8 best spinning reels for bass

How to choose the best spinning reels for bass

Now that you have checked which are the best options, to pick one out of the best, read this buying guide carefully to make sure you wouldn’t miss a bass catch. To pair something top quality and high performing with your best bass spinning rods it is good to read the buying guide.

Before reading the buying guide, keep in mind bass isn’t the same-sized target, it comes in different ranges of size. So if you are searching for “the one, best for all” you might need to change your mind.

Reel Construction

The construction material of the reel body reflects its durability, level of performance, its weight, and even the price of the reel is also directly proportional to the material used. If you are spending your money then it’s your right to go with the reel that lasts longer with durable components.

Generally, aluminum and graphite reel bodies are used. Some brands are also producing carbon fiber reels which are no doubt great but slightly more expensive than the other two material reels.  

Highlighting the features of the graphite reel bodies, they are lighter in weight, and more resistant to corrosion than an aluminum ones. However, you might miss the sturdiness and toughness of the aluminum alloy with graphite ones.

Graphite reels and spools offer smooth casting for a long time because the only drawback with aluminum reels is that they are more prone to corrosion if aren’t greased properly after saltwater fishing.

Use synthetic oils for this purpose. In addition to body and spool construction, the material of ball bearings, arm handles, and bail do matter.

Size

The size of the reel is directly proportional to the balance of the overall setup. If you attach a big bulky bigger sized reel like 5000 to 6000 size with an ultra-light reel it’s a complete disaster.

The too much smaller reel with a smaller spool might become a cause for a missed catch so be right with the size. For targeting freshwater bass, the spinning reels of 2500-4000 size are the optimal pick with a 5-12 lb. line test.

You can pick the bigger reel sizes of 6000-7000 with 14 to 30 lb. line test but these reels often have low gear ratios of normally 5.2:1.

Targeting bass, or any other species, it matters a lot that you are comfortable with your selected rod and reel. The best spinning reel for bass must be the right pick for the rod, the reel that balances with rod size and weight.

Weight

What’s the point of selecting a spinning setup, if you get tired just after a few hours? Fishing for bass, you must be active enough.

A heavy-weight spinning reel with a heavy power rod might be difficult to handle for full-day fishing. The bigger-sized reels are also heavier in weight their combination with flimsy and flexible rods is a foolish selection. That’s why big bulky reels are often paired with medium to medium power rods.

The weight of the reel is dependent on its construction material. As we stated before graphite and carbon fiber fishing reels have lightweight structures as compared to aluminum reels.

Going with larger spool reels also increases their weight and at this point, I like PENN fishing reels they have more line capacities without being bulkier and bigger.

Gear ratio

The gear ratio indicates the speed of the reel. This is how many times the spool rotates on one turn of the handle and how much line it retrieves on one crank. The more it rotates on one turn, the more line it retrieves with speed.

The higher gear ratios are also an indication of less force required. For bass fishing, as different bait presentations are used is better to go with a medium rating i.e. 6:1 gear ratio. This means the spool will rotate 5 or 6 times on one handle revolution.

The reels below this rating are generally considered slow-spinning reels. To cast spinnerbaits, jerk baits, and other top water lures 6:1 medium gear ratio reels are the optimal pick. 

If you are interested in bottom fishing, slow-speed spinning reels are perfect when it is hot at surface levels and bass move to shallow waters for spawning. At this time, you may not need fast hook sets.

Spool capacity

We can divide this heading into further parts the material of the spool, the size of the spool, and at last the spool’s line capacity.  It’s a clear warning that much of the reel working is dependent on the spool.

If it’s not of high quality the major missing is the smooth casting and line retrievals. Too much smaller spools may cause more line coils as more line coils mean the line is prone to tangles and twists. The line should spool off properly and smoothly.

To target bigger-sized fish you may need larger spools with much line capacity to spool 30-50 pound test braided lines. You can easily cast swimbaits and jigs far enough.

 For finesse techniques, the medium-sized reels of 2500-4000 with medium spools are perfect with 8 to 12-pound test fishing lines.   

The spool/ line capacity is directly proportional to the casting distance achieved with this bass reel. The more the line, the longer you can cast the lures.\

Fishing with monofilaments fishing lines required more capacity than braided lines. As they have a thick diameter. The same spool of the same capacity can cover more braided line length.

Ball bearings

How come the internal components of the reel work so smoothly even under heavy loads and even exposure to saltwater? The credits go to the ball bearings.

The physically smaller component reduces the amount of friction among the internal moving parts of the reel for smooth and tensionless working.

Regarding all this, the material of the ball bearings influences a lot the reel performance. The design pattern of the ball bearings whether they are sealed or shielded, all these factors should be examined in detail.

