy fish.

Conventional Reels

Best Overall: Shimano Tyrnos II

Specs

• Sizes: 30
• Gear Ratios: 5.0:1 / 2.0:1
• Bearings: 4

Shimano has several reels considered to be the best all around saltwater conventional reel, including the TLD, Talica, and our choice, the Tyrnos. The Tyrnos is the top pick because it is highly versatile—able to tackle a large number of different techniques and species— while still being relatively budget friendly. There are few complaints about the Tyrnos up and down both coasts, and internationally, and many professional charter captains use this reel. This reel is known for its strength, holds plenty of line, and has two speeds to make retrieving lures and fighting fish easier. The simple and powerful level drag is capable of producing between 33 and 42 pounds of drag, depending on which size model you choose. This reel is capable of subduing tuna, sharks, sailfish, marlin, and other blue-water species. Land-based shark fisherman also pick this reel as a top choice.

Best Budget: Penn Squall II

Specs

• Sizes: 12, 40
• Gear Ratios: 6.1:1
• Bearings: 6+1

The Penn Squall and Daiwa Sealine are both the best budget saltwater conventional reels looking for versatile traditional conventional reels. Both are very castable, while also able to handle light offshore use. It’s tough to choose a favorite, but I gave the nod to the Squall simply because it felt better in my hands. The Squall II is a modern reel that is light; has an easy-to-operate, smooth and powerful drag system; and has composite parts that are impervious to corrosion. The main gear is very strong, and an easy access side plate allows self-service. From boat, kayak, shore, or all three, the Squall delivers excellent performance across a diverse set of angling parameters.

Saltwater Fly Fishing Reels

Best Overall: Orvis Hydros

Specs

• Line Weight: 1-3, 9-11
• Diameter: 3.1, 4.25 inches
• Weight: 4.7, 7.7 ounces

Few saltwater fly fishing reels have the reputation of the Orvis Hydros. Fishermen have spent hundreds of thousands of hours on the water for decades with Hydros, making it one of the best mid-priced fly fishing reels for saltwater. Orvis has improved the reel recently accounting for some mild criticism from picky anglers. Still, the Hydros is strong and smooth, and the housing is sealed, as a quality saltwater reel should be. The Hydros is backed by a solid warranty, and is easy to self-service.

Best Budget: Redington Behemoth

Specs

• Line Weight: 5-6, 11-12
• Diameter: 3.4, 4.4 inches
• Weight: 5.7, 11.4 ounces

The Redington Behemoth features a unique die-cast construction that helps it stand up well to saltwater abuse. It holds a large amount of backing for its size, and has one of the most powerful carbon-fiber drags I’ve ever tested for such an affordable reel. It’s also backed by a lifetime warranty—something almost unheard of at this price point. It’s available in a spectrum of sizes. If you’re just giving saltwater fly fishing a go, you can’t go wrong with the Behemoth, especially if you’re a kayak or boat angler.

How We Picked the Best Fishing Reels for Saltwater

There are some general guidelines to follow when shopping for the best saltwater fishing reel. We evaluated the best fishing reels for saltwater based on reliability, strength, weight, drag system, and price.

• Strength: Is the reel capable of fighting and landing the fish it is designed to tackle? This is particularly important for larger reels designed to fight large and hard-fighting fish. Strength of the handle, main gear, and the reel stem were specifically considered, as these are prone to being weak spots.
• Reliability and Ruggedness: Is the reel the most reliable option for the application? Can it stand up to the specified use? The saltwater fishing environment is harsh, and the fish strong, and they will expose any weakness in your gear. Reels that quickly succumb to the elements lead to lost fish, so I value reliability and ruggedness of reels over just about all other factors, as do all other anglers I know. Smooth and strong means nothing, if the reel is broken all the time. I paid close attention to the materials of the body of the reel to determine how they might withstand being dropped or knocked around. Metal components help, but composites can be strong and reliable, too. However, there is no alternative to time on the water by myself and trusted allies and professionals. That is ultimately the true test, and played heavily in my choices.
• Weight: Lighter weight is almost always an advantage because a light reel can decrease user fatigue, allowing you to put in more hours of fishing. This is especially important if you’re casting a lot! However, a light reel must also be strong, and ultimately, I’d rather have a stronger reel than a lighter one.
• Drag: Is the drag smooth, strong, and reliable? Strong drags capable of handling a lot of heat are essential in some saltwater fishing scenarios—and we always must be ready to hook an exceptionally large fish. This means having a reliable and worry-free drag system. For me, nothing is more annoying than a drag that is hard to adjust, or won’t stay consistently tight. Further, having a drag that is smooth and has low start-up inertia can be important when fighting powerful saltwater species to reduce the chance of breaking off a fish.
• Price: Is the reel the most affordable option in its respective category? If not, does it have qualities that put it ahead of a lower-priced reel? I am a budget-minded angler, and want the lowest priced reel I can get that still gets the job done. Saltwater fishing can be expensive, and I certainly don’t want to waste money on an overpriced reel. However, saltwater reels can be subject to harsh treatment and tough use”¦and you do get what you pay for with saltwater reels. Therefore, cost vs. benefit was carefully considered.

What To Consider When Choosing a Saltwater Fishing Reel

This is probably the most important factor when choosing the best saltwater fishing reel. The strength and size of the reel in particular are determined by the fish you’ll be targeting, but the type of reel can come into play, too. Large spinning reels with stainless steel gears, carbon fiber drags, forged internal parts, and tons of line capacity may be a requirement when targeting big tarpon around bridges. But this is hardly true when jigging in shallow waters over sandy bottom for fluke, where a low-profile baitcasting reel may be preferable.

Species

Further, the gear ratio of your reel can be important based on what you’re targeting. For example, when fishing for false albacore, an angler

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