Advice on choosing a spinning or baitcasting reel for beginners

Choosing the right reel size

Generally speaking, a 2500–3000-sized spinning reel is best suited to beginners, as the fish caught with lures are usually not too large; small lures paired with a 2500–3000-sized reel are ideal, as they are not too heavy and will therefore cause less hand fatigue, furthermore, this reel size is better suited to the action of the lure; the retrieval speed is just right—neither too fast nor too slow—which makes it more effective at attracting fish.

Shimano Stradic spinning reel – stylish, smooth and robust, priced at 3.3 million

Spinning reels in the 2500–3000 size range have a relatively high line-ratio; they retrieve line quickly; yet they aren’t too bulky, making them very comfortable to hold. Not only that, but this range of spinning reels can be used with a wide variety of lures, such as soft baits and artificial lures… At the same time, they help novice anglers cast their lures more easily.

The handle on a vertical lure reel can be switched from left to right, so you should install it on the side that suits your fishing style. Compared to horizontal reels, vertical reels have a faster line retrieval speed thanks to their large spool. Changing the spool on a vertical lure reel is also very straightforward.

Lightweight is also a very important criterion when choosing a vertical lure reel for beginners. You should only use vertical lure reels weighing under 300g.

Vertical lure reels

And here we’ll recommend a few models of vertical lure reels for novice anglers.

1. Daiwa Legalis LT vertical lure reel

The 2018 version of the Daiwa Legalis LT vertical lure reel, in sizes 2500–3000, features a sleek, modern and sophisticated design. The reel body is extremely rigid, thanks to its construction from carbon-fibre composite material. The reel is relatively lightweight, yet boasts an extremely impressive power-to-weight ratio. As a result, novice anglers will find it very comfortable to use and won’t experience hand fatigue.

Daiwa Legalist LT 3000 spinning reel – lightweight and powerful, click to view

The design, featuring six ball bearings plus a roller bearing, ensures a smooth casting experience with minimal line tangles. Nine out of ten novice anglers begin their ‘fishing’ careers with the 2018 version of the Daiwa Legalist LT spinning reel.

2. Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel

Another range of spinning reels for beginners that is currently very popular on the market is the 2018 Shimano Sedona.

Shimano Sedona 3000 Lure Reel – Smooth, lightweight and stylish; click to view

This lure reel features a drive mechanism manufactured using Shimano’s advanced cooling technology. As a result, the Shimano Sedona is more powerful, lighter and smoother than other reels in the same price range on the market. The centre of gravity of the spool is positioned closer to the rod thanks to G Free Body technology, allowing anglers to cast lures comfortably and experience less hand fatigue.

The spool of the Shimano Sedona spinning reel is designed using AR C Spool technology. This minimises friction to the greatest extent possible as the line unwinds from the spool.

3. Daiwa Revros Lt spinning reel

Among professional lure anglers, the Daiwa Revros Lt is a household name. This reel series boasts a host of superior technologies whilst remaining very reasonably priced.

The body of the Daiwa Revros Lt stand-up lure reel is made from composite materials. As a result, the reel is very lightweight and offers excellent corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the Daiwa Revros Lt’s durability and impact resistance far exceed those of other reels in the same price range on the market. The handle is made from aluminium, but has been redesigned to ensure it is lightweight and to reduce friction when anglers reel in their line.

Daiwa Revros Lt 3000 – Shallow spool, affordable price

Air Rotor technology, combined with a modern ball-bearing system, gives the Daiwa Revros Lt exceptionally responsive rotation. Light and Tough technology enhances the Daiwa Revros Lt’s refined performance and power.

Spinning reels

A few models of side-casting reels for beginners – why choose a side-casting reel?

If you prefer a side-casting reel to a vertical-casting reel, you might want to consider one of the two models below.

1. Shimano Curado DC 151HG side-cast reel

The Shimano Curado DC 151HG side-casting reel features a very fine gear system, increasing the number of contact points between the pinion and drive gears. This results in a smoother and more efficient gear transmission. The reel body is made of metal, offering high rigidity and impact resistance. With its smart, digitally controlled drag system, the Shimano Curado DC 151HG side-casting reel is compatible with a wide variety of lines and lures. This side-casting reel also features the top-of-the-range S-ARB ball bearings – offering protection against lightning, dust, salt and water.

In the 4 million price bracket, the Curado DC is a strong contender

2. Daiwa Tatula Spinning Reel

Dubbed the ‘snakehead killer’, the Daiwa Tatula 100 HSL side-casting reel boasts a compact, modern design whilst delivering exceptionally high performance.

