A baitcasting reel combines the precision of a Swiss watch and the power of a hydraulic winch. That’s why a casting reel requires precision bearings, a high-speed spool and responsive brakes to cast a lure with maximum distance and accuracy.
Once a fish is on the hook, baitcasters must retrieve the catch with smooth drag and powerful gears. The balance of power and precision is difficult to achieve in a low-profile reel that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand.
The reels in this review passed the test with advanced designs and materials to excel at both casting and fighting fish.
Best baitcasting reels: our top picks
- Best overall: Shimano Curado 150M
- Best budget baitcasting reel: Daiwa Tatula X TW
- Best for saltwater: PENN Fathom LP
- The workhorse: Abu Garcia Revo SX
- Most versatile: Lew’s Custom Pro
Best baitcasting reel overall
Shimano Curado 150M
MSRP: $234.99
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BASS PRO AMAZON DICK’S SPORTING GOODS
Why I love it
Shimano packed the Curado 150M with their best technology and still managed a reasonable price.
In addition to carbon-fiber drag washers, stainless steel bearings and a carbon fiber body, the Curado 150 includes two of Shimano’s newest advancements. First, SVS Infinity braking is a next-level centrifugal brake that adjusts with an external dial. I can go from a heavy swimbait to a light jig without opening the reel’s sideplate to adjust the brake. Second, to cast light lures, the 150 MGM III spool is narrower and lighter for smooth start-up inertia.
These features are usually found on more expensive reels, yet the Curado 150 provides both for high performance at a reasonable price.
Reasons to Buy
- Affordable performance reel
- Adjustable casting brake
- Responsive spool
- Available in three gear ratios
Consider Another Model If
- You like magnetic brakes
- You want greater line capacity
Who should buy the Shimano Curado 150M
The Curado’s reasonable price built with Shimano’s HAGANE design for durability, makes the 150 M a reliable choice for traveling tournament anglers. Hosting the best features for long, accurate casts and smooth, powerful retrieves, tournament anglers can afford to outfit a quiver of Curado 150 M reels without breaking the bank. The easy-to-adjust casting brake means an angler on a budget can buy one Curado 150 and use it for a variety of lures and fishing conditions.
Best budget baitcasting reel
Daiwa Tatula X TW 100
MSRP: $149.99
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Why I love it
It’s hard to call the Tatula X TW 100 a bargain reel. The $149 price tag fits the category, but the reel’s features speak of a higher-class machine.
An aluminum frame and body house Daiwa’s Hyper Drive family of advanced tech, including a carbon fiber and aluminum drag system with low viscosity grease that encourages lower startup inertia for smoother stopping power. The gears are supported in three places to ensure solid cranking power to complement the drag pressure. On the cast, the magnetic drag adjusts through the arch to match the lure’s speed.
My favorite feature is the T-Wing line guide. When I disengage the clutch to cast, the line guide opens to reduce friction on the fishing line. The TW line guide produces noticeably longer and more controllable casts.
Reasons to Buy
- Magnetic Casting Brake
- Aluminum frame and sideplates
- T-Wing Line Guide
Consider Another Model If
- You need stainless steel ball bearings
- You need a larger reel
Who should buy the Daiwa Tatula X TW 100
Anglers who need more than one fishing rod would do well investing in an arsenal of Daiwa Tatula X TW 100 reels and matching Tatula Bass rods. Costing just $149, consumers can get two reels for the price of one premium Tatula Elite reel with many of the same features. The Tatula X is available in three speeds to cover the most popular lures and tactics, so I have matching rods and reels making up my quiver.
Best for inshore saltwater
PENN Fathom Baitcast Reel
MSRP: $269.95
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Why I love it
I’ve been using the PENN Fathom reel since its release to target big red drum, cobia and striped bass in saltwater.
Available in sizes up to 400, with high-speed retrieve ratios up to 9.2:1, the Fathom is capable of tackling big fish with the accuracy and fighting power of a low-profile baitcasting reel. The no-nonsense reel is armored with a full-aluminum body for years of reliable service. Inside, the carbon-fiber drag, brass gears and bearing-supported pinion gear produce smooth fish-fighting power.
The Fathom series is available in a variety of retrieve ratios for slowly working a big swimbait or quickly zipping a vertical jig up from the deep. After years of targeting the biggest inshore fish in the roughest conditions, my PENN Fathom reels have yet to miss a day of fishing.
Reasons to Buy
- Reasonable price
- Time-tested durability
- Multiple retrieve speeds
Consider Another Model If
- You need a lighter large-body baitcasting reel
- You want a power handle on a 200- and 300-size reel
Who should buy the PENN Fathom
The PENN Fathom is perfect for kayak anglers looking to target big fish with a heavy-duty baitcasting reel. Tough as nails with reliable performance, the Fathom LP has the power to turn the head of a charging redfish or fleeing cobia. The two-stage adjustable casting brake will handle everything from a two-ounce bucktail to a half-ounce swimbait. The reasonable price allows me to outfit three rods with Fathom Baitcast Reels to cover the water from jigs to plugs and topwater lures.
