Surf fishing is one of the most exciting ways to catch fish. However, to enjoy your fishing trip and catch the most fish from the surf, you need a reliable fishing reel attached to your fishing rod. If want to know how to pick the best surf fishing reels on the market, this article is for you!
In this article we will walk you through a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying the perfect surf fishing reel for your needs.
Top 5 Surf Fishing Reels Available on the Market
Spinning fishing reels are the ideal type to use as surf fishing reels, but you need to make sure that they are fit for saltwater use. To help you pick the ideal one for your needs, we’ve scoured the market to find the best available options out there, here are brief overviews of each one of them:
Penn Battle III High Speed Spinning Fishing Reel – Our pick for the best of the surf fishing reels
Kicking off the list with one of the best reels for surf fishing on the market! There are tons of reasons why the Pen Battle III spinning fishing reel is one of the highest-rated options on the market.
The fishing reel has 5 fluid cranking sealed ball bearings with a 6.2:1 ratio and 260 yards of 20lb line capacity at 4000 size, but there are other sizes available. Additionally, it has 1 anti-reverse bearing to eliminate interruption while pulling back.
The parts of this fishing reel, including the side panels, the ball bearings, and the rotor are all made of premium stainless steel. This makes them extremely durable and able to handle a lot of pressure.
The heavy-duty aluminium bail wire offers excellent resistance against saltwater corrosion.
The drag system of the Penn Battle III is made of HT 100 carbon fiber, this gives the reel an extremely smooth retrieval. It also has a Superline braid-ready spool that doesn’t need mono backing.
What we like
- Extremely smooth drag system without compromising power
- Excellent quality ball bearings
- The superline spool doesn’t require mono backing
What we don’t like
- Premium price tag
KastKing Centron Series Spinning Reels – The best value for money surf fishing reels
When it comes to combining good value with a decent price, not too many brands would stand against KastKing reels. This makes it out pick for best value for money.
The lightweight design and easy controls of the KasKing Centron as well as its decent price make it a very good choice for both beginners and seasoned enthusiasts.
The KasKing Centron is able to offer a high drag power that is able to pull out a fish up to 17.5 lbs. The retrieval process is also incredibly smooth because the reel features nine ball bearings as well as one anti-reverse bearing.
The KastKing Centron series also comes in a wide variety of size options that ranges from 500 to 5000. This allows you to get the one that suits your needs and fits perfectly over your rod and lines.
What we like
- Available in a wide variety of sizes
- Highly affordable
- Extremely lightweight
- Ideal for beginners
What we don’t like
- The components might show signs of corrosion with time
Sougayilang Spinning Fishing Reels
If you’re on a strict budget but still need a surf fishing reel that is capable of providing decent performance and isn’t made of cheap plastic, you should consider this one from Sougayilang.
This incredibly affordable fishing reel has a body and a handle that are made of aluminum. This doesn’t only give it enough durability to handle heavy use but also keeps it lightweight and easy to control.
The interchangeable handle design makes it suitable for both left-handed and right-handed users. The cast control system with the S-curve oscillation allows the reel to cast easily.
The spool is also made of CNC aluminium and has high tension gear and large fishing line capacity, allowing you to catch large and hard fighting fish.
The fishing reel has a 5.2:1 gear ratio and contains 11 corrosion-resistant ball bearings without bulking up the fishing reel, which keeps it easy to control and manoeuvre.
What we like
- An ideal option for buyers on a strict budget
- Interchangeable handles for ambidexterity
- Available in a variety of sizes
What we don’t like
- Requires extreme care to last for a decent amount time
KastKing Megatron Fishing Reel
If you liked the feature-backed KastKing Centron but you’re looking for something a little tougher and resilient, you should consider the KastKing Megatron fishing reel!
These surf fishing reels are a little pricer because it’s made of a more durable aluminium frame. They also have double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings to resist corrosion from salty water.
The KastKing Megatron also features a premium spool that is made of CNC machined T6061 aerospace aluminium alloy. As well as aesthetically pleasing it has equally durable handles that give the fishing reel both the power and the looks!
The reel also comes with 7 ball bearings that are fortified with the MaxiDur technology. The extra anti-reverse ball bearing is excellent for providing quick hooksets.
What we like
- Remarkably elegant and catchy design
- Excellent resistance against salt and moisture for longevity
- The high-quality ball bearings allow for smooth retrieval
What we don’t like
- Some users claim that the drag might get a bit glitchy with time
Piscifun Flame Spinning Reels
Last but not least, the Piscifun Flame is another highly affordable alternative for beginners and catching relatively small game fish.
