Looking to find out about the best spinning reels? All these options have been chosen by our team based on their performance, reliability and their popularity within the angling community – from beginners to the more experienced anglers.
Before choosing a spinning reel, you need to ensure you’re buying the right reel for the right job. So if you’re unsure what you should be looking for in a spinning reel, check out our article “Choosing a Spinning Reel” here.
We hope this guide will help you narrow your choice down and help you find that perfect spinning reel.
1. Shimano Stradic FM
‘BEST IN CLASS’
Specification at a glance
- HAGANE Gear technology
- Micro Module II
- INFINITYXROSS
- Silent Drive
- INFINITYDRIVE
- XProtect technology
- Silent Drive technology
- DURACROSS Drag
- ARC spool
- Long Stroke spool
Angling Active says
The Shimano Stradic FM will be the most talked about reel in 2024, replacing the previous Stradic FL, the new Stradic comes equipped with some super cool upgrades!
The Shimano Stradic is one of the lightest reels we have ever seen on the market, with a full HAGANE body and Shimano’s Hagane gears. The lighter rotor design reduces inertia meaning its easier to get the rotor spinning more easily and efficiently.
With the reduced weight eliminating any casting fatigue, the internals of the reel are geared to deal with the rigours of salt and freshwater applications. Equipped with Shimano’s Micromodule Gear II, Silent Drive and Hagane Gear, these technologies add strength and cranking power whilst reducing play in the handle.
As we previously mentioned, the Stradic is equipped for saltwater use and integrates X-Protect technology, this triple lip structure and special grease combination eliminates any water ingress – making it the ideal saltwater lure fishing reel.
The Stradic FM is not the cheapest fishing reel on the market, but with it’s aggressive styling and innovative features. This lightweight champion will appeal to the serious lure angler.
If you’re looking for an exceptionally good spinning reel that will provide faultless performance, check out the Shimano Stradic FM.
2. Shimano Nasci
‘BEST VALUE FOR MONEY’
Specification at a glance
- Hagane drive gearing system
- X-Ship technology
- CoreProtect Technology
- ARC spool design
- Various size available
- High quality fixed spool reel
Angling Active says
Still holding its own in 2024 – the Shimano Nasci still remains one of our top selling spinning reels and we can see why. It’s very distinguishable with its high performance and value for money. The reel feels solid in hand and feels like it could handle high volume use.
The drag is more refined than most other reels in its price range. The machined aluminium spool with it’s detailing is a nice touch and the tapered lip will assist in casting distance. If you’re looking for an affordable reel that outweighs its price tag then the Shimano Nasci is definitely worth a look.
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3.Shimano Catana FM
Specification at a glance
- Front drag
- G-free body design
- Aluminium AR-C Spool
- 3 stainless steel ball bearings plus the roller bearing
- AR-C spool lip design
Angling Active says
The Shimano Catana needs no introduction. It’s one of the best selling Shimano reels in Europe. Like all their products, Shimano don’t cut corners when it comes to quality and construction and this resonates through the build quality and components used in the entry-level Catana.
The Catana has sharp aesthetic looks and is finished off with a chrome and gunmetal finish.
Coming equipped with Shimano’s ARC spool lip design for improved casting distance and eliminating line coils. The body is constructed with Shimano’s XT-7 material making it very robust and durable.
The Catana is fitted with 2 SUS ball bearings for a simple yet reliable smooth performance. The drag system is smooth and refined and is easily adjusted with small increments and easy to master.
The very competitively priced Catana is a great introduction to the Shimano brand.
4. PENN Spinfisher VII
‘BEST SALTWATER MODEL’
Specification at a glance
- High-performance,durable & lightweight
- IPX5 Sealed Body and Spool for excellent saltwater resistance
- CNC machining for precise, smooth gear operation.
- Brass main gear for durability and corrosion resistance.
- HT-100 technology for heavy loads and smooth drag.
- 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearings for enhanced performance.
- Full Metal Body for strength, rust resistance, and lightness.
Angling Active says
An upgrade from the Penn Spinfisher VI, the Penn Spinfisher VII features a full metal body and side-plate, along with PENN HT-100 carbon fibre drag washers. Built with performance and durability in mind, the Spinfisher VII can handle anything inshore or nearshore.
This fixed spool reel is designed with a durable and smooth 5+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearing system along with the Techno-Balanced rotor which will help ensure smooth retrieves.
