The Rundown
Best Overall: Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
“This reel is comfortable to handle, incredibly versatile, and has an 18-pound carbon fiber drag, which is great for anglers who love a good fight — it’s for sure my top choice in baitcasting reels.”
Best Budget Option: KastKing Royale Legend II
“A one-of-a-kind baitcasting reel that’s lightweight even with mighty features like a Cross-Fire braking system and a quadruple disc carbon drag. And it’s affordable too! Perfect for anglers on a tight budget.”
Best Runner-Up: Abu Garcia Black Max
“This is great for anglers of all levels of experience since it’s light, easy to get a hang of, and has impressive stuff like a MagTrax brake system and a Power Disk Drag. If you’re new to baitcasting, this is the reel for you.”
With a good baitcasting reel, an angler can cast under docks, around bridge pilings, and even through matted grasses, all with pinpoint accuracy, so it’s no wonder that they grow more popular with each passing year.
Keep in mind that a good baitcaster features the correct gear-ratio, a high-quality braking system to prevent backlash, and should be comfortable to operate — if you’re having trouble finding the right reel, the following guide will assist you in locating the one that will best suit your needs.




Table of Contents
The 10 Best Baitcasting Reels in 2021
Piscifun Torrent Baitcasting Reel
Best Overall: Equal parts precision and power
KEY FEATURES
- 18 lb. carbon fiber drag strong enough to handle big fish
- Low-profile design for enhanced comfort
- 5.3:1 gear ratio for ultimate versatility
The Piscifun Torrent is the ideal option for anglers who use precision-based techniques and at the same time need the power to winch even the biggest of fish from the depths below. This range of versatility is made possible through the reel’s use of a 5.3:1 gear ratio, which provides a subtle enough retrieval speed for tactics such as slow rolling, while also giving a substantial amount of fortitude and torque when such a need arises.
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KastKing Royale Legend II
Best Budget Option: Big in features, but not in price
KEY FEATURES
- Cross-Fire magnetic braking system with 8 adjustment levels
- Quadruple disc carbon drag containing 17.6 lbs of easy-to-adjust resistance
- Compact in design and weighs only 7.2 lbs
The KastKing Royale Legend II includes a significant number of features that are typically reserved for reels found at a much higher price point. Because of this, the Royale Legend II is great for those who are working with a limited budget. This reel uses a Cross-Fire braking system, which places 8 different levels of adjustment at an angler’s fingertips. This is substantial worth to those that use a wide variety of lures and need to tailor their reel’s braking to the situation at hand.
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Abu Garcia Black Max
Best Runner-Up: A reel that fits the needs of every angler
KEY FEATURES
- MagTrax brake system that allows greater control when casting
- Single-piece graphite frame that minimizes operating weight
- Power Disk Drag System for adjustments to be made at a moment’s notice
The Abu Garcia Black Max is a baitcasting reel that should provide anglers of all experience levels exactly what they need to make the most out of their day on the water. This reel is a wonderful choice for those that seek an excellent all-around baitcaster, especially when they’re new to this particular genre of reel. The Black Max uses Abu Garcia’s special MagTrax brake system to provide anglers with greater line control and to minimize the occurrence of time consumptive backlash.
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KastKing Rover Round
Most Powerful: Heavy-duty performance to meet rigorous demands
KEY FEATURES
- 30 lb. drag system built to handle even the largest of game fish
- Packed with high quality components for enhanced durability
- 2-pin centrifugal brake for casting efficiency
If you routinely pursue the biggest fish in any given body of water, then the KastKing Rover Round is exactly what you are looking for. It features a first-class 30-pound centrifugal drag system, which should make quick work out of boating massive flathead catfish and hard-fighting striped bass. The KastKing Rover Round also features a significant line capacity, making it ideally suited for deepwater fishing, both freshwater and saltwater.
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KastKing Spartacus
Smoothest Retrieve: Old school looks meet new age innovation
KEY FEATURES
- Shielded 11+1 corrosion resistant ball bearings for ultra-smooth operation
- Micro-cast dual centrifugal and magnetic brakes for well-regulated line dispersal
- Stylish cork handles for a retro look and an enhanced grip
The KastKing Spartacus is the perfect baitcasting reel for those who prefer a reel that operates seamlessly while looking stunning in the process. This reel features next-level functionality, thanks to a state-of-the-art drag system and a well-designed bearing arrangement. Not to mention, it also looks aesthetically pleasing thanks to its use of retro-style cork grips.
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KastKing Crixus
Best for Strenuous Use: A workhorse of a reel at a reasonable price point
KEY FEATURES
- Four carbon disc meter drag with 17.6 lbs of total resistance
- Features 7 shielded ball bearings for ultra-smooth operation
- 8-way brake adjustment for minimal backlash
The KastKing Crixus is a reasonably priced reel that is the ideal choice for anglers who need a baitcaster that fishes as hard as they do. This reel features 7 shielded ball bearings, which should provide smooth operations under almost any circumstance, plus an 8-way adjustable brake to keep backlash at bay.
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KastKing Royale Legend GT
Most Comfortable: Comfort beyond compare
KEY FEATURES
- 8 Cross-Fire magnets for enhanced braking capabilities
- Synthetic soft-grip handles for increased comfort
- Lightweight 7.2 ounce construction
The KastKing Royale Legend GT is the perfect reel for anglers who spend every waking moment at the water’s edge or in their boat, as this reel is packed full of features that are guaranteed to provide next-level comfort. It weighs only 7.2 ounces and features synthetic soft-grip handles, making it possible to fish from sunrise to sunset without ever feeling fatigued.
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KastKing MegaJaws
Best for Casting: A reel that outcasts all competitors
KEY FEATURES
- Funnel-shaped line guide that reduces friction and maximizes casting distances
- 11+1 double-shielded stainless steel bearings for an ultra-smooth operation
- Enhanced comfort with cork grips and an ergonomic handle
If an average day on the water sees you frequently casting at distant points and out-of-the-way structures, then the KastKing MegaJaws baitcaster is likely to become your new favorite reel. The MegaJaws features a host of features that enhance casting distance and make it much easier to hit your mark. Other than that, this reel is ergonomically designed, which should make for a more comfortable day on the water, no matter how long such a day might be.
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Abu Garcia Revo X
Best High-End: Premium performance at a respectable price
KEY FEATURES
- Carbon Matrix Hybrid drag system for a super-smooth drag performance
- Extended gear life thanks to Duragear
- A D2 gear system for seamless gear mesh and operation
The Abu Garcia Revo X offers streamlined performance, which makes it the perfect option for anglers who need a reel rich in features and can be depended on, day in and day out. This reel features Abu Garcia’s proprietary MagTrax brake system, an X2-Craftic alloy frame, a Carbon Matrix hybrid drag system, and a DuraClutch drive system. The combination of these premium features allows any angler to fish with greater efficiency and make the most out of their time on the lake or river.
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KastKing Royale Legend Elite
Best Construction: A pro-grade reel for serious anglers from every walk of life
KEY FEATURES
- Tournament-grade internal components for unparalleled reliability and performance
- 10 double-shielded stainless steel bearings
- Compact, ergonomic design for the ultimate level of angler comfort
If you’ve been contemplating taking the plunge into competitive angling and are currently looking for a baitcaster that matches your level of ambition, then the KastKing Royale Legend Elite is just the reel for you. This reel was designed with tournament-grade specifications and features top-notch gear trains, which should guarantee you with years of reliable service free of any mechanical issues or any other troublesome defects.
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Criteria Used For Evaluation
When locating the best baitcasting reel for purchase, there are a couple of factors which must first be considered. Each of these factors play a vital role in determining how well a particular reel will perform when on the water.
Criteria #1: Brake System
A baitcaster’s brake system is the single biggest factor in avoiding one of fishing’s most aggravating situations: backlash. The brake system regulates the rate at which line disperses from the unit’s spool, thereby minimizing the risk of backlash.
When the line leaves a baitcaster’s spool at an unregulated rate of speed, it often ends up balling up at the reel’s spool, causing a mess that can take half of an afternoon to remedy. Brake systems, which most typically consist of centrifugal and magnetic controls, keep the reel’s spool and line set to a predetermined speed, often preventing the occurrence of backlash entirely.
Criteria #2: Drag System
A reel’s drag system can make or break a fight, especially when a monster fish is testing your line’s merit. Modern baitcasters rely upon the use of highly advanced drag systems and properly setting them to meter line tension when a fish is being fought to the boat or bank.
Every reel features a drag system, as it alleviates tension prior to line breakage when adjusted in the proper manner. When a fish pulls against your line, it comes under pressure, and this same pressure is transferred to the reel from which your line originated. A properly set drag will slip, pulling the line outward when the pressure becomes too great. In essence, a reel’s drag system is a safeguard against untimely line breakage — the better a reel’s drag system, the greater your chance of boating hard-fighting fish becomes.
Criteria #3: Bearings
Without the rotational capacity of bearings, there would be no such thing as a baitcaster. The smoothness of a reel’s operation is vital to maximizing your productivity on the water, and a reel’s bearings are among the most major factors in this equation.
Every reel on the market today relies on a system of bearings to facilitate the necessary rotational force for spooling of line. As a reel’s handle turns, a system of gears rotate the reel’s spool. This spool then rides over a set of ball bearings that minimize friction. However, not all bearings are created equally. Many premium reels use 7, 8, or even 10 ball bearings, while some lesser models feature far fewer. Aside from the number of ball bearings that a particular reel uses, it is also important that these bearings be of high-quality and true in their uniformity.
Questions & Answers

