Being one of the most common freshwater fish, you can have success catching them in just about any river.
While fly fishing is a common method to reel in trout, the use of spinning reels has become more common in recent years and ultimately bares a faster learning curve and a more budget friendly startup cost.
Table Of Contents
Best Trout Spinning Reels
- Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000 XG FB
- Pflueger President Spinning Reel
- Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel
- Okuma Fishing Tackle Hx-25S Helios
- SHIMANO Sedona
Plus, it comes at no sacrifice regarding the amount of game you can catch.
If you are new to the sport or a seasoned veteran, finding the best trout reel will help elevate your angling game, without a doubt. In the information you’ll find below I’ll tell you all about the things you need to consider when shopping for a trout spinning reel and I’ll make it even easier by telling you all about my picks for the best trout spinning reels currently on the market. With a little bit of money, you’ll be hooking plenty of trout in no time!
Considerations Before Buying:
Weight
This is an often overlooked dynamic when most consider a new reel. Although fractions of a pound(what could be the difference between two reels) can seem marginal, fractions saved can make a day spent fishing less physically strenuous, as well as increase casting distance. As a rule of thumb, the more lightweight the reel, the more comfortable and effective it will be.
Spool
Built to hold all of the line you will be using, this is an important component to pay attention to, as it will directly cater to the type of fishing you’ll be doing.
Typically, spools fall into two categories; Long cast and Traditional. The primary difference is the lip at which the line drags against as the line is cast.
The longer it drags on a lip, the more friction, resulting in a slower cast and ultimately less distance. Elongated spools as long cast options can be more expensive if manufacturers use more material to produce it, which is usually the case.
The best option is to find a reel-spool with a beveled lip because it accomplishes the same thing as an elongated spool by minimizing the line friction without adding cost.
Body Material and Construction
This is a particularly dynamic consideration. There are a lot of reel manufacturers out there and it seems like most of them have brand specific names for the metal compositions (and cast/forging methods) that they use to create the parts that assemble their reel.
So, when you find a reel you like, be sure to understand what it is made of before making that final decision to purchase.
But, there are a few common threads we can look at. Graphite is a lightweight but durable metal that, when cast and forged, can ultimately produce diamonds.
Somewhere between chalky rock and the hardest substance known to man, falls the graphite standard used in most reels today. Another plus side is how much response is transferred through the material.
Allowing you to feel fish with ease. Additionally, you will commonly see stainless steel components.
These are a little more expensive than aluminum, but stainless steel doesn’t rust (great for water sports) and is well tempered making it exceptionally durable. Finally, aluminum parts are common in most reels as well.
Aluminum is known to be less durable than the two other metals. Although, what it lacks in durability, it makes up for in low cost and responsiveness. Again, find out what the reel you are interested in is made of and reference this article again to determine if it’s the proper fit for you.
Line Capacity
When it comes to trout fishing, line capacity is typically lower on the scale of concern when we look for the best reel.
Sure, line capacity will allow you further casting distance, but most reels have more than enough capacity to span a river or medium-length cast from a boat.
As long as the line capacity isn’t of a SIGNIFICANT difference from the other reels you are shopping, this really won’t be much of a concern.
Gear Ratio
For most, including myself, this is the first place my eyes go. Rest assured, it sounds more complicated than it is. The gear ratio speaks to how many times the spool revolves for every single revolution of the handle.
For example, if a spool has a gear ratio of 6.4:1 then the spool revolves 6.4 times for every single revolution of the handle. What this means in an applicable sense is less reeling for more line recovery.
Drag System
The only thing standing between you and lost bait. The drag system is mechanically applied resistance to the fishing line as it is being taken out.
This allows the line to be jerked on without snapping the line or rod. Ultimately, the higher the drag rating, the heavier(and bigger) fish you can reel in!
Versatility
Really, versatility should be your primary concern. If you want to fish for crappie, trout, bass, or bigger saltwater fish, you are going to need a proper rod and reel to do so.
The right tool for the right job. Use the information in this article, along with your own angling ambitions to determine which reel is right for you.
Ball Bearings
The ball bearing count is going to represent how comfortable the reeling action is. The count normally measures anywhere from 3 to 10+ bearings and allows for the smooth and reduced friction within the spool’s housing as the line is reeled in.
