We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More \u203a<\/span><\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Whether I\u2019m catching backcountry tarpon, bull reds in the Chesapeake Bay, or jigging flounder, a good inshore spinning reel is a must. That\u2019s why I spent months testing eight reels in Florida\u2019s Nature Coast and coastal Virginia. After all, quality is hard to judge without hands-on experience over a long period of time. <\/p>\n What I found is that proven favorites continued to earn their keep, but there were a few surprises \u2014 especially in the budget category. So whether you\u2019re looking for a dependable, high-quality reel or something to get started in saltwater fishing, there\u2019s a reel for you on my final list of the best inshore spinning reels.<\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n When I set out to test inshore spinning gear my goal was simple: test as many spinning reels as possible in as many situations as possible. Florida\u2019s Nature Coast<\/a> provided the perfect initial testing ground because it\u2019s home to every inshore gamefish in Florida, and it has diverse habitats to target them.\u00a0<\/p>\n I learned a lot about the reels in that week of catching fish using a variety of techniques. But I wanted to see how these inshore reels held up over a longer period of use. So I spent the last few months using and abusing the reels in my home inshore waters.<\/p>\n I divided reels into two categories: light and heavy duty. The light-duty reels were in the 3000 size class and were paired with 7-foot, medium rods and spooled with 10-pound PowerPro. The heavy-duty reels were 4000 to 6000 sizes and were paired with 7- to 8-foot, medium-heavy or heavy rods and spooled with 30-, 40-, or 65-pound PowerPro.<\/p>\n The light-duty reels were used for finesse fishing with soft plastics on 1\/8 to \u00bc-ounce jig heads, as well as throwing plugs of different sizes and weights. I used the heavy-duty reels for heavier jigging with \u00bd to 2 ounce jigs and bucktails, as well as throwing larger swimbaits and plugs.<\/p>\n I targeted snook, redfish, speckled trout, sheepshead, black drum, and Spanish mackerel in Florida. In Virginia, the reels were used for targeting striped bass, redfish (including giant bulls), speckled trout, and cobia. The size and fight of these fish varied greatly, allowing me to see which reels handled which fish the best.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a> Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Shimano Stradic series has been my favorite inshore reel for years, a status that hasn\u2019t changed with the FM iteration, despite some very stiff competition on the market. While the FM doesn\u2019t do much to differentiate itself from the previous model, the FL, it doesn\u2019t need to. The FL was one of the biggest jumps forward in quality and performance for the series, and the FM simply carries that on.\u00a0<\/p>\n This reel performed incredibly well during all phases of testing. It\u2019s light and easy to cast all day long, but more than capable of handling larger fish and longer fights. Most notably, it barely flinched when landing several large blue catfish I caught while striper fishing. The Hagane gears and frame lived up to legend status, and I didn\u2019t feel any flex or experience any degradation of smoothness through months of use. The Stradic\u2019s performance made it my favorite reel for my favorite activity: tackling medium to large redfish on the flats. Overall, the Stradic FM is the perfect inshore spinning reel at a price that\u2019s hard to beat.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a> Key Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ll be honest, when I saw the moniker \u201cBG\u201d on this reel I assumed what it would fish like. As a longtime user of the classic Daiwa BG lineup, I was expecting a reel that carried most of the same qualities that the BG is known for: dependability, simplicity, and being heavier than a brick. I could not have been more wrong.\u00a0<\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n When I first picked this reel up, I thought it was way too light and good looking to be a Daiwa BG. I know that may sound like I\u2019m throwing shade at the older BG models, but I assure you, I\u2019m not. I was actually a fan of their heavy, durable feel and they always performed well enough for me. In reality, I\u2019m simply amazed at just how much of an improvement the new BG MQ is over the older models.\u00a0<\/p>\n The new all-aluminum body and enhanced gearing, combined with a style makeover, helped make this reel virtually unrecognizable as a BG. An upgrade hasn\u2019t been this drastic and complete since Steve Rogers went into the machine and came out as Captain America. The best part? After months of thorough testing, I can comfortably say the BG MQ hasn\u2019t lost any of the hallmark durability and strength.\u00a0<\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n In fact, with drastically upgraded water resistance and the new one-piece Monocoque body (hence the MQ abbreviation) the BG MQ is substantially more rigid and durable than its predecessors. It also has Daiwa\u2019s new Digigear technology, which uses larger gear teeth and more refined machining to help increase durability and smoothness.