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The 10 Best Budget-Friendly Spinning Reels For Bass Fishermen
‘Tis the season… the fishing gear shopping season. Up here in Wisconsin, it’s been cold… really cold. Ice fishing is already underway across much of the state, even on the smaller lakes in the south, where I live. I don’t do a ton of ice fishing myself, but it’s definitely a fun way to get outside during the winter. Some folks around here get more excited for the hardwater season than they do for the summer months, but me, I […] The post The 10 Best Budget-Friendly Spinning Reels For Bass Fishermen first appeared on Whiskey Riff.
‘Tis the season… the fishing gear shopping season.
Up here in Wisconsin, it’s been cold… really cold. Ice fishing is already underway across much of the state, even on the smaller lakes in the south, where I live. I don’t do a ton of ice fishing myself, but it’s definitely a fun way to get outside during the winter. Some folks around here get more excited for the hardwater season than they do for the summer months, but me, I spend the bulk of the winter cleaning my open water gear and getting ready for the spring.
And getting ready basically just means buying a ton of stuff. Maybe it’s new rods, maybe it’s new reels, definitely tons of bait that I won’t be able to use for at least 3 months… but it helps scratch the itch, you know? Retail therapy.
I recently wrote up a full gear guide on budget-friendly bass rods, and now, it’s time to talk reels. Particularly… spinning reels, it’s a great place to start if you’re new to the sport. Whether you’re looking for your first one, or just looking to supplement your arsenal with a new addition and not break the bank, I got you covered. As always, all of the reels listed here are ones that I either personally own and use regularly, have owned, or have some experience catching fish with, and I’ll just say right now that many of these are reels that I use every single day… affordable, budget friendly reels that are proven fish-catchers.
So without further ado, let’s get to it.
Every angler needs a good spinning reel and with the explosion of forward facing sonar over the past few years, spinning techniques are probably getting much more work. Prior to the scoping craze they were generally more popular in the north, but regardless of where you live, a spinning reel is a great choice for beginners who want to learn some of the basics without having to learn the art of the baitcaster. But if you’re serious about catching bass, there’s a time and a place for both.
Here’s a few of my favorite spinning reels that come in right around $100 bucks, or in some cases, much lower:
Abu Garcia
Abu Garcia makes some great reels, especially some of their higher price point entries, but that being said, you can still find some good quality for a pretty reasonable price.
Abu Garcia Max Elite – $109.99
Shimano
Shimano is a force to be reckoned with in the spinning reel world, some might argue the best in the business right up there with Daiwa. Anglers tend to be pretty loyal to one or the other, but I’m always using a little bit of everything to test the market. The one thing about Shimano is that they use a lot of the same technology on their lower price point reels, as they do in their higher-end stuff… that means you can get a pretty solid reel for a VERY reasonable price.
Here’s a few of my favorites:
Daiwa
Personally, I tend to lean towards Daiwa when it comes to spinning reels. I love the feel, the buttery-smooth drag system, and a number of their more budget-friendly models have lasted me quite a long time, still fishing as well as the day I got it. It’s tough to beat.
The new Crossfire LT got a complete overhaul recently, and is frankly dirt cheap, but a Revros or a Regal (pictured in the cover photo) will be an absolute workhorse for you at a reasonable price.
Want more bang for your buck? Step up to the Fuego.
*This post contains links through the Tackle Warehouse Affiliate Program. While all products are independently selected by our expert Riff Outdoors team, if you use these links to make a purchase, we may earn a commission.
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