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Our team of anglers did a deep dive into researching fishing reels before buying the best to test ourselves. This review features 9 of the best reels currently on the market, each rigorously tested to provide the assessments you need to make the right purchase decision. Our experts tested these reels from rivers to lakes to bays in as many different environments as possible. Along the way, we made detailed notes on how each performed in metrics like operation, features, and line control that contribute to accurate casts and reliable landing of tale-worthy fish. Whether you want the best reel money can buy or one that won't break the bank, our hands-on evaluations can help you find the right reel for your needs.
Are you searching for paddling gear? Our water gear roundup features all our favorite products to help you prepare for your next adventure on the water. Also, check out our fishing line review to see our chosen picks from our head-to-head testing. We've also tested the best fishing rods and fishing nets, as well as useful gear like the top pocket knives and the best coolers for toting your catch home at the end of your excursion.
Editor's Note: We updated our fishing reel review to include information on how we tested these products on April 15, 2024.
Thanks to a combo of smooth operation, awesome features, and quality construction, the Okuma Ceymar C-30 is the fishing reel that rose to the top of the fleet. Its smooth operation meant we could cast with ease and reel in something big without fighting against the reel and the fish. At eight ounces, it's one of the lightest reels we tested and feels barely noticeable on many rods, making for a more balanced setup. We also like its utility as a small, lightweight reel to pack into the backcountry to find isolated, less-often-fished lakes and streams. It has a nice, solid aluminum bail with an oversized line roller, which helped keep our line in check. And when it comes to comfort, it has it in spades, including our favorite handle. The soft EVA foam handle grip provided all-day comfort as well as a solid hold.
As for drawbacks, this reel presents relatively few. We imagine the very comfortable foam handle grip may not stand up to the test of time. However, over hundreds of casts during our testing and several weeks of vigorous use, it has held up fine so far, without any signs of deteriorating. One should also note that this reel is quite small in comparison to many reels. We don't think this is bad, as its compact size is super packable, but it's worth mentioning. If you're looking for the best all-around fishing reel for performance and price, the Okuma Ceymar C-30 won't disappoint. If this model is a little bit out of your budget, check out the Plusinno HA3000, which offers great performance at a reasonable price.
Cast after cast, the Okuma Ceymar C-30 performed flawlessly. The automatic bail and large line roller make for easy casting and smooth reeling time and time again.
When you're after saltwater fish, it pays to have a reel designed for the job. That's precisely where the Daiwa BG2500 comes in. Its aluminum housing and waterproof drag system performed at the top of its class during weeks of fishing off of piers and jetties into the briny deep by our test team. Speaking of drag, it had plenty of power, which helped when fighting bigger fish. The drag dial was also one of our favorites, providing feedback with well-spaced clicks. The well-designed handle has a wide handle grip that offers comfort and impressive control. Another great feature was its anti-reverse system. It instantly locks the second you flip the switch. It was also a great casting reel, giving us long and accurate casts, something we especially appreciate when trying to place a lure into tight spots.
The only real complaint we have about this reel is its bail. While it worked flawlessly during our testing, its thin wire design didn't match the rest of the reel's high quality. Overall, though, if you want a versatile reel that excels in saltwater conditions, the Daiwa BG2500 should be your top choice. If you're more of a freshwater person, we recommend the Okuma Ceymar C-30 to people who will not be fishing in the ocean.
The Daiwa BG2500 helped us control our line, leading to fewer tangled messes.
If you are looking for a reel that performs consistently without breaking the bank, check out the Plusinno HA3000. Though it lacks the superior construction found on higher-end reels, the HA3000 compensates for this with its operation and features. The easy-to-operate drag system was effortless to dial in for the “bigguns”, while the instantaneous anti-reverse system engaged without issue when landing smaller fish. A push-button collapsible handle makes it among the easiest to transport. Its casting performance was also impressive, with the line coming off the spool effortlessly with every cast.
Of course, with such a low price comes a few tradeoffs. It didn't give us any major problems, but the lower-quality materials may not hold up over the long term. In other words, you likely won't be passing this one on to your grandkids. We also noticed that over time, the line did not re-spool as evenly as the premium reels. However, this did not result in knots or complications as with other low-end competitors. If you're looking to save some cash with a reel that's good enough to land some fish, we recommend taking the Plusinno HA3000 for a spin. If you aren't as concerned with the cost and know that you're headed for the saltwater, you can't go wrong with the Daiwa BG2500.
Our resident expert fisherman, Gavi, landed this awesome trout without effort using the Plusinno HA 3000.
If fishing is less of a hobby and more of a lifestyle, then the Abu Garcia Revo SX is the reel to get. It's hands-down the most well-built reel we tested, and its operation was equally impressive. It casts remarkably well, has exceptional line control, and packs plenty of features. Some of our favorites are the angled lip design on the spool, which helps improve casting distance, and the slow oscillation that gave us near-perfect line lay for fewer tangles. It also provided smooth drag no matter what level we dialed in. And since it's lightweight, it makes for a great travel setup when paired with a telescopic rod, something we appreciate after hiking a few miles to fish.
