How to Choose the Best Spinning Reels for Bass Fishing, Plus Our Top Picks

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For the second straight year, we took dozens of spinning reels and put them through the wringer to find the very best for bass fishing. The lineup included over 30 different models at various price points. After initial testing, we narrowed down the list to the top 11 reels. Of course, there are a few standouts, so we awarded winners in four categories. There are premium options for serious finesse anglers, value reels for those looking to expand their arsenal, and great budget picks for those who don’t want to break the bank. Here are the best spinning reels you can buy for bass fishing.

• Best Overall: Shimano Vanquish
• Best Value: Daiwa Tatula MQ LT 
• Best Under $100: Okuma Safyre
• Best Budget: Daiwa Crossfire LT

The Rest of the Best Spinning Reels

• Abu Garcia Zenon X
• Shimano Vanford A
• Okuma X-Series
• Lew’s Custom Spin
• Abu Garcia Max Elite
• Daiwa Exceler
• Daiwa Regal

Best Overall: Shimano Vanquish

Specs 

• Size Tested: 3000
• Gear Ratio: 6.4:1
• Weight: 6.0 ounces 
• Bearings: 11+1
• Price: $529.99  
• Available Sizes: 2500, 3000, 4000

Weighing only 6 ounces, the Shimano Vanquish was the lightest reel of our test. It was also surprisingly strong and durable, capable of handling any size bass you expect to hook. The Vanquish is packed with features that improve line lay, increase gear durability, and generate more power for fighting big fish. I tested the 3000 size, which is ideal for general bass fishing techniques. I love the rubberized T-shaped handle. It offers a strong and secure grip when setting the hook and fighting fish. The Vanquish is built with high-quality components and offers excellent sensitivity for those looking for the ultimate finesse fishing reel.

Best Value: Daiwa Tatula MQ LT

Specs 

• Size Tested: 2500
• Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Weight: 6.7 ounces 
• Bearings: 8+1
• Price: $200
• Available Sizes: 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000

At $200, the Daiwa Tatula MQ LT is less than half the price of many premium reels yet still delivers great performance. It was the crispness of this reel that won me over. From the one-piece body to the machined aluminum handle to the AirDrive rotor and bail—everything about this reel is light, strong, and precision-tuned. Available in five sizes ranging from 1000 to 4000, the Tatula MQ LT can handle everything from ned rigs to moving baits. One of my favorite features was how smoothly and easily the bail opens and closes. You barely have to turn the handle before the bail flips down. It also has a smooth and strong drag.

Best Under $100: Okuma Safyre

Specs 

• Size Tested: 3000
• Gear Ratio: 6.0:1
• Weight: 8.3 ounces 
• Bearings: 7+1
• Price: $89.99
• Available Sizes: 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000

We tested the Okuma Safyre against roughly a dozen other reels in the $100 price range, and it outperformed every one. I’ve caught as many or more quality bass on this spinning reel than I have on any other in the test. I like the wide, rubberized, T-shaped knob on the handle. It helps keep your fingers from slipping off the reel during the hookset and gives you a good grip to crank. The drag works smoothly and is easy to dial in with a wide range of settings. The line flies off the spool, which makes the Safyre accurate even on long casts.

Best Budget: Daiwa Crossfire LT

Specs 

• Size Tested: 2500
• Gear Ratio: 5.3:1
• Weight: 8.8 ounces 
• Bearings: 3+1
• Price: $34.99
• Available Sizes: 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000

For our Best Budget award, we considered reels priced under $50—and the Daiwa Crossfire LT takes the cake. It’s a phenomenal reel and one I’d feel comfortable using in tournaments when money is on the line. It’s more than enough for the casual angler and a good option for those who want an additional spinning reel at a fraction of the cost of a premium model. The only downside is the hard, slick handle. It can easily slip through your fingers when fighting a fish. Other than that, it has a great drag with plenty of adjustments. What else can you ask for from a $35 reel?

Abu Garcia Zenon X

Specs 

• Size Tested: 2500
• Gear Ratio: 
• Weight: 6.5 ounces 
• Bearings: 9+1
• Price: $349.99
• Available Sizes:

The Abu Garcia Zenon X is slightly heavier than the Shimano Vanquish but still extremely light. It performed flawlessly on the water. The Zenon X casts really well and fights fish with ease. The drag is easy to adjust with a wide range of settings, and the carbon handle is lightweight, strong, and rigid. The 10 bearings in the reel create a super smooth retrieve as you turn the handle. It is full of Abu Garcia tech, but all you need to know is that this reel matches the premium price point.

Shimano Vanford A

Specs 

• Size Tested: 2500
• Gear Ratio: 5.8:1 
• Weight: 6.2 ounces
• Bearings: 7+1
• Price: $250
• Available Sizes: 500, 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000

The Vanford A is a proven workhorse. With many similarities to the beloved but discontinued Shimano Stradic, the Vanford A has quickly garnered a loyal following. After six months of fishing with the Vanford, I’ve caught some great fish and have really come to appreciate the strength, durability, and smoothness of this reel. At $250, it’s not inexpensive, but it’s still half the price of the Abu Garcia MG-X. And the difference in these two reels, performance-wise, is very small.

