Best Surf Fishing Reels In 2023

Whether you are a professional fisherman or a hobbyist, it is important to have the right equipment.

There are extremely different types of surf fishing reels available on the market, from compositional materials to structural quality. In this case, choosing the best surf fishing reel that suits your needs is not always easy.

So, if you’re ready to take your surf fishing adventures to the next level, join us as we explore the best surf fishing reels of 2023. From entry-level options to high-performance reels, this guide will help you make an informed decision and equip you with the necessary tools for a successful and enjoyable surf fishing experience.

Each product sheet contains the key features, characteristics, pros & cons, and our opinion. In the end, you will also find a complete buyer’s guide.

Best Surf Fishing Reels in 2023

Whether you prefer spinning reels or conventional reels, here are excellent options available to meet your specific needs.

Comparison Table of the Top 5 Best Surf Fishing Reels in 2023…

1. PENN Fathom II Star Drag Conventional Fishing Reel

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Tech Specs:

• Material: Aluminum
• Fishing Technique: Casting
• Item Weight: 0.6 Kilograms
• Bearing Material: Stainless Steel
• Item Dimensions: 4.72 x 7.09 x 3.54 inches

This model is certainly one of the most classic and featureful surf fishing reels from Penn. It guarantees reliability, good power, and high-performance service life. This reel features a smooth and precise movement, as well as a material resistant to corrosion and tarnishing.

Its powerful and precise mechanics guarantee a point in its favor to manage situations in which the fish shows a particular resistance. Both left and right hand versions are available now. PENN Fathom II reel comes with rod clamp. It will take a little while to get it on correctly but it works great.

This surf fishing reel is equipped with 7 total shielded stainless steel bearings, computer balanced rotor that mounts an efficient bail assembly, and a line guide that guarantees a torsion-free retrieve. It ensures effortless casts and simple maintenance to prepare for any battle.

2. Shimano Ultegra 1400-XSD Surf Fishing Reel

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Tech Specs:

• Material: Aluminum
• Fishing Technique: Spinning
• Item Weight: 0.22 Pounds
• Bearing Material: Metal
• Item Dimensions: ‎‎10.24 x 6.89 x 4.92 inches

Want to buy the best of all 2023 surf fishing reels? Shimano has the perfect model for you. With an impressive name and excellent quality, Shimano has built the ideal surf fishing reel for all your needs.

The 14000 size is enough to cast lines over long distances. It is not only useful for saltwater fishing but can also be used for other styles, freshwater or carp. It is a super versatile model that you can use on all types of terrain.

The Ultegra model is made with a spare spool and 2 reduction systems that are combined with the 2 bearings that compose it. You can use different models and types of cables for each type of fishing that must be tackled, making the most of the situations and avoiding changing the tool often.

Ultegra 1400-XSD surfcasting reel has a drag system called Instant Drag which serves to obtain an optimal fit with much less effort. Likewise, it is a high-end model that matches the quality of the world’s most outstanding thanks to its Super Slow Oscillation, X-Ship and Aero Wrap features. It offers amazing performance with excellent grip and high-quality brakes for your professional fishing.

3. Diwa Ultra Smooth and Powerful Surf Fishing Reel

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Tech Specs:

• Material: Stainless Steel, Aluminum, Graphite
• Fishing Technique: Spinning
• Item Weight: 590 Grams
• Bearing Material: Stainless Steel
• Item Dimensions: ‎8.07 x 7.99 x 4.76 inches

Diwa fishing reel has very high quality construction and is made by one of the most well-known brands in the world. Although this spinning reel has more features (including 12 + 1 high quality), the best feature we find is its low and affordable price. It is the best all-around surf fishing reel for sea anglers.

This reel has an attractive design and an ultra-smooth spool. It is specifically designed for those who usually recover prey of size, both in weight and performance. Almost one meter of rewinding for each turn of the handle. It is sealed with a KCN Intrusion Shield System with unique protection to keep water and dirt out.

This surf fishing allows you to quickly obtain an accurate result for recovery. The excellent value for money, wide compatibility, and ease of assembly with a single 6mm pin make it ideal for all beginners and professionals. It is also suitable for competitions where the goal is fishing with greater weight and dimensions.

