Fishing with braided line can be a great way to increase your chances of catching fish in certain applications, as it is strong, durable, and provides excellent sensitivity. However, using the wrong spinning reel with braided line, or not setting it up properly can lead to frustration and lost fish. In this article, we will review the best spinning reels for braid, and explain what makes them stand out.
Check out our list of the best saltwater spinning reels we rated here.
Penn Spinfisher VI
Our best spinning reel for braid
- Braid-ready spool
- Huge braid capacity
- IPX-5 waterproofing
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3 Best Spinning Reels for Braid
I’ve selected three fantastic reels below that are great spinning reels for braided line. Two of them come with a braid-ready backing on the spool, and one without but is still a top choice for anglers using braided fishing line.
Let’s have a look at these three reels in a little more depth.
Our best spinning reel for braid – Penn Spinfisher VI
Penn Spinfisher VI
Our best spinning reel for braid
- Braid-ready spool
- Huge braid capacity
- IPX-5 waterproofing
The Penn Spinfisher VI is an excellent spinning reel that is particularly well-suited for anglers who use braided fishing line.
As an avid angler who has been using the Spinfisher VI 4500 for several months now, I have found that this reel is perfect for different saltwater applications, including beach fishing, rock fishing, and kayaking.
Let’s look at the top features that make it our best spinning reel for braided line.
Braid-ready spool backing & huge spool capacity
We had to mention first-up the spool’s braid-ready backing, which is designed to accommodate the thin diameter of braided lines. That said, I still did apply a small amount of mono to the backing of my Spinfisher VI, just to make it extra grippy sat against the spool.
The other thing I love about the Penn Spinfisher VI apart from other spinning reels is its impressive line capacity, which is up to 320yds of 20lb braided line on the 4500 size. This is particularly beneficial when I’m using braided line, as it allows me to really cast and sling lures out further and deeper without worrying about running out of line.
HT-100 drag system
The HT-100 drag system of the reel is especially impressive, with the ability to handle larger species with ease. This is great news for anglers using braided line, as the line can handle more weight, and the reel’s drag can provide greater control and smootheness during a fight.
Waterproof sealing and solid construction
The waterproof sealing and the CNC machine-cut gears are among the other impressive features that have been improved in the Spinfisher VI.
This ensures that the reel is more durable, and can withstand the rigors of saltwater fishing, which can be particularly harsh on reels.
The IPX-5 waterproof sealing helps to keep out sand and water splashes, which are common in beach fishing, and kayak fishing as I do. I often splash the reel and it’s good to know the IPX-5 rating is there to protect it somewhat.
Fast retrieval rate
The fast retrieval rate of the Spinfisher VI is also worth mentioning, as I find it makes it easier to retrieve my line quickly, especially when targeting those fast-chasing species I mentioned earlier in the article.
The long-cast version and the bail-less version are also great options for more experienced surf anglers.
If you ask me, the Penn Spinfisher VI is an excellent choice for anglers who use braided fishing line. It’s braid-ready backing and impressive line capacity make it an ideal choice for those who want to fish deeper and cast further.
Great value spinning reel for braid – Daiwa BG
Daiwa BG
Great value spinning reel for braid
- Awesome value and perfromance
- Braid-ready spool
- Super-fast retrieval rate
When it comes to spinning reels, the Daiwa BG is a top-quality option that’s both versatile and reliable, providing excellent value for your money. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the key features that make the Daiwa BG stand out among other spinning reels.
Braid-ready backing and tapered spool:
The Daiwa BG is an excellent reel for braided fishing lines thanks to its braid-ready backing and tapered spool. The tapered spool provides even line distribution and a friction-free process of de-spooling when casting, resulting in farther and more accurate casts. Additionally, the ABS spool is oversized, allowing for more line capacity than other reels.
Smooth and powerful ATD greased drag system:
Another standout feature of the Daiwa BG is its ATD greased drag system, which provides a smooth and powerful drag that’s ideal for fighting big fish. The ATD grease contributes to lower inertia when the drag starts, meaning there’s less risk of line breakage when a fish strikes and strips your line.
Solid Digigear system:
The Daiwa BG’s solid Digigear system is one of the most impressive features of this reel. The gears are digitally cut from metal and have maximum precision, ensuring the gears connect without slippage or give, even when you’re fighting fish under pressure.
