We could earn income from the merchandise accessible on this web page and take part in affiliate packages. Learn More ›
Whether or not you’re buying round to your first spinning reel or trying to change an outdated favourite, discovering a reel that matches your wants and doesn’t break the financial institution generally is a problem. It’s even more durable to discover a spinning reel below $100 that can final a number of seasons and gained’t maintain you again from catching a brand new PB.
However, I’m going to make that problem quite a bit simpler for you. I’ve been testing one of the best spinning reels below $100 whereas catching large muskie, smallmouth, trout, crappie, largemouth, and landlocked stripers. I even examined drags on large carp. After torture testing inexpensive spinning reels, I discovered the choices which might be value your cash. Listed below are my prime picks.
How I Examined the Greatest Spinning Reels Below $100
When it got here to placing these reels by way of the paces, my aim was to maintain it even throughout the board. All reels had been spooled with 10-pound PowerPro braided line and paired with 7-foot, medium-fast rods. I used them in a wide range of settings, starting from rivers to massive lakes, and even included some inshore saltwater. These settings allowed for a variety of strategies for use. I examined finesse jigs, small swimbaits as much as ¼ ounce, and plugs like suspending jerkbaits and topwater lures within the 3- to 5-inch class.
To evaluate efficiency, I primarily checked out performance throughout day-to-day use. I famous how {smooth} the reel feels, how its drag holds up throughout a struggle, and the way snug it’s to fish. Most significantly, I decided how they held up after months of exhausting use. These attributes are what actually separates reels on the sub-$100 value level.
Greatest Spinning Reels Below $100: Opinions & Suggestions
Greatest General: Daiwa Exceler LT
Key Options (3000 dimension)
- MSRP: $100
- Weight: 7.2 ounces
- Six bearings
- Carbon fiber body
- Line Capability: 250 yards of 15-pound braid
- Drag: 22 kilos
Execs
- Extraordinarily light-weight
- Sturdy drag
- Excessive line capability
- Clean
Cons
Of all of the spinning reels below $100, the Exceler LT by Daiwa was far and away the nicest to fish. It’s the one reel on this value vary that legitimately feels prefer it needs to be far dearer than it’s. This reel was good for all the pieces from river smallmouth bass fishing with jerkbaits to deep-water reservoir fishing with jigs.
With a brilliant mild carbon fiber body and Daiwas AirDrive rotor and bail, the Exceler has most of the options of Daiwas higher-end reels at a fraction of the fee. It has a powerful 22-pounds, the silky-smooth drag held up extremely properly to fish that had been far exterior the scope of its meant use. It landed a number of musky and striped bass throughout testing, dealing with all of them with relative ease. As well as, its light-weight carbon body and machined aluminum deal with had been as snug to fish as any reel on the market, no matter value.
It casts like a dream, with feathery line launch from the spool and a pleasant even line-lay on the retrieve. General, regardless of being on the prime fringe of the value vary, the Daiwa Exceler LT is an distinctive reel and properly value the fee.
Greatest Saltwater: Penn Pursuit IV
Key Options (4000 dimension)
- MSRP: $70
- Weight: 12.4 ounces
- Drag: 15 kilos
- 5 bearings
- Line Capability: 260 yards of 20-pound braid
Execs
- Saltwater resistant
- Sturdy
Cons
Discovering any reel able to withstanding saltwater for below $100 is a problem, not to mention one particularly designed for it. The Penn Pursuit IV is without doubt one of the uncommon spinning reels constructed to deal with saltwater rigors whereas not breaking the financial institution.
Penn is a reputation most saltwater anglers are conversant in, being a staple for many years. Whereas not as fancy as its higher-end Penn counterparts, the Pursuit IV nonetheless carries most of the trademark options which have made Penn so well-liked within the salt recreation. The Pursuit IV is properly suited to saltwater with a sturdy, corrosion-resistant graphite physique and sealed, stainless-steel bearings.
Its drag system is {smooth} and simple to handle throughout fights. The 15 kilos of drag energy is sufficient for many inshore use like pulling sheepshead off a piling, catching dozens of schoolie stripers, or fishing reds in slender creeks. The reel may even deal with hard-pulling fish like tarpon, however it in all probability gained’t final lengthy as a devoted tarpon reel.
