12 best fishing reels

Review of the best according to the editorial board. On the selection criteria. This material is subjective and does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

nomination	a place	Name of product	price
The best budget reels for spinning under 4000 rubles	1	Shimano Catana 2500 FC	4000 RUB.
	2	Daiwa Regal 2500 XiA	2800 RUB.
	3	STINGER TRINERGY 3500	3400 RUB.
The best spinning fishing reels in terms of price / quality ratio up to 15,000 rubles	1	Shimano 17 ULTEGRA 2500 FB	11200 RUB.
	2	DAIWA Caldia 2000 SHA	13 100 RUB.
	3	MITCHELL Reel 398 Pro	13 300 RUB.
Best Baitcasting Fishing Reels for Trolling	1	Abu Garcia Record NX 61 HC	15 500 RUB.
	2	Shimano Corvalus 301	7400 RUB.
	3	DAIWA Accudepth Plus 27LCBW	8 300 RUB.
Best Baitcasting Fishing Reels for Casting	1	Abu Garcia Pro Max LP	6950 RUB.
	2	Shimano Citica 201I	12 700 RUB.
	3	Salmo Elite BAIT CAST 6	3900 RUB

The best budget reels for spinning under 4000 rubles

Shimano Catana 2500 FC

Rating: 4.9

The first line of the rating goes to the not the 'oldest' in the series, but the very durable Shimano Catana 2500 FC reel. Objectively, it is good in absolutely everything: the design with the use of a red-silver color scheme will not leave indifferent any angler, and the combination of quality and precision of work will give an extremely vivid sensation from the fishing process. For the clarity of operation and the smoothness of the line, there are four support bearings that are not prone to quick jamming.

On the plus side, the Shimano Catana 2500 FC comes with an additional graphite spool. Many do not attach much importance to this, but experienced anglers note that it is better to place braided thread on a standard aluminum spool, while graphite is ideal for working with fishing line. The Catana 2500 FC can become the best choice among competitors due to its pronounced positive dynamics in operation and a solid safety factor.

Advantages

• nice design;

• the presence of an additional spool in the kit;

• high margin of safety;

disadvantages

• not detected.

Daiwa Regal 2500 XiA

Rating: 4.8

The inertia-free Daiwa Regal 2500 XiA did not stand aside, the main advantage of which was a whole set of bearings to improve operational properties. In addition to the standard roller support, as many as 11 ball bearings are located inside the coil body, which increase the smoothness of the ride, as well as the threshold of the perceived loads. Thus, an inexpensive model can be used not only for catching an average predator, but also quite suitable for luring a trophy fish in grassy areas.

It is also good that the Regal 2500 XiA chose aluminum as the body material (as well as for the spool). Light-alloy non-ferrous metal somewhat increases the reliability of the structure, but at the same time adds to it (relative to plastic) a few 'destructive' grams. As the fishermen note, after a long fishing in the hands, some fatigue arises, since the reel is designed for weighty spinning rods, although it itself adds only 0.33 kilograms to the prefabricated structure (excluding the fishing line).

Advantages

• high degree of case reliability;

• increased threshold of perceived loads;

• the presence of 11 rolling bearings;

disadvantages

• slightly poor ergonomics.

STINGER TRINERGY 3500

Rating: 4.5

The third line of the rating goes to the STINGER TRINERGY 3500 fishing reel, which implements the principle of balancing technical parameters, cost and performance. Despite the fact that the model is ranked in the budget segment, it can leave more expensive competitors out of business. As many as nine ball bearings are used in it as rolling bearings, due to which the softness of the cast and the smoothness of the standard wiring are achieved. The body of the reel is made of reliable carbon fiber, which slightly lightens the construction. There is a front friction brake and an additional graphite spool included.

The color scheme of the fishing reel deserves a special mention. The combination of prevailing gray and casually catchy orange immediately attracts attention, making it simply impossible to pass by the STINGER TRINERGY 3500. A good choice for beginners and summer fishing enthusiasts.

Advantages

• nice design;

• complete set of graphite spools;

• carbon fiber body;

• nine ball bearings in the mechanism;

disadvantages

• not the most optimal load indicators.