Superfast retrieval rate:
The Daiwa BG also boasts a superfast retrieval rate, which is perfect for anglers who need to quickly retrieve their line after casting. With a retrieval rate of up to 39.7 inches per turn, the Daiwa BG is one of the fastest spinning reels on the market.
I think the Daiwa BG deserves its place on this list as a top-quality spinning reel that provides excellent value for your money. Its braid-ready backing and tapered spool, smooth and powerful ATD greased drag system, solid Digigear system, and superfast retrieval rate are the reasons I think it’s one of the best spinning reels for braid out there.
Best high-end spinning reel for braid – Shimano Stradic
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The Shimano Stradic reel is widely recognized as one of the best reels for braided line due to its exceptional performance, versatile features, and popularity among anglers. Below are the key features of the Shimano Stradic reel that make it a top choice for anglers who prefer braided line.
Spool Construction:
One of the most notable features of the Shimano Stradic reel is its spool construction. The spool is made of cold-forged aluminum, which provides superior strength and durability. Its unique design prevents braided line from slipping, ensuring that it stays in place while casting and retrieving. The spool also has a rubber gasket that keeps water and debris out, preventing damage to the line and the reel.
Gearing System:
The Shimano Stradic reel has a precision-cut, high-speed gear system that provides smooth and precise operation, making it easier to cast and retrieve with braided line. The gearing system also has a gear ratio of 6.0:1, which means that the spool rotates six times for every turn of the handle. This results in a fast retrieval rate, allowing anglers to quickly retrieve their catch.
Drag System:
The drag system of the Shimano Stradic reel is exceptional. It has a maximum drag of 24 pounds, providing enough power to handle larger fish. The drag system is also adjustable, allowing anglers to fine-tune the drag to their specific needs. The system is designed to be smooth and consistent, preventing jerky movements that could cause the line to break.
Retrieval Rate:
The Shimano Stradic reel has a fast retrieval rate due to its 6.0:1 gear ratio. This means that anglers can quickly retrieve their catch, minimizing the risk of losing it. The high-speed gear system also provides a smooth and precise operation, making it easier to cast and retrieve with braided line.
Popularity among Anglers:
The Shimano Stradic reel is incredibly popular among anglers due to its outstanding performance and versatile features. It is designed to handle braided line exceptionally well, making it an ideal choice for anglers who prefer this type of line. Whether targeting small or large fish, the Shimano Stradic reel is an excellent choice that is sure to enhance your fishing experience.
In conclusion, the Shimano Stradic reel is a top choice for anglers who prefer braided line. Its spool construction, high-speed gearing system, exceptional drag system, fast retrieval rate, and popularity among anglers make it an excellent reel for various fishing situations.
Choosing the best spinning reel for braid – Factors to Consider
Before diving into the specific spinning reel models that I recommend, it is important to understand what factors to consider when choosing a spinning reel for braided line. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
- Drag System: The drag system is important because it controls the tension on the line. With braided line, you want to have a smooth drag system because if the drag is really jerky, sticky or unresponsive the line can easily break under too much tension.
- Line Capacity: Braided line has a smaller diameter than monofilament, which means you can fit a lot more line onto a spinning reel with the same spool size. Because you can fit more braid onto a spinning reel compared to mono, you can choose to hold more line overall. Or sometimes I’ll choose a reel model one size down if I think it holds enough braid. Because sometimes you want more finesse in your gear when fishing with braid – it can make for a more exciting fishing experience.
- Gear Ratio: The gear ratio determines how many times the spool turns for each turn of the handle. With additional line length coming with braided line on a spinning reel, you may want a much faster gear ratio and crank speed. For braided line, a higher gear ratio can help quickly pick up slack in the line and set the hook quickly. For example when I’m using lures for fast-moving species, I’ll use braid and will want to wind the lure back in as fast as possible.
- Line Management System: Braided line is known to be prone to tangling and can slip on the spool, so a good line management system can prevent these issues. This is a key factor that has led to some of my reel model selections in this article. You want to avoid slippage of your braid on the reel. Having braid-ready spools can be an additional safeguard against this.
- Simple habits to hook up more fish
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