Inshore fishing is considered any kind of fishing that is within a few miles of shore. Generally, the water for inshore fishing is less than 30 meters in depth. For inshore fishing you will be catching smaller species of fish, but catch larger quantities of them. Lighter equipment is usually needed for inshore fishing than for offshore fishing. If you’re going inshore fishing in saltwater, you need a good inshore spinning reel that can handle the frequent casting. Here we will take a look at some of the best saltwater spinning reels for inshore fishing.
Riversearch.com is Reader-supported. When you purchase gear through links on our site, we may earn commissions.
Best Saltwater Spinning Reels for Fishing Inshore
- Penn 1338217 Battle II 2500 Spinning Fishing Reel
- Abu Garcia, Revo X Inshore Low Profile Casting Reel, 6.6:1 Gear Ratio, 7 Bearings, 27″ Retrieve Rate
- Penn 1338222 Battle II 8000 Spinning Fishing Reel
- Shimano Socorro 6000F SW Offshore Spinning Fishing Reel
- One Bass Fishing Reels Light Weight Saltwater Spinning Reel
1. Penn 1338217 Battle II 2500 Spinning Fishing Reel
Product Features
Brand Name: Penn
Weight: 10.3 Oz
Mono Capacity YD/LB: 255/6; 175/8; 140/10
Braid Capacity YD/LB: 240/10; 220/15; 160/20
Gear Ratio: 6:2:1
Our number one pick is the Penn Battle II Spinning Fishing Reel. This reel is built from a full metal body with a side plate, rotor, and aluminum bail wire. It is is designed to keep saltwater out for maximum durability. The reel also has a carbon fiber drag system to provide a powerful and smooth drag while having 6 stainless steel ball-bearings for a fluid cranking system. It has a braid capacity of 240/10; 220/15; 160/20. Overall this is an excellent versatile saltwater fishing reel. They also offer several other sizes depending on your needs.
2. Abu Garcia, Revo X Inshore Low Profile Casting Reel, 6.6:1 Gear Ratio, 7 Bearings, 27″ Retrieve Rate
Product Features
Brand Name: Abu Garcia
Weight: 14 Oz
Mono Capacity YD/LB: 175/10 145/12 100/15
Braid Capacity YD/LB: 190/20 140/30 100/50
Gear Ratio: 6:6:1
The number two spot on our list belongs to the Abu Garcia Revo X Inshore Low Profile Casting Reel. Okay, so this isn’t really a spinning reel, it’s a casting reel, but we like this one so much for inshore fishing that we had to sneak it in. This is an excellent and easy to use well-balanced reel with a smooth action. It features 6 stainless steel ball bearings and a roller bearing for smoothness. That reel has an alloy frame for durability. The best thing about this option is that it is available in a right-handed for a left-handed version which makes it great for people of all types. It also has a max drag weight of 18lbs and instant anti-reverse features.
3. Penn 1338222 Battle II 8000 Spinning Fishing Reel
Product Features
Brand Name: Penn
Weight: 30.2 Oz
Mono Capacity YD/LB: 340/20; 310/25; 230/30
Braid Capacity YD/LB: 475/50; 390/65; 345/80
Gear Ratio: 5.3:1
If you’re shopping for a heavy-duty reel with a large line capacity, you need to check out the Penn Battle II 8000 Spinning Fishing Reel. This durable fishing reel is very similar to the model we already covered but with a much larger line capacity. It features 6 stainless steel bearings for a smooth cranking system while being designed to withstand saltwater. Overall it is an excellent reel for inshore fishing, with the only drawback being that it is a little heavier than models with less of a line capacity.
4. Shimano Socorro 6000F SW Offshore Spinning Fishing Reel
Product Features
Brand Name: Shimano
Weight: 15.7 Oz
Mono Capacity YD/LB: 265/12; 170/16; 120/20
Braid Capacity YD/LB: 290/30; 195/50; 140/65
Gear Ratio:4.9:1
The number four spot on our list goes to the Shimano Socorro 6000F Offshore Spinning Reel. This reel is designed for durability in saltwater fishing. It is made for extra-long casts while providing smooth performance that makes it excellent for inshore and offshore fishing. It has 4 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing while featuring a max drag of 22 pounds. It’s smooth, easy to use, and has a power knob feature that many anglers love.
5. One Bass Fishing Reels Light Weight Saltwater Spinning Reel
Product Features
Brand Name: One Bass
Weight: 7 Oz
Mono Capacity YD/LB: 270/6; 150/8; 100/10
Braid Capacity YD/LB: 220/15; 150/20; 120/25
Gear Ratio: 5:2:1
If you’re shopping for a cheap spinning reel for saltwater fishing you might be interested in the One Bass Lightweight Saltwater Fishing Reel. This fishing reel features 12 ball bearings and 1 instant anti-reverse bearing. It has an aluminum spool to prevent line slipping and also features a carbon fiber drag system. It is exceptionally lightweight and is great for freshwater fishing and inshore saltwater fishing. The best thing about this one is the budget-friendly price, but some anglers may prefer to spend a little more on a reel with a larger capacity.
Inshore Saltwater Spinning Reel Buying Guide
When shopping for a good saltwater spinning reel to use on your next fishing trip there are a few things you want to consider:
- Material
- Size and Weight
- Line Capacity
Material
The material that the spinning reel is made of can be an important part of making your decision. We usually recommend stainless steel or aluminum reels. Reels with carbon fiber components are also acceptable. These types of reels will hold up the best for saltwater fishing applications.
Size and Weight
You also have to pay attention to the size and weight of your fishing reel. Usually, for inshore fishing you don’t need as large of a size as compared to offshore fishing. All of the models we have listed here are acceptable for inshore saltwater fishing.
Line Capacity
Generally, for a larger fish, you need a bigger line capacity. For inshore fishing generally, the fish are smaller in size so you typically don’t need as much as compared to offshore fishing. This may be something you want to consider though. Some anglers prefer a versatile reel that can be used both inshore and offshore, so if this is your intention you may want a reel that falls somewhere in the middle in terms of line capacity.
Related Posts:
Inshore Lures for Saltwater Fishing
Saltwater Conventional Reel Reviews
Saltwater Trolling Reel Reviews
