Surf fishing is such a fun way to catch various fish species! A lot of anglers would usually surf fish from a beach, though you can also use similar techniques and gear by the shoreline. With that in mind, the crucial equipment you’ll need is the best surf fishing reels.
But with the many different surf fishing reels available on the market, which is most suitable for you? Read on as I show you my top reviews and a quick purchasing guide.
Quick Comparison: Top Surf Fishing Reels
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | DETAILS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Durable and High-Range | The Durable and High-Range | 1. Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Tough and Solid | The Tough and Solid | 2. KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Premium and Easy-to-Use | The Premium and Easy-to-Use | 3. Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Well-Crafted and Fast-Performance | The Well-Crafted and Fast-Performance | 4. SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Lightweight and Well-Designed | The Lightweight and Well-Designed | 5. Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Reliable and High-Quality | The Reliable and High-Quality | 6. Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder ABF-40b Graphite Spinning Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Strong and Rust-Resistant | The Strong and Rust-Resistant | 7. Dr. Fish Saltwater Spinning Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Smooth and Improved | The Smooth and Improved | 8. RUNCL Spinning Reel TITAN I Fishing Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Easy-to-Adjust and Versatile | The Easy-to-Adjust and Versatile | 9. Sougayilang Spinning Fishing Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Superior and Light | The Superior and Light | 10. Ghosthorn Spinning Fishing Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Upgraded and Robust | The Upgraded and Robust | 11. Goture Spinning Reel |
| Check Price |
| The Powerful and Great Value | The Powerful and Great Value | 12. Cadence Spinning Reel |
| Check Price |
**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 12 Best Surf Fishing Reels For You
What are the best surf fishing reels you should consider investing in? Here are my top 12 reviews:
1. The Durable and High-Range: Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel
I appreciate the Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel for its premium construction and amazing features. While on the pricier side, it definitely gives you even better value for your money!
It’s built with an HT-100 carbon fiber drag system for powerful drag strength and the smooth performance thanks to the five sealed stainless steel ball bearings, coming with an instant anti-reverse system.
This reel is also very easy to use, as it’s braid-ready and requires no backing, with line capacity rings and full capacity performance. It’s the ultimate surf fishing reel for any angler!
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Full metal body and side-plate with a heavy-duty aluminum bail wire for durability
- Smooth and powerful drag with high-quality HT-100 system
- Superline spool and premium ball-bearing system for ease of use
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 6,000
- Max Drag: 25 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 5.6:1
- Bearing Count: 5+1
2. The Tough and Solid: KastKing Sharky III Fishing Reel
The KastKing Sharky III comes from a line of reputable fishing gear manufacturers, so you’ve assured a trusty reel. It is their next-gen reel, made to land trophy fish when surf fishing! They are known for their lighter weight, made with a fiber-reinforced graphite body and rotor structure.
Furthermore, it has the extreme power to take on bigger and more aggressive fish. As for its durability, it has the KsatKing Intrusion Shield System to keep it protected and long-lasting.
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Excellent and affordable innovation with 10+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings
- Power power and smoothness with carbon fiber drag systems
- Attractive design made from a trusted brand name
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 5,000
- Max Drag: 39.5 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
- Bearing Count: 10+1
3. The Premium and Easy-to-Use: Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reel
The Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reel is on the pricey side but trust me, it offers one of the most premium features all anglers can take advantage of. It has an anodized aluminum housing and an over-sized Digger System, as well as a solid rotor, aluminum spool, and screw-in handle. This ensures that no salt or water comes in, nor would it break easily from intense fishing.
It’s built to handle the heavy game in the saltwater, from its smooth drag down to the powerful and speedy gear ratio!
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Black anodized housing that looks and performs excellently
- Excellent line capacity to hold a lot of line for long distances
- Great value and built like a tank to last long
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 5,000
- Max Drag: 22 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 5.6:1
- Bearing Count: 6+1
4. The Well-Crafted and Fast-Performance: SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel
The SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel has the speed and gear ratio you need to catch heavier and aggressive fish successfully. It acts quickly and offers good torque to help keep your fish as you reel it in quickly.
Besides its gear ration, it has an excellent carbon fiber drag system that can land up to 33 pounds of game fish, as well as the 10+1 stainless steel ball bearings for smoothness as you reel in your catch. Furthermore, it has the sealed aluminum spool and rotor to prevent any salt or sand from entering the gears.
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Thicker main shaft and shielded stainless steel ball bearings for smoother and powerful casting and retrieval
- Durable and made with anti-corrosive coating for saltwater fishing situations
- Advanced technologies to ensure durability and excellent performance
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 5,000
- Max Drag: 33 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 4.7:1
- Bearing Count: 10+1
5. The Lightweight and Well-Designed: Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel
The Piscifun Flame Spinning Reels are made for beginner anglers because of how light and strong it is! Furthermore, it has such an attractive and exquisite appearance, having a matte black body and red aluminum spool. Its material matches the sleekness, being made with strong construction to withstand surf fishing conditions.
