It is one thing to find a general reel for various applications and a completely different thing to get a good reel for saltwater. Saltwater is corrosive. It is quite harmful for spinning reels. Whether or not they are specifically designed for it, they will still require a bit of maintenance every now and then – at least a quick rinse. From this point of view, browsing the best spinning reels for saltwater requires some work.

Best Spinning Reels For Saltwater

There are lots of options out there and just as many things to look for. In my opinion, maintenance is your top consideration. But then, you also need to consider the waters you fish in, as well as the species you are more likely to get. With these ideas in mind, here are some of the top rated spinning reels for saltwater, as well as the features that put them ahead of the competition.

Top Spinning Reels For Saltwater

• Editor’s choice: Penn 1481260 Spinfisher VI Spinning Saltwater Reel
• Customer favorite: Shimano Stradic FL Spinning Fishing Reel
• Best value for money: Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel

Best Spinning Reels For Saltwater

Best Value For Money: Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel

Penn has managed to keep the prices low for its reels, but somehow it keeps going up in quality. Value for money is flawless when it comes to this brand, while its reels look beautiful and come with a bunch of high end features.

This reel features metallic components for pretty much everything, with a few exceptions. The rotor, body and side plate are all metallic. I know what you are thinking – this kind of design adds to the weight. It does, indeed, but you need a solid design that will not flex when dealing with large fish.

There are, of course, other materials too. The drag washers are based on HT 100 carbon. Keyed carbon represents an upgrade, as it adds to the lifespan of your reel. The drag is also extremely smooth, especially when dealing with a big load. The drag pressure is up by about 20% only because of a keyed washer that provides access to both sides.

The carbon is not plain. HT comes from High Tech. This variety is laminated on fiberglass. As for the number, it means it can take 100 miles of line without showing any signs of losing efficiency.

Anyway, the anti reverse clears the play, while the heavy duty aluminum bail wire is hard and will easily take lots of wear without warping – great for line management. There are five ball bearings and they are all made of stainless steel and sealed. The sealed profile means you do not really need to perform too much maintenance.

The Superline spool is one of my favorites when it comes to the Battle II. Line capacity rings will tell you exactly how much line is left, so you can tell how far to go. The spool can be loaded with braided line – no need to use mono.

Finally, like I said, this reel looks good, but the improved paint is not just about looks. It is also about resistance to corrosion and other harsh elements of saltwater. The previous generation had an issue with the pain, so Penn has addressed and fixed it.

Pros

• Extremely smooth drag system
• Great value for money
• Marked spool capacity – also braid ready
• Feels solid and durable

Cons

• A bit heavier than other spinning reels in this segment

Best prices & deal 

What do other anglers say?

“I am glad that Penn decided to upgrade this reel. It was a very good reel, but it had a few flaws – such as exposure to corrosion. These days, it is almost perfect. I am happy with it and I would gladly recommend it.”

Give it a try here.

KastKing Megatron Spinning Reel

KastKing has created one of the most beautiful spinning reels for saltwater and the best part is that it comes cheap as well. But then, you probably wonder – is it any good? Will it face my harsh saltwater applications? Trust me, it will.

So, what do you get for the money? First, you get a reputable brand in this range. The reel is specifically built for saltwater applications. In other words, KastKing has implemented a bunch of features to improve its resistance to corrosion and ensure there is no maintenance needed for it.

The reel is relatively large when compared to its competition. It comes in four different sizes and each of them is larger than average. This is a first statement – the Megatron is made to tackle large fish, rather than fool around with babies.

The skeletal frame is based on rigid aluminum. It is made to last and provides some strength. The skeletal design requires less material, so it saves a bit of weight. At the same time, it is one of the factors responsible for its beautiful appearance.

Unless you enjoy fighting large fish, you want a smooth experience in such circumstances. At this point, the gears will make the difference. The main drive gear is based on zinc alloy, while the pinion gear is made of solid brass. Both are rigid and smooth.

The spool is made of T6061 aerospace aluminum. It is CNC machined, so precision is practically perfect. The same rule applies to the handles, which also feature a unique and attractive design.

The drag system is based on carbon fiber, which means strength. You can easily get over 30 pounds of power, making this reel ideal for all saltwater applications. Dynamics and smoothness are not to be overlooked either. You have a 7+1 ball bearing system carrying the MaxiDur quality standards. They are made of stainless steel, but they are also double shielded. You can forget about corrosion and damage.

The anti reverse is not to be ignored either.

Pros

• 7+1 ball bearing system for smoothness and strength
• Little to no maintenance required – I still recommend rinsing it after each application
• Impressive drag capacity
• Available in plenty of different sizes

Cons

• Heavier when compared to more expensive reels

Best prices & deal 

What do other anglers say?

“I have this reel in two sizes. Both of them work perfectly. I have a smooth drag, plenty of drag power and fast applications. If you want to get something out in no time, this reel will do it for you. Be sure to rinse it and it will work forever.”

Give it a try here.

Daiwa BG Spinning Reel

Released in 2016, this is the upgraded version of one of Daiwa’s most popular spinning reels – the Black Gold released in 1981. It is a classic in this industry and every angler has heard about it. Plus, the new version comes with a bunch of high end features that make it stand out.

It comes in 10 different models, as well as three gear ratios. You can choose a size for trout, as well as a size for the aggressive shark. No matter which option you get, you will have machined aluminum housing, as well as a black anodized finishing that will stand up to the test of time.

The air rotor is one of the features that blew my mind. What does it mean? Less material used in its composition. It is aerated and simplistic, meaning the weight goes down by 15% or more. The design also allows spreading pressure evenly across the entire surface of the reel.

