Whether you’re fishing in small ponds or the biggest reservoirs, throwing a spinnerbait will put fish in the boat. Since spinnerbaits are effective year-round, many anglers build technique-specific rod and reel setups for these lures.
You don’t need an advanced setup to start fishing spinnerbaits. However, a specialized rod and reel can help you improve your skills and have more success with this technique.
This guide breaks down the six best spinnerbait reels on the market in 2022. Our team of anglers rigorously tests fishing equipment to get you set up with the best rods, reels, lures, and other tackle.
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Spinnerbait Reel Qualities
The best bass fishing reels for spinnerbaits are baitcasters with a high gear ratio. While beginner anglers may benefit from the reduced learning curve of a spinning reel, a baitcasting reel has more power, accuracy, and casting distance.
Gear Ratio
Baitcasters with faster gear ratios are typically better for fishing spinnerbaits. The faster the gear ratio, the more line is retrieved with every crank of the reel’s handle. However, reels with a slower gear ratio have more power, which makes it easier to fight big fish and retrieve high-resistance baits.
Our favorite gear ratios for spinnerbait fishing are 6.3:1 to 7.3:1, which translates to roughly 30 IPT (inches-per-turn).
Reels with quick gear ratios have the most versatility for spinnerbait fishing. Higher line retrieval rates will help you burn spinnerbaits along the surface without causing fatigue. On the other hand, you can slow-roll your spinnerbait along the bottom by simply slowing down your cranks.
While faster gear ratios are the most versatile, anglers that typically fish larger spinnerbaits with a slower retrieve may benefit from slower baitcasters.
Components & Design
Casting distance, smooth cranking, and weight are all crucial factors of a spinnerbait reel. Greater casting distances give your spinnerbait enough time to sink into the strike zone while also helping you cover water faster.
Lightweight and smooth cranking reels will drastically improve your experience on the water. Spinnerbaits already create more resistance than most bass lures; after hours of fishing, they can strain your wrist. Heavy baitcasters will only accelerate this fatigue.
Not all baitcasters are made the same. Some brands make entry-level models that perform far better than other brands’ high-end reels. We tested the top bass fishing reels and found the best spinnerbait reels in every price category.
Reels for Spinnerbait Fishing
1. Daiwa Tatula SV - Best Overall
4.8 Stars | 197 Angler Reviews
The best baitcaster for spinnerbait fishing is the Daiwa Tatula SV. Although this isn’t a budget reel, the high-tech performance makes it worth the money. This reel is ideal for fishing spinnerbaits with large blades, which create more water resistance. However, the Tatula SV performs fantastically with all spinnerbait sizes.
Overall, we found the Tatula SV has great casting distance, accuracy, and build quality. The cranking is buttery smooth, and the spool has good line capacity.
We slow-rolled spinnerbaits, burned them along the surface, skipped them under docks, and flipped them under shoreline cover. The Tatula SV doesn’t have a single noticeable flaw.
Reel Details
This model is packed with advanced technology. An angle-reducing level wind system provides excellent line management and casting performance. Daiwa’s advanced technology also reduces backlashes to the point where you’ll completely forget about them!
Eight ball bearings and an Ultimate Tournament Carbon Drag make the Tatula SV smooth and robust. The reel is also exceptionally lightweight with an aluminum housing.
Lastly, the soft-touch knobs are enjoyable to use and comfortable in your hand. The Tatula SV has the ideal balance of qualities for spinnerbait fishing.
2. Shimano Curado DC - Best High-End Reel
4.8 Stars | 960 Angler Reviews
The Shimano Curado DC is the most advanced baitcaster on the market. This high-end reel has a computerized cast control system that uses an automatic braking system to prevent backlash and increase casting distance. By measuring the spool 1000x a second, the Curado DC fine-tunes the drag to give you peak performance.
Combined with one of the best spinnerbait rods, it creates the world’s best spinnerbait setup. The Curado DC adapts to all spinnerbait sizes, weights, and retrieval speeds.
Reel Details
The Curado DC features a CI4+ carbon alloy body and a smooth Cross Carbon Drag. It has a seven-bearing system, which includes an X-Ship pinion support bearing.
