The Best Catfish Spinning Reel of 2022: Tested & Reviewed

Reel Specs

The Battle II and III 5000 are made entirely of metal, meaning the drag systems and washers inside the reel won’t be cheap plastic. Instead, they have an aluminum body that resists rust, and the spinning reels contain six sealed stainless steel ball bearings. So while you can still flood these spinning reels by dropping them into the water, splashes won’t get water inside of them. 

These spinning reels have a large line capacity; over 200 yards of thirty-pound SpiderWire will fit on it. It also features capacity rings to show when you’re down to two-thirds and one-third. These spinning reels have a rubber band around them, allowing you to use braided lines without using monofilament backing.

The 5000 also has 25 pounds of drag at its maximum, meaning you’ll be able to stop most catfish from running into holes or under snags. 

What to Expect

While not a cheap reel, the Battle II is a mid-priced reel that is durable and strong. Its full metal body means it will wear out much slower and can’t shear its plastic gears. However, if paired with a good catfish rod and a heavy enough line, it’ll easily handle big channel cats.

Reel Specs

With a 35-pound max drag on the 7500, the Spinfisher VI will stop giant catfish from running into holes and tire them out quickly. It has a considerable amount of power that complements its smooth retrieval.

The interior parts are CNC machined to fit together precisely, and the body is fully metal. It has stainless steel ball bearings, and both the bearings and body are fully sealed. Spinfishers also have optional long cast and live-liner options for extra casting distances and live-baiting big cats. 

What to Expect

Buying a Spinfisher is an investment, but the reel will last for years and has plenty of power for big fish. It’s sealed, fully non-corrosive metal, and has a high retrieval rate. Smaller and larger versions of the reel are available, but a 7500 will handle any catfish you hook into.

Reel Specs

The Sharky III gets its power from its triple-disc carbon drag and brass pinion gear. It has a body made primarily out of graphite, with an aluminum spool and handles that help reduce its weight.

It has 10 + 1 double-shielded stainless steel bearings to help give the reel a smooth retrieval. It also has an anti-reverse gear that keeps you from turning the handle the wrong way. Finally, its line capacity allows plenty of heavy lines to combine with the reel’s power for giant catfish.

What to Expect

The Sharky III is a powerful, lightweight reel made of rust-resistant materials. You should expect it to handle giant catfish with relative ease, but longevity isn’t its strong suit.

Reel Specs

The Viper X’s 10 + 1 stainless steel bearings give it a smooth rotation and are sealed inside the reel. In addition, the zinc alloy drive gear and stainless steel drive shaft will resist corrosion in salt or freshwater. 

The 5000 version has a retrieval rate of 36 inches per full rotation, and it has two gear ratios: a 6.2:1 for more power and a 5.2:1 when you need less pressure on the line. Smaller reel sizes will work great for small lake catfish, while the larger versions like the 5000 will handle bigger fish.

What to Expect

The Viper X won’t have any problems from being dropped into the water. Its seals and materials do well to resist corrosion so it won’t rust shut. Even though it’s a budget reel, it doesn’t skimp out and put plastic gears in its reel, so you won’t have to worry about shearing. This should be a great budget option for anglers starting to get into bigger catfish, but it probably isn’t the best option for massive channel cats.

Reel Specs

The Baitfeeder boasts a respectable 28 pounds of drag and both a front and rear drag system. The front drag works like a typical spinning reels drag, while the rear is used for free-spooling baits. The free-spool lever and rear drag disengage when the handle is turned, protecting the drag and gears from harsh strikes.

It features a brass pinion and stainless steel main shaft that are corrosion resistant. The side plates, housing, and reel leg are all graphite, keeping it light and robust.

What to Expect

The Baitfeeder works brilliantly for free-spooling live or dead baits in rivers. The reel has enough power to handle larger catfish and is resistant to rust if you get it wet. It should last a reasonable amount of time and catch plenty of fish for you.

Reel Specs

The Stradic features a center of gravity closer to the rod, making it more comfortable to cast and feel lighter. In addition, it has a rigid metal body that eliminates flexing in the reel body and transfers all of that force to cranking power by the angler.

The drag system on the 5000 has a mac drag of 24 pounds, with 40 inches per crank retrieval. The reel spool can hold 185 yards of 40-pound braid, and the 6 + 1 bearings are sealed against sand and salt.

CrossCarbon Drag systems give a more comprehensive range of settings. You can provide slightly more or less pressure, depending on the fish.

What to Expect 

The Stradic is a very reliable and durable reel, but it may not have the power needed to handle big channel cats. Nevertheless, expect it to perform wonderfully with any fish under 50 pounds and be plenty comfortable when casting a lot is required.

Reel Specs

The reel holds 150 yards of 40-pound braid and has a retrieval rate of 38.5 inches per turn. Unfortunately, it only has around 20 pounds of drag.

Its air rotor cuts out a lot of weight, keeping the reel light. It features an oversized gear with an increased number of teeth, which also helps with the reel’s smoothness and longevity. The aluminum majority of the reel is corrosion resistant and will hold up well even if it gets dropped in the water. 

What to Expect

This Daiwa reel should hold up well on small catfish and can do well on bigger ones too. It should last a reasonably long time as well.

Reel Specs

This reel stands out most with its 48-pound drag weight and big spool for heavy lines. This lets you target huge catfish since it’s built for big saltwater fish.

The spool is CNC aluminum, and the rest of the body is made of stainless steel. It will be very corrosive resistant and should hold up well fighting against giants. 

It also has a slow retrieval ratio to let your handle cranks put pressure on the fish. Its stainless steel ball bearings are sealed inside the reel to prevent rusting or getting sand inside them, as with most saltwater spinning reels.

What to Expect

You should expect this reel to perform incredibly well against huge catfish. It will put out all the power that you’re able to use yourself, making it perfect for big fish. In addition, the metal body should hold up well against tough fights, making it an excellent reel for prolonged use.

Reel Specs

Its 5.6:1 gear ratio is a medium speed, allowing swift retrieval and strong power. It also has 5 +1 anti-corrosion bearings to keep it spinning smoothly.

Both the spool and reel body are made of high-quality aluminum, and the handle is made out of one piece to avoid breaks at joints. The handle is interchangeable between left and right-handed styles as well. 

The reel is fully sealed, with the goal of being maintenance-free. It should keep water out of its interior in the rain or after being splashed consistently.

What to Expect

The most significant standout part of this reel is its warranty. The manufacturer covers any defects on parts or materials for five years from the purchase date.

You should expect strong performances from this reel and a long lifetime of use. The bigger sizes like the 55 shouldn’t have any issues handling big catfish, and the smaller sizes are solid and dependable.