Best Spinning Reel For Bass in 2020

Shimano Sedona F1

The Shimano Sedona F1 is an exceptionally smooth reel, thanks, in part, to its HAGANE Gear system. This is one of the most durable gear systems out there, and it guarantees an effortless performance time and time again. On top of this, the reel has a double-anodised machine-cut spool to increase line capacity and uses a propulsion line management system, so you can target bass from even further afield without worrying about wind knots and bird nests. It’s also a lightweight option at just over 8.5 ounces and this, combined with its G Free Body, helps to reduce fatigue and keep you going that little bit longer when you’re out on the water all day.

Despite having a bearing count of just 4, this reel retains a smooth drag and retrieve, and its major downside is a lack of anti-reverse, forcing the drag to take on the fish every time. Another drawback is the bail arm, which is a bit stiff and can get in the way while casting. Despite this, Shimano are a reputable name in the fishing industry and offer a 10-year warranty for peace of mind, and with high-end features at low-end prices, this reel is a winner.

Shimano Stradic CI4+

If you like the sound of a HAGANE Gear system, G Free Body and a propulsion line management system but you have a larger budget to play with, then the Shimano Stradic CI4+ might be the perfect choice for you. The retrieve on this reel will stay nice and smooth even under pressure, thanks to its X-Ship pinion gear support system, and the light magnumlite rotor only adds to the smoothness of the retrieve. As well as this, the carbon fibre body brings the weight of this reel down to just over 11 ounces, making it even easier to keep bass hunting all day long. The drag also takes advantage of the durability of carbon by using a multi-disc carbon fibre system to provide a tough but incredibly smooth drag. Although the drag is definitely slightly on the high side of the bass spectrum, this does mean you can use this reel with other fish, including saltwater species.

As with the Shimano Sedona F1, the spool is made of lightweight yet durable aluminium that can handle braid as well as mono, but in this model there’s also a grooved power roller feature to further cut down on those pesky twists and turns. Finally, in case a reputable brand name and 10-year warranty wasn’t enough already, this reel is even water-resistant – there’s really no reason why this reel shouldn’t last you a lifetime!

Again, there is no anti-reverse on this reel, although this is somewhat made up for with a one-way roller bearing system, and the bail arm can be a little annoying, but with all its other features it remains one of the best reels out there.

Okuma Ceymar

The sleek design of the Okuma Ceymar and its EVA-coated handle makes it easy to handle and stop bulkiness distracting you from the job at hand. However, despite its small size and light weight, this reel packs a punch. Its sturdy brass gears are designed to reduce friction, giving consistent drag pressures (although occasionally they become noisy after prolonged use), and the drag system itself is incredibly smooth due to its multi-disc oiled-felt system. The bail and braid-ready spool is made of solid aluminium, and the reel uses a line control system to keep things orderly. The body itself is made of graphite, and the cyclonic flow rotor uses airflow to rapidly dry wet reels so that this reel can stand up to corrosion. The rotor can also withstand high speeds without shaking thanks to its computer balanced technology. With a quick and smooth retrieve to boot, there really are few downsides to this reel, although problems with the handle loosening have been known to occur from time to time.

Abu Garcia Revo X

The Abu Garcia Revo X is a sleek little number made with a carbon body to keep the weight down yet retain strength, and the rotor itself is made if super sturdy graphite that doesn’t break the bank. The retrieve on the reel is fast and smooth thanks to the high number of bearings and a high gear ratio. The gears themselves are precisely aligned with the main body of the reel, and the Carbon Matrix drag system keeps the drag smooth, even when fighting the boldest of bass, and also ensures long-term high-quality performance. The aluminium spool can handle mono, braid and fluorocarbon, and whatever line you go for you can be sure that it won’t end up in a tangle thanks to the Rocket Line management system.

A couple of things to bear in mind are that the reel handle can stick sometimes, and the bearings may become clunky with time. Also, the reel is not sealed so make sure you take care of it, especially if you’ll be using it in saltwater as well as freshwater.

Pflueger President

The Pfleuger President is an old favourite among anglers of all ages and it’s easy to see why. This reel is comfortable and easy to get to grips with, but it doesn’t compromise on quality. When bass bolt for cover they have some power behind them, and you’re going to need something that can handle it. The 10-bearing system of this reel gives it a snappy yet effortless retrieve, which makes it handy not just for bass fishing but also for when you’re using topwater lures. It’s also super lightweight, weighing in at just 8.8 ounces, making it perfect for those long days of constant casting.

The rotor and body of this reel are made from graphite, and it has a stainless steel and oiled-felt drag that prevents corrosion as well as providing a continuous drag. This smooth drag can be kicked into action using the anti-reverse switch, which lets you can choose whether to back reel or let the drag fight the fish. The aluminium spool will also stand up to corrosion, and it can easily be spooled with braid to give you that extra edge. The handle itself is aluminium, like the bail arm, but its soft grippy knob retains comfort. Overall, this makes for a sturdy reel that should last you a while in both salt and freshwater environments – just make sure you show it some TLC as it isn’t sealed. Also, make sure you watch out for the line bunching up during retrieve and the bail arm closing halfway through casting.

KastKing Sharky III

If you’re after something you can use to catch bass but you can also use with stronger fish, then we’d recommend the KastKing Sharky III. This reel is lightweight and tough thanks to its graphite rotor and body being reinforced with high-percentage fibre. What’s more, its spool, body and rotor are all water-resistant and it has 10+1 saltwater-rated stainless steel ball bearings so you can use it with both freshwater and saltwater targets. As well as its impressive bearing count, its high gear ratio means the retrieve on this reel is sharp and smooth, and it comes with instant lock anti-reverse and a braid-ready aluminium spool. Its triple-disc carbon-fibre drag has a high maximum and this, combined with its large line capacity, is what makes it able to stand up to not only the boldest of bass but also those larger game fish. For the price, it really does have a lot to offer.

The main thing to keep an eye on with this reel is its longevity – occasionally the bearings grind and dust and salt manage to worm their ways into the inner workings of the reel, but you should be able to circumvent this with standard maintenance.

Sougayilang Spinning Reel

The Sougayilang spinning reel is the cheapest of our selection, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a worthwhile reel. The drag is sealed and has a carbon fibre multi-disc system, making it sturdy but smooth, and it comes with an instant anti-reverse. The graphite body is another robust feature and the gear ratio and steel ball bearings mean you can catch those heavier fish in freshwater and saltwater environments. Finally, its handle, just like the spool, is made from durable CNC machine-cut aluminium, and it also folds away for convenient storage – not bad for the price eh? Just make sure you watch out for the gears grinding – although you should be able to fix this with a lick of grease on the gears – and don’t be too disappointed if the colour chips off.