The TWS T-Wing system in the Daiwa Tatula 100 HSL reduces friction and widens the line-release angle, enabling up to 15 per cent greater casting distance and accuracy compared to traditional spool designs.
The brake discs in the drag system are made from high-grade carbon using Daiwa’s proprietary technology. Consequently, the Daiwa Tatula 100 HSL spinning reel offers very high drag power and exceptionally smooth operation.
The spool of the Daiwa Tatula 100 HSL is very light and rigid, allowing for extremely flexible movement or stopping, adapting to every movement of the fish.

Despite boasting a wealth of features, the Daiwa Tatula 100 HSL spinning reel is very reasonably priced.

Stream lure reels

Stream lure reels (as they are known in the north) or raft lure reels (in the central regions) are small-sized reels designed for ultra-light rods

Are you new to fishing and want to try stream lure fishing? Are you unsure which stream lure reel to choose? Don’t worry, let us help. Streams are quite complex fishing environments with many rock crevices and nooks and crannies, so you should only choose spinning reels in sizes 800, 1000 or 1500. Reels of this size are very light and compact, helping to prevent hand fatigue whilst also making them easy to manoeuvre. The two spinning reels below are ideal for novice anglers looking to try their hand at stream fishing.

1. Shimano Sienna 1000FG Reel

The body of the Shimano Sienna 1000FG stream lure reel is made from high-quality Graphic XT7 material. The reel features Dyna-Balance technology for maximum vibration reduction and a Super Stopper II one-way bearing to prevent back-turning, thereby providing anglers with a more precise fishing experience. The line spool of the Shimano Sienna 1000FG is specially designed with a rounded edge, reducing friction when paying out line and increasing casting distance. The Propulsion Line Management System ensures the line does not twist or snag when casting.

2. Shimano Stradic 1000 Stream Lure Reel

The Shimano Stradic 1000’s ability to fight and land fish is highly regarded. The Micro Module Gear II system delivers an exceptionally smooth feel, even when you’re locked in a struggle with fierce fish.

The Shimano Stradic 1000 stream lure reel features a coating made using X-Protect technology, offering near-perfect water resistance; this significantly extends the reel’s lifespan and performance, whilst providing a much smoother, lighter and more comfortable casting experience. The Shimano Stradic 1000’s fish-handling capacity has also been significantly improved, as this model is equipped with two outstanding features: Silent Drive and Long Stroke Spool. The Shimano Stradic 1000 stream lure reel is an extremely durable and powerful reel.

Saltwater lure reels

A look at suitable saltwater lure reels for beginners

When lure fishing at sea, a spinning reel is still the most suitable choice. Prioritise robust and powerful sea lure reels so that you can tackle large fish. Furthermore, when selecting a sea lure reel, you should also pay attention to a few factors such as:

Materials: opt for sea lure reels made from high-quality materials that are water-resistant, waterproof, salt-resistant and highly corrosion-resistant.

Bearings: prioritise sea lure reels where the bearing specifications include a ‘+1’ rating.

Gear ratio: if you’re lure fishing at sea with live bait, you should choose a reel with a low gear ratio. This ensures the reel reels in smoothly and has greater power under load. When fishing with artificial lures, opt for a lure reel with a high gear ratio, paired with ultra-fine fishing line.

Brake: Always choose saltwater lure reels with a powerful and smooth drag system.
Among the current range of saltwater lure reels, the Shimano Ocea Jigger F Custom 1501HG is the most suitable model for beginners.

This saltwater lure reel has the following technical specifications:

• Gear ratio: 6.2:1
• Line capacity (No./m): 3/400, 4/300, 5/220
• Weight: 605g
• Load capacity: 10 kg
• Bearings: 8 + 1
• Spool diameter: 60 mm
• Spool width: 25mm

The Shimano Ocea Jigger F Custom 1501HG is a top-of-the-range fishing reel, renowned for its speed and power. The combination of the smooth Ocea Jigger drag system and the premium X-Ship gear technology makes the Shimano Ocea Jigger F Custom 1501HG particularly appealing to lure anglers.

The Shimano Ocea Jigger F Custom 1501HG strikes an excellent balance between torque and speed, resulting in superb overall performance. With this saltwater lure reel, you’ll find it easy to jig or haul heavy fish up from deep waters.

Based on the information we’ve provided, we’re sure lure anglers will now feel confident in choosing the right reel for themselves, won’t they? Finding the right lure reel is the quickest way to help you conquer new heights in your fishing career.

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