Updated: -2/14/2022  Cover Image by: Derrek Sigler

Like many of you, I remember my first fishing reels. When I was really young, I had the traditional push-button Zebco reel that so many of us have used throughout the years. Then I stepped up to a spinning reel and within short order had mastered that casting style and how to use one. My first baitcaster was another story. I knew all the fishing pros on TV were using them, and I wanted one so bad, but the first time I tried to cast it, I wound up with, you guessed it, the unenviable “bird’s nest.” It honestly wasn’t until I spent the summer after high school by going to stay with my uncle in Alaska that I was able to get a handle on using a baitcasting rod and reel on a relatively normal basis. I had no choice there – If I wanted to catch salmon, I needed to use the right equipment. This is when I started to learn what truly makes a reel one of the best baitcasting reels on the market.

The first baitcasters I really got a feel for were Abu Garcia round reels. These are favored for casting for big species of fish like salmon, steelhead, pike and muskies to name a few. The low-profile bass fishing baitcaster is a different animal in that you have to use a slightly different style of casting to get the hang of it. If a round reel is the ¾ ton truck of the reel world, the low-profile bass reel is the sports car. These reels are about speed, which can make them harder to learn to use, but once you’ve mastered it, you don’t want to use anything else.

Best Baitcasting Reels

	Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast	Shimano Curado DC Baitcast Reel	Daiwa Tatula Elite Baitcast Reel
Weight:	13.4 Ounces	7.8 Ounces	8.1 Ounces
Gear Ratio:	4.9:1 6.2:1	6.2:1 7.4:1 8.5:1	6.3:1 7.1:1 8.1:1
Features:	5+1 stainless steel HPCR bearings and X-crafty alloy frame	6+1 ball bearings can be used for fresh and saltwater fishing	7+1 ball bearings and lightweight aluminum frame

For more of my fishing gear recommendations, have a look through these popular Outside Pursuits guide links: Baitcasting Rods, Tackle Boxes, Fishing Kayaks.

Quick Answer: The 7 Best Rated Baitcasting Reels For 2021

1. Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast Low Profile Reel
2. Shimano Curado DC Baitcast Reel
3. Daiwa Tatula Elite Baitcast Fishing Reel
4. Lew’s Tournament MP Speed Spool LFS Baitcast Reel
5. Piscifun Phantom Carbon Baitcasting Reel
6. KastKing Speed Demon Baitcasting Fishing Reel
7. Abu Garcia Low Profile Baitcast Fishing Reel

Our reviews of the top rated baitcasting reels with our guide and comparison table will help you choose the right reel for you.

Baitcasting Reel Reviews

#1 Abu Garcia Revo Toro Beast Low Profile Reel Review

This sexy looking low-profile baitcasting reel looks like it’s a cross between a fighter jet and a race car.

Luckily for us, it’s actually a fishing reel. Abu Garcia put a total of 6 stainless steel ball bearings in this baitcaster reel.

The alloy frame and side plate are both coated for corrosion resistance and it’s obvious they’ve targeted this reel at being a lifelong investment for anglers.

Why stainless steel and alloy frame? Because it’s less likely to rust when exposed to water in the fishing environment.

With its stainless steel ball bearings for corrosion resistance along with the titanium-coated line guide, I would say the Revo Toro is the best baitcasting reel for saltwater.

Video: Overview of the Abu Garcia Revo Toro.

I like that they focused on the gear system with their DuraGear heavy-duty internals. Again, we’re seeing that this high-end reel is meant to last.

They also packed the reel with their proprietary Power Stack carbon matrix drag system which is highly adjustable and can provide tons of drag.

Available in two ratios, 6.2 and 4.9, this casting reel should suit anyone’s fishing needs!

 Amazon

#2 Shimano Curado DC Baitcast Reel Review

Shimano baitcasting reels are a name my dad would recognize and buy just because he’s always loved their reels.

Shimano’s mid-to-high-end reels are hard to beat in the baitcasting world. Particularly the Curado lineup which has a history spanning decades of use and refinement.

