Best Spinning Reels of 2023
Our reveiw of this year's top spinning reels.
by Lake-Link Staff
To standardize our take on the best spinning reels currently in stores, we're going to focus on 2500- and 3000-size spinning reels-great all-around sizes for bass, walleyes, and mixed-bag fishing. These sizes are not too small, not too big, and the choice of many pros and guides when it comes to reels for daily use.
Things to consider before buying a spinning reel:
- Weight (lighter in weight to balance with mid- to higher-priced carbon/graphite spinning rods)
- Drag pressure (in pounds)
- Gear ratio & inches of line per handle turn (aka "IPT") to match a variety of techniques and keep fish hooked
- Size - Most anglers prefer a compact spinning reel
- Material construction for longevity - aluminum/magnesium/and proprietary alloys last
- Water/corrosion resistance
How much should you expect to pay for a quality 2500- or 3000-size spinning reel?
Most quality 2500-3000 spinning reels will hit your pocketbook somewhere between $120 and $250, although there are a host of cheaper products and more expensive options at retailers.With spinning reels, the sky really is the limit. Just take a look at the Daiwa Exist and Shimano Stella SW C. I guess if an angler had to own just one reel-like that perfect high-end golf driver or deer rifle-you might consider a reel between $850 and $1000. We haven't gotten to that point yet so we'll remain in the mid-price arena to outfit several rods, each with a spinning reel that's technique-specific.
Top Spinning Reels of 2023:
Okuma ITX Carbon ITX-2500H
For starters, the affordable (but very capable) Okuma ITX Carbon spinning reels are lightweight, compact-bodied, and constructed of rigid C-40X long strand carbon fiber. According to Okuma, the C-40X process is 25% stronger than standard graphite reels. Lightweight and rigid, the C-40X rotor and its TCA construction make the ITX perfect for your freshwater and light inshore needs.
The ITX features a multi-disc, carbon fiber drag system with Okuma's Hydro Block Gasket, keeping water out and your drag running smooth. The 7HPG +1RB High Performance, grease packed bearings keep the reel running smoothly along with the precision machine cut brass pinion gear. And the Quick-Set anti-reverse roller bearing stops the reel on a dime. Furthermore, ITX reels are designed with Okuma's CFR, Cyclonic Flow Rotor technology which sweeps water away from the two-toned anodized machined aluminum spool.One of the key features of the new ITX Carbon reels is the machined aluminum, screw-in handle design keeping your handle running tight with no more loosening screws.
Features
- Weight: 8.3 ounces
- Drag: 18 pounds
- Rigid C-40X rotor/TCA construction
- Multi-disc, carbon fiber drag w/ Hydro Block gasket
- 7 ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
- Quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing
- CFR: Cyclonic Flow Rotor Technology
- Machined aluminum screw-in handle
- Traction Grip Technology
- Precision machine-cut brass pinion gear
- Machined, anodized aluminum spool
- Heavy-duty, solid aluminum bail wire
- RESII: computer-balanced Rotor Equalization System
- Right/Left handle
- 6.0:1 gear ratio
- 33.5-inches of line per crank
- $120 MSRP
Abu Garcia REVO3 Rocket
Abu Garcia has been a top name in reels for decades, manufacturing reels in a host of sizes for all fish species.Their new Abu Garcia REVO3 Rocket SP30 offers serious performance with a cutting-edge, bright-red design and probably the highest gear ratio in its size and class on-the-market. The Size 30 has a 7.6:1 gear ratio for 43 inches per turn of line retrieval per handle turn-which might be just fastest spinning reel on the water in the 2500-3000 size class-or as Abu designates their reel, size 30.
Features
- High speed 7.6:1 gear ratio for 43" IPT
- Weight: 7.6 ounces
- Drag: 11 pounds
- Asymmetrical body design
- V-Rotor design
- Rocket line management™ system
- Rocket spool lip design
- Machined aluminum braid-ready spool
- Carbon Matrix™ drag system
- Aluminum handle with co-molded soft-touch knobs
- AMGEARING™ (AMG 2) gearing system for smoothness & durability
- 9 stainless steel HPCR™ ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
- Stainless steel main shaft & components
- Slow oscillation to keep fish pinned
- Interchangeable reel handle for right- & left-handed anglers
- MSRP $199.95
Daiwa MQ LT 2500
Daiwa has been a major player for decades, and their products are born of Japanese engineering and manufactured with precision and detail. Daiwa reels work perfectly right out of the box and last a lifetime. No matter the technique or species you chase-from panfish to bass and walleyes to inshore or offshore fish-Daiwa offers a quality solution.
