Best Saltwater Baitcaster

A good saltwater baitcasting reel offers power, accuracy, and control while being able to withstand corrosion and damage from saltwater. Here we will review some of the best saltwater baitcaster reels.

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Best Saltwater Baitcasting Reels

  1. KastKing Spartacus Plus Baitcasting Fishing Reel
  2. Abu Garcia PMAX3 Pro Max Low-Profile Baitcast Fishing Reel
  3. Abu Garcia, Revo X Inshore Low Profile Casting Reel
  4. Shimano SLX 150, Low Profile Baitcasting Reel
  5. Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel

1. KastKing Spartacus Plus Baitcasting Fishing Reel

 

Product Features

Brand Name: KastKing
Weight: 8 Ounces
Max Drag: 17.5 lbs
Gear Ratio: 6:3:1

Our first recommendation is the KastKing Spartacus Plus Baitcasting Fishing Reel. This reel has a powerful carbon fiber drag with 17.5 lbs of stopping power. It features magnetic and centrifugal brakes, 11 + 1 ball bearings made to be corrosion resistant, and an aluminum spool designed for smooth casting. The reel has a mono line capacity of 10/125, 12/100, 15/85, and a braid line capacity of 40/125 50/100 65/85. It also features comfortable cork handle knobs. The reel is also available in both right-handed and left-handed versions. Overall this is an excellent budget-friendly reel that can be used for both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Pros
  • Powerful carbon fiber drag
  • 11+1 shielded ball bearings
  • Budget-friendly
Cons
  • Some anglers may prefer to spend more on a higher-end reel

 

2. Abu Garcia PMAX3 Pro Max Low-Profile Baitcast Fishing Reel

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Abu Garcia
Weight: 7.3 Ounces
Max Drag: 18 lbs
Gear Ratio: 7:7:1

The second spot on our list belongs to the Abu Garcia PMAX3 Low-Profile Baitcast Fishing Reel. The reel is made from a graphite frame and side plates. It features a power disk drag with a max drag of 18 lbs. The spool is anodized aluminum and it has a magnetic braking system. The reel also has an instant anti-reverse feature and features 7+1 stainless steel bearings for a smooth retrieve. It is available in a right-handed and left-handed version, making it great for all anglers. If you’re shopping for a good low profile baitcasting reel that can withstand saltwater, this is an excellent option

Pros
  • Lightweight for comfortable all-day fishing
  • 7+1 bearings for a smooth retrieve
  • Available in a right-handed or left-handed version
Cons
  • Some anglers may prefer a reel with a higher max drag

 

3. Abu Garcia, Revo X Inshore Low Profile Casting Reel

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Abu Garcia
Weight: 8 Ounces
Max Drag: 18 lbs
Gear Ratio: 6:6:1

The third spot is brought to you once again by Abu Garcia with their Revo X Low Profile Reel. This reel is made from an alloy frame that is designed to be lightweight and corrosion-resistant. It features a magnetic braking system and 6:6:1 gear ratio. The reel has a star drag, with a max drag of 18lbs. It has an instant anti-reverse feature and has 6 stainless steel bearings + one roller bearing which makes it incredibly smooth and easy to use. The reel is available in both a right-handed and left-handed version.

Pros
  • Well balanced
  • Smooth action
  • Easy to use adjustments
Cons
  • You may prefer the previous Abu Garcia model

 

4. Shimano SLX 150, Low Profile Baitcasting Reel

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Shimano
Weight: 6.9 Ounces
Max Drag: 11 lbs
Gear Ratio: 8:2:1

The Shimano SLX Baitcasting Reel takes the number four spot on the list. This reel is available in a regular gear, high gear, or extra-high gear version with both right-handed or left-handed options. It has a max drag of 11 pounds and features 4 bearings with 1 reverse bearing for smooth action. Overall this is an excellent budget-friendly reel. It’s smooth, well-balanced, and has good cranking power

Pros
  • Sturdy drag system
  • Well-balanced
  • Smooth with good power
Cons
  • Some may prefer a reel with more than 4+1 bearings

 

5. Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel

 

Product Features

Brand Name: Piscifun
Weight: 8 Ounces
Max Drag: 18 lbs
Gear Ratio: 7:1:1

If you’re shopping for a budget-friendly baitcasting reel the Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel in one of the cheapest options you will find without sacrificing quality. This is a low profile reel with 18 pounds of drag. It features a 7:7:1 gear ratio for versatile power. The reel has 5+1 ball bearings and weighs a lightweight 8 ounces, making it comfortable for all-day fishing. This one is available in both a right-handed and left-handed version. It also has a magnetic dial in settings. Overall this is an excellent budget-friendly choice.

Pros
  • Budget-friendly
  • Low profile reel
  • Lightweight and comfortable
Cons
  • Lacks the features of high-end fishing reels

 

Saltwater Baitcasting Reel Buying Guide

If you’re shopping for a baitcasting reel for saltwater fishing, there are a few things you want to look for

  1. Corrosion-Resistant material
  2. Max Drag
  3. Bearings
  4. Gear Ratio
  5. Reel Weight

Corrosion-Resistant Material

If you intend to use your reel for saltwater fishing you need to make sure the material is designed to withstand the corrosion and rust that comes with saltwater fishing. Make sure when shopping that you choose a reel that is saltwater friendly. All of the reels on this list will hold up to saltwater, but it’s always best to take extra precaution and care for your reel to the get most life out of it.

Max Drag

The maximum drag is an important part of the reel you choose. Typically when fishing for larger fish, you will want a higher max drag. For most fishing, a drag of around 11-20 lbs should be enough. If you’re going fishing specifically for a very large species of fish, you may want to find one with a 20+ lb max drag.

Bearings

Generally, the more bearings your reel has, the smoother, quieter, and more accurate it will be. This isn’t always a dealbreaker though, because a very well made reel might function fine without a large number of bearings.

Gear Ratio

The gear ratio refers to how many times the spool will rotate when you turn the handle. This is tied to how easy it is to reel your line in. For a baitcasting reel, you are usually fine with anything between 6 to 8. But you can also work with something with more or less.

Reel Weight

Reel weight is also something you want to pay attention to. If you’re going on a long fishing trip, you don’t want to carry a heavy reel all day. Anything between 7 to 10 ounces will probably still be comfortable for a long fishing day.

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