Last updated on November 29th, 2020
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3 Best Budget Saltwater Spinning Reels for Your Money
Your fishing reel is a critical piece of tackle; in fact, one could argue it is the most important of all the equipment you need for success at fishing.
Sure, there are other tackle that are important too, such as your rod but, as well-made is it can be, the fishing rod has far fewer components that can go wrong in the middle of fighting that catch of a lifetime.
So then, before we go fishing in a particular environment we want to make sure we have the right equipment, or we are potentially setting ourselves up for failure … sounds pretty dire, huh? Well, it can be in fishing terms – but fishing is supposed to be fun, right?
In this post, we are going to try and maximize the fun, and greatly reduce the frustrations that often come with fishing by making certain we choose the right reel for the job.
I’ve seen too many recreational anglers who think that any reel will do in any condition. To be more exact, I am referring to the absurd notion that the same spinning reel you use to catch largemouth at your favorite lake will also suffice when fishing saltwater.
Would you attempt to play a round of golf with a ping pong ball? (ok, I’m sure someone has tried it!). Of course not. But that’s exactly what we are trying to do when we go saltwater fishing with freshwater gear.
Your freshwater spinning reel is not made to withstand the rigors and abuse to which it will be subjected when you are fishing marine environments, whether it be fishing from the surf, pier or out on the boat in the bay.
Generally speaking, a good saltwater spinning reel costs more than its freshwater counterpart because it has to be made from higher quality components and offers performance features that can stand up to the dings, sand, corrosive salt and, of course, bigger and badder fish you will encounter.
The 3 saltwater spinning reels I will be reviewing are more geared toward shore and inshore saltwater fishing (though some of the larger models could certainly be used for some light offshore fishing as well).
Though they are all unique in their own right, what they share in common is that they all offer unbelievable values given their low price, performance, quality of components and innovative features specifically designed to hold up to exacting saltwater elements.
But unlike most of the other saltwater spinning reels on the market today, the models featured here can be had at a far lower cost while still providing top-notch performance and durability. Let’s dig in.
Features of a Good, Affordable Saltwater Spinning Reel
- Corrosion Resistance/Durability — Saltwater reels have to be constructed for durability in the face of the corrosiveness of salt water. So we are looking bodies and spools made of either graphite, or anodized aluminum in most cases and shielded or, better yet, sealed stainless steel ball bearings (the number one cause of reel failure is due to corroded/seized bearings).
- Ball Bearing Count — Generally, the more bearings the smoother the reel on retrieve and increase in performance. All things being equal, choose a reel with more bearings.
- Gear Ratio/Line Retrieval — Gear ratio will dictate the rate of line retrieval. Lower gear ratios (e.g. 4:1) will let you fight a bigger fish better, while a higher gear ratio (6:1 and up) will give you a fast retrieval – think speedsters like Jack Crevalle, Spanish Mackerel, Kingfish, and Bonefish.
- Spool Size/Line Capacity — Unless you are targeting small fish, you need a spinning reel with good line capacity, especially if using higher strength monofilament line (20 lb test and up). If you are using braided line you can certainly pack on even more line while maintaining excellent strength-to-diameter ratios.
- Drag System and Power — This very important for saltwater spinning reels because of the type and size of fish you will be dealing with. Saltwater spinners are going to have bigger, multi-disc configurations for durability, more stopping power and performance under stress. I also like them better than rear drag systems because of their location and larger knobs for quick adjustments.
- Anti-Reverse — This is pretty much a standard feature in most spinning reels today, but its importance cannot be overstated. The anti-reverse feature prevents your handle from back-reeling (spinning backward); it lets you set the hook firmly on the fish and allows you to use the drag to feed line to it. A good saltwater spinning reel will have almost no backward play.
Our Top 3 Saltwater Spinning Reel Picks
The three reels presented here are made by fishing equipment brands with long track records of producing quality fishing gear. The models below have been around for a while and have been battle-tested in all types of saltwater environments and offer exceptional values. Let’s take a look at them.
Okuma Azores
Taiwan-based Okuma Fishing Tackle Co. has been producing some of the best and most affordable fishing tackle in the world since 1986. Okuma brought the Azores into production about 5 years ago and it has been going strong ever since.
Aptly named after the Portuguese North Atlantic Ocean island-chain renowned for their spectacular, hard-charging saltwater species, the Okuma Azores spinning reel was specifically made for the saltwater.
What We Liked:
The Azores comes in 5 sizes (Z-40S, Z-55S, Z-65S, Z80S and Z90S) to tackle saltwater fish of all sizes.
The reel is built on a solid foundation that begins with a durable and rigid aluminum die-cast frame, side plates and rotor, machined and anodized aluminum reel handle (L/R interchangeable) and spool, and a thick, solid aluminum bail wire – all features that are extremely important when fishing the big ones in challenging conditions.
