The Rundown
Best Overall: Pflueger President (click to see)
“With a slow oscillation gearing, a sealed drag system, and a graphite body and rotor, the Pflueger President offers unparalleled reliability so you can make the most out of your day.”
Premium Option: KastKing Summer and Centron (click to see)
“Offering silky-smooth performance beyond belief, the KastKing Summer/Centron features a lightweight, compact design, 17.5 lb. drag system, and 9-ball bearings – great for anglers looking for a quality spinning reel that operates seamlessly.”
Best Budget Option: Piscifun Flame (click to see)
“Enjoy a powerful 19.8 lb. drag system, lightweight graphite frame, and an ergonomic design, all at an affordable rate with the Piscifun Flame!”
Nothing spells happiness quite like a clear running stream and an abundance of pole bending action but in order to make the most out of such a trout fishing outing, an angler’s gear must be well engineered and up to the task at hand.
Few such pieces of gear are as essential as that of an angler’s spinning reel.
The best trout spinning reels typically feature robust drag systems, high-quality ball bearing assemblies, and durable internal gear train components.
Additionally, the majority of top-tier trout spinning reels are also largely corrosion-resistant, providing enhanced longevity and reliability.
Here are the best trout spinning reels on the market.




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Table of Contents
Best Spinning Reels For Trout 2022
- Best Overall: Pflueger President
- Smoothest Performance: KastKing Summer and Centron
- Best Budget Reel: Piscifun Flame
- Most Powerful: KastKing Sharky III
- Best Corrosion Resistance: PENN Pursuit III
- Best Ultralight: Sougayilang
- Most Versatile: Okuma Ceymar
Pflueger President Spinning Reel
Best Overall: A reel that is as reliable as the day is long

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KEY FEATURES
- Specialized gearing for the minimization of line twist
- Sealed drag system for superior corrosion resistance
- Graphite body and rotor for enhanced angler comfort
If you strive to make the most efficient use out of every second on the water, and are searching for a trout spinning reel that offers unparalleled reliability, then the Pflueger President spinning reel should be deserving of your attention. This spinning reel for trout features a proprietary gear set that slows oscillation to prevent line twisting and kinks, and is fitted with a waterproof sealed drag system that provides enhanced line metering capabilities under any circumstance.
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KastKing Summer and Centron Spinning Reel
Smoothest Performance: Silky smooth performance beyond belief

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KEY FEATURES
- Lightweight, compact design for enhanced angler comfort
- 17.5 lb. drag system for significant fighting power
- 9-ball bearings for ultra-smooth performance
If you are currently searching for the best trout spinning reel that operates in a seamless manner, there are likely few better options than the KastKing Summer and Centron series of reels. Each Summer and Centron series reel utilizes a total of 9 ball bearings, which should offer ultra-smooth performance, free of any hard spots or operational lag. Additionally, all reels within this series feature a lightweight graphite frame that is compact in design, and should be quite durable as well.
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Piscifun Flame Spinning Reel
Best Budget Reel: Rich performance at a subdued price

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KEY FEATURES
- Lightweight graphite frame for enhanced angler comfort
- Powerful 19.8 lb. drag system for improved line metering capabilities
- Ergonomic design for the minimization of hand fatigue
If you are currently searching for a lightweight, compact trout spinning reel, at a more than reasonable price point, then the Piscifun Flame should be atop your list of contenders. This spinning reel features a lightweight hollow graphite frame, and an ergonomic grip and handle, which should keep you fishing for hours, void of any discomfort.
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KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel
Most Powerful: Power that you must experience to believe

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KEY FEATURES
- Class-leading 39.5 lb. triple-disc drag for next-level fighting power
- KastKing Intrusion Shield System for enhanced durability
- Includes 10+1 saltwater rated, double-shielded ball bearings for smooth operation
The KastKing Sharky III is a spinning reel engineered to manhandle even the most sizable of fish, including large lake trout. This spinning reel features a class-leading 39.5 lb. triple-disc drag system, and 10+1 saltwater rated, double-shielded ball bearings, which should prove advantageous, even in the most extreme of circumstances.
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PENN Pursuit III Spinning Reel
Best Corrosion Resistance: A reel that can not be stopped by any fish, nor the element

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KEY FEATURES
- 4 + 1 stainless steel shielded ball bearing system for seamless operation
- Lightweight graphite body for enhanced angler comfort
- HT-100 carbon-fiber drag system for significant fighting power
If you spend every available moment on the water, no matter how nasty the weather becomes, and are looking for a fishing reel that is up to the task of fishing in the most relentless of manners, then the Penn Pursuit III should be worthy of your consideration. This spinning reel features an ultra-lightweight, corrosion-resistant graphite body and a 4+1 stainless steel shielded bearing system, which should allow it to withstand constant bombardment by the elements, without suffering from a shortened service life.
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Sougayilang Spinning Reel
Best Ultralight: An excellent ultralight that comes at an incredible price.

