Do you love fishing when you are on holiday? If you do, then you also know that you need the right fishing equipment in order to make a catch. Contrary to what many people think, fishing is not as easy as pronouncing the word, especially for beginners. However, with the best spincast reel in your possession, you can easily go about your fishing business.
Here is a comprehensive review of five of the best spincast reels that you will get in the market today. This article also includes a buying guide to help you with the shopping.
The Spincast Reels
How to Choose the Right Spincast Reel for Your Needs
When you venture into the market to get the best spincast reel for your fishing escapades, it is imperative to make a couple of considerations.
For instance, you have to keep in mind that you will find numerous brands in the market with each featuring different specifications and quality.
The worst that can happen is buying an equipment that will fail to deliver when you are at your favorite hunting spot in the lake. To avoid such a scenario, we have outlined some of the most important things that you should consider before purchasing a spincast reel.
The body
Most fishing beginners do not know what to look out for when they are getting themselves their first spincast reel.
One of the most important things to look out for, whether you are a novice or an expert, is the body of your spincast reel.
There are tons of reels in the market, and each is constructed with different kinds of material. You have to know that a spincast reel with a great body design makes fishing much easier because it not only enhances durability but also stability.
Spincast reels are mainly made of aluminum or graphite. Be sure to choose the best spincast reel for your needs, but keep in mind that aluminum made reels cost a lot more than those made of graphite.
The drag system
Any angler will gladly confirm that the drag system is one of the most important things to look out for in any fishing reel.
Basically, you need bait in order to catch fish, and drag is the amount of resistance that is delivered to the line when a fish tries to get, or rather swim away with the bait.
Both the test line and rod depend on the drag system for optimum performance. It greatly contributes to the strength and stability of the line to ensure that it will not break as the fish struggles.
Spincast reels feature two kinds of drag systems:
- The first kind is large, and it enables you to operate the reel easily with just two fingers. It is usually situated on the side of your spincast reel.
- The other kind of drag has handles with a small wheel. This kind has a + and – sign on the two ends of the drag managing wheel. This allows you to adjust your reel accordingly.
So, when you hit the market next time to get a spincast reel, be sure to check out this aspect.
The crank/handle
When you are in pursuit of the ideal spincast reel, one of the key things to look out for is the handle. After all, there is no way you can fish successfully without a handle because it helps to roll the fishing line.
Ideally, you’d want a handle with an anti-reverser system. This is quality enables you to turn your reel forward. It is imperative to get yourself a reel that has a comfortable feel for easy handling. Moreover, you should ensure to get a reel whose handle is not only strong but also easy to hold.
Fishing line capacity
The fishing line capacity is also a necessary consideration. As an angler, you should already know your fishing grounds and the type and size of fish that are there. The spincast you get should have a high-quality fishing line capacity to enable you to catch fish with ease.
The gear ratio
When you are looking for the ideal spincast reel, ensure to assess the gear ratio. The gear ratio greatly determines the speed with which you will be able to retrieve the line as well as how easy it will be to bring in heavy catches.
The gear ratio is usually expressed in numbers such as 2:6:1 or 2:4:1. The first number represents the amount of time the line is wound around the spincast reel, while the second represents the number of complete handle turns.
A spincast reel with a higher ratio allows you to retrieve the line much faster, while that with a lower ratio retrieves it at a slower rate.
The slower rate is ideal for big/heavier catches. When assessing the gear ratio, you need to first have a grasp of the type of fish you want to haul in. Selecting the right one will guarantee you an impressive fishing experience.
Understand the type of fish species you want to catch
There are numerous species of fish in the market, and the spincast reel you get should be suitable with the type of fish you want to catch.
If you want to haul in heavy fish, it would be wise to choose a reel that can handle the weight and pressure. Alternatively, if you intend to catch small fish, a lightweight spincast reel would be ideal for you.
How much are you willing to spend?
With the numerous brands of spincast reels in the market, you need to set budget limits in order to get yourself a high-quality reel that is also economically priced.
Advantages of Spincast Reels
Spincast reels are some of the best fishing equipment in the market. They are preferred because of the advantages they bear, some of which include:
- They are versatile – spincast reels are compatible with both live baits and artificial lures
- User-friendly
- Sturdy and long-lasting
- They are lightweight
Best Spincast Reel Reviews
Zebco 202 Spincast Reel Review
If you are a fishing enthusiast and are looking to equip yourself with a spincast reel, you might consider getting the Zebco 202 Spincast Reel, 10 lb.
