How to Choose the Best Fishing Reel: Expert Tips for Beginners

For a beginner angler, finding the perfect reel can be quite challenging. Pick the wrong fishing reel, and you’re in for a tiring fishing trip. Nobody wants a slow, hesitant fishing reel that barely reels in your prize catch. In this post, we’ll explain how to pick a fishing reel, correlate reel features and specs to the type of fish you are after, which reel is best for the type of fishing lure and the style of fishing best suited for the different styles of reels. 

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Fishing Reels Overview: What is a Reel?

Fishing reels are a fundamental tool for successful anglers. Whether for long casts, accuracy, controlled retrieves or fast retrieval such as burning – modern fishing reels intend to provide the ultimate lure control.

While we are at it, let us not forget the absolute most basic function of a fishing reel:

1. Store your fishing line
2. Dispense the line in a controlled manner on a cast
3. Retrieve the line, hopefully with a fish:), in a controlled manner 

The last thing any angler wants is a problem with these three functions of a fishing reel. Otherwise, it is a matter of losing line, lures, fish and de-tangling frustration, which leads to spoken words not meant for sensitive ears. It is imperative to match the best fish reel to the job and ensure it has the quality to get the job done.

Understanding the Different Types of Reels

How to pick a fishing reel when there are several different kinds of fishing reels to choose from? Don’t worry, in this post, we’ll review the three most popular reels among the experienced angler. Each reel type has unique features and benefits and caters to a certain skill level, so it’s imperative to understand the differences before deciding.

Spincast Reels

These fish reel types are simple in design, generally with a metal nose cone hiding all its vital components, a button on its back to toggle the line between free-spool and locked, and a drag adjustment mechanism to control the resistance a fish feels while pulling on the line. And when it comes to casting a spincast reel, there are three simple steps:

1. Press the spool control button (aka line release button)
2. Swing your fishing rod, and
3. Release

While it’s that easy, I can’t think of a single angler that uses one! Since these reels are out there, this post isn’t complete without addressing them. However, let’s reserve this as the fishing reel of choice for kids learning to fish for the first time.

Advantages of Spincasting Reels

Disadvantages of Spincasting Fishing Reels

Spinning Reels

Due to its simplicity, the spinning fishing reel is the preferred choice for many anglers of all skill levels. Although it’s more complex than the spincast fishing reel, it is hands down the go-to for any adult new to fishing or a child to graduate to. It’s also the most common rod reel you will find and the easiest fishing reel to use – many, if not most, casual anglers will never move past the spinning reel. It’s also a preferred reel for finesse techniques.

Design and Operation of a Spinning Reel

This open-faced reel features a metal bail which guides the line back onto the spool. Of course, it also has a drag adjustment, usually located on top of the spool. Its design is superior as it offers a natural holding position and a balanced cast when you swing your fishing rod.

A right-handed person will hold the rod in their right hand and reel in with their left.

How To Cast a Spinning Reel for Beginners

To cast from a spinning fishing reel, simply:

1. Disengage the bail and squeeze the line against the rod with your index finger to prevent it from unspooling.
2. Cast in the direction of where you want your bait to land, and release your finger halfway through the motion.
3. Do not forget to re-engage the bail manually after the throw – it’s better to practice than cranking the reel, which would automatically close the bail.

When Should I Use a Spinning Reel?

On BushLife, our fishing posts cover fishing for inland lakes, rivers and so forth for species such as bass, walleye, crappie, perch, muskie, etc. And as mentioned above, most people will not go past a spinning reel. So it’s for good reason you will even find giant spinning reels for muskie fishing / big game fishing. While that’s perfectly fine, it’s not the right choice.

Baitcaster vs Spinning Reel

Serious anglers will use two types of fishing reels: spinning and baitcasting. The spinning fishing reel is ideal for finesse fishing, which encompasses trolling for walleye with a rubber worm, jigging for crappie, etc. Finesse fishing is about using light lures or techniques that don’t work well with a baitcasting setup. Baitcasters allow for precision casting and are used for casting heavy lures. There is also a steep learning cure with this type of reel.

Advantages of Spinning Reels

Disadvantages of Spinning Reels

Baitcasting Reels

For experienced anglers and pros, or any angler who wants to take their fishing game to the next level, choosing a fishing reel like the baitcaster is the way to go! There is, however, a massive learning curve to these advanced fishing reels. The payoff is unmatched power, precision and control.

Unlike regular spincast and spinning fishing reels, baitcasters feature a semi-enclosed design. It allows the thumbing of the spool to stop the cast in the correct position. In addition, to drag, you’ll also find two adjustable components: the spool tension knob and a braking system. Combined, this forms the braking mechanism to prevent the spool from turning faster than the line is going out – meaning a giant tangling of the spool. 

Hands down, learning to control and cast without tangling the spool into that dreaded “bird’s nest” is the biggest challenge in learning a baitcaster. But once learned, it’s like driving a bicycle.

