Successful fishing isn’t about having the most complex or expensive equipment. Instead, it is more about finding the right gear that works for you. The best spincast reels are affordable and easy to use.
So if you want one of these user-friendly reels for yourself or your child, you have come to the right place.
We highly recommend the Zebco Bullet Spincast Fishing Reel for its astonishing retrieval and incredibly smooth casting.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different spincast reels on the market so below we have reviewed 5 of the best spincast reels available.
Best Spincast Reels – Reviews & Buying Guide
Best Overall: Zebco Bullet Spincast Fishing Reel
The Bullet is a simple yet effective reel that can stand toe-to-toe with many baitcasting and spinning reels. Zebco took spincast reels to a whole new level with this model.
The size 30 spincast reel is engineered with many impressive features. These include an anodized aluminum spinner head, instant anti-reverse clutch, and oscillating quick-change spool among others.
Its superior engineering features a 5.1:1 gear ratio, precision machined brass gears, patented no-tangle design, and swappable left and right-hand retrieve.
The Zebco Bullet Spincast Fishing Reel comes complete with a pre-spooled 10 lb line, so you can start fishing right away.
It is no mistake or coincidence that most of the spincast reel reviews will list at least one Zebco reel somewhere near the top of the list.
That’s saying a lot about the manufacturer’s commitment to doling out the best spincast fishing reels.
Our best overall pick is the Bullet Spincast Fishing reel from Zebco. The reel’s performance, reliability, and durability are not easily rivaled, making it the best spincast reel on this list.
For one, it is the fastest spincast reel on the market with an unprecedented retrieve rate of 29.6 inches with each turn of the handle.
That means you don’t have to turn the handle as rigorously as you would with other spincast reels.
While it is geared at 5.1:1, Bullet is still faster than traditional 6.1:1 baitcasting reels and size 20 spinning reels. Now you know why Zebco aptly named the reel bullet.
And speaking of handles, this model has a handle that’s fitted with GripEm All-Weather handle knobs for increased comfort.
Zebco designed this model with an oscillating quick-change spool. This means that when it comes time to switch out spools to add a new line, you don’t have to worry about re-spooling.
Plus, the spool can hold more line. As the oscillating mechanism helps distribute the line evenly to cut bunching or stacking.
With a dial-adjustable drag system engineered to hold up to 14 lbs max of drag, Bullet provides enough power to reel in your trophy catch. Whether that’s a large catfish, walleye, bass, bluegills, or sunfish.
Choose this model if you want the best heavy-duty spincast reel that money can buy.
Featured Specs
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Bearing Material: Aluminum
- Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Pros
- Unmatched retrieval rate with little to no effort
- Ultra-smooth casting and greater casting distance
- Patented no-tangle design suitable for anglers of all experience levels
- Powerful drag system for a spincast reel
- 1-year warranty against defects in workmanship and materials
Cons
- It is a bit on the heavier side
- It is a pricier option, compared to some spincast reels
Runner-Up: RUNCL Spincast Fishing Reel
RUNCL did a fantastic job with this spincast reel. It comes with 7 +1 ball bearings and has a powerful 17.5 lb max drag. That’s enough drag to boat a large catfish.
The reel is engineered with a gear ratio of 4.0:1, which gives it a fairly good speed.
Like most of the other models on this list, this option comes pre-spooled with 160 yards of 10 lb test mono line so it’s ready to land those bigger fish right out of the box.
Looking for a quality spincast reel at a mid-tier price? You’ll hardly go wrong with the RUNCL Spincast Fishing Reel.
A slack line doesn’t stop this reel from giving you the best performance.
Like any good-quality spincast reel, its dual pickup system will quickly grab your fishing line even when it becomes slack.
The reel features 7+1 stainless steel ball bearings designed to deliver smooth performance.
When you combine its high-speed gear ratio and up to 17.5 lb max drag, it will be easy to see why we think this is the best spincast reel for catfish. Provided you pair it with a medium to heavy rod.
Featured Specs
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Bearing Material: Stainless Steel
- Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Pros
- Delivers incredibly smooth performance
- Suitable for a variety of fishing styles
- Strong and durable spincast reel
- Double paddled reversible handle with rubber grips
- Offers more fishing line capacity than many similar models
Cons
- It is a bit larger and slightly on the heavy side
- The line can sometimes get pinched against the cover during casts
Alternative: KastKing Brutus Spincast Fishing Reel
The KastKing Brutus Spincast Fishing Reel offers good quality for the money.
While it is a mid-tier model, it is well built. Plus, it has quite a number of fine small details that give it a sleek, beautiful look.
With a 4.0:1 gear ratio, stainless steel dual pickup system, and five double shielded ball bearings, you can expect to have smooth casts and retrievals with this spincast reel.
Consider getting this option if you are targeting bass, trout, or panfish.
