13 of The Best Surf Fishing Reels in 2023

Are you looking for the best surf fishing reels?

As locals to coastal North Carolina, we spend a significant amount of our time fishing off the shores of different beaches.

We have tried and tested countless products ranging from the best surf fishing rods to the best beach fishing carts to the best surf fishing reels and everything in between!

Below you will find our guide to the best surf fishing reels to help make your surf fishing experience the best it can be!

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Running short on time? Check out our top 3 recommendations below!

🌟 #1 Pick: Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel – Best Overall Surf Fishing Reel

• Great value
• Different size options
• Sealed design

👉🏼 Check out this link to grab your Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel today!

⭐️ #2 Pick: Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Fishing Reel – Runner Up for Best Surf Fishing Reel

• Heavy duty
• Large line capacity
• Multiple size options

👉🏼 Be sure to purchase your Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Fishing Reel here!

⭐️ #3 Pick: KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel – Best Budget Friendly Surf Fishing Reel

• Budget friendly
• Smooth
• High quality

👉🏼 Click here to get your own KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel for your next surf fishing adventure!

The Ultimate List of The Best Surf Fishing Reels

1. Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel

One of the best options for the best surf fishing reels is the Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel.

We admire this reel because it comes in a handful of different sizes, its sealed design, and because of its awesome drag.

Pros:

• Different Size Options – This fishing reel comes in a handful of different sizes including anywhere from 3500 to 10500
• Sealed Design – We love the sealed designed which was crafted to keep water, sand, and other particles out
• Great Drag – This fishing reel has a smooth drag which is excellent for surf fishing
• Great Value – The value for the price is excellent for this fishing reel

Cons:

• Automatic Bail Malfunctions – Some have complained that the automatic bail does not work as its supposed to

👉🏼 Be sure to grab your own Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel here!

2. Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Fishing Reel

We adore the Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Fishing Reel because it comes in a wide range of sizes, can be used for both left handed people and right handed, and because it is heavy duty!

Pros:

• Multiple Size Options – You can pick from 2500 to 10500 depending on your personal preference and desires
• Left or Right Handed – This is such a big pro because many fishing rods are made specifically for right handed individuals
• Heavy Duty – We love that this surf fishing reel is made to be heavy duty and durable which are two excellent traits for surf fishing gear and equipment
• Large Line Capacity – This fishing reel has a large line capacity which is excellent for surf fishing

Cons:

• Loud – Some people have complained that this reel makes a loud squeaking noise when being used

👉🏼 Click here to purchase your very own Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Fishing Reel to enjoy on your next fishing trip!

3. KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel

KastKing is another one of our go-to brands when it comes to fishing products. We love their long sleeve fishing shirts, their surf fishing line, as well as their surf fishing reels. 

We specifically admire their KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel because of its various size options and how budget friendly it is. 

Pros:

• Multiple Size Options – You can pick between sizes ranging from 1000 to 5000 and many in between
• Budget Friendly – This reel is very budget friendly compared to other similar products on the market
• High Quality – This fishing reel is very high quality and durable for such a great price
• Smooth – This reel is very smooth when casting and reeling it in

Cons:

• Small – Some people have complained that this reel is fairly small so be sure to read the product descriptions so that you know what you are getting!

👉🏼 Check out this link to get your KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel!

4. Daiwa BG Spinning Reel

Daiwa is another phenomenal brand when it comes to fishing gear! They make some of the best surf fishing rods and reels on the market. 

We love the Daiwa BG Spinning Reel because it comes in multiple sizes and is a great value for the price!

Pros:

• Daiwa Brand – We admire many of Daiwa’s products because of their durability and unique design and features
• Multiple Size Options – We love that you can pick from a handful of different size options from 3000 to 6500 
• Great Value – This reel is an excellent value for the price

Cons:

• Heavy – Many people have complained that this fishing reel is pretty heavy 

👉🏼 Click here to purchase your Daiwa BG Spinning Reel today!

5. Van Staal VR150 Bailed Spinning Reel

One of the best surf fishing reels on the market is the Van Staal VR150 Bailed Spinning Reel.

We love that this reel is waterproof, lightweight, and durable.

Pros:

• Waterproof – This reel is waterproof which is excellent for surf fishing 
• Lightweight – We love that this fishing reel is lightweight which is awesome for fishing and hauling
• Durable – This reel is made out of stainless steel which makes it super durable
• Smooth – We love that this reel is smooth to cast and reel in 

Cons:

• Expensive – This reel is fairly expensive compared to others on the market

👉🏼 Check out this link to get your Van Staal VR150 Bailed Spinning Reel!

