The weight of an ultralight spinning reel is one of its biggest advantages. It allows you to fish all day long without experiencing pain, fatigue, or wrist stiffness. If you have kids who like to fish, an ultralight reel is a good way to get them into the sport.
Our favorite is the Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Reel. It’s an affordable yet effective spinning reel with excellent features.
There are plenty of spinning reels on the market. While this is a good thing, you don’t want to simply pick any ultralight spinning reel for your fishing adventure.
So in this article, we’ll show you some of the most reliable options that are worth buying for your next fishing expedition.
Some of the models are from well-known brands and a few others might sound new to you.
Pay attention to the pros and cons, as no reel is perfect. This will help you determine which option best suits your fishing needs.
Let’s begin!
Best Ultralight Spinning Reel – Reviews & Buying Guide
Best Overall: Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Reel
Product Overview
Consider the Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Reel if you are in the market for an affordable yet effective spinning reel with excellent features.
Its high ratings on nearly all online stores and its sheer popularity speak volumes about the build quality and reliable performance.
The reel offers plenty of likable features, including smooth cranking, excellent drags, effortless casting, and lots of speed.
Pflueger President is definitely of the best ultralight spinning reels you’ll find in its price range. You may as well go with this option if precision and performance rank high on your list of preferences.
Featured Spec
- Weight: 0.46 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Color: Multicolor (Gold, Gray)
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Excellent for fishing bass
- Great for saltwater fishing
- Suitable for hiking and backpacking
- Easily switch between left and right hands
Cons
- Can get issues with line twists
Product Review
Pflueger’s popularity among fishermen has got nothing to do with clever advertising. Instead, it is a result of several years of consistent quality and remarkable precision design from the manufacturer.
The President Spinning Fishing Reel follows the brand’s tradition of high-quality, innovative, and dependable products. The reel comes with an excellent braid-ready spool designed to offer an efficient fishing experience.
And the best part?
It is very affordable so you don’t have to break the bank to own this effective quality spinning reel.
In terms of design, Pflueger built this reel with a lightweight graphite body. The rotor and rod are also made from graphite, making the reel very light, 10% lighter than previous Pflueger reels. The graphite material also increases durability.
It features an aircraft-grade aluminum handle for extra durability.
When it comes to performance, the President Spinning reel exceeds other options in the same price range. The reel uses corrosion-resistant stainless steel bearings, providing it with very smooth retrieval.
The slow oscillating gearing combined with an oiled felt sealed drag system does more than help you to fight strong fish. It also protects your line, especially when you fish ultralight tackle.
The reel is easy to use for beginners as well as more seasoned anglers. Plus, you can use the reel in both freshwater and saltwater conditions, thanks to its aluminum construction and stainless steel bearings.
Runner-Up: Shimano Stradic FL Spinning Fishing Reel
Product Overview
Shimano sets an entirely new performance standard for reels in the Stradic FL Spinning Reel price point. Designed with the latest cutting-edge technologies, Shimano offer anglers a reel that can help them land any quarry in both freshwater and saltwater conditions.
You’ll pay a lot more than our overall pick if you’re eyeing the Stradic FL. But it will be money well invested. Many anglers who’ve used this model won’t hesitate to trade some of their pricier reels for this option. This might be the right reel for you if you want a strong, incredibly durable, and whisper-smooth reel.
Featured Spec
- Weight: 0.56 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Color: Silver
Pros
- Taller spool for casting farther
- Lighter than similar reels
- Suitable for freshwater and saltwater fishing
- Incredibly strong and durable
- Lots of drag settings
Cons
- It’s more expensive than other options
- Slightly heavier than similar options
Product Review
It is difficult to find a reel at this price point with such superb rotational smoothness and remarkable power transfer. Shimano took things up a notch with the Stradic FL reel by equipping it with the Micro Module Gear II system for smoother and tighter gearing.
All the moving parts are redesigned using the SilentDrive technology to eliminate noise and dampen vibrations. Also, it features an ultra-hard Hagane body that’s incredibly rigid and a forged drive gear that provides unstoppable power, regardless of the heavy load.
When it comes to holding up to saltwater exposure and repeated abuse, the Stradic FL does remarkably well. The shielded SA-RB stainless steel ball bearings significantly reduce the possibility of sand and other corrosive elements affecting the rotation of the bearings.
In addition to this, the Stradic FL comes with an X-Protect waterproofing system that ensures longevity.
To make the angling experience even better, Shimano’s FL reel is designed with a G-Free Body technology that moves the center of gravity closer to the angler’s hand position. This design minimizes fatigue and improves casting comfort.
Talking of casting, the Long Stroke Spool design ensures that each cast is very accurate and can reach long distances.
As you’ll have probably guessed, Shimano packed this reel with lots of features to make reeling as efficient as possible. Little wonder many anglers swear by the Stradic FL.
Alternative: Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel
Product Overview
Not everyone wants to spend a few hundred dollars on a fishing reel. If that’s you, Okuma offers a budget spinning reel that might interest you.
