9 Best Surf Fishing Reels in 2024 for every budget

When it comes to surf fishing tackle the reel is one of the important tools that you must need to choose the right one!, and yes it can be challenging for you

because you will need to select a reel according to your rod, what fishing line you are using? And the specific fish you want to target and of course the feature that reels have. But fear not I have come with 10 best surf fishing reels, Let’s Explore

9 Best Surf fishing reels

• Penn Spinfisher VI
• Daiwa BG Spinning Reel
• Shimano Vanford F Spinning Reel
• Penn Battle III
• Van Staal VR 150
• PENN Fierce III
• Penn Slammer
• Tsunami Salt X
• Daiwa Saltist Spinning Reel

Factors to Consider When Choosing

Surf fishing reels are the important tools for an anglers, and your target matters a lot. Here are some important points to consider when choosing the best reel for surf fishing.

Durability and build quality

 If you are fishing in saltwater harsh conditions, you need to look for sturdy, corrosion-resistant materials. Look for reels crafted from high-quality materials such as aluminum or graphite

Drag power and smoothness

You need to look for a powerful drag system because it lets you control, it allows you to control the tension on the line when a fish takes the bait. To avoid line breakage, make sure that the reel has a consistent and smooth drag system to control fish.

Line capacity and gear ratio

Make sure the line capacity and gear ratio suit your fishing style, Look for a larger line capacity to handle long and stronger lines and yes the high gear ratio provides high fast retrieval. 

Weight and balance

Let’s taLk about comfort which I always believe is more important than anything. The light weight and balance reel can help you in that matter.

What Size reel for Surf fishing?

Well the size depends on your targeting and techniques. Large size reels with higher lines are better for handling bigger fish while small reels are good for light tackle and finesse fishing. You can use a small size as 2500 as large as well, but that depends on what you are targeting.

Review of the 9 best Surf Fishing Reels

1)Penn Spinfisher VI

Penn Spinfisher VI is one of the best reel which is made of high quality, full metal body and side plates and the most interesting thing is that it provides paddle handle option.

Features and specifications

• Full metal body and side plates for increased longevity.
• IPX5 sealed body and spool design for water resistance which will prevent saltwater intrusion
• HT-100 carbon fiber drag system ( Powerful Drag System )
• CNC Gear Technology
• Available in various models

Here are some Pros and Cons I found

Pros

1. Strong and Durable
2. Best drag system
3. Sealed design which will prevent it from salt damage
4. Range of Models Availables

Cons

• Some anglers might find it slightly heavier compared to other reels in its class

Ideal Surf Fishing Scenarios

Large fish LIKE striped bass, bluefish, or red drum in surf conditions
If anyone worried about harsh saltwater and want to focus on durability

Also great for those who are looking for multiple size options 

2)Daiwa BG Spinning Reel

The Daiwa BG spinning reel is a popular choice you can choose as well. You can get a size of 5000 and 6500 reel and here’s the features are: 

Features and specifications

• Aluminum and best durability without excessive weight.
• Waterproof drag system
• Corrosion-resistant design best for saltwater conditions
• Solid screw-in handle and ABS spool which makes it reliable and secure line control.
• Available in different sizes with different gear ratios

Here are some Pros and Cons

Pros

1. build quality and durability is great (best option for surf fishing)
2. Great for Big fish due to its Drag performance
3. Resilient against corrosion (Long term use even in salt conditions)
4. Provides good value for its price range compared to other reels 

Cons

1. Some anglers might find the reel slightly heavy, especially in large sizes.
2. It’s durable but the reel handle knob might require occasional maintenance for optimal performance.

Ideal Surf Fishing Scenarios

• You can target Striped bass Redfish OR big fish in surf conditions
• For those who are looking for durability, corrosion resistance, and smooth drag performance.
• For those who are looking for a well-built reel at a reasonable price   

3)Shimano Vanford F Spinning Reel

The Shimano Van Ford F spinning reel is a saltwater and Top tier reel around the world. In my opinion it’s one of the best surf fishing reel, Let’s jump into the features section below:

Features and Specifications

• HAGANE gear technology
• Smooth retrieve due to Shimano’s signature MicroModule II gear system
• It’s not full water proof but has a sealed boy and can handle splashes
• Available in various sizes and gear ratios

Here are some Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Long and consistent performance
2. ideal for surf fishing in harsh conditions.
3. Versatile sizes and gear ratios

Cons

1. In certain models, the weight might be slightly heavier
2. Some anglers might find the reel’s price range higher compared to similar reels in its class.