The workhorse reel
Abu Garcia Revo SX
MSRP: $189.95
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Why I love it
Like a favorite T-shirt or a familiar pair of sneakers, the Abu Garcia Revo SX is super comfortable with reliable performance.
The fifth generation of the Revo line continues the legacy of the reel with an asymmetrical body that fits snugly in my hand. Inside the body, six centrifugal brake blocks can be engaged and fine-tuned depending on the casting conditions. Combined with the large 35mm spool, stainless steel bearings and elongated line guide, the Revo SX squeezes every inch out of a cast.
The keyword in workhorse is work, and the Revo’s carbon fiber stacked drags are capable of producing an unprecedented 25 pounds of drag to work a big fish to the kayak.
Reasons to Buy
- Asymmetrical alloy reel body
- Fifth-generation reel
- Maximized casting performance
Consider Another Model If
- You prefer magnetic brakes
- You need more gear ratio choices
Who should buy the Abu Garcia Revo SX
Tough on your tackle? Then the Revo SX is time-tested to take a beating and keep on fishing. The fifth generation continues the Revo legacy with the reel line’s ergonomic shape and durable body, packed with new technology. Offered in 6.7:1 and 7.3:1 retrieve ratios, the Revo SX meets a wide variety of fishing tactics.
Most versatile reel
Lew’s Custom Pro
MSRP: $299.99
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Why I love it
Pro anglers demand the best equipment as an advantage over their competitors. Lew’s Custom Pro baitcasting reel includes the latest technology and design to offer an edge on the competition.
My favorite feature of the Custom Pro is the magnetic brake system with an easy-to-adjust dial. Magnetic brakes offer the most precise cast control as the magnets slow the spool rotation to match the speed of the line leaving the reel. As lure weight and casting conditions change, I adjust the brake for optimal casting distance. To further increase speed and improve smoothness, the Custom Pro has 11 shielded ball bearings, including ball bearings supporting the pinion gear.
Lew’s Custom Pro reel is a solid, no-nonsense reel with quality components for reliable performance.
Reasons to Buy
- Adjustable magnetic brake system
- Aluminum frame
- Carbon fiber drag
Consider Another Model If
- You’re on a budget
- You need more options for speed and size
Who should buy the Lew’s Custom Pro
If you’re only going to have one baitcasting reel, the Lew’s Custom Pro is a great choice to cover a variety of fishing conditions. A solid build supported by a one-piece aluminum frame and corrosion-resistant shielded ball bearings provides a durable package. The magnetic brakes allow me to cast everything from heavy plugs to light jigs by changing the dial on the reel sideplate. The reel is only available in one size and two speeds, limiting versatility but covering the most popular tactics. Pro anglers get the performance of a fine-tuned baitcasting reel while new anglers build confidence casting the reel without causing a tangle.
Buying advice
When buying a baitcasting reel, be sure to match the reel to the tactic. Baitcasting reels are fine-tuned to cast without creating a backlash tangle. I have reels that cast ⅛ ounce, ¼ ounce and ½ ounce. I can dial in the casting brake for optimum performance with a specific type of lure.
The reel size plays a big part in performance. For light 20-pound braided line, I use a 150-size reel, but heavy 50-pound braided line calls for the greater line capacity of a 400-size reel.
I always test the size and shape of the reel to be sure it fits comfortably in my hand. As I retrieve the lure, I cup the sideplate in my palm with my finger wrapped around the rod. On the cast, I have a good grip on the rod while my thumb reaches the spool to control the line.
A baitcasting reel is a precision tool—spending a little extra money to get a sensitive casting brake and a smooth drag will pay off in hassle-free fishing.
Best baitcasting reel brands
How we tested
Baitcasting reels offer a lot of advantages over spinning reels, but the biggest advantage is that baitcasters make fishing more fun. Firing off a cast and dropping the lure dead center on the target, then thumbing the spool to set the hook and winching in a fish, is what fishing is all about.
To test the best baitcasters, I had a lot of fun. From target casting in the yard to hours of casting and retrieving on the water, I put the best casting reels to the test.
Here’s what I looked for in the top baitcasters.
The first test was comfort. A baitcasting reel’s main advantage is ergonomics. The picks here are reels I could fit comfortably in my hand, and operating their clutch and handle felt second nature.
Next was performance. The brake is responsive to prevent a backlash as weather and fishing conditions change. When I change a lure or the wind picks up, I need to easily adjust the brake. Retrieving the lure, the reel smoothly turns the spool and moves the line guide to evenly collect the line. On the strike, I thumb the spool and the solid reel frame and body support my hook set. Producing smooth drag with small drag washers is a challenge.
Not to be overlooked, I inspected the materials, construction and lubrication to produce steady pressure on fish in order to reach my final picks for the best baitcasting reels. To meet these standards, casting reels use engineering and materials comparable to a Swiss watch. Like a Swiss watch, durability is the Achilles heel of any baitcast reel. The fine-tuning and precision parts are susceptible to moisture and dirt. This made the ultimate test for baitcasting reels whether they were reliable over hundreds of fishing trips.
Feature Image: Ric Burnley