The graphite body has a narrow and hollow design to ensure lighter weight and less fatigue. It also has nine high-quality ball bearings and a roller bearing for smooth and powerful performance. It has a drag power of almost 20 pounds and an adequate size for higher line capacity and drag.
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Triple drag washers for smooth and consistent drag performance
- Anti-corrosion gear made of zinc
- Even line lay for balanced performance and unique, braid-ready spool
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 4,000
- Max Drag: 19.8 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 5.5:1
- Bearing Count: 9+1
6. The Reliable and High-Quality: Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder ABF-40b Graphite Spinning Reel
When looking for something reliable and made to last for numerous fishing season, you’ll like the Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder ABF-40b. It has a moderate price but made with premium material. Because of its features, it’s best suited for the professional angler, from its smooth bearing drive system down to the precision-machine pinion gear.
I like that this surf fishing reel is made for handling large live baits and catching large fish, having a secondary drag system, and smooth performance. It’s also easy to control and suitable for any fish species, whether small or big, calm or aggressive!
lWhat’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Maintains line control no matter what fishing application and target species
- Disengages when turning the reel handle to re-engage the drag system
- Strong and made with premium materials to last
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 4,000
- Max Drag: 13 pounds
- Gear Ratio: N/A
- Bearing Count: 6+1
7. The Strong and Rust-Resistant: Dr. Fish Saltwater Spinning Reel
The Dr. Fish Saltwater Spinning Reel is made for the experienced angler because of its size and amazing drag system. It’s built for catching bigger and more aggressive game without the reel or line breaking. While it has a slightly slower gear ratio, it provides the torque you need for a bigger fight.
Furthermore, it has extremely smooth action from casting to retrieval. It’s built with 13+1 rust-resistant ball bearings with waterproof and sealed side plates and rotor. This ensures butter-smooth performance without rusting or breakage.
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- CNC Aluminum spool for better line capacity and strength
- Great for long casts and for catching powerful fish no matter the size and aggressiveness
- Excellent drag and power with better torque to catch almost any fish species
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 10,000
- Max Drag: 40 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 3.9:1
- Bearing Count: 13+1
8. The Smooth and Improved: RUNCL Spinning Reel TITAN I Fishing Reel
The RUNCL Spinning Reel TITAN I is moderately-priced and offers the improved body and features any angler will appreciate. It is made with a full metal body and anodized material, with precision-machined frames for extreme durability. Its surface even has extra phosphate coating to stay resistant from rust and corrosion!
What makes this reel unique is its 9+1 stainless steel shield ball bearings and precision No-Clearance Transmission Mechanism. This ensures the superior and butter-smooth performance, making it smooth from the moment you cast until you retrieve your fish. From its superior drag system down to smooth and powerful performance, it’s worth the investment.
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Has a built-in RUNCL Entire Shield System for optimum protection
- Sealed drag system for excellent stopping power
- Hollow-Out Design to reduce the reel’s weight without risking strength
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 3,000
- Max Drag: 33 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 5.3:1
- Bearing Count: 9+1
9. The Easy-to-Adjust and Versatile: Sougayilang Spinning Fishing Reel
The Sougayilang Spinning Fishing Reel is one of the more affordable choices that offers great features for the beginner surf angler. I like that it has a collapsible handle, making it interchangeable according to your comfort.
It’s easy to adjust with its cast control that has an S-curve oscillation system, making it easy to wind your line. Furthermore, it’s made with an all-metal body and aluminum spool, which can be used in most fishing settings.
If you’re on a budget and want something that takes great care of your line, you’ll like this fishing reel.
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Adjustable cast control and high-tensile gear for smooth and powerful reeling
- Suitable for most fishing situations and easy to use
- Line lay oscillation system with a thin-designed body
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 6,000
- Max Drag: N/A
- Gear Ratio: 5.1:1
- Bearing Count: 10+1
10. The Superior and Light: Ghosthorn Spinning Fishing Reel
The Ghosthorn Fishing Reel is best-suited for beginner anglers because of its versatility and how easy it is to use. It offers smooth fluid cranking with four stainless steel ball bearings and an instant anti-reverse bearing, lessening the risk of back play.
It also has three carbon fiber drag washers, contributing to its powerful drag system that has a stopping power of up to 42.5 pounds! Besides this, it has an attractive design, making it a treat to use and look at for any angler. Overall, beginner anglers will appreciate using this for many fishing situations with its smooth drag power.
