The Best Casting Reels of 2025
In 2025, we have seen a flood of new casting reels released, both at the Bassmaster Classic and at ICAST, the largest industry show in bass fishing. The Tackle Warehouse staff has waded through all of the latest casting reels and grouped them into several categories to help customers navigate all the newest releases and ultimately make the best choice! Whether you’re looking to bomb heavy swimbaits for trophy bass, extend casting distance with ultra-lightweight lures, or just want a quality reel to start your bass fishing journey, you can bet there’s a purpose-built casting reel that will fit the bill.
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. No matter what type of reels you’re in the market for, 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: Shimano Antares 100B Casting Reel
Edging out all other reels in a genre packed with cutting-edge technologies and innovative design, the Shimano Antares 100B Casting Reel took top honors for Best Overall Casting Reel of 2025, a category that focuses purely on performance, regardless of price.
As the premier baitcasting reel in the Shimano lineup, the Antares 100 B Casting Reel utilizes a lightweight MGL Spool IV that provides low startup inertia and a unique reverse taper for precise line winding, excellent balance, and smoother casts. Designed with a magnesium HAGANE body and other cutting-edge Shimano technologies, Shimano Antares 100 B Casting Reels are meticulously crafted for uncompromising bass anglers who demand the utmost in refinement and performance.
Unlocking even higher levels of castability, the SVS Infinity system uses centrifugal force to apply just the right amount of braking according to the spool’s rotation speed, reducing backlashes to enhance performance with lightweight baits. When second best simply won’t cut it, the Shimano Antares 100 B Casting Reels deliver the exquisite craftsmanship and awe-inspiring performance you expect from a flagship Shimano offering.
Honorable Mention:
Best Value Casting Reels
"Bang for your Buck"
Top Pick: Lews KVD Elite Casting Reels
Bursting with features that bring elite-level performance worthy of carrying the GOAT’s name, the Lew’s KVD Elite Casting Reels represent an incredible value for a compact, workhorse baitcasting reel priced under $200. Armed with Lew’s ParaMag RX magnetic braking system for precise lure control, the KVD Elite Series Casting Reel utilizes a rigid one-piece aluminum frame and 6+1 double-shielded stainless bearings for impressively smooth retrieves. Equipped with a 95-mm swept handle fitted with contoured Pro Power Knobs, the Lew’s KVD Elite Casting Reels are available in three different gear ratios to cover every speed for your favorite bass fishing techniques.
Honorable Mention:
Best Budget Casting Reels (Under $100)
Top Pick: Daiwa Aird 80 Casting Reel
Delivering top-notch performance without breaking the bank, the Daiwa Aird 80 Casting Reel leverages Daiwa’s legendary MagForce LC concept and brake system for smooth, long-distance casts with reduced backlashes. Perfect for a wide range of all-purpose bass fishing applications, the Aird 80 casting reel features a speedy 7.5:1 gear ratio and a 90-mm swept handle with rubberized knobs to secure your grip in wet conditions. Priced under $100 and packed with advanced Daiwa technologies, the Daiwa Aird 80 Casting Reel is the perfect option for any angler looking to maximize performance without maxing out their credit card.
Honorable Mention:
Best BFS Casting Reels (50-70)
Weighing in at a remarkable 5.1 ounces, the Ark Fishing Gravity Limited Edition BFS Casting Reels sport a Tackle Warehouse-exclusive black and red color scheme along with advanced features optimized for light line bait-finesse fishing tactics. Experience precision casts with the patented Gravity Control adaptive magnetic brake system and super-smooth aluminum gear that boasts 60 different settings that enable precise spool adjustments. Assembled with strong, lightweight carbon-fiber frames and side plates, the Ark Fishing Gravity Limited Edition BFS Casting Reels deliver tons of bait-finesse performance in an easily palmable package at an exceptional price.