This option might be extremely affordable but there’s nothing cheap about its construction and performance. It works well in all water conditions, so you don’t have to spend money on another reel specifically designed for saltwater fishing.
The ultralight spinning reel is rated for 2 to 6 pounds test lines and creates a strong foundation for monofilament and braided lines. It is the best ultralight spinning reel for trout in its price point.
Featured Spec
- Weight: 0.5 pounds
- Material: Synthetic
- Color: Multicolor
Pros
- Highly affordable
- Easy to use
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Durable construction
- Corrosion resistant materials
Cons
- Possible flex during reeling
- Smaller design might not be suitable for larger hands
Product Review
Larger fishing gear is great but can quickly become overkill when you are targeting trout, crappie, sunfish, bluegill, and small perch. That’s where the Ceymar Spinning Reel by Okuma shines.
This rather small and affordable spinning fishing reel works great for smaller and lighter catches. It is also a fantastic pick for a small ice fishing outfit. And when paired with the brand’s fishing rod, you’ll have a powerful ultralight spinning reel combo.
One of the most remarkable features of Ceymar is the multi-disk drag system. Instead of the drag wheel and washer available with traditional drag systems, this model uses a series of drag wheels and washers in combination with oiled felt components to provide stronger and smoother drag.
The multi-drag system minimizes slips and increases consistency. It also helps to reduce the reel’s overall weight since the system allows for a sleeker and smaller profile. Ceymar spots a sleek design owing to its two-tone anodized aluminum spool for a stylish, eye-catching appearance.
Beyond aesthetics, the reel is constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, so you don’t have to worry about using it in all water types and weather conditions.
To enhance its performance, the reel is engineered with an anti-reverse roller bearing that effectively engages the drag system when it comes time to fight your catch. It also prevents the reel from turning backward.
This ultralight spinning reel review will be incomplete without Okuma’s model that gives you plenty of bang for your money.
Alternative: Penn Fierce III Fishing Reel
Product Overview
The Fierce III by Penn is an excellent pick for anglers looking to buy a decent entry-level spinning reel.
It comes with a few noteworthy upgrades such as the HT100 carbon fiber drag washer and felt drag system. Penn did some impressive work with this spin reel, so you can expect the drag system to work pretty hard for a long time before any major maintenance is required.
Due to its full-metal body construction, you won’t experience any twist and flex with this option, making it one of the best ultralight spinning reels at this price point.
Featured Spec
- Weight: 0.3 pounds
- Material: Aluminum
- Color: Red, Black
Pros
- Reliable HT100 carbon fiber washer drag system
- Doesn’t flex or bend
- Great spool capacity
- Balanced rotor for smooth retrieves
- Instant anti-reverse bearing
Cons
- Heavier than many inshore reels
- Only one ball bearing is sealed
Product Review
There’s a lot to love about the Penn Fierce III, especially because of its all-metal body and side plate. This construction prevents flex and twist, even when you’re tasking the reel under heavy loads. The metal body allows the gears to maintain alignment and mesh, and in turn, extends the lifespan of the gears.
Perhaps the most impressive upgrade of the Penn Fierce II is the HT100 carbon fiber drag washers. This feature offers a significantly higher level of durability compared to earlier iterations.
The drag system works pretty smoothly even under heavy loads. And that’s in addition to offering a substantial max drag. The smallest size Fierce III (1000 box) can deliver 9 pounds of drag while the largest size in the series (8000 box) is capable of providing a remarkable 30 pounds of drag.
When you combine the max drag and decent spool capacity, you can be sure of targeting a wide variety of fish species.
Fierce III also comes with an anti-reverse bearing feature and an alloy superline spool, which allows you to spool braid directly without necessarily adding mono backing.
While the full-metal body of the Penn Fierce III provides extra fighting power and protects the gears, it does make the reel a bit heavy. So, you may want to consider one of the other options on this ultralight spinning reel review if you plan to spend the entire day making dozens of casts.
Alternative: Piscifun Carbon X Spinning Reel
Product Overview
If you are in the market for the best ultralight spinning reel under $100, you might want to have a closer look at the Carbon X ultralight spinning reel.
Piscifun designed this model for use in both freshwater and saltwater, so you can just have one reel for all fishing adventures.
You can expect remarkable casting abilities with this reel, regardless of the kind of lures you use.
Featured Spec
- Weight: 0.35 pounds
- Material: Stainless steel, Aluminum
- Color: Black
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Super lightweight construction
- Braid ready spool
- Stylish design
- Highly responsive and fast
Cons
- Not very smooth under heavy load
- Requires greasing before use
Product Review
Piscifun is known for manufacturing first-rate fishing gear, and the Carbon X Spinning Reel is no exception.
