Best Offshore Spinning Reels

The Best Saltwater Spinning Reels: Factors to Consider

Let’s now talk about the important things to remember when looking for saltwater spinning reels. Remember that many anglers prefer to use the best baitcasting reels for this type of fishing because the design and functionality better suits this fishing style. This doesn’t mean that you should follow it. There are many spinning reels that can be used in saltwater. You just need to know what you are buying and how you intend to use it.

WHERE CAN YOU FISH?

It is important to think about where you fish. For example, if you fish in the Florida and South Carolina coasts, you won’t want to use a Penn Battle II 6000 model because it is too large for this purpose. We need to know which reels are best for each situation.

You could use the smaller model, such as a 3000, for both inshore and offshore fishing. But you wouldn’t be able to handle anything too large.

There are many options, such as the Shimano Stradic, that offer the greatest flexibility for fishing both inshore or offshore. They also have a lightweight and easy-to-use reel.

If I am referring to inshore bass anglers, there is a whole other topic. These reels might not be right for you. You may want to go specifically for an inshore spinning reel because they’ll be lighter with faster gear ratios intended for lighter monofilament lines. If you are fishing for bass, you don’t have to bring a 25-ounce reel.

What are you fishing for?

Another important thing to think about is the purpose of your fishing. While this is related to the previous point, it’s important to separate the two. Which type of fish do you want? Do you want to catch red snapper or a variety of other fish? You might be interested in the Shimano Stradic, or the Penn Battle II.

However, if you want to hunt marlin or tuna, you will need something stronger like the Saltiga, or a Penn Battle II.

Technical Considerations

Next, let’s break down some specifications you might look for in your ideal saltwater spinning reel. Keep in mind that these are my opinions and shouldn’t be taken as fact. They’re based on years of experience and hours of research and networking with others.

CAPACITY OF LINE

When we talk about saltwater fishing, your line capacity will always be an important factor. It’s like talking about the difference between an ice fishing reel and a deep sea trolling reel. The one requires high line capacity, while the other almost requires none.

The reel’s line capacity refers to the amount of line that you can put on it to give the fish enough space to move around. The bigger the fish is, the more line you will need. Line capacity is why I consider it one of the most important aspects when buying a saltwater spinning rod.

A spinning reel that can carry at least 200 yards braided line is a good choice. You might need to fish offshore for mahi mahi or other aggressive species so you can double the line capacity to 400. However, there is no standard on how much you should use. This is simply a matter of experience and knowledge about the waters in which you are fishing.

BRAID-READY

When I refer to a reel being braid-ready, what I mean is that it has been set up to spool braided lines directly to the arbor. Because it is a big step, reels that are specifically designed for offshore saltwater fishing can allow you to do this. You will need a monofilament backing if your reel isn’t designed for braided lines.

Other features such as pins or indicators are also available on reels. These indicate how many lines you should have depending on the target. While this is not a deal-breaker, it’s something you should be aware of.

GEAR RATIO

Whatever reel you are talking about, the gear ratio will always be an issue. The gear ratio is the number of revolutions that the spool makes each time the handle is turned. A gear ratio of 5.4 to 1 means that the spool will move around 5.4 times each time you turn it. A higher gear ratio is generally better as it requires less cranking, and eventually reduces fatigue.

This is a reasonable assumption when it comes to freshwater fishermanship. Saltwater fishing is a different story. There are many other factors to consider.

First, it’s not possible to just crank the handle and hope to catch anything. You’ll either snap your line, grind up your internals, and tear down the bearings. Our drag is here to help.

Your gear ratio is determined by how you work with the drag. To target large game fish, a lower gear ratio is best. To avoid snapped lines or damaged gears, you need to slow down.

BEARINGS

Many people don’t understand bearings, but think they do. It’s a common misconception that more is better, but it is not always true. Daiwa Saltiga is a case in point. They have invested a lot of technology into the product. They didn’t add more bearings just for the sake.

A smoother cast and retrieval is generally achieved by using more bearings. However, it is the quality of the bearings as well as the rigidity of the body that can make a difference. You won’t have a smooth retrieve if your reel has too much flex. This is because your internals will grind on your teeth, making it harder to bring in the fish.

You don’t need to worry about the bearings. Instead, focus on the quality reel and only shop for brands that you trust.

CORROSION-RESISTANCE

You will notice that I have a lot of product reviews that talk about sealed bodies, magnetic oils, and all metal frames. These features are designed to limit the amount of junk that can enter your reel and cause it’s to fail. These aren’t features you’ll find on any ultralight spinning reel, they’re dedicated to saltwater reels to prevent corrosion.

The reel could easily fail without these parts after a few trips to water.

Keep in mind that the more you spend, the better the features you get. This is why some premium reels such as the Saltiga are so expensive. It might be more expensive than $1,000 but you get as many features as possible packed into one reel, making maintenance and care much easier.

Although I wouldn’t say no to the Shimano Stradic reel, it is in this area that this reel falls short. It’s lightweight and versatile, so it’s not just for saltwater. They had to divert some of their resources from saltwater protection in order to use them elsewhere.

Make sure to be aware of the features on your reel and how they protect it from being clogged with salt and sand.

WEIGHT

Let’s not forget about the weight. Your reel’s weight is directly related to the number of power-packed features it has. A lightweight reel will not be able to handle large fish without breaking down the internals.

A 30 ounce reel will make fishing offshore much more enjoyable, but it can be tiring if you try to finesse cast for bass with it.

Although there is no way to know what the “right” weight is, I suggest keeping all of these factors in your mind and using weight as one part of the puzzle.

A reel such as the Shimano Stradic, which is extremely lightweight for this guide, could be an option. But remember what you are sacrificing and what risk you are taking. Fishing lighter tackle is better as you won’t be able to catch anything too big.

Most of the reels in this guide are suitable for offshore fishing, as well as inshore fishing. You can also choose from many different sizes depending on your fishing style.