These types of reels will require less maintenance and will last much longer than non-sealed reels. Even though you cant physically see or touch the reel if youre making the purchase online, doing things like watching YouTube videos about it or looking at the reel specs can help you visualize the size of the reel and the way itll balance on your rod. Conventional reels are built with drainage / air circulation slots so they can be flushed through. Great review Justin! In total, the Spinfisher is one of our favorite saltwater reels because it provides anglers extraordinary value at a reasonable price. Spinning reels of today are extremely advanced and have unique operating systems! Finally picked up a couple of Slammer IIIs. In total, the BG MQ has NINE seals to help prevent water contamination and damage to the workings and gears of the reel. Though its not specifically saltwater sealed like many of the Penn reels, the Evict holds up well, and youll be just fine as long as you take proper care of it. For example, Penn is known for making sturdy, reliable reels, but they often run heavy and some surf anglers who do a lot of casting dont like them as much as their lighter alternatives. Both of these series have a manual bail. Should not be used with a heavy rod because of casting issues. What are the most important things to look for in your search for the best saltwater spinning reel? It is suggested to avoid operating the reels underwater and to regularly clean and maintain them.). However, saltwater is damaging and will eventually start corroding any real, sealed or not, over time if the reel is not well taken care of. To put things simply, they make some of the best saltwater reels on the planet, and most of their reels, the Spinfisher being one of them, are saltwater sealed. You can, of course, spend significantly more money on saltwater spinning reels should you wish. No matter which reel on this list you choose, know that youll be in good hands. Though different reels are sometimes needed for different situations, the Spinfisher is an excellent all-around reel for saltwater fishing. Penn does have a few more affordable alternatives to the Spinfisher, but wed recommend sticking with this model because it offers high-end quality at an affordable price. This means soaking the reel in warm water after you use it (sometimes taking it apart is good as well), lubricating it properly, and making sure that its clean. This reel has almost instantaneous air rotor spool change. The Daiwa BG MQ Spinning Reel is a one-piece aluminum body reel. Starting at a 3500 and going all the way up to a jaw-dropping 10500, the Slammer III reels are built for serious saltwater anglers. Do what the SMART ANGLERS are doing and join the Insider Club. He's one of the best storytellers around. Daiwa makes several high-quality models with Mag Sealed technology, which uses a magnetic oil that helps to keep water from penetrating the interior of the reel. Shimano have served me well for close range surf (150yds). Make sure and check out our buyers guide, below. A gear ratio of 7:1 rather than the typical 6.2 1 makes this a versatile reel. Itll perform well even after years of intense saltwater use. Further down the main shaft, there is a press-fit seal above the rotor-retaining nut. For the saltwater angler, it makes sense to spend more money on a waterproof, sealed spinning reel that will protect the inner gears and bearings. Its not all a marketing ploy, and different brands do have their advantages and disadvantages. Casting Coach. That being said, there are definitely advantages to saltwater-specific reels, and if youd rather not keep up on reel maintenance as much or want a reel you dont have to worry about, getting something thats built for saltwater could potentially save you a lot of headaches in the long run. If youre looking for a sturdy, battle-tested reel thatll get you through any situation out on the salt, this is it. Did I mention the clicker? I bought one after opening a few of my reels and seeing rust everywhere, more overkill! Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land). Part of the VR series, the Van Staal VR50 is the only current option for an ultra-light waterproof spinning reel. A physical perimeter gasket runs the length of the boot to assist in water defense. It is a very smooth reel and has excellent drag, The braid ready marked aluminum spool capacity. The VR features a fully-machined 6061-T6 waterproof aluminum body and a solid stainless steel center shaft with a titanium nitride coating. This video was terrific. The Spinfisher is built to handle just about anything youll find in the salt, and its built to last. The new VR Series offers more affordable lightweight reels with the same level of saltwater protection. The Penn Torque II family offers rugged reels for heavy-duty use with an IPX6 water-resistant rating. Letting your Stradic soak in some warm water after the fact to get help get rid of that extra salt is one great way to prevent the bearings from corroding and rendering the reel unusable. Thanks Philip, Im right there with you. In the end, it mostly comes down to a matter of personal preference, but youll want your saltwater spinning reel to be one that you