Best Trolling Fishing Reels of 2025

"As a fishing guide for blue catfish, I put these reels through their paces. So far, they haven't let me down, casting far with 30lb mono. I’ve been using two for 3 months and just bought two more. They handle big paddlefish well too!"

"I own several of these reels and have found them to be a fantastic bargain. They come with carbon drags, a strong frame, and a reliable clicker. Just make sure to check lubrication before use!"

"Despite my initial skepticism about the low price, I was pleasantly surprised by this reel's performance. It handled a 43-pound Bluecat effortlessly with a nice smooth drag."

"I can't believe you can't find a conventional reel with a THIRTY INCH retrieve under 100 bucks! This reel has almost twice the drag and 4 inches more per turn than the Ambassadeur at half the price! The Piscifun Chaos has quality issues and is 10 dollars more expensive. This reel deserves to be the default fishing reel."

"I've been using these reels for two seasons, and they have been problem-free. They cast well for a line counter reel, and my wife loves using them too! The loud bait clickers are a bonus. Since they are affordable, if one breaks, I’ll just get another."

"After shopping around, I decided on this reel. Having used Penn and Daiwa in the past, I hoped this one would be just as good, and it is! It's great for freshwater trolling, and while it needs break-in time, it performs well. The clicker is nice and crisp, and for the money, it’s exactly what I needed."

"I ordered the KastKing Rover 5/0 after reading reviews and watching YouTube videos. It arrived in just three days and came with a nice cloth bag for storage. I found it to be the perfect size for my Santiam 11ft surf rod. I spooled it with 40lb KastKing super braid and was amazed at how effortlessly it cast. The retrieval speed is excellent, and I easily cast 200ft with just a 1-ounce weight. I've never used a KastKing reel before, but this one outperformed my more expensive reels. I gave it 5 stars and recommend it to anyone looking for a conventional reel!"

"I paired the Rover 90 with my 12-ft cast rod and it feels like a great match. I haven't had a chance to take it to the ocean yet, but it performed well at a large reservoir. I did have a mishap with a snagged line due to a splice, but I managed to fix it easily. The reel turns smoothly, and even though some find the clicker not loud enough, it was adequate for me. The drag settings were a bit challenging, but after a few adjustments, it worked fine. I've been so impressed that I ended up purchasing additional models!"

"My husband, an expert fisherman, said this reel is just as good as the £150 reels he's bought before. He couldn't believe the quality at such a low price. It arrived on time and in a nice box, and he was very pleased with it. If it meets his high standards, it will surely satisfy anyone!"

"This reel is incredibly strong for its size. I paired the TSSD 3000 model with a 5-foot rod for my son’s first ocean fishing trip. He caught a 40lb Amberjack, and this little reel held up against the fight! Everyone on the boat was amazed, and I think some are considering getting one for their kids as well. It was a fantastic experience!"

"I decided to buy this reel after reading reviews, and for the price, it's a great deal. I’ve caught several nice redfish with it. I’m very pleased with its performance, especially considering how affordable it is!"

"When I first received the reel, it didn’t work properly, but after returning it, the replacement functions perfectly! I expected some issues at this price point, but once you get a good one, it’s worth it!"

"I found this reel excellent for offshore fishing, especially around the reef and sandy areas. The drag is easy to adjust and it handles large snapper and reef fish with ease. I was interested in the line counter, but I noticed that when dropping the line in deep water, it clicks over quite fast. However, if I slow the drop by adding some drag, the counter becomes quite readable. Overall, it's excellent value and a trusty reliable reel for saltwater fishing."

"I purchased this reel despite some negative reviews because it was on the top 10 list for saltwater conventional reels. At first, I noticed it was a bit noisy compared to my other reels, but it operates smoothly. One major tip: check and tighten every screw or bolt on the reel as several were loose. After applying some grease and oil, it worked well, although the line spooling was uneven. Good reel for the price!"

"I received my reel and was excited to use it. Unfortunately, right out of the box, the line counter was intermittent. On my first trip, it didn't work at all, but we caught a fish anyway. The drag was way too aggressive, causing the line to snap, which was frustrating. After taking it apart, I discovered the line counter mechanism was poorly designed. I regret not investing in a more reliable brand."

"I have four Okuma Cold Water reels, and the oldest has been in constant use for the last five years. They're perfect for big chinook, coho, and steelhead fishing, whether in the river or ocean. I once had a 10-foot sturgeon take my salmon gear, and even though I was nearly spooled, the reel held up beautifully. The click adjust star drag is fantastic, and the line counter is generally reliable, as long as you ensure to reset it correctly. These reels are really gaining popularity on the Columbia River, and for good reason!"

"I decided to try the Cold Water reel after debating between it and the Convector. The biggest difference I noticed was the reliability of the line counter; I tried to make it stick, but it never failed. It feels and looks better in my hand, and the drag is silky smooth. I was surprised to find such quality at this price point!"

"I absolutely love this reel. It's perfect for Great Lakes trolling with its smooth operation and the best line counter I've seen. I feel it’s worth every penny spent."

"I've only used this a couple of times, and it has worked great. The drag works well, and it retrieves the line fairly fast (6:1 ratio). I have to keep my thumb on the spool if I plan to send the line out away from the boat, but for trolling, it works great!"

"This reel looks amazing! The pricing is well below the relative quality given. I'm not rich and researched quite a bit to get the best value. I've had no problem pulling grouper off the bottom or getting a stubborn amberjack to the boat. My advice is to put high-quality lubricant throughout the moving parts before you go."

"While the actual material and size are good, I found it's not a great reel for saltwater. The anti-reverse slips a bit, and the drag adjustment isn’t very precise. The retrieve rate is only 11 inches, which makes pulling up larger fish quite difficult."

"I bought two reels for my boat, but both failed after just five uses. I suggest looking for a better quality reel."

"I was really impressed by the quality for the price. The gears are a bit sloppy, but overall it looks great and works well. I’d definitely buy another!"

"I loved the depth counter initially, but the on-and-off lever got stuck during my first deep-sea trip, causing me a lot of frustration. Thankfully, Sougayilang sent me a replacement reel, and now I'm excited to use it on my next fishing trip!"

"I've owned several Penn series reels, and this one has performed just as well as my others."

"I took this reel to Florida for shark fishing, and it worked like a dream. I spooled it with about 750 yards of 150lb braid and easily brought in 5-6 foot sharks. The lever system felt incredibly smooth, almost like playing a video game, especially compared to the Penn Senators I used before. I really believe it could handle even bigger fish, maybe up to 10-11 feet, if paired with the right rod."

"I'm extremely satisfied with this product and the fast delivery. I highly recommend it!"

"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."