The best spinning fishing reels in terms of price / quality ratio up to 15,000 rubles

Shimano 17 ULTEGRA 2500 FB

Rating: 4.9

A high class spinning reel that meets all the requirements of professional fishing equipment. Shimano 17 ULTEGRA 2500 FB is made of composite material and therefore weighs only 240 grams. Nevertheless, this does not in the least prevent the reel from completing spinning rods of any level of rigidity and working on fishing for fish of any size (within the fishing line tolerance). Actually, the line capacity of the reel is as much as 290 meters of line with a thickness of 0.18 millimeters – much more (even in terms of a larger diameter) than the nearest competitor.

The main feature of the Shimano fishing reels in general and the 17 ULTEGRA 2500 FB in particular is the use of fewer rolling bearings with virtually the same operating efficiency. There are six of them in this design, and, according to users, the coil is capable of serving a very long time. If we add to this the optimal level of cost, then as a result we will get an almost ideal model for purchase.

Advantages

• light weight (240 g);

• long service life;

• 290 meters of forest capacity;

• composite body;

disadvantages

• not detected.

DAIWA Caldia 2000 SHA

Rating: 4.8

A step away from the first place, the model stopped, second only to the leader in terms of cost. The uniqueness of the DAIWA Caldia 2000 SHA lies in its design: from the factory, the reel is supplied with a left hand grip. It seems to be nothing special, but the left-handed anglers love it. The performance characteristics do not disappoint either: all friction pairs move smoothly, which allows you to implement almost any type of wiring (both jig and twitching).

Thanks to the composite body, the DAIWA Caldia 2000 SHA has insignificant weight parameters (only 220 grams), but it can complete absolutely any spinning rod. The front friction brake responds well to high loads, due to which the likelihood of a fish falling off (even very high) is minimal. Thus, there is only one structural flaw in comparison with other models: the spool of the fishing reel contains only 125 meters of line with a cross section of 0.28 millimeters.

Advantages

• the lowest weight in the category (220 g);

• reliable friction brake.

disadvantages

• low timber capacity of the spool (125 m);

• high price.

MITCHELL Reel 398 Pro

Rating: 4.7

The MITCHELL Reel 398 Pro aluminum spinning reel is a kind of flagship among the equipment for catching large predatory fish, designed to complete powerful spinning rods. A total of eight rolling bearings (+ one roller, as standard) are installed in the main friction pairs of the model, ensuring good smoothness and increased service life. To create extra effort when reeling in the line, the developers have chosen an atypically low gear ratio (4.7: 1), which is especially good for quick hooks.

But the ergonomic side of the fishing reel is a little disappointing. In particular, some users note the inconvenience of the handle made in the form of a dimensional disk. But the main disadvantage of the MITCHELL Reel 398 Pro is its large weight (773 grams), which is why using the model in tandem with a heavy spinning rod will negatively affect the angler's maneuverability.

Advantages

• low gear ratio (4.7: 1);

• eight bearings in the mechanism.

disadvantages

• large mass of the model (773 g);

• somewhat awkward handle.

Best Baitcasting Fishing Reels for Trolling

Abu Garcia Record NX 61 HC

Rating: 4.9

The famous series of reels from the Swedish manufacturer received a logical continuation in the form of the Record NX 61 HC – an outstanding baitcasting reel model, created taking into account the developments and colossal experience of Abu Garcia engineers. Gleaming on the outside, the model conceals its true potential in the structural part, where the improved Duragear 2 mechanism and as many as seven ball bearings (+ one roller) are located. The Carbon Matrix system, which is a six-beam centrifugal brake with a switching mechanism, is responsible for the braking effect during casting and smooth adjustment.

If we consider the model from the point of view of ergonomics, then in general it is impossible to single out anything with a negative connotation. As anglers point out, the reel is ideal for trolling in river waters, since neither the forest capacity nor the friction brake are suitable for 'attacking' marine life.

Advantages

• high catchability during river trolling;

• heir to the popular series;

• components of the highest quality mechanisms;

disadvantages

• not found.

Shimano Corvalus 301

Rating: 4.8

If in terms of the design and the mechanisms used, Shimano Corvalus 301 lags somewhat behind the main opponent, then in terms of design and appearance it can count on the most laudatory reviews. Fortunately, this is not why fishermen fell in love with it: for trolling on the river, such a reel is perfect. The main factors for choosing this particular model is the prohibitive working resource. All people who are not indifferent to fishing have long known that Shimano produces high-quality fishing equipment, investing in a small list of parts and miniature assemblies. In this case, only four ball bearings are used in friction pairs – more, as shown by wall tests, is not required to ensure proper characteristics. The baitcasting reel spool is designed for 240 meters of 0.3 mm line – not enough for sea fishing, but quite acceptable for river fish. Based on the results of a brief review, we can conclude that the SHIMANO CORVALUS 301 will be a really good buy, especially given the low cost.

