The Rundown
Best Overall: Penn Battle II & III (click to view)
“The Penn Battle features shielded stainless steel ball bearings and is constructed with metal bodies and side plates, making them multi-purpose in nature. Built to sustain the abuses of saltwater fishing.”
Most Powerful: KastKing Sharky III (click to view)
“From a 39.5 pounds triple-disc drag for first-in-class fighting power to double-shielded ball bearings for ultra-smooth performance, the Sharky III is for anglers who love to pursue the biggest fishes.”
Best Budget Reel: SeaKnight Rapid (click to view)
“The SeaKnight Rapid features10+1 ball bearings, a rugged 33-pound powerful drag system, a robust gear train, and ample water and sand ingress protection. Precision-engineered reel for the budget.”
If you plan to go surf fishing, you need the proper equipment to get the most out of the experience. Using the best surf fishing reels will undoubtedly do the job.
A high-quality surf fishing reel allows you to cast great distances to reach isolated pockets of fish and provide ample power to wrestle sizable fish from the water’s depths.
Today’s premium surf reels feature higher than average line capacities, robust drag systems, and ultra-smooth ball bearing assemblies, which are also designed in a way that makes them inherently corrosion resistant.




Featured Recommendations
Table of Contents
- The Rundown
- Featured Recommendations
- Best Reel For Surf Fishing 2022
- What To Look For When Buying Surf Fishing Reels
- Questions & Answers
- What is the best gear ratio for surf fishing?
- What size reel should I use for surf fishing?
- What is the best length for a surf fishing rod?
- What do you use for surf fishing?
- What is the best pound test line for surf fishing?
- How do you cast a surf fishing rod?
- How do I choose a surfcasting reel?
- What is the best reel for surf fishing?
- What is the best surf fishing rod and reel?
- What is the best gear ratio for surf fishing?
Best Reel For Surf Fishing 2022
- Best Overall: Penn Battle II & III
- Most Powerful: KastKing Sharky III
- Best Budget Reel: SeaKnight Rapid
- Best High End: Penn Slammer III
- Smoothest Retrieve:
- Longest Casting: Penn Conflict II
- Most Compact: Penn Wrath
- Most Durable: Penn Spinfisher VI
- Best Features: Shimano Ultegra
- Most Reliable: Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000
Penn Battle II & III
Best Overall: A reel purpose-built to sustain the abuses of saltwater fishing

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KEY FEATURES
- Full metal body, side plate, and rotor for heavy-duty use
- HT-100 drag system for superior line control and fighting power
- Superline spool requires no backing when using braid and includes capacity indicators
The Penn Battle series of reels are constructed to withstand the corrosive nature of extended saltwater use but are also of immense value when used in freshwater. These reels feature shielded stainless steel ball bearings and are constructed with metal bodies and side plates, making them multi-purpose in nature. This should make the Penn Battle II and III the ideal option for coastal areas likely to fish in fresh and saltwater fisheries.
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KastKing Sharky III
Most Powerful: A reel an unparalleled degree of strength

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KEY FEATURES
- 39.5 lb. triple-disc drag for first-in-class fighting power
- KastKing Intrusion Shield System for superior corrosion resistance
- 10+1 saltwater rated, double-shielded ball bearings for ultra-smooth performance
The KastKing Sharky III should be perfect for any angler who spends most of their time pursuing the largest fish in their area. This surf fishing reel features a robust triple disc carbon fiber drag system, which carries an astounding 39.5 lb. working capacity. The Sharky III also utilizes a 10+1 saltwater rated, double-shielded ball bearing assembly to complement its significant drag capabilities, which provides ultra-smooth performance, even under the heaviest of loads.
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SeaKnight Rapid
Best Budget Reel: Precision engineering for ultra-smooth operation

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KEY FEATURES
- 10+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings for silky smooth operation
- Robust gear train for enhanced durability
- Sealed aluminum spool to prevent sand and saltwater ingress
If you always head to the water and want a saltwater spinning reel that performs seamlessly even during prolonged use, then the SeaKnight Rapid should be worthy of your consideration. This surf fishing reel is built to operate in a smooth, precise manner, as it features a well-engineered 10+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearing system. Other features include a rugged 33-pound powerful drag system, a robust gear train, and ample water and sand ingress protection.
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Penn Slammer III
Best High End: Premium performance, manufactured from the latest technological advances