The Stainless steel ball bearings are the top recommended material objects. They are perfectly smooth and resistant to corrosion at a higher scale than aluminum ones.

Salt particles or debris make their way to internal reel components it is necessarily important for the ball bearings to be covered with a protective layer because a rusted reel is a complete failure.

For freshwater bass fishing, shielded ball bearings are perfect and for saltwater fishing, it is recommended to go with sealed ones. Overall, the ball bearings must not be working roughly and shouldn’t feature any vibrations.   

The greater the number of ball bearings the smoother reel performs.

Drag System

The main reason for spinning reels’ popularity among anglers, especially beginners is the easy drag adjustment. Most spinning reels feature the front drag knob to tighten or loosen the friction plates.

A rear drag adjustment is also an option but recommended to experienced ones. Front drag systems are easy to operate and offer smooth retrievals.

The lose the drag is, the more line can easily spool off the reel, the tight the drag is set, the more it is difficult for a fish to cast out more line.

The drag system went into action when the hooked fish starts pulling the line with full strength. The reel starts releasing the line while rotating backward. The drag saves the line from breakage as it releases the line before its breaking strength. It’s a simple rule if you tighten the drag the line is hard to be released while the drag set as loose makes it easier for fish to pull the line.

The general rule for setting the drag is to set it at 15% of the line’s breaking strength i.e. when the line holds a third to half of its weight.

Tightening the drag no doubt makes it difficult for a fish to run farther and cast out more fishing line but the too-tight drag might cause line breakage. Make sure to set before the cast. 

The best spinning reels for bass must comprise of smooth drag system. The maximum weight of the bass the reel can handle is calculated on max drag ratings. This rating is mostly mentioned in the reel’s feature descriptions.

Overall the 12 pounds max drag capacity is usually enough for bass fishing.

Bail

The prominent wire on the reel front is “Bail, when it is flipped up, the bail is the fishing line allowed to unwind from the spool, and when it is shut down, the line can’t leave the spool.

Among all the types of reel bail, aluminum-made bait is top recommended. They are durable and last longer. To make sure that your reel lasts longer, make sure to shut off the bail manually.

Reel handle

The reel’s handles play their role in adding comfort to using the reel. You got the right size, weight, and gear ratio, what if the reel handle isn’t good enough? How can it be your best spinning reel for bass?

The knob on the handle must be comfortable to hold, offer a firm grip, and shouldn’t be too smaller in size that it’s difficult to retrieve the line holding them.

Anti-reverse Switch

To make sure the spool doesn’t turn in the opposite/backward direction the anti-reverse switch is made ON. The reel is locked from movement. This helps in placing the lure at the fixed position and also prevents line tangles.

Many anglers do not like the anti-reverse switch, however, it is an unconcluded debate whether they should or shouldn’t be present in the spinning reels.

Other factors influencing the best bass spinning reel performance

Sensitivity

Sensitivity is something that your best spinning reel must have either for bass or trout. Sensitivity isn’t only a feature in fishing rods, fishing reels should also be sensitive enough to pick the slightest nibble vibrations transfer from the rod’s tip.

Just like graphite fishing rods are great with sensitivity and picking the fish nibbles and tiniest strikes to lure the graphite reels are also optimal picks for sensitivity to catch bass.

Price

Spinning reels are versatile reels. You can get the best bass spinning reel even under $50. The big brand name and higher prices aren’t always the direct sign of the best reel. Sometimes a cheap reel does wonder that a $1000 worth reel can’t. 

Although some features might be missing in the cheap reels or less line capacities but they might suit exactly certain types of fishing. You can pick many trustworthy spinning reels under $100 from the list.

But make sure that you left a spinning reel that ideally meets your requirements just because they are expensive. Don’t forget the pricey spinning reels are durable and last longer.

Baitcasting Vs Spinning reels: Which is better for bass fishing?

We can’t deny that baitcasting reels are great reels for bass fishing, they cast longer and offer more control over lure speed. When you are fishing with the baitcasters, it feels like we are into some serious fishing, as everything is just right on point. But besides all this, they are difficult to learn it needs a lot of practice to cast tangle free with bait casters. Bait-casting reels are also more expensive than spinning reels and work better with heavy lures.

On the other hand, spinning reels are a versatile option. Whether you are tight with budget, or a beginner desires to target bass with the best reel, searching for an all-rounder option that also suits your fishing locations, spinning reels are always there to serve. They are easy to master and cast longer with lighter lures.

Summing up, it is easier to find the best spinning reel for bass for your best bass rod, than the baitcasting setup at an affordable price.

Learn more about the spinning reels and baitcasting reels for better understanding.