What Spinning Reels are Best for Redfish?
Posted by TackleDirect on Apr 5th 2023
Get excellent cast and retrieve in a simple package with the right redfish spinning reel. Use our expert advice to find a fishing reel that fits your budget.
Best Redfish Spinning Reels?
When choosing your next reel to pursue redfish, aka red drum, a spinning reel might be the right option. There are many benefits of redfish spinning reels for both new and experienced anglers. A spinner reel is much easier to use and is less likely to get tangled. They also are more versatile for the different places redfish prowl — and you can change line spools quickly if needed.
For these reasons, even some pros keep a red drum spinning reel handy. In this guide, the TackleDirect experts go over some of the characteristics your reel should have and make our picks for the best spinning reels to catch redfish.
What to Look for in Your Redfish Reel
The first thing to remember is that a reel should be well-built. Since you're fishing in saltwater, the components need to resist its corrosive effects. You also want to look for thicker knob rivets and spools that grip the line without affecting how it spins. If the reel has ball bearings in the line rollers, make sure the bearings are well-sealed; otherwise, they're more likely to take on saltwater and rust.
You want to quickly get redfish away from the weeds, rocks and structures they gather around before your line can snag and break. For this reason, we recommend a gear ratio of at least 5.0:1. Because these fish are strong, 15-20 pounds of drag is usually enough. Use a reel that supports at least a 10-pound test braid line for strength and durability. For most manufacturers, you'll need at least a 3000-series reel to hold enough line, but this can vary.
Above all, a redfish spinning reel should feel good in your hands and fit your other gear. If these two things don't hold true, then even the most advanced features won't matter. Try to get an ergonomic handle as well to reduce hand stress during long fishing sessions.
Our Favorite Red Drum Spinning Reels
PENN BATTLE III
Penn's Battle series is known for having excellent performance at a value price, and the Battle III Spinning Reel continues this tradition. The high-speed gearing is precision CNC-machined for smooth operation. The Battle III is popular among red drum anglers due to its durability, smooth drag system, and high line capacity.
Penn Battle III Reel
Penn Battle III Features:
- Durable Construction:
The Penn Battle III reel is built with a full-metal body and side plate, which provides the reel with excellent durability and corrosion resistance, making it ideal for fishing in saltwater environments. - Smooth Drag System:
This reel has a reliable and smooth drag system that allows anglers to easily and effectively fight large redfish without the worry of the drag failing or the line breaking. - High Line Capacity:
The Penn Battle III reel has a large line capacity, which is crucial when targeting redfish as they are known for their strong runs and long fights. - Versatility:
This reel is versatile and can be used for a variety of fishing techniques, including casting and jigging, making it a great all-around reel for targeting redfish.
SHIMANO STELLA FK
If you want the best of everything, this premium fishing reel is the answer. The Shimano Stella Spinning Reel is a high-performance reel that is designed to handle the demands of targeting large and hard-fighting fish like red drum. Its smooth drag system, high line capacity, lightweight and durable construction, and smooth retrieval make it a great choice for anglers looking to tackle redfish in a variety of situations. Finally, it's incredibly lightweight, as even the largest model only weighs 9.2 ounces. While the reel is pricey, devout redfish enthusiasts will find it worth their while.
Shimano Stella FK Reel
Shimano Stella FK Features:
- Smooth and Strong Drag System:
The Shimano Stella FK reel has a powerful and smooth drag system that can handle the hard runs and sudden surges of a red drum. It also has a wide range of drag settings, making it easy to adjust the drag to match the size and strength of the fish. - High Line Capacity:
The reel has a large line capacity, which is essential when targeting redfish. Red drum are known for their powerful runs and can quickly strip line off a reel, so having a large line capacity is crucial to prevent running out of line during a fight. - Lightweight and Durable:
The Shimano Stella FK reel is constructed with a lightweight, yet durable frame, which is crucial when fishing for redfish. The lightweight design allows anglers to fish for long periods without fatigue, while the durable frame can handle the saltwater environment and the abuse of fighting large fish. - Smooth Retrieval:
The reel has a smooth and effortless retrieval, making it easy to retrieve lures or baits and detect subtle bites from redfish.
PENN SPINFISHER VI
For those with a little bigger budget, the Spinfisher V Spinning Reel offers a few upgrades over the Battle III. Most notably, the IPX5 waterproof sealing system and full-metal body greatly improve durability thanks to better saltwater resistance. The only downside is that the Spinfisher VI is much heavier, which could cause fatigue during all-day outings.
Penn Spinfisher VI Reel
Penn Spinfisher VI Features:
- Durable Construction:
The Penn Spinfisher VI reel is built with a full-metal body and side plate, which provides excellent durability and corrosion resistance. This makes it ideal for fishing in saltwater environments. - Smooth Drag System:
The reel has a powerful and smooth drag system that can handle the hard runs and sudden surges of a red drum. The drag system is also sealed, which helps prevent saltwater intrusion and prolongs the life of the reel. - High Line Capacity:
The Penn Spinfisher VI reel has a large line capacity, which is crucial when targeting redfish. Red drum are known for their powerful runs and can quickly strip line off a reel, so having a large line capacity is important to prevent running out of line during a fight. - Versatility:
The reel is versatile and can be used for a variety of fishing techniques, including casting and jigging, making it a great all-around reel for targeting redfish. - Anti-Reverse System:
The Penn Spinfisher VI reel has an anti-reverse system that helps prevent the handle from turning backward during a fish's run. This feature can make a big difference when fighting strong fish like red drum.
SHIMANO STRADIC FL
The Shimano Stradic FL spinning reel is a highly versatile and reliable fishing reel designed for both freshwater and saltwater use. It features Shimano's signature HAGANE body construction, which provides excellent strength and rigidity while keeping the weight of the reel to a minimum. The Stradic FL also has a powerful drag system that can handle even the strongest fish, as well as Shimano's MicroModule II gearing for a smooth and precise retrieve. The Shimano Stradic FL is a top-performing spinning reel that offers exceptional value for its price.
Shimano Stradic FL Reel
Shimano Stradic FL Features:
- Smooth Drag System: The Shimano Stradic FL reel has a smooth and reliable drag system that can handle the hard runs and sudden surges of a red drum. The drag system is also sealed, which helps prevent saltwater intrusion and prolongs the life of the reel.
- Lightweight and Durable: The reel is constructed with a lightweight and durable frame, which is important when fishing for redfish. The lightweight design allows anglers to fish for long periods without fatigue, while the durable frame can handle the saltwater environment and the abuse of fighting large fish.
- High Line Capacity: The Shimano Stradic FL reel has a large line capacity, which is crucial when targeting redfish. Red drum are known for their powerful runs and can quickly strip line off a reel, so having a large line capacity is important to prevent running out of line during a fight.
- Smooth Retrieval: The reel has a smooth and effortless retrieval, making it easy to retrieve lures or baits and detect subtle bites from redfish.
- Versatility: The reel is versatile and can be used for a variety of fishing techniques, including casting and jigging, making it a great all-around reel for targeting redfish.