While baitcasting gear remains an essential part of bass fishing, spinning rods and reels continue to play an important role. The popularity of finesse fishing makes a good spinning setup a must-have tool for any bass angler, and most have several different rods and reels for various techniques. There are many great options when it comes to spinning reels available, and something for everyone, no matter the budget.
Here's a recap of several options within my own reel lineup from different brands that fit various budgets.
Under $100
One good thing about fishing gear is that it continues to get better, and even lower-priced items are much better than they were in years past, thanks to advancements in technology. This certainly includes reels, and you can get a high-quality spinning reel for under $100 and sometimes much less than that.
Okuma Ceymar A - $59.99
One "budget reel" that has impressed me is the Ceymar A. The Ceymar name includes several reels from Okuma, both spinning and baitcasting, but the "A" models of spinning reels retail for around $60, and you wouldn't believe it by fishing it. Thanks to an aluminum frame, they are very smooth and feel very solid. The one downside to that is they are a little heavier than some higher-end reels, but they still balance well to a rod and feel sturdy and built to last.
Daiwa Exceler LT - $99.99
Another reel in this price range that feels more expensive is the Daiwa Exceler LT, with the "LT" standing for light and tough. That's a good description of these reels that come in at just under $100. They are light but feel solid during the retrieve. I've been impressed with the smoothness during the retrieve, and it has an excellent drag system reminiscent of my more expensive reels.
$100-$200
When taking a jump to the next level of pricing, the world expands, and there are many great reels from all the major brands. There are also some nice reels from companies that may be lesser known to bass anglers, but they are outstanding.
Toadfish Elite Carbon - $149.99
The Elite Carbon is a reel marketed for the inshore saltwater environment but works fine in freshwater. One unique thing about this reel is the sealed system, which is designed to keep salt from damaging the reel, but it also works to keep dirt and grime out when you are bass fishing. It's a smooth quality reel with a few nice features like a rubber ring around the spool to keep your braid secure and prevent slipping and small rubber tabs on the reel seat for comfort when holding the rod and reel.
Kast King Mega Jaws Elite - $139.99
KastKing continues to grow in popularity in bass fishing with reels at many different price levels. Their Mega Jaws Elite spinning reel, which retails for around $140, is an exceptionally smooth reel with a 10-bearing system. It feels sturdy but is very lightweight, thanks to a carbon fiber frame.
Over $200
As you increase the price, the reels continue getting lighter, smoother, and more refined. This is the point when reels become excellent and are built to last for decades. That's one thing about reels in this range; they last and are still kicking many years later, even with hard use.
Abu Garcia Revo Rocket SP - $219.95
The Revo Rocket is a unique reel because of the speedy retrieve. Most spinning reels have slow gear ratios compared to baitcast models, but this reel has a 7.6:1 speed. This is handy when you need to quickly get your bait back in to make another cast and has become a favorite for many bass anglers who use forward-facing sonar, so they can hurry up and get their lure back in if they need to make another cast. Besides the speed, it's a solid-feeling reel that is both smooth and comfortable to fish. It's a bright red color that stands out and has a unique design with an aluminum frame and an overall cool look.
Shimano Vanford FA - $249
Shimano has a long history of making excellent fishing reels, and the Vanford FA keeps this going. It's a refined reel that is buttery smooth during the retrieve and has an amazing drag system. They are able to make it very lightweight because they use a carbon CI4+ material for the reel frame, so the reel doesn't weigh as much as aluminum but is still just as strong as metal. It's an excellent reel that is available in all of the popular bass fishing sizes and would be a welcomed addition to any bass angler's reel lineup.
Shimano Sustain FJ Spinning Reel - $319.99
The Sustain is another Shimano product that has been around for decades, with new generations every few years. In fact, I am still fishing a Sustain that was purchased more than 12 years ago and is still going strong. Still, the newer generations have become much better as technology has improved, and they have been able to decrease their weight and still increase their performance. The FJ model is not cheap but casts incredibly well because of the longer spool design. It feels like a sports car when fishing because of its smoothness. The Sustain has always been a top name in spinning reels, and the FJ continues that tradition.
Spinning reels have become required equipment for most bass anglers, and that has only become more important with so many finesse techniques in play. No matter what you are looking to spend on your next "egg-beater" as some may call them, there is a reel out there for you.
