The Rundown
Best Overall: Pflueger President
“With the use of slow oscillation gearing, 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/Centron
“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 quality spinning reel that operates in a seamless manner.”
Best Budget: Piscifun Flame
“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.
Premium 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 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 Trout Spinning Reels in 2020
Pflueger President
Best Overall: A reel that is as reliable as the day is long
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/Centron
Smoothest Performance: Silky smooth performance beyond belief
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 a quality spinning reel that operates in a seamless manner, there are likely few better options than the KastKing Summer/Centron series of reels. Each Summer/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
Best Budget Reel: Rich performance at a subdued price
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 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
Most Powerful: Power that you must experience to believe
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 fishing 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
Best Corrosion Resistance: A reel that can not be stopped by any fish, nor the element
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 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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Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000
Best High-End: An elegant reel that is rich in performance features
KEY FEATURES
- X Ship Technology for enhanced durability and effortless casting
- Propulsion Line Management System for superior reliability
- Hagane gearing for precise operation and a first-in-class reliability
The Shimano Stradic Ci4+ 4000 should make the perfect option for any angler who is looking to upgrade their current trout fishing rig, to a model that is far greater in its scope of features and functional attributes. This lightweight spinning reel features an unparalleled range of amenities, which should promote a higher degree of efficiency when on the water. Some of the most notable of these features include the reel’s Dyna-Balance rotor, Fluidrive II System, X-Ship Technology, and Hagane gearing.
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Okuma Ceymar
Most Versatile: A versatile series of reel, with sizing options to meet every need
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 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.
Gear Ratio
A 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 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 reel’s housing effectively determines its strength and durability.
Today’s 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 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.
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 reel, the more comfortable it will be to use when fishing for hours at a time in search of trout.
A bulky, heavyweight 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 reels can be an absolute joy to use, and are quickly growing in popularity.
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 reel is of little use if it cannot stand up to the test of time. A well engineered reel will often last an angler a lifetime, if properly taken care of.