The spool will change your world when it comes to casting. It is made of aluminum – dynamically cut – and ensures a good casting experience. You will go quite far. Besides, I have not dealt with any knots or twists, which is great. One more thing – the spool is braid ready as well. No need to back with mono!

The drag system carries the ATD Tournament quality standards. You have cross cut washers based on carbon fiber, which take smoothness to another level. If you have used a cheap reel before, you might be familiar with the jerky movement in drag systems – none of that nonsense in this reel.

Finally, you get an oversized Digigear system, a quality screw in handle and a 6+1 ball bearing system. Infinite anti reverse (or dual anti reverse) is available depending on the size you want. Size 4500 and larger models come with the infinite dual anti reverse system.

Pros

• Incredibly smooth
• Strong drag for its size
• Hard anodized body for durability
• Available in more sizes

Cons

• Despite the body being anodized, the spool is painted

Best prices & deal 

What do other anglers say?

“You cannot go wrong with this reel. It does what it should do – no flaws there. It also brings in a bunch of high end features that I normally have in my expensive reels – all these at an affordable price tag. It is definitely worth the money.”

Check it out here.

Editor’s Choice: Penn 1481260 Spinfisher VI Spinning Saltwater Reel

Penn has designed the sixth generation of this reel with a bunch of improvements and a series of different sizes, depending on what you need or target. The smallest size is 2500, while the biggest one is 10500, so you do have options here.

The body and spool are IPX5 sealed. What does it mean? You can spray it with saltwater and give it a good beating – nothing will go inside. There will be no debris, sand or salt going inside it. You can leave it as it is after a fishing session, but personally, I still give it a rinse when I am done.

The gear system is CNC machined, so it is extremely precise. Besides, it also features top notch lubrication, so the operation is very smooth. You can choose between aluminum and brass. The models above 6500 come with brass, as it is stronger than aluminum.

As for the drag system, you get HT 100 washers – solid carbon fiber. The model has been used in other models. It is flawless – powerful and literally no resistance at all. Now that I am talking about smoothness, I need to mention the 5+1 bearing system too. It is tightly sealed, but you still have access to it if you want to give it some cleaning or maintenance.

The body is metallic, while the Superline spool is durable and can outweigh most of the competition. What also makes it great is the fact that a rubber ring will prevent the line from slipping. Moreover, there are line capacity rings that basically tell you how much line you have left.

Pros

• Lots of sealing for durability and resistance to elements
• Excellent even line lay
• Lots of sizes available, including the 2500 size – quite new
• Super smooth operation

Cons

• Paint is not as durable as other finishes and can chip after too many dings and bangs

Best prices & deal 

What do other anglers say?

“I have used the fifth generation of this reel and there is nothing to complain about it. The sixth generation takes everything to another level. This is a great buy!”

Find out more about it here.

Diwa Fishing Reels

Diwa may not be the biggest name in this industry, but it can certainly deliver and impress. The futuristic design is the first aspect that drew my attention. But as I kept digging, I discovered a bunch of features that you would normally find in high end products.

The reel comes in more sizes and each of them can tackle big fish. For instance, the 14000 size will give you about 70 pounds of drag power. You can literally go for big sharks without worrying about the outcome.

To help you get an idea about what to expect, the reel features a triple disc based on aluminum alloy, manganese brass pinion gears, a carbon fiber frame and a stainless steel main shaft. Each of these materials is lightweight and durable, but also powerful.

The reel features a KCN3 Intrusion Shield System that protects the rotor, body and spool against corrosion, dirt and dust. It is incredibly smooth, as it comes with a 12+1 ball bearing system – probably the smoothest and most advanced feature in this price range.

You have an instant lock anti reverse feature, an interchangeable left or right handle made of aluminum and plenty of line capacity.

Pros

• Amazing value for money
• One of the smoothest ball bearing systems on the market
• Durable and strong materials for all parts
• Can be used by both left and right handed people

Cons

• You can feel a bit of pressure when dealing with large fish close to the dragging limit

Best prices & deal 

What do other anglers say?

“This is one of the ideal reels if you want something inexpensive, but packed with top materials and a great performance. I think it is the smoothest reel I have ever used.”

Check it out here.

Customer’s Choice: Shimano Stradic FL Spinning Fishing Reel

Hagane body? Check. Hagane gear system? Check. X Ship technologies? Check. G Free body? Check. You have these four features, you know you are holding a Shimano fishing reel. They make the difference and make this reel stand out in the crowd – rigid, smooth, durable, perfectly aligned, no friction and improved balance.

The MicroModule II gear keeps the teeth small, which means there are more of them. The retrieve is smoother, while the train becomes more efficient. I found the long stroke spool just as attractive. Forget about oscillation. Line no longer needs to change direction as it leaves the spool, so there will be less turbulence.

Let me mention the SilentDrive adjustments too. These technologies are small, but when used together, they work wonders – no more noise from parts as they move, but handle play is also cleared out.

I mentioned the improved smoothness before – the cross carbon drag contributes to it. There is not much to worry in terms of maintenance. There are S A-RB bearings, which are shielded to keep dust, salt and dirt away. I still rinse my reel with tap water once I am done though.

However, there are people who want no maintenance at all. It does not mean that you need to find another reel. Shimano has brought in the X-Protect technology, which involves a water repellent coating and the possibility to keep water away without sacrificing weight or performance.

Pros

• Lots of innovative technologies
• Good protection against saltwater elements
• Smooth operation
• Durable and strong materials

Cons

• No anti reverse

Best prices & deal 

What do other anglers say?

“One of the best reels from Shimano! So smooth and durable… No maintenance needed either. What else can you ask for?”

Check it out here.

Conclusion

Bottom line, you do have some good choices when it co​​mes to spinning reels for saltwater. They are similar in features and technologies, but small details can make the difference and dictate whether or not a particular reel is suitable for your a​​pplications.