Are you planning to catch a steelhead this coming fishing season? Then you’ll need to prepare with the right equipment, starting with the best steelhead spinning reels! This is absolutely crucial if you want to keep your catch and reel it in without any worries of losing the bite or breaking your tools.
With that in mind, which are the best spinning reels made to increase your chances of getting steelhead? Read on as show the top nine reviews to help you find the suitable one for YOU!
Quick Comparison: Top Steelhead Spinning Reels
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Strong and Resilient | The Strong and Resilient | 1. Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel |
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| The Attractive and Powerful | The Attractive and Powerful | 2. KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel |
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| The Small and Lightweight | The Small and Lightweight | 3. OKUMA Ceymar Spinning Reel |
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| The Modern and Great Alignment | The Modern and Great Alignment | 4. Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel |
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| The Versatile and Stable | The Versatile and Stable | 5. SHIMANO Sienna FE Spinning Fishing Reel |
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| The Well-Valued and Durable | The Well-Valued and Durable | 6. PENN Fierce Live Liner Spinning Fishing Reel |
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| The High-Quality and Solid Construction | The High-Quality and Solid Construction | 7. OKUMA RTX Spinning Reel |
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| The Smooth and Sealed | The Smooth and Sealed | 8. Pflueger Supreme XT Spinning Fishing Reel |
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| The Good Flex and Well-Made | The Good Flex and Well-Made | 9. Diawa Fuego LT 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.
The Nine Best Steelhead Spinning Reels
Of all the different spinning reels available, which one is best suited for steelheads and can withstand the fight? These are the nine best steelhead spinning reels you can choose from with confidence:
1. The Strong and Resilient: Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel
Whether you want to go surf fishing or by the docks, you’re going to enjoy the Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel! It’s one of the most powerful for its price range, having the strength and excellent construction to last.
It has high-quality fears that make it great for faster retrievals, a must for aggressive steelheads. You’re also able to cast even farther with better smoothness as you cast AND reel your catch in.
It doesn’t break down from pressure and is ready for the most intense fights with small and big fish. At a moderate price, you’ll be surprised by its performance and the way it looks. All in all, it’s worth the price and proven to be the editor’s choice.
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- It has the flawless and fast retrieval made for steelhead
- Excellent construction made for intense and larger fish
- A bit heavy but solid materials to withstand oceans
- Versatile and can be used for most fishing situations
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 1 pound
- Material: Carbon and aluminum
- Size: 2500
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
2. The Attractive and Powerful: KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel
The KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel is the next-gen reel that offers not only a beautiful design but the powerful performance. You can get trophy fish in any situation, whether freshwater and saltwater fishing in any bodies of water.
It’s able to catch fish that weighs up to 40 pounds, having a smooth and reliable triple disc carbon fiber drag system. Its parts are also made with stainless steel and brass gears, well-oiled for smooth drag and reeling as you catch heavier steelheads.
The entire body is made of the strongest material and construction, made with water-resistant material and the unique KastKing Intrusion Shield System. And at such an affordable price, you’ll be shocked by how well it works.
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Smooth and balanced reeling for easier catches
- Smooth drag system that doesn’t shoot in spurts and handles fighting fish well
- Strong enough to withstand heavier use
- Versatile and works well in saltwater or freshwater
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 9.2 ounces
- Material: carbon fiber and stainless steel
- Size: 3000
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
3. The Small and Lightweight: OKUMA Ceymar Spinning Reel
If your main focus is something more affordable, then you might want to try the OKUMA Ceymar Spinning Reel. It might have a slightly slower retrieval rate, but enough to reel in your steelheads a bit quicker. The reels also feature a seven ball bearing system with one quick anti-reverse roller bearing to ensure better smoothness, especially as it’s well-oiled.
You’ll be surprised that it comes at such a cheap price, as it pairs with OKUMA rods and can hold up well enough. However, manage your expectations as it doesn’t hold up to TOO much pressure, especially with steelheads weighing over 20 pounds.
For those who are on a budget and still want something strong enough for steelheads, you’ll appreciate the OKUMA.
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- It has the smooth feel with well-oiled ball bearing system
- The reel is a small and lightweight reel that fits well for average-sized steelheads
- Comes at a very affordable price but with strong material and construction
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 8.8 ounces
- Material: Aluminum
- Size: 3000
- Gear Ratio: 5.0:1
4. The Modern and Great Alignment: Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel
The Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel is a bit on the pricier side, but worth every penny. It features computer-optimized gear designs for the most efficient performance a unique Amgearing system for precision and accuracy. Its eight stainless steel HPCR bearings and extra roller bearing offer better corrosion protection, smoothness, AND durability to withstand the most intense fishing situations.
