Best Baitcasting Fishing Reels of 2025

"I purchased four of these reels from Amazon and can't beat the price for such a good product. The castability is impressive, allowing me to throw any lure effortlessly. The speed and smoothness are great, and the build quality is a fantastic value for the money. They are my go-to reels, and I've pulled in a lot of fish with them—still going strong without any trouble!"

"As a first-time bait caster, I was hesitant to spend a lot, but I found this one for $30 and decided to give it a shot. I paired it with a $20 Berkley cherry wood casting rod. I’ve only used it once, but it performed exceptionally well. The smoothness and solid action were impressive, and the adjustments felt secure. Definitely recommend for beginners!"

"I bought this reel on a whim for my son to learn with. The low cost and good mag brakes were appealing. Out of the box, it was smooth, though I noticed some tiny gaps and a slight whirring noise. The drag wasn't smooth initially, but after greasing it, it's as smooth as butter now. Overall, for the price, it seems like a great starter reel!"

"I used this reel most of the season throwing different lighter spinners and crankbaits. It's still just as smooth and solid as the first day I used it. I often fish rivers and streams from my kayak, and this reel performed better than my other models. I would recommend checking this one out if you want a solid baitcaster without breaking the bank."

"My reel arrived on time and was packaged well. I was surprised at how well it performed right out of the box. Smooth casting and easy adjustments made it a breeze to switch lure sizes. The spool is easy to remove and lock back in place, which is a great feature for quick changes."

"After I got used to it and got the settings right, it works like a charm. Caught 50+ fish in the first few months. It’s well constructed and operates easily. Great price, and I would definitely buy this brand again."

"I highly recommend this reel. Smooth, lightweight, and quality are all there. I'm now looking for another Lews baitcaster!"

"I purchased this reel for my new Lews bass rod. It was easy to set up, and I fished all day without issues. Fast shipping and a great seller!"

"This is my favorite baitcast reel. I've used four others, but this one is the best. I plan to replace my other reels with this one."

"I was looking for my first baitcaster after a decade of using spinning reels. I researched various options and finally decided on this reel paired with a Piscifun Torrent rod. After some initial setup and adjustments, I found it easy to use. Even though I haven't caught any fish yet, I'm satisfied with my choice. Re-spooling improved my casting significantly. I definitely recommend this reel for beginners!"

"Having never used a baitcaster before, I purchased this one for my kayak. I really appreciate how small, lightweight, and user-friendly it is. Adjustments are quick and simple, allowing me to switch lures on the fly. It has successfully helped me catch many fish."

"For the price, this reel exceeds my expectations. The line lay, drag, and ergonomics are excellent. I also found that the cast and retrieve are smooth and quiet. Just a heads up: when removing the side cover, be cautious with the magnets. If you accidentally place it magnet side down, you might lose them. Overall, a solid investment for the money."

"With stage 4 cancer, casting was challenging for me, but this reel surprised me. After setting it up properly, it casts smoothly and consistently. I’m thrilled with its performance and can't wait to buy another!"

"As a beginner transitioning to BFS, I was hesitant about spending a fortune. This KastKing Zephyr has proven to be an excellent choice. It handles my light baits beautifully and has become one of my favorites. Switching to braid has made a huge difference in distance!"

"I found this bait caster to be very smooth and well-built. However, I returned it since it didn't hold the line I needed. If you're not requiring thick line, I'd definitely recommend it!"

"I haven't tried the reel yet, but it's smooth, lightweight, and attractive. I own a similar KastKing model that has performed excellently. I mainly use it for jigging for pike and musky, so I appreciate its lightness and compact size since every ounce counts during long fishing sessions. The 30 inches per turn IPT is fantastic for quick retrieves. I've successfully landed dozens of fish in the 35 to 48-inch range—it has plenty of power and drag, and I often have to dial the drag back after setting the hook. Overall, it's a great reel at a great price."