The 11 lb of smooth drag gives KastKing’s Brutus enough power to handle large species. Plus, you can easily adjust the drag tension with only one finger.
KastKing’s Brutus comes in an eye-catching, nature-inspired honeycomb lattice design that looks gorgeous on most modern fishing rods.
But beyond aesthetics, this is one of the few spincast models that can be filled with a braided fishing line.
This says a lot about its ability to reel in bigger fish, making it the best spincast reel for bass fishing and other larger species.
Its reversible handle means that just about any angler can use the reel by simply swapping it from right to left or vice versa to suit their hand orientation.
To make reeling more comfortable, the handle features a double padded design with durable rubber grips.
Featured Specs
- Handle Material: Aluminum
- Bearing Material: Stainless Steel
- Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Pros
- Delivers outstandingly smooth casts
- High speed gear ratio with powerful drag system for large species
- Offers 33% more fishing line capacity
- Comes pre-spooled with 160 yards of 10 lb test mono fishing line
- Elegant honeycomb design looks great on any fishing rod
Cons
- The handle tends to have a some play, making it feel a bit wobbly
- Can be a bit tricky to disassemble for cleaning
Alternative: Pflueger President Spincast Fishing Reel
From Pflueger comes a spincast reel for anglers looking to go on saltwater fishing trips. It has a durable construction with a fair amount of high-quality components.
Some of its most significant features include an aluminum frame, machined aluminum front cone design, stainless steel ball bearings, and dual titanium pins.
The spincast fishing reel delivers nothing short of smooth operation with every cast. This is a solid choice if you are looking for great value at an affordable price point.
When saltwater fishing is top on your list of preferences, a saltwater-rated spincast reel would be an ideal choice.
An excellent pick would be the Pflueger President Spincast Fishing Reel.
Its corrosion-resistant design combined with the wear-resistant dual titanium pins ensures the spincast reel continues to deliver exceptional performance for a long time into the future.
This reel comes in a high-quality aluminum frame with a machined aluminum front cone. That means you are getting a very durable reel with this model.
Thanks to its stainless steel five ball bearings, the reel offers solid and smooth performance. In other words, you’ll hardly notice any rolling friction when you reel in your catch.
You can cast all day with this workhorse reel and land trophy catches without feeling any fatigue due to its soft-touch rubber knob.
Unlike some other models with poor-quality handles, this option features an aircraft-grade aluminum handle that’s sturdy, hard-wearing, and makes reeling a lot easier.
The combination of precise gear alignment, high traction, incredible smoothness, and corrosion resistance makes this reel the best spincast reel for saltwater as far as this list is concerned.
Featured Specs
- Handle Material: Stainless Steel
- Bearing Material: Stainless Steel
- Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous
Pros
- Excellent resistance to corrosion
- Durable construction with wear-resistance materials
- Great choice for seasoned and beginner anglers alike
- Soft-touch rubber knob
- Minimizes rolling friction for easy reeling
Cons
- A rather heavy spincast reel
- Might not fit on some fishing rods
Alternative: KastKing Cadet Spincast Fishing Reel
Designed to make the complete novice cast like a pro in no time, the KastKing Cadet Spincast Fishing Reel is a budget option that performs surprisingly well considering its low price point.
Although it doesn’t come with an abundance of features, it has a few very useful features that make casting easy and absolutely fun.
A fingertip-controlled drag allows the angler to adjust the drag tension using only one finger.
Other noteworthy features include an aluminum front cone and hassle-free casting control push-button.
Available in blazer red and heron blue, anglers can choose whichever color suits their other fishing gear.
KastKing’s Cadet is a viable option if you’re in the market for a spincast reel for kids or younger anglers.
The lightweight graphite reel comes in a low-profile design that fits nicely in smaller hands like those of children.
This is the most affordable model on this list, so it doesn’t have a ton of frills (actually, spincast reels aren’t designed to be complex anyway).
To keep things as simple as possible, KastKing engineered this model with a single handle for easy casting and retrieving.
And for a better and more comfortable fishing experience, the PVC knob handle is padded to make it easy to hold on to.
This spincast reel is available at a low price point but like many of the best-rated spincast reels, it features a dual pickup system that performs excellently even when your finishing line is slack.
This means you can easily and effortlessly retrieve baits, set your hook, and make successive casts very quickly.
Cadet comes pre-spooled with high-quality monofilament fishing line so it’s all set for fishing right out of the box.
That also means you don’t need to spend extra money on a fishing line, at least not immediately.
Featured Specs
- Handle Material: Stainless Steel
- Bearing Material: Stainless Steel
- Hand Orientation: Right Hand
Pros
- Highly affordable option
- Excellent pick for younger anglers
- Low-profile design fits nicely in small hands
- Cute and extremely lightweight model
- Single handle design for ease of use
Cons
- Plastic parts might not be very durable
- Not the best choice if you want to reel for hours on end
Spincast Reels FAQ
Do pro fishermen use spincast reels?