Featuring a feather-light design that weighs a mere 0.35 pounds (5.7 ounces), this is arguably the lightest reel in its class. To make it as light as possible, Piscifun crafted the reel with an all-carbon fiber body, rotor, and side plate. This means you can spend an entire day targeting trophy fish without experiencing fatigue in your wrist.
This particular model under review (the 1000 model) comes with a 5.2:1 gear ratio for a buttery smooth retrieve. However, the higher models (2000 and above) offer an even faster 6.2:1 gear ratio for a lightning-fast retrieve.
Carbon X comes with a robust drag system, featuring an oversized carbon washer that’s excellent for finesse fishing. For extra protection, it is fitted with a sealed rubber ring to keep the drag from being damaged by dust and water.
Other standout features include the reinforced main shaft made with anti-corrosion stainless steel, direct-drive screw-in aluminum handle, alloy drive gear, and a high-density EVA knob, among others.
Ultralight Spinning Reel FAQ
What is an ultralight reel?
An ultralight reel is a reel that weighs less than 0.62 pounds (10 ounces). However, ultralight reels are not a type of reel in the strict sense of the term. Instead, it is a term used to refer to the smallest size or models of spinning reels.
Typically, ultralight reels fall into the 10 to 25 (or 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500) reel sizes. These smaller reels are suitable for targeting smaller fish species, including crappie, panfish, trout, and bluegill.
The weight of an ultralight reel is one of its biggest advantages. It allows you to fish all day long without experiencing pain, fatigue, or wrist stiffness. If you have kids who like to fish, an ultralight reel is a good way to get them into the sport.
While they work great for throwing smaller lures in clearer water conditions, ultralight reels are limited to lighter lines.
Can you catch bass on an ultralight?
Technically, ultralight fishing tools are meant for targeting the smallest fish species, such as panfish and trout. That’s because the term “ultralight” technically refers to the lightest rods and reels.
However, manufacturers in the bass fishing world have adapted these delicate fishing tools to catch bass of all sizes and in all conditions.
Keep in mind that if you plan to catch bass with an ultralight spinning reel, you need to look for one that weighs less than 0.62 pounds (10 ounces). Thankfully, all of the models in this ultralight spinning reel review meet this requirement.
Ideally, the reel should be rated to hold at least 110 yards of a 4-pound test line. Also, look out for models with large diameter spool. If you attempt to catch bass with an ultralight spinning reel that has a small diameter spool diameter, you will likely experience slow retrieval, kinking, and excessive line memory.
For the perfect ultralight spinning reel combo for targeting bass, you will need a long, flexible rod with a fast tip and a powerful butt section. An ideal rod length would be between 6 1/2 and 8-foot long, and not the typically short rod used in the 4 to 5-foot range.
Also, you want to make sure that the rod has enough backbone to land a largemouth and is flexible enough to cast 1/32 to 1/8th-ounce lures.
What are 1000 reels good for?
1000 spinning reels are great for lightweight rods. Typically, a 1000 reel is the smallest-sized reel. Meaning, it has a smaller diameter spool and works best with 2 to 6-pound test monofilament or 4 to 8-pound test braid lines.
With these spinning reels, you can go after small fish species of up to 15 pounds. The most common species a 1000 spinning reel is used for are trout, whiting, and bream.
In most cases, 1000 reels are ideal for freshwater applications, including light fishing in rivers, bays, lakes, and harbors. But they can also work in protected coastal waters.
How do I make my spinning reel smoother?
Oiling and greasing your spinning reel can make it smoother. If your spinning reel doesn’t come with a sealing technology, it can get stuck and the handle can become difficult to turn. This is especially the case if the reel is exposed to excessive salt spray or dipped in saltwater.
When dirt and salt deposits build up on the ball bearings, gears, and other internal parts, it can cause the reel to jam, seize up, or become less smooth.
To properly lubricate the spinning reel, take it apart completely and clean the internal parts. Degrease the gears and apply oil and grease to the right components.
Indeed, greasing and oiling can help make your spinning reel smoother. But if you are a beginner, it is usually a good idea to let a professional cleaning service or at least a more experienced angler take the reel apart.
That’s because it can be difficult to piece the reel back together again. Also, it takes experience to find the right grease and oil.
Conclusion
No doubt, a reel plays a vital role in landing a catch.
The quality of your reel will affect your presentation, casting, hook, and retrieval. This is why you should pay close attention to the type of reel you choose for your fishing adventure.
With the right reel in hand, your efforts will likely yield bountiful results that will put a smile on your face after a long day of fishing.
This ultralight spinning reels review has presented some of the top ultralight spinning reels at different price points so you can choose one that meets your fishing preferences and budget.
Consider Pflueger’s President if want the best ultralight spinning reel that combines performance with affordability. Ceymar is another insanely affordable option for those on a budget or who prefer to spend as little as possible on a good-quality reel. But you prefer an expensive, feature-rich reel the Shimano Stradic FL should be on your radar.
Regardless of which option on this list you choose, you can rest assured that you are getting one of the top ultralight spinning reels that will serve you for a long time.
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