Best Spinning Reels Under $100 of 2025, Tested and Reviewed

Whether or not you’re purchasing round on your first spinning reel or trying to substitute an previous favourite, discovering a reel that matches your wants and doesn’t break the financial institution is usually a problem. It’s even tougher to discover a spinning reel beneath $100 that may final a number of seasons and received’t maintain you again from catching a brand new PB.

However, I’m going to make that problem loads simpler for you. I’ve been testing the perfect spinning reels beneath $100 whereas catching large muskie, smallmouth, trout, crappie, largemouth, and landlocked stripers. After torture testing inexpensive spinning reels, I discovered the choices which might be price your cash. Listed below are my high picks.

How I Examined the Finest Spinning Reels Below $100

When it got here to placing these reels via the paces, my objective was to maintain it even throughout the board. All reels had been spooled with 10-pound PowerPro braided line and paired with 7-foot, medium-fast rods. I used them in quite a lot of settings, starting from rivers to giant lakes, and even included some inshore saltwater. These settings allowed for a variety of strategies for use. I examined finesse jigs, small swimbaits as much as ¼ ounce, and plugs like suspending jerkbaits and topwater lures within the 3- to 5-inch class.  

To guage efficiency, I primarily checked out performance throughout day-to-day use. I famous how {smooth} the reel feels, how its drag holds up throughout a battle, and the way comfy it’s to fish. Most significantly, I decided how they held up after months of exhausting use. These attributes are what actually separates reels on the sub-$100 value level.

Finest Spinning Reels Below $100: Evaluations & Suggestions  

Finest Total: Daiwa Exceler LT

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Execs

• Extraordinarily light-weight
• Robust drag
• Excessive line capability
• Clean

Key Options (3000 dimension)

• MSRP: $100
• Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Six bearings
• Carbon fiber body
• Line Capability: 250 yards of 15-pound braid
• Drag: 22 kilos

Of all of the spinning reels beneath $100, the Exceler LT by Daiwa was far and away the nicest to fish. It’s the one reel on this value vary that legitimately feels prefer it needs to be far costlier than it’s. This reel was good for the whole lot from river smallmouth bass fishing with jerkbaits to deep-water reservoir fishing with jigs.

With an excellent gentle carbon fiber body and Daiwas AirDrive rotor and bail, the Exceler has lots of the options of Daiwas higher-end reels at a fraction of the associated fee. It has a formidable 22-pounds, the silky-smooth drag held up extremely nicely to fish that had been far exterior the scope of its supposed use. It landed a number of musky and striped bass throughout testing, dealing with all of them with relative ease. As well as, its light-weight carbon body and machined aluminum deal with had been as comfy to fish as any reel on the market, no matter value. 

It casts like a dream, with feathery line launch from the spool and a pleasant even line-lay on the retrieve. Total, regardless of being on the high fringe of the value vary, the Daiwa Exceler LT is an distinctive reel and nicely price the associated fee. 

Finest Saltwater: Penn Pursuit IV

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Execs

• Saltwater resistant
• Sturdy

Key Options (4000 dimension)

• MSRP: $70
• Weight: 12.4 ounces
• Drag: 15 kilos 
• 5 bearings
• Line Capability: 260 yards of 20-pound braid

Discovering any reel able to withstanding saltwater for beneath $100 is a problem, not to mention one particularly designed for it. The Penn Pursuit IV is without doubt one of the uncommon spinning reels constructed to deal with saltwater rigors whereas not breaking the financial institution. 

Penn is a reputation most saltwater anglers are acquainted with, being a staple for many years. Whereas not as fancy as its higher-end Penn counterparts, the Pursuit IV nonetheless carries lots of the trademark options which have made Penn so well-liked within the salt recreation. The Pursuit IV is nicely suited to saltwater with a sturdy, corrosion-resistant graphite physique and sealed, stainless-steel bearings. 

Its drag system is {smooth} and straightforward to handle throughout fights. The 15 kilos of drag energy is sufficient for many inshore use like pulling sheepshead off a piling, catching dozens of schoolie stripers, or fishing reds in slender creeks. The reel may even deal with hard-pulling fish like tarpon, but it surely most likely received’t final lengthy as a devoted tarpon reel. 

The general really feel of the spinning reel is one among sturdiness, with a heavier bail and body than a lot of the different reels on this checklist. The reel itself is comfy to fish, however its heavy weight and hulking construct do make it much less suited to steady casting. Moreover, it’s not fairly as {smooth} compared to the remainder of the reels examined, however the sturdiness and corrosion resistance make up for that. 

Whereas it will not be perfect for finesse fishing or casting plugs all day, it’s a wonderful possibility for soaking bait or throwing a popping cork. With regards to a budget-friendly saltwater reel, there aren’t many higher decisions available on the market. 

