Deep sea of offshore fishing is self explanatory – you are far from land and the water is quite deep. At this point, some anglers may choose to fish as low as 100 feet. It is not the best option for an amateur, but if you are interested in it, there are definitely ways to improve your game and browsing the best offshore spinning reels is one of them.
Discover The Best Offshore Spinning Reels On The Market
This type of fishing will bring in lots of large and heavy fish, such as tuna, swordfish, shark or marlin. Such species are nowhere near the shore, so you need to go further away. All in all, you will clearly need a specialized reel to handle the weight and aggressiveness.
But then, what options do you have? What makes them so special?
I have tried everything, yet some models are likely to do a much better job than others.
Top 5 Offshore Spinning Reels
Sougayilang Victor S Trolling Fishing Reel
Sougayilang is not the most famous brand out there, but if you have dealt with offshore fishing reels for a while, you have probably run into it a few times. It is better known for creating rugged and quality reels without the high price tag – there are no fancy bells and whistles either. They just get the job done.
At a first glance, you might be a bit surprised by the appearance. The reel looks oversized. It is, indeed, a bit larger than most other units in this range, but it is made with lightweight materials, so it will not really affect the balance on the rod. It weighs just over 17 ounces.
When it comes to the line guide shaft and the pinion gear, they are all made of stainless steel. The drag system is based on carbonite, which is both strong and lightweight. Plus, apart from its extreme durability, you have a good alignment of shafts and gears.
Furthermore, the reel comes with a dual anti reverse system and the frame and side plates are made of graphite. It is a bit surprising that graphite is not more popular in this segment. After all, it is incredibly strong and it has an excellent resistance to corrosion.
The drag is quite surprising – no surprises there given its materials. Plus, this is a heavy duty offshore reel. Based on carbon, the drag system can pull out about 28 pounds. In other words, you can go for trout, salmon, walleye, steelhead, stripped bass and both freshwater and saltwater species.
The ball bearing system is one of the factors responsible for the high value for money. There are better options out there, but you have 3+1 ball bearings, which are more than enough. You have a 3.8:1 gear ration.
Other than that, you will find an aluminum handle arm fitted with an oversized knob, so retrieving large fish should not ask for too much effort. It is worth noting that you cannot change it from left to right hand uses and vice versa. Instead, make sure you buy the right version of it.
It comes in one color combo – black and red. It is advertised to have a higher line capacity than other similar units and it actually does – 20-420, 25-310 pounds per yards. To top all these up, it has a wear resistant line guide, an efficient star drag and a large spool.
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Pros
- High quality materials and components
- Solid drag system up to 28 pounds
- Good line capacity, higher than average in this range
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Might take time to get used to its size
What do other anglers say?
“I was not too confident when I bought this reel… I only needed a backup for my Shimano, but then, I tried it a few times and I was quite surprised with it. These days, I alternate between one and another, depending on what I go for.”
Shimano Saragosa SW
Shimano Saragosa SW is one of the best offshore spinning reels I have ever tried. It is not new at all, but its reputation is so good I just could not overlook it. It comes from a reputable manufacturer and if you are familiar with Shimano, you know it uses a series of proprietary technologies in its reels.
The Hagane body is one of them. It involves a cold forged aluminum design, which adds to your power when battling large species. A bit of rigidity can only mean one thing – you get maximum cranking power. You usually have this type of body in more expensive models, but I am happy to see Shimano implementing it in less pricey units too.
The Hagane gears are not to be overlooked either. They are cold forged and add to the smoothness. You will notice the difference when retrieving a large fish. Its capabilities are given by the forged gears – not cut, like in other models.
The paladin gear enhancement is a mix of hardened brass and cold forged aluminum. Now, let me point out the X Ship technology, which gives you more power. The pinion gear is near the central part of the gear, so most of the power goes to the rotor. Finally, do not overlook the X Tough drag system, which is helpful when you catch large fish.
