Trout are known to be shy fish that typically hang around underwater structures, rocks, or near aquatic vegetation. What’s more, they can often be found at deeper water levels, either hiding from predators or looking for cooler water during warmer weather.
Their nature makes them a bit of a challenge, not only to find but also to catch. And if you have a chance to catch plenty of trout, you wouldn’t be able to do it without a reliable spinning reel in your fishing arsenal.
That’s why I’ve gathered the best trout spinning reels I could find on the market right here in this list. If you want more information on trout or on how to pick a spinning reel, to begin with, check out the little help section I’ve cooked for you at the end of the article.
Without further ado, let’s delve into the depths where trout can be found!
Our Top Picks for Best Trout Reels:
- Best Overall: KastKing Sharky III 3000
- Budget Choice: Pflueger President PRESSP30X
- Premium Choice: Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000
- Best for Quick Action: Abu Garcia Revo SX
- Lightweight Choice: Okuma Ceymar C-10
| Maximum Drag | Ball Bearings | Weight | Gear Ratio | Line Retrieve | |
| KastKing Sharky III 3000 |
33 lbs. | 11 | 9.2 ounces | 5.2:1 |
29.7 inches/turn |
| 9 lbs. | 10 | 8.3 ounces | 5.2:1 | 25.2 inches/turn | |
| 24 lbs. | 7 | 8.1 ounces | 6.2:1 |
39 inches/turn |
|
| 24 lbs. | 10 | 7.8 ounces | 6.6:1 | 27 inches/turn | |
| 6.6 lbs. | 7 | 5.9 ounces | 5.0:1 | 21.8 inches/turn |
The 5 Best Trout Spinning Reels for 2021
1. KastKing Sharky III 3000 – Best Overall
The KastKing Sharky III is a budget-friendly choice that provides you with great value for the money.
It’s quite durable and suits both freshwater and saltwater fishing, so if you’re after sea or rainbow trout, the Sharky III is the reel for you.
You don’t have to worry about your reel falling into the water as the protective water-resistant design covers the spool, body, and rotor, which prevents any dirt or water from getting into the system.
It’s not too heavy at 9.2 ounces, yet it can drag up to 33 pounds with a quick line retrieve of 29.7 inches/crank and a gear ratio of 5.2:1. This combination also makes it suitable for various types of fishing, like fan-casting, jigging, and bait fishing. Not to mention that the ratio between its weight and maximum drag is quite impressive.
The KastKing Sharky III is equipped with a triple-disc carbon fiber drag and an oversized stainless steel main shaft that works on making its reeling and casting as smooth as silk. This is amplified by the shielded stainless steel 11-bearing system that’s rated for saltwater.
Moreover, the precision mesh manganese brass pinion gears add strength and muscle to the reel, while the anti-twist line roller minimizes the chances of tangles and snarls in your line.
Finally, the Sharky III 3000 provides comfort throughout your fishing session with its slip-free, high-density EVA grips.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Great maximum drag to weight ratio
- 1-year warranty
- Smooth operation
- Interchangeable hand retrieve
Cons:
- Some complaints about tight lines in the reel
- Bearings produce some grinding sounds
Bottom Line
Whether you’re going for saltwater or freshwater trout, or both, the KastKing Sharky III will serve you quite well. Although it comes at an affordable price, it offers a high maximum drag capacity, fast action, and smooth operation.
2. Pflueger President PRESSP30X – Budget Choice
Although the Pflueger President comes at a very affordable price, it integrates plenty of high-quality, useful features.
To start with, its new design comes with 10% less body weight, yet it doesn’t compromise the durability of the reel. Being lighter means that your wrists won’t be fatigued as much or as quickly, enabling you to fish for longer periods.
This is mainly because both its body and rotor are made from graphite, which is known to be the perfect choice for a combination of durability and portability.
Although it’s available in five sizes, I chose the PRESSP30X for trout fishing as it weighs 8.3 pounds, can drag 9-pound fish, and does so at a speed of 25.2 inches/crank, thanks to its 5.2:1 gear ratio. These specs make it suitable for reeling in the average-sized trout seamlessly, without being too heavy or slow.
To ensure comfort, the PRESSP30X comes with a soft-touch ergonomic knob that facilitates gripping, and being dimpled makes it even easier on the fingertips.
It’s worth mentioning that it’s not sealed for saltwater, but that’s not such a problem because most trout generally live in freshwaters like rivers and streams.
Equipped with a stainless steel, corrosion-resistant 10-bearing system, the Pflueger President provides you with very smooth retrieves. What’s more, the drag can be adjusted to micro increments to increase the precision of your reel.
