Baitcasters offer a love / hate dichotomy for much of the angling community. Some anglers only want to use baitcasting reels to fish heavier lines more effectively and some folks won’t branch out from spinning reels. But a baitcasting reel offers several advantages and can make your fishing more efficient. So we’ve spent a lot of time reviewing the best baitcasting reels over the past 15 years, and we have updated our picks for best baitcasters for 2025.
The reel market has seen some expansion in terms of the number of manufacturers as well as expansions and updates on the most popular lines. Unfortunately as new introductions come in, a lot of what were the best reels become discontinued so we review as many reels as possible each year so that we can adequately recommend several of the best baitcasting reels for that year. And make sure we are recommending current reels you can easily find at many retailers.
Here is a quick run down of our list of best options for 2025.
Our Top Picks for 2025
- Best Overall – Shimano Metanium DC A – Buy from Bass Pro Shops
- Lightest Reel – Okuma Hakai DT – Buy from Tackle Warehouse
- Best Power Reel – SPRO JC Elite MG – Buy from Tackle Warehouse
- Best Cast Control Reel – Lew’s Custom Pro Gen 3 – Buy from Bass Pro Shops
- Best BFS Baitcaster – Bates Hundo LTS – Buy from Bass Pro Shops
- Fastest Baitcaster – Abu Garcia Revo 5 Rocket – Buy from Bass Pro Shops
- Most Affordable Workhorse – Shimano SLX XT A 150 – Buy from Bass Pro Shops
- Best Swimbait Reel – Bates GOAT SWM – Buy from Bass Pro Shops
Shimano Metanium DC A Casting Reel
The Shimano Metanium DC A casting reel represents the lightest digitally-controlled reel to date. Beyond its light weight, it’s performance is very impressive. I have run the gamut with this reel, fishing weightless Senkos on light line and casting big 3/4 ounce spinnerbaits. It has the guts to handle much larger lures but it’s sweet spot seems to favor the lighter baits I think. Even spooled with hold heavy-duty line, it casts super smoothly with it’s fifth generation DC braking system. But the reel’s ability to cast super light baits on light line in windy conditions is where it sets itself apart from most other reels on the market. I’ve used it pitching and skipping weightless worms and soft jerkbaits and swimbaits around cover with incredible ease and precision. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite reels.
The reduced startup inertia of the third generation MGL Spool technology gives you effortless casting with the flick of a wrist and buttery smooth retrieves that help you feel everything the lure is doing with no friction. It’s an impressive feat of reel making in my honest opinion.
It holds 110 yards of 10 pound line, has 10 ball bearings plus roller bearing, and weighs just barely 6 ounces. It comes in both right and left hand models in 7.1 and 8.1:1 gear ratios. It’s on the upper end of most budgets at $499 but it can also be considered the pinnacle of design and performance on the water.
Okuma Hakai DT
The Okuma Hakai was released a couple years ago but it’s one of the lightest reels we’ve tested at just 5.9 ounces. It has a magnesium alloy frame at under a $200 price point which is also very rare for baitcast reels. It features a SUS FLITE SHAFT and FLITE-SPOOL that is at the crux of it’s lightweight and smooth effortless casting. In fact, we had to spend a minute getting the reel dialed in properly because it is one of the freest casting reels we’ve tested. So if you have a very trained thumb, this will probably give you the best casting distance. But if you don’t you will want to spend the time over tension and braking and backing off slightly each cast to dial it in properly.
The Shaft is unique in that it has bearings at the end of each end of the spool shaft which is how they are able to achieve such free casting.
It’s a 6BB reel, that holds 100 yards of 14-pound fluoro and offers a whopping 20 pounds of drag. They are normally $199 but we’ve gotten them as inexpensive as $129 from retailers like FishUSA.
SPRO Jason Christie Elite MG
SPRO introduced a line of reels for the first time at ICAST 2024 but they have been working on them for several years. I even tested some of the prototype handles before the reels were released as they were getting input from a lot of folks to build a very good reel right out of the gate. The JC Elite MG reel features an 11 bearing system that comes in 4 speeds, indicated by different color knob handle covers.
The frames are magnesium while the handles are a super solid Carbon Fiber, making for very light and smooth reels. I was very impressed with these reels. They are loose like the original Lew’s reels were and this makes them dynamite cranking, spinnerbait and power fishing reels. If you’re a guy that likes fishing shallow dirty water, these reels were made for you. Powerful, strong but light enough to fish 10 hour days with ease. At an impressive $229 price point for a magnesium reel.