Quite confusing, right? It is just what Shimano does – all about engineering and precision. Not, the S A-RB ball bearings are shielded. The amount depends on the model you get – most of them come with five ball bearings and an anti-reverse bearing. Largest model feature an additional bearing.
The spool is made of aluminum, while the lip is flared and coated with titanium.
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Pros
- Multiple technologies for performance
- Exquisite water resistance – nearly waterproof
- Smooth operation
- Big drag capacity
Cons
- Not fully waterproof, so you still have to be careful and give it some maintenance
What do other anglers say?
“This is one of the best offshore spinning reels I have ever used. It is my primary option for deep sea fishing for over four or five years already. I tried different models out there, but nothing compares to Shimano’s masterpiece.
Penn Slammer III
Penn’s Slammer III is one of my favorite reels and I will tell you why. Metallic components underline durability – the rotor, side plate and body are all metallic. Apart from durability, you want the gears and pinion perfectly aligned too. In other words, you get a smooth operation when you retrieve large fish.
Other than that, the CNC Gear technology is not to be overlooked either. The gearing system is entirely based on brass – durable and strong. CNC machining means lots of precision. Unlike other materials used by some brands, brass will be just as strong and powerful a decade later.
Another aspect that makes this model one of the top offshore reels is the IPX6 seal. You can get saltwater on it all day long without having to worry about corrosion or saltwater in the gearbox. While it is said no maintenance is required, I still give it a rinse after each use.
The reel is the first model from Penn using the Dura Drag material. The material is exclusively used by this brand. It is stronger than HT 100 carbon too. Plus, washers are covered in Phenolic, which adds to the smoothness.
As for the ball bearing system, you have six bearings made of stainless steel. They are also sealed, not to mention the anti reverse roller bearing.
Worried about the line? You will always know how much you have left on the spool due to a few capacity rings telling you as you get closer to the end. Furthermore, the package comes with two knobs. One of them is made of aluminum and the other is based on EVA foam – more suitable for cold days if you want to keep your hands comfortable.
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Pros
- Heavy duty construction
- Several technologies normally found in high end reels
- Solid drag of up to 60 pounds
- Multiple water resistant IPX6 seals
Cons
- Heavier than other models in this range, but it is a heavy duty reel
What do other anglers say?
“This is my new favorite reel. Initially, I had it as a backup reel, but I use it pretty much every single time I go out fishing.”
Shimano Baitrunner BTR12000D
Shimano’s top offshore spinning reels will never cease to amaze me. The brand brings in a plethora of modern and proprietary technologies that no other manufacturer can match. This model is part of the D series and will most likely impress you too.
Here is one of these innovative aspects… There are not one, but two drag systems. Practically, the reel comes with a secondary drag system. You can disengage the main system. It takes about a second, as you have a small lever. This way, you can get free spooling, as the bail is closed. Going back involves disengaging the secondary drag system and bringing the main one back.
Other than that, you have the so called Propulsion line management system created by Shimano. It comes with a unique design of the spool lip. The line goes out way smoother when casting, as the system reduces the friction. Not only do you get to cast further, but you will also get rid of tangles and knots.
When it comes to the bearings, you have anti rust units. They are also shielded on each side with a specific coating. This kind of technology makes the reel more supportive to saltwater and corrosion. After all, we all know how problematic saltwater can be if it gets into the ball bearings.
Other good features include the S concept design – strong, silent and smooth – and the Fluidrive II gearing – ideal for extra smoothness and effortless retrieving. It is worth mentioning the Varispeed oscillation too.
Last, but not least, you have an instant anti reverse system carrying the Super Stopper technology and the famous Dartainium dual drag – a carbon fiber drag system. It adds to the smoothness and strength. Is there anything else you can ask for?
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Pros
- Impressive dual drag system
- Exceptionally smooth retrieve
- Ideal for saltwater
- Lots of protection against saltwater
Cons
- Retrieve rate is a bit slower when compared to other reels in this segment
What do other anglers say?
