Simple and capable of handling bluegills, crappie, and perch, walleyes, trout and bass, specks and reds, as well as most pike, the best spincast reels are simple. They are also affordable and well-made.
Keep reading if you are looking for the best spincast reel or want to give it a shot, or want to know where to buy one for a beginner angler. We’ll be covering the basics of spin cast reels, helping you choose the right one for you, as well as reviewing some of our favorite models.
Here’s a quick look at the top spin-cast reels available:
| Image | Reel | Capacity | Bearings | Drag System | Gear Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pflueger President Pres6SCX | (yards/test), 145/4. 90/6. 70/8 | 5 | Call for cover | 3.1:1 | |
 |
Pflueger Trion Tri6USCB | Yards/test 145/4 90/670/8 | 2 | Call for cover | 3.4:1 |
 |
Zebco 33 | 110/10 (yards/test). | 1 | Call for cover | 3.6:1 |
 |
Zebco 33 Micro Gold | (yards/test 90/4 | 2 | Call for cover | 4.3:1 |
 |
Zebco Bullet | yards/test) 90/10 | 9 (8 + clutch). | Call for cover | 5.1:1 |
 |
Zebco Omega Pro | (yards/test 85/10 | 7 (6 + clutch). | Call for cover | 3.4:1 |
The Best Spincast Reels – Reviewed
We’ve tested ultralight reels for sizes 4, 6, and 8 (Size 6), as well as for size 10 (Size 10). We recommend the Zebco 33 Micro Gold or Pfluegers if you enjoy ultralight fishing or have an ultralight rod. These reels are great and you will not be disappointed.
The Omega Pro and Bullet are great options for fishermen who want to fish for reds, catfish, reds, specks, or just about anything that requires eight to ten-pound lines. The Bullet is the best overall performer, but it’s more expensive than the Omega Pro. You will decide if the additional speed is worth it.
For a true beginner, there is nothing better than a Zebco33 on a light-action rod. We can’t recommend this reel enough if you are looking for a great reel for your new angler.
Pflueger President Pres6SCX
Capacity(yards/test), 145/4. 90/6. 70/8
Bearings5
Drag system: Turn on the cover
Gear Ratio3.1:1
Zebco is the most popular spin cast reel manufacturer, as you can see from our review of their products. Pflueger is the only one that gives them a challenge, although companies like Abu Garcia or Daiwa also make this type of reel.
The Pflueger President6SCX stands out thanks to its build quality, which closes the gap with Zebco. This reel is made up of a lot of aluminum, which makes it feel solid. It performs well, just like the Pflueger spinning reel that we reviewed.
The reel runs on five bearings and is undeniably smooth. Pflueger uses titanium take-up pins, which unlike Zebco’s, has a multi-stop, anti-reverse system that locks it up well. They are not only longer-lasting but also more resistant to corrosion.
This push-button reel casts flawlessly. The drag also works well with a light, 4-pound line. With its ample capacity, you won’t need more lines than this reel can handle.
This reel can make it difficult to fit onto a rod. Its cover is quite large and may not allow for enough clearance between the seat of the reel and the cover. Some users also had issues with the anti-reverse mechanism right out of the box.
Pflueger ships a six-pound test reel with this reel. However, we recommend that you do your own research and get some mono at home.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Take-up pins made of titanium
- Very smooth
- Nice drag
- Cast well
Cons
- Not all rods may fit.
- Some mechanical problems reported
Pflueger Trion Tri6USCB
Capacity Yards/test 145/4 90/670/8
Bearings 2
Drag system: Turn on the cover
Gear Ratio3.4:1
The Trion 6 UCSB trigger-actuated spin cast reel from Pflueger is the same quality as other options from this manufacturer, and it’s a solid bet.
The Trion works best when paired with a light or ultralight rod. We wouldn’t hesitate to put it to the test with small bass, crappie, or trout. It is smooth to use and many anglers prefer it over similar Zebco models.
It features titanium take-ups pins like the other Pfluegers we reviewed, which increase the reel’s durability and eliminate any worries about corrosion.
This reel casts well and the gearing allows for easy use of a wide range of lures. Although the multi-stop, anti-reverse feature of the Trion is not as elegant as an instant system it still works well. It also keeps the price very affordable.
We find the drag strong enough to break the lines of this reel, and it is easy to set to a four-pound test.
What are the drawbacks? The Trion is just like other Pflueger reels. You’ll either have issues right away or you’ll get a lot out of it.
We recommend that you remove the factory line from your reel and replace it with some of your favorite mono.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Take-up pins made of titanium
- Very smooth
- Nice drag
- Cast well
Cons
- Reports of mechanical problems
Zebco 33
Capacity 110/10 (yards/test).
Bearings 1
Drag system: Turn on the cover
Gear Ratio3.6:1
Zebco is the name you should associate closed-face reels with. Zebco is the most popular brand of this design and more people are using it to fish than any other brand.
