Ultra-Premium Spinning Reels for Bass Anglers
For years I refused to spend over a hundred bucks on a spinning reel. I strongly preferred baitcasting tackle, and was unwilling to see how spending more for better spinning gear would improve my success. Then I got a Shimano Stradic and I came to appreciate that spending just a bit more would make me a better angler.
Over time, I got to use some of the ultra premium spinning reels in saltwater, for tuna and other hard-pulling species, but I still didn’t fully appreciate their value in freshwater until Keith Combs put me on my personal best smallmouth – with a Shimano Stella FK. Perhaps I would’ve landed it with a lesser reel, but the buttery smooth drag definitely helped.
There are still plenty of really, really good spinning reels in the $100-200 range, but if you’re someone who consistently has to use the best-of-the-best, perhaps consider one of these options:
I own a couple of the Zenons and have used the Stellas on multiple occasions. You’ll have to decide for yourself if a reel of this caliber is worth the extra money for you, but there’s no question when you pick one up that it’s a highly-refined piece of machinery.
Upper Mid-Range Reels I Rely Upon
When I’m spending out of my own limited wallet, I still probably can’t justify a $500+ reel, but I’ve found a sweet spot with some of the following models under two hundred bucks:
Superior Saltwater Reels in Hiding at Tackle Warehouse
While Tackle Warehouse tends to be a very bass-centric retailer, they also carry a bunch of super high-end reels targeted for the saltwater market. They might also find a use with swimbaits, muskies and other applications that require a lot of line capacity and great drag systems. Here are a few:
