Best High End Spinning Reels – 2019 Update

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Best high end fishing reel

Some Great Fishing Reel Options From Zebco, Daiwa, Pflueger, Penn and Cadence

While it is certainly possible to find a quality fishing reel under $100 in 2019, the best performing and most durable reels tend cost a bit more. If you are in the market for a reel that will stand up to the elements, deliver superior versatility and performance and last for many years, these high end reels are your best bet.

With the introduction of mare products and brands every year it can be tough to sort through all the options to find the spinning reel that is right for you. Hopefully this post will help you get the reel that best suits your needs.

Cadence CS10

The Cadence CS10 fishing reel offers an excellent value from a performance and durability standpoint.

Features:

  • Magnesium frame
  • 10 ball bearings plus 1 instant anti-reverse baring
  • Carbon composite rotor and side plate
  • Machined aluminum spool
  • Size: 6.6″ x 5.5″ x 3.5″
  • Carbon fiber handle and EVA knob
  • Saltwater or freshwater

If you are in the market for a high end reel the Cadence CS10 is tough to beat. It has a high quality fit and finish, a smooth drag and a durable carbon fiber handle. In Spite of it’s plus $100 tag the CS10 is a bargain from a quality and feature standpoint.

Cadence is a relatively new reel company, but they have established themselves as a great value in the fishing world. They are able to sell their high quality gear at relatively low prices by selling exclusively online.

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Zebco Iron PT Spinning Reel 

Zebco Iron PT Spinning Reel - Size 50

Features:

  • 6 Bearings (5 + Clutch)
  • SaltGuard 2.0 multi-layer corrosion protection finish
  • TiMAG titanium fail-proof bail wire with magnetic trip
  • MaxCastII spool design
  • Continuous Anti-Reverse clutch
  • SCR aluminum body and side cover

Specifications:

  • Type: Spinning
  • Bearings: 5 + 1
  • Anti-Reverse: Continuous
  • Hand Retrieve: Right/Left
  • Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
  • Inches Per Turn: 33″
  • Mono Capacity (yds./lbs.): 225/12
  • Max Drag: 22 lbs.
  • Weight: 11.9 oz.

The Iron PT series takes saltwater fishing to the next level with high-performance technologies including the SCR aluminum body with SaltGuard 2.0 corrosion protection and a sealed CSC ceramic, stainless steel and carbon-fiber drag system.

The titanium bail on the Iron PT is a great feature, because that tends to be the part of a reel that takes the most abuse in almost all types of fishing. The weather sealing on this reel is effective enough that you don’t have to worry about accidentally dunking it in the water. Overall this is an impressive lightweight reel than is versatile enough to replace several specialized reels which ultimately more than justifies the price tag.

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Penn Spinfisher SSV4500

Penn Spinfisher SSV4500 Fishing Reel

Features:

  • Full Metal Body, sideplate, and Techno Balanced rotor
  • Machined and anodized aluminum Superline spool with Line Capacity Rings
  • Sealed HT-100 Slammer Drag System
  • Instant Anti-Reverse
  • 5 shielded stainless steel ball bearings.
  • Friction Trip Ramp for accurate long distance casting
  • Can be used with Berkley or Spiderwire Superline

The  Spinfisher V by Penn features a Water Tight Design so whether you dunk the reel in the surf, or let it ride in the spray all the way home, you don’t have to worry about saltwater getting into the gearbox or drag system. The Slammer Drag System is a truly sealed drag system with a total of 3 HT-100 drag washers (1 on the top of the spool, 2 underneath the spool). A Full Metal Body and side plate keep precise gear alignment under heavy loads.

At it’s current  price point the Spinfisher is one of the toughest most durable reels in it’s class. If you fish in in places where you tend to get your reel wet, sandy and dirty then the Spinfisher might be a good choice. It can take a beating and still keep casting. This durability comes with some added weight when compared to other reels on this list. At 2.7 lbs it is over twice as heavy as the Zebco Iron PT mentioned above.

One of the best features of the Spinfisher V is it’s friction trip ramp which is helpful for preventing premature bail trip when casting. Another helpful feature of the Spinfisher is it’s line capacity rings which are marked at 1/3, 2/3, and full capacity which allows anglers to quickly and easily see how much line is left.

The Spinfisher comes in eight different sizes and eleven different models, so it should be easy to find a version that fits your needs.