Ideal Surf Fishing Scenarios

Perfect for those who are targeting large species in surf conditions

4)Penn Battle III

The Penn battle III is also one of the best reels that you must try, it’s smooth and reliable.
It’s also suitable for sough surf conditions, Here are the Features:

Features and Specifications

• Durable full metal body
• Utilizes Penn’s HT-100™ carbon fiber drag washers for powerful and smooth drag performance
• 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearings
• Available in various gear ratios (5.6:1 to 7.2:1) to accommodate different fishing styles.
• line capacity rings allow anglers to monitor the remaining line
• CNC Gear™ technology

Here are Some Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Great for rough surf conditions
2. Reliable drag system for handling different fish sizes
3. Excellent saltwater resistance

Cons

1. Some users note a slight increase in weight compared to other models.
2. In rare cases, the bail might require adjustment after extensive use.

Ideal Surf Fishing Scenarios

Best for Targeting a range of species like redfish, striped bass, and small sharks

5)Van Staal VR 150

The Van Staal VR 150 stands out due to its powerful drag system and best durability; you can target large species in surf conditions.

Features and Specifications

• Waterproof drag system
• Completely sealed body and drag system
• The bail must be closed manually for added security and to prevent accidental trips
• Offers ample line capacity 

Here are the Some Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Waterproof design
2. Smooth and powerful drag system,
3. Great for long fish

Cons

• Compared to some other models, it can be heavier due to its solid aluminum construction.

Ideal Surf Fishing Scenarios

Best for targeting Larger fish like like stripers, tarpon, and bull redfish

6)PENN Fierce III

It’s not as the above but still a high quality reel but affordable. It’s a good option for those who are looking for performance + affordability.

Features and Specifications

• The cold-forged aluminum construction provides robustness without compromising on weight.
• Known for its powerful and reliable drag system
• Its anti-corrosion build makes it well-suited for saltwater
• Offers quality features at a relatively affordable price point compared to other reels in its class.

Here are the Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Retrieval rate is good
2. Strong, durable and balanced

Cons

• Some users may find the reel’s weight slightly heavier compared to other models in its range.

 Ideal surf fishing scenarios

• For targeting species like redfish, snook, and smaller to medium-sized pelagic species.

7)Penn Slammer

The Penn Slammer is recognized for its robust build, sealed construction, and powerful drag system. It’s a popular choice and you can handle a large surf dwelling species

Features and specifications

• Full-metal body
• The sealed gearbox protects internal components from corrosion and damage due to exposure to saltwater and sand
• Powerful Drag system for handling large fish in surf fishing
• line capacity rings

Here are the Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Strong and Durable
2. Sealed design
3. Powerful DragLine Capacity Rings

Cons

• It falls into a higher price range compared to some other reels

Ideal Surf Fishing Scenarios

For targeting large game fish like striped bass, bluefish

8)Tsunami Salt X

The Tsunami is known for its lightweight aluminum construction and sealed design for saltwater protection and powerful drag system. Overall it’s a great choice for anglers 

Features and Specifications

• A sturdy aluminum body and rotor and the reel is lightweight
• Sealed bodyFeatures corrosion-resistant materials
• High Drag System
• Rotor Brake

Here are Some Pros and Cons

Pros

1. The aluminum construction ensures robustness without compromising the reel’s weight
2. Corrosion Resistance

Cons

Higher price range compared to some other reels.

  

Ideal Surf Fishing Scenarios

• Great for targeting coastal species.
• Also best for targeting large species due to it’s powerful drag performance

9)Daiwa Saltist Spinning Reel

The Daiwa Saltist Spinning reel is a nice option for those who are looking for a powerful drag system and want to target big or large species like blue fish or red fish etc.

Features and Specifications

• Light weight and air rotor design
• Waterproof Carbon ATD Drag SystemDigigear™
• digital gear design
• Dynamic Cut Aluminum ABS spool

Here are the some Pros and Cons

Pros

1. Good for harsh saltwater conditions, ensuring long-term use.
2. Consistent and powerful drag performance.
3. Magsealed technology protects internal components from water and debris.
4. Corrosion-resistant bearings offer seamless and reliable operation.

Cons

1. Price is high compared to some other models.
2. Slightly heavier compared to some reels in its class.

Ideal Surf Fishing Scenarios

When targeting larger species like striped bass, bluefish, or redfish in challenging conditions. 

Conclusion

Thanks for reading up to here, I’m sure you will now confidently select your best surf fishing reel. These all 9 reels have different features and benefits, not all can fit for you but you can choose the best one according to your budget – if you have selected then you may also want to look for a rod you can read my previous article of Top 8 Best Surf Fishing Rigs