The Best Casting Reels of 2025
As we dive into the upcoming fishing season, the Tackle Warehouse Staff has grouped the best casting reels of 2025 into several categories to help you navigate the newest innovations and technological advancements and ultimately make the best choice. If you’re looking to bomb heavy swimbaits for trophy bass, extend casting distance with ultra-lightweight lures, or chase large saltwater predators, you can bet there’s a purpose-built casting reel for every fishing application and technique.
Keep in mind that the best casting reel doesn’t necessarily apply to everyone, as entry-level and advanced anglers often have different needs, and the casual angler often prefers a more cost-effective price point versus someone who goes fishing frequently. Whether you’re looking for the best swimbait reel or the best BFS reels of 2025, the Tackle Warehouse staff comes from decades of fishing experience and has tested hundreds of reels to help anglers make better buying decisions based on price, size, and performance.
Best Overall Casting Reels
Top Pick: Daiwa Steez SV TW Casting Reel
All the reels in this category are packed with leading manufacturer technologies, so we define the best overall casting reel for 2024 as one an angler would select if they’re purely focused on performance and not concerned about price. A revolution in compact baitcasting reels, the Daiwa Steez SV TW Casting Reel uses Daiwa’s HyperDrive design concept to maximize efficiency while facilitating long casts and ultra-smooth retrieves. Crafted with a feather-light yet powerful magnesium frame, the Daiwa Steez SV endures challenging conditions while remaining impressively lightweight, enhancing casting distance and accuracy thanks to the updated T-wing system and SV BOOST spool.
Honorable Mention:
Best Value Casting Reels
"Bang for your Buck"
Top Pick: Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Casting Reels
Arguably the best casting reel value at Tackle Warehouse, the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Casting Reel delivers power and reliability at an affordable price that won't break the bank. Built around a one-piece graphite frame and side plates for lightweight durability, these premium baitcasting reels feature a machined doubled-anodized aluminum spool and Duragear brass main gear to increase rigidity and eliminate torque under heavy loads. Designed to bring tour-level performance at an incredible value, the Abu Garcia Jordan Lee Casting Reels house 10+1 stainless-steel ball bearings for buttery smooth casts, perfect for anglers who cover miles of water and make thousands of presentations in a day.
Honorable Mention:
Best Budget Casting Reels (Under $100)
Top Pick: Shimano SLX A 150 Casting Reel
Bass fishing is an expensive sport, which can make it hard to break into when you’re just getting started, but there are plenty of casting reels built to get the job done for less than a hundred dollars. A benchmark for versatility and high performance, the Shimano SLX A 150 Casting Reel delivers smooth retrieves and effortless casts with an external brake control that provides quick adjustments for swapping lures and adapting to changing conditions. A reel that has always exceeded our performance expectations at an insanely low price, the Shimano SLX A 150 Casting Reel is an ideal choice for tournament anglers or weekend warriors who want to upgrade their arsenal at an affordable price.
Honorable Mention:
Best BFS Casting Reels (50-70)
Top Pick: Daiwa PX BF70 Casting Reel
Bait finesse (BF) casting reels have rapidly grown in popularity over recent years, as they provide many advantages over spinning gear when it comes to increasing casting distance and accuracy with ultra-lightweight finesse lures. Designed to be a reel that anglers can trust for finesse fishing perfection, the PX BF70 BF Casting Reel is built with Daiwa’s Air Spool, which is 56% lighter than previous generations while enabling ultra-finesse performance with micro ball bearings. Meticulously engineered for unmatched control with every cast, the Daiwa PX BF70 BF Casting Reel is built to withstand the rigors of diverse fishing environments, and it allows anglers to use baitcasting tackle for the smallest finesse presentations.
Honorable Mention:
Best Low-Profile Casting Reels (70-150)
Top Pick: Lew's Custom Pro Gen 3 Casting Reel
The latest generation of Lew's Custom Pro casting reel, the Lew’s Custom Pro Gen 3 Casting Reel features C45 carbon-fiber side plates and a 30mm aluminum frame to create a featherlight reel with slick aesthetics and an ergonomic feel. Highlighted by Lew’s ParaMag ITB braking system, the fully magnetic inertia transfer system reduces the risk of backlash without the use of electronics, batteries, chips, or brake shoes, providing a free spool feeling when reeling. Earning solid scores in our TW Staff product review, the Lew’s Custom Pro Gen 3 Casting Reel offers a lightweight design and low profile to give anglers an edge on the water.
Honorable Mention:
Best All-Purpose Casting Reels (150-200)
Top Pick: Daiwa Mangetsu Casting Reel
Perfect for small swimbaits, big jigs, and heavy-duty fishing techniques, the Daiwa Mangestu Casting Reel is a TW exclusive collaboration inspired by the 2007 JDM Certate Vintage Custom reels with an upgraded Magforce-Z Spool that caters to heavier lines and winding large baits. Leveraging Daiwa's HyperDrive design and long cast concept to significantly improve the functionality and lifespan of the reel, the Mangestsu bolsters performance with Digigears that have larger teeth to increase strength while maintaining a very smooth feel. Finished with a 100m handle topped with premium cork handle knobs, the Daiwa Mangestu Casting Reel is a workhorse reel perfect for anglers who want to use a wide range of lures and tactics to target trophy bass.
