10 Best Baitcasting Reels In 2023

How To Choose A Baitcasting Reel – Buying Guide

Shopping for a new baitcasting reel? If you have already found the perfect one among those we reviewed, then, you’re all set up to catch some trophy fish. If you’re still finding it hard to decide, here’s a guide to help you determine the best baitcasting reel.

Related Review: Baitcasting Reel Under 100

Gear Ratios

The gear ratio on a reel indicates how many times the spool revolves with each turn of the handle. A 7:1 gear ratio means that for every turn of the handle, the spool spins 7 times. Baitcasters are designed for more aggressive retrievals and usually have higher gear ratios. A higher gear ratio such as 7.3:1 or 8.3:1 offers a high-speed retrieval, as a lot of lines are picked up with every turn. Lower gear ratios such as 5.2:1 and 5.3:1 retrieve slowly but offer more cranking power and you may prefer them if you want more torque to haul bigger saltwater fish out of heavy cover. They are best suited to deep diving crankbaits, big swimbaits, and slow rolling heavy spinnerbaits.

Brake System

The braking system on a reel is an important feature to check if you want to avoid backlash after backlash. Magnetic braking systems are the simplest to use and the least expensive. They rely on magnets to control the speed throughout the entire cast, applying a constant resistance throughout. They are great for learning baitcasting but don’t allow for minute adjustments.

Pros prefer the centrifugal (friction) braking system that relies on centrifugal force and pins. Its advantage is that it offers the freedom to make specific adjustments where needed such as when casting into the wind. On the other side of the braking system is usually a spool tension knob that applies physical pressure on the spool at the beginning of the cast. You use it to adjust the spool speed according to the weight of the lure.

Line Capacity

A reel’s line capacity is usually indicated on the spool. The best low profile baitcasting reels have plenty of line capacity to handle the most common species such as trout and bass and suit the needs of most fishermen. If you will be going after large saltwater gamefish and species like salmon, muskies, and steelheads, you need a reel whose spool with a large line capacity, as you will need a lot of lines to be equipped to handle the long runs you’ll have to deal with.

Related Review: Trout Spinning Reel

Right Handed vs Left-Handed Baitcasting Reels

If this is your first baitcaster or you’re used to spinning reels, it is a good idea to choose a reel with the handling opposite to that of your dominant hand. This will ensure a more efficient workflow as you won’t have to switch hands after casting to start reeling.

Bearings

A reel with fewer but high-quality bearings performs better and lasts longer than a reel with plenty of poor quality bearings. Most reels have stainless steel bearings while some high-end reels feature ceramic bearings. Both are durable and rust-resistant. You also want to ensure the bearings are sealed, shielded, or double-shielded to prevent abrasion and corrosion, especially if you’ll be using your reel anywhere near saltwater. An instant anti-reverse system is also a great feature. This is a special type of bearing that ensures the handle only turns forwards and not backward.

Frame

A one-piece frame is best. The frame is the reel’s foundation and construction from a single block of material that gives it rigidity and stability. Aluminum or magnesium frames are strong and durable. Graphite or carbon fiber is lightweight and comfortable to use but not as resistant to flexing as aluminum is. For lighter applications, graphite is a good option. For larger saltwater game fish, a die-cast or machined aluminum frame has the required strength. There are also composite frames made from a combination of graphite and aluminum. As long as these are pieced together well to create a strong body, they also function well.

Handle

A larger and longer handle offers more power to bring large fish out of heavy cover. A shorter handle gives you more control for lighter fishing applications.

Weight

A lightweight reel that weighs under 7 ounces is comfortable to handle and you can use it all day without discomfort. If you’re casting and retrieving using a heavy reel, the arm and wrist fatigue you will experience will have you ending your excursion earlier than planned.

Spool

When targeting big fish or using techniques like trolling, you need a bigger/deeper spool that can handle the thicker, heavier, and longer fishing line you need. You may want to go with a round profile reel for its higher line capacity. Smaller/shallow spools are easier to cast and produce fewer line issues when casting thin diameter lines short distances and when you don’t need too much line. However, they’re inadequate for long casts with large diameter lines.

Drag System

The drag system on a baitcasting reel is designed to apply enough resistance to prevent a fast-swimming fish from pulling all the line off of your reel or snapping your line or rod and also to tire it out. Most baitcasting reels feature carbon fiber drag systems. It is also important that the drag system is easy to adjust and offers you a full range of adjustments enabling you to fine-tune the drag to exactly the level you need to land a fish efficiently.

FAQs

Globo Surf Overview

Baitcasting reels are the right equipment for casting heavier lures and lines and going after large fish. Once you find the right baitcaster, ensure that you match it up with a compatible baitcasting rod so you have a well-balanced baitcaster combo that will perform flawlessly. Once you get the best baitcasting reel for your needs, you will be ready to go after the big fish and experience the benefits of using this powerful type of fishing reel. 

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Have you used any of the baitcasting reels we’ve reviewed above? What was your experience fishing with it? Share with us in the comment box below