The size 3000 spinning reel has the gearbox design and carbon construction, offering a mix of strength and lightweight properties. Basically, it has all of what you need in a spinning reel to catch all types of steelheads. If you have the extra budget, don’t hesitate to get this!
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- High-tech gear design made for the most accurate performance and precision
- Carbon drag system for reliability and smoothness
- Lightweight but still stays strong with well-machined and oiled gears
- Efficient and glides through the water with minimal fatigue
- Awesome drag system that’s easy to reel in and use
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 11.2 ounces
- Material: Carbon
- Size: 3000
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
5. The Versatile and Stable: SHIMANO Sienna FE Spinning Fishing Reel
The SHIMANO Sienna FE Spinning Fishing Reel is a great choice for the beginner angler. It’s suitable for many fishing applications and at the right size for steelhead fishing.
It’s unique and worth purchasing because of its M-Compact body and Propulsion Line Management System, which helps lengthen your casting distance and prevents any backlashes and any wind knots from forming. All this while it stays uniquely-designed to lessen the fatigue, thanks to its weight and improved balance.
If you’re still testing the waters (pun intended!), you’ll enjoy using this spinning reel for steelheads and other similar fish species.
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Versatile and made for all types of fishing situations and areas
- New M-Compact Body for better reel balance and lessened fatigue
- No wobbles and better smoothness to catch bigger steelheads without giving up on the pressure
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 9.2 ounces
- Material: N/A
- Size: 2500
- Gear Ratio: 5.0:1
6. The Well-Valued and Durable: PENN Fierce Live Liner Spinning Fishing Reel
The PENN Fierce Live Liner Spinning Fishing Reel offers one of the best durability and performances at its price range. It’s made with a complete metal body and side plates, as well as the heavy-duty aluminum bail wire.
As for its ball bearing system, it’s made with four shielded stainless steel bearings with one instant anti-reverse bearing. While it isn’t the recommended five ball bearings, it’s still enough to provide smoothness and accuracy as you make your cast and reel your catch in.
What makes the reel unique is its techno-balanced rotor for better leverage and torque, have the power to withstand heavy fish and other fishing situations. Without the need for backing and a braid-ready superfine spool, you get great value from this reel!
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Durable construction made to lasts for many fishing seasons
- Fluid cranking and has four balls bearings and anti-reverse bearing for precision
- Unique rotor for extreme power to catch heavy steelheads
- No need for backing the spool, it’s now braided ready and offers line-capacity rigs
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 10.4 ounces
- Material: Aluminum and stainless steel
- Size: 3000
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
7. The High-Quality and Solid Construction: OKUMA RTX Spinning Reel
The OKUMA RTX Reel is a spinning fishing reel that comes at a moderate price. It’s ideal for steelhead, especially because it comes at various sizes. The size 2500 to 4000 is ideal because of its bigger spool and faster retrieval rate.
You can use it numerous times and catch dozens of fish without worrying about it taking on too much pressure. It can handle longer casts and has a great drag system for smoother performance.
Its huge advantage over other spinning reels is its lighter weight. For its solid body, it still feels light on the hands and doesn’t cause much fatigue. Overall, you’ll enjoy the fast retrieval and its light body.
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Lightweight yet strong body that can withstand intense use
- Smooth reel operation and drag system for accuracy and ease of use
- Bail clicks smoothly and doesn’t cause any trouble
- Suitable for large steelheads because of its faster retrieval rate
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Material: N/A
- Size: 2500
- Gear Ratio: 6.0:1
8. The Smooth and Sealed: Pflueger Supreme XT Spinning Fishing Reel
The Pflueger Supreme XT Spinning Fishing Reel may not come at the most affordable price, but you get more than what you pay for! You can get different sizes at a similar price, so I highly recommend getting a size 4000, which is more than enough to get heavier steelheads.
Another huge advantage to the Pflueger is its 10-bearing system, having the corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball bearings for smoother performance. It even has the spool ready for your braid to be tied to it and the carbon drag system for an extra smooth and excellent performance.
It has most of what the steelhead fisher needs, including the balance of strength and lightness. Because of this, it’s a worthy investment.