Be aware that hands change roles with this type of fishing reel! A right-handed person will hold the rod with their left hand and reel the line with their right. For anyone learning baitcasting, this can be a challenge for those who are used to spinning setups.

Uses of a Baitcaster Fishing Reel

Aside from finesse fishing, which lends itself well to a spinning setup, a baitcaster is far superior for all applications. From jerkbaits, crankbaits, topwater and anything else you can think of, a baitcaster offers infinitely more control. With a baitcasting setup, you can precision throw the fishing line as far as you require, and you’ll open the doors to more options, such as higher gear ratios of 7:1 or even 8:1.

Advantages of Baitcasting Reels

Disadvantages of Baitcasting Reels

Key Features to Consider

When purchasing a fishing reel, you will come across the following terminology. Let us look at what each term means:

How To Choose a Spinning Reel

When looking to purchase a spinning reel, test the reel by turning the handle while feeling for the smoothness of the reel. More ball bearings = more smoothness. When you stop winding the reel, ensure there isn’t any reverse play – a sign of a not-so-good reel. 

Fishing Reel Size Meaning:

Spinning reels come in various sizes, starting at 1000 and measured in 500s. For bass and walleye, we typically use a 2500 or 3000 series reel. The reel size has a direct correlation to the weight of the fishing line and spool capacity. A 2500 series reel is a good all-around spinning reel. Anything in the range of 1000 to 3500 are considered small reels, which are great for crappie, trout, panfish, walleye and bass fishing.

What To Look For In a Spinning Fishing Reel:

• Infinite anti-reverse
• Ball bearings
• Precision cut, stainless-steel gears
• Smooth, consistent drag washers
• Anti-twist line roller
• Slow oscillation speed
• Sufficient drag for species you are targeting

Our Favourite and Go-To Choice:
Shimano Stradic Spinning Fishing Reel 

Back in the day (as recent as the early ’90s), one could buy a rod and reel combo for $100 and expect to use it for 30 years. Sadly, those days are gone, and we are finding issues with budget fishing reels. Even with a warranty, it’s not worth the hassle and lost time during the season to skimp on a good fishing reel.

While far in price from top-tier professional fishing reels, our choices are still pricey compared to budget models. But it is WHAT WE USE and comes highly recommended. The Shimano Stradic fishing reel is a dream to fish with and our favourite and go-to spinning reel. Any Shimano Stradic in the 2500 or 3000 series is a fantastic choice. Another great alternative is the Daiwa Fuego LT Spinning Reel in a 2500 series.

How To Choose a Baitcaster Reel

When choosing the perfect baitcaster, look for smoothness as you turn the handle. 

Next, pay attention to the size of the reel, which is measured in 100’s. A good standard baitcaster reel size for walleye and bass fishing is a 200 series. We typically use low-profile baitcasters in 100 to 150 series for palmability reasons. For bigger species like muskie, a 400 series is the recommended size, but we’ve gotten away with a 300. The problem with using an undersized reel is the risk of burnout, which drastically affects the reel’s longevity. For example, a 200 series is not recommended for muskie fishing. 

Another feature to consider is speed. A baitcasters reel speed ratio ranges from 6:1 to 8:1. The higher the ratio, the more line the reel retrieves from the crank. A slower gear ratio is more suited for crankbaits, and a higher gear ratio is excellent for popping. As you pop the fishing lure and work it, the higher gear ratio will pick up the slack in the line. Many believe it’s easier to crank a fast reel slower than to crank a slower reel faster. 

From there, we want to pay attention to the braking system. Unlike spinning reels, where the spool is stationary, with the baitcaster, the actual spool is spinning. If you don’t have your brakes dialled in properly, you can run into a scenario where the spool spins faster than the reel’s ability to dispense line, causing the dreaded bird’s nest. Popular braking choices are either magnetic or centrifugal, which means adjusting tabs. We find that both systems work very well, and either system is a personal preference.

However, magnetic brakes are easier to adjust, typically having a dial on the scale of 0 to 10, where the brakes can be set in seconds. This can be very convenient when dialling in your brakes because the brakes do affect casting distance, and you want your reel set to use the least amount of braking while avoiding a bird’s nest. Reel manufacturers will always spec maximum drag capabilities, but it’s a number we generally ignore. They all seem to have sufficient drag, but what you should watch for is the smoothness of the drag when it’s in operation. 

What To Look For In a Baitcaster Fishing Reel:

• Infinite anti-reverse
• Ball bearings, stainless steel bearings on both sides of the spool
• Precision cut, stainless-steel gears
• Smooth, consistent drag washers
• Anti-twist line roller
• Quality reel seats
• Solid frame
• Sufficient drag
• Low gear ratio where power is needed
• High gear ratio where speed is needed
• Braking system

Our Favourite and Go-To Choice:
Daiwa Tatula Baitcasting Fishing Reel

We have a few Tatulas in the BushLife family, and they are outstanding! They are super smooth and cast very far. Casting distance has improved because of their proprietary t-wing system, which opens the reel guide on a cast. We can’t say enough good things about this reel, and as a bonus, the price comes in lower than our recommended spinning reel.