It’s available in 2000, 4000, and 5000 sizes. Meaning you can choose the one that is most suitable for the size of your rod and the length of your line.
The Piscifun Flame Series is made of a compact graphite frame. This one is pretty tough and can handle heavy use and provide high performance. That is, comparable to metal frames without being too heavy or bulky, and is thanks to the computer balancing system.
It also has a matte finish that gives it a bold and elegant appearance. Despite being affordable this one has a powerful drag that can handle up to 19.8 lbs.
What we like
- Inexpensive price for decent specifications and features
- Lightweight frame that is capable of handling very high drag
- Features a corrosion-resistant zinc drive-gear.
What we don’t like
- The anti-reverse ball bearing is a bit flimsy
What Makes the Best Surf Fishing Reels?
While shopping for a surf fishing reel, there are some essential features and specifications that you need to keep in mind if you want to make the most out of your investment.
Here is a list of what to look for, to provide you with all the information you need to know about each of these aspects.
Materials and Construction – What is different for surf fishing reels?
The materials used while manufacturing the surf fishing reel are the key determiner of your reels efficiency and durability.
Reels are usually put under a lot of pressure, especially if you’re always on the hunt for big game fish. If you want your reel to last you for a long time, always pay attention to the materials used while making it.
Some reels on the market are made of plastic or other low-grade materials, these cheaper materials make the price of the reel dirt cheap. While some people think that they’re saving tons of money buying them, these disappointing reels end up breaking, sometimes on the first day, wasting their money.
A good surf fishing reel will usually have a durable construction of stainless steel, aluminium, or graphite. Since you are using surf fishing reels in salty water, you need to make sure that they’re properly sealed and well protected against salt corrosion to prevent rust.
The Reel Size and Overall Weight
The heavier and bulkier the reel, the more difficult it’ll be to control it. Make sure that the reel is as lightweight and easy to handle as possible without compromising its durability.
The Quality of the Ball Bearings
The ball bearings of a fishing reel are the parts responsible for rotation. Consequently, the higher the quality and number of ball bearings inside, the smoother it’ll be to rotate the spool and retrieve the entire length of the fishing reel.
Additionally, you might want to look out for the presence of an anti-reverse bearing inside the reel. This type of bearing allows the exclusion of backsliding when you’re installing a hook on the line, which makes them extremely beneficial.
Line Capacity
The line capacity of a fishing reel is the maximum line length that the spool is able to handle, without it being overloaded. Ideally, you need to keep the size of the fish in mind and compare it to the line capacity of the fishing reel you’re planning to buy.
You should keep in mind that larger fish that requires a braided line will usually require a significantly high line capacity.
Drag Power
The drag power of any fishing reel is the true reflection of how reliable it can be while dealing with large game fish. These fish are usually more powerful and resist the pull strongly.
As a rule of thumb, the higher the drag power of any surf fishing reel, the easier the pull-out would be and the quicker you’ll have the whole process going.
If you want to pull these resistant and stubborn fish, you need a drag system that is capable of pulling more than 10 to 12 lbs at minimum.
Keep in mind that drag power is also linked to line durability, as pulling on a highly resistant fish with a low drag fishing reel will result in breaking the reel.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio is one of the points that you need to handle with exceptional care. The gear ratio, also known as “gear train”, stands for the amount of spool turns that the reel makes for every turn you make with the handle.
A high gear ratio means that you’ll turn the crankshaft handle fewer times to retract the line. This results in your retrieval being so much faster. However, it also means that the torque of a single handle turn is pretty low.
You should choose the gear ratio of your reel based on the type of fish you’re planning to catch. For small and nimble fish, a high gear ratio is recommended. To have enough torque to pull larger fish, a reel with a small gear ratio would be a better fit.
Right and Left Handedness
If you’re right-handed and the only one who’s going to use the reel, this should be a concern.
If you’re a leftie or planning to share the fishing reel, make sure that the handle is ambidextrous or interchangeable.
Wrap Up
With that said, you now have a better idea about surf fishing reels. With this guide, you’ll be able to pick the ideal fishing reel for your needs.
Ideally, a good surf fishing reel should have a durable frame that can handle extra pressure. It should not be too heavy or bulky and easy enough to throw in your tackle bag and not get damaged.
The internal parts and the ball bearings should be corrosion resistant while providing smooth retrieval.
For that reason, we pick the Penn Battle III High Speed Spinning Fishing Reel as the overall best of the surf fishing reels on the market. This is despite being the reel being quite pricey.
However, if you’re looking to get a quality alternative while still saving some cash, KastKing Centron Series Spinning Reels should be your way to go!
