Edited by: Kenneth Reaves
Reviewed by: Michael DarmontLast Update:
The Rundown
Best For Most Anglers: Penn Battle II and III 5000 (click to see)
“The Penn Battle is made to last and handles huge fighting fish. Ideal for anglers targeting catfish under 100 pounds who want a reasonably priced durable spinning reel.”
Best Premium Option: Penn Spinfisher VI 7500 (click to see)
“The Spinfisher VI offers power and extra casting distance – a great combo for a spinning reel. Its durable construction makes it a worthy investment and a fishing partner you can count on.”
Best Power In A Budget Reel: KastKing Sharky III 5000 (click to see)
“The Sharky III has a graphite build and clever design for powerful and smooth retrieval for a huge catch. Ideal for anglers looking for a powerful, lightweight reel to handle big catfish.”
When you’re looking to catch big catfish, you want a durable and robust reel that’s easy to use. Good thing the technology for spinning reels has come a long way, making them as strong and durable like any other kind of reels available.
When it comes to catfish spinning reels, you want one that’s made with quality materials with an extensive line capacity so you can use heavier lines. You also want a significant amount of drag power so you can keep the catfish from running into holes or under snags.
We rounded up 9 of the best catfish reels that you need to grab for a successful catch.
Best Catfish Reel For The Money
Our Top 9 Picks
Best for Most Anglers
Penn Battle II and III 5000
Best Catfish Reel For Most Anglers
Anti-reverse bearing stops reverse reeling
Carbon fiber drag sealed with rubber gasket
Best Premium Option
Penn Spinfisher VI 7500
Best Premium Catfish Reel
35-pound max drag and 40-inch retrieval
Known for stopping power
Best Power
KastKing Sharky III 5000
Best Power In A Budget Catfish Reel
39 pounds of max drag on carbon drag washers
10+1 stainless steel ball bearings and anti-reverse
Best Budget
Piscifun Viper X 5000
Best Budget Catfish Spinning Reel
Two gear ratio retrieval
Zinc alloy driveshaft
Best for Live Bait
Yoshikawa Baitfeeder 6000
Best Catfish Spinning Reel For Live Bait
Large line capacity, 140 yards of 24-pound monofilament
Rear drag allows free-lining live baits
Best Mid-Sized
Shimano Stradic FL
Best Mid-Sized Catfish Spinning Reel
A rigid metal body keeps it from flexing
Increased comfort due to closer center of gravity
Best Aluminum Body
Daiwa BG3500
Best Catfish Reel With Aluminum Body
Anodized aluminum housing and spool
Waterproof drag system
Highest Drag
Dr. Fish 12000
Highest Drag Catfish Spinning Reel
48 pounds at max drag
Huge aluminum spool for high weight lines
Best Warranty
Quantum Reliance 55
Best Warranty On A Catfish Spinning Reel
Watertight body seal
5-year warranty on defects and materials
Table of Contents
Best Spinning Reels For Catfish
Here are 9 of the best catfish reels you need for your next fishing trip:
- Penn Battle II and III 5000
- Penn Spinfisher VI 7500
- KastKing Sharky III 5000
- Piscifun Viper X 5000
- Yoshikawa Baitfeeder 6000
- Shimano Stradic FL
- Daiwa BG3500
- Dr. Fish Spinning Reel
- Quantum Reliance 55
Penn Battle II and III 5000
Best Catfish Spinning Reels For Most Anglers
KEY FEATURES
- Braid ready
- Full metal aluminum body with stainless steel bearings
- Carbon fiber drag sealed with rubber gasket
- Anti-reverse bearing stops reverse reeling
The Penn Battle II is a great saltwater reel made to last and handles huge fighting fish. Paired with the right rod and line, it’ll easily pull in catfish well over fifty pounds. This spinning reel is best for anglers catching catfish under 100 pounds who want a reasonably priced catfish reel to last a long time.
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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.
Penn Spinfisher VI 7500
Best Premium Option For Big Catfish
KEY FEATURES
- 35-pound max drag and 40-inch retrieval
- Fully sealed metal body
- CNC machined for precision
- Known for stopping power
The Penn Spinfisher is one of the best saltwater spinning reels on the market. It’s fully sealed, meaning water won’t be getting inside the reel unless it gets completely submerged, and it is made of CNC machined metal throughout. Spinfishers are best for anglers looking to catch the biggest catfish and those who want to buy a reel and have it last for years.
