Best Low Profile Fishing Reels of 2025

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Low profile fishing reels are a popular choice among anglers due to their compact size and ease of use. These reels are designed to sit low on the fishing rod, providing a comfortable grip and reducing fatigue during long fishing sessions. They are also lightweight and offer smooth casting and retrieval, making them ideal for catching small to medium-sized fish. Many low profile fishing reels feature advanced technology such as magnetic brakes and adjustable drag systems, which allow anglers to fine-tune their fishing experience for optimal performance. Whether you are a seasoned angler or a beginner, a low profile fishing reel is a great investment for your next fishing trip.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Low Profile Fishing Reels
Abu Garcia Max Pro Baitcast Reel
The Abu Garcia Max Pro Baitcast Reel is a lightweight and durable fishing reel designed for smooth and efficient casting. Made with a graphite frame and sideplates, and a machined double anodized aluminum spool, this reel is strong yet lightweight at only 7.4 oz. With a gear ratio of 7.1:1 and the Duragear brass gear, you can expect a fast recovery rate and extended reel life. The MagTrax brake system provides consistent brake pressure throughout your cast, while the 8 total bearings ensure smooth operation. The synthetic star drag with a max of 15lb offers smooth drag performance. The compact bent handle, recessed reel foot, and large co-molded soft touch knobs are ergonomically designed for comfort. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced angler, the Abu Garcia Max Pro Baitcast Reel is a reliable and convenient choice for your fishing needs.
Abu Garcia Max X Baitcast Fishing Reel
The Abu Garcia Max X Reel is a right-handed low profile baitcast fishing reel that offers smooth and reliable performance. Equipped with 4 stainless steel ball bearings and 1 roller bearing, this reel delivers a smooth operation. The machined aluminum spool allows for strength without adding extra weight, while the Power Disk drag system provides a consistent drag pressure throughout the entire drag range. The Duragear brass gear offers extended gear life and ensures that the reel can handle tough fish. The MagTrax brake system helps to provide precise and consistent brake pressure, ensuring that your casts are accurate and controlled. The compact bent handle and star, recessed reel foot, one-piece graphite frame, graphite sideplates, and large PVC knobs make this reel comfortable to use and easy to handle, even during long fishing trips.
Abu Garcia Silver Max Low Profile
Abu Garcia Silver Max is a fishing reel with 5 stainless steel ball bearings and 1 roller bearing, a machined aluminum spool, a Power Disk drag system, and a MagTrax brake system. The stainless steel ball bearings and roller bearing provide smooth operation and durability, while the machined aluminum spool offers strength without adding weight. The Power Disk drag system gives a smooth and consistent drag pressure, which is essential to control the fish, and the MagTrax brake system ensures an accurate and efficient cast. With these features, you can enjoy a hassle-free fishing experience, catching more fish with less effort.
Gaderth 8KG Baitcasting Reel
The Gaderth Baitcasting Reel is designed for anglers who want efficiency and performance. With a 7.2:1 gear ratio, you can quickly retrieve your line, making it easier to throw bait at high speeds. The reel features 12+1 ball bearings that ensure a smooth operation, enhancing your fishing experience. Its durable construction, made from high-strength brass gear, offers excellent resistance to wear and tear while remaining lightweight. This combination of strength and lightness helps you handle fish more effectively, increasing your chances of landing a big catch.
OKUMA Convector Lowprofile Fishing Reel
The OKUMA Convector Lowprofile Fishing Reel features precision machine cut brass main and pinion gears, mechanical line counter function that measures in feet, CVT anti-fogging line counter, automatic trip, spool engagement mechanism, and a machined aluminum, anodized spool. These features make it a great tool for measuring and managing your fishing line with ease, while ensuring its longevity and durability.
KastKing Royale Legend GT Baitcasting Reels
The KastKing Royale Legend GT Baitcasting Reels are designed to provide great performance, comfort, and looks at an affordable price. It features a low profile design for superior casting control, synthetic soft grip handles for a comfortable grip, and a quadruple disc carbon drag that delivers 17.6 lbs of drag. The reel is built for performance and endurance with 5+1 shielded stainless steel bearings and a sweet spot 7.2:1 gear ratio. The matte red finish on the frame and trim with sleek gloss black side covers, and a black and red anodized aluminum spool give it a stunning look.
