Best Spinning Reels for Bass

What to Look For in a Bass Spinning Reel

Size. We recommend a 2500 size reel for bass fishing. It holds enough 8 to 10 pound fluorocarbon for all finesse presentations, balances correctly on a 7-foot rod, and is light enough not to tire the wrist. A 3000 size works well for heavier applications like larger swimbaits or fishing heavier line for smallmouth. We do not recommend going smaller than 2500 for bass.

Body material. Aluminum bodies are more rigid than graphite and transfer vibration from the line more directly. On a finesse setup where detecting light bites matters, the material of the body is a real variable. Graphite bodies are lighter and less expensive. We think the tradeoff favors graphite at the budget tier and aluminum once you are spending over $100.

Drag. A smooth drag is more important than a high-rated maximum drag. Bass fishing on 8 to 10 pound fluorocarbon does not require 20 pounds of max drag. It requires a drag that applies consistent pressure without stuttering when a fish runs. We look for reels that have drag systems with no perceptible stick-slip. Every reel on this list meets that standard.

Gear ratio. Most bass spinning reels come in a 6.0:1 or 6.2:1 gear ratio, which we think is correct. It retrieves line fast enough to keep up with moving baits and slow enough to fish a drop shot properly without racing the presentation. Higher gear ratios are available but we do not think they are necessary for the techniques a spinning reel is typically used for.