One important piece of fishing equipment is a high-quality saltwater spinning reel. With a good reel, you’re able to have more chances of successful catches without worry about your equipment breaking. But what happens when you’re on a budget and need something in the lower price range?
Don’t worry, as you can still find the best saltwater spinning reel under $100! Read on as I show you my top 11 choices and an informative purchasing guide to help you out.
Quick Comparison: Top Saltwater Spinning Reel Under $100
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Strong and Advanced | The Strong and Advanced | 1. Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel |
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| The Smooth and Powerful | The Smooth and Powerful | 2. KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel |
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| The Solid and Feature-Packed | The Solid and Feature-Packed | 3. Daiwa Bg Spinning Reel |
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| The Sleek and Adjustable | The Sleek and Adjustable | 4. Diwa Spinning Fishing Reel |
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| The Light and Budget-Friendly | The Light and Budget-Friendly | 5. PENN Pursuit III Spinning Fishing Reel |
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| The Fast and Robust | The Fast and Robust | 6. SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel |
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| The Easy-Control and Rigid | The Easy-Control and Rigid | 7. SHIMANO NASCI Inshore Spinning Reel |
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| The Quick and Compact | The Quick and Compact | 8. Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel |
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| The Unique and All-Purpose | The Unique and All-Purpose | 9. Sougayilang Spinning Fishing Reel |
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| The Rust-Resistant and Durable | The Rust-Resistant and Durable | 10. Dr. Fish Saltwater Spinning Reel |
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| The Valuable and Long-Lasting | The Valuable and Long-Lasting | 11. Cadence Spinning Reel |
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**Below, you’ll find our more detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see current prices or read customer reviews on Amazon.
Best Saltwater Spinning Reel Under $100 Reviews
After much tests and reviews, here are my top 11 choices for you to choose from:
1. The Strong and Advanced: Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel
My editor’s choice is the Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel because of the value you get! You receive more than you pay for with this one, as it looks and performs like a premium reel. It’s a bit on the higher end of the budget range but still offers exceptional performance for big saltwater fish.
The reel is made with a full metal body and a heavy-duty aluminum bail wire. It utilizes a carbon fiber drag system for better power but not scrimping on smoothness. Furthermore, it has a fluid cranking using five stainless steel ball bearings, along with an instant anti-reverse bearing found in most spinning reels.
For its durability and high-quality construction, I’m confident that this can last longer in saltwater than most budget-friendly spinning reels.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Full metal body that’s made to last for long periods
- Strength to catch huge saltwater fish
- Smooth crank and drag system for best performance
- Amazing price for its materials
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 3.52 to 16 oz
- Material: Full metal and carbon fiber
- Sizes Under 100: 1000, 2000, 3000
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
- Max. Drag: N/A
- Bearing Count: 5+1
2. The Smooth and Powerful: KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel
For those who really want performance, then you’ll want the KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel. This is made of carbon fiber, making it one of the lightest reels for its power without scrimping on strength and durability. You can choose between various sizes and still be under your budget while getting only the best for its price range.
This spinning reel doesn’t only look great, but they are built to land medium-sized fish well. They have an almost 40LB drag system and the smooth retrieve to reel in fighting fish without exerting too much effort. It doesn’t break easily and stays smooth and balanced from casting to reeling.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Built for toughness to fight off trophy fish as you reel it in
- Very smooth and balanced casting and reeling
- Reliable parts and gears made with waterproof and rust-resistant materials
- Quiet performance and no fatigue experienced while using it
- Feature-packed with more line capacity and excellent ball bearing system
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 7.4 to 10.6 oz
- Material: Graphite and carbon fiber
- Sizes: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
- Max. Drag: 33.0 to 39.5 LBs
- Bearing Count: 10+1
3. The Solid and Feature-Packed: Daiwa Bg Spinning Reel
The Daiwa Bg Spinning Reel is at the slightly higher end of our budget range. But you get a lot more than what you pay for as it’s made with excellent material and construction in mind! The reel is built with a machined aluminum housing, aluminum ABS spool, as well as the carbon ATD and waterproof gears to last for the long run.
It also features the braided line ready spool and an excellent drag system that’s able to catch small to medium-sized fish with ease. What makes this unique is its dual anti-reverse system to keep increasing your chances of reeling in your fish smoothly.