Compared to many modern bait casting reels the looks are modest and sleek. This belies the performance and tech packed inside, however.

Shimano’s new Curado DC uses a digital chip (DC) inside to monitor and control the magnetic brakes 1,000 times every second! This technology allows the reel to manage backlashes with just 4 simple “set and forget” settings.

Additionally, the micro-module gears and all-aluminum frame (plus aluminum side plate) make the retrieve butter smooth.

With a max drag of 11lbs and a reel weight of just over 7 ounces, you’ve got fresh water versatility in a lightweight package and the best casting reel under $200. Available in 6.2, 7.4, and 8.5 gear ratios.

Amazon

#3 Daiwa Tatula Elite Baitcast Fishing Reel Review

I can confidently say that the Tatula Elite is among the smoothest-casting reels I’ve ever had the pleasure to throw.

They’ve redesigned and upgraded just about everything from the much-loved Tatula lineup to upgrade this reel.

I’ve always been a fan of the semi-flattened reel handles that the Tatula sports. The 8-bearing reel system is buttery smooth and your casts are controlled by the Magforce-Z braking system for smooth drag.

Daiwa modified the Magforce brakes specifically for this reel to maximize long-distance casting. Additionally, they lightened up the spool which helps improve overall distance.

One of the more innovative features, however, is the T-Wing guide. It uses an asymmetrical shape to guide the line when spooling and unwinding to maximize free-spool casting distance as the line leaves the spool.

If you want a baitcasting reel with beefy line capacity and all the features of the Tatula family, the new Elite model will deliver.

They put on an oversized grip and reel handle so that you can really generate some torque with your reel.

The reel is also rocking a carbon drag system and corrosion-resistant clutch so you’ll be able to work this reel for years to come with minimal wear and tear.

Note: They also released the Tatula Elite P/F for short-distance pitching and flipping and it’s wonderful!

Available in 6.1, 7.1, and 8.1 gear ratios.

Amazon

#4 Lew’s Tournament MP Speed Spool LFS Baitcast Reel Review

With a highly adjustable brake sporting multiple settings, a 10-bearing crank, and a redesigned slim profile it’s hard to complain here.

For the price tag, they managed to put on this reel they also somehow got away with a centrifugal and magnetic brake system. That’s a lot of features at a reasonable price.

The entire reel, without line, weighs in at under 7 ounces so you won’t get fatigued casting and reeling all day long.

You’ll have tons of control over your brake system on this reel with an internal 4-pin centrifugal brake and an external click dial for adjusting the magnetic braking system.

This gives you precision control over when and how much braking occurs during parts of the cast.

Gear ratios range from 5.6 – 8.3 and many in between so there’s plenty of options for any type of casting you’ll want to do.

There should be a reel ratio here for everything from spinners to poppers and in my opinion the Lew’s Tournament is the best baitcaster for the money.

Amazon

#5 Piscifun Phantom Carbon Baitcasting Reel Review

With a carbon round drag system and graphite side plates, this baitcaster reel is meant to provide smooth reliable drag for a long lifespan.

Full size baitcasting reels are meant more for big fishing so this would be appropriate for salt water or Great Lakes fishing.

Head for this reel when you might be sending bait to serious depths or fighting fish that take long runs.

This one comes in a set gear ratio of 7.1 with CNC machined brass gear. You have your choice of left or right handed models.

With 7 total stainless steel ball bearings, there’s plenty here to keep the casting and reeling smooth as butter.

They’ll even throw in some 4-strand line which is nice, but most fishermen are going to prefer putting their own line on. No chance risking a catch on unknown line!

Overall the reel weighs in at 5.7 ounces and can pack in up to 240 yards of 10-pound test.

The magnetic braking anti-reverse system should help to massively eliminate those nasty bird nests as well. If you looking for a cheap baitcaster, I think the Piscifun Thunder is the best baitcasting reel under $100.

#6 KastKing Speed Demon Baitcasting Reel Review

This baitcaster has got something to truly set it apart from the competition. With a gear ratio of 10.5, CNC machined brass gear and aluminum spool it’s able to pull in line faster than just about any other reel.