“Some of the technologies used in this reel make you feel like you have saved a fortune. It is practically a high end reel sold for nothing. Good buy!”
Daiwa BG8000
Daiwa has always been one of my favorite reel brands, mostly because of its excellent value for money. While you do get a few fancy features here and there, most reels are known to be solid, smooth and durable. They do not come with any bells and whistles, but they will certainly get the job done in no time.
BG8000 is one of the most well-known offshore spinning reels from this manufacturer. It is part of the BG series and features a black anodized machined aluminum body. The anodized technology makes the product more durable in front of saltwater – much better than painted aluminum. It can also take some bumps and scratches.
The Digigear system brings in a bunch of gears way larger than average. While Daiwa does not make this info public, I am pretty sure they are CNC machined. Since the gears are so large, the contact surface is obviously larger, so your reel is likely to last longer – not to mention the torque.
The handle screws in. While most reels in this range have through handles, Daiwa has opted for a different design. The result? Less play between the handle and the gear, so the reel feels more solid as you crank the handle.
Then, you have an air rotor. It is some sort of an innovative design. I have seen it on other reels before and I quite like it. It makes the reel feel more balanced because the pressure is evenly distributed throughout the entire surface. Plus, the air rotor has a lighter design – about 20% lighter.
The spool is made of aluminum. It is braid ready. You will find a rubber ring in the middle of it. You can take the braided line through it without having to back with mono. As for the drag system, it carries the ATD Tournament quality standards. It comes with cross cur carbon fiber washers, so you have exquisite smoothness.
Talking about smoothness, let me point out the 6+1 ball bearing system. They are all designed to resist rust. However, if there is one thing I do not like, that is the fact that they are not shielded. In other words, water protection is quite low, so you must be careful in saltwater. Personally, I use a clean cloth and some lukewarm water as soon as I get back from a saltwater fishing session.
The BG8000 system comes with an infinite dual anti reverse system. The system has been used in all BG sizes higher than 4500.
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Pros
- Extremely smooth
- Hard anodized body
- Powerful drag
- Durable materials
Cons
- Water protection is quite low
What do other anglers say?
“Excellent value for money! It feels like a high end reel and it gets the job done. The smoothness is incredible.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Browsing the latest offshore reels on the market will give you some viable options to enhance your appearance, but you may still have a few questions here and there.
How do I know which offshore spinning reel is the best?
You do not. The more people you ask, the more answers you will get. You can perform a market research study yourself. You will see the same names repeating in a pattern after a while. The above mentioned reels are the top rated options in commerce – used by thousands of anglers all across the world. Small details make the difference, so you will have to make a final decision with your needs in mind too.
Do fancy technologies in offshore spinning reels actually work?
It comes to fancy bells and whistles, most of the top brands will bring in a few good ideas to sell. Cheap brands will mention bells and whistles that cannot really be checked, so it is usually a marketing gimmick. Large brands do not really fool around.
For example, Shimano relies on a series of proprietary technologies and these are actually some of the brand’s biggest pluses over the competition.
Can I use a random reel if I cannot find a deep sea fishing reel?
You can try using any reel anywhere. You may actually get some fish too. The more general your type of fishing is, the easier it is. But deep sea fishing requires a bit of specialization, in my honest opinion. After all, you will run into large species of fish that cannot be tackled with small and inexpensive reels. That would suck!
Conclusion
Make sure you get the right features for your needs and species, then make a final decision with personal preferences and fancy features in mind.
Niels Thomas is a wildlife expert and fishing fanatic that works with major fishing brands like Deeper Sonar, Abu Garcia, Berkley, PENN, BassPro and Pure Fishing. Through sharing the best fishing tips, tricks, gear reviews, locations and much more he hopes to inspire fishing fanatics to start their own journey towards becoming the King of the Catch!