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KEY FEATURES
- CNC machined gear set for the highest degree of precision
- IP6 Sealed body and spool design for ultimate weather resistance
- Sealed Slammer drag system with Dura-Drag
The Penn Slammer III takes precision engineering to new heights, offering anglers a surf fishing reel that looks stylish, includes the latest in innovative features, and should hold its own with any spinning reel to be provided on the market today. It consists of a full metal body, side plate, and rotor that utilizes the latest CNC gear technology and includes one of the most comprehensive drag systems available. If you are an angler that wants nothing but the finest in your boat, the Penn Slammer III is likely your best option.
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Penn Fierce III Spinning Reel
Smoothest Retrieve: Elegant in looks, yet formidable to even the most sizable of game fish
KEY FEATURES
- Advanced HT-100 drag system optimizes performance under significant loads
- Techno-Balanced Rotor offers ultra-smooth retrieves
- Stylish black/red exterior design for eye appeal
The Penn Fierce III should be the ideal choice for anglers who spend a significant amount of time long-distance casting in pursuit of big fish, as the unit’s Techno-Balanced Rotor affords ultra-smooth operation, especially when under a load. Additionally, this surf fishing reel features a robust HT-100 carbon fiber drag system, a super line spool, and four ball bearings. Combining these factors should allow anglers to pull even large fish from the depths below with relative efficiency.
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Penn Conflict II Spinning Reel
Longest Casting: Extensive in line capacity, yet powerful beyond reason

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KEY FEATURES
- Super Spool design for enhanced line capacity
- HT-100 Drag System for significant fighting power
- 7+1 ball bearing for ultra-smooth operation
The Penn Conflict II should be the best surf fishing reel for those who wish to never again be limited in their effective casting range. It features Penn “Super Spool,” which is constructed to enhance its overall line capacity. This should provide any angler with more than enough line to reach distant points and sandbars that would otherwise go unfished.
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Penn Wrath Spinning Reel
Most Compact: A lightweight reel that is heavy on features

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KEY FEATURES
- Lightweight construction for enhanced angler comfort
- Easy to read line capacity rings, for more accurate line metering
- High-quality bearing system for smooth, seamless operation
The Penn Wrath should be ideal for any angler who spends a lot of time on the water and wishes to fish in comfort. Weighing less than a pound, this surf fishing reel is compact enough that arm and hand fatigue should be of little to no issue. This optimizes comfort and should allow anglers to fish from sun up to sundown without being pushed to the brink.
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Penn Spinfisher VI Spinning Saltwater Reel
Most Durable: A reel that defies the elements and keeps you fishing indefinitely

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KEY FEATURES
- IPX5 sealed body and spool design for saltwater ingress protection
- CNC machined gears for prolonged durability
- HT-100 drag system for proper metering of line
The Penn Fishing Spinfisher VI should be the perfect saltwater surf fishing reel for those that wade sandbars in search of trophy game fish, as it is highly resistant to saltwater ingress and corrosion. It also utilizes Penn’s proprietary HT-100 drag system, which likely offers sufficient line metering to handle even the feistiest saltwater species. Penn has also included a robust set of CNC machined gears to aid in durability, which should stand up to years of rigorous use.
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Shimano Ultegra Spinning Reel
Best Features: Every feature an angler could dream of

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KEY FEATURES
- Rigid Hagane frame for extensive reliability
- X-Ship technology for increased casting capabilities
- CoreProtect technology for enhanced durability.
If you are currently looking to upgrade your surf fishing rig to a more premium setup, then the Shimano Ultegra spinning reel is likely to be worthy of your consideration. This reel is versatile and is packed with features, many of which should be highly appreciated by anglers. The most notable of these features include Hagane gearing, X-Ship Technology, and CoreProtect element resistance.
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Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000
Most Reliable: A reel that is as reliable as it is feature-rich