It’s solid and comes at a good price, just be wary with its warranty and you’ll enjoy it for the long haul.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Great drag system and infinite anti-reverse ball bearing
- Solid metal construction that looks great and built to last for many seasons
- Good action and smooth performance for casting and reeling
- The reel can catch medium-sized fighting gamefish with ease
- Waterproof materials to easily maintain and clean after trips
- Rotor weighs less than most ordinary rotors
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 8.5 to 14.1 oz
- Material: Anodized steel and aluminum
- Sizes: 2000, 2500, 3000, 3500
- Gear Ratio: 5.6:1/5.7:1
- Max. Drag: 4.4 to 17.6 LB
- Bearing Count: 6+1
4. The Sleek and Adjustable: Diwa Spinning Fishing Reel
The Diwa Spinning Fishing Reel is another very affordable option if you have a lower budget. Even if it comes at a lower price range, it still offers adequate features and performance to catch small-sized fish. It can put up a fight with medium-sized fish, though you have to be careful as you handle it.
The reel is made with the aluminum alloy body and the ultra-thin design for the lightness you need. It also looks beautiful and performs well enough, with minimal noise and smooth casting. Don’t expect it to be very smooth as you reel your catch in, it depends on how much the fish would fight!
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Makes low noise and smooth as you take a cast
- Very affordable price and durable enough for the fishing season
- Lightweight body for ease of casting and reeling
- Can hold heavy braids and catch medium-sized fish
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 9.87 to 15.17 oz
- Material: Aluminum
- Sizes: 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000, 7000
- Gear Ratio: 5.0:1/4.7:1
- Max. Drag: 55 LB/25KG and 66 LB/30KG
- Bearing Count: 13+1
5. The Light and Budget-Friendly: PENN Pursuit III Spinning Fishing Reel
The PENN Pursuit III is another high-quality option if your focus is the combination of lightweight and budget-friendly. For its price, you get good value as it’s made with carbon fiber and the corrosion-resistant graphite body. When you look and feel it, you can see how it’s made to last for a few years and still perform well.
It’s a bit simple with a 4+1 stainless steel bearing system, but its materials and parts are constructed well to retrieve smoothly and with balance. The drag system stays consistent and gives very smooth and solid action, hooking slightly large fish without damage.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Has the ability to catch slightly large and fighting gamefish with smooth action
- Solid build and durable body to last long
- Can treat roughly and still provides consistent performance
- Easy to disassemble and clean after trips
- Made of carbon drag for good cast and retrieve
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 9.8 to 29.1 oz
- Material: Carbon Fiber and Graphite
- Sizes: 2500 to 8000
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1/5.6:1/5.3:1
- Max. Drag: N/A
- Bearing Count: 4+1
6. The Fast and Robust: SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel
For those who want the extremely fast action to catch certain gamefish, you’ll love the SeaKnight Saltwater Spinning Reel. This is the Rapid edition, made with the enhanced thicker main shaft and advanced production technologies to offer both smooth and fast action. It’s made with stainless steel ball bearings and a carbon fiber drag system to catch up to 15kg of gamefish!
The drag does need correcting at first, but once it does, it can reel in smoothly and with minimal noise. It can withstand saltwater well and as long as you clean and care for it properly, it can last for years of intense fishing trips to come.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Has the ability to catch slightly large and fighting gamefish with smooth action
- Solid build and durable body to last long
- Can treat roughly and still provides consistent performance
- Easy to disassemble and clean after trips
- Made of carbon drag for good cast and retrieve
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 8.7 to 13.8 oz (247 to 391 g)
- Material: Carbon Fiber and Stainless Steel
- Sizes: 2000H, 3000H, 4000H, 5000, 6000
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1/4.7:1
- Max. Drag: 17.63 to 33.07 lb
- Bearing Count: 10+1
7. The Easy-Control and Rigid: SHIMANO NASCI Inshore Spinning Reel
The SHIMANO NASCI Spinning Reel is very simple yet offers the amazing performance meant for small to large fish! It has four ball bearings that give the smoothest retrieve, as well as a front drag system to better control your casting and reeling. It remains rigid when fighting with aggressive fish yet still stays lightweight to keep your arms comfortable as you wait for that bite.