Everything about the Curado DC is top-notch. We love the casting accuracy, distance, and buttery retrieves. The reel is easy for people with all skill levels and experiences to use because it rarely backlashes. You must make a bad cast for a bird’s nest to form.
If you’re building a spinner bait rod and reel combo, we recommend pairing this reel with the Dobyns Fury 734C. Together, this combo has excellent weight balance and a ton of performance.
3. KastKing Crixus - Best Budget Spinnerbait Reel
4.6 Stars | 2,056 Angler Reviews
You don’t need to break the bank on a technique-specific spinnerbait fishing reel. The KastKing Crixus is the best example of a feature-packed reel that won’t break the bank. This model comes in a fast retrieve 7.2:1 gear ratio, which is quick but retains a surprising amount of power.
Typically, less expensive reels sacrifice torque in high gear-ratio models. However, we found the Crixus reel has a surprising amount of strength and tons of spinnerbait versatility.
Reel Details
The Crixus doesn’t have the high-tech features of the Curado DC, but the casting distance is excellent, and it sits comfortably in your hand. A lightweight frame and smooth retrieves make it hard to beat for the money.
While you can use many reels for spinnerbait fishing, the Crixus reel simply feels phenomenal when casting these baits. It’s hard to pinpoint the qualities that make the reel perform so well with these lures, but it could be the gear components and handle dimensions.
KastKing also makes some of the most durable reels and has excellent customer service.
4. Pflueger President XT - Coolest Aesthetics
4.7 Stars | 740 Angler Reviews
Another phenomenal baitcaster for spinnerbait fishing is the Pflueger President XT. With a reasonable price tag, classy aesthetics, and top-tier performance, it’s a value for the money.
This model features a 9-bearing system and a low-profile frame. We love the magnetic breaking system because it improves line management and greatly reduces backlashes.
When fishing spinnerbaits, using a reel with a good drag system is crucial. Since there are many different spinnerbaits with unique sizes and weights, a well-made reel will improve versatility.
We also love the handle design and the soft-touch knob. It’s a comfortable reel that won’t strain your wrist, even after hours of burning baits.
5. Abu Garcia Revo SX - Most Underrated
4.6 Stars | 760 Angler Reviews
One reel that’s become widely popular is the Abu Garica Revo SX. This model has advanced performance, with a great balance between power, weight, and casting performance.
While the first generation of the Revo SX is a great reel, Abu Garcia is currently producing the fourth generation of this model. Each generation has introduced new technology and reduced the weight, making it one of the best reels on the market.
Advanced Technology
The new generation features C6 carbon side plates, a high-performance Infini II spool, and a DuraClutch engagement drag system. While these specific features might not mean much, all these components are at the forefront of fishing innovation.
With a bend handle and star drag system, this reel is comfortable in your hand and provides accurate and long casting distance. See the listing above for a complete list of the Revo SX technology and angler reviews.
6. Shimano SLX DC - Best Value DC Spinnerbait Reel
4.8 Stars | 1,007 Angler Reviews
The Shimano SLX DC is the budget version of Shimano’s SLX DC fishing reel. When we first received this reel from Shimano, we anticipated a reel with worse performance and downgraded build quality. However, we were pleasantly surprised at the consistency in performance and advanced DC features.
While the SLX DC isn’t quite as smooth as Shimano’s Curado DC, this reel offers more durability. The Curado DC has a mesh gear system that offers slightly better performance; however, the traditional gear design in the SLX doesn’t wear as quickly.
SLX DC for Spinnerbaits
Something about the Shimano SLX DC makes it an exceptional spinnerbait reel. We think it’s likely the rotational speed, retrieve speed, and casting distance. However, there’s simply something about it that can’t be explained.
If you’re looking to save a bit of money but still want high-tech Shimano DC equipment, we highly recommend picking up an SLX DC reel.
Just like the Curado DC, many anglers don’t know which rod to pair this reel with. We recently conducted a review and published our guide to the best rods for the Shimano SLX DC.
