Gear
Reels
A reel earns its price in drag and durability, not in bearing count. Reviews of spinning and baitcasting reels judged on how they hold up after a season, not out of the box.
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Buyer’s guides
Start here if you have not chosen a product yet.
Individual reviews
Shimano
Shimano Stradic FM Spinning Reel
One reel, every water — freshwater lakes to inshore salt.
Amazon Overall Pick 4.7
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Penn
Penn Battle IV Spinning Reel
Full metal body, carbon drag, built for the jetty.
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Daiwa
Daiwa BG Spinning Reel
An aluminium body at a graphite-body price.
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Pflueger
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
A sealed drag on light line, which is the whole trout argument.
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KastKing
KastKing Sharky Baitfeeder III
A second drag, so a fish can take line with the bail closed.
Read the breakdown →Other gear categories
- GearRodsThe rod is the only piece of tackle you hold all day, and the one that decides whether you feel a bite at all.
- GearLinesLine is the cheapest part of your setup and the one most likely to lose you a fish.
- GearLuresArtificial baits that imitate what fish are already eating — swimbaits, glide baits, topwater and bladed lures, reviewed on action, hook quality and how they last against real fish.