absolutely love, so choose wisely. For those worried about the reputation of older Van Staal models as having a rough retrieve, the VR50 has a smooth and easy retrieve. The best part is that these seals have been implemented in a way where it does not negatively affect the fluidity of the reel (an unfortunate trade-off with a product like a Van Staal). A reel that is exposed to saltwater splashes and dunks, even with regular maintenance, will lose its smoothness to the point where retrieving the line becomes an unpleasant chore, and often to the point of rendering the reel unusable. This principle could be applied to a buyers guide for almost any type of spinning reel, but its particularly applicable here. At the top of the reel, there is a rubber seal just beneath the drag cap so contaminants do not affect the carbon fiber below. Taking proper care of your spinning reels, saltwater sealed or not, is key to making sure that they last a long time. I will never buy another Daiwa after the introduction of the original Millionmax In the 80s. In total, choosing a reel with a good drag comes down to selecting a reel that has the perfect storm of both a strong drag and good components, and every single reel on this list has those things. Well, we do not like the price, but if you are going to make a reel like this that is composed of top of the range materials and engineering, I suppose that you have to charge a premium price. The 5500 model has an automatic bail, and the 7500 and 9500 models have a manual bail. However, the original Torque was known as a reel that could handle being submersed, so it wouldnt be surprising if that is the case with the Torque II as well. Your email address will not be published. With 10 high-quality bearings and a sealed drag, the Pflueger Supreme XT has no problems making our list of the seven best saltwater spinning reels. Just because a certain size of reel has a maximum drag thats strong enough to fight the fish youre targeting doesnt mean youll have enough line capacity. The cheaper you go in price with Penns reels, the lower quality of bearings and gears youll get, which can end up in you losing fish out on the water. If Daiwa can provide us with a Demo/Sample reel to perform these type of tests, we would definitely put them through the ringer. This chemical interaction prevents water from entering the reel and traveling down to the inner workings of the reel. Anyone who fishes in the ocean knows the damage that it can inflict on fishing gear. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Malcolm Hayward. Only time and use will truly tell the story, but heres hoping Daiwa got it right! The ultimate seal for a spinning reel is Van Staal spinning reels. Pflueger offers these reels in sizes from 25 all the way up to 40, which is a wide range of sizes and will get the job done for the majority of saltwater anglers. The Stradic is another one of our favorite spinning reels for the salt, and its a practical reel that can be used in a number of saltwater applications. This is useful, particularly for those who find themselves wishing they could fit more line on their reels. Are there disadvantages to getting a reel not sealed for saltwater use? If youve spent any time in the salt, you no doubt already know that a quality reel is crucial. The Daiwa BG MQ does not include Magseal protection but the physical sealing is advanced and provides a barrier to possible exposure areas to water and damage. Here is our recommended list, Penn 1338220 Battle II 5000 Spinning Reel, Penn 1259871 Spinfisher V Spinning Fish Reel, Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Saltwater Reel. A top-performing reel whether in freshwater or saltwater, the Tsunami Evict is one to consider for those who are comfortable straying away from the mainstream and trying out some smaller brands. It does not operate so well as some other models in this class. Though its always good to clean and properly maintain your reels, the Slammer III is perfect for someone who expects their reel to get beat up and heavily used. Currently the BG MQ has been on the market for about 1 year (the larger 6000+ sizes came out first and then the smaller 2500 Inshore sizes debuted back in March). So, a reel with a 6.2:1 gear ratio will reel in line at a much faster rate than a 3.1:1 gear ratio. If you love fishing from shore (or want to get better at it), then don't miss this interview with author Steve Kantner. With a line retrieve of 36.9 inches per turn, the VR50 is a great choice for ultralight lure fishing. If youre unfamiliar with the term, gear ratio is equivalent to how many times the spool rotates with one crank of the reel. Penn found a way to combine powerful technology with sleek style and durable components with the Slammer III, and if youre serious about saltwater spinning reels, this is absolutely worth a look. Im totally into overkill here, being a kayak fisherman who has had to disassemble reels to clean out the crunchy salt crystals that ground them to a halt. Due to its popularity, the BG comes in a wide variety of sizes and options, offering something for virtually every angler. They are available in all sizes for all types of fishing, from ultralight inshore to heavy offshore use.