Preparing to upgrade your fishing reel and you feel like you could use some better gadgets when it comes to your reels? You’ve come to the right place; we understand that sometimes a fisherman needs more than one type of reel, depending on the fishing spot he’s in. You should definitely pick the best underspin reel and add it to your gear box, there are tons of situations where it will be your best choice.
To help you with that, we’ll walk you through the best triggerspin reel options currently on the market and explain how they work, what you should be looking for in this type of gear and so on. That’s how you’ll know what each feature in the product description actually does and what to expect.
We’ll also answer some of the most frequently asked questions that we get from our readers regarding underspin fishing reels. Since some of you still have some doubts and confusion about how the equipment works, it’s essential to clear the air and help each other become savvier, gadget-wise. Ready? Here we go!
OUR TOP PICK
Pflueger President Underspin Reel
- What Makes This Underspin Reel Stand Out
- Aluminum frame and core + dual titanium pins
- 5 bearing system
- Instant anti-reverse for more control
- Spool applied drag for better precision
Construction: Aluminum frame, carbon composite, titanium
Weight: 10.9 oz
Bearings: 5
Line capacity: 200/2 100/4 80/6
Maximum drag : 10 lbs.
EDITORS CHOICE
Zebco 33 Micro Gold Underspin Reel
- What Makes This Underspin Reel Stand Out
- Highly resistant industrial grade steel covers
- 3 bearing system
- 4.3:1 gear ratio
- Changeable left- or right-hand retrieve
Construction: Stainless steel, carbon
Weight: 5.3 oz
Bearings: 2 + 1
Line capacity: 9 / 5 / 15.
Maximum drag : 4 lbs.
BEST VALUE
Daiwa Underspin-XD Series Underspin Reel
- What Makes This Underspin Reel Stand Out
- Trigger control, closed-face reel
- Very durable and precise
- Provides a light action, great for freshwater
- Very affordable on select options
Construction: Aluminum alloy, metal, titanium
Weight: 5.05 oz
Bearings: 1 BB (ball-bearing)
Line capacity: 4 / 85
B&M Poles B&M Ultra-Lite Underspin Reel
- What Makes This Underspin Reel Stand Out
- Left and right hand retrieve (quick change)
- Aluminum cast spool
- Extra spare graphite spool
- 4.7:1 gear ratio
Construction: Aluminum, carbon
Weight: 10.00 oz
Bearings: 3 BB (Ball-bearing)
Line capacity: 120 / 4.
Lews Fishing MUS1, Slab Shaker Underspin Reel
- What Makes This Underspin Reel Stand Out
- Aluminum nose cone and spool
- Pre-spooled with 70 yards of Mr. Crappie line
- Very smooth dragging dial
- 4.3:1 gear ratio
Construction: Aluminum, aluminum spool
Weight: 6.4 oz
Bearings: 1 BB (Ball-bearing)
Line capacity: 70 / 6
Maximum drag : 6 lbs.
Shakespeare Synergy Steel Underspin Reel
- What Makes This Underspin Reel Stand Out
- Steel handle and pick-up pin
- Polished stainless-steel front cone
- Line guide made from steel as well
- The best triggerspin reel for bass and difficult catches
Construction: Steel, stainless steel
Weight: 6.4 oz
Bearings: 1 BB (Ball-bearing)
Line capacity: 4 / 70
How To Choose An Underspin Reel – Buying Guide
Before making the final decision, here’s what most features of the best underspin reels actually mean.
Type
There are four main types of fishing reels: spincast, spinning, baitcasting and underspin (or triggerspin). The latter is very similar to a spincast reel, in that it features a closed face and the line gets extended or retracted automatically. This makes it very easy to use for beginners, but also sturdy enough to be suitable for a variety of fishing situations.
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Drag System
There are two main types of drag systems in fishing reels: the star system (which is traditional) and the lever drag or disk drag. The latter is more modern and allows a higher precision and ease, but some fishermen still prefer the more traditional option. While we’re not advocating for renouncing the classic star drag reel, we do think that a lever or disk drag underspin reel is a great type of reel to start with if you’re a fishing beginner.
Line
The line inside the triggerspin reel can be made from various materials. Some are sturdier (like aluminum), while others are more flexible and affordable (plastic). It’s up to you to decide which type of line you prefer, depending on the size and weight ranges of the fish you plan on catching.
Bearing
Ball bearings or bushings are placed inside the body of underspin reels for a smother and more stable line casting. You can think of them as tiny pitstops in the travels of your fishing line: they help provide support and a greater degree of control. The number mentioned on the bearings system, or the gear ratio also expressed as a number refer to the same thing: how many times does the spool revolve with each handle turn.
More bearings don’t necessarily mean the fishing reel is better per se, since quality depends on more factors. But it is true that the best underpin reels tend to feature more bearings for a higher degree of control and smoothness.
Design
The closed face on an underspin spincast reel comes equipped with a hole within the rounded hood. Through this hole the fishing line exits the reel, ready to be cast for the day’s catch. Some of the enclosures on underspin fishing reels are made from hard plastic, others from metals such as aluminum alloy.
The material from which they’re made of directly impacts price, weight and durability.
Durability
Speaking of durability, remember that harder materials are not necessarily more durable by default. A well-made hard plastic compound can have a longer use life compared to aluminum alloy in an underspin spincast reel. Consider that metal can get scratches which are more noticeable, and has less built-in elasticity compared to a specially made plastic. On the other hand, metal might be the eco-friendlier choice, so it’s up to you to choose what makes more sense for your priorities and preferences.
Use
Lastly, you should really consider what you plan to use your new reel for. Of course, it’s about fishing, but what kind of fishing? If you find yourself going on specialized fishing trips more often than not, maybe it’s a good idea to look into equipment crafted precisely for the sort of fishing you’re into.
For example, ice fishing reels (for those lurking about ice fishing holes), surf fishing reels (for those who love the adventure) or fly fishing reels (for those struggling to land really impressive but strong catches). Otherwise, you might have the best underspin reel in the world, but it still won’t help you as much as a fishing reel made with fishermen like you in mind.
FAQs
Q: How Do Spinning Reels And Underspin Reels Differ?
Regular spinning reels (also known as spincast reels) have been around since the 1940s and are one of the greatest inventions in fishing to this day. An underspin reel is almost the same, but it comes equipped with a trigger.
In a sense, you could say that underspin reels, also known as triggerspin or triggercast, are the upgraded version of the regular. A spinning reel with trigger features is basically easier to use, gentler on the wrists and a great choice for beginners (if they still have a guide to teach them the ropes).
Q: How Does An Underspin Reel Work?
Unlike other types of fishing reels (especially traditional ones), an underspin reel is triggered by a button. Furthermore, since the nose is closed, the line can’t get tangled and everything inside runs smoothly and easily. This makes it super-convenient to use, especially for beginner fishermen.
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With the above guide done, you should know have all the info for understanding the differences between triggerspin reels and the other types of fishing reels, as well as what the best model for you could be.
Enjoy your fishing trip preparations and let us know how the best underspin reel looks like for you. Are you just getting started with fishing? Did you try other types of reels or not yet? You can share in the comment field below, we’re always happy to gear from you.
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- Surf Fishing Rod
- Fillet Knife
- Telescopic Fishing Rod
- Fish Scaler
- Fishing Hat