Learn Subsequent: Best Trout Spinning Reels

Finest All-Objective: Shimano Sedona FJ

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Execs

• Clean 
• Good drag
• Casting capacity

Cons

• Line capability
• Construct materials sturdiness

Key Options (2500 dimension)

• MSRP: $80
• Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Line Capability: 145 yards of 15-pound braid
• Drag: 20 kilos
• 4 bearings
• Composite physique

The Sedona FJ is a prototypical all-purpose freshwater spinning reel. It’s not essentially on the high in anybody class, however its efficiency and suitability for many freshwater functions makes it a stable possibility. With a lot of high quality options at an affordable value level, the Sedona FJ is a well-rounded reel that does the job it’s designed to do. 

The Shimano Sedona FJ is the subsequent iteration of Shimano’s Sedona lineup, which is lengthy a preferred alternative for budget-conscious anglers who nonetheless need the standard options that Shimano is thought for. The drag on the Sedona is as {smooth} because it will get for any reel beneath $100, and with 20 kilos of drag energy, it may possibly battle huge fish. Moreover, this reel options the patented Shimano Hagane expertise, a mixture of balanced design and cold-forged gearing. This makes the Sedona FJ a well-balanced reel that’s very comfy and {smooth} to fish. Different enhancements on this newest Sedona mannequin are the mixing of SilentDrive and a G-Free physique, each patented Shimano designs that assist enhance the reel’s steadiness and smoothness. 

Finally, the most important weak spot with this reel is the fabric it’s made with. The composite body is a cost-saving measure, and whereas it doesn’t affect the general really feel of the reel whereas fishing, it might contribute to sturdiness points over time. It’s additionally not as gentle as aluminum or carbon, which places it a step beneath the Exceler LT and Pleuger President XT. Regardless of a few of these points, the price of the Shimano Sedona FJ balances nicely with its efficiency, making it an ideal all-around possibility for informal freshwater anglers. 

Learn Subsequent: Best Spinning Reels for Bass

Finest Finesse Reel: Pfleuger President XT

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Execs

• Very gentle
• Delicate and finesse oriented
• Very {smooth}

Cons

• Weak drag
• Low line capability

Key Options (25 dimension)

• MSRP: $100
• Weight: 7 ounces
• Drag Power: 8 kilos
• Line Capability: 140 yards of 6-pound braid
• Carbon physique and aluminum elements 

Discovering a reel this finely tuned to finesse fishing for beneath $100 might be difficult, however the President XT suits the invoice. Whereas it will not be as universally relevant because the Sedona or Exceler, it’s nice at what it’s designed to do: gentle sort out finesse fishing. 

If the opposite reels on this checklist are searching knives, the Pfleuger President XT is a scalpel. Very like the Daiwa Exceler, the President XT has a light-weight carbon physique paired with machined aluminum elements that make this reel gentle and cozy to fish. The President XT additionally has a stainless-steel 10-bearing system, which makes for an extremely {smooth} retrieve.

The President XT is good for throwing small lures on gentle line, having the sensitivity and management required to correctly really feel the motion of the lure and the chunk. This specialization for finesse fishing does have some drawbacks, primarily within the drag and line capability division. At solely 8 kilos of drag, the President XT isn’t a great reel for tackling bigger gamefish or chucking heavier lures. The spool can be not designed to carry a lot line, particularly should you go over the 8- to 10-pound check. 

Finest Finances: Lews Speed Spin

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Execs

• Effectively-rounded
• Good materials elements
• Value

Cons

• Brass gears aren’t as sturdy as aluminum 

Key Options (30 dimension)

• MSRP: $60
• Weight: 9.4 ounces
• Drag Power: 13 kilos
• Line Capability: 200 yards of 15-pound braid
• Graphite body, brass gearing, aluminum spool/deal with
• 10 bearing system

With a graphite body and machined aluminum elements, you’d count on the Lews Velocity Spin to value significantly greater than it does. It additionally provides a {smooth} 10-bearing system and delicate rubber Fight Grips, making a particularly comfy fishing expertise. Whereas it definitely isn’t on the high in anybody space, at 9.4 ounces with 13 kilos of drag, the Velocity Spin is a well-rounded reel. The most important knock in opposition to this reel is the brass gearing, which aren’t as sturdy and corrosion resistant as machined aluminum or chrome steel. That mentioned, at this value level it’s exhausting to count on any greater than this reel provides, and it has greater than sufficient high quality options to justify a stable place on this checklist. This reel is a perfect possibility for the informal freshwater angler, or as a stable back-up for these trying to broaden their quiver. 

Finest Ultralight: Shimano Sahara

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Execs

• Light-weight with nice steadiness
• Newbie-friendly
• Quiet, {smooth} retrieve
• Lowered rotational resistance for elevated energy and {smooth} reeling when preventing fish

Key Options (500 dimension)

• MSRP: $90
• Weight: 6 ounces
• Drag: 6.7 kilos
• Line capability: 60 yards of 6-pound mono
• Gear ratio: 5.6
• 4 bearings
• One-year warranty

I had to make use of a barely totally different check protocol for this ultralight reel. After filling it with gentle, 6-pound check monofilament, I hit the creeks to hunt for panfish. The Shimano Sahara has a number of key options that make it nice for reeling in bluegill and crappie. It has a beveled crown and reverse tapered spool lip, permitting {smooth} casting. Each options let the road stream with out extreme resistance so you may make lengthy casts even in windy situations or with gentle, panfish-size baits. 