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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.
KastKing Sharky III 5000
Best Power In A Budget Spinning Reel
KEY FEATURES
- 39 pounds of max drag on carbon drag washers
- 10 +1 stainless steel ball bearings and anti-reverse
- 190 yards of 40-pound braid
- Aluminum spool and handle, graphite body
KastKing’s Sharky III brings a ton of power at a pretty low price. This reel works best for anglers looking for a powerful reel for giant catfish at a low price.
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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.
Piscifun Viper X 5000
Best Budget Catfish Spinning Reel
KEY FEATURES
- Two gear ratio retrieval
- Shielded bearings
- Zinc alloy driveshaft
- CNC cut braid-ready spool
A budget option that won’t leave you lacking in power is the Piscifun Viper X, with its 33 pounds of drag. Using carbon drag washers and a zinc alloy drive gear gives it plenty of power at a lightweight. The Viper X is best for anglers looking to get into catfishing at a lower cost or deal mostly with smaller catfish under 30 pounds.
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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.
Yoshikawa Baitfeeder 6000
Best Catfish Reel For Live Bait
KEY FEATURES
- Large line capacity, 140 yards of 24-pound monofilament
- 28-pound maximum drag
- Front and rear drag
- Rear drag allows free-lining live baits
Sometimes catfish will bite best on small live baits that float across their faces. The Yoshikawa Baitfeeder is best for anglers looking to use live baits or freeline baits in rivers. The rear drag allows you to free-line baits without worrying about sharp hits to the interior parts of the reel on strikes.
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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.
Shimano Stradic FL
Best Mid-Sized Catfish Spinning Reel
KEY FEATURES
- A rigid metal body keeps it from flexing
- Sealed bearings and precision alignment
- Wide range of drag settings
- Increased comfort due to closer center of gravity
Shimano Stradic is well known for its comfort and reliability. These spinning reels focus on conserving angler energy and increasing performance in casting and power. This reel is best for anglers who plan on casting and fighting big fish quite often.
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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.
Daiwa BG3500
Best Aluminum Body Catfish Spinning Reel
KEY FEATURES
- Anodized aluminum housing and spool
- Dual anti-reverse
- Waterproof drag system
- Oversized gear for longevity
The Daiwa Spinning Reel is a lightweight aluminum reel built to last. While not the best option for giant catfish due to its drag power, it will work well for anglers looking for small catfish in lakes.
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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.
Dr. Fish 12000 Reel
Highest Drag Catfish Spinning Reel
KEY FEATURES
- 48 pounds at max drag
- Stainless steel bearings at 13 +1
- Huge aluminum spool for high weight lines
- Slow gear ratio at 3.9:1
If you’re looking for the most drag weight on the market, then the Dr. Fish Spinning Reel is the best reel you can get. High line capacity and an oversized drag weight mean it’s built for big fish and perfect for anglers looking for huge catfish.
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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.
Quantum Reliance 55
Best Warranty On A Spinning Reel
KEY FEATURES
- 5.6:1 gear ratio
- Watertight body seal
- 5-year warranty on defects and materials
- Mostly aluminum bodies
The Quantum Reliance is backed by a great warranty on defects and materials, up to five years from purchase date, and has most of the features you should be looking for in a good catfish spinning reel. This reel is best for any anglers looking for a quality product with a manufacturer guarantee.
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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.
What Should I Consider When Buying Catfish Spinning Reels?
There are generally a few things you’ll want to look for when you’re buying a spinning reel to catch catfish. The most important things to consider before buying are the size of the catfish you’ll be fishing for, the line capacity, reel retrieval, how the reel is made, the handle, and the gear ratio.
Size of Fish
To determine the reel you need, you need to consider the size of fish you’re targeting and the size of catfish in the area.
You don’t want to fish a spot that consistently has catfish over 100 pounds with a reel that isn’t built for it. You’ll fry the reel and lose the fish. You need a reel with enough power and enough line capacity to catch the fish.
Line Capacity
Speaking of line capacity, you want to look for a high line capacity to make sure you can use a heavy line weight.