If you want excellent smoothness and durability, spend a bit more on the SHIMANO.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Very smooth casting and retrieve to catch heavy fish
- Can be used to fight with aggressive fish without damage
- Tight and rigid performance and design to keep it in control
- Comfortable handle for long hours of fishing
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 10.4 oz
- Material: Graphite
- Sizes: 3000, 4000
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
- Max. Drag: 7 to 24 lbs
- Bearing Count: 4+1
8. The Quick and Compact: Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel
The Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel is simple yet efficient. You wouldn’t expect that at its price range, you get a good size that looks to withstand heavier and fighting fish! Even if it does look a bit smaller, it makes the reel lighter and still offers the strength needed for smoother reeling in.
Furthermore, you can easily control your reel and rod as you retrieve fish. While it isn’t the smoothest reel out there, it does a better job compared to other reels of its price tag. With all this in mind, I recommend the Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel if you want something lighter with adequate smoothness.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Offers the precision elliptical gearing system and good bearing system
- Has the quick anti-reverse roller bearing and felt drag system
- Easy to adjust and control with an ambidextrous design
- Smooth enough performance to catch fish with minimal fatigue
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 8 to 25.12 oz
- Material: Machined aluminum
- Sizes: C-10, C-20, C-30, C-40, C-55, C-65
- Gear Ratio: 5.0:1
- Max. Drag: N/A
- Bearing Count: 7+1
9. The Unique and All-Purpose: Sougayilang Spinning Fishing Reel
If you’re on an extreme budget but still want something reliable for at least a few seasons, then you’ll appreciate the Sougayilang Spinning Fishing Reel. This is a trusted brand known for their affordable yet valuable fishing equipment, with this reel made for most spinning applications.
The Bold reel is strong enough and made with carbon-based materials for lightness ad strength. Plus, its parts are made with a mix of stainless steel, aluminum, and solid brass! This ensures its durability during your fishing trips and a smooth enough retrieve.
You DO get what you pay for though, so you’ll need to take extra care of it if you want it to last longer than a season.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- High-powered and versatile for most spinning applications
- Smooth enough and lightweight for good cast and retrieve
- Offers a deeper spool for more line capacity to cast longer distances
- Ergonomic handle that can transfer smoothly to the fears
- Great for catching medium game fish such as trout and bass
- Can tie braid to spools without line slippage
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 7.2 to 9.7 oz ( 205 t0 275 g)
- Material: Carbon-based materials
- Sizes: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1 to 6.2:1
- Max. Drag: 42 lbs
- Bearing Count: 12+1
10. The Rust-Resistant and Durable: Dr. Fish Saltwater Spinning Reel
The Dr. Fish Saltwater Spinning Reel is a great option for surf fishers, made for the big and fighting fish. It has a high-density design built with a corrosion-resistant body and rust-resistant ball bearings to last for seasons of fishing.
This spinning reel has a size of 10,000 with a 40LB maximum drag to really get those big fish bites without worrying about damaging the reel or losing your catch. Besides this, it has a high-quality spool that’s versatile enough to place heavier lines to put up a fight!
I highly recommend this reel for surf anglers who focus on the bigger catches.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Has a long casting spool compatible with heavier lines
- Built with heavy-duty in mind to withstand big and fighting fish
- Reliable reel with quality material to last for years to come
- Can hold on to constant pressure during the entire fishing trip
- Crank can mount in any position for ambidextrous use
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 26.03 to 26.87 oz
- Material: Graphite and stainless steel
- Sizes: 10000, 12000, LS-12000
- Gear Ratio: 3.9:1
- Max. Drag: 48 lb
- Bearing Count: 13+1
11. The Valuable and Long-Lasting: Cadence Spinning Reel
Last but not least, the Cadence Spinning Reel offers enough strength for its price range. It’s one of the lightest without scrimping on its material and construction. The reel is made with corrosion-resistant stainless steel bearings, along with a machined aluminum spool that’s strong and will withstand saltwater and fighting fish.
The reel has the unique torsion control for smooth performance and the carbon drag system for a good stopping power of up to 36 pounds, good enough for big fish. But be wary, because, for its value, you’re better off using it with medium-sized fish at most.
With that said, it still gets the job done and is the optimum choice if your main focus is on something light.