The general really feel of the spinning reel is considered one of sturdiness, with a heavier bail and body than a lot of the different reels on this listing. The reel itself is snug to fish, however its heavy weight and ponderous construct do make it much less suited to steady casting. Moreover, it’s not fairly as {smooth} compared to the remainder of the reels examined, however the sturdiness and corrosion resistance make up for that.
Whereas it is probably not best for finesse fishing or casting plugs all day, it’s a superb possibility for soaking bait or throwing a popping cork. In the case of a budget-friendly saltwater reel, there aren’t many higher selections available on the market.
Learn Subsequent: Best Trout Spinning Reels
Greatest All-Objective: Shimano Sedona FJ
Key Options (2500 dimension)
- MSRP: $80
- Weight: 8.5 ounces
- Line Capability: 145 yards of 15-pound braid
- Drag: 20 kilos
- 4 bearings
- Composite physique
Execs
- Clean
- Good drag
- Casting skill
Cons
- Line capability
- Construct materials sturdiness
The Sedona FJ is a prototypical all-purpose freshwater spinning reel. It’s not essentially on the prime in anybody class, however its efficiency and suitability for many freshwater purposes makes it a strong possibility. With numerous high quality options at an inexpensive value level, the Sedona FJ is a well-rounded reel that does the job it’s designed to do.
The Shimano Sedona FJ is the subsequent iteration of Shimano’s Sedona lineup, which is lengthy a well-liked selection for budget-conscious anglers who nonetheless need the standard options that Shimano is understood for. The drag on the Sedona is as {smooth} because it will get for any reel below $100, and with 20 kilos of drag energy, it may possibly struggle massive fish. Moreover, this reel options the patented Shimano Hagane know-how, a mix of balanced design and cold-forged gearing. This makes the Sedona FJ a well-balanced reel that’s very snug and {smooth} to fish. Different enhancements on this newest Sedona mannequin are the combination of SilentDrive and a G-Free physique, each patented Shimano designs that assist enhance the reel’s steadiness and smoothness.
Finally, the largest weak spot with this reel is the fabric it’s made with. The composite body is a cost-saving measure, and whereas it doesn’t impression the general really feel of the reel whereas fishing, it may contribute to sturdiness points over time. It’s additionally not as mild as aluminum or carbon, which places it a step under the Exceler LT and Pleuger President XT. Regardless of a few of these points, the price of the Shimano Sedona FJ balances properly with its efficiency, making it an excellent all-around possibility for informal freshwater anglers.
Learn Subsequent: Best Spinning Reels for Bass
Greatest Finesse Reel: Pfleuger President XT
Key Options (25 dimension)
- MSRP: $100
- Weight: 7 ounces
- Drag Energy: 8 kilos
- Line Capability: 140 yards of 6-pound braid
- Carbon physique and aluminum parts
Execs
- Very mild
- Delicate and finesse oriented
- Very {smooth}
Cons
- Weak drag
- Low line capability
Discovering a reel this finely tuned to finesse fishing for below $100 may be difficult, however the President XT matches the invoice. Whereas it is probably not as universally relevant because the Sedona or Exceler, it’s nice at what it’s designed to do: mild deal with finesse fishing.
If the opposite reels on this listing are searching knives, the Pfleuger President XT is a scalpel. Very similar to the Daiwa Exceler, the President XT has a light-weight carbon physique paired with machined aluminum parts that make this reel mild and comfy to fish. The President XT additionally has a stainless-steel 10-bearing system, which makes for an extremely {smooth} retrieve.
The President XT is right for throwing small lures on mild line, having the sensitivity and management required to correctly really feel the motion of the lure and the chunk. This specialization for finesse fishing does have some drawbacks, primarily within the drag and line capability division. At solely 8 kilos of drag, the President XT isn’t a really perfect reel for tackling bigger gamefish or chucking heavier lures. The spool can be not designed to carry a lot line, particularly when you go over the 8- to 10-pound take a look at.