Lew’s Custom Pro Gen 3
The new Lew’s Custom Pro is their third generation of one of their most popular reels. This is a flagship level reel at a $279 price point. The calling card for this reel comes in the form of their new ParaMag ITB system that uses Inertia Transfer Braking to monitor spool speed during a cast, calculating and controlling the overrun of line and eliminating nearly all backlash. Instead of a computer chip it’s using an advanced inertia control system to control the overrun. It’s a very smooth casting reel that is easy to dial in and go. It is quiet, strong and smooth from cast to retrieve.
The Custom Pro is an 11-bearing reel with a 1-piece aluminum frame and drilled aluminum U-spool with a Zero Reverse one-way clutch and a smooth carbon-fiber drag system. Titanium coated zirconia 2-stage line guides, Speed Dial line indicators, Speed Keeper hook keepers, bowed 95mm carbon-fiber handle and Pro Power knobs give this sleek smooth operator a well rounded set of features at those middle price points.
Read our full review of the Lew’s Custom Pro Gen 3 reel here.
Bates Hundo LTS
We are big fans of newcomer Bates reels. Their milled solid block aluminum frames make their reels some of the lightest yet most solid reels we’ve ever fished. This past year they introduced their first true BFS reel after many guys were using the Hundo 100 to cast light lures easily. The Hundo LTS is a flagship BFS reel comparable to Conquest and Gekkabijin level BFS reels in the market place. I regularly fish 1/16 ounce lures with the Hundo LTS with no issues. It casts effortlessly, has an ultra smooth clicker drag and manages your line perfectly.
Wether you fish PE 0.6 line or straight 4 to 8-pound fluoro on these reels for your bait finesse fishing, you will be very impressed with the features of this reel. From the CNC precision cut 6061-T6 bar stock solid aluminum frame to the adjustable dual braking system and 13 ball bearing system, this will be one of the finest BFS reels you’ve put in your hand.
They only offer 8.5 pounds of drag but that’s pretty common on a BFS reel as you usually won’t fish anything heavier than 10 pound braid on them. But the 7.1:1 gear ratio takes up an impressive 28 inches of line per handle crank.
This is high-end BFS reel at $395.
Abu Garcia Revo5 Rocket
One of the only reels to ever best the 10:1 gear ratio, this is a line grabbing screamer. But don’t let it’s speed fool you, it’s meant to bring power to the fight just as well. These reels were designed for guys that fish for fast aggressive fish. From big largemouth in heavy cover to redfish screaming through the mangroves, the new Revo 5 Rocket delivers.
This is the fifth generation of the Revo line of reels from Abu Garcia. This Revo 5 Rocket features 11 ball bearings, an X2-Cräftic alloy frame, IVCB-6 braking system that uses 4 centrifugal brakes, a magnetic brake and normal tension control to perfectly control your spool performance on the cast. The Power Stack carbon matrix drag system has 18 pounds of stopping power while the gear ratio takes up an amazing 44 inches of line per handle turn. Which means you can deliver bone crushing hooksets in a fraction of a second. These reels can hold 90 yards of 17 pound line or 160 yards of 10 pound line. So they are ready for a fight.
Shimano SLX XT A 150 Reel
The SLX line was designed with the everyday angler in mind. These reels were made for guys like high School, college and serious anglers who sometimes fish every single day but can’t afford to drop $400 on a reel. The new SLX XT A 150 brings more power capacity to their lineup at a super impressive price point of $130. If you’re going to have a deck full of the same reel on a budget, this is arguably the most solid choice. Which is why we call it a workhorse reel.
The new SLX XT A 150 features SilentTune technology to achieve near-noiseless and an overall smoother reeling experience. It also shares the SVS Infinity Braking System to give you good cast control for various lures. The lightweight, rigid-metal aluminum HAGANE Body provides an ultra-rigid platform for solid hooksets and uniform power. So you are going to have a lot of bang for your buck with this reel. It holds 90 yards of 14 pound line, has a 12-pound drag, comes in 6.3, 7.2 and 8.2 gear ratios in both left and right hand options and takes 25 to 32 inches of line per handle turn depending on gearing. These are 5 bearing reels at a great price point of $130.
Read our full Shimano SLX XT A review here.
Bates G.O.A.T. SWM 200
I’ve got a hodge podge of swimbait reels from Shimano Tranx 300 to Lew’s Super Duty 300s. But I’ve come to love the Bates Goat SWM as my favorite swimbait reel. It’s solid milled aluminum bar stock frame, super powerful 110mm titanium cranking handle, premium 11 bearing system and extra deep large capacity spool make it a tremendous reel for serious swimbait anglers.