Honorable Mention:
Best Low-Profile Casting Reels (70-150)
Top Pick: Bates FIshing Co. EDC 100 Casting Reels
Known for the rugged craftsmanship of their CNC-milled aluminum bastock frame reels, the Bates EDC Casting Reel represents Bates' foray into the die-cast reel market with a compact all-purpose bait casting reel packed with performance features. Requiring no batteries or charging, the EDC Casting Reel uses a self-powered Digitally Assisted Brake (D.A.B.) system, a specialized digital chip, and electromagnetic braking to deliver exact casting control in real time. Finished with a swept handle fitted with ergonomic knobs, the low-profile construction of the Bates Fishing Co. EDC Casting Reel provides easy handling, ample refinement, and efficiency on every cast and crank.
Honorable Mention:
Best All-Purpose Casting Reels (150-200)
Top Pick: Shimano Curado 200 M Casting Reel
Upgraded with an ultra-light (MGL) III spool for reduced start-up inertia, the Shimano Curado M Casting Reel furthers both casting distance and the workhorse legacy of Curado with a design optimized for lightweight lures. Shimano’s SVS Infinity braking system delivers precision casting performance and the ability to fine-tune brake settings when switching lures or adapting to changing conditions, while Micro Module gearing utilizes smaller teeth to create a smoother feel. Perfect for a wide range of bass fishing techniques, the Shimano Curado M Casting Reel is the no-brainer choice for any angler looking for a reliable, high-quality, all-purpose bass fishing reel.
Honorable Mention:
Best Swimbait Casting Reels (300+)
Top Pick: Abu Garcia Beast Casting Reel Family
Built to deliver more fish-stopping power than any other swimbait reel in its class, the Abu Garcia Beast Casting Reels enhance your big-game fishing with audible drag clickers, an easy-to-palm design, and oversized handle knobs. An oversized Brass Duragear uses a larger gear to increase power, efficiency, and strength, while a Power Stack Carbon Matrix Drag System delivers 25 to 30 pounds (depending on size) of pressure with a low start-up inertia and smooth performance throughout the entire range. Available in three different sizes ideal for a wide range of applications, the Beast Series has you covered, whether you're throwing giant swimbaits or smaller 6-inch paddle tails when targeting freshwater beasts like muskie or trophy-caliber bass.
Honorable Mention:
Best Round Casting Reels
Built to battle the hardest-fighting fish, the Abu Garcia Ambassador LTD PR Casting Reels feature Abu Garcia’s Carbon Matrix drag system, which distributes even drag pressure across the entire range. Manufactured with a six-pin centrifugal brake system and synchronized level wind to ensure precise line lay, the Ambassador is perfect for efficiently managing heavy lines and reducing backlashes. Continuing the Ambassador tradition of high-performance reels geared for big game fishing, the Abu Garcia Ambassador LTD PR Casting Reels boast modern upgrades and the premium made-in-Sweden craftsmanship that makes them the best round reels of 2025.
Honorable Mention:
Best Saltwater Baitcasting Reels
Top Pick: Daiwa Lexa 500 Low-Profile Casting Reels
Designed to tackle the toughest fishing applications in saltwater environments, the Daiwa Lexa 500 Low Profile Casting Reel delivers exceptional drag performance, characterized by smooth, consistent pressure that pushes 28 pounds of max drag. At its core, the Lexa 500 features Daiwa’s renowned MAGFORCE LC-Concept spool and braking system to increase casting distance and accuracy with a wide range of lures or live bait presentations. Inheriting the same high-performance capabilities of the original but in a low-profile size, the Daiwa Lexa 500 Low Profile Casting Reels strengthen the legacy of precision, power, and reliability that makes the Lexa a favorite among saltwater anglers.
Honorable Mention:
Best Inshore Casting Reels
Top Pick: Daiwa Coastal 200HS Casting Reels
Whether you’re surfcasting on the West Coast or targeting redfish and speckled trout in the Gulf, the Daiwa Coastal 200HS Casting Reels feature a low-profile design that crosses over into many saltwater applications from coast to coast. Built with a 150-size SV spool in a 100-size reel body, Daiwa’s tried-and-true TWS T-Wing System tolerates the increased pressures of braided line by allowing it to transition smoothly and efficiently off the spool for long-distance castability. Perfect for light tackle and targeting aggressive inshore predators, the Daiwa Coastal 200HS Casting Reel includes a 100-mm swept handle and corrosion-resistant ball bearings to withstand the abuse of harsh fishing environments.
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.