Are there any downsides? Yes. For one, this is by far the most expensive reel we tested. And while it will most likely last for an extended period, the upfront cost is hard to swallow. It is also slightly more challenging to switch the handle to the opposite side than other models we tested, but that's not much to gripe about. Due to its high-end price, we recommend the Abu Garcia Revo SX only to truly dedicated, angling “lifers.” If you want a fishing reel that will perform at the highest level, this one is hard to beat, and for what it's worth, we caught more fish with this reel than any other. If this reel is out of your ideal price range, there are many budget-friendly models such as the KastKing Brutus that perform reasonably well but cost a whole lot less.
This kind of quality costs extra, but with excellent construction, smooth operation, and loads of smart features, like an anti reverse system, it's money well spent for those who get out on the water frequently.
Credit: Kit Smith
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How We Test Fishing Reels
Our testers put every reel through its paces in many different places, from streams to lakes to bays. We traveled all across California, from north to south, and spent time in Jackson Hole, WY, and Lake Country, MN, to ensure that we tested these reels across varied environments. We spent several months angling to assess these products fully, and dozens of fish were caught and released during our test period. We took each fishing reel out into the field to get a feel for the operation, as well as the features and versatility. We also shared these reels with our fishing partners on multiple fishing trips to get diverse feedback. Our side-by-side comparisons from field tests and in-depth inspections informed our rankings and recommendations found in this article.
Our fishing reel testing is divided into five rating metrics:
Operation (25% of overall score weighting)
Features (25% weighting)
Versatility (20% weighting)
Line Control (15% weighting)
Material Quality (15% weighting)
Why Trust GearLab
Kit Smith, our lead reviewer, is no stranger to the fishing life. He's been at it for 35 years. It all started around the San Francisco Bay, where he began fishing for salmon and halibut at a young age. Later, he got hooked on fishing local streams and lakes around his family's cabin in the small mountain community of Bear Valley in the Central Sierras. He ended up moving to Colorado to attend college, where his love of angling continued to grow. With decades of salt and freshwater angling experience with dozens of reels, Kit brings the expertise needed to assess these fishing reels accurately.
Jon Oleson joined the reel testing team in 2023. Jon grew up fishing the lakes and streams of the Mountain West. Some of his best memories are of drifting the Green and Snake Rivers in Utah and Idaho fly fishing for trout with his dad. More recently, Jon has been enjoying getting out to fish the lakes and rivers with his two young children, who are already landing decent-sized bass with full-sized rods.
Our friend Isaac and his son, Gavi, catching trout after trout with the near flawless Okuma Ceymar C-30 reel.
Our kiddos had a lot of fun catching Bluegill with the KastKing Brutus.
The Plusinno HA 3000 reel performed well in all applications. Here, our young angler is seen landing a small bass in Leech Lake, MN.
Analysis and Test Results
Through our extensive field testing, the five performance metrics we focused on are Operation, Features, Versatility, Line Control, and Material Quality. We discuss each of these in more depth below.
Value
Though we don't score products based on their prices, we always keep a sharp eye out for good deals. If something scores quite well in our testing and has a middling to low price tag, we take note. The Plusinno HA3000 is such a product. With great features and performance and a retail price that's a fraction of some of the premium reels, it's a great value. One of our favorites overall, the Okuma Ceymar C-30, also rings up at a lower price, providing another great value option.
Our local guide, Gavi, catching bass with the Plusinno HA 3000 reel paired with the Plusinno telescoping travel rod. This duo is a great value that's perfect either as an introductory setup or even a budget travel option for more experienced anglers.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Operation
A reel's operation is one of the most important factors to consider. It includes everything from casting performance to line retrieval to drag control. Casting performance is dictated in part by the spool's design, while line retrieval is determined by internal gearing and the bail roller. The drag system's operation comes down to the range and how easy it is to dial in the desired amount of drag with precision.
When it comes to operation, the Abu Garcia Revo SX and the Okuma Ceymar C-30 are the most impressive. The Abu Garcia is hard to beat for its exceptionally smooth oscillation and line control. It's also the most expensive reel we tested by far. The Okuma Ceymar, on the other hand, was reasonably priced and provided easy line retrieval and an impressive drag system. Very close behind, and geared toward saltwater use, is the Daiwa BG2500. This model casts long and accurately while boasting one of our favorite drag dials. After testing all the reels for months, these three reels are decidedly the most pleasant to use for a day of fishing.
Using a force gauge, we tested the drag on each reel to confirm manufacturer's claims.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Features
This might be the most popular metric when considering a reel. Obviously, you can catch fish without all the fancy stuff, but smart features can give you an even better shot at that lunker. What features are we talking about? Things like instant stop reverse, automatic bail, and ergonomic handle grips. But having all of these doesn't ensure our vote. They have to be useful features that improve the fishing experience.