Shimano makes use of a patented “G-Free Physique” design, which is only a fancy manner of claiming they shifted the reel’s heart of gravity in order that it sits nearer to the rod. The thought is to make the rod and reel really feel extra like an extension of the physique. Whereas that could be a stretch, it does appear to scale back fatigue. I spent a number of days fishing, pitching hundreds of casts, and barely obtained drained. 

Regardless of its light-weight development, the Sahara remains to be stable and sturdy. Though it has a full-plastic design, Shimano used a couple of development methods to make it really feel and carry out like a sturdier reel. First, Shimano used high-grade, long-strand carbon-infused plastic to enhance rigidity. The reel additionally has a cut up stem to raised deal with rigidity and compression. 

I’m an enormous fan of the reel’s “SilentDrive” tech. I don’t absolutely perceive the engineering behind it, but it surely works magic at decreasing noise and vibration. The retrieve is so {smooth} and quiet, that it was simple to suppose I wasn’t reeling in any respect. — Alice Jones Webb

Learn how to Select a Spinning Reel

As with most fishing gear, understanding when and the place you’ll be utilizing the reel is step one in deciding which one is finest for you. If you happen to’re primarily soaking bait, the burden of the reel received’t matter as a lot as the standard of the drag. If you may be actively casting lures all day lengthy, you’ll most likely care extra concerning the weight of the reel and how much line it may possibly deal with. Maybe a very powerful issue is figuring out the place the reel can be used, and if it wants any particular options to deal with the weather. 

Saltwater 

If you happen to plan on utilizing your sub-$100 spinning reel in saltwater, you’ll need one thing that’s corrosion resistant before everything. Sealed bearings and chrome steel or aluminum inner elements are essential parts to keep away from corrosion.

Strategies

If you happen to plan on utilizing the reel for finesse fishing and repeated casting, you’ll most likely need one thing that’s gentle and cozy to fish. Line capability will also be essential should you plan on fishing deeper water or concentrating on fish that make lengthy runs. Lastly, an neglected issue might be ensuring the reel casts easily and lays line evenly.

Reel Sizes 

Whatever the manner you propose on fishing, you’ll nonetheless need to be sure the reel is sized correctly for you and the rod you propose to pair it with. Spinning reels typically use a metric of sizes starting from 500 all the best way as much as 20000, with 500 being the smallest and 20000 being the biggest. Regardless of the big selection, most anglers will desire a reel within the 2500 to 4000 dimension for all-purpose use in freshwater. This dimension vary is by far essentially the most versatile for fishing wherever within the nation, being acceptable for the whole lot from bass and panfish as much as stripers and redfish. Whereas the road capability of reels on this vary can differ noticeably, they typically permit for round 150 to 250 yards of line within the 8- to 15-pound check vary. 

Gear Ratios 

Gear ratios in spinning reels beneath $100 are usually much less diversified and fewer essential than they might be in baitcasters or heavy-duty spinning gear. Nonetheless, it’s essential to contemplate how the gear ratio will match as much as the approach you primarily plan to make use of. 

Most reels within the 2500 to 3000 vary may have gear ratios within the 5.2:1 space, which permits for a reasonably constant retrieve price and line-per-crank ratio. If you happen to plan on fishing sooner lures or need extra management over your presentation, take into account searching for fashions with high-speed variations which have gear ratios in 6.2:1 or up. 

Supplies and Building

Lastly, contemplating what materials the reel and its elements are constituted of will actually assist you perceive its functionality. Supplies like machined aluminum and chrome steel are each gentle and corrosion resistant, typically making for a better high quality reel expertise. Brass gears and composite our bodies aren’t essentially unhealthy, however they’re issues to look out for should you plan on utilizing the reel for bigger gamefish or in harsher situations. 

The drag development is a vital issue that may require extra compromise in lower-priced reels. Felt is the commonest materials used for drag in spinning reels of this class. Whereas felt is greater than succesful in most freshwater circumstances, it doesn’t maintain up as nicely to fish that make blistering runs or to the weather. A carbon drag system is significantly better at dealing with these conditions, however can add to the value of the reel significantly. 

Remaining Ideas on the Finest Spinning Reels Below $100

Spinning reels have at all times been a preferred possibility amongst anglers, however with current developments and developments in expertise they’re turning into extra ubiquitous than ever. Discovering a great spinning reel with high quality options at an affordable value is usually a problem, however hopefully this checklist has helped present some perception into high quality choices. Whether or not or not you go together with one of many reels on this checklist, simply keep in mind what qualities matter to you. You received’t possible discover many reels beneath $100 which have each fancy characteristic available on the market, so it’s essential you go into the acquisition understanding what your priorities are. If you happen to take into account what components are most essential to you, you’ll be higher ready to stroll out with an ideal reel at an inexpensive value.