Catfish aren’t like saltwater fish. They won’t run a ton of line off your reel when they run off, at least usually. But the high line capacity lets you use a much heavier line, something like a 40-pound braid, to allow you to exert force onto the fish.
The heavier lines are also less likely to snap when fighting a big fish. Compare the size of the catfish you’re fishing for to the line weight you’ll need, and try to get a reel that holds around 200 yards of that size line weight.
Draw
The line’s draw, or retrieval rate, determines how many revolutions the spool makes per handle turn.
Fast retrieval rates above 6:1 ratios allow you to set hooks faster and reel up the slack line quickly. The retrieval rate matters most in the presentation of lures, with a slow rate being favorable for bottom bumping lures and faster ones working well on jigs.
Quite simply, a higher retrieval rate reels in faster and helps you get the fish to you faster, but it puts more strain on the gears in the reel. So you’ll generally want a medium retrieval rate, around 5:1 or 6:1, to balance out the speed and stress.
Construction
Consider the materials the reel is made of before buying, and lean towards catfish spinning reels that are hard metals inside and sealed well.
Stainless steel is one of the better materials to look for since it resists rust incredibly well and lasts a long time. However, if you go for an aluminum reel, check to see if it is anodized or aluminum parts before buying.
If gears inside the reel aren’t metal, do not buy the reel. Plastic gears shear quickly when using the drag on any size fish and make the reel worthless. The best bet is to purchase full metal bodies that are sealed well to get the longest life out of your reel.
Handle
Handles are where you’ll be cranking the fish up to you, so you need to make sure it is comfortable.
The best option is to go into a store and get your hands on the reel. However, if the handle isn’t comfortable in the store, it won’t be pleasant to fish with.
Graphite isn’t a bad thing, but metal handlebars will bend and break less frequently. Ensure the actual handle is soft and fits your hand well to avoid blisters or hurting your hands.
Benefits Of Catfish Spinning Reels
The most significant benefit of using spinning reels for catfishing is the ease of use. Spinning reels use a flipping bail to cast a line that is held by the fisherman’s finger. For inexperienced anglers or those uncomfortable with bait casters, spinning reels are a better option.
While some people think spinning reels are smaller or weaker than other reels, this isn’t the case. Instead, many saltwater spinning reels have more power and line capacity than bait casters, making them use heavier lines and exert more force on giant catfish.
Spinning reels are also easy to maintain and can take a beating. However, there are fewer moving parts to spinning reels, and many can be maintained simply by removing the spool. In addition, spinning reels have the advantage in longevity, as any issues with them can usually be taken care of a lot easier than with other reel types.
Questions & Answers
What is the best gear ratio for catfishing?
The best gear ratio for catfishing is going to be around 5:1 or 6:1. This is a medium speed, but it allows you to retrieve your line quickly for hookups and put power onto the catfish without stressing your gears too much.
What is the best spinning reel for catfish?
The best spinning reel for catfish depends on the size of catfish you are going for. If big catfish are on the menu, using the Penn Spinfisher VI 7500 is your best option, as it has the most power and durability on this list. For smaller catfish, you can get away with a smaller size Spinfisher, such as the 4500 or 5500.
The best budget option for a spinning reel is going to be the Piscifun Viper X. It’s sealed well and has plenty of power and line capacity to get the job done.
What type of catfishing reel is the best?
Historically, conventional or bait caster reels are the best for catfishing. If you’re hooking into monster catfish well over 100 pounds, then a conventional reel is right for you since you’ll need the heaviest lines you can get. Outside of this, though, the absolute best catfishing reel is whatever is most comfortable for you to cast and use.
Conclusion
When it comes to catfish spinning reels, you get what you pay for. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but it’s pretty common for the cheaper reels to be of cheaper quality. Don’t let that discourage you though, you can get plenty of fishing done with as well.
Look for a high line capacity and a drag weight in at least the upper 20s to get the most out of a catfish reel. Sealed bodies will help prevent rust and extend the life of your reel as well.
If you’ve ever doubted catfish spinning reels, now is the best time to try them since they’ve caught up with other models power-wise. If you’re a fisherman who doesn’t like baitcaster or conventional reels, spinning reels are probably for you. They’re an easy-to-cast, strong, and durable option for catching catfish.