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Very light design with magnesium body and carbon handle for less fatigue
- 10 ball bearing system made with corrosion-resistant stainless steel
- Braid-ready spool and smooth performance that doesn’t snap from the pressure
- Twisted handle nob that fits rods better
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Material: Carbon, aluminum, and stainless steel
- Size: 3000
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
9. The Good Flex and Well-Made: Diawa Fuego LT Spinning Reel
Last but not least, we have the Daiwa Fuego LT Spinning Reel. This is a moderately-priced spinning reel that comes in various sizes, though I will focus on the size 2500 with a gear ratio of 6:2:1.
The reel feels very light and smooth with the consistent drag system, ensuring good performance as you catch average-sized steelheads. It also has good flex, though you have to be wary because it isn’t as tough as other reels reviewed and may have a bit of a squeak. Because of this, it’s better off with smaller steelheads rather than anything over 20 pounds.
If you focus more on smaller steelheads and want something at an average price, this one’s for you. It can still handle enough pressure and can land you steelheads and other fish like redbulls when you handle it well.
What Makes This Steelhead Spinning Reel Stand Out
- Durable when handled in the saltwater and beaches
- Great smoothness and spooling performance
- Consistent drag system for easier reeling and use
- Lightweight for better comfort and reduced fatigue
Model and Accessory Specs
- Weight: 12 ounces
- Material: Carbon
- Size: 2500
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
How to Choose the Best Steelhead Spinning Reels
Selecting a steelhead spinning reel isn’t just about knowing what the best ones are. You also have to look into individual factors that make it suitable for you and your fishing style.
Here are the important things to focus on as you make your selection among the top nine spinning reels mentioned above:
1. Size and Weight
When casting and fishing all day long, it takes a toll on your arms and feet. If you use a very heavy reel and rod, it causes fatigue, affecting your performance on the water!
That’s why you’ll want something lighter to reduce tiredness, though not too light to the point that quality and durability is compromised.
For steelheads, I highly recommend a size 2000 reel, which usually weighs less than five ounces. But since you’re off to the ocean, then expect it to have heavier-duty construction, weighing as much as ten ounces.
Sizes 2000 to 5500 (or 10-55) are your best bet for average to larger-sized steelheads. As long as it’s less than ten ounces with good construction, you’ll have a better time handling it.
2. Construction and Durability
When getting a big and powerful fish like steelheads, it’s best to invest in spinning reels that aren’t made of graphite material.
Graphite is great for lighter fish, as it’s lightweight but not as rigid compared to stainless steel, aluminum, or carbon blends. It’s best to get stainless steel and/or carbon blends, which are what makes a high-quality reel and will NOT suffer from warping as you apply pressure on it when catching bigger fish.
The material should also be made with higher-quality and formed with solid construction. You wouldn’t want it to break, so make sure that everything has solid drag systems, gears, and can take a few knocks as you use it.
3. Drag Rating
The drag rating is important when you choose a fishing reel for catching steelhead. That way, you won’t have to worry about your line snapping as you reel it in.
When catching this particular fish, you’ll need to have a reel with a minimum drag rating of at least 12 lbs. Preferably, you’ll want something up to 15 lbs.
That’s why you want a carbon fiber drag washer, which is the top choice. This is because the material will not overheat or seize up. However, don’t overestimate the drag system, you still need to care for it well.
4. Line Capacity
You should measure line capacity depending on the breaking strain line you use. Regardless of what line rating you use, your reel needs to hold about 220 yards of braid line and 110 yards of monofilament. This gives you enough lines to cast longer distances and still have enough to go farther and reel in your fish.
When fishing in smaller bodies of water, there’s a small chance that you use up all of your lines. It’s better to have some extra line in reserve. For larger waters like the ocean, you need to have a bit more in your reel, since steelheads can strip up to 50 yards or more of the line!
5. How Many Bearings?
Stainless steel bearings are absolutely necessary for all high-quality spinning reels.
You might also be wondering about how many ball bearings there need to be in a reel. Take note that numbers aren’t the major indicator of how smooth reels would run. It’s actually the bearing quality that’s most crucial.
In general, you’re good to go with a spinning reel with at least five main ball bearings with one anti-reverse. You can go for more ball bearings for steelheads, but this is a good starting point. The more ball bearings, the more expensive it may be!
6. Spool Quality
Not a lot of anglers would think about the spool being a major factor when selecting a reel. However, this is one of the crucial aspects!
The spool has a direct effect on your casting performance. Your spool lip’s shape would vary between brands and manufacturers, so you need to spend some time learning and testing the spool lip’s profile.