Okuma X-Series

Specs 

• Size Tested: 2500
• Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Weight: 7 ounces 
• Bearings: 10+1
• Price: $220
• Available Sizes: 2500, 3000, 4000

When it comes to what makes a good spinning reel, you need three things: a lightweight design to balance the rod, rigid components for strength, and an excellent drag. The Okuma X-Series checks all three boxes and then some. This reel produced the biggest bite of the test—a largemouth weighing around 6 pounds. The multi-disk carbonite drag performed flawlessly during the fight, allowing line to peel off when the fish made sudden runs and then cranking down to get the fish in after it tired. Components like the Hydro Block II body and machined aluminum spool deliver the often hard-to-achieve balance between durability and lightness. The X-Series does it all and has everything you need to finesse fish for giant largemouth and smallmouth bass.

Lew’s Custom Spin

Specs

• Size Tested: 3000
• Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Weight: 8.7
• Bearings: 10
• Price: $120
• Available Sizes: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000

Lew’s stepped up their game in the last few years when it comes to spinning reels. The company has long been a leader in the casting reel market, but its spinning reel selection for bass fishing has been limited. Not anymore. Now they offer several solid spinning options, including the Lew’s Custom Spin. Though this one couldn’t knock off the Daiwa Tatula MQ LT for Best Value, it wasn’t far behind. Plus, the Custom Spin costs $80 less. It is a little heavier, but it has a smooth and strong drag to make up for it.

Abu Garcia Max Elite

Specs 

• Size Tested: 3000
• Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Weight: 7.8 ounces 
• Bearings: 9+1
• Price: $110
• Available Sizes: 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000

The Abu Garcia Max Elite is a great reel for the price, but it’s not quite on par with the Tatula MQ LT. Still, for $110, this is an excellent reel for nearly half the price of the Tatula. Abu pulled from their popular Revo and high-end Zenon line-up to build a more reasonably priced workhorse for the masses—and it worked. The Max Elite is both strong and light, similar to the other top contenders in the test. The carbon fiber handle, carbon frame, carbon rotor, and machined aluminum spool combine for an excellent design. Plus, it has a great drag. It’s sensitive, easy to adjust, and designed specifically to provide even pressure across the entire range.

Daiwa Exceler LT

Specs 

• Size Tested: 3000
• Gear Ratio: 5.3:1 
• Weight: 7.1 ounces 
• Bearings: 5+1
• Price: $100
• Available Sizes: 500, 1000, 2500, 3000, 4000, 5000

The body and machined aluminum handle of the Exceler LT come together to create the solid foundation on which the rest of the reel is built. Daiwa then packs in the rugged Digigear, Automatic Tournament Drag, and Air Drive rotor and bail to complete the reel. All that mumbo jumbo means the reel is extremely durable and has a strong drag that handles big fish smoothly. With sizes ranging from 1000 to 6000, this is an affordable powerhouse that can cover a wide range of techniques.

Daiwa Regal

Specs 

• Size Tested: 3000
• Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
• Weight: 7.2 ounces 
• Bearings: 6+1
• Price: $69.99 
• Available Sizes: 1000, 2000, 2500, 3000

The Daiwa Regal is a good option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly reel. Packing in several of the higher-end components that Daiwa is known for—such as the Zaion V Body, Air Drive rotor, and Air Drive bail—this reel offers a true bang for your buck. It’s strong yet still fairly lightweight, making it an easy reel to fish with for a variety of techniques.

How We Tested Spinning Reels

For this test, we called several reel manufacturers, including Daiwa, Shimano, Abu Garcia, and others, to send out reels for consideration. Once we got them in hand, we compared the reels based on the following criteria:

• Quality
• Construction
• Innovation
• Weight
• Price
• Strength 
• Smoothness

For the first leg of side-by-side testing, I took the reels to a local lake to put the drags through the wringer against big spotted and striped bass. After two days of fishing and a few dozen catches, I was able to whittle the lineup down to 17. Then I took the remaining reels to a stocked pond with big largemouth for further testing. To add a constant across all the reels, I spooled them with 15-pound Sufix 832 Braid. Then I tied on several similar finesse fishing baits and went to work. 

I caught a quality fish in the 3-pound range on almost every one of the reels. From that final go-around, I was able to confidently select four award winners. As far as how the award winners were selected, the Best Overall award went to the best spinning reel from the test, regardless of the price. I determined the Best Value award based on getting the most bang for your buck. Then we awarded the Best $100 Spinning Reel, because so many models fall into this price range. Lastly, the Best Budget award went to the best reel under $50.

Why Trust Us

For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.

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