One Lake-Link staffer has been fishing older DAIWA LT 2500 reels on several rods-for both bass and walleyes-after years of fishing Japanese-made Stradic 2500 CI4+ spinning reels almost exclusively.
Apparently they're now even better.
The biggest difference? The standard Tatula LT did not have a Monocoque body, something you had to step up to $230 to benefit from in Daiwa's Ballistic MQ LT family-at least prior to the recent 2023 Bassmaster Classic Expo in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Now constructed of Daiwa's one-piece Monocoque (MQ) body, there's no need for a body cover on the reel. Instead, there's an engine plate screw running directly into the body. According to Daiwa, the MQ body improves the new Tatula's strength, rigidity, water-resistance, and allows for a much larger diameter drive gear.
And you get all of it for the same price as the last generation Tatula LT -- $199.99.
Features
- Monocoque body (MQ): Compact, strong, & lightweight frame
- Weight: 6.7 ounces
- Drag: 22 pounds
- Larger DigiGear for long life
- Smooth Daiwa ATD drag system
- Quick drag inertia start-up when a fish bites
- Airdrive rotor/bail/shaft for smoother rotation & durability
- Spool features an amazing 250 yards of 10 lb. braid capability for longer casts
- 6.2:1 gear ratio
- 34.5 inches of line per handle turn
- 8 ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
- MSRP $199.99
Penn Clash II 2500
Designed as an inshore reel for redfish, snook, flounder, and other near-coast species-but with double-duty in freshwater-the Clash II's construction is what you'd come to expect from Penn-absolutely bullet-proof.
Features include a full metal body and sideplate, CNC Gear™ technology, HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers, 8+1 stainless steel ball bearing system, Clutch Armor System, Leveline® Slow Oscillation System, and a Hydrophobic Line Roller Bearing. In a nutshell, the reel is built like a tank and you can expect it to perform in freshwater or inshore-and last a lifetime.
Features
- Instant Anti-Reverse
- Weight: 8.8 ounces
- Drag: 12 pounds
- Front drag system
- HT-100 carbon fiber drag material
- 9 total ball bearings
- Aluminum reel spool
- Right/Left handle
- Oversized, tacky handle
- 33-inches of line per crank
- $220 MSRP
Pflueger Supreme XT 25
Pflueger has a diehard angler following who sing the praises of their longevity. No exception, the Supreme XT 25 is designed to deliver years of quality performance. Its super-light magnesium frame and carbon rotor, machined aluminum gearing, braid-ready aluminum spool, and sealed carbon drag are perfect for all freshwater situations. The reel also features a total of 11 ball bearings and a carbon handle. The gear ratio is 5.2:1 with slow oscillation to prevent overworking finesse baits and keep fish buttoned when hooked.
Features
- Instant Anti-Reverse
- Weight: 6 ounces
- Drag: 10 pounds
- 11 total ball bearings
- 5.2:1 gear ratio
- Magnesium frame
- Sealed carbon drag
- Carbon handle
- Machined aluminum main gear
- 22.4-inches of line recovery per handle turn
- Right/Left handle
- $169.99 MSRP
Shimano Vanford VF2500HGF
Sculpted from over a decade of engineering advancement and rich history that includes reels like the ever-popular Shimano Stradic FL, Stradic FH, and Stradic CI4+, the Shimano Vanford tests the boundaries of technology and engineering found in spinning reels.
The Vanford features Shimano's cold-forged HAGANE Gear and many of Shimano's premium technologies for increased fishing performance and years of durability. Vanford's SilentDrive and MicroModule Gear II technologies combine to produce a new level of smooth rotational performance while reducing overall reel vibration.
Vanford also incorporates Long Stroke Spool technology to increase casting distance while producing a smoother line lay on the spool during retrieval. X-Protect technology and water-channeling construction enhance Vanford's water resistance and overall durability-and important features for a reel sure to be found in inshore environments.
Features
- Built on a Shimano Stradic CI4+ body
- Cold-forged HAGANE gearing
- Weight: 6.3 ounces
- Drag: 20 pounds
- 6.0:1 gear ratio
- 35 inches per handle turn
- Instant Anti-Reverse
- 11 total ball bearings
- Sealed carbon drag
- Right/Left handle
- $249.99 MSRP