Spincast reels aren’t commonly associated with pro fishermen. But pro fishermen can cast further with top-of-the-line spincast reels than they would with a standard spinning reel. So they may use them when needed.
Pros are more known to use baitcasting reels. But they use spincast reels to achieve greater casting distance when throwing lightweight lures and swimbaits.
Also, spincast reels aren’t often used by professional fishermen as pro anglers don’t like to waste time-fighting fish.
Instead, they yank even the biggest species into the boat using heavy or braided line. A type of fishing line that’s generally unsuitable for use with even the best-rated spincast reels.
Spincast reels are more suited for beginners and casual fishermen who go fishing only a couple of times a month.
The reels are also great if you are targeting small species that generally weigh less than 5 lbs.
Can you use spincast reel in saltwater?
Yes, you can use a spincast reel in saltwater.
But before you go saltwater fishing with the first spincast reel that crosses your path, there are a few things you must be aware of.
First, saltwater fishing demands the use of slightly different fishing equipment, especially reels.
That’s because salt residue can and will eventually cause some serious damage to your reel since the piece of gear is mostly metal.
Keep in mind that salt will cause corrosion of the metal parts of your reel and speed up the rusting process.
Even if you thoroughly dry your spincast reel after fishing in saltwater, it can still get damaged.
In other words, the second thing to be aware of is to properly clean your spincast reel as soon as you are done fishing in saltwater.
If you don’t clean your reel immediately after a saltwater fishing trip, it won’t be long before you end up with a rusty reel.
Soon enough, the reel won’t be smooth when you retrieve the line and the handle will feel stiff. You’ll have less control when you need to fight a fish.
Plus, the spool won’t spin smoothly and that will impair the casting distance.
Also, you will likely experience catch loss as well as tackle loss. That’s because line-cut offs are a common occurrence when the reels drag system is corroded or rusty.
For these reasons, take the time to clean your spincast reel after fishing in saltwater. Thankfully, this isn’t difficult and should only take about 10 minutes.
Simply use fresh water, soap, and a wet towel to wipe down the reel. Thoroughly rinse and dry it before lubricating all the moving parts.
Consider spraying a protective coating to prevent moisture. And remember to tighten the drag before you start cleaning and loosen it after cleaning and drying.
Lastly, invest in the best spincast reel for saltwater you can afford if saltwater fishing is top on your list of priorities.
Saltwater-rated spincast reels typically have higher corrosion resistance.
All the sensitive parts of a saltwater-rated spincast reel are properly sealed to prevent water, dirt, and sand from coming in contact with the components and causing damage.
Are closed face reels good?
All reel types have their benefits and downsides, and closed face reels aren’t an exception. By the way, a closed face reel is another name for a spincast reel.
One of the biggest advantages of closed-faced reels is their ease of use. They are so simple and easy to use that beginners and even kids can get a handle on them in no time.
That’s because their push-button design takes all the guesswork out of casting.
There is no steep learning curve or finesse necessary. Little wonder spincast reels are very popular with newbie anglers and children.
In most cases, just about anyone can operate closed face reels with only one hand.
Plus, they are inexpensive, making them great entry-level reels for newbie anglers.
Of course, they are great budget reels, so you can have a couple of them in your fishing arsenal as backup reels.
Unlike open face reels and baitcasting reels, there are hardly any issues of resistance with closed face reels. This means snares, line twists, or backlashes are very rare with a closed face reel.
Despite all the above advantages, closed face reels aren’t without a few pitfalls. For the most part, closed face reels are best used with a monofilament line.
Also, while casting is a lot easier because of the push-button design, they are generally not the best option when it comes to long-distance casting.
Another weakness with the closed face reels is the difficulty of getting out of a backlash.
While line twists and snares are rare with these simple reels, fixing backlashes can be a nightmare.
Bottom line: closed face or spincast reels don’t have the drag systems suitable for big fish.
But closed face reels are great for light fishing and simplicity, which are what they are originally designed for.
How much line should I put on a closed face reel?
The exact amount of line to put on a closed face reel varies between different manufacturers and generally depends on the weight of the line.
For example, a reel may hold 150 yards of 2 lb test line but can only hold 100 yards of 10 lb test line.
It is important not to overload the spool, as this will likely cause the line to slip off very frequently.
For the best results, keep the fill level between 1/8-inch and 1/16-inch from the tip of the reel’s lip, depending on your specific closed face reel type.
Conclusion
A well-rounded angler should have a variety of tackles, rods, and reels in their lineup of gear.
That’s another way of saying even if you are an experienced angler, it doesn’t hurt to have one or more reel options from this list of the best spincast reels.
We highly recommend the Zebco Bullet Spincast Fishing Reel for its astonishing retrieval and incredibly smooth casting.
However, you should go with the model that works best for you in terms of functionality and budget. Thankfully, most of the options on this list are very affordable.
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