Edited by: Kenneth Reaves
Reviewed by: Michael DarmontLast Update:
The Rundown
Best Overall: Lew's Inshore Speed Spool (click to view)
“All the features you need with a smooth retrieval. It’s an excellent choice for any fishermen that prefers baitcasters to other reel styles. “
Best Premium Option: Abu Garcia REVO Inshore Low Profile (click to view)
“Designed with inshore fishing in mind and made to handle saltwater environments. The REVO Inshore incorporates Abu Garcia’s best designs, from their proprietary materials to their brake designs.”
Best Budget Option: KastKing Spartacus II (click to view)
“Light, stylish, and with plenty of drag and line capacity. The KastKing Spartacus II is a fantastic option for an inshore baitcaster that comes at an incredible price.”
Spinning reels may be the most popular type of reels for inshore fishing, but many anglers still depend on baitcasting reels. Whether you’re a fisherman who prefers them or a freshwater fisherman looking to transition to inshore fishing, saltwater baitcasting reels can be a great choice to meet all of your needs.
An inshore baitcasting reel needs to be made of the right materials and seals to be used in saltwater. You’re also going to need a stronger drag and more line capacity than a typical baitcaster has. Magnetic brakes and extended handles are extra features that make a baitcasting reel more suited to saltwater fishing.
It’s easy to make a mistake and select a reel that isn’t going to hold up to saltwater environments. It’s also hard to choose which reel fits you best with so many on the market. We’ve done the research and put this list together to let you make an informed purchase and know exactly what to look for in your next inshore baitcasting reel.
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Table of Contents
Top 5 Best Inshore Baitcasting Reels 2021
- Best Overall: Lew's Inshore Speed Spool
- Best Premium Option: Abu Garcia REVO Inshore Low Profile
- Best Budget Option: KastKing Spartacus II
- Best Line Capacity: Daiwa Coastal TW Casting Reel
- Lightest Baitcaster: Piscifun Phantom
Lew’s Inshore Speed Spool
Best Overall: All the features you need with a smooth retrieval.
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KEY FEATURES
- Treated internal components for corrosion-resistance
- 20 lbs of drag and great line capacity
- External drain port to keep moisture out
Corrosion-resistant materials and plenty of power make the Lew's Inshore Speed Spool a great choice when picking an inshore baitcaster. It won’t lock up from salt and sand and has all the details you want out of an inshore reel. It’s a great choice for any fishermen that prefers baitcasters to other reel styles.
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Reel Specs
The reel frame is one-piece, all-aluminum, and very durable. It has three external drain ports that let you get water out of the reel if you drop it or take a rogue wave over the reel.
The reel features a 6+1 bearing system to keep the spool moving smoothly. The spool itself is a deep-welled anodized aluminum ready to line with braid. The internal gears and pinions are precision CNC machined and treated to give them more anti-corrosion properties.
The 20 lbs of drag will come in handy with big inshore fish, really letting you gain leverage and pull them out from under docks and roots. The handle has a superb grip and is comfortable to use, making it great for long days on the water.
What Makes It Stand Out
The Inshore Speed Spool stands out because of its attention to detail. It has plenty of line capacity, great drag, and is overall a pretty light baitcaster. It’s also plenty durable, so you can be hard on the reel and still rely on it when it matters most.
Abu Garcia REVO Inshore Low Profile
Best Premium Option: Designed with saltwater fishing in mind and made to handle saltwater environments.
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KEY FEATURES
- Proprietary Abu Garcia material
- Every little part is corrosion-resistant
- Fast retrieval thanks to high gear ratio
The REVO Inshore incorporates Abu Garcia’s best designs, from their proprietary materials to their own brake designs. It casts long distances with ease, and it has a long lifespan, something not many saltwater baitcasting reels can brag about. If you’re looking for an inshore baitcaster to last you for years, then this is the one for you.
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Reel Specs
The reel is made from proprietary Abu Garcia materials that are incredibly corrosion-resistant. In addition, the rigid body won’t flex or twist on you, letting you have plenty of power and control when you’re hooked into a big fish.