With 13 total shielded ball bearings, there’s a guarantee that it’ll be smooth casting and quick. Unfortunately, having such a high gear ratio also means that it’s going to have a harder time hauling in loads.

4-disc carbon fiber drag system can handle up to 18 pounds of smooth drag pressure which should be plenty for any fish you’ll be catching on a compact baitcasting reel.

They’ve used a magnetic brake system on this reel for elimination of backlashing, or bird nests. It’s moderately adjustable and should be able to handle most situations but I would have liked to see a bit more fine-tuning ability.

Overall, this is definitely a reel that sacrifices torque for speed. I would keep this on a rod that’s dedicated to light and fast casting.

If fast gear ratio doesn’t bother you and you’re looking for high speed retrieval, this is one of the top baitcasting reels for a budget price!

#7 Abu Garcia Revo SX Low Profile Baitcast Reel Review

With a total of 10 stainless steel ball bearings, titanium-coated line guide and sealed corrosion protection this low profile baitcaster from Abu should stay smooth casting for years.

They took a lot of steps to keep the weight down on this reel, such as the C6 carbon side plate, aluminum spool and alloy frame. An alloy frame helps keep the frame rigid, corrosion-resistant, and lightweight.

They have tried to maximize just about every internal system with D2 gear design, MagTrax magnetic braking system, and compact recurved handles.

According to the manufacturer’s website, they were able to drop over 2 ounces of weight with the recent redesign using new materials and tech.

Pretty much everything from the frame to the gear system was overhauled so if you’re used to older Abu Garcia reels, you might need to try a new one.

Overall, it’s a friendly, easy to adjust, and well-rounded reel with a moderate price tag.

It’s not the cheapest or the most expensive, but with so many good features this high-end reel is definitely worth a look and the best baitcasting reel for beginners.

Amazon

Baitcasting Reel Comparison Table

How to Choose the Best Baitcasting Reel – Buyers Guide

• Gear Ratios
• Braking
• Line Capacity
• Right Handed vs Left Handed Reels
• Why Use a Baitcaster?
• Considerations for a Baitcaster
• FAQs About Baitcasting Reels
• Best Baitcasting Reel Brands
• Final Thoughts

Gear Ratios

There are several main areas we looked at for deciding if a reel made this list. Gear ratio is important and most major baitcast reels come in 2-3 different gear ratios. The gear ratio is how many times the spool does a complete revolution for every complete revolution of the handle. The higher the ratio, the faster the reel is.

Some baits require a fast retrieve to work right, and for the pros fishing tournaments, you want to be able to maximize the time on the water, so those few seconds you can make up between casts and retrieves is crucial. It also affects the bait. You want a slower reel for subtle baits, like select soft plastics or crankbaits, but you want a faster return for spinner baits.

Braking

Most every baitcasting reel has some form of spool braking to help you dial in how the reel performs. We all know that the most important brake is our thumb, as we use it to control the spool, line and cast. And we all know what happens when we don’t use enough thumb. The reel’s adjustable brake helps by putting some friction or force on the spool to help you. Some reels let you add so much brake, it’s hard to cast. That is what you look for, however, when casting big baits, like when you fish for muskies or catfish.

There are two basic types of baitcast reel braking system – Magnetic and mechanical. Magnetic brakes are far superior in that you can adjust them quite a bit to suit your style and bait size. The latest advancement is a reel like the Shimano SLX DC. We’re still in the testing phase with this reel, but it is sweet! It digitally controls the magnetic brake, giving you amazing control over the reel. So far – two big thumbs up and it’ll be on this list. Just making sure it has the longevity we expect from a high-end reel.

Mechanical brakes use a system similar to automotive brakes, where friction is the stopping force. These systems tend to be found on the lower priced baitcasters and don’t have as much adjustability. However, they can really clamp down on the spool, so for those just starting to get the handle on using a baitcaster, this isn’t a bad idea.

Line Capacity

To make things short and simple, the round reels you find like Abu Garcia C Series, will hold much more line than a low-profile reel. The rule of thumb you should go by is that the bigger the fish species you intend to target, the more line capacity you need.

