7 Best Trout Spinning Reels | Review & Guide

To catch Trout on your spinning reel is a very challenging as well as thrilling for any angler. But if you have such a magical equipment that facilitate you and maintain your comfort zone also, then just imagine! How fascinating your Spinning journey would be.

In order to make you feel comfortable while catching Trout, we have gone through several phases of experiments and conducting researches and found out the perfect gears for you!

How We Chose Best Trout Spinning Reels :

While concentrating on the basic qualities and features of a perfect spinning reel, we have made comprehensive researches through interviewing a lot of anglers and by testing it ourselves. The significant expertise of our team and thorugh testing enable us to put our findings in front of you so you can aware of  quality Spinning reels by knowing all  its amazing features.

7 Best Trout Spinning Reels

1. Daiwa Regal Lt Fish Spinning Reel

We have tested many trout spinning reels in different types of water and also gathered research from various anglers about the daiwa regal fish Spinning reel.

The first thing that made us its fan is its super rotor system and higher gear ratio.

Drag System:

If we talk about the drag power of the reel, when we were catching huge trout in the saltwater, it helped us to catch 22 pound heavy trout. It’s amazing line power feels so comfortable to carry that we continue spinning for five hours but not get a litte bit tired from using it.

Build Quality:

The composite structure of this reel feels so lightweight to carry that we can continue spinning trout for a long time but didn’t get tired a little bit.

Moreover, by rigorous testing of this reel make us  easily handle 22 pounds weight so you do not have to think about the size of the trout.

It fits in the hand just right the bell is not hitting your knuckles as it turns.

What Wilson Insight of this Reel:

Wilson James, one of our expert reasercher, gathered information from the his anglers friends during his interview and after using this reel in saltwater claimed that,

The Smooth fluid action  of this reel helped me to catch small panfish. These are incredibly smooth and very much made. I have 2 of the LT2000 models and they run perfectly with 6lb line . I use it on my “get all” poles when I’m going for crappie, bass, or walleye.

Wilson James

If you occasionally want to catch giant trouts in the deep waters but need a mid-range spinning reel alternative, there is nothing better than the Daiwa Regal Lt. Its ARL rotor system reduces friction and makes it easy to handle heavy fish. Plus, it feels lighter than usual trout reels.

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2. Okuma Helios Lightweight Spinning Reel

Just like the Daiwa Regal, this Okuma Helios spinning reel is a lightweight substitute for catching heavy trout. It is designed for people tight on a budget yet needs a strong reel for deep waters. In addition, its CRBB bearing setup makes the retrieval silky smooth, irrespective of the weight.

First, it has an aluminum and carbon fiber body that is blended with graphite, which makes it light and adds to its long life. With this material, you do not have to worry about the sand damage to the spool. The manufacturers have also added 8+1 corrosion-resistant stainless steel bearings that prevent rusting and make it suitable for deep waters.

Now, the next important thing to talk about this spinning reel is its dragging mechanism, which may not be the best but certainly does the job. It can handle around 13 pounds, making it suitable for fairly large trouts, but you will face trouble with the biggest ones. The gear ratio also helps you retrieve the fish smoothly.

In essence, the Daiwa Regal Lt reel is a suitable alternative for occasional anglers who like catching heavy fish like trout. It is equipped with corrosion-resistant bearings and a gear ratio, helping you with a silky-smooth retrieval. The only drawback is that it has a limited drag capacity, which may not work with really big trout.

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3. Okuma Reels Epixor Xt Spinning

Coming from Okuma, the Epixor spinning reel is a go-to option for anglers fond of catching massive trout; much of it is accredited to its lightweight and easy-to-handle buildup. The best part is that it comes with a 5-year warranty, which is the longest time any brand offers. Similarly, its wired fishing line is fairly accurate when it comes to casting to a considerable distance.

The body of this reel is made up of aluminum, which works pretty well for freshwater fishing; however, this may not be the right choice for deep saltwater. It further comes with 7Bb+1rb stainless steel bearings that aid you in making a smooth retrieval. The reel has an anti-reverse bearing mechanism, so you won’t have issues with the spool twisting.

Here, the manufacturers have also used the precision machine-cut brass pinion gear that is an ultimate option for a smooth drag, even with a gigantic trout. My favorite thing about the reel is its torsion control armor that helps you with accurate casting and reduces twisting significantly. Though the wire fishline is good, the price could easily compensate for a monofilament.

Finally, the Okuma Epixor XT spinning reel is an excellent way to facilitate fishing sessions, all credit to its intelligent design and durable construction quality. It is designed for people with an intermediate skill level. What’s even better is that you won’t feel fatigued with this reel, and there is no issue of a twisted fish line.