4. Shimano Aerlex 10000 XSB Surf Fishing Reel

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Tech Specs:

• Material: Aluminum
• Fishing Technique: Spinning, Casting
• Item Weight: 0.22 Pounds
• Bearing Material: Metal
• Item Dimensions: ‎8.6 x 7.1 x 4.8 inches

When you are considering upgrading your old surf fishing reel, you are probably looking for a good deal. That’s why we present you with a model with incredible value for money.

The Shimano Aerlex XSB size 10000 reel is one of the most outstanding reels for its excellent quality. For a great price, you get an unbeatable system that has an AR-C spool and an Aero Wrap II system to optimize the return speed of your line. This results in a brilliant casting property and a great recovery ratio of 4.6:1.

The rest of its structure is made with 2 high-quality stainless steel armored bearings. There is also a roller bearing to make the reel system much smoother and the cast more powerful. It is perfect for surfcasting as it can reach a long distance and resist the call of the ocean while catching good sea bass.

To quickly recover the line, the product has a crank that rotates up to 100 cm of resistance supporting a weight of 15 kg. It turns out to be more than enough for the type of fish you get from that type of fishing, so it won’t be a problem for you to perform your sport correctly.

5. TICA Scepter GTB9000 Budget Surf Fishing Reel

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Tech Specs:

• Material: Aluminium
• Fishing Technique: Spinning
• Item Weight: 620 Grams
• Bearing Material: Stainless Steel
• Item Dimensions: ‎8.4 x 7.5 x 5.1 inches

If you are looking for fishing gear and need a low-cost surf fishing reel, here we present the most outstanding model of all the budget ones on the market. For an incredibly affordable price, the TICA brand has created an incredible 9000-size model, so you can surfcast with the most excellent quality.

It features an electronically balanced RTO to ensure smooth and super-fast response. All components are made of the highest quality anti-corrosion stainless steel, which won’t be damaged by exposure to salt water. It also has a cross-winding system with a worm that doesn’t snag and damage the cord but keeps the cord spinning.

The handle can be easily moved from left to right, in case you are left handed. TICA Scepter GTB9000 surf fishing reel is also made of thick, hard-to-break stainless steel and has a silicone coating that doesn’t hurt your hands and won’t let it slip when you hold it tight.

In our opinion, the cheap price you will pay for the excellent reel from the TICA brand will be absolutely unbelievable. So you can practice your sport in the most comfortable and efficient way possible without spending too much.

6. Dilwe 12+1BB Metallic Casting Spinning Reel

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Tech Specs:

• Material: Plastic, Metal
• Fishing Technique: Spinning
• Item Weight: 0.72 Kilograms
• Bearing Material: Metal
• Item Dimensions: ‎7.2 x 7.2 x 4.8 inches

Thanks to the long service life in performance, this reel is certainly suitable for those who spend several hours surf fishing. It is made in China but the quality appears to be good. The composition elements, metal cup, metal body and gears, and anti-salt dustproof design increase the corrosion resistance.

Dilwe 12+1BB surf fishing reel is suitable for ambidextrous people. Thanks to the interchangeable handle, it is very easy to use for both right and left handed people. It is also suitable for all universal types of fishing rods such as river fishing rods, sea fishing rods, river fishing rods, and more.

This powerful surf fishing reel is made from metal and plastic. It boasts the presence of an easily adjustable clutch with just a small gesture or instant drag. This model also has great fishing ability and keeps a good performance in line control.

7. Daiwa Sealine SL-X-SHA Series Surf Fishing Reel

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Tech Specs:

• Material: Stainless Steel, Aluminum
• Fishing Technique: Spinning, Casting
• Item Weight: 1.07 Pounds
• Bearing Material: Stainless Steel
• Item Dimensions: 7.75 x 6.13 x 4.13 inches

We conclude our list with the famous brand Daiwa; the Sealine SL-X-SHA fishing reel is characterized by high quality and very resistant materials. It is suitable for those who are now approaching the world of fishing. It offers smooth performance, superior drag power, and comfortable operation.

Thanks to the upper drive system, important stopping power is guaranteed. Gears are precision machined brass and aluminum spool to ensure longer life and reduce the risk of corrosion. This reel is suitable for ocean boat fishing, offshore fishing, ocean beach fishing, lake, river, man-made lake and stream.

This model is specifically designed for greater fluidity in the output of the line during the cast to allow you to reach long distances. This is for its larger spool able to satisfy all shooting and weight needs.

It can also be used by both right and left hand people with the main rods. It also fits freshwater fishing and big size fish. Overall, if you’re looking for a well-known brand without excessive costs, we highly recommend this model from the popular brand Daiwa.

