How to choose a Saltwater Fishing Reel with so many choices

If you want to get into fishing you will be blown away when you walk into a tackle shop and see how many choices there are to choose from. There are loads of brands and just as many models from each maker. How are you to choose? Of course, asking the staff at your local tackle shop is a great place to start, but they seem to all have different opinions, even within the same location.

The list of brands is too numerous to even list. Everyone knows Penn and Shimano, even if they have never fished before, but they are more known because of how much those companies spend on advertising. So, that in turn makes their reels a little more expensive.

So you live in a saltwater area, that’s where we will start the criteria for your first reel. All reels are not alike even from freshwater to saltwater. If you want a saltwater fishing reel, you need to make sure it is made to withstand the environment. Ask your tackle shop staff to point out the saltwater reels.

Then you need to decide on spinning or baitcast. I will strongly suggest a spinning reel for your first as they are easier to use for beginners as well as they cost less. Baitcast reels do perform better, but they have a heavy price and you need the knowhow to use them, otherwise you will wind up with what’s called a bird’s nest on your first cast and that will pretty much end your day for fishing.

The final thing that should make up your mind for your first reel is price. Don’t let price fool you. Just because it’s the most expensive or least does not mean it is the best or worst. Feel how the reel spins in your hand. More bearings usually mean smoother action, which is good, but it doesn’t have to be top of the line to bring home the catch. And if you can find last year’s model, you will save a lot and not lose any quality.

Shop around a little. There are lots of places that have good refund policies if you bring the reel back shortly after purchase with no damage. And then just go for one. Once you have a saltwater fishing reel, it won’t be your last.

-Captain