What Makes This Saltwater Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Very lightweight made with a carbon main frame
- Ergonomic handle for comfort without the heavy weight
- Good torsion control for better stability and smooth drag
- Suitable for gamefish such as redfish, trout, and flounder
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 6.7 to 9.5 oz
- Material: Stainless steel
- Sizes: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1/6.2:1
- Max. Drag: 29 to 36 lbs
- Bearing Count: 8+1
How to Choose the Best Saltwater Spinning Reel
There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to selecting the best saltwater spinning reel under $100. Here are the factors to focus on to get the one most suitable for you:
The Weight
Weight is one of the first factors to consider, and there may be a trade-off. The lighter your reel is, the more comfortable it is to use for the entire day of fishing. BUT, lighter may also mean using cheap plastic, which may not last as long as metal.
If you want something light, then you will need something made with carbon fiber, which might be a bit pricier but worth the long-term investment. There are lightweight spinning reels made with space-age materials that still focus on strength and lightness. If it goes over budget, you will require to find middle-ground, investing in something as light as possible without breaking the bank and risking reel damage.
Reel Size
Size is a crucial thing to consider, and choosing the right ones depends on your line size and lure weight. I’ll be showing you the various reel sizes and what they are made best for:
Small Spinning Reels
Small spinning reels are:
- 1000 or 10
- 2000 or 20
- 2500 or 25
- 3000 or 30
- 3500 or 35
These spinning reels are made for light fishing in rivers, lakes, bays, harbors, and other similar bodies of water. You can catch fish such as trout, brea, and whiting. As the sizes increase, the heavier the fish you are able to catch, such as bass, flathead, luderick, perch, or even the mangrove jack, tarwhine, and KG whiting!
The suggested braids for it ranges between 4-14 lb, again, depending on the exact fishing reel size.
Medium Spinning Reels
Medium spinning reels are considered as:
- 4000 or 40
- 4500 or 45/450
- 5000 or 50
- 5500 or 55/550
These are best for intermediate anglers who are looking for bigger catches. These are slightly heavier-duty reels made for more than just rivers and lakes. You can also use it for offshore boat fishing as well!
With these reels, you’re able to catch heavier fish like the snapper, tailor, morning, cod, bonefish, drummer, going as big as the mulloway and big snappers. You can use a braid that weighs between 8-25 lbs.
Large Spinning Reels
The large spinning reels fall under these sizes
- 6000 or 60
- 6500
- 7000 or 70
- 7500
- 8000 or 80
- 8500
- 9500
- 10000 or 100
- 10000
- 12000
- 14000
- 16000
- 18000
- 20000
- 25000
- 30000
Now, these are heavy-duty style reels made for the intermediate to advanced angler looking for the big one! These large size reels are made for boats or rock and beach fishing.
With these reels, you can catch huge fish such as the Aust Salmon, kingfish, Samson fish, and still catch medium-sized fish like the snapper and cod. You can even aim for bigger fish such as sharks, tuna, large mackerel, or a marlin if you get one of the bigger reel sizes higher than 10000.
Drag and Crank
You need both the drag and crank to be as smooth as possible. The smoother the reel works, the better, especially when both drag and crank perform well together.
There are three kinds of drag systems, such as:
- Spring and pawl systems have a spring that pushes crawls to the gear of your reel spool, producing a drag. I recommend this for lighter fishing, like when looking for panfish.
- Disc drag systems would push a large-diameter pad against your spool’s braking surface. These are typically made of cork or synthetic materials for a smooth and consistent pressure you can easily adjust. The system is made for larger catches and to fight strong fish.
- A caliper drag system is the combination between the disc systems and spring and pawl. The caliper pad would push against the spool’s braking surface, which slows the way the spool would spin. It’s great for small to medium-sized fish.
Handle Shape and Size
The handle shape and size is a factor many tend to overlook, though still an important feature. This is what can make or break your overall comfort, and if you don’t choose the right one, then you’ll be suffering for the next few hours into your fishing trip.
Before purchasing a reel, be sure that it can fit your palm well, usually having an ergonomic grip. Test out the handle and grip by cranking it for a while, seeing if it fits your palm without it tugging at the skin or digging in.
Materials and Construction
You get what you pay for when investing in a saltwater spinning reel. With a spinning reel under $100, you can get a good construction made to last for more than a season.
Look into what the reels are made of, ensuring that they are built with high-quality materials and gears that won’t melt as it touches saltwater. For it to last long, the reel should be made with special alloys and even protective coating!
Extra Tips to Follow
Beyond these factors to consider, here are extra tips you should also focus on when selecting a saltwater spinning reel:
- You should get a spinning reel that’s braid-friendly and is easy to braid well and work with it correctly.