All external components are protected against the corrosive and destructive properties of saltwater by a special corrosion-resistant coating that extends the life of the reel.
Internally, the Azores is just as solidly built starting with 6+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearings, corrosion-resistant drive gear paired with a heavy-duty machined brass pinion gear, an oversized SS spool shaft and quick set, dual anti-reverse (nice back safety feature!). These internal features combine to allow the reel to stand up to repeated, hard saltwater fishing.
Corrosion is a constant concern for saltwater anglers. Okuma, however, uses an innovative approach to combat the problem in the Azores.
They utilize something they call MMS (carbon Mechanical Stabilizing System). While this may sound like just another meaningless marketing ploy, it is actually an effective feature. Here, carbon gaskets/inserts prevent contact between the different types of metals internally, thereby limiting the potential for corrosive reaction.
As an added benefit, the MMS design also makes the reel stronger with less flex and more stability overall.
While the Azores is chock-full with great features, the one that really sets it apart from other reels in this price range is its drag system. To start with, the drag is well protected against water and debris intrusion by its “Hydro Block” seal.
However, what really makes this drag exciting is its performance. The reel employs a dual-pressure multi-disc drag system that stacks felt drag washers at the top of the spool and a 2″ carbon washer under to apply force evenly to both surfaces of the spool. What you get is a drag that is smoother, more stable as well as more powerful than most other reels in its class.
The last benefit is worth taking a closer look at. The Azores Z-40S and Z-55S are rated at 28 lbs and 29 lbs of drag respectively. Models Z-65S, Z-80S and Z-90S put out a ridiculous 44 lbs of drag each! That’s as much drag as the more expensive and highly regarded Shimano Saragosa SW.
The Azores has good gear ratios, with the Z-40S and Z-65S at 5.8:1 and the 3 larger models coming in at 5.4:1. Line retrieval ranges from 34.8 inches for the smallest size to 46 inches for the 80S and 90S reels.
Due to their large spool design, these reels allow plenty of line for casting. For example, the Z-40S model can handle 190 yds/10 lbs of monofilament line while the Z-90S, the largest model, lets you pack on 450 yds/20 lbs of mono.
What We Didn’t Like So Much:
- Feels a little heavier than many reels its size (no doubt due to its sturdy all-metal construction).
- Line lay is less than perfect at times
Final Thoughts on the Okuma Azores
This reel is a solid performer at bargain prices. It is well built with lots of features found only in more expensive reels. The all-aluminum body, rotor and spool make it durable and sturdy, and its prodigious amount of drag make it tops here in that category. It’s also well-sealed, making it a great choice for the rigors of saltwater fishing.
Buy Okuma Azores Spinning Reel on Amazon
Penn Battle II
Our next reel, the Penn Battle II, comes from one of the oldest and most recognized brands.
Since 1932 Penn has been cranking out quality fishing tackle, and the Penn Battle II spinning reel is yet another
addition to their deep lineup. This is an updated version of the popular Battle series that came out a few years ago. This reel features some important improvements which we will cover here.
What We Liked:
As stated, the Penn Battle II is an updated offering, with improvements made over the original reel. Notably, one of the things we really like about this reel is the upgrade to the ball bearings. In the original Battle, the bearings were only shielded – here 5 stainless steel bearings have been sealed, which makes a big difference when combating saltwater corrosion.
Another major improvement is the redesigned front drag system which uses both sides of the HT 100 carbon fiber washers to put the brakes on hard-charging fish (drag power up to 25 lbs and an increase of 20% over the previous model) while improving performance and durability.
No wonder the Battle II won the “Best Saltwater Reel” award at ICAST 2014. We also like the full metal body, sideplate, and rotor along with a more durable body paint job that should only enhance the reel’s anti-corrosion properties.
Other noteworthy features include heavy-duty bail wire, large line capacity, a Superline Spool that keeps your line from spinning (particularly useful with braid fishing lines), instant anti-reverse, left/right handle interchangeability and line capacity rings, a great visual aid to help you properly fill your spool and see how much line is left when fighting big fish.
There are 8 models from which to choose, ranging from the Battle II 1000 to the 8000.
Gear ratios run from 5.2:1 to 6.2:1 depending on the model and line retrieval rates are as high as 44″ per handle turn (112cm) with the Battle II 8000.
What We Didn’t Like So Much:
- The weight — even with all of the notable improvements, the weight of the models, particularly the larger models, remains a tad higher than other reels of comparable size. For instance, the KastKing Kodiak 5000 model weighs roughly 12.40 oz. while the Battle II 5000 comes in at almost 20 oz.
- Not the evenest line lay on the spool right out of the box. You may have to play around with the included shim washers to get the line to lay evenly.
