At Couponup.com, we understand the importance of finding the best bait casting reels that suit your angling needs. That is why we have reviewed many of the top brands and sizes on the market today to make choosing a reel easier. Our reviews compare speeds, features and benefits so you can decide which reel has the right specifications for your style of fishing.
We also share helpful tips so you can make an informed decision depending on whether you are a beginner or expert angler looking for an upgrade in gear. With a great selection to choose from, our goal is for you to find exactly what you need for your next fishing outing!
Our Top 7 Picks
1. 13 Fishing Concept A (Best Overall)
2. Shimano Curado DC (Best Splurge)
3. Abu Garcia Revo Rocket (Best Retrieval Speed)
4. Daiwa Coastal TW (Best Line Capacity)
5. Lew’s Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS (Best Smoothness) (Best Lightness)
7 Best Bait Casting Reels
Before we dive into our top picks, let’s discuss a few important factors to consider when choosing a baitcasting reel.
Gear Ratio: This is the ratio between how many revolutions of the handle it takes for one revolution of the spool. A higher gear ratio usually means that you can retrieve your line quickly, making it ideal for faster moving water or lures.
Drag System: This allows you to adjust how much pressure is put on the fish as they pull against your line, which can help to prevent breakage and last longer so that you can keep fishing without interruption. Look for reels with adjustable drags so that you have more control over this setting.
Braking System: The braking system prevents backlash when you cast, which is important to avoid tangling and wasting your bait. Look for adjustable brakes that will work best with the type of lures and technique that you use.
Now let’s get into our top 7 picks for the best baitcasting reels on the market today. We’ve broken them down according to their features and benefits so you can find just what you need for your style of fishing! Read on to find out more about each reel and decide which one is right for you!
1. 13 Fishing Concept A (Best Overall)
Ball Bearings: This reel has a total of 6+1 ball bearings for smooth operation.
Reel Size: The reel is size 1000, making it suitable for a variety of fishing applications.
Gear Ratio: The gear ratio ranges from 6.6 to 8.1:1, giving anglers the ability to retrieve their line quickly.
Max Drag Weight: With a maximum drag weight of 22 pounds, this reel can handle a variety of fish species.
Weight: At just 6.8 ounces, this reel is lightweight and easy to handle for extended periods of time.
The 13 Fishing Concept A is the best baitcaster overall with excellent casting performance, lightweight design, and powerful drag capacity. It can cast light lures further than other baitcasting reels and is durable for saltwater fishing. With 22 pounds of drag, it can easily handle big fish like salmon. Despite its high-quality features, it's still reasonably priced. It's the perfect choice for anyone looking for a top-of-the-line baitcasting reel for bass or larger fish.
2. Shimano Curado DC
This reel has 6+1 ball bearings, ensuring smooth performance and durability.
The reel size is 1500, making it suitable for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.
It has a gear ratio of 6.2-8.5:1, allowing for quick and efficient retrieval of the fishing line.
The maximum drag weight of this reel is 11 pounds, which is suitable for catching smaller to medium-sized fish.
The reel weighs between 7.8-7.9 ounces, making it lightweight and easy to handle during long fishing sessions.
Shimano Curado DC is a top-of-the-line baitcasting reel that outperforms other reels in casting distance and ease. It uses the Intelligent Digital Control braking system (I-DC 4) and Super Free Spool to prevent backlash and maximize casting distance.
With 4 different modes, it can cast any lure with any line, whether heavy or light. The only downside is its drag, which is only 11 pounds. But overall, this reel excels in all areas and is the absolute best baitcasting reel if you have the budget.
3. Abu Garcia Revo Rocket
Ball Bearings: With 10+1 ball bearings, this reel provides a smooth and efficient performance.
Reel Size: The 1000 reel size makes it compact and easy to handle, ideal for a variety of fishing situations.
Gear Ratio: With a gear ratio of 10.1:1, this reel is fast and powerful, allowing for quick retrieves and efficient bait presentation.
Max Drag Weight: The reel can handle a maximum drag weight of 18 pounds, making it suitable for catching medium to large fish species.
Weight: At 7.3 ounces, this reel is lightweight and easy to carry, making it comfortable to use for extended periods of time.
The Abu Garcia Revo Rocket is the fastest baitcasting reel on the list, with a gear ratio of 10.1:1 that allows for lightning-fast retrieves. Its 18 pounds of braking power make it strong enough to stop prize bass, while its 10+1 corrosion-resistant bearings provide exceptional smoothness. This reel is perfect for those looking to effortlessly reel in their catch, with a compact and durable design that's great for saltwater fishing.
4. Daiwa Coastal TW
Ball Bearings: With 7+1 ball bearings, this reel provides a smooth and efficient performance.
Reel Size: The 2000 reel size makes it a good choice for both freshwater and light saltwater fishing.
Gear Ratio: With a gear ratio of 7.3:1, this reel is fast and powerful, allowing for quick retrieves and efficient bait presentation.
Max Drag Weight: The reel can handle a maximum drag weight of 15.4 pounds, making it suitable for catching medium-sized fish species.
Weight: At 8.1 ounces, this reel is lightweight and easy to handle, making it comfortable to use for extended periods of time.
The Daiwa Coastal TW boasts an impressive line capacity thanks to its T-Wing System (TWS), reducing noise and improving casting accuracy. It's also the largest reel on this list, with 15.4 pounds of drag and 7+1 corrosion-resistant bearings for a smooth experience.