Is it Difficult to Learn to Use a Baitcaster?
While a baitcasting reel can certainly be more difficult to get the hang of than spinning and spincasting reels — with ample practice, one can become quite proficient with their use in short order. Baitcasting reels require an angler to be self-aware and attentive toward their casting efforts. Carelessly casting a baitcaster will almost certainly lead to a case of backlash, during which a ball of entangled line forms at the reel’s spool.
The best way to learn how to use a baitcasting reel is to simply practice, practice, and practice. A sinker can be tied onto the end of a reel’s line, which means that an angler can easily practice their casting in the backyard whenever the opportunity presents itself. Above all else, you must have patience, and as much as possible, try to avoid getting aggravated when initially learning the ropes.

When Should I Use A Baitcasting Reel?
A baitcasting reel is highly favored by most anglers in situations where the use of heavier lines or pinpoint accuracy when casting is a must. Bass anglers generally prefer the use of a baitcasting reel when casting along bridge pilings, stick-ups, and weedbeds, as once you’re proficient with this type of reel, accurate casting comes with relative ease.
Many anglers also favor baitcasting reels to perform a strategy that is often referred to as power fishing. Power fishing is best described as covering extensive swaths of water in rapid succession, while most commonly fishing moving lures, such as jigs, spinnerbaits, chatterbaits, and topwater plugs.