Final Thoughts on the Penn Battle II
The slight weight and the initial uneven line lay issues notwithstanding, this is an excellent reel, especially when you consider the sealed bearings and high-quality drag system.
This is a reel made to stand up to saltwater environments, and even the occasional accidental dunk in the water (providing proper maintenance is followed) should not prevent it from giving you years of pleasure.
Buy Penn Battle II Spinning Reel on Amazon
Daiwa BG
Our third and final reel for this review is the Daiwa BG, or Black Gold. Before we even get into the particulars, let me say that this is one of the most visually pleasing reels I’ve ever seen – it is simply beautiful! While Daiwa has been making the BG series since 1981, the new Daiwa BG Saltwater Spinning Reels presented at ICAST 2016 are more than just makeovers.
Aesthetics aside, the BG is one of the best saltwater reel values ever produced, and the updated version may be even better. In fact, I’d call it a steal, with most of the models/sizes coming in at very affordable price-points and considering the high quality of components and design.
What We Liked:
The Daiwa BG spinning reel represents one of those rare instances where you feel you may be getting more than your money’s worth. Let me explain. Daiwa took an already popular and durable model and made it much better while keeping it very affordable. How so?
Let’s start with the anodized machined aluminum body and sideplate made to keep corrosion at bay. Inside you have what Daiwa terms their “Digigear system”, an oversized drive gear with teeth like
Jaws (well, almost). The larger than normal gear not only provides more stability and drive-train power but also greatly reduces stress and wear. In other words, they designed the drive gear for superior performance and extreme durability.
Then there’s the “Air Rotor“. No, it doesn’t operate on air, but even a casual look will tell you there’s something different about it. The unique design from graphite allows for a rotor that is more rigid yet lightweight.
The spool is also made from anodized machined aluminum and is braid line ready. The spool’s reversed taper allows for smoother, longer casts and fewer tangles.
The BG has 6+1 quality, shielded bearings setup found on much more expensive reels, gear ratios from 5.3:1 to 5.7:1, according to the model, and a premium carbon drag system the company says is waterproof and rated up to 33 lbs. All models are braided line-ready, fairly lightweight, have excellent line capacity and come with high retrieval rates across the board.
The biggest model in the series, the BG 8000, boasts of line capacity of 20/550, 25/440, 30/370 for monofilament and 50/730, 65/590, 80/440 for braid, and a monstrous retrieval rate of 53″ per turn.
The sturdy screw-in handle minimizes play and can be switched to left/right retrieve. Sizes BG 4000 and smaller have an infinite anti-reverse clutch, and the larger models infinite dual anti-reverse.
What We Didn’t Like So Much:
- This reel doesn’t give you much to not like. I suppose I would have liked it better if the ball bearings were sealed like they are in the Penn Battle II, but you can’t have it all in this price range.
Final Thoughts on the Daiwa BG
You would be hard-pressed to find another saltwater reel at bargain prices that has any semblance of the innovation, performance and higher-end components we’ve come to expect in saltwater spinners costing up to 10 times more, like the Shimano Stella or Daiwa’s own celebrated Saltiga.
Now, I am not saying this reel is in competition with the two just mentioned – because it is not. Those are in another league in terms of sophistication and performance, but the BG is an affordable alternative that is raising the bar for the budget reel category.
Buy Daiwa BG Spinning Reel on AmazonReel Review Conclusions
Though the other reels in this review represent excellent cost/performance values, the BG is in a class of its own and may be the best spinning reel for the money in this price range, period.
The new Daiwa BG lineup is unparalleled – really – for budget reels. Its quality of construction, smoothness and overall performance is usually reserved for reels costing significantly more.
All the reels we have looked at here are all winners. The Okuma Azores offers a solid all-aluminum saltwater reel with outrageous amounts of drag, and the Penn Battle II is a popular saltwater performer with sealed stainless steel ball bearings, HT 100 carbon fiber dual drag system and neat features like line capacity rings.
However, if you are looking for the best budget saltwater spinning reel, one that is aesthetically beautiful, well-balanced and smooth with components usually found in more expensive models – and very little in the way of flaws – then you may have struck gold with the Daiwa BG.
In our opinion, the BG is the best saltwater spinning reel for the money in its category but, whatever your choice, you will not go wrong with any of the 3 picks reviewed here.
Suggested Reviews/Posts:
I haven’t tried the other 2 but Kastking makes some nice inexpensive reels; got the 2000 for my light tackle setup and love it. Thinking about also getting the 5000 and putting on some 40-50 lbs braid for bottom fishing. If it’s anything like the 2000 I’ll be quite happy. Before this reel I tried a couple others and they did not hold up as well.
I’m a big believer in buying stuff that lasts, but not too costly. That Daiwa black gold looks stunning. What a great birthday present to myself. ;)