The 6+1 gears and brass gears function great in saltwater, and the high gear ratio gives you a rapid and smooth retrieval. In addition, it has Abu’s IVBC brake system, which comes with a learning curve but lets the reel cast farther and smoother than most other baitcasters can dream of.
The strong drag and high line capacity make it an ideal reel to tackle big inshore fish without worrying about being spooled or pulled into the structure.
What Makes It Stand Out
The REVO Inshore stands out because of its quality, proprietary design, and longevity. It’s made for saltwater fishing and stands up to all the abuse that comes with fishing for inshore beasts. If you choose the REVO Inshore, you’ll have a workhorse baitcasting reel for years to come.
KastKing Spartacus II
Best Budget Option: One of the best all-arounders on the list, with plenty of stylish options to choose from.
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KEY FEATURES
- Over 17 lbs of drag
- A few colors and styles to choose from
- Fantastic price for the quality of the reel
Light, stylish, and with plenty of drag and line capacity. The KastKing Spartacus II is a fantastic option for an inshore baitcaster that comes at an incredible price. If you’re looking to get into inshore fishing with baitcasters and want to give it a try without spending a ton, this is the reel for you. It’s a great purchase that will last you a long time, so if you love it, you won’t need to upgrade.
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Reel Specs
With 17.6 lbs of drag and a deep spool, the KastKing has all the power and line capacity you should be looking for. In addition, the reel itself is light, coming in at size ounces, and has a low profile to make handling your rod much easier.
7+1 and a 7.2:1 retrieval give you a swift and smooth lure retrieval. In addition, all of the internals are corrosion-resistant, with the majority of the reel being made from anodized aluminum.
What Makes It Stand Out
The real standout of Spartacus II is the price. It’s a great entry reel that doesn’t lack quality and stands up with the others on this list but is much more affordable. It doesn’t outshine them in the many categories we’ve looked at, but the reel is still a high-quality machine that will perform exceptionally well.
Daiwa Coastal TW Casting Reel
Best Line Capacity: Never run out of line on your reel with the Daiwa Coastal
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KEY FEATURES
- Holds nearly 200 yards of 30-pound braid
- 15.4 lbs of drag
- Durable aircraft-grade aluminum
If you’re looking for the inshore baitcaster with the most line capacity, then look no further than the Daiwa Coastal. Boasting nearly 50 yards more capacity than other baitcasting reels, it also has plenty of drag power and corrosion resistance to stand up to inshore game fishing. It’s an ideal purchase if you’re choosing to go for harder-fighting fish that go on long runs.
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Reel Specs
With a 7+1 bearing system and robust and durable drag, the Coastal features internals built to last. The reel’s body is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and won’t rust, corrode, or lock up on you from the saltwater.
With 15.4 pounds of drag, it isn’t the highest on the list, but it has plenty of power to handle almost any inshore game fish. The deep spool gives you more line capacity than any other saltwater baitcasting reels, and it has a custom handle and grips to make the reel as comfortable to use as you’ll find.
What Makes It Stand Out
The real standout of this one is the line capacity. It outclasses the other baitcasting reels on this list in that regard, meaning if your fish goes on a huge run, you shouldn’t get spooled. This is especially helpful if you’re saltwater fishing cut baits, without a boat, or for larger species.
Piscifun Phantom
Lightest Baitcaster: A light reel you can cast all day without getting fatigued.
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KEY FEATURES
- 7.0:1 gear ratio and 17 lbs of max drag
- Extended crank handle for extra power
- Shielded bearings to protect from salt
The Piscifun Phantom is the lightest inshore baitcaster on the market. It’s an ideal choice for anglers who cast lures all day because, when paired with a well-balanced rod, it won’t wear you out and reduces fatigue. While still being a high-quality reel, it also comes at a pretty low price.
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Reel Specs
Weighing in at 5.7 ounces, the Phantom is the lightest saltwater baitcasting reel you can find, with enough strength for inshore game fish. Its 17 lbs of drag mean it’s got plenty of stopping power, and the extended handle and 7:1 gear ratio make hauling in big fish a breeze.
The main gear is anodized aluminum, with shielded stainless steel ball bearings, and carbon fiber drag washers will all stand up to saltwater fishing environments. It also has a dual and magnetic brake to make backlashes a thing of the past. Plus, it makes the cast and retrieve a smooth process.
