8 Best Spinning Reels Under $100 In 2023

Want a Penn reel but on a tight budget? The Penn Fierce II has a more accessible price tag. You will get the smooth as butter performance and exceptional durability Penn is known for, and amazing value for your money. It comes in sizes perfect for freshwater, inshore and nearshore fishing. Live liner models for live lining or drifting bait are also available.

Its tough build, shielded stainless steel bearings, and powerful drag system can take on just about any water and species. It also has a Techno-Balanced rotor that offers plenty of leverage and torque and with a maximum drag power of up to 25 pounds can handle big fish like salmon, and steelhead.

The Fierce II is an upgraded version of the Fierce and it features a heavy duty aluminum bail wire and a Superline spool that requires no backing when fishing with braid. The full metal body and side plate make for high strength and durable reel. It is also lightweight and has an oversized handle with a grip that is easy to hold even with cold and wet hands.

If you would like a reel that can live line bait, the KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III is equipped with a baitfeeder rear drag system for live lining live bait or drifting cut bait as well as a classic front drag system. It is a versatile reel rated for freshwater and saltwater fishing and comes with an extra graphite spool, which is an outstanding bonus at this price range.

It is a powerful and durable reel composed of a high modulus graphite body, stainless steel main shaft, aluminum handle, CNC aluminum spool, precision matched gears and brass drive gear. The lightweight graphite build, computer balanced rotor and a T-handle that offers a sure grip make it comfortable to cast and retrieve.

The reel mechanisms are smooth thanks to the sturdy build and 10 ball bearing system. The spool is braid friendly and doesn't require backing. Equipped with a powerful carbon fiber drag system with up to 26.5 pounds of drag power, the Sharky Baitfeeder is capable of handling heavy bait and large species such as catfish.

The blade body design makes the Okuma Ceymar a really compact and lightweight reel (170 to 586 grams), perfect for traveling with and comfortable to cast and retrieve. No matter what species you go after or where you fish, it is available in just the size you need. The smallest size is perfect for ultralight setups for crappie, perch, trout and ice fishing. The medium sizes are perfect for finesse techniques and as walleye, catfish, and bass spinning reels. The large sizes are equipped for saltwater fishing from the beach, pier or jetties while targeting striped bass, snook, redfish, salmon, steelhead, tuna or marlin.

The good thing is that the small design and pocket-friendly pricing aren't at the expense of strength and performance on the water. The Ceymar is a really well-made reel composed of precision machine cut brass pinion gear, machined aluminum spool, heavy-duty aluminum bail wire, and oversized line roller. It has a corrosion resistant graphite body and cyclonic rotor design.

The spool can hold a lot of monofilament or braided fishing line for long distance casting. Seven ball bearings ensure smoothness and the reel also has an anti-reverse roller bearing. The computer balanced rotor enables the reel to spin without wobble. The multi-disc oiled felt drag system is powerful and easy to control depending on the kind of fish you've hooked into. Precision elliptical gearing reduces friction and enables longer, accurate casts, enhance line durability and ensure the drag pressure is uniform and smooth.

The Piscifun Venom is built for tough fights and years of fishing. Whether you drill beneath the ice or cast in fresh water, in the surf or offshore, you can't go wrong with it and it comes in the size you need. 10 ball bearings and one roller bearing make its operation as smooth as silk. Quality construction makes it a good looking and durable reel.

The spool holds plenty of line for long casts and fights involving fast swimming fish. If you fish with braid, you can tie it directly without backing. It won't fail you if you hook into a big one. This reel has a sturdy feel and the carbon fiber drag system is smooth and offers up to 26.5 pounds of fish fighting power.

The graphite body and rotor are lightweight and also strong and durable and the other components are premium quality: CNC machined aluminum spool, stainless steel bearings, reinforced alloy drive gear, precision brass gears, reinforced body, a stainless steel main shaft, and a sealed drag knob. The smaller models have a flat knob for ease of use in freshwater while the larger models are equipped with oversize knobs for fighting big saltwater game fish.

If your number one requirement is a high-speed spinning reel that can pull fast swimmers quickly, the Okuma Trio is it. It has a 6:1 gear ratio, which means retrieval is very fast. Equipped with nine stainless steel bearings and a Quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing, its operation is super smooth. It is a great freshwater spinning reel under $100. It is not a watertight reel. If you use it in saltwater, make sure you rinse it with fresh water each time and oil it after several uses.

The Precision Dual Force Drag System (DFD) is amazing. It maximizes the high-end drag pressure, is sensitive to small adjustments and you can set it light. It can handle heavy fish such as drum, large catfish, flounder, spotted trout, redfish, and snook.

To keep it lightweight and easy to operate without fatigue yet strong enough to handle heavy species, it has a crossover construction featuring a one-piece aluminum reel stern and rotor, graphite side plates and drag chamber and a hybrid spool composed of a graphite arbor and aluminum lip. The crank grip is also ergonomic and comfortable to handle.