With the heavy-duty aluminium bail wire and superline spool, this will allow for easy line management. In addition to that, the full metal body and side-plate provide optimum protection and keep precise gear alignment under heavy loads.
Further features of this reel include line capacity rings, a superline spool along with an instant anti-reverse bearing. The reel includes a stunning, contrasting black and red colour scheme that stands out! The coloured design looks edgy, modern and fierce!
5. Daiwa 18 Ninja LT
‘BEST REEL UNDER £100’
Specification at a glance
- LT – Light and Tough
- AirBail
- Graphite body and rotor
- Tough Digigear
- ABS spool
- ATD (Automatic Tournament) drag
- Machine cut aluminium handle
- Soft touch handle knob
- New generation line clip
Angling Active says
The Daiwa Ninja LT is one of Daiwa’s best selling reels. With an extremely affordable price point and stacked with some of Daiwa’s high-end features that only appear on more expensive reels. The Ninja is the ideal choice for entry-level anglers to the most avid of angler.
The Daiwa Ninja comes equipped with Daiwa’s LT technology which stands for Light and Tough. The LT technology helps reduce the overall size and weight of Daiwa’s reel while further increasing the overall strength of the reel. Daiwa’s engineers have done this by optimising specific aspects of the reel’s components, such as Strengthened Digigear for enhanced cranking power, a full graphite body that has been redesigned to improve the robustness and strength of the body while reducing the overall weight through reel body design.
The ABS spool will accommodate both braided and mainlines while the spool design is very efficient at managing various line types. This increases overall casting performance.
Thanks to Daiwa’s ATD drag system. The Ninja LT comes with a smooth, powerful and progressive drag system, ensuring you have complete control at all times when under heavy pressure.
The Daiwa Ninja is a great value and competitively priced reel. It features some of Daiwa’s latest reel technologies and is finished in a cool and stealthy red and black colour scheme that will look great on any fishing rod.
6. Shimano FX
‘BEST ENTRY LEVEL REEL’
Specification at a glance
- Shimano quality at a great price
- Roller clutch
- ARC patented spool design
- 2+1 bearings for smoothness
- XT-7 body construction material
- Gold aluminium spool and stylish matt black body
Angling Active says
The Shimano FX Spinning Reel gives anglers the solid and reliable Shimano quality at a cost effective price that is suitable for a wide range of fishing applications.
The Shimano FX comes equipped with a roller clutch for eliminating the handle from winding backwards and an ARC Spool is a patented spool design with an angled spool lip. This design enables the line to leave the spool with less friction and in smaller coils resulting in longer more
accurate casts. ARC spools are proven to reduce backlash and wind knots when using braid.
The FX sport two ball bearings and a one roller bearing and offers very smooth and quiet control when in use. The reel body is primarily built from an XT-7 material which provides exceptional durability and weight balance.
If you’re looking to try the Shimano brand for the first time, the affordable FX ticks all the boxes for an entry fixed spool spinning reel. You can select your choice of model from our drop down menu.
7. Abu Garcia Superior
Specification at a glance
- 4 stainless steel HPCR ball bearings + 1 roller bearing
- Salt Shield ™ ball bearing sat in the inner pinion gear
- Water shield carbon matrix hybrid drag system
- Rocket line management
- Aluminium machine cut handle + soft touch handle knob
- Tough DuraMetal integral body
- Silent oscillating COG design for smooth rotation
- 2WAY DRAG system
- Always-ON Instant Anti-Reverse (No ON-OFF Lever)
- Rocket spool lip
Angling Active says
The Abu Garcia Superior Spinning Reel is a modern, lightweight and powerful fixed spool reel that has been specially designed by the Japanese Abu Garcia team.
These reels are built with a tough DuraMetal integral body and feature a water shielded carbon matrix, hybrid drag system for optimised performance and protection for use in saltwater environments. There are 4 stainless steel HPCR ball bearings + 1 roller bearing and a Salt Shield ball bearing sat in the inner pinion gear.
The reel utilises a Rocket Line management system that combines the spool design, oscillation system and bail angle to provide better control for all types of line and there is also a rocket spool lip for increased line control.
The silent oscillating COG design produces impeccably smooth rotation and the reel has a 2WAY DRAG system. The handle is made from machine cut aluminium and has a soft touch handle knob for comfort.
The reel is finished off with a stunning gold and black colour combination.
