10 Best Spinning Reels for Trout
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10 Best Spinning Reels for Trout (2022) on the Market
Trout fishing is a very popular sport worldwide and it’s not hard to see why. It can be done in both fresh and saltwater, the fish are plentiful and often sizable, and you don’t need to invest too much money into your equipment nor do you need to be an expert angler to have fun.
However, with something as simple as trout fishing being so accessible it also means there’s a lot of competition from other fishermen looking for their own success. And that means having the right tools is more important than ever. In this list, we provide information about 10 of the most popular best spinning reels currently available on the market today – three saltwater-specific models and seven freshwater models.
Our 10 Best Spinning Reels for Trout in 2022 Reviews:
Abu Garcia Revo STX High-Performance Baitcasting Fishing Reel
Editor’s Rating: (4.5 / 5)
Mechanism Type: Baitcasting, the one-speed gear ratio of 6.2 to 1, maximum drag weight of 20 pounds, 6 stainless steel bearings, 7-position centrifugal brake system, infinite anti-reverse bearing with stops at both ends, machined aluminum spool design with a double anodized surface finish for durability and strength.
Abu Garcia has long been a name synonymous with quality fishing tools and their version of the popular Revo spinning reel lives up to their reputation admirably. This is a single-speed reel made from high-quality aluminum alloy and it’s been designed for quality performance to provide you with enough power to deal with larger fish as well as the lightest ones as well.
The brake system is really interesting on this unit because it has 7 positions so you can adjust your level of braking easily – this really comes in handy when you’re dealing with heavier lines and higher tensions where more braking may be required. Moreover, we also like the fact that Abu Garcia has used stainless steel bearings and an anti-reverse bearing that stops at both ends – these features give the Revo STX High-Performance Baitcasting Reel a competitive edge over many other options out there. Finally, the price tag is also extremely reasonable for the quality you get.
Penn Fierce II Spinning Reel
Editor’s Rating: (4.7 / 5)
Mechanism Type: spinning, 6 stainless steel bearings, multi-disc front drag with a machined aluminum side plate and an infinite anti-reverse system built-in, progressive oscillation gearing system that delivers up to 15% more line retrieval per turn of the handle when compared to previous models, titanium nitride-coated line guide reduces friction and noise as well as enhances casting distance and accuracy.
If you love Penn products then you’ll be pleased to find out that their version of the popular Fierce II spinning reel makes its way onto our list today – it’s been built from high-quality materials and it’s been designed for extremely competitive performance. The front drag system is really interesting because it has a multi-disc design so you can adjust the level of braking to suit your needs – this feature is definitely handy if you’re going after bigger fish or higher tensions where more brute strength is required.
We also like the fact that Penn has used 6 stainless steel bearings in this model as well as a titanium nitride line guide that reduces noise, friction and increases casting distance and accuracy. And since we’re dealing with a Penn product there’s no need to worry about price either – this particular model typically retails for less than $100 which is quite impressive considering how good it is!
Penn Battle II Spinning Reel
Editor’s Rating: (4.6 / 5)
Mechanism Type: spinning, 3 stainless steel ball bearings + one roller bearing, a multi-disc front drag system with a sealed carbon fiber drag washer, a multi-stop anti-reverse bearing, progressive oscillation gearing system that delivers up to 15 percent more line retrieval per turn of the handle when compared to previous models.
Penn is well known for its quality fishing tools and their Battle II spinning reel is proof that they can still deliver even when it comes to budget products. The best thing about this particular model is the price tag – you get exceptional value for money which makes this arguably one of the best options within its category right now. Despite its low price, Penn still manages to squeeze in some high-quality features such as 3 stainless steel ball bearings and a single roller bearing as well as a multi-disc front drag system with a sealed carbon fiber washer. Setup is easy enough though you’ll need to make sure that the screws are tightly secured or else they can come loose at times which can be frustrating, but overall this model works extremely well even when put under heavy stress for prolonged periods of time.
Abu Garcia Black Max X Low Profile Baitcast Fishing Reel
Editor’s Rating: (4.7 / 5)
Mechanism Type: baitcasting, 6 stainless steel bearings + 1 roller bearing, a multi-disc carbon fiber drag system with smooth front drag functionality which is adjustable to suit your preferences without the hassle of tools, infinite anti-reverse bearing that stops at both ends for improved durability and reliability, oscillation gearing mechanism delivers up to 15% more line retrieval per turn of the handle when compared to previous models.