Cadence Essence Low Profile Fishing Reel
The Cadence Essence Reel is a lightweight and powerful baitcasting reel designed for avid fishermen. Its carbon frame and GV material side plate make it lightweight and easy to cast far and long. The reel features a smooth and powerful drag system with 20 lbs max drag, allowing you to reel in the biggest catches effortlessly. With its ergonomic design and comfortable palm compact design, the Essence Reel ensures maximum comfort while fishing. It also offers a fast retrieve with its 6.6 or 7.3 gear ratio, enabling efficient fishing and keeping constant pressure on the fish. The Cadence Essence Reel is a high-performance and durable fishing reel that offers great value for its price range.
Piscifun Alijoz 300 Baitcaster Fishing Reel
The Piscifun Alijoz Baitcaster Reel is a powerful and durable fishing reel designed for handling big freshwater fish and inshore saltwater species. With a maximum drag of 33lbs and a robust Hamai cut hardened brass gearing, this reel is built to tackle large fish and swimbaits. Its premium aluminum frame and handle ensure long-lasting performance, while the 8 double shielded stainless steel bearings and instant anti-reverse provide smooth and reliable operation. The reel features an ergonomic design with an easy-to-access thumb bar engage button and a line wrap spool that eliminates the need for mono as backing. The 8 effective magnetic braking system prevents overruns and backlash, and the customizable gear ratios and handle options allow you to personalize your fishing experience. Whether you're targeting musky or saltwater species, the Piscifun Alijoz Baitcaster Reel offers excellent value and performance to help you reel in your dream catch.
Okuma Coldwater 350 Low Profile Linecounter Reel
The Okuma Coldwater 350 Low Profile Linecounter Reel is a durable and lightweight fishing reel that is perfect for trolling. The reel features a corrosion-resistant frame and sideplates, which help to ensure that it lasts for a long time. It also has a multi-disc, carbonite drag system that provides smooth and reliable drag performance. The aluminum handle arm with ergo grip handle knobs makes it comfortable to use for long periods of time, and the oversized machine cut brass XL drive and pinion gears provide plenty of power. The machined aluminum, two-tone anodized spool is also a great feature, as it helps to reduce line twist and provides consistent performance.
Abu Garcia Zata Fishing Reel
The Abu Garcia Zata Reel is designed for performance and versatility, making it an excellent choice for various fishing styles. It features a fast recovery rate, retrieving 27 inches of line with each crank, which helps you catch more fish efficiently. With a robust 10 + 1 stainless steel bearing system, you can enjoy smooth operation, enhancing your overall fishing experience. Additionally, the Infini brake system offers nearly limitless adjustability, allowing you to adapt to different fishing conditions easily. The Carbon Matrix drag system ensures consistent pressure, giving you confidence when battling larger catches.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is low profile fishing reel?
Low-profile reels have a palm side and a handle side. Opposite of spinning reels, right-handed baitcasters have the handle on the right side, and left-handed baitcasters have the handle on the left side. The palm side of the reel is designed to fit the contour of the hand.
2. What are slower reels good for?
In cold water when bass are especially wary, a slow gear ratio is perfect for these slower, non-threatening presentations. A slow reel also aids in keeping these baits in the strike zone longer, which can prove invaluable when fishing moving baits in deep water.
3. What are 6.2 1 reels good for?
6.2:1 to 6.5:1 – We personally use this speed range anytime we are tossing spinnerbaits, throwing jerkbaits, shallow running and lipless crankbaits, early season swim jigs, vibrating jigs and swimbaits / umbrella rigs.
4. Why is a Baitcaster better?
The reason why baitcasters tend to be preferred by many bass anglers is because of the greater casting accuracy they provide. Bass are often found close to heavy cover, and the lure must be placed close to that cover with pinpoint accuracy in order to catch them.
During our low profile fishing reel research, we found 24 low profile fishing reel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 49,272 customer reviews through our big data system to write the low profile fishing reels list. We found that most customers choose low profile fishing reels with an average price of $67.07.
The low profile fishing reels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of low profile fishing reels, including Abu Garcia, Gaderth, OKUMA, KastKing, Cadence. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Paul Tilton is a fitness enthusiast. He doesn't like to work in front of a computer screen so he quit his job and runs a gym in Washington. He spent a lot of time on the road and has been a contributing writer for a well-known travel guide website. He is now happy to share his travel experience and professional knowledge of travel gear and fitness here.