"I have two KastKing Brutus reels for my worm rods, and they've been quite reliable. I use them for both Texas Rig and wacky rig setups. They cast decently, and I've caught several large bass with them. I've been fishing regularly for over a year with these reels, which is about the lifespan I expect from regular use. While I can't complain too much for the price, it's always a bit disappointing when something breaks. I do enjoy how easy it is to maintain, oil, and grease these reels. I might consider upgrading to a higher model, but I may just replace them instead, knowing their expected longevity."

"As someone who's used spinning reels for 45 years, this is only my third baitcasting reel. I was a bit hesitant about switching to baitcasters, but the KastKing Brutus has exceeded my expectations! It took just a couple of casts to fine-tune the brake and spool tension, and after that, I was able to cast whopper ploppers and crank baits with accuracy and distance. The reel is smooth, user-friendly, and fun to use! If you're looking to dive into baitcasting without breaking the bank, I highly recommend this reel. I even paired it with a KastKing Royale rod for a fantastic combo. Looks like I might be buying another rod from KastKing soon!"

"Unfortunately, I couldn't use this reel yet due to our fishing trip getting canceled because of 14-foot seas. However, it seems to be well-made for the price and is the largest level wind reel I've ever encountered. I bought it for my grandson, who struggled with a conventional reel, and I ended up getting him a shoulder harness and belt, which helped him handle it better."

"I really like this heavy trolling reel! I can't wait to put it to the test. Although I haven't used it yet, the quality seems great! It even came with its own tool, and the clicker is loud, which I appreciate. I'm excited to catch some big fish!"

"I ordered this for a trip off Edisto Beach, but I was disappointed when it broke on its first run out. The level wind function failed while I was running out the bait. I had to hand retrieve my lure, and ended up buying a Penn at the docks to replace it. I've had good experiences with my other Piscifun reels, but this one just didn't meet my expectations."

"I have two of these reels with handles, and they are amazing and smooth. They feel like a much more expensive product."

"As a long-time Shimano baitcast user, I find this reel to be of similar quality. I hope it lasts long."

"After reading the reviews, I decided to try the Piscifun 300. It casts like a dream with excellent build quality. I would definitely buy Piscifun reels again."

"I may be late to the show, but I’m starting to realize that KastKing is definitely one of the best kept secrets in the fishing gear industry. This reel is actually quite good if not even excellent! I really don’t understand why some reviews claim this reel isn’t smooth. I own higher-end baitcasters that cost 4x the price and are not as smooth as this Zephyr. The magnetic braking is a standout feature; this reel simply does not backlash, even when I tried to make it. Overall, it’s an excellent, inexpensive reel, and I've really enjoyed using it!"

"As someone new to freshwater fishing, I was apprehensive about using baitcasting reels. After trying a subpar return-bin model, I discovered the KastKing Zephyr. This reel feels great and is super smooth. I’ve paired it with a KastKing 7' dual tipped Perigee II rod, and my casting accuracy has improved significantly. The clicks for spool tension and drag are a fantastic addition. Though I’ve had a couple of user errors, the backlashes have been a breeze to fix! I’m super happy with this setup."

"I can confidently rank this reel alongside my $120 Abu Garcia. It feels fantastic, is easy to adjust, and after numerous casts in high winds, I’ve yet to experience a backlash. I’m currently using 15lbs KastKing black mono with it, and it’s been fantastic. I couldn’t be happier with this low-cost purchase!"

"I now own six of these Abu Garcia MaxPro4 baitcasting reels. After several months and many thousands of casts, I've caught hundreds of bass. At $50, you can't beat this baitcaster. It casts very smoothly and if set up correctly, you literally have to try to backlash it. The drag is smooth and works great!"

"This baitcaster is amazing! I’ve used both spinning and casting reels, and this one stands out. It’s perfect for those cautious with baitcasters, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to start."

"I would definitely recommend this reel. While it's not a top-tier model for professionals, I think it's all most anglers really need. It's been sturdy and reliable for my bass fishing, and the gear ratio is excellent for various techniques."