This spincast reel is ideal for beginner anglers courtesy of its simple construction. Moreover, it is easy to use. This aspect makes it ideal for those who have advanced a little in fishing.
At only 10 pounds, this reel comes with a dial-adjustable drag, which improves its performance in the water as well as provides you with the strength and stability needed to haul in your catch.
Interestingly, it also features an anti-reverse handle, which is sure to deliver the ultimate fishing experience.
Furthermore, this reel is designed with a 2:8:1 gear ratio. This is quite helpful, especially if you are an angler that prefers larger fish species.
That is not all. The Zebco 202 Spincast Reel is also affordable, and it features a simple ergonomic design to leave any angler impressed.
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Zebco Big Cat XT Spin-cast Reel Review
The next item on our list is the Zebco Big Cat XT Spincast Reel. This is an ideal fishing reel for anglers looking for a product whose value matches its price.
If you like fishing catfish, then this might be the ideal choice for you. After all, catfish are amongst the most fished freshwater species.
This spincast reel features a stainless steel front cover, which is an ideal feature that enhances durability. Its longevity is further enhanced by the titanium plated stainless steel spinner head.
What’s more, the Zebco Big Cat XT Spincast Reel is designed with a 4 bearing system – 3 plus a one-way roller.
This reel has a 2:6:1 gear ratio and a dial-adjustable drag to enable you to haul in fish effectively.
Moreover, it has a continuous anti-reverse handle and a changeable right or left hand retrieve. An added feature on this spin cast reel is the built-in hook keeper.
It also has an all-metal gear system and aluminum-oxide guides that have a stainless steel tip. Needless to say, durability is a guarantee in this reel.
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Pflueger President Spincast Reel Review
If you are a beginner or expert angler, you might consider getting yourself the Pflueger President Spincast Reel to go about your fishing escapades.
This is a 4-bearing spincast reel that is designed with a sturdy aluminum body and its well-matched colors give it an impressive look. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned angler, you can rely on this reel for the ultimate fishing experience out in the water.
This reel also has an ergonomically designed soft touch knob to deliver the performance you desire. Pflueger has also outdone itself by designing this reel with an instant anti-reverse bearing to deliver flawless performance for hauling fish.
Moreover, this reel comes with a ported machined aluminum cone, a feature that makes it sturdy and enhances longevity.
It also comes with large oblong knobs that enhance your grip when you are hauling in your heavy catch. This is an effective feature because it reduces finger fatigue.
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Zebco 404 Spincast Reel Review
If you are planning on embarking on your fishing hobby the next time you are on holiday, you might consider getting yourself the Zebco 404 Spincast Reel.
The interesting thing about this reel is that it is economically priced, which means you don’t have to worry about denting your bank account. If you live near a freshwater lake or a river, Zebco 404 Spincast Reel might also be the ideal choice for you because it is suitable for medium to heavy freshwater fishing.
With a 2:8:1 gear ratio, this reel is pre-spooled with 75 yards of 15 lb. line to deliver you the ideal fishing experience.
It also comes with a built-in hook keeper and a star-adjustable drag system that allows you to haul in the fish that you want.
Additionally, don’t have to worry about its durability because it comes with a sturdy ABS housing, a chrome plated cover, as well as stainless steel pickup pins.
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Zebco Z03 Spincast Reel Review
The last item on our list is the Zebco ZO3, 10, BX3 Omega Z03 Spincast Reel. This reel features a unique ergonomic design.
It is constructed with an aircraft-grade aluminum grade cover and interchangeable handles. Interestingly, this reel comes with a stylish, easy-touch rubber thumb switch. This allows you to switch hands easily to control it better.
With a constant anti-reverse action mechanism, this reel also has a 2:9:1 gear ratio that is suitable for medium type fishing. This highly durable reel will also enable you to haul in your catch comfortably.
Other impressive features are the multi-disc drag and the excellent ceramic line guide that has high-quality pickup pins. Moreover, this reel has an 85-yard line capacity with a 10 pounds line weight.
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Which is The Best Spincast Reel?
Finding a suitable spincast reel is essential for any angler to enjoy his day out that's why we hope this article provided you with all the information you need to make your pick.
The aforementioned reels are some of the best in the market, but our overall winner is the Zebco Big Cat XT Spin-cast Reel. This reasonably priced equipment features a sturdy construction, and its durability is unmatched.
If you are not a complete beginner or are looking for a more advanced fishing reel, check out our spinning reel and baitcasting reel guides!