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4. Shimano Fish Spinning Reel CI4

Shimano is a renowned brand when it comes to fishing equipment for its high construction quality and set of features, and this C14 is no different. It is designed for catching considerably heavy fish with a smooth retrieval and higher gear ratio. If you have no issues with the budget and need the lightest reel for trout, this C14 might be it.

Speaking of the design, this spinning reel is made up of a blended material that feels strong and durable; however, it is not enough to resist sand damage. Here, the manufacturers have also added 6+1 stainless steel bearings that help you with the friction situation and make it easy to drag. That said, the weight is manageable for new anglers.

Another thing to appreciate about the spinning reel is its dragging capacity, as it can easily handle fairly large trout. The good thing about this reel is that it can easily handle 19.8 pounds of fish, which is pretty smooth. Moreover, it has an ambidextrous hand orientation and a fluorochemical line, making it relatively easier than other spinning reels.

Finally, if you have no budget restrictions, this Shimano fish spinning reel C14 is a great choice for anglers in search of something efficient and durable. It is the lightest reel for a rod to handle a large fish like trout despite having a strong blended build. However, I would not advise using this in salt water, as it is not the best to survive friction and sand damage.

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5. PLUSINNO Fishing 9 +1BB Spinning Reel

Similarly, this Plusinno fishing reel is the literal definition of a reel with unlimited features, irrespective of its reasonable price tag. The reason why I put it over the Okuma Ceymar is its higher number of bearings, as it makes retrievals silky smooth with absolutely no noise. Also, its push button makes it incredibly easy to fold the handle in a second.

So, let’s start this review with the material, as the manufacturers have intelligently used blended elements to cut down on weight. Its aluminum body is blended with graphite, which reduces friction and makes dragging easy. The manufacturers have also added a line keeper that makes it easy to attach the line to the spool while storing it.

It is further accompanied by a push button with which you can fold the handle instead of unscrewing the handle. Now, let us talk about the main deal, which is its 9+1 stainless steel bearings that reduce friction and offer a dragging capacity of around 17.5 pounds. The only drawback of this reel is that it is not the best thing for saltwater. You can also check out the best musky reels if you want.

In conclusion, this Plusinno fish spinning reel is definitely a worthy option for anglers who occasionally venture into the freshwater for trout. Its sheer number of bearings adds to the ease of retrieval and helps you drag a massive trout with minimal effort. Moreover, its line keeper helps you work with the preferred line capacity and safely stores it with the spool.

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6. Pflueger President Spinning Reel

Here comes yet another smooth spinning reel for occasional fishing sessions. The highlights of this model are its advanced bearing setup and intelligent drag, which is the perfect combination for big, gigantic trout. In addition, its slow oscillation gearing setup and balanced structure make it suitable for quick and controlled recovery.

Starting from its design, I would say it is one of the few lightweight spinning reels that is accredited to the blended graphite manufacturers used in the construction. Here, you will also get a rubber knob and aluminum handle that can be used with both right and left hand. Despite its bearings being corrosion-resistant, I would not recommend using it in saltwater.

Next, let us discuss its sealed front drag system that can easily handle 6 lbs and much of it is thanks to the 7 anti-reverse ball bearings. Also, the slow oscillation 5.2:1 gearing setup remains in tight light with the monofilament line, making the casting accurate and precise. Hence, when using this reel, you do not have to think about the trout size.

Wrapping up: this Pflueger spinning reel is an all-in-one substitute for anglers in search of something smart and efficient. It comes with a slow-oscillating gearbox and sealed front drag mechanism, which helps you with a silky smooth retrieval. Moreover, the monofilament fish line improves the casting accuracy and line capacity ideally.

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7. Okuma Ceymar Graphite Fish Spinning Reel

The last reel on my list of the best trout spinning reels is the Okuma Ceymar, for its ability to drag massive trout with minimal effort. It is a go-to option for professionals, all credit to its higher bearing number and decent gear ratio, which is everything you need for a large trout.

First, let us talk about its aluminum body, which is highly durable and resists sand damage ideally despite weighing only 8 ounces. It is further accompanied by the 7+1 anti-reverse rolling bearings that are ideal for a smooth recovery and drag, especially when working with large trouts. You will also love its ambidextrous design, as it works for almost all anglers.

In addition, the manufacturers have added a multi-disc, oil-felt drag system that can easily take down fish around 5 lbs with an anti-reverse roller bearing setup. I particularly like the Monofilament line type, as it has a better capacity for casting gigantic fish. Finally, the 2-one aluminum spool makes it manageable to handle the weight.