\u00a0<\/p>\n This reel has been a pleasure to fish, and I\u2019ve particularly enjoyed throwing topwater plugs and larger swimbaits, utilizing this reel\u2019s extra line capacity and retrieve rate. It landed bull-class redfish and over-slot snook with ease. Overall, the Daiwa BG MQ is neck and neck with the Stradic for taking the crown of best all-around inshore reel, with only a few ounces separating the two.\u00a0<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a> Key Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Shimano Vanford is essentially a Stradic crafted with Ci4+ carbon material to reduce overall weight and size drastically. I\u2019ve always been a huge fan of the Stradic Ci4+ series, as their lightweight and compact design made for an incredibly comfortable and enjoyable reel, particularly for light tackle. The Vanford continues this trend, while making some significant upgrades to enhance durability.\u00a0<\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n While the basic design of the Vanford is essentially the same as the Stradic, the Ci4+ material allows for a more compact frame while significantly reducing weight. It still includes high-end Shimano features like X-Protect and Hagane gearing. It also includes the Cross Carbon drag system, which has proven to be a much smoother and more durable upgrade over previous felt drags.\u00a0<\/p>\n The one-piece bail design is also a significant improvement, preventing the corrosion and bail loosening of older models. The reduced weight and compact design make this reel more versatile than similar reels in its class. A larger size is still capable of fishing lighter tackle, while smaller sizes still have the backbone to catch big fish.<\/p>\n Of all the reels tested, the Vanford is the one I\u2019ve used the most, simply due to its comfort and versatility. It has the same level of performance and ability as the Stradic, while being just light enough to really tell a difference when fishing. Frankly, the biggest downside to the Vanford is its price, which makes it a hard sell over the $40 cheaper Stradic.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a> Key Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The Penn Spinfisher lineup may be the most storied saltwater spinning reel name on this list. While previous iterations had notable issues, it seems the new Spinfisher VII is doing its best to reclaim that former glory. Growing up Penn reels were synonymous with quality and dependability to me, so it was a hard pill to swallow when I had to acknowledge they had fallen off significantly. Given their history, it was a true pleasure fishing the new Spinfisher VII and feeling that same assurance and sturdiness of older Penn reels.\u00a0<\/p>\n The first thing that struck me about the Spinfisher VII is how solid it feels. The full metal body has the right combination of heft and rigidity I expect of a saltwater workhorse, and it\u2019s surprisingly smooth on the retrieve. The Spinfisher VII is also well sealed from top to bottom, with an IPX5 waterproof rating for the drag and internals.\u00a0<\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n The strength and durability of the Spinfisher does add weight, making this reel a hefty 12.3 ounces. While that\u2019s not terrible, it\u2019s almost twice the weight of some other inshore-specific reels. This weight can make it tiring to cast all day but is less of a hindrance when fishing live bait or jigging.\u00a0<\/p>\n While the Spinfisher VII is a bit bulky to be considered a light tackle inshore reel, it does have a great combination of features that make it a great crossover option for anglers looking to target both inshore and larger nearshore species by boat. The high line capacity, full seal, and durable metal frame make this reel ideal for live-lining bait or jigging up bottom fish.<\/p>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a> Key Features<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons<\/strong><\/p>\n Finding any reel capable of withstanding saltwater under $100 is a challenge, let alone one specifically designed for it. The Penn Pursuit IV is one of the rare spinning reels that\u2019s built to handle the rigors of saltwater while not breaking the bank.\u00a0<\/p>\n One of the first things you notice right out of the box is the amount of plastic used in the construction of this reel. While that\u2019s obviously a drawback for long-term durability and overall strength, it\u2019s worth remembering that plastic doesn\u2019t corrode. Though not as fancy as its higher-end Penn counterparts, the Pursuit IV still carries many of the trademark features that have made Penn so popular in the salt game. With a durable, corrosion resistant graphite body and sealed stainless-steel bearings, the Pursuit IV is well suited for targeting inshore gamefish. Its drag system is smooth and easy to manage during fights, although somewhat weak at only 12 pounds.\u00a0<\/p>\n This reel has a slightly bulky overall feel, with a heavier bail and frame than most of the other reels on this list. The reel itself is comfortable to fish, but its heavy weight and bulky build do make it less suited for continuous casting. Additionally, it\u2019s not nearly as smooth in comparison to the rest of the reels tested, but at this price point that\u2019s to be expected.