Also, take into account the line management system, which is the line lay. By knowing about how the bail arm lays on the spool line, you can get even better casting distances with more accurate performance. Note that the lie should be laid flat and evenly across the spool width as you test it.
7. Retrieval Rate
When you fish for steelheads, you wouldn’t want a slow retrieval rate. You want to make sure that the steelheads turn on you then run toward you and the reel. With that said, the reel should be able to keep the fish in space, making sure there isn’t a slackline.
When you fish in smaller bodies of water, it isn’t a huge issue. But fishing for steelhead in the ocean requires you to have a reel with higher pick-up speeds.
You can determine the retrieval rate based on your reel’s spool size and fear ratio. I recommend getting a reel with a ratio of at least 6.0:1 for a quicker retrieval rate.
8. How Much Is It?
Lastly, how much is your chosen spinning reel? Since you’re catching larger fish in the saltwater, you will want something stronger and made with higher quality. This means spending a bit more to get quality for your catches and hone your fishing skills better.
Spinning reels don’t come cheap, especially when you invest in a high-end one. You can find decent-performing spinning reels under $100, but you’re better off getting mid-range to premium reels priced between $100 to $200. You should find middle ground with what you can afford first, do NOT overspend but don’t scrimp on reels that may break!
You don’t only pay for the brand and look, but the strength and durability, performance, and ease of use. That’s why I’d rather pay a bit higher than get a reel that costs less than $30. You can also find that some spinning reels have warranties and money-back guarantees to get your money’s worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is more to know beyond learning what the best steelhead spinning reels are and how to choose one! Here are frequently asked questions many have wondered about with steelhead spinning reels:
1. Why do I need a spinning reel made for the size and weight of steelheads?
Steelheads are either average to large-sized fish that can get quite aggressive during spawning season and with the right bait. That’s why you need strong equipment to back you up and avoid losing your catch!
With a spinning reel, it matches your specific fishing technique, with quality ones having strong lines to easily reel in fighting fish.
They are also quite durable to withstand years of fishing steelheads, whether you’re a beginner or advanced angler. However, spinning reels are better for its versatility and ease of use, particularly to beginner to intermediate anglers. They have great line capacities and performs well for steelheads that are less than 20 pounds.
2. How can I properly care for my reel after using it to get steelheads?
You need to clean all your equipment, especially your spinning reels.
Clean your reel right after you use it, especially if you handle saltwater situations. Simply remove your reel spool and turn your reel handle, lowering the axle. Spray a bit of WD-40 cleaner on both sides and wipe using a soft cloth.
For interior cleaning, you need to learn how to assemble and disassemble your spinning reel. After disassembling the spinning reel, use a Q-tip to clean off any grease and dirt inside. Then you may want to use a very small amount of clean grease to oil your gears better.
3. Why get a steelhead?
Steelhead is a native rainbow trout that are usually found in the ocean. They grow larger during the winter season and before spawning begins. Larger than 37 inches and weighing more than 20 pounds, they are fighters that will definitely hone your fishing skills!
Not only are they fun and challenging to catch for anglers, but steelheads are known to have delicious meats.
They have a fairly large population and are easily available all year round (especially during the spawning season!), so you won’t have to worry about competition and breeding issues, as long as you follow the state’s fishing rules and regulations.
4. Any tips on how to reel in steelhead with my spinning reel?
Steelhead is the ultimate game fish, but how can you properly catch them? Follow these helpful tips:
- Be sure to get a fishing license and be aware of the regulations and restrictions to avoid fees and breaking laws.
- There are two types of runs when fishing steelhead: winter and summer run. I highly recommend that you fish during the spring to summer, when the spawning season begins.
- Steelheads would respond to various angling techniques, like bobber and jig, fly fishing, planking, side planers, and spey casting. They will be aggressive, taking various flies, baits, and lures. I recommend you to use plugs, fresh roe, or shrimp.
Find out more about reeling in a steelhead with the right equipment, thanks to this informative video:
Wrapping It Up
Steelhead are amazing fish that are popular not only for their big size and challenge but for their meat! It’s why you need a strong spinning reel made to catch fish the similar size and weight as the steelhead. That way, you have a better chance of catching a huge one to bring home!
I hope that my reviews and purchasing guide on the best steelhead spinning reels helped you find the right one you need. If you’re searching for one to use on your next fishing trip, refer to my reviews and see if they’re “the one!”