This reel weighs 9 ounces but feels lighter than most swimbait reels on a swimbait rod which is nice when you’re fishing heavy rods and baits all day long. Its 20-pound drag can lock down to give you power over the fish during the fight and the impressive 100 yards of 20-pound fluoro capacity means you can heft big baits a long ways to weary big bass and other fish. The reel’s 7.1:1 gear ratio allows you to take up 32 inches of line per handle turn. Again helping you control fast, strong, aggressive fish.
This is a flagship swimbait reel at $395.
PREVIOUS YEARS BEST BAITCASTER REELS
Lew’s HyperMag Casting Reel
The original Lew’s HyperMag Casting Reel still remains one of my favorite Lew’s reels ever designed and the new generation version of the HyperMag does not disappoint. It’s light but strong and the operation is effortless quality. I’ve been fishing it with heavy braid and light line applications to get a feel for it. I’ve really enjoyed skipping frogs and pitching topwaters to shallow fish on this reel. As well as skipping light baits under flooded trees. There are so many fish biting a topwater right now and this reel makes for fun fishing because of its superb performance.
It’s one of the lightest reels we’ve tested at 5.2 ounces. It comes in left and right hand models in 7.5:1 and 8.3:1 ratios. It has 10 ball bearings and a whopping 20 pounds of drag. Which is why I have liked fishing braid on it. It will hold 110 yards of 12-pound monofilament. And about 70 yards of 50-pound braid.
The HyperMag has a 110mm swept handle with small, tacky knobs that make it a very good feeling and fishing reel in your hand.
Read our full review on the Lew’s HyperMag Casting Reel here.
Bates Hundo 100 Casting Reel
A unique newcomer last year, the Bates Hundo turned heads with it’s fully machined aluminum frame. This one isn’t cast like most other reels, the Hundo features a frame that is cut from aircraft grade aluminum bar stock. I actually got samples last year of the stock and was floored at how much more dense and solid the material felt through various stages of the cutting. The reels are equally impressive in their ability to cast light lures and small baits with precision and distance. It’s a tremendous skipping reel as well as a light lure bomb casting reel.
It holds 100 yards of 14-pound monofilament, has 10+2+1 ball bearings, and has a solid one-piece, lightweight frame. The thumb bar can be a bit sensitive when bomb casting baits. I mostly use the reel for roll casting with precise casts shallow or for throwing light baits deep.
It’s one of the best finesse baitcasters you will find on the market and a remarkable bit of new engineering in casting reels.
You can read our full review on the Bates Hundo 100 here.
Ark Gravity BFS Casting Reel
Ark came onto the casting reel seen in 2023 with their line of Gravity reels. Late last summer they announced they were releasing a BFS reel in the Gravity line. The Ark Gravity BFS reel features 12 ball bearings, a line capacity of 55 yards of 6-pound mono and floating spool in lightweight reel at just 5.1 ounces. It casts light lures well down to 1/32 ounce. It features a cone-shaped line guide, and a C3 Force Drag. It can handle light lures and decent sized fish as I’ve managed to land an 8-pound channel cat on mine as the largest fish on it. I’ve caught several 1 to 2.5 pound crappie on it as well as several big shellcrackers and decent sized smallmouth on mine.
It’s a super lightweight BFS reel that fishes very well with light lures. I’ve been mostly using it as a BFS panfish reel with a little bass fishing mixed in as well. I do wish it had a clicker drag. But other than that I’ve loved this new BFS reel from Ark.
Seviin GF Series Casting Reel
Seviin broke into the bass fishing reel market last summer and their first series of casting reels is the GF Series. These reels feature graphite frames with rigid engineering. The GF Series casting reels palm well and feature carbon fiber handles. The 4+1 ball bearings offer smooth performance. They come in 6.6, 7.3 and 8.1:1 ratios and both left and right hand options. They hold 110 yards of 12-pound mono and will give good reel performance and a good price point of $120.
The reels are well built and fish well. I’ve used mine mostly fishing soft plastics on a medium-heavy St. Croix Mojo Bass Trigon rod. The reels cast well and have smooth drag operation for fighting fish around cover. If you’re looking for a new reel brand this year, Seviin might be worth a look.
Read Sam’s full review on the Seviin GF Series Casting Reel
Shimano Curado 200 M Casting Reel
This new addition to the popular Shimano Curado baitcaster line offers anglers a lot more line capacity, strong drag, durable frame and a handle for fighting the biggest bass on the lake. This reel not only holds 110 yards of 14-pound monofilament, but it also has 6 ball bearings and a solid smooth drag system. I’ve been using this as a flipping reel, frogging reel and soft swimbait reel. I love it’s heavy duty feeling in my hand when I know I’m going to set the hook hard on a strong pulling fish with limited room to work.