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Modern appearance made with all-metal materials
- Ultra-lightweight graphite body with a computer balanced rotor for durability
- Smooth and powerful drag system for big fish species
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 6,000
- Max Drag: 42.5 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 4.7:1
- Bearing Count: 4+1
11. The Upgraded and Robust: Goture Spinning Reel
The Goture Spinning Reel has a unique feature that makes it even more protected and durable. It has waterproof precision technology. Peter sealing performance. The reel is made with stainless steel, which is less prone to rust and can adapt to saltwater fishing.
It has the typical 5+1 smooth ball bearing system with the light structure and adequate smoothness. Besides this, it has a great design that makes the outlet smoother, lessening any risks of tangling or wearing out your fishing line easily.
If you like better smoothness and durability for your reel and fishing line, this is a great choice.
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Anti-twist line roller to take care of your fishing line
- Extra sealing and protection for better durability
- Made of precision brass gears with a full-metal body
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 5,000
- Max Drag: 17.7 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 4.7:1
- Bearing Count: 5+1
12. The Powerful and Great Value: Cadence Spinning Reel
The Cadence Spinning Reel is one of the most powerful and offers great value for its price. It may be costlier than average, but you get excellent durability and better performance as your reel in your catch.
This surf fishing reel is super lightweight, made of a high-concentration meta carbon mainframe. Its material also makes it stronger than the usual aluminum, also made with a machined aluminum spool to keep your line steady.
What makes it unique is its CS5 Carbon Drag System, which has a stopping power of up to 36lbs, making it worth the price for catching big fish!
What’s Great About This Surf Fishing Reel
- Extremely lightweight and easy to use with ergonomic grip
- Premium features with a 3-year manufacturer’s warranty
- It’s ultra-lightweight and strong to withstand inshore species
Model and Accessory Specs
- Size: 4,000
- Max Drag: 36 pounds
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
- Bearing Count: 8+1
How to Buy the Best Surf Fishing Reels
Besides these top reviews above, what else should you consider when selecting a surf fishing reel? These are the important factors to look into before making your final choice:
1. Reel Size
The optimum reel size to use for surf fishing depends on the line you’ll use. The fishing line you plan to use will then depend on other factors, such as the target fish, beach structure, and drag setting.
For those who are just starting, I recommend that you use a 4,000 to 5,000 size spinning reel for inshore fishing. This is good if you plan to use small artificial baits, or live baits like squid, shrimp, sandfish, or small baitfish.
You can also use a larger size reel, though it’s best to stick to 6,000, which can hold up to 300 yards of lines for surf fishing. It can also handle most fish species nearshore and other bigger fish, though experienced anglers can go for bigger ones. The problem is that bigger reels may be too heavy and cause fatigue!
2. Sealing and Corrosion-Resistance
Remember, you’ll be using the surf fishing reel in the ocean, which is saltwater. Because of that, you need to ensure that your fishing reel is designed to withstand the salt contents and constant exposure to it.
Some reels have sealing and protection, sealed with side plates and gaskets. Others have an open design.
Regardless, you will need a reel that has AT LEAST stainless steel ball bearings and anodized body. Extra protection and sealant is a must as well, which helps it stay corrosion-resistant.
Make sure to check the reel to see if it is meant for saltwater and if it’s made of corrosion-resistant materials. This ensures that it won’t get damaged easily!
3. Gear Ratio
The reel’s gear ratio would determine the speed it reels in the fishing line. I’ll get into the speed you need in the next section.
For instance, reels with a 5:1 gear ratio refer to the spool rotating five times for every 360-degree turn of your reel handle. This is the most suited gear ratio for surf fishing, as it offers good speed and torque for successful retrievals.
The higher your gear ratio, the faster your line retrieval. Lower gear ratios will give the surf fishing reel more torque, making it easier to reel in heavier and bigger fish.
4. Speed
As for the speed, you need to make long casts over breakers when surf fishing. So when you get a bite, you need to reel all that line quickly to prevent losing your potential catch!
With that in mind, you’ll need a reel that can move quickly. Go for fast reels that can cast farther.
But take note that the faster your reels are, the less torque it has, making it more difficult to reel in the bigger game. You will need to find the balance. If you’re a beginner, a ratio between 5:1 to 7:1 is optimal.
5. Smoothness and Ball Bearings
Surf fishing reels would have ball bearings in its body. This is what allows reels to turn, providing its smoothness, stability, and support. The more ball bearings your reel has, the smoother the performance would be.
For beginners, you can get reels with at least five ball bearings. However, 7-12 ball bearings with an anti-reverse system are recommended. The anti-reverse bearing is a huge plus, as it will permit excluding backsliding as you install hooks.