While we use a Tatula 300 series for muskie fishing, we highly suggest the Daiwa Tatula 100 or the Shimano SLX in a 100 or 150 size for everyday bass and walleye fishing. This size fits so well in your hand, and you’ll find no fatigue after a long day of fishing.

If unsure of gear ratio, a 7.1:1 is a happy sweet spot, giving the best of both worlds from 6:1 and 8:1. Ours here are 7 or 8, but it’s a matter of preference that newer anglers may not even notice.

The best fishing reel and gold standard is the Shimano Curado.

How To Choose a Fishing Reel

Even with an understanding of the different types of fishing reels and features, there are a few factors to consider before buying your perfect fishing reel.

1. Fishing Technique and Target Species

The fishing technique you plan to use and the target species you want to catch plays a significant role in reel selection. For example a fishing technique like jigging or trolling is best suited for a spinning reel – it’s lighter and easier to work with. If you plan to do a lot of freshwater fishing with light lures, a spinning reel may be your best bet. On the other hand, if you’re targeting larger fresh or saltwater species, a baitcasting reel would be more suitable. Bottomline, make sure to match your reel to your fishing style!

2. Fishing Location and Conditions

Water conditions and locations also play an important role in reel selection. Fishing in tight spaces with lots of vegetation? Depending on your skill level – a spincasting reel is easier to handle for beginners. If fishing in open waters with strong currents, a reel with a solid drag system, like a baitcasting reel, would be more advantageous. Ensure you choose a reel that can withstand the specific conditions you’ll be fishing in.

3. Budget

Your budget is another factor to consider when choosing a fishing reel. Reels vary significantly in price. On average, a high-quality fishing reel runs between $65 and $500, with most popular models around $250. No matter how or what you fish for, a higher quality fishing reel is a better investment – it affects your casting, line management, and reeling in fish. More expensive reels often come with higher-quality materials and features, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a reliable and functional fishing reel within your budget. Do your research and read reviews to find the best fishing reels within your price range before committing to a reel. We mentioned a few options earlier that won’t break the bank.

Best Fishing Reel Brands and Models to Consider

There are some generally long-running and trusted brands in fishing. When it comes to the best fishing reel brands, we would strongly suggest starting with Daiwa, Shimano and Abu Garcia. And let’s not forget Penn, which is legendary for offshore fishing, but that’s beyond the scope of this post.

Our spinning choice by a landslide is the Shimano Stradic. It’s an industry standard, and we have years of experience with ours, as do our friends. Anything pricier is not necessary. If the budget doesn’t permit, we suggest going with a Daiwa Fuego.

When it comes to the best baitcasting reel brands, we have some options. Daiwa Tatula’s are outstanding! It would also be criminal not to mention Shimano’s Curado series of reels, and stepping down a bit in price would be their SLX series. We suggest these as the best fishing reels without getting into tournament-level pricing. And you’ll find several tournament anglers using these very models.

How To Maintain a Fishing Reel

If you want your fishing reel to last – employ proper fishing reel maintenance techniques. Check out these four easy and practical steps to ensure your fishing reels operate smoothly.

When greasing and rebuilding your reel, we suggest searching for your specific model on YouTube. There’s a great chance someone has made a video on maintaining the fishing reel you own.

Fishing Reel Cleaning Tips to Remember

1. Gather your tools and cleaning supplies before you start.
2. Pull your fishing reel apart on a mat and mark the parts for easier reassembly.
3. Try holding your fishing reel with the same hand without switching or rotating as you go.
4. Use tweezers to handle small pieces.
5. Before removing the spool, ensure your fishing line is secured.
6. To remove impurities, use a toothbrush and a cleaner that is safe for plastic.
7. Apply a light coating of grease to the bottom of the gear teeth.
8. After oiling the bearings from your fishing reel, ensure they spin.

Conclusion: How To Choose the Right Fishing Reel for Your Needs

With so many options, choosing the right fishing reel can enhance your fishing experience. Investing in cheap reels brings on unnecessary headaches – you’ll spend more time fighting your reel than catching. If affordability is an issue, you can find quality reels that are barely used on Marketplace, Kijiji or even from your pro fishing buddy that’s looking to offload a few of their fishing reels. 

Still not sure? Check locally, but in Ontario, we have a Tackle Share program put together by OFAH that allows you to try out various fishing equipment. Or check with a friend – most have a rod or two lying around.

Whether you opt for a spinning reel, baitcasting reel, or spincasting reel, each type has advantages and disadvantages. Take the time to test the different reels to find the one that feels comfortable and suits your fishing style. Your fishing reel will serve you well for many upcoming fishing adventures with proper maintenance and care. Happy fishing!

What’s your go-to fishing reel? If you’ve been fishing for awhile, have you moved onto a baitcaster yet? Comment below, and don’t forget to share this fishing reel buying guide.

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