Keep in mind that line capacity ratings are usually measured in regular monofilament weights. Some reels do give you the maximum capacity for the equivalent braided lines, which have a much smaller diameter. I’ll be flat-out honest here and say that unless you are supremely confident in your casting abilities, braided lines and baitcasters are a bad idea If you’re just starting out, get really good using less expensive and easier to untangle monofilament before you load $20 worth of braided line on your reel. When a braided line gets backlashed and forms the lovely bird’s nest, it can be a beast to untangle.

Pro Tip – When you spool line on, Tie the line and snip off the excess, and then place a small piece of friction tape over the line on the spool. I often use the tape used on the line to keep it on the spool in its packaging. Otherwise, you risk the line slipping on the spool which create a whole series of issues for you.

Right Handed vs Left Handed Baitcasting Reels

You can get most baitcast reels in both right and left hand versions. There has been talk about which one you should get but it all boils down to one thing – what works for you. You should cast using your dominant, most comfortable hand for optimal control of the spool during the cast. Do what suits you best and go from there.

Why Use a Baitcasting Reel?

Let’s look at this from the standpoint of baitcasting reels vs. spinning reels. Each type of reel has its place, and most serious anglers have both in the boat with them. The biggest issue with baitcaster is, the line is spooled straight to the length of the rod. With a spinning rod, the line spools differently and travels in more of an arc.

You have control over the casting distance using a baitcaster. This is because you are able to vary the distance/speed of the lure with your thumb on the spool. The biggest key is to make sure the spool stops as soon as the lure hits the water.

The drag system for a baitcaster is inherently stronger than a spinning reel. Again, this is due to the direction of the line and the rod. The responsiveness of the baitcasting setup is different from spinning reels also. You need the rod to have enough sensitivity to tell if the strike is soft. Hard strikes are easy, as we all know what that feels like, but when you get just a light tap for the hit, it can be easier to miss with some baitcasting setups. This is why you’ll often find walleye fishermen jigging and finesse fishing using a spinning combo, as it is easier to actually hold onto the line and feel that light tap, tap, tap.

Considerations for Choosing a Baitcasting Reel

• Bearings – The number of bearings determines how smooth the reel will be. As the number goes up, the friction from the spool’s movement is dispersed even more, making the reel action that much better. Be sure to look for corrosion-free bearings if you’re going to use your gear in worse than normal condition, or near salt water.
• Frame – If you’re looking at round reels, the frame is just about always going to be aluminum. Low-profile baitcasters can be made from aluminum, magnesium, or carbon fiber composites. This lowers the weight and helps give you the feel you want from the rod and reel combo you create or buy. Lighter reels are always better for comfort when casting all day.
• Handle – The bigger the baitcaster, the more the handle will likely be single sided with a counter weight on the opposite end. Most of the baitcasting reels you’ll commonly see have two handles. This is for speed and comfort.
• Spool – The spool should be aluminum and the spool size is determined by the reel design.
• Tension – Tension varies according to the weight of the lure you are using. This video helps explain how to set tension.

FAQs About Baitcasting Reels

Q: What makes a baitcasting reel so good?

A: Many would consider a baitcasting reel to be among the best reels available for freshwater fishing. There are a few reasons for this:

1. The line is spooled in the same direction as the line guides. This decreases friction, increases cast distance, and reduces line memory or kinking.
2. Thumb pressure can be used to control cast distance.
3. Brakes can be used to precisely control free-spool friction for maximum cast distance.

These are the main reasons die-hard baitcast users stick with their reels. I can tell you from experience that a good baitcaster can really chuck a lure! If you’ve never thrown a heavy lure on a free spooling baitcaster, let me tell you it’s amazing how far you can whip even a tiny lure.

However, using a baitcaster like this requires tons of practice. As you get better you will invariably birdsnest your baitcast. And, while you’re learning, you’re going to get even worse cast performance than a spinning reel because you’ll have the brakes set high to prevent nests.

Put in the time and effort, however, and baitcasters become a top pick for most anglers!

