Gear Guide: Spinning Reels - Under $200

By Perry Mack

Hardest working, most value-priced, and overall best new models of the season.

Cabela's Salt Striker® Inshore Spinning Reel

Here’s a beauty that’s rated for salt making it tough enough for tidal water but something you can use in freshwater too. Made for Cabela’s by Daiwa, the extra corrosion resistant ball bearings and a marine bronze pinion gear make it smooth and durable, all hanging from a sturdy aluminum frame. It comes in three sizes with line retrievals from 35.6 to 39.9 inches per turn and a line capacity up to 260/12 yds/lb test at the top end.

MSRP:  $100 CAD - Cabelas.ca

One 3 Creed GT

Great bang for your buck in a spinning reel that uses a carbon body, rotor, handle, and a six-disc carbon drag system. It comes in four sizes weighing in at 7.3 to 8.7 oz, all with a 6.2:1 gear ratio.

MSRP: $80 USD - 13fishing.com

Pflueger® President® XT Spinning Reel

New for 2017 is a model up from their President line in spinning reels. The XT is lighter in weight through the use of an aluminum main shaft and carbon-infused body, and more corrosion resistant employing a sealed drag system. Available in four models starting with a 5.2:1 gear ratio and then three models with the faster 6.2:1. They range in weight from 6.6 to 10.10 oz, in retrieval rate from 22.4” to 38”, and max drags of 6 to 14 lbs.

MSRP: $80 USD - Pfluegerfishing.com

Abu Garcia Revo SX20

A favourite for the sport fishing enthusiast who is hard on their gear. The top reasons for the durability are the carbon body, one piece aluminum gear box, and extra tough bail system. It comes in four sizes with retrieval rates of 30 in to 40 in and weighs in at 7.2 to 9.2 oz. max drag of 9 to 18 lbs.

MSRP: $150 CAD - abugarcia.com

Daiwa BG Spinning Reel

A spin for every angler, Daiwa provides no less than ten models for ‘ultralight freshwater action to big game saltwater models’ with the ‘BG’. Key Daiwa features in this set of reels include their durable aluminum ‘Hard Bodyz’ frame and side cover, and their improved over-sized internal Digigear™ gearing system for more power and longer gear life. Reel weights range from 8.5 to 30 oz, max drag of 4.4 to 33 lbs, and retrieval rates of 28.3 to 53.3”.

MSRP: $100 to $130 USD - Daiwa.com

Okuma Helios SX

Okuma is one of those brands that just keeps getting a bit better every year. Switching to their new C-40X carbon fiber has resulted in components that are 25 percent lighter and 50 percent than graphite equivalents creating a rigid lightweight reel in three sizes – 20, 30 and a 40.

MSRP: $130 USD - okumafishing.com

Tsunami Shield

In order to provide anglers with an affordable corrosion resistant reel in 2017, Tsunami has introduced the Shield with up to 13 internal seals. The machined aluminum parts include rotors, side plates, and spool, which are all hung on a die cast aluminum body. Extra heavy bale, carbon fibre drag, and a braid-ready spool are standard on all sizes. Available in four sizes weighing in at 9.5 to 16.5 oz, with max drag of 20-30lbs, retrieval rates were undisclosed at time of writing, and the gear ratios are 5.1:1 and 4.9:1 respectively.

MSRP: 100 - $110 USD - biminibayoutfitters.com