Greatest Finances: Lews Speed Spin
Key Options (30 dimension)
- MSRP: $60
- Weight: 9.4 ounces
- Drag Energy: 13 kilos
- Line Capability: 200 yards of 15-pound braid
- Graphite body, brass gearing, aluminum spool/deal with
- 10 bearing system
Execs
- Nicely-rounded
- Good materials parts
- Value
Cons
- Brass gears aren’t as sturdy as aluminum
With a graphite body and machined aluminum parts, you’d count on the Lews Velocity Spin to value significantly greater than it does. It additionally gives a {smooth} 10-bearing system and mushy rubber Fight Grips, making an especially snug fishing expertise. Whereas it actually isn’t on the prime in anybody space, at 9.4 ounces with 13 kilos of drag, the Velocity Spin is a well-rounded reel. The largest knock in opposition to this reel is the brass gearing, which aren’t as sturdy and corrosion resistant as machined aluminum or chrome steel. That stated, at this value level it’s exhausting to count on any greater than this reel gives, and it has greater than sufficient high quality options to justify a strong place on this listing. This reel is a perfect possibility for the informal freshwater angler, or as a strong back-up for these trying to broaden their quiver.
Learn how to Select a Spinning Reel
As with most fishing gear, understanding when and the place you’ll be utilizing the reel is step one in deciding which one is finest for you. For those who’re primarily soaking bait, the burden of the reel gained’t matter as a lot as the standard of the drag. If you can be actively casting lures all day lengthy, you’ll in all probability care extra in regards to the weight of the reel and what sort of line it may possibly deal with. Maybe an important issue is realizing the place the reel can be used, and if it wants any particular options to deal with the weather.
Saltwater
For those who plan on utilizing your sub-$100 spinning reel in saltwater, you’ll need one thing that’s corrosion resistant initially. Sealed bearings and chrome steel or aluminum inside parts are vital parts to keep away from corrosion.
Methods
For those who plan on utilizing the reel for finesse fishing and repeated casting, you’ll in all probability need one thing that’s mild and comfy to fish. Line capability will also be vital when you plan on fishing deeper water or focusing on fish that make lengthy runs. Lastly, an missed issue may be ensuring the reel casts easily and lays line evenly.
Reel Sizes
Whatever the approach you intend on fishing, you’ll nonetheless wish to be sure the reel is sized correctly for you and the rod you intend to pair it with. Spinning reels usually use a metric of sizes starting from 500 all the best way as much as 20000, with 500 being the smallest and 20000 being the biggest. Regardless of the wide selection, most anglers will need a reel within the 2500 to 4000 dimension for all-purpose use in freshwater. This dimension vary is by far probably the most versatile for fishing wherever within the nation, being acceptable for all the pieces from bass and panfish as much as stripers and redfish. Whereas the road capability of reels on this vary can range noticeably, they typically permit for round 150 to 250 yards of line within the 8- to 15-pound take a look at vary.
Gear Ratios
Gear ratios in spinning reels below $100 are sometimes much less various and fewer vital than they might be in baitcasters or heavy-duty spinning gear. Nonetheless, it’s vital to think about how the gear ratio will match as much as the method you primarily plan to make use of.
Most reels within the 2500 to 3000 vary can have gear ratios within the 5.2:1 space, which permits for a reasonably constant retrieve charge and line-per-crank ratio. For those who plan on fishing quicker lures or need extra management over your presentation, take into account on the lookout for fashions with high-speed variations which have gear ratios in 6.2:1 or up.
Supplies and Building
Lastly, contemplating what materials the reel and its parts are produced from will actually assist you perceive its functionality. Supplies like machined aluminum and chrome steel are each mild and corrosion resistant, usually making for a better high quality reel expertise. Brass gears and composite our bodies aren’t essentially dangerous, however they’re issues to look out for when you plan on utilizing the reel for bigger gamefish or in harsher situations.
The drag development is a vital issue that may require extra compromise in lower-priced reels. Felt is the commonest materials used for drag in spinning reels of this class. Whereas felt is greater than succesful in most freshwater circumstances, it doesn’t maintain up as properly to fish that make blistering runs or to the weather. A carbon drag system is significantly better at dealing with these conditions, however can add to the value of the reel significantly.
Remaining Ideas on the Greatest Spinning Reels Below $100
Spinning reels have at all times been a well-liked possibility amongst anglers, however with current traits and developments in know-how they’re turning into extra ubiquitous than ever. Discovering an excellent spinning reel with high quality options at an inexpensive value generally is a problem, however hopefully this listing has helped present some perception into high quality choices. Whether or not or not you go together with one of many reels on this listing, simply bear in mind what qualities matter to you. You gained’t doubtless discover many reels below $100 which have each fancy function available on the market, so it’s vital you go into the acquisition understanding what your priorities are. For those who take into account what elements are most vital to you, you’ll be higher ready to stroll out with an excellent reel at an inexpensive value.