Q: What’s the best way to learn how to use my baitcasting reel?

A: There are a few common tips and tricks to practicing with a baitcaster. Here are my tips to you:

1. Start by only spooling on a few-dozen yards of line. In case you get a birds nest you won’t be wasting much line.
2. Turn all the brakes up as high as they’ll go.
3. Attach a ½ ounce weight.
4. Open the bail and slowly dial the brake back until the weight falls to the ground.
5. The brakes should prevent the spool from continuing to run once the weight touches the ground.
6. Now try a few casts like this.
7. Slowly turn the brakes off and continue casting.

Of course, this process is usually easier to see in a video format so check out this awesome video on how to adjust your baitcasting reel!

Q: Should I use mono or braided line on my baitcaster?

A: I think a majority of people these days are using braided line on baitcasters. Most often this is also paired with a mono or flouro leader of about 10’ or so.

That said, there’s no reason you can’t run your baitcasting setup any way you like. If you do decide on using brain with a leader, you can learn how to set that up with this video.

Using braided line means less stretch so your hook sets are firmer and you can feel your lure bumping along structure (and feel hits) a lot better with longer line. Be careful, however, as braid can be so quick to set you’ll rip the lures right out of the fish so it may take some time to get used to.

For most topwater uses, I usually just tie braid straight to my lure personally. One of the downfalls with this, however, is that the braided line may be visible to picky fish so if the bite is hard, try using a clear mono leader for float.

Q: What is a low profile baitcasting reel?

A: Most baitcasting reels you’re thinking of are low profile. These reels sit close to the rod, they’re small, and they’re lightweight.

On the other hand a full size baitcaster is quite a large reel that sits fully atop the rod. These are often used for fishing with downriggers and other deeper techniques that require tons of large diameter line.

Don’t confuse the two. While one is great for casting, the other is really more for trolling.

All of the baitcasting reels we’ve recommended are low profile type baitcasters.

Q: What gear ratio is good for me?

A: This is a preference thing as well as knowing what you’re fishing and how to fish it.

Higher gear ratios mean a faster line retrieve. This is ideal for search baits like spinnerbaits, french spinners, buzzbaits and those long steady retrieves. It’s also particularly useful when you’re in shallow water and need to keep a bait up near the top.

Low gear ratios pull line in more slowly. This is good for fishing big fish or using baits that need more time to sink. While it takes more cranks of the handle to pull in line, it’s easier to fight current, trolling forces, or heavy fish.

For me, personally, I almost always prefer a higher gear ratio for fast retrieves. With a high gear ratio you can always slow down your retrieve, but I hate having to reel low gear ratio reels super fast to get a bait moving!

Best Baitcasting Reel Brands

As always choosing the “best” brands of reels is subjective and truth is, with modern manufacturing and technology most all brands are pretty good. There are always a few brands that keep coming up among experienced anglers and personally I have had good luck using all these brands:

• Penn
• Schimano
• Abu Garcia
• Daiwa

Outside Pursuits Overview

Baitcasting reels have a reputation as finicky and prone to bird nesting. With some practice and a well-tuned reel, you can quickly learn to master these reels.

They provide greater control, efficiency, and accuracy over traditional spinning reels. While baitcasting reels have some drawbacks, experienced anglers almost universally prefer their tunability and accuracy over other reels.

Make sure a baitcasting reel is the right choice for you. Whether you choose a compact or full size reel, first consider where you’ll be fishing and what type of fish you’re going after.

If you’re just going out for a weekend once a year bass fishing, baitcasting reels aren’t for you. But, if you’re ready to push the limits on what you can do with a reel, this is the reel type you need.

How We Researched

To come up with the top baitcasting reels we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as REI, Dicks Sporting Goods and Bass Pro Shops along with our own personal experience.

We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews.

With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options for the price. The author, Casey Fiedler has been an avid fisherman for decades and leads fishing trips into the backcountry.

To help narrow down the selection our authors used their personal experience along with recommendations from charter captains and tour guides.

After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.

Sources

Have fun and good luck!