Honorable Mention:
Best Swimbait Casting Reels (300+)
Top Pick: Shimano Tranx 300B Casting Reel
A redesign of one of our all-time favorite swimbait reels from Shimano, the Shimano Tranx 300B Casting Reel features CoreSolid and HAGANE construction that ensures a flex-free platform for exceptional rigidity that translates angler action into cranking power. Built to leverage large fish, the Tranx 300B is equipped with Shimano’s SVS Infinity MD Tune braking system for easy, on-the-fly adjustments through an external dial when swapping out swimbaits of varying sizes. From trophy largemouth in freshwater lakes to big game saltwater species, the Shimano Tranx 300B Casting Reel gives anglers increased line capacity and heavy-duty performance in a compact and easy-to-palm package.
Honorable Mention:
Best Round Casting Reels
Top Pick: Bates Fishing Co. OG 100 Casting Reels
A throwback to the classic round baitcasting reels of years past, the Bates Fishing Co. OG 100 Casting Reel turns back the clock with cutting-edge manufacturing techniques that ensure top-notch performance. Featuring a fully machined frame, the OG’s round 100-size exterior houses a set of brass gears perfect for swimbait aficionados looking to maximize performance. Proudly engineered in Texas USA, the Bates Fishing Co. OG 100 Casting Reels seamlessly blend nostalgia with innovation for anglers yearning for the good ol’ days on the water who want to experience the best of both worlds.
Honorable Mention:
Best Saltwater Baitcasting Reels
Top Pick: Daiwa Lexa 500 Type-HD Casting Reels
Designed to be your trusted partner for landing those trophy-sized fish, the Daiwa Lexa 500 Casting Reel delivers enhanced angler comfort and control with a large EVA power handle knob that provides optimal grip in wet conditions. The Lexa 500 carries an impressive 250 yards of 65-lb braid, so you can conquer the most challenging fishing situations. It’s also packed with 30 lb of max drag pressure that’s ready to tackle the most formidable opponents in fresh and saltwater environments. Built around a high-strength aluminum frame for lightweight and comfortable handling under heavy load, the Daiwa Lexa 500 Casting Reel combines power, precision, and durability for the ultimate angling experience.
Honorable Mention:
Best Inshore Casting Reels
Top Pick: Abu Garcia REVO Inshore LP Casting Reels
Built for light tackle and targeting big fish in fresh or saltwater environments, the Daiwa Coastal SV150 Casting Reel 150H-B crosses over into many inshore saltwater applications with a palmable design and deeper 150 spool in a compact 100-size reel body. Capable of tolerating the increased pressures of braided line, the T-Wing System allows the line to pass freely through the level wind on the cast, transitioning smoothly and efficiently off the spool for long-distance castability. A 2024 iCast Release winner and premiere option for shallow water rock fishing here on California’s central coast, the Daiwa Coastal SV150 Casting Reel brings ultra-smooth retrieves and powerful winding performance to Daiwa’s Coastal series of compact baitcasting reels.
Honorable Mention:
FAQ: Choosing the Best Casting Reels
What is the best line for casting reels?
Choosing the right line for a casting reel is crucial to your success in bass fishing, but the ”best” line depends on various factors like the style of lure you want to use, the type of cover, water clarity, and sinking attributes. For bottom-fishing tactics, fluorocarbon is preferred for its translucence and ability to sink quickly, but if you’re fishing a topwater frog over grass you’ll need the strength and floating attributes of braided line to fish efficiently and remove fish from heavy cover.
Check out our How To Choose the Right Fishing Line article for more information!
How many ball bearings should a baitcasting reel have?
When considering purchasing a casting reel, a common misconception many anglers have is that more bearings always translate to smoother retrieves, but the quality of the bearings is much more important. If you’re fishing in saltwater environments, you’ll want to make sure the bearings are corrosion-resistant or completely sealed within the casting reel so they don’t become gummed up with salt, dust, and grime.
How do you cast a baitcasting reel?
To execute a cast with a casting reel, hold the rod with your dominant hand, disengage the spool by pressing the button, point the rod tip toward your target, and use thumb pressure to control the spool speed. Keep in mind, when you swap out to a different size lure, you’ll need to adjust the brakes to match the weight of the new bait.
What is the best gear ratio for casting reels?
Just like line selection, the best gear ratio for a casting reel depends on a number of variables, including what type of lure you intend on throwing, how active the fish are, and angler preference. High-speed gear ratios are preferred for topwater and flipping techniques, as they pick up line quickly for improved efficiency. While slower gear ratios are more advantageous for tactics where you want to leave your bait in the strike zone for a longer period, like deep cranks, swimbaits, or bladed jigs.
What is backlash and how do you prevent it?
The term ”backlash” refers to the tangled mess that can occur when the spool continues to spin after your lure has already hit the water. This is easily prevented with some practice casting and by adjusting the spool tension knob. After you tie up a new lure, start by turning the spool tension knob all the way up and putting your reel in free spool. Slowly start backing off the spool tension until the lure drops in free spool with a steady rate of fall from the tip. From here, use the braking system to fine-tune spool rotation speed and avoid backlash.