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KEY FEATURES
- X Ship Technology for more efficient casting and gear train durability
- Propulsion Line Management System trouble-free operation
- Hagane gearing for vastly improved gear mesh
The Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000 is a reel packed full of helpful features and should prove to be the perfect option for any angler who wishes to upgrade from their basic surf fishing reel. It features Shimano’s X-Ship gear train system, Propulsion Line Management capabilities, and Hagane internal components. The sum of these features should prove valuable to most any angler.
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What To Look For When Buying Surf Fishing Reels
Ease of Cleaning and Maintenance
If a reel cannot easily be cleaned and maintained, it will undoubtedly have a shortened service life.
Saltwater tends to be extremely hard on any metal surfaces, including those that comprise a surf reel. In addition, the salt content of our nation’s coastal waterways can quickly cause a reel to rust if it is not cared for properly. Therefore, a surf reel must be naturally corrosion-resistant and simple to clean.
Additionally, the best surf fishing reels feature sealed drag and bearing systems, which do not require periodic maintenance. These systems are sealed from ingress by the outside elements and come pre-lubricated from the manufacturer.
Casting Distance and Line Capacity
Surf fishing is a game of distance, where an extensive casting range often spells success.
To maximize your efficiency when surf fishing, it is of immense importance for a reel to feature desirable characteristics related to casting. Reels of this nature often feature a tall, or deeply cut spool, enhancing a unit’s overall line capacity.
As a reel’s line capacity increases, so does its natural ability to cast a far greater distance. For many surf anglers, the ability to cast with extensive range is the difference between success and being forced to go home empty-handed.
Drag Strength
Surf anglers never know what they will hook, which makes it imperative that a reel’s drag system be ready for all that is thrown its way.
When surf fishing from the shore, one never knows what species or size of fish they might encounter. Therefore, a surf reel needs to feature a robust drag system, which is smooth and consistent in its operation.
In most cases, a drag system of 20-30 pounds should be sufficient for surf fishing. This is plenty enough to land the occasional monster fish without the risk of overheating or failing under additional stress.
Durability
In a world of saltwater and sand, any reel that is not durable will almost certainly fail.
By nature, a surf real is subject to an extensive amount of abuse. Both saltwater and sand can be devastating to a reel’s operational efficiency, which is not rated for such uses. For this reason, a surf reel should be highly durable and impervious to the effects of corrosion and water/sand ingress.
Today’s best surf fishing reels are purpose-built and are designed to handle whatever the environment might throw their way. These surf fishing reels often feature shielded bearings, sealed drag systems, and corrosion-resistant surface coatings.
Speed Ratio and Bearings
Even the longest of casts are of little use if you cannot ultimately retrieve this line.
When surf fishing, it is not uncommon to have extensive lengths of line spooled out into the water at any given time. However, this also means that one must be able to quickly and efficiently retrieve this line.
A quicker gear ratio allows these lengths of line to be picked up at a rapid pace, without any level of difficulty. Additionally, quality bearings also simplify this process by ensuring that an angler’s retrieval is as smooth and streamlined as possible.
Questions & Answers

What is the best gear ratio for surf fishing?
While surf fishing reels come in a wide array of gear ratios, most anglers favor those which fall into the 5:1 or 6:1 range. Reels featuring a gear ratio of this nature tend to be highly versatile and can be retrieved at a slow, methodical pace or with extensive vigor.

What size reel should I use for surf fishing?
When choosing which size reel to use for surf fishing, anglers are presented with several options. However, most anglers opt for surf fishing reels that fall into the 4000-6000 size range. Reels of this size tend to be highly versatile, allowing anglers to fish to an optimal degree for nearly any species.

What is the best length for a surf fishing rod?
To make the most out of your surf fishing efforts, a relatively long rod is recommended. In most cases, anglers tend to favor rods at least 9-feet in length, with many reaching lengths of up to 13-feet. This additional rod length promotes extended casting distances.

What do you use for surf fishing?
The best bait to use when surf fishing often depends upon location. While fish might prefer a particular bait at one place, another type of bait might be preferred elsewhere. However, shrimp, mullet, crab, and squid are essentially universal in their effectiveness.

What is the best pound test line for surf fishing?
In most cases, 30-50 pound braid tends to be the line of choice when surf fishing. This line is not only highly durable but is more than capable of standing firm when the occasional behemoth takes your bait.

How do you cast a surf fishing rod?
When casting a surf fishing rod, you should first flip your reel’s bail while holding the line with your index finger. You will then bring your rod tip rearward, with its lower end facing the water and the rod’s eyelets facing upward. Then, rapidly pivot your rod forward using both hands, as if swapping directions in a sweeping motion. As the rod’s tip reaches a 45-degree angle to the water, release your line.

How do I choose a surfcasting reel?
When searching for the best possible surfcasting reel, you should look for a reel with a robust drag system, premium bearings, and excellent corrosion resistance. Additionally, the perfect surf reel offers a significant line capacity, allowing you to cast to distant points.

What is the best reel for surf fishing?
In my opinion, the Penn Battle II & III is the best reel for surf fishing. This reel features a well-engineered 10+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearing system, a rugged 33-pound powerful drag system, a robust gear train, and ample water and sand ingress protection.

What is the best surf fishing rod and reel?
The best surf fishing rod/reel combo would most likely involve pairing the Penn Battle Reel with a quality 9-13 foot long rod. However, you could pair most of the best surf fishing reels reviewed above with a rod of a similar length to provide excellent results.