Lastly, the Okuma Ceymar all-purpose spinning reel is my all-time favorite for occasional trout fishing sessions, all thanks to its lightweight structure and intelligent drag mechanism. It is equipped with an anti-reverse roller bearing that improves the already incredible drag and makes retrieving easy for you. All in all, it feels pretty light.

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How to Find the Best Trout Spinning Reel: Factors to Consider that Matters

Choosing a spinning reel for trout may not be as challenging as it seems if you have been fishing for a while now. All you need to do is look at some basic things like gear ratio, bearings, material, and structure. So, let us discuss these things in detail so you can find the best trout spinning reel for yourself.

Gear Ratio

The first thing to consider when buying a trout spinning reel is its gear ratio, which can be defined as the number of times your spool turns the handle per spin. Let us say your reel has a 5.2:1 gear ratio; it means that the reel will turn approximately 5.2 times each time the angler turns the handle.

The rule of thumb is that a higher gear ratio means you will have to take fewer turns with the reel, making it easy and quick to retrieve heavy fish like trout. Simply put, slower gear ratios are perfect for smaller fish and vice versa. Hence, speaking of trout, you definitely need a higher gear ratio between 5:1 and 6:1.

Durability and Material Construction

The material of your spinning reel also matters a lot, considering that it determines the life of your reel and whether it is able to survive harsh water conditions. In this case, I would advise you to go for aluminum, anodized aluminum, or blended material to make sure it is resistant enough to withstand sand and water damage.

Ball Bearings

Moreover, ball bearings are responsible for reducing the friction from water and smoothing, allowing your reel to retrieve the fish from the water. So, when looking for a suitable bearing setup for trout, it is better that you go for a higher number and corrosion-resistant material. This combination will help you with smooth retrieval from the water.

Ideally, it is better to go for ball bearings above 4+1 or 5+1, especially for trout. However, do consider that a bigger size of fish demands a higher number of bearings, which can significantly add to the price of your reel. So, think wisely before making a decision.

Reel Size

If we talk about trout, they are on a medium level of the spectrum based on the size of trout you are aiming for, which means any decently small-sized reel would work well. Ideally, it is better than going for spinning reels between 2500 and 4000, based on the size of trout you want to target. While looking for the perfect size, do not settle down for a heavyweight option, or else dragging and retrieving will be a challenge for you.

Spool Design

Another thing to look into when buying a spinning reel is the spool design and material, as it determines what size of fish your reel can handle. Usually, spools are either anodized aluminum or graphite, both of which are perfect for trout. However, I would say it is better to go for lighter yet durable material like graphite as it can make it easy for you to drag and retrieve the gigantic trout from saltwater.

Drag Capacity

Similarly, the drag system of a fishing reel is one that has steel plates and stops the spool from the releasing line, making it either easy or difficult to drag the fish. Simply put, the heavier your drag system is, the more challenging it is to drag a fish. So, what’s better is that you go for an intelligent drag mechanism with higher capacity, so it can prevent the line from being snapped by heavier fish like trout.

FAQs

What is the best trout spinning reel?

Daiwa Regal Lt is one of the best trout spinning reels for its high drag power and sufficient line capacity. Its ARL rotor system reduces friction and makes it easy to handle heavy fish. Plus, it feels lighter than usual trout reels.

What size reel is best for trout spinning?

Any spinning reel between 1000 and 3000 is suitable for trout. It has enough line capacity to prevent twists and line strains. Moreover, dragging such a reel won’t be an issue.

Can you use a 3000 reel for trout?

Yes, 3000 is a suitable reel size for trout. It helps you with an accurate line capacity with no strains and twists. Also, the 3000 reel has a stronger drag that works well for almost all trout sizes.

What is better, a 2500 or 3000-size spinning reel?

The obvious difference between a 2500 or 3000 spinning reel is the spool depth. The 3000-size spinning reel has a better depth. However, their ability to handle line capacity is the same, and it won’t affect the fish size.

Final Thoughts

Targeting trout is a dream for anglers as the fight they put against you can make you challenge your capabilities as an angler. Choosing a trout spinning reel is not a challenge when you are clear about your needs and demands. If you are confused and need suggestions, here are some of my favorites.

• Daiwa Regal Lt Fish Spinning Reel is best known for its high dragging capacity and intelligent rotor mechanism.
• Shimano Fish Spinning Reel CI4 is one of the best for its silky smooth retrievals and highly accurate casting line.
• Okuma Ceymar Graphite Fish Spinning Reel has a better line capacity and fairly decent dragging capacity.

Finally, I hope you will soon find the best trout spinning reel for your budget.