What Makes It Stand Out
The weight of this reel is the biggest defining feature. It’s the lightest one on the list, but it has more drag power than others on here. The lack of weight and solid balance make casting smoother for you, reducing your fatigue throughout the day when you’re casting lures over and over.
What To Look For When Buying Inshore Baitcasters
Materials
One of the most important things to look for when purchasing an inshore baitcasting reel is what materials it’s made of. All of the components must be corrosion resistant since saltwater will ruin the reel otherwise. Stainless steel, anodized aluminum, and treated brass are excellent options and should make up most of the reel. Carbon drags are strong and don’t have issues with saltwater either.
Line Capacity
When you fish saltwater, you typically need a bigger spool for your line. This is because you can hook up with much harder fighting and bigger fish than in freshwater (generally) and need a bigger spool for the heavier lines. On an inshore reel, you’ll typically want to use twenty or thirty-pound braid, though you can get away with ten. At the least, you need it to hold 150 yards of whichever your preferred line strength is, to account for long casts and big runs by any fish you might hook.
Max Drag
Saltwater fishing can bring you a variety of fish in a lot of sizes. You’ll also likely be fishing near docks, pilings, jetties, and tree roots. You need enough drag not only to wear down hard-fighting game fish but keep them from running you into structures and breaking you off. Aim for at least 15 lbs at max drag, if not higher.
Extra Features
Along with the above considerations, there are a few other things to look for in an inshore baitcasting reel.
A good anti-reverse and magnetic brake keeps you from backlashing and can be important when a fish runs towards you. It also helps you with long-distance casting, handling large fish, and keeping the reel retrieving smoothly.
High gear ratios are a good thing to have on an inshore baitcaster. You get a much faster retrieval than lower gears, which comes in handy when you want to use an extra-fast lure. It also lets you put a ton of pressure on the fish you’re fighting.
The weight of the reel is also essential. You’ll be making hundreds of casts on any given day, tossing lures into promising spots. A lighter reel helps keep you from becoming fatigued and also makes handling your rod much easier.
Questions & Answers
Can I use a baitcaster for surf fishing?
You can use a baitcaster to surf fish. Baitcasters typically have better casting and control than spinning reels; they take more time to learn to operate correctly. If you opt for a baitcasting reel for surf fishing, make sure you have plenty of line capacity. You’ll want at least a hundred yards more than you need for an inshore reel. This is because you’ll usually be casting a lot farther than when you’re fishing inshore, therefore requiring you to need more line available if a fish runs off with your bait. Regardless, you still want one of the best reels for surf fishing.
How can I avoid backlash on a baitcaster?
The simple answer is you can’t. You will at some point backlash your reel and end up with a big tangle. The more time you practice and the more casts you get with them, the less you’ll backlash. Don’t let the fear of tangles keep you from trying them, though, as baitcasters have a ton of power, control, and casting distance you might be missing out on. Over time you will improve and reduce backlashes.
What type of line should I use on my baitcasting reel?
A braided line is your best option for baitcasting reels. It complements the baitcasting reel’s natural tendency to cast farther and smoother than spinning reels while also allowing you to have adequate line capacity for fighting large saltwater fish.
What is the best baitcasting reel for saltwater?
The best baitcasting reel for saltwater fishing really depends on the species you’re targeting. Most of the time you’ll be using a baitcaster for inshore fishing since offshore conventional reels make more sense. Overall, the best, highest quality saltwater baitcasting reel is the REVO Inshore. Every part of its design is made to be durable through all of the corrosive elements of saltwater fishing environments, and its internal components make it a smoother reel to use than just about any other.
Why choose a baitcasting reel over a spinning reel?
While they are a little more complicated to use than spinning reels, baitcasting reels offer you the advantage of control. Baitcasters give you more control over your line, especially when casting. You can slow down your lure before it hits the water to avoid spooking fish. You can also get more accurate casts by slowing your line down or stopping it above the point you want to cast to.
They also cast further with heavier lines than spinning reels in the same size class. You can go heavier on a smaller reel and not lose nearly as much distance in your casts as you would trying to use say, a 20-pound line on a small spinning reel.