Moreover, it comes with a Sure-Click heavy-duty aluminum bail that produces an audible click sound to notify you when the bail is open and ready to cast.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Smooth drag thanks to the 10-bearing system
- Lightweight
- Easy retrieve switching from the left to the right hand
Cons:
- Looks and feels cheap
- Needs maintenance to keep a smooth drag
Bottom Line
If you want to go trout fishing and you don’t want to break the bank, the Pflueger President is a great choice for you. The best part is that it doesn’t compromise smoothness, portability, or precision despite coming at a relatively low price point.
3. Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000 – Premium Choice
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Any angler must be familiar with Shimano as it’s one of the most popular fishing equipment manufacturers on the market, and that’s for a good reason. When they produce a spinning reel, for example, they mean business, and the Stradic Ci4+ is an excellent example.
While it may not be the most affordable option out there, it’s one of the best trout spinning reels you can get. And although there are four models, I prefer the Ci4+ 4000 for catching trout.
To start with, it comes with X-Ship technology that features a double bearing supported pinion gear to maximize the smoothness of your retrieves, especially when fishing for big-sized gamefish.
Combine that with the superior 6.2:1 and 24-pound maximum drag, and you can go for heavier trout-like rainbow or steelhead, which start at 12 pounds and on some lucky occasions can be as large as 26 pounds.
The reel weighs only 8.1 ounces, which is pretty lightweight. This can be attributed to the 25% lighter Magnumlite (MGL) rotor that facilitates starting and stopping your retrieves.
Not only that, but the G-Free, carbon body design brings the center of mass of the reel closer to the rod to make it easier for you to balance it and get a better feel when there’s a strike from a potential catch.
Of course, to enable you to go for the big saltwater trout, it’s equipped with advanced CoreProtect water resistance that provides it with 360-degree durability through all kinds of weather. On top of that, its bearings are shielded on both sides to eliminate the possibility of any salt, dirt, or water penetrating the reel.
Moreover, the cold-forged-aluminum spool beats diecast aluminum or graphite ones as it provides you with more durability and strength. The Hagane precision gears are also cold-forged to provide you with smooth retrieves. Combine that with the 7-bearing system, and you get the most seamless retrieve and drag.
Finally, the Stradic Ci4+ works on minimizing line twists and wind knots by utilizing an advanced AR-C spool design with a power roller. Its line management is truly undisputed as it reduces twists by up to 50%.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Premium feel and performance
- Almost completely waterproof
- Incredibly smooth retrieves and drag action
Cons:
- A little pricey
- Small anti-reverse switch
Bottom Line
The Stradic Ci4+offers you an unbelievably smooth fishing experience, even in salt water and even under big loads, and that’s why it’s a great choice if you’re after anadromous trout.
4. Abu Garcia Revo SX – Best for Quick Action
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The Revo SX reel right here serves as a great example of why Abu Garcia is able to establish itself in the world of fishing, displaying the epitome of quality and quick action.
Firstly, the Revo SX is equipped with an X-Craftic gearbox with an alloy frame and a unique C6 carbon body in which a composite of carbon and graphite blend to provide you with a lightweight and durable reel. Moreover, the carbon handle housing and side plate boost the durability of the reel and protect it against corrosion.
With a 6.6:1 gear ratio, 27-inch retrieve/crank, and a 10-bearing system, it enables you to catch trout up to 24 pounds with unprecedented smoothness. And despite that, it only weighs 7.8 ounces.
Not only that, but it also works on giving you accuracy by integrating a Rocket Spool Lip, which is compatible with any line and works from any casting location. Its main benefit is enabling the line to run off the reel with less drag, consequently making your casts longer and more precise.
What’s more, the 10-bearing system and Power Stack Carbon Matrix drag system make its operation quite seamless.
Another special feature you’ll find on the Revo SX is the adjustable brake system that utilizes magnets to eliminate backlash.
Pros:
- Equipped with a dynamic Rocket Spool Lip for smooth casting
- 10-bearing system
- Magnetic brake system
- Lightweight
- Quick action with high gear ratio and line retrieve
Cons:
- Not as smooth as other options in its price range
- A little pricey
Bottom Line
The Abu Garcia Revo SX is a high-quality trout spinning reel that makes catching those elusive hiders a breeze. Although it’s not the most affordable, it does provide you with much-needed precision and durability.
5. Okuma Ceymar C-10 – Lightweight Choice
The first thing worth mentioning about the Okuma Ceymar C-10, other than its attractive price tag, is definitely its cyclonic flow rotor. It creates cyclonic airflow through the ported rotor to quicken its drying time, consequently reducing the possibility of corrosion and increasing the reel’s durability.