6. Okuma Avenger ABF B Series Graphite Baitfeeder Saltwater Spinning Reel

Another excellent budget friendly surf fishing reel on the market is the Okuma Avenger ABF B Series Graphite Baitfeeder Saltwater Spinning Reel.

We specifically love its value for the price and its bait feeding system.

Pros:

• Budget Friendly – This fishing reel is a great price compared to others on the market
• Great Value – Not only is this reel a great budget friendly price but the value is excellent and the product is pretty high quality
• Bait Feeding System – We love that this reel comes with a bait feeding system and its great for both adults and kids alike

Cons:

• Baitrunner Malfunction – Some people have complained that the baitrunner feature stopped working after several usages

👉🏼 Click here to get your Okuma Avenger ABF B Series Graphite Baitfeeder Saltwater Spinning Reel today!

7. PENN Fathom II Star Drag Conventional Fishing Reel

PENN makes some of the best fishing gear and equipment on the market including some of the best surf fishing rods and reels!

We specifically love this reel because of its excellent drag. 

Pros:

• Excellent Drag – This reel was specifically designed to have an awesome drag 
• PENN Brand – PENN is known for creating some truly remarkable fishing products and you can tell that they put a tremendous amount of thought and engineering behind each of their pieces of equipment and gear
• Great Cast – This reel is easy to cast 
• Different Size Options – You can pick from a variety of size options depending on your personal preference

Cons:

• Eccentric Lever – Some have complained that the eccentric lever on this reel is pretty hard to navigate and use

👉🏼 Check out this link to purchase your own PENN Fathom II Star Drag Conventional Fishing Reel!

8. Shimano Ultegra XTD

Shimano is another awesome brand known for creating excellent fishing gear and products such as some of the best saltwater tackle boxes and some of the best surf fishing reels. 

We specifically admire the Shimano Ultegra XTD because of its long casting and slow oscillation. 

Pros:

• Shimano Brand – We admire many of Shimano’s products because they are thoughtfully curated and durable!
• Long Casting Distance – We love that this surf fishing reel has a long casting distance 
• Slow Oscillation – This allows for the line to be tight and reduces knots in the line

Cons:

• May Be a Bit Overpriced – Some people have complained that this product is a bit overpriced compared to similar reels on the market

👉🏼 Be sure to check out this link to order your own Shimano Ultegra XTD today!

9. PENN Battle III Spinning Fishing Reel

PENN makes some truly awesome surf fishing products and the PENN Battle III Spinning Fishing Reel is no different.

We love that this reel comes in countless different sizes and that it is lightweight. 

Pros:

• Countless Different Sizes – You can pick anywhere from 1000 to 10000 when it comes to the reels size
• Lightweight – We love that this reel is lightweight which makes it easy to haul and fish with
• Heavy Duty – This fishing reel is heavy duty and durable which is great for surf fishing
• Sealed Bearings – We adore this reel because of its sealed bearings which keep water, sand, and other articles from getting in 

Cons:

• Corrosion – Some people have complained that after several usages, they have experienced corrosion on their gears. Be sure to rinse your reel off after using it near saltwater and follow instructions given by PENN for how to care for your surf fishing reel for optimal use and care.

👉🏼 Check out this link to order your Penn Battle III Spinning Fishing Reel for your next surf fishing excursion!

10. Shimano Ultegra CI4+

Shimano creates some amazing fishing products and the Shimano Ultegra CI4+ fishing reel is one of them!

We enjoy this surf fishing reel because of its fast drag and slow oscillation.

Pros:

• Fast Drag – We love that this fishing reel has a fast drag which allows it to regulate tension faster and keep the fish on the line
• Slow Oscillation – Another feature we adore about this fishing reel is its slow oscillation which keeps the line tight and reduces knots
• Long Casting Distance – We love that this fishing reel has a long cast distance for surf fishing
• Lightweight – This reel is lightweight which is nice for both hauling and surf fishing

Cons:

• Expensive – This surf fishing reel is pretty expensive compared to others on the market but it does come with some pretty remarkable features like the slow oscillation, fast drag, and long casting distance!

👉🏼 Be sure to check out this link to get your Shimano Ultegra CI4+!

11. Quantum Cabo Saltwater Spinning Fishing Reel

Another awesome surf fishing reel on the market is the Quantum Cabo Saltwater Spinning Fishing Reel.

We enjoy that this product comes in multiple sizes, can be used in freshwater or saltwater, and comes with a great warranty.