- Think about the capacity! The reel should hold enough line of the usual type and size you would use. This is exceptionally crucial for those who use narrow and long-cast spools.
- You don’t need to get the most drag, you can make do with 20 pounds of drag pressure, which is enough for the average to even heavier fish. Remember, the higher the drag, the more expensive it is, and it isn’t necessary!
- The components and internal parts of your reel are crucial, so think about the bearings, as well as what the gears are made of.
- Compare the rivet size which is located inside spinning reel knobs to prevent it from breaking under pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that you know how to choose the best saltwater spinning reel under $100, what are other things to learn about the equipment? Here are some frequently asked questions:
1. What is the use of saltwater spinning reels?
A saltwater spinning reel is either high-speed or low-speed. High-speed saltwater spinning reels offer gear rations over 6:1, made for retrieving baits quickly. Low-speed reels have a gear ratio lower than 4:1, offering more power to fight off big fish.
Saltwater spinning reels have good landing powers, with its internal gearing made with special alloys. They are also corrosion-resistant, surviving harsh conditions and saltwater environments.
These types of reels are good for novice anglers, as they are simple to use and mount to your spinning rod. They handle small lures and baits well, using an anti-reverse mechanism to keep the line from spooling off once you get a bite.
2. What is the difference between fresh and saltwater reels?
The main differences between both these reels are the types of water you use it for. Freshwater reels are obviously made for freshwater, while saltwater reels are made for saltwater, though there are more differences, such as:
- Freshwater reels are made with simple metals that work better in the “less strong” waters while saltwater is made with special alloys so it won’t corrode in the harsher waters.
- Saltwater reels are made for heavier tackle, lines, and fish compared to freshwater reels.
- Freshwater reels are actually cheaper than saltwater reels, though you should never use the former on harsh saltwater, which would damage much quicker.
That is why you shouldn’t interchange one over the other, though you CAN use saltwater reels for freshwater because of its stronger make and materials.
3. Why should I invest in a good saltwater spinning reel?
Why is it important to use saltwater spinning reels? They provide the following benefits:
- They are built to handle the saltwater environment made with stainless steel to prevent damage and last for a long time
- These feature balance rotors to reduce the fatigue you experience, so you can fish for longer hours without risk of it wobbling
- Spinning reels are the most versatile over all types of saltwater reels. You can use it for various tackle types, whether live bait or artificial lines
- You can use these to throw light tackle easily since you just need to pull its weight from the line rather than a heavy rotating spool
4. What do the model size numbers of reels mean?
I mentioned various numbers in reel sizes, such as 1000, 3000, 20, 30, etc. There are different reel sizes depending on the manufacturer rates, so there aren’t any fixed rules.
There IS a general rule of thumb, with the smaller model number meaning the smaller your reel. Spinning reels can be sized as 20 but is 2000 in another brand or a 25 in 2500 for another. This means that the two-digit numbers are similar to the four-digit numbers, just having different size names.
They are the same approximate size but it all boils down on the individual reel brand you’re getting it from and their size standards or names.
5. How can I care for my saltwater spinning reel well?
Here are some helpful tips to care for your saltwater spinning reel properly:
- Saltwater is your fishing equipment’s number one enemy, and you wouldn’t want it to get destroyed! You should not leave it to sit after use, cleaning it right after your fishing trip. Also, do not lay it on the sand or completely submerge it in saltwater.
- Wash your reel using a spray bottle and mist outside the reel, removing residual salt. Grip the outfit near your reel seat, shaking excess water then wiping it down using a clean rag. Loosen your drag to avoid coppering your drag washers, then let the gear dry out under the sun.
- Consider greasing your saltwater spinning reel on individual parts of your reel to keep it performing properly.
Do you want to learn more about saltwater spinning reels and why they are so important? Here’s a good video to show you extra information on it:
Wrapping It Up
While cheap spinning reels won’t hold up in saltwater conditions very well, you can still find one without breaking the bank. Coming at reasonable prices, you can still find spinning reels that are easy to use and will last longer. That way, you can focus more on getting a good catch rather than worrying about it breaking too soon.
I hope that this purchasing guide on the best saltwater spinning reel under $100 helped you out. So don’t wait any longer and begin checking any of these products for your next fishing trip now.