It’s a great place for a start, the venerable Zebco 33. It features a durable, attractive stainless cover that makes it easy to use. Zebco 33 has ceramic take-Poppins so corrosion is not an issue. They are as strong as the titanium Pfluegers. Although we don’t know the answer, we do know that Zebco users aren’t complaining!
This reel has been tested by generations of anglers and is reliable and durable, but it lacks a flash. This reel is not equipped with the most smooth of gears.
It casts well and has a good retrieving speed. You’ll also find it holds a lot of 10-pound lines. If you take that off, you will see that casting is much faster with six-pound mono.
Although the drag on the 33 may not be exceptional, it does the job. This reel is quite affordable, which is quite remarkable considering its price!
Pros
- Very affordable
- Ceramic take-up pins
- Casts well, especially when you re-spool with high-quality mono
Cons
- It is not the most smooth reel on the water
- The drag is not subtle
Zebco 33 Micro Gold
Capacity(yards/test 90/4
Bearings2
Drag system: Turn on the cover
Gear Ratio4.3:1
Zebco’s 33 Micro Gold doesn’t just offer a smaller version of the 33, but it also offers a higher quality product.
It’s very similar to the standard 33, with ceramic take-up pins and a stainless cover. We found the drag to be much more efficient, providing smooth performance and a light line. It runs two bearings but is much smoother than 33.
The 33 Micro Gold ultralight reel is designed for a four-pound test. We doubt you will need any more line as it holds a full 90-yard length. This reel is ideal for small bass and panfish, but we wouldn’t hesitate to use it on trout in fast-moving water.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Ceramic take-up pins
- Smooth
- Nice drag
- Cast well
Cons
- Smoother is the Pfluegers
Zebco Bullet
Capacity(yards/test 90/10
Bearings9 (8 + clutch).
Drag system: Turn on the cover
Gear Ratio5.1:1
One complaint that spin cast reels have is their slow retrieval rate. This may not seem like a problem but if you cast deep or cast long you will notice the weakness.
Similar to the previous, you should not fish lures that require quick retrieval.
Zebco’s Bullet, however, is an exception. It retrieves at a speed of 5.1:1 and is likely to be used in combination with a larger spool. We don’t know what to think, but Zebco’s 90-yard, 10-pound capacity means that we can bet it is right.
No matter what magic they used on the Bullet, the results were exceptional. According to Zebco, each crank pulls in almost 30 inches of the line!
You want a little less power, but you still need to be fast? We’re happy to accept this trade-off!
The Bullet has an aluminum cover with the very good build quality. The Bullet feels solid in your hand and the crank and knobs at its tips feel great. It’s easy to set the drag and it works well. We would fish this for bass in an instant.
Casting is great, especially when using the quality line. With nine–that’s right nine–bearings this reel is smooth and smooth. The gears are made from solid brass and have great durability. The Bullet’s spool oscillates like spinning reels. This improves how the line lay and leads to better casting. Instant anti-reverse is also standard.
The Bullet is a great product, but you should be ready to pay more for it!
Pros
- High-quality build
- Speedy blistering
- Very, very smooth
- Nice drag
- Cast well
- Amazing durability
- Oscillating pool
- Anti-reverse instant
Cons
- A spin-cast reel is expensive
Zebco Omega Pro
Capacity 85/10 (yards/test).
Bearings7 (6 + clutch).
Drag system: Turn on the cover
Gear Ratio3.4:1
The Zebco Omega Pro spin caster is the most in-demand. It’s simple to see why given all it has to offer.
The Omega Pro is made of a lot of metal, just like the Pfluegers. It also has excellent build quality. It’s an excellent example of Zebco’s quality.
This reel has eight bearings that give it a silky smooth performance. Casting is also excellent. The drag is simple to use, sensitive and precise. We were actually surprised at how great it was – comparable to spinning reels of a similar price!
It’s geared for 3.4:1 and is certainly not a slouch. However, don’t expect it to burn through lures in the water. Casting is great, but it’s just as good as spinning or baitcasting reels that use mono.
Pros
- High-quality build
- Very smooth
- Nice drag
- Cast well
- Anti-reverse instant
Cons
- A spin-cast reel is expensive
Spincast Reel Basics
Spincast reels are great for beginners as they are easy to fish and cast. They do have some mechanical disadvantages, but they are still better than spinning or casting reels. They are also immune to wind knots and backlash as well as operator errors.
Spincast reels, unlike baitcasting reels which spool in line with the rod, spool line as a spinning reel. Spincast reels can be viewed as enclosed spinning reels, with some mechanical differences.
Attached
You’ll notice the first and most obvious difference is that the baitcasting rod is completely enclosed. This protects the reel from wind, weather, sun, and any other ill effects.
This protects your line from UV damage and also reduces wind speed, which can prevent tangles or breeze-blown knots. This is a big plus for novice anglers! Although a high memory limit can still cause problems below the cover, it is easy to open it and fix it.
Don’t be alarmed if it is difficult to re-spool them using a line.