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KEY FEATURES
- Interchangeable right/left-handed handle
- Extremely light and smooth to use
- Anti-water/dust drag knob
The Sougayling spinning reel is an excellent option for trout fishermen looking for more play out of their hookups. Designed for lighter lines and a more finesse style of fishing, you won’t have to worry about overpowering river trout with your gear and can fully enjoy the fight.
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Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel
Most Versatile: A versatile series of reel, with sizing options to meet every need

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KEY FEATURES
- Multi-disc, pre-oiled drag system allows for increased fighting power
- Quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing for superior hook sets
- Offered in a range of sizes for unmatched versatility
The Okuma Ceymar line of spinning reels is offered in numerous sizes, which should be appreciated by those who have a specific set of product characteristics in mind, but are rather selective in the size of reel which they intend to use. This trout fishing reel also showcases a number of premium-tier features, such as a multi-disc, pre-oiled drag system, a quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing, and a high-torque pinion gear.
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What To Look For When Buying a Trout Spinning Reel
Drag System
A spinning reel’s drag system plays a pivotal role in the efficiency of a unit’s line metering capabilities.
Much of a reel’s fighting power is derived from its drag system. A reel’s drag system uses a series of specialty drag washers to create friction, which is metered by the unit’s drag adjustment. As this adjustment is tightened down, more friction is applied, which ultimately increases the amount of force that is necessary to cause outward line slippage.
Ball Bearings
The number of ball bearings in a spinning reel is directly related to how smoothly the reel rotates, as their main function is to reduce friction in the reel.
While the quality of ball bearings is important, typically try to look for spinning reels with a higher number of ball bearings regardless. The more bearings the reel has, the more opportunity there is to reduce friction in the reel, making it smoother and easier to use.
Gear Ratio
A spinning reel’s gear ratio directly determines how quickly its line can be retrieved, as well as the amount of torque that it is capable of producing.
When searching for a new trout spinning reel, it is immensely important to locate a model with an ideal gear ratio for your specific needs. In the vast majority of cases, this comes down to a matter of personal preference. The higher a reel’s gear ratio, the faster its retrieve will be. Alternatively, lower gear ratios offer more torque, but less retrieval speed.
Reel Housing
The composition of a spinning reel’s housing effectively determines its strength and durability.
Today’s best trout spinning reels feature housings of many different sizes, shapes, and configurations. However, aluminum and graphite housings remain the most popular models in service. This is largely because of each substance’s weight reductive properties.
Reel Size
Locating a spinning reel of the correct size to meet your specific needs, is crucial when attempting to make the most out of your time on the water.
Trout spinning reels come in numerous different sizes, with each being designed for specific applications. By selecting a reel of the correct size for your specific application, you can avoid many unforeseen issues in the future.
Weight
The lighter a spinning reel, the more comfortable it will be to use when fishing for hours at a time in search of trout.
A bulky, heavyweight trout spinning reel can be quite cumbersome to use, and often leads to hand, arm, and back fatigue. As a result, an angler becomes frustrated and often discontinues the use of such a reel. On the contrary, lightweight spinning reels can be an absolute joy to use, and are quickly growing in popularity.
Questions and Answers

What is the best setup for trout fishing?
The best setups are usually a matter of preference, however, there are some better suited to trout fishing. Aim for a lightweight, six-foot spinning rod, a spinning reel from this list, and a four to six-pound monofilament line. Size #8 bait hooks are a great choice for the baits you’ll be using as well. Be sure to use lightweight gear to help hide your trout line from the fish and make it an enjoyable fight instead of overpowering the trout.

What size hook is best for trout?
Trout have good eyesight and can see larger hooks in the water so the smaller the better. You’ll usually want to go with sizes between #8 and #14 bait hooks. Remember to use barbless hooks for easier and healthier catch and release fishing.
Final Thoughts
While selecting a spinning reel for use when trout fishing can often be difficult, this process can be simplified by knowing exactly what to look for. The ideal trout fishing spinning reel should be comfortable to use, largely impervious to ill-effects at the hands of the elements, smooth in operation, and powerful when in the midst of a fight.
A reel of this nature should also be extremely durable, as even the best spinning reel is of little use if it cannot stand up to the test of time. A well-engineered spinning reel will often last an angler a lifetime if properly taken care of.