Advantages

• smooth running and no backlash even with four rolling bearings;

• low cost;

• forest capacity of the spool (240 m);

• nice design;

disadvantages

• not found.

DAIWA Accudepth Plus 27LCBW

Rating: 4.7

In pursuit of leadership in the fishing reel category, DAIWA very often goes beyond its main opponents. True, such measures become either unnecessary or useful, but not accepted by a wide (and not ready for this adoption) audience. In the case of the DAIWA Accudepth Plus 27LCBW, the line counter installed on the multiplier plays the role of such 'excess' – an interesting, but very stupid thing for an angler that does nothing more than bulky.

Abstracting from the little things, we can say that the structural design of the coil is very reliable. Of course, it will not be enough for sea fishing, but for catching pike perch and pike on a wide river, it is perfect. Unfortunately, the additional 'body kits' added several thousand rubles to the cost of the Accudepth Plus 27LCBW, which somewhat alienated even the company's true adherents. However, objectively, the coil leaves most of the models out of work, which fill the market segment.

Advantages

• the presence of a line counter;

• brand quality;

• high design reliability;

disadvantages

• somewhat overpriced.

Best Baitcasting Fishing Reels for Casting

Abu Garcia Pro Max LP

Rating: 4.9

Let's be honest, the Abu Garcia Pro Max LP is not the most technologically advanced and efficient baitcasting reel recommended for casting at the moment. However, it does much more by giving consumers a balance of cost and quality. In addition to excellent customization, the model is equipped with an aluminum spool and a reliable graphite body, inside which is a gearing with a gear ratio of 7.1: 1. There are seven corrosion-resistant rolling bearings with a decent lifetime warranty as well as one standard 'roller'.

The weight of the Abu Garcia Pro Max LP is only 207 grams – not the biggest increase in the total weight of the rod and, as a result, a low level of angler fatigue from occasional casting of bait. In the end, we get a flawless model, the cost of which is fully justified by the efficiency and all operational aspects.

Advantages

• average cost;

• low weight (207 g);

• high quality of component parts;

disadvantages

• not detected.

Shimano Citica 201I

Rating: 4.8

The next Shimano representative in the ranking is the Shimano Citica 201I baitcasting reel, which has found wide application in casting fishing. Under the lightweight aluminum body, which has a spectacular shape and silver-orange color, there is a simple but very high-quality mechanism with X-SHIP gears, Star Drag brake and an implemented casting control system. The friction brake can handle 5.5 kilograms, a good result for a reel designed for small water predator fishing.

Since the model was presented to the general public back in 2016, the anglers were able to carry out a number of real 'stress tests', the results of which were very positive. The main portion of praise was given to the accuracy of the action of the Shimano Citica 201I and its 'charge' to fight, as they say, to the last. Alas, not everyone can afford this reel.

Advantages

• great appearance;

• durability;

• the friction clutch is designed for 5.5 kilograms of load;

disadvantages

• high price.

Salmo Elite BAIT CAST 6

Rating: 4.7

The rating opens with a miniature baitcasting reel, ideal for completing small casting rods. First of all, the fishermen's love for Salmo Elite BAIT CAST 6 is due to the low cost – a little more than three thousand rubles for a 'combat' reel does not look like something out of the ordinary. The aluminum spool holds more than 140 meters of line, 0.35 mm in cross-section, which is very good for large-water rivers and lakes. The whole mechanism is tied to the use of five supports and a gear train, the gear ratio of which is 6.2: 1.

An equally important component of a fishing reel is its appearance. Even at not the highest cost, the carbon case looks great, and its profile evokes thoughts of something futuristic. The consumers themselves are complimentary about the use of the reel in fishing, but they note that during operation, backlash begins to form on the moving parts of the mechanism.

Advantages

• miniature catching model;

• nice design.

• low cost;

disadvantages

• over time, the swivel mechanisms begin to play.

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Attention! This rating is subjective and does not constitute an advertisement and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.