Sizing, gear ratio, and drag — and which reel type fits your fishing.
Spinning reels are numbered (1000–20000). Bigger numbers hold more/heavier line and have stronger drags. Match size to the fish and the line you'll spool.
Gear ratio is how many times the spool/rotor turns per handle crank — it sets your retrieve speed. Slow = power and moving baits; fast = picking up line quickly.
Drag is the reel's brake — it lets line slip so a running fish doesn't snap you off. Smoothness matters more than max numbers; sealed drags resist salt.
The easiest reel to learn. The spool is fixed and line peels off the front. Handles light lures and light line beautifully and pairs with a spinning rod.
Learn moreSits on top of a casting rod with the spool turning as line leaves. More power, accuracy, and line control for heavier lures — but you must learn to avoid backlash.
Learn moreA stout round reel for bottom fishing, live-baiting, and trolling. High line capacity and winching power; drops baits straight down and cranks big fish up.
Learn moreBalances a 7' inshore rod and holds plenty of 10–20 lb braid for reds, trout, and snook.
Light enough for worms and jigs, strong enough to pull a good bass out of cover.
Snapper dive for structure — you need capacity and drag to stop them off the bottom.
Grouper bury into rock; you need cranking power and heavy drag to turn them immediately.
Long casts and line capacity for big surf fish that make long runs down the beach.
Precise strike drag and huge capacity for fast pelagics on a moving spread.
A conventional reel where a lever sweeps drag from free-spool to strike to full. Precise, repeatable drag settings — the offshore trolling and big-game standard.