The only downside is its inability to cast lighter lures far, requiring a weight of at least 1/2 ounce. However, for those in search of more line capacity, the Daiwa Coastal TW is a well-rounded option without any flaws.
5. Lew’s Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS
Ball Bearings: The Lew's Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS features 10+1 ball bearings that ensure a smooth and efficient performance.
Reel Size: With a reel size of 1000, this reel is perfect for both freshwater and light saltwater fishing applications.
Gear Ratio: The gear ratio of 6.8-8.3:1 provides this reel with a fast and powerful retrieve, allowing for quick bait presentation and efficient retrieves.
Max Drag Weight: The reel can handle a maximum drag weight of 20 pounds, making it suitable for catching medium to large-sized fish species.
Weight: Weighing only 6.4 ounces, this reel is incredibly lightweight and comfortable to handle, even for extended periods of use.
The Lew’s Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS is a reel that offers exceptional lightness, smoothness, and strength. It weighs only 6.4 ounces, making it the lightest on the list. Its 10+1 bearings make it incredibly smooth, and with 20 pounds of stopping power, it can handle any bass, including larger fish like walleye. It's a reliable choice for any angler looking for a lightweight and smooth reel.
FAQs about Best Bait Casting Reels
What's the difference between a baitcasting reel and a spinning reel?
When it comes to the difference between a baitcasting reel and spinning reel, there is quite the contrast. Baitcasters allow the line to come off the spool in direct alignment with your rod, whereas it goes in an opposite direction when using a spinning reel.
Learning to use a baitcaster correctly can be quite tricky; this type of reels requires more control from the angler because the spool is turned as you cast your line. But if mastered, baitcasters can offer great power and accuracy - making them ideal for longer casts with heavier lures.
What's the cheapest baitcasting reel that's still good?
The KastKing Speed Demon Pro baitcasting reel is the cheapest and yet still good choice of baitcasting reels. It features 9+1 corrosion-resistant ball bearings, provides a gear ratio of 7.0: 1, and has an impressive max drag of 26.5 pounds.
It's also lightweight at only 7.9 ounces, making it comfortable to use for extended periods of time. Despite its affordable price tag, this reel is still built with quality components and provides a smooth performance. It’s perfect for anglers on a budget who are looking for an effective baitcasting reel.
What's the best baitcasting reel for beginners?
The Abu Garcia Revo SX is the best baitcasting reel for beginners. It's lightweight at only 6.7 ounces, so it's easier to handle than other models. It also features 8+1 ball bearings and a gear ratio of 7.3: 1, making it easy to cast accurately even for those with no previous experience using a baitcasting reel.
Its impressive max drag weight of 24 pounds also helps ensure that you can catch larger fish species. This is an ideal option for beginners who are looking for a reliable and efficient reel that won't break the bank.
Which reel would work best for large swimbaits?
The Daiwa Coastal TW is the best reel for large swimbaits. With its line capacity of 20-335 yards, it can easily handle any large swimbait that you throw at it.
Its gear ratio of 6.3: 1 provides this reel with a fast and powerful retrieve, allowing for quick bait presentation and efficient retrieves. It also features 10 ball bearings to ensure a smooth performance, as well as a max drag weight of 30 pounds to make sure that you have plenty of power to handle larger fish species. This reel is the perfect choice for anyone looking for an efficient reel for fishing with large swimbaits.
Are baitcasters good for beginner anglers?
Baitcasting reels offer more accuracy and power than spinning reels, making them a great choice for beginner anglers. However, they can be harder to master because of the spool rotation as you cast your line.
It’s important to practice with a baitcasting reel before fishing in order to get familiar with the feel and mechanisms behind it. If mastered, though, baitcasters provide some advantages that spinning reels don't have - such as greater control over longer casts, heavier lures, and better accuracy.
What's the best baitcaster to use with a crankbait rod?
The Piscifun Torrent baitcasting reel is the best choice for use with a crankbait rod. This reel features 11+1 corrosion-resistant ball bearings that provide it with a smooth performance while casting, as well as an impressive gear ratio of 7.0: 1 and a max drag weight of 21 pounds - ensuring plenty of power to handle larger fish species.
It's also lightweight at only 6.5 ounces and has an ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to use for extended periods of time. Additionally, its aluminum frame helps improve its durability and longevity, making this an ideal option for any angler looking for a dependable baitcaster to pair with their favorite crankbait rod.
Can I change the side of the handle on a baitcaster?
Best Bait Casting Reels are great for serious anglers because they allow for ultra-smooth operation and greater casting control. But if the side of the handle isn't comfortable on your rod or you just want to change it up, you may be wondering if you can switch which side it is on.
Unfortunately, this isn't possible with baitcasters. Spinning and baitcaster reels however, make switching sides that much easier: just unscrew the handle, take off the cap at the other side and switch places.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we hope this article has provided you with valuable insights on the Best Bait Casting Reels. These reels are essential for any fishing enthusiast, and we have compiled a list of the best options available in the market.
Don't hesitate to share this article with your fellow fishing enthusiasts, and make sure to check out CouponUpto.com for the latest and greatest discount codes from top fishing gear brands. With these discount codes, you can get your hands on the best baitcasting reels at unbeatable prices. Happy fishing!