For those looking for something better than entry-level but still want to stick to their budget then the Black Max X spinning reel by Abu Garcia may be worth checking out. It’s extremely affordable while also being well built & packed full of high-quality components that are for performing especially well under heavy loads & for extended periods of time. You get 6 stainless steel ball bearings and 1 roller bearing, a multi-disc carbon fiber drag system with smooth front drag functionality which is adjustable to suit your preferences without the hassle of tools, infinite anti-reverse bearing that stops at both ends for improved durability & reliability as well as oscillation gearing mechanism that delivers up to 15% more line retrieval per turn of the handle when compared to previous models.
We also like the fact that Abu Garcia has used graphite composite construction on this spinning reel – it’s lightweight yet very tough which makes it suitable for all types of fishing conditions & environments. It works well in freshwater but it will do extremely well in saltwater too if you rinse off anything that may cause corrosion after each and every use. This model is suitable for anglers of all skill levels and does a great job in terms of both casting & retrieval – we’re surprised at how much value you can get out of such an affordable product, but that’s precisely what makes it one of the best choices within its price range right now.
Shimano CITICA 201 Left Handle
Editor’s Rating: (4.9 / 5)
Mechanism Type: baitcasting, 5 shielded stainless steel bearings + 1 roller bearing, super free oscillation gearing system (this refers to line lay during the cast which results in smoother flights and better distance), lightweight graphite main shaft & aluminum cutaway side plate provides excellent balance and lightning-fast retrieves, a multi-disc drag with 4-stack carbon fiber drag washers that allow for better heat dissipation and increased smoothness in each and every retrieval.
Quality and affordability rarely go hand-in-hand when it comes to fishing tools, but Shimano has somehow managed to reconcile both of these attributes with the CITICA 201 baitcasting reel. It’s one of the best-performing products within its price range – it comes with solid construction built from graphite composite materials, 5 shielded stainless steel ball bearings & 1 roller bearing as well as super free oscillation gearing system (this refers to line lay during the cast which results in smoother flights and better distance). The overall value you get from this spinning reel is simply outstanding – it even comes with a 4-stack carbon fiber drag washer that allows for better heat dissipation and increased smoothness in each and every retrieval.
SHIMANO SLX DC
Editor’s Rating: (4.9 / 5)
Mechanism Type: baitcasting, 4 stainless steel shielded ball bearings + 1 roller bearing, infinite anti-reverse bearing (provides more smoothness and durability during the cast), lightweight graphite main shaft & aluminum cutaway side plate provides excellent balance and lightning-fast retrieves.
Shimano makes some of the best fishing tools on the planet – known for their high build quality, performance standards, and affordability, this company has built a loyal following of satisfied customers worldwide. The SLX DC is one of our favorite spinning reels within Shimano’s product line – it comes with impressive circuitry that includes 4 stainless steel shielded ball bearings & 1 roller bearing as well as infinite anti-reverse construction which provides more smoothness and stability during the cast. This model is lightweight yet extremely tough – you can’t go wrong with this versatile spinning reel.
We have a review of the best Shimano saltwater reels you can read.
Pflueger® President® XT Low Profile Reel
Editor’s Rating: (4.7 / 5)
Mechanism Type: baitcasting, 8 stainless steel ball bearings for enhanced durability & smoothness, quick-release side plate access which allows you to quickly maintain this spinning reel, lightweight graphite main shaft & aluminum cutaway side plate provides excellent balance and lightning-fast retrieves.
We like the fact that Pflueger has included 8 stainless steel ball bearings on this model – it’s one of the things we look for in a high-quality fishing tool because it guarantees smoothness during retrieves and overall performance. This model comes with an easy-to-grab knob design which makes it very easy to palm even when fishing in cold weather conditions. It’s also quite affordable and you can buy yours at a very reasonable price.
Abu Garcia® Silver Max Baitcasting Reel
Editor’s Rating: (4.8 / 5)
Mechanism Type: spinning, 7 stainless steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing provides smooth retrieves, gear ratio of 6.2:1 which means it works best with braided lines, lightweight graphite main shaft & aluminum cutaway side plate provides excellent balance and lightning-fast retrieves, titanium coated line guide reduces friction during the cast which results in better distance and accuracy, quick access to spool tension adjustment knob for easy maintenance.