The more bearings, the more comfortable the action of the reel.
Top Spinning Reels Reviewed
Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000 XG FB
This Shimano reel costs a little bit up front but the value is apparent once you use it for the first time.
Featuring the latest features from Shimano including a Magnumlite rotor and constructed out of a carbon composite material, you will forget how much reel you have because of how light it feels in your hand.
The “G Free body” along with the 7 steel bearings do well to center the spool and soften the action of the reel so there is no feeling of unbalance, even when dragging in the biggest fish.
A sharp, modern, and clean maroon and silver aesthetic make the Stradic Ci4+ look as futuristic as it feels. Widely reviews as a preferred and top-of-the-line reel, this is a hands down and highly recommended choice for beginners to avid anglers.
Buy The Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000 XG FB Here
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
With a more simple and classic aesthetic than the previous reel, the Pflueger President is a more budget-conscious reel that still boasts specs matching those of the top of its class.
With a multi-disc, oiled, stainless steel drag system, paired to 10 stainless steel ball bearings, reeling in big fish will be surprisingly smooth and match the comfort that of reels much more expensive.
The body and rotor being made of highly durable graphite fastened to an aircraft-grade aluminum handle will maintain strength and rigidity as you smoothly reel in even the heaviest trout. For the new to intermediate fisherman, this reel is very hard to beat.
Buy The Pflueger President Spinning Reel Here
Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel
Finishing in the middle of the pack, the Abu Garcia Revo SX combines a top tier performance and style standard with the investment of a more wallet friendly price. The gear ratio of 6.2:1 housed within an x-crafty gearbox and C6 carbon body that will allow a high line-recovery rate.
The carbon matrix hybrid drag system and 8 bearing setup will allow you to reel with ease even as particularly pesky trout fight against you. A novel feature, having the machined “Rocket Spool Lip” will ensure the line you cast will be released at a consistent rate with very limited friction, resulting in more predictable casts of longer distances.
This reel is one of our favorites because of how well built it is. Users claim years of hard use without lapse in performance. For a mid-range reel, an angler of any experience level will find this as a fantastic reel to invest in.
Okuma Fishing Tackle Hx-25S Helios
One of our only ultralight reels, the Okuma weighs less than half of a pound. Paired with the right rod and loaded with cutting edge features, this reel will allow you to fish all day long with minimal fatigue.
Averaging 25% lighter in weight and 50% stronger than the standard market graphite-constructed reels, the true value of this reel is in the engineering.
Not to mention the 10 bearings housed in AumiLite Alloy will satisfy an easy and comfortable reeling action further contributing to the inherent ease this reel provides.
The multi-disc carbonite drag system furnishes consistent and fortified drag. The only spec that keeps the Okuma Helios from being the front-runner in cost for return is the mid-tier gear ratio of 5.0:1.
Still considerable in recovery and fast enough for most anglers, the lower gear ratio is easily overshadowed by quality material and smooth reeling action.
Buy The Okuma Fishing Tackle Hx-25S Helios Here
SHIMANO Sedona
Finally, the renowned Shimano craftsmanship is available at a steal of a price. Coming in on the bottom end of our budget scale, the Sedona FL is one of our only fresh water specific reels. This means, for a great cost, we are looking at a highly specialized reel.
The trademark Hagane gearing working alongside a propulsion line management system will provide unmatched casting distance and surprisingly smooth line reclamation regardless of only utilizing 4 total bearings.
You only get 5 spool revolutions with each handle crank but that will go relatively unnoticed as this reel also uses a “G Free Body” technology that holds all the action close to the rod.
Demanding less effort and causing less fatigue. For the new to intermediate, budget-conscious anglers, the Sedona FL should be a frontline contender.
It’s time to get out there!
Trout fishing is a beloved American past time. If you don’t believe me, go to your nearest sportsman’s store and you are likely to see a wall near the front door full of beaming faces holding their prize trout.
From young kids with bright colored poles to grandparents fishing off of lakeside docks. Trout fillets smoking over a crackling campfire to a lemon zested trout plate served on white linen.
Trout and trout fishing are a part of our life and with the information that you now have at your fingertips, you are well equipped to catch them by the boatload. So, get out there, outfit your tackle, and fish on!