This category's standout is the Daiwa BG2500. With an abundance of useful features, like a reverse system that stops the spool instantaneously and a wide handle grip that's good for all-day outings, this reel made an indelible impression.
Along with a wide, grippy handle, the Daiwa BG2500 features an instant anti-reverse system that helped to keep our line in check.
Credit: Stephanie Chavez
With a one-of-a-kind handle grip, the Okuma Ceymar C-30 also excelled here. While some of the reels feature plastic grips, this one sports an extra soft foam grip that offers unmatched comfort. It's not necessary, but our testers all agreed that it's a nice touch. The Plusinno HA3000 packs plenty of features, too. We especially liked the push-button collapsible handle that made it easy to pack and stow, as well as the large spool and ball roller that made casting and retrieving trouble-free.
One of the lightest weight freshwater reels is the Okuma Ceymar C-30 (left), with the Plusinno HA 3000 (right).
Credit: Jon Oleson
Versatility
Having a reel that can be used on the river one day and in the ocean the next is essential for some anglers. Some may want to fish for small brook trout in mountain streams in the morning and take their boat out on the lake for bass in the afternoon. Not all reels are up to this task. The Okuma Ceymar C-30 proved to be the most versatile that we tested. The C-30 is geared for smaller fish, but it was also up for the task of reeling in “bigguns.” The easy-click drag allowed us to dial it in quickly for the size of the fish and the weight of the line. The smooth bail allowed for easy casting, whether tossing light spinners a few yards up a creek or heavy, weighted jigs way out into the lake. Likewise, the Plusinno HA3000 scored well in this metric, although the bail was not as smooth as the Okuma, nor was its drag as quick and easy to dial in, so it received a slightly lower score.
In contrast, while it's an impressive reel, the Daiwa BG2500 is built specifically for saltwater fishing. Its larger spool meant this reel wasn't quite as comfortable around lakes and rivers. Because of that, its versatility score took a hit.
We took the reels out into different environments and settings with all sorts of different lure set ups to test the versatility of each.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Line Control
If you want to reduce line twisting and tangles, this is a critical metric. Of course, it's hard to eliminate the occasional spirals and knots completely, but a reel with great line control can keep them to a minimum. The Daiwa BG2500 is one of the standouts in this category. Its well-designed bail provided smooth retrieval, while the lip on the spool was made for controlled casting.
The Abu Garcia Revo SX is also a leader in this metric. Its oversized bail roller and unique, angled lip on the spool made us almost forget what it was like to deal with twisted, tangled lines. But many other reels were worthy in this metric as well, including the Okuma Ceymar C-30 and the Plusinno HA3000. Both had great oscillation, which improved line lay on the spool. If you're looking for better line control, one of these reels won't disappoint.
While we saw a few minor spooling issues with repeated use, the large aluminum spool and line roller makes for easy reeling with the Plusinno HA 3000. Shown here loading some braided line without any issue.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Conversely, we discovered which reels have a tendency to have spooling issues. The KastKing Brutus consistently caused us trouble, whether it was the line wrapping over the top of the spool or knots and loops caused by inadequate spooling. While we encountered this issue once or twice with our other bargain reel, the Plusinno HA3000, it wasn't even close to the headache caused by the KastKing.
The KastKing Brutus had issues with wind knots and line wrapping during testing.
Credit: Jon Oleson
Material Quality
A reel's construction and materials play a significant role in its performance. Depending on the material, you can get a lighter, stronger, and higher-performance reel. The construction may be the determining factor in whether the reel lasts ten days or ten years. We saw a lot of differentiation within this metric among the models we tested.
The Okuma Ceymar C-30 feels built to last. Its aluminum construction, paired with the design features, not only made it durable but also made it an incredibly light reel. While it didn't score so high in other metrics, the KastKing Brutus is a solid reel and built to endure some abuse. This surprised us a bit for the price point, so we took the Brutus apart to confirm the gear ratios and noticed that the internal parts were also solid. Priced similarly, the Plusinno HA3000 is also a well-built reel that amazed us with how sturdy it felt.
The Okuma Ceymar C-30 has pretty much everything we look for in a reel. It's lightweight, well-built, and had useful features, like an oversized bail roller that gives it great line control.
Credit: Kit Smith
The true king of construction, though, is the Abu Garcia Revo SX. Built with a unique carbon body, this reel provided an incredible feel and fighting power. Of course, one would expect high-quality construction in a model priced this high. Other standouts for durable and quality construction include the Daiwa and the Pflueger President.
If quality construction is an important factor to you, look no further than the Abu Garcia Revo SX. Of course, a reel this well made doesn't come cheap.
Credit: Kit Smith
Conclusion
A reel alone can't catch you more fish, but selecting the right one can surely give you the upper hand. One of the most important things to consider when selecting a new reel to purchase is the environment you're planning on fishing. Are you looking to do a lot of lake fishing, mostly ocean fishing, or a little of both? Whatever it is, there's a reel here designed just for you. We hope this article will help you in your search for the perfect reel. So, plan the next fishing adventure, pack your gear, and make it a trip to remember.