Ah yes – one of our favorite mid-range spinning reels is the Abu Garcia Silver Max – you are definitely getting a bang for your buck with this model. It’s lightweight yet very tough, easy to use & maintain, and comes with loads of great features. This is why it has so many positive reviews on the web – anglers love the high-performance design as well as its smooth retrieves. You can use regular monolines or braided lines without any trouble at all – just make sure you don’t overload it with too much weight because that could compromise performance during a cast.
Okuma Avenger ABF Graphite Bait Feeder Spinning Reel- ABF-500
Editor’s Rating: (4.8 / 5)
Mechanism Type: spinning, 4 + 1 stainless steel ball bearings provides extreme smoothness & durability during retrieves, high-grade graphite main shaft & aluminum cutaway side plate provides excellent balance and lightning-fast retrieves, infinite cast control drag knob which you can use to quickly adjust the cast control drag from 0 – 10 lbs, several anti-reverse options available from free-spooling to 180 degrees of resistance.
We’re big fans of Okuma – this Japanese company has been building top-quality fishing tools for over more than a century – they make one of the best bait feeder fishing reels on the planet. The Avenger ABF is a very versatile model – you can use it for fishing in salt and fresh water and it’s ideal for catching a wide variety of fish, including tuna and mackerel. It works like a charm on both low and high speeds – you can cast this bad boy up to 100 feet if the conditions permit (the wind & weather permitting).
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur C4 Baitcast Round Fishing Reel
Editor’s Rating: (4.8 / 5)
Mechanism Type: baitcasting, 7 stainless steel ball bearings for excellent smoothness & durability – you can use this spinning reel for saltwater fishing without worrying about corrosion, lightweight graphite main shaft & aluminum cutaway side plate provides excellent balance and lightning-fast retrieves, infinite anti-reverse cast control knob offers 3 anti-reverse settings to choose from (lose spool/off/tight), sealed carbon drag system which is one of the most reliable systems available on the market.
This Abu Garcia model is an improved version of the old Ambassadeur C3 – it’s lighter than its predecessor and comes with a graphite main shaft plus an aluminum cutaway side plate. It’s very well made and will last you for many years to come – just make sure you oil it after every trip to the river or sea because that will ensure its smoothness. It works great on both low & high speeds which means it’s good for all kinds of fishing techniques – but keep in mind that if you use braided lines, this spinning reel can be a bit too much for trout fishing.
However, the C4 is definitely one of the best spinning reels for catching redfish, sea bass, black drum, sheepshead plus many other saltwater species. If you want a high-quality baitcasting model at an affordable price then this is our top pick.
FAQ’s
What’s a good spinning reel for trout?
There are several factors to consider when choosing a spinning reel for trout. The main considerations are line weight, gear ratios, drag systems, ball bearings, and the size of the reel spool.
*Line weight is measured in ounces or grams *Gear ratios are measurements of how fast the handle turns while reeling in a fish *Drag system refers to the amount of pressure needed to pull line from the reel once it is engaged *Ball bearings refer to how many ball bearings there are inside of your fishing reel *Spool size determines the amount of line you can hold on your spinning reels for trout
Trout fishing typically requires lightweight equipment so that lures can be cast easily on a light line. A good point would be a 3-6 pound line for the average trout fisherman. In this case, you will want a spinning reel that can hold as much as 50 yards of a 4-pound line or less.
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What reel size is best for trout fishing??
The majority of spinning reels for trout fishing will be in the 1000 to 2500 size range as a rough guideline. A lighter size of 1000 would generally be regarded as ideal with some really light line.
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Are 2500 reels good trout?
Yes, they are and I will tell you why. You might be surprised to hear that even though 2500 reels were made for Salmon fishing many of us trout anglers have taken them a step further to catch some very nice trout. The first time I used one it was on a 7 weight fly rod and the second time (not long after that) I took it off my salmon rod and put it on my 8 weight. Since then it has been tied onto many types of rods from ultralights to ten to fourteen-foot two-handers.
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How do you pick a trout reel??
The first factor to explore when considering which type of reel is best suited for a particular fisherman is the rod weight. Generally, a fly fishing rod falls in three different weight ratings: ultra-light (0-4), light (5-6), or medium-light (7-9). The next thing to consider is the type of water you’ll be fishing and the conditions it entails such as wind and current.
For example, for rivers with heavy currents, look for a larger arbor reel. Smaller arbor reels will give you higher line retrieval rates when fishing lighter tippets on smaller streams. On still waters, large arbor reels are better suited to managing long-distance casts and dealing with wind and waves while small arbor reels allow more delicate presentations and turn smaller flies more easily.