You won’t need any more than 13, and this can rack up its price, so stick with 5-12 ball bearings instead.
6. Line Capacity
Since you will need to make longer casts when surf fishing, you need to make sure that your reel can hold a lot of fishing line. Get a reel that has a line capacity of at least 250 yards for a 20-30lb fishing line.
For beginners and experienced anglers, an optimum reel can hold more than 300 yards of a 50lb fishing line. Note that the more the line capacity, the better!
7. Drag Power and Capacity
The fishing reels drag capacity refers to how heavy a fish you can catch without the reel or line breaking. With surf fishing, you can go after bigger game, with drag capacities ranging from 6 to 40 pounds!
If you’re a beginner, you should start with a 25lb drag capacity, which is the average size of fish species you can catch for practice.
As for drag power, you need the ultimate strength to pull out large and heavy fish or those that resist and are aggressive. The greater the drag power and strength, the easier it can be to reel your line in.
Besides a powerful drag system, it should also hold tight as the lures are in the bruising surf, especially during longer times.
The dimensions of your reel affect its drag force, for larger drums offer better drag power. Low drag reels would break easily under pressure, so find something known to have excellent and smooth drag strength!
Note that weak drag systems will fail to hold your catch steady as you wait for fish. Furthermore, it can also fail to hold your fish, risking damage to your reel, or breaking the line. The drag system and reel durability are connected, which is why this is a crucial factor to consider.
8. Durability and Ease of Maintenance
Of course, you will want your reel to work for as long as it can, so it has to be made with premium materials and quality construction.
You may be tempted to get a reel worth a few dollars. However, this is NOT a reel and just cheap metal or plastic that may break on the first day of surf fishing! Always look for surf fishing reels made with quality materials, preferable all-metal that can withstand bumps, falls, and intense days of surf fishing.
You can opt for graphite or composite materials as well, which are just as strong. All reels should have big and strong bail wires as well.
Besides this, the surf fishing reel should be easy to clean and maintain. You’ll need to wash it off with soap and water, so it should have a guide and be easy to disassemble and reassemble.
Frequently Asked Questions
What else should you learn about when buying the best surf fishing reels? Here are frequently asked questions on using a surf fishing reel:
1. What is surf fishing?
Surf fishing is its sport and activity, involving anglers to catch fish when standing on the shoreline or as they wade on a surfboard. It’s done in saltwater, where you can catch bluefish, redfish, mackerel, striped bass, and more!
2. When should I go surf fishing?
More fish tend to feed during high tide, which is why it’s much better to fish during these times. However, certain species feed at low tide, and it also allows you to reach beaches to find sandbanks and structures fish feed in.
3. What’s the best gear ratio when surf fishing?
The best gear ratio in most surf fishing conditions is around 5:1 or 6:1. For those who want slower retrievals, it’s better to go slow using a higher ratio reel, compared to going faster with a slow surf fishing reel.
4. What baits do you use for surf fishing?
I’ve had success with live baits such as bloodworms, crabs mole crabs, mullet, ragworts, shrimp, squid, and shell crabs. But this depends on the area, so you can inquire about your local bait shop to see which works best.
5. What’s a good pound test line for surf fishing?
The best pound test for most surf fishing conditions is a 50-pound braided line. This is strong enough with the thinness you need to hold even more lines compared to monofilament lines. It has a low line resistance because of its lighter weight, so you can cast in far distances.
6. What other gear do I need for surf fishing?
Besides a good surf fishing reel, you will need other basic gear such as a run fishing rod, lures, lines, as well as fishing accessories like needlenose pliers, carts, knives, surf belts, vests, and waders to easily go around the beach and shoreline.
7. How can I look out for my surf fishing reel?
Your rod and reel will be exposed to corrosive saltwater and rough sands as you go surf fishing. To maintain your gear, make sure that you rinse everything to get all water and sand out. Dry it before you store and clean it with solution regularly as well
8. Should I use spinning or baitcasting reels for surf fishing?
You can use either spinning or baitcasting reels, there is o one better reel-type as it depends on your personal preference and the gear you use. Spinning reels are the more popular choice, especially for beginners to cast far distances with lighter lures. Baitcasting reels are best for more experienced anglers as you can cast heavier lures at longer distances with better control.
Do you want to learn more about using a surf fishing reel effectively? This excellent video can show you more bonus tips:
Wrapping It Up
When thinking about getting into surf fishing, then you need to invest in the best surf fishing reels! This can help you reel in big catches with minimal chances of snapping or damaging your equipment. Fortunately, it’s easy to buy and use a good reel as long as it’s something suited to your preference and needs.
I hope that this purchasing guide on the 12 best surf fishing reels helped you out! So don’t wait any longer and begin buying the right one today.