Buying Guide: Best Surf Fishing Reels

The main features to recognize the best surf fishing reels are certainly the strength, fluidity, rapid recovery, and a large spool capable of containing at least 300 meters of nylon.

Surf fishing reels are divided into 3 popular categories:

• Fixed spool reels: they’re designed with a base body, a spool, a handle, and a bow that rotates on itself to wind the line and must be opened during the casting phase. Fixed spool reels are very simple to use, which is why they are the most popular. They are sold with spare spools to allow for spooling of different types of wires. Among the drawbacks, you risk finding yourself when choosing this model of reel is the strong torsion that occurs in the presence of large-diameter nylon during the winding phase.
• Rotating spool reels: These reels are characterized by a spool that rotates around its own axis, guaranteeing long and precise casts and few twists. However, during the first attempts to cast with this type of fishing reel, there is a risk of the formation of wigs (an unexpected situation that very often leads to opting for the fixed reel). A positive and advantageous element of this equipment is certainly the possibility of relying on long and precise casts. However, be careful to correctly adjust the magnetic clutch otherwise you risk getting the opposite effect. The handle is located on the right of the structure and the rod to match this type of reel is mounted differently from the classic rods. We recommend this reel in case of more incisive use, that is when there is a need to force the hand and perhaps you are faced with fish that make a lot of resistance.
• Trolling reels: this reel is not able to cast: the line is dropped into the water manually or leaves the clutch free. These reels are suitable for those who practice sea fishing directly and need to accommodate large quantities of line. Unlike other fishing reels, they are characterized by the force that can exert friction.

To choose the best surf fishing reel remember to evaluate the following features…

• Large capacity and sturdiness: the reel must be sturdy and accompany you all the time. The surf fishing reel must be “long cast”, that is large capacity, to ensure long and precise casts.
• Resistance and lightness: consider that your equipment should be carried with you. Consequently, it could happen that it suffers bumps and abrasions. As well as the resistance of its components, such as the bow (in fixed spool reels) must be guaranteed.
• Line recovery speed: a good surf fishing reel must be able to guarantee the highest number of casts possible.
• Transportability: the possibility of folding the crank towards the body of the same during the transport phase.
• Spare coils: in case of unexpected or failure.
• Resistance to salt: the reels used for sea fishing are treated to avoid rust that could compromise the use and duration of the reel. The best models have gaskets that do not allow seawater to enter the gears and damage them.

Finally, don’t forget to buy a rod holder. It is an essential accessory that allows you to fix the rod straight facing the sea to keep the line taut over the waves.

You can choose a tripod, suitable on pebble beaches or in the Mediterranean because the absence of tide does not require you to move the equipment while fishing. A stake easily attaches for quick rod setup. It is the ideal support for quickly changing fishing spots.

Conclusion

In light of the models described above, which surf fishing reel do you find most suitable for your needs? If you don’t know which one to choose, we’ll help you in the final stage.

In the first place, we point out the model PENN Fathom II Star. Among the peculiarities that make him earn this primacy is excellent quality. The high-quality materials guarantee reliability and resistance. Furthermore, the absence of twisting will guarantee greater speed in recovering the yarn.

In the second place, we recommend the Shimano Ultegra 1400-XSD model. This surf fishing reel has been judged suitable for surf casting professionals. Thanks to the characteristics of the reel and the possibility of fishing with different types of lines.

Finally, we indicate the Diwa Ultra Smooth model for its strength, excellent casting qualities, and good recovery ratio.

Now that you know what are the best surf fishing reels available on the market, you won’t have to keep looking for expert opinions and comments to help you. For any questions and comments, leave a comment below, and we will be happy to answer your questions.

FAQ

What is the ideal line capacity for a surf fishing reel?

The recommended line capacity for a surf fishing reel depends on the target species you’re pursuing and the fishing conditions you’ll encounter. Generally, a reel with a line capacity of at least 200 yards of monofilament or braided line is suitable for most surf fishing situations. However, if you’re targeting larger species or fishing in areas with strong currents, you can choose a reel with a higher line capacity.

How to maintain a surf fishing spinning reel?

After use, remember to rinse the reel after each outing in salt water and to carry out proper and detailed maintenance:

• Disassemble the lower part of the reel with a small Phillips screwdriver.
• If there is residual grease, remove it with petrol.
• Grease all components with the correct lubricants specifically designed for the reels.

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