Not only that, but it also minimizes the intrusion of water into the inner workings of the reel, further extending its durability with the help of the lightweight and corrosion-resistant graphite body.
Compared to other options on the list, the 6.6-pound maximum drag of this reel is pretty inferior, but then again, it only weighs 5.9 ounces, which is incredibly light.
This combination makes it ideal for small trout-like brook, golden, and tiger trout. Further, its 5.0:1 gear ratio and 21-inch retrieve/crank are quite enough to provide you with fast action to land small-sized trout, typically ranging between five to nine pounds.
The Okuma Ceymar C-10 comes with a 7-bearing system that makes its operation pretty smooth, while the anti-reverse bearing works on keeping your hook sets solid.
Moreover, the Ceymar C-10 features an impressive alignment system that maximizes the casting ability of the reel. Not only that, but it’s also equipped with a precision gearing system that minimizes friction to maximize accuracy and distance of casting. It also smoothens the performance of the reel by evening out its drag pressures.
When it comes to comfort, the zinc diecast handle has your back. Its design enables it to withstand any stress as well as endure heavy battles without compromising its ability to provide you with the required torque for catching your fish.
Pros:
- Amazing value for the price
- Cheap
- Very lightweight
Cons:
- Not very durable
Bottom Line
Whatever you expect from a spinning reel under the 50-buck mark, you’ll get its double fold with the Okuma Ceymar C-10. Although it’s a cheap option, it has a lot to offer, including smooth operation, portability, and reliability.
Shopping for a Trout Spinning Reel
When you’re shopping for a trout spinning reel, you have to factor in the fish’s characteristics while considering the features you’re looking for. Forming a connection between both aspects could be a little tough, and to spare you the hassle, I’ve done it in the help section below.
1. Gear Ratio
Trout aren’t the most ferocious of species. In fact, they’re usually hiding behind or around something. Naturally, they try to run away from a fight, which is why you need a quick retrieve and fast reeling, and that’s where the gear ratio comes in.
The gear ratio refers to the number of times the line spins around the spool with each turn, and the higher the ratio, the quicker the reel’s action.
For small trout like rainbow, golden, or brown, you can work with a 5.0:1 gear ratio.
On the other hand, relatively larger trout like lake, steelhead, and speckled trout require a gear ratio of 6.0:1 or even 7.0:1.
2. Reel Size
Reel sizes are typically denoted by numbers (1000, 2000, 3000, etc.) Naturally, bigger reels are more fit for catching bigger fish, but that doesn’t mean you should just go for the largest option you can find as it increases the weight, which affects how long you can put up your fights.
Generally speaking, trout aren’t massive fish, so you don’t need a heavy reel with a huge maximum drag capability. As a matter of fact, with the average trout weighing between two to eight pounds, you can opt for a reel on the smaller end of the size spectrum.
Since trout don’t usually come in massive sizes, a reel size between 1000 and 2500 would be superb, while between 3000 and 4000 would be more than enough.
3. Drag System
Dragging refers to pulling the fish toward your position, and it relies on two factors. Firstly, the drag system, which is composed of bearings. The more bearings on your reel, the smoother its operation would be, and it would be easier to land your fish.
Secondly, the maximum drag capacity, which refers to how heavy the fish in your reel can be.
For trout fishing, you can go for as small as 5-6 pounds of maximum drag if you’re after rainbow, golden, or brown ones. On the other hand, if you’re going for steelhead, you should opt for a drag capacity between 15-25 pounds.
More than 25 pounds for most trout would be a bit of an overkill and might reduce your ability to notice when a fish bites.
4. Reel Housing
Since trout are anadromous fish that can live in both saltwater and freshwater, you have to decide on where you’ll fish for them before setting out.
If you’re going for saltwater ones, opt for graphite reel housing to resist the effects of salt on the reel, reduce corrosion, and extend durability.
On the other hand, for freshwater fishing, you could opt for aluminum housing.
Ultimately, carbon housing would be the best option if you want to get the best of both worlds as it provides you with ample durability and lightness.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve learned all there is to know about trout spinning reels; it’s time that you decide which one will accompany you on your next adventure.
If you’re looking for an overall best trout spinning reels, all-round option, I highly recommend the KastKing Sharky III for its durability, smoothness, and fast action.
However, if you’re on a bit of a budget, you can go for the cheap yet efficient Pflueger President PRESSP30X.
Finally, if you’re looking for top-notch performance, want to catch game fish trout, and aren’t concerned about the price, you should definitely opt for the Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000.
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