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ultimately, the Penn Pursuit IV is a budget reel designed for saltwater use, and its weaknesses reflect that. While it may not be ideal for finesse fishing or casting plugs all day, it\u2019s an excellent option for the casual angler looking to soak bait or throw a popping cork. When it comes to a budget-friendly saltwater reel, there aren\u2019t many better choices on the market.<\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a> Key Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n The Shimano Sustain FJ occupies a tough space in the inshore spinning reel market. Historically, the Sustain series was seen as the bridge between the Stradic and the ultra-high-end Shimano models like the Stella and Twin Power. However, with the ever-improving quality of reels like the Stradic and Vanford, it\u2019s hard to say where the Sustain fits in these days. That\u2019s no fault of the Sustain, as this reel is still top-notch in just about every way.\u00a0<\/p>\n From a features standpoint, the Sustain FJ still has the edge in a few categories. In addition to Shimano staples like X-Protect and Micromodule II gearing, this reel takes the best elements of the Stradic and Vanford and combines them, while adding a few upgrades. Featuring the same Hagane aluminum frame as the Stradic, the Sustain also utilizes Ci4+ material to reduce weight and increase rigidity. Perhaps the biggest upgrade over the Stradic and Vanford is the Rigid Support Drag system. The Rigid Support system utilizes the Cross Carbon drag of other models to keep the reel from flexing and the drag smooth under heavy load. This feature is particularly noticeable when fighting stronger, faster fish, and makes this reel more capable for offshore and big game use.\u00a0<\/p>\n At $329, it\u2019s admittedly tough to justify purchasing the Sustain over the much cheaper Stradic or Vanford. However, for anglers looking for the ultimate light tackle setup, this reel does provide enough of a performance boost to be worthwhile. Also, it\u2019s just plain sexy. The drag sounds meaner than other reels as line rips off the spool, and the rigid matte-black frame looks slick. The Sustain FJ is the definition of luxury over necessity, but if it\u2019s within your budget then it\u2019s hard to argue against having one.<\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n \t\t\t\t\tSee It<\/a> Key Features:<\/strong><\/p>\n Pros:<\/strong><\/p>\n Cons:<\/strong><\/p>\n The words \u201cbudget\u201d and \u201cheavy-duty saltwater reel\u201d rarely go together in a meaningful sense. The rigors required for fighting big fish in harsh environments typically dictates cost. That said, the KastKing Kapstan SE does a remarkable job of making the case that low cost doesn\u2019t mean low quality.\u00a0<\/p>\n Photo by Kevin Hughes<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n Let\u2019s start with the nuts and bolts, since the Kapstan SE boasts some impressive features for a reel at this price point. It has an IPX6 waterproof rating thanks to 15 EverSeal rubber gaskets. With a primarily aluminum body and graphite rotor, this reel is extremely corrosion resistant. The Kapstan SE also features a five-disc carbon fiber drag system, which is both corrosion resistant and has an impressive 30 pounds of drag. Lastly, the hardened manganese gearing combines with a stainless-steel main shaft, which creates a sturdy reel capable of handling intense fights.\u00a0<\/p>\n All of these features combine to create a reel that feels impressively smooth while giving the impression that it could winch a car out of a ditch. Yes, it\u2019s very heavy, which makes it less than ideal for lighter applications. I found its design and overall size a bit unwieldy, with the handle and body having some strange metal protrusions that can take some getting used to. All that said, the KastKing Kapstan SE packs a punch for a remarkably low price, and is a fantastic option for the inshore angler looking to tackle big game on a budget.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\nHow I Tested the Best Inshore Reels<\/h2>\n
Reel Categories<\/h4>\n
Lures and Techniques<\/h4>\n
Species Caught<\/h4>\n
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The Best Inshore Reels: Reviews and Recommendations <\/h2>\n
Best Overall: Shimano Stradic FM (3000 size)<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best All-Purpose: Daiwa BG MQ (3000 size)<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best Light Tackle: Shimano Vanford (3000 size)<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best Crossover Light\/Heavy: Penn Spinfisher VII (3500)<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best Budget Light Tackle: Penn Pursuit IV (3000 size)<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best Premium Light Tackle: Shimano Sustain FJ (3000 size)<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best Under $150: KastKing Kapstan SE (4000 size)<\/a><\/h3>\n
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Best Premium Heavy Duty: Shimano Twin Power SW (6000 size)<\/a><\/h3>\n
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