This is already a very popular reel for tournament anglers who fish big bass lakes. The $199 price point and solid performance makes this a reel guys like to have several of on their deck.
Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B
The Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B is one of the finest fishing reels we have ever fished. It is a solid performer with smooth buttery retrieves, and effortless long casts. A powerful handle and drag makes this the total bass fishing package. Featuring the newly created Magnesium CoreSolid Body that provides rigidity, durability and sensitivity in a much lighter frame. It’s what gives this reel that rock-solid feel in your hands.
The reel has been improved for throwing smaller lures by integrating the MGLIII spool which reduces spool inertia 17% over the previous generation. And, the SVS Infinity Braking on this latest Metanium also provides the ultimate in casting and adjustability to match with any technique and lure you choose.
Shimano upgraded its gearing in the Metanium with a solid brass construction for enhanced durability and smoothness that will last a lifetime as well as incorporating Shimano’s Silent Tune technology to reduce spool bearing vibration which also gives the reel its unique smooth casting feel and performance.
Read our full Shimano Metanium MGL 150 B review.
Daiwa Zillion SV TW G
Make no mistake, this particular reel is made for the baitcaster enthusiasts throughout the world. If you find yourself in that particular demographic, you will be thoroughly impressed by this piece of equipment. As mentioned earlier, we have fished with all kinds of reels throughout our careers and this is one of the best we’ve had the good fortune of using. It’s super lightweight at 6.7 ounces but it also has a strong and tough aluminum frame and sideplates. You can put this reel through just about anything and it will come through it unscathed.
This reel features the SV Booster System which is a two-stage electromagnetic induction braking system that allows for two very important things: insane casting distance and precision braking performance. With all of the fancy talk aside, this reel will allow you to cast a lightweight lure and skip a 1/2-ounce jig all the way under a dock with minimal, if any, adjustments. While fighting fish, I’ve also noticed that you can actually hear the UTD drag clicking throughout the fight. Personally speaking, this audible assistance can help you monitor how much line is being dispensed which will help you stay ahead of the fight.
Let’s not forget the popular T-Wing System (TWS) that’s featured in this reel. This greatly reduces line resistance which helps for even better casting and line management.
Read our full Daiwa Zillion SV TW G review
Shimano Bantam MGL A XG
The previous rework of the Bantam reel quickly became one of my favorite bait casting reels. The new reel is the same platform, but with new technological advances also incorporated to make this an even more sturdy, powerful and significant casting reel in a slightly improved form factor. This will make it a lot more attractive to enthusiast anglers.
I love the Bantam line and love how “tankish” these reels feel in the hand. I think a little extra oomph when you set the hook gives you the confirmation of strength and durability. I like knowing my reels are going to last a decade if I take care of them. And a I have a lot of Shimano reels that have.
Read our full previous Shimano Bantam MGL review.
Abu Garcia Revo Max STX
This one truly surprised me throughout our testing. I’m actually really glad I didn’t look at the price tag before I started the process because to be honest, this reel feels better than a lot of the $200 reels I’ve tested in my career. Maybe I’m crazy but I highly doubt it. It feels absolutely wonderful in your hands, its retrieve is smooth and quiet and it balances wonderfully with any rod I’ve put it on.
I kind of feel weird liking this reel so much because of the price point; I could have a front deck-full of these reels and feel totally confident to fish in any situation imaginable. Maybe I’m old school but I like to feel like my reels have a little bit of “shoulders” to them, so the 7.4-ounce weight feels very comfortable to me. With large, co-molded soft-touch knobs and a one-piece graphite frame, it’s awfully tough to go wrong with this reel.
Read our full Abu Garcia Max STX Casting Reel Review
Shimano Curado MGL 150 HG
The lightest Shimano Curado reel ever made, the Curado MGL features the feather light MagnumLight (MGL) spool in a larger size to increase efficiency and extended casting distance and accuracy. Engineered with a rigid aluminum Hagane body and tough 13 pounds of Cross-Carbon drag, this reel feels light while also feeling very tough.
Featuring their mastered technologies like X-Ship, MicroModule Gearing, Silent Tune, Ci4+, SVS and Super Free Spool.
This is a super palm-able, comfortable baitcaster. An absolute workhorse. I’ve fished everything from jerkbaits to jigs. Spinnerbaits to crankbaits and it delivers on everything you would want in a long lasting reel. Powerful drag, line capacity, smooth performance, rigidity, and a middle price point.
