Do you want to catch fish? Then you must have a good spinning reel!
Believe me, a good spinning rod equipped with a good spinning reel in your hand can increase the comfort of fishing and will increase your chances of getting the catch.
There are a good number of fishing rods and reels available in the market. So it is always challenging to choose a good one. Don’t worry, we are here to help.
We are not looking for the best spinning reel only, but we are looking for a budget-friendly Spinning Reel.
Our top choices are below three.
| Image | Product | Details | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Reel | – Works on both Saltwater & Freshwater – Smooth action | Check Price |
 | KastKing Summer and Centron Spinning Reels | – Works on both Saltwater & Freshwater – Best value for money | Check Price |
 | SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel | – Great for Saltwater fishing – Fast, powerful & durable spinning reel | Check Price |
01. Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Reel
President Spinning Fishing Reel from Pflueger is one of the highest-rated budget-friendly fishing reels on Amazon. It has 7 corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball bearings and a Graphite body and rotor.
The reel is a lightweight graphite construction with braid ready spool. It allows Braid to be tied directly to the spool.
Smooth operation and easy movement with improved line lay minimize the line twist, it’s the best feature of Pflueger President Spinning Fishing Reel.
It is a budget-friendly solution for fishing small fishes like crappie, trout, bluegill, sunfish, and others.
Features:
- Smooth movement action with 7 Corrosion-resistant stainless steel ball bearings.
- Graphite body and rotor with lightweight graphite reel construction.
- Braid ready spool.
- Sealed Drag System – lubricated and smooth operation.
02. KastKing Summer and Centron Spinning Reels
The market is full of mid-priced spinning reels and you must have seen some expensive ones too. The price varies depending on the build quality and line holding capacity of a reel. And when you are on a tight budget but looking for everything a premium grade spinning reel has to offer then look no further than the KastKing Summer and Centron Spinning Reels.
Anybody who loves fishing will be happy to get it as a gift. The lightweight narrow graphite body with a powerful drag that can handle medium to big fishes like snapper, large bass, and catfish, etc.
It has the same smooth action on both fresh and saltwater. It has the hardened metal main shaft, perfect mesh drive gear and precision machined pinion gear for fish fighting power.
Features
- KastKing Summer and Centron offers the best value and loaded with features.
- Lightweight narrow graphite frame design and computer balancing system.
- Superior Drag System offers incredible stopping power up to 17.5LBs.
- Great finish with high strength anodized aluminum spool.
- It has a power launch lip for further casting.
03. SeaKnight Rapid Saltwater Spinning Reel
When we compared the low-priced spinning reel in the market we have seen that SEAKNIGHT is a popular name among fishing sports lovers. Not only do they produce good quality products in a budget range, but their designs and R&D system are superb.
SeaKnight rapid saltwater spinning reel is designed with shield ball bearings, anti-water, and anti-dust spool. A perfect weapon for saltwater fishing who loves to fish on the seashore.
The new Rapid-II is more lightweight, powerful to drag up to 15 kilograms of fish. A specialty designed spinning reel that prevents water and dust damage.
Features:
- Anti-corrosive coating for salt and freshwater use.
- Enhanced thicker main shaft and a carbon fiber drag system with 15kg/33LB drag power.
- High-quality 10+1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings create a smooth operation.
- Rapid II is a fast, powerful, durable reel. Perfect for inshore fishing for Bass, Stripers, Walleyes, Catfish, and Northern Pike.
Apart from these top three choices, there are a few more good spinning reels if you are on a tight budget. Let’s check out some of them.
04. Okuma Avenger ABF B Series Baitfeeder Reels
Okuma Avenger can be your perfect companion if you are a beginner-level angler. There is always a point when you start a new hobby and want a product that will give you ease of use, yet you do not want to spend as much as the pro-level anglers, this should be your choice then.
It’s made with Stainless Steel, Aluminum, and Graphite. The body is silver and black colored with a gold reel line wheel.
Avenger Baitfeeder spinning reels series begin at size 20. This is a perfect choice for baiting trout and panfish on small ponds, lakes, and reservoirs. You need to remember that this is not your regular spinning reel. The variation Okuma created is more effective for small to medium fishes like catfish, carp, and other similar fishes that tend to suck the bait.
Their bait feeder technology is just perfect for beginners. There is a secondary drag system in the rear of the reel. The Baitfeeder switch can completely disengage the primary drag system, while the line is well under control with the closed bail of the reel.
Baitfeeder switch allows you to keep a balanced tension and when the fish eat the bait, with a flick you can disengage the bait feeder system and activate the primary drag system.
Features:
- Auto trip bait feeding system allows disengagement of the spool and free-running line without opening the bail.
- Multi-disc drag system with oiled washers.
- 6BB + 1RB bearing drive system.
- 6 ball bearings + one quick-set anti-reverse roller bearing.
- Corrosion-resistant construction with a cut brass pinion gear.
05. Mitchell 300 Spinning Fishing Reel
Mitchel is well known for high-quality fishing equipment. The Mitchell 300 is an excellent choice for both beginners and pro-level anglers. The reel is built with a strong advanced polymeric body, Aluminum handle, and spool for added strength. It is loaded with 8 bearings with an instant Anti-Reverse for smooth operation.
Mitchell 300 has one of the best innovative Bail Halo for superior strength and its Multi-Disk System helps to keep consistent drag pressure so your lines do not break.
Features:
- Innovative strong Bail Halo with 8 Bearings gives an instant Anti-Reverse for smooth operation and superior strength.
- Advanced polymeric body, Aluminum handle, and spool
- Multi-Disk System for consistent drag pressure
How to Choose the Best Spinning Reel under $50
When you have fixed a budget you already have narrowed down your choices. This was the first hurdle, but there are still plenty of things to consider to get a good spinning reel under $50. Your choice should be made on a few facts. It depends on the place you are going to fish and how big a catch you are looking for. Are you fishing in saltwater or freshwater… etc?
Max Drag
If you are fishing on saltwater you should choose a reel that has the most stable drag system in this budget. Most saltwater species tend to fight harder than freshwater fishes.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio determines how swift you can retrieve your lines. This is an important thing to fight with your trophy. For example, a gear ratio with 6:1 will give you faster movement and line retrievals but it is not ideal to catch bigger fishes. On the other hand, a gear ratio of 4:1 will give you more power to bag the bigger fishes.
For novice anglers, a medium gear ratio of 5:1 is the perfect spinning reel to start.
Ball Bearings and Built Material
The better the ball bearings are on your spinning reel the smoother the operation will be. Also, a corrosive-resistant stainless steel ball-bearing is preferable for lightweight and longer-lasting spinning reel. The number of the ball bearings plays an important role in this regard.
If the body is made with graphite or Aluminum this can be an advantage point. These materials ensure strengths and lightweight operation.
A lightweight and strong build fishing reel can change the way you fish. Your hand won’t get tired if you hold the spinning rod for a longer period. Your movement will be faster too.
But, to get a lightweight fishing reel you shouldn’t neglect the build quality.
We buy spinning reels and rods so they can last longer, for years, probably a lifetime. But, not always this is true, so you should also check if the company provides any warranty for the product.
You should start with budget fishing tools at the beginning and when you are accustomed to your moves and timing then you can move to choose a more pricey one. Happy Fishing!