Pros:

• Multiple Size Options – You can pick from a handful of different size options depending on your personal preference and desires
• Multipurpose – We absolutely love that this reel can be used in freshwater or saltwater 
• Great Warranty – Another feature that we adore is that Quantum protects their gear with a 5 year warranty in case it malfunctions or the product has a defect
• Lightweight – This reel is lightweight which is excellent for fishing and hauling
• Smooth Drag – We love that this reel has a smooth drag which is ideal for surf fishing

Cons:

• Noisy – Some have complained that this reel gets pretty noisy after a few uses

👉🏼 Be sure to purchase your Quantum Cabo Saltwater Spinning Fishing Reel here!

12. Tsunami SaltX Spinning Reel

The Tsunami SaltX Spinning Reel is another fabulous option for the best surf fishing reels on the market.

We appreciate that this reel comes in two different colors, has several size options, and great drag. 

Pros:

• Two Different Color Options – You can pick between black or silver depending on your personal preference and desires
• Several Size Choices – You can pick between different size options depending on your personal preference and what you plan on catching 
• Great Drag – This reel has a great drag which is optimal for surf fishing

Cons:

• Noisy – Some people have complained that after a few usages that this reel becomes pretty noisy

👉🏼 Check out this link to order your very own Tsunami SaltX Spinning Reel!

13. Shimano Stella SW C Saltwater Spinning Reel

The Shimano Stella SW C Saltwater Spinning Reel is another great option for the best surf fishing reels on the market.

We love this reel because of its countless size options, durability, and power.

Pros:

• Countless Size Options – You can pick between countless size choices between 4000 and 30000
• Durability – This reel was crafted out of heavy duty metal to make it extra durable
• Powerful – Another feature that we love about this fishing reel is how powerful it is and that it was designed to withstand tough conditions and fish

Cons:

• Expensive – This reel is quite expensive compared to other fishing reels on the market

👉🏼 Click here to purchase your Shimano Stella SW C Saltwater Spinning Reel today!

💡 Things to Think About Before Purchasing The Best Surf Fishing Reels

There are countless things to think about and consider when purchasing the best surf fishing reels.

Some characteristics that you should think about is how far the reel can cast, its drag capacity, the price of the reel, and many other factors. 

Keep reading below to discover all the features to consider when purchasing the best surf fishing reels.

✅ Cast

One of the top characteristics to consider when buying the best surf fishing reels is its cast.

You will want to make sure that the reel has a long enough casting distance for the type of fishing that you plan on doing but you also don’t want the cast to be too long.

✅ Drag

The drag on a fishing reel is the tension that is released when a fish starts to pull away.

You will want to make sure that your fishing reel has a tight enough drag so that your fish does not come off the hook but you also don’t want the drag to be too stiff. 

✅ Power and Strength

Another factor to take into consideration is the reels power and strength.

If you plan on catching heavier and tougher fish, you will want a reel that has more power and strength.

However, if you plan on surf fishing for lighter and easier fish, you can go with a reel that has less.

✅ Durability 

Durability is always important when it comes to purchasing any type of fishing equipment.

Whether you are purchasing the best rod holders for surf fishing or the best surf fishing reels, durability is always crucial because you want to invest in a product that will last several years. 

✅ Price

Fishing gear can be pretty expensive so price is always a huge factor when purchasing a new piece of equipment. 

We typically recommend purchasing gear that is in the mid-range to upper price range because you tend to get more use out of the product and the gear tends to be more reliable and durable. 

We recommend avoiding fishing reels that are super inexpensive because oftentimes they do not last long and require you to purchase another one in just a few weeks or months!

Rather than having to buy multiple, we suggest purchasing an investment piece that will last several years!

FAQs About The Best Surf Fishing Reels

What kind of reel is best for surf fishing?

We typically recommend PENN reels for the best surf fishing reels.

We love the PENN brand and that their products are durable, reliable, and carefully crafted. 

Specifically, we recommend the Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel for the best surf fishing reel on the market!

What size reel is best for beach fishing?

We typically recommend a reel that is in the 5000 to 7000 size range for surf fishing. 

Is a 4000 size reel good for surf fishing?

We believe that a size 4000 reel is a little too small for surf fishing.

We generally recommend going with 5000 to 7000 for the most ideal experience. 

What reel should I use for shark fishing?

We recommend a reel with at least 20 to 25 pounds of drag capacity when looking to shark fish for smaller sharks. 

We hope you enjoyed this article on the best surf fishing reels!

For similar posts, be sure to check out the best surf fishing in North Carolina and the best rod holders for surf fishing. Happy Fishing!