Ark Gravity G7
The Gravity line of bait casters stands as Ark’s first entry into manufacturing baitcasting reels, but it has been under development for more than 3 years. And they were able to blaze their own path with a patented internal adjustable magnetic cast control to provide maximum casting distance in a flagship reel. Let’s take a look at the finer points of this reel to see how it set itself apart as a new entry into the baitcaster market.
Ark developed a new cast control system called their Gravity Control System. This patented system incorporates an adjustable mechanism on the spool that moves the magnetic surface closer or further to alter the amount of resistance on the spool. Plus you can fine tune even more precisely with external magnetic controls and your tension knob.
Read the full Ark Gravity G7 review
Lew’s Pro-Ti SLP
Lew’s updated its Pro-Ti SLP Baitcaster last year and it’s new version is quite a step up. The most notable upgrade to the previous iteration is the smaller, more palmable footprint with their Super Low Profile (SLP) Design and their sculpted aluminum frame with the titanium deposit finish. So you get a light reel that looks beautiful and performance with a ton of power and sensitivity in a light package.
This reel casts lures smoothly and effortlessly with its 11 bearing system and ACB quiet cast system. The 95mm swept handles give you a ton of power on the hookset and a very comfortable reel to fish. It’s price point is on the upper end but anglers going for that top of the line enthusiast look and feel finally have that in the Lew’s platform of dependable baitcaster reels.
Daiwa Tatula SV TWS
You really can’t go wrong with this long-running staple baitcaster, and whether you like to fish lighter fluorocarbon or heavy braided fishing line, you’re going to absolutely fall in love with this reel. Featuring a Super Duralumin SV Spool and corrosion-resistant ball bearings, you can yank on any fish in just about any type of situation with the utmost confidence.
Priced at $209.99, I’m actually surprised it’s not a little more expensive. Having tested so many reels over the years, you could have blindfolded me and put this reel into my hands and I would have guessed it to be in the $300 range. Go ahead and get your heavy braid ready, gunk up the reel with a bunch of matted lake scum and get to fishing; you’re going to have a really tough time breaking this bad boy.
How to Choose the Best Baitcasting Reels
When you’re making a decision before finally buying a baitcaster, we believe it’s especially important to consider the following factors:
Smoothness of retrieve: This is the easiest factor to investigate when you put a baitcaster into your hands at the store. Assuming you’re not buying online, the first thing you’ll do is crank the handle and consider its smoothness and feel. You’ll find some of the lesser reels to feel or sound like a coffee grinder at times and obviously, those are the ones you’ll want to avoid. We look for butter-smooth and silent operation throughout the entire retrieve, even when the reel is under a load and fighting a fish. This represents tight tolerances and high-quality components which, in turn, will result in maximum longevity and a bigger return on your investment.
Castability: Obviously this is nearly impossible to test in a store but don’t worry—that’s why we tested the new baitcasters for you. We look for both distance and accuracy when testing the castability of a new baitcaster. Some may skip a jig really well but not throw a lightweight crankbait well, so again, it’s important to consider your preferred application before making your final purchase. We have considered all of that in this piece for your convenience.
Line management: A baitcaster with poor line management might as well be a paperweight and, if we’re being honest, there are some on the market that have really disappointed us in this regard. It’s imperative that a good, quality baitcaster can handle lines of both small and big diameters and different materials.
Comfort: This is an often-overlooked quality when it comes to baitcasters. Some folks like the ultra low-profile reels as that seems to be the trend these days and others like the beefier, more classic-style frames as it gives them more to grip throughout both the retrieve and fight.
Frame durability: This has become a really big deal in the past five or six years. With such an emphasis on weightlessness among manufacturers, frame durability has largely been ignored. A reel can be as light as a feather but it doesn’t matter if you accidentally step on it in the boat and it cracks. It’s incredibly important to have a frame that can stand up to the rigors of hardcore bass fishing.
Price: This might be the most obvious factor to consider but it’s still worth mentioning. If you’re new to fishing or even baitcasters, there’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on a high-end baitcaster. In that situation, you’ll be better off spending $80 to $100 on an introductory-level reel until you get totally comfortable with the concept. If you’re a big-time baitcaster guy, however, you may prefer saving your money for a few extra weeks in order to buy that big-ticket baitcaster.
With the aforementioned considerations in mind, here are the best baitcasters we’ve tested. Make sure to keep checking back on this article as there are several brands we haven’t had our hands on yet and as a result, didn’t make the list. We make a concerted effort to thoroughly test everything we post in these guides so once we’re able to put ‘em through the wringer and if they pass the test, we’ll immediately add them to this piece. So this might be a really good one to bookmark on your phone or computer.