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Fin-Nor Offshore™ Series

Zebco - Quantum Fin-nor 95 Size Offshore Reel

Features:

  • CNC machined-aluminum body, rotor and side-plates
  • Stainless steel drive gear, pinion gear and center shaft
  • 4 double-shielded stainless steel bearings
  • Oversized 11-disc offshore drag system
  • Anti-corrosion protective coating
  • Fin-Nor’s sealed Offshore MegaDrag™ multi-stacked drag system
  • Six sizes available

Fin-nor’s tagline for their Offshore series of reels is, “Big reels with big ambitions”. Props to the marketing team for coming up with a catchy slogan, but that means nothing if the reel doesn’t back it up when it is in use. Fortunately the Offshore series of reels makes good on their slogan. There are six different sized reels in the Offshore series, and they all feature Fin-Nor’s sealed Offshore MegaDrag™ multi-stacked drag system and a fail proof external bail trip.

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Quantum Vapor PT

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Features:

  • Ani Corrosion Bearings
  • Patented nickel titanium bearings
  • Reel Engine Design
  • Aluminum uni-body construction
  • Foot forward offset design for better balance.
  • Maxcast 2.0 lip design

Specifications:

  • Type: Spinning
  • Cork rubber handle
  • Titanium bail
  • Bearings: 9:1
  • Rotor Construction: Carbon fiber
  • Weight: 11.8oz
  • Dimension: 4″x3″x3″

The Vapor PT from from Quantum is a durable, lightweight spinning reel. that features an oversized 90mm carbon fiber handle, cork rubber handles and an aluminum frame. The aluminum uni-body construction has a foot forward offset design to shift the weight for greater balance. The Vapor PT casts like a dream and spool stroke is optimized for even line lay and reduced vibration.

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Zebco  Smoke Spinning Reel

Zebco Smoke Spinning Reel 

Features:

  • Continuous Anti-Reverse clutch
  • 10 Bearings (9 + Clutch)
  • Lightweight aluminum body and side plate
  • Carbon fiber and ceramic drag system
  • Speed Freak 6.2:1 gears for 33″ per turn retrieve

Specifications:

  • Type: Spinning
  • Bearings: 9+1
  • Anti-Reverse: Continuous
  • Hand Retrieve: Right/Left
  • Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
  • Inches Per Turn: 33″
  • Mono Capacity (yds./lbs.): 150/8
  • Max Drag: 18 lbs.
  • Weight: 7.6 oz.

The high-speed Smoke PT Speed Freak models feature a blazing fast 6.2:1 gear ratio for high speed techniques, along with an indestructible titanium bail wire, lightweight C4LF carbon-fiber rotor design and CSC carbon-stainless-ceramic drag system.

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Zebco – Quantum EnergyPTi 11bb

Zebco - Quantum EnergyPTi 11bb Spinning Reel with Spare Braid Ready Spool 25szFeatures:

  • Polymer-stainless hybrid PT bearings
  • LMS line management system
  • Continuous Anti-Reverse
  • Machined aluminum handle
  • Double-anodized aluminum spool
  • SCR aluminum frame and side cover
  • Extra Spool

The Quantum Energy PTi series has a legendary reputation as a solid performer on the professional tournament trail, and for the weekend angler that knows how to target big fish. With 11 bearings for ultra-smooth cranking and an indestructible titanium bail wire, Energy PTi provides worry-free fishing when it’s all on the line.

The Supreme XT is the lightest reel in its class, and delivers years of quality performance. Its super-lightweight magnesium body and rotor, braid ready aluminum spool, and sealed carbon fiber drag are perfect for freshwater or inshore fishing. This reel is also incredibly comfortable to fish, featuring a lightweight carbon fiber handle, EVA handle knob, and effortless retrieve.

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Pflueger Supreme XT 35

Pflueger Supreme XT 35 Spinning Reel Features:

  • 10 Bearing System: Corrosion resistant stainless steel ball bearings
  • Magnesium Body and Rotor: Feather light design
  • Braid Ready Spool: Allows braid to be tied directly to spool
  • Sealed Carbon Drag: Sealed system, always lubricated, always smooth
  • Carbon Handle: 21% lighter than aluminum
  • EVA Knob: High density EVA, lightweight comfort
  • Slow Oscillation Gearing: Improves line lay and minimizes line twist

Specifications:

  • Reel Size: 35
  • Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
  • Retrieve Rate: 33.80″
  • Bearings: 10
  • Braid Capacity (Yards/lbs): 250/8, 220/10, and 160/14
  • Mono Capacity (Yards/lbs): 230/6, 185/8, and 155/10
  • Max Drag: 12 lbs
  • Anti Reverse: Instant
  • Spare Spool Material: No
  • Weight: 8.00 lbs

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