Best Lightweight Trolling Fishing Reels of 2025

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Lightweight trolling fishing reels are a must-have for any angler who wants to enjoy a comfortable and fatigue-free fishing experience. These reels are designed to be light in weight, making them easy to handle and maneuver on the water. They are also highly durable, with top-quality materials that can withstand the rigors of saltwater fishing. Lightweight trolling fishing reels come in a range of sizes and styles to suit different fishing needs, from deep sea trolling to inshore fishing. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a beginner, these reels are an essential tool for any fishing adventure.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Lightweight Trolling Fishing Reels
Okuma Magda Pro Line Counter Levelwind Trolling Reel
The Okuma Magda Pro Line Counter Levelwind Trolling Reel is a lightweight, corrosion-resistant reel made with the highest quality materials and tested for reliability and quality. It features a line counter, two stainless steel ball bearings, and a stainless steel levelwind line guide. It holds 420 yds of 20 lb test and is perfect for trolling for walleye, trout, and other fish. Customers have praised its great price, drag sensitivity, and ease of use, though some have noted issues with the line counter and plastic parts.
Okuma Cold Water Linecounter Trolling Reel
This fishing reel features a lightweight and corrosion-resistant frame and sideplates, making it perfect for outdoor use. The multi-disc, carbonite drag system helps you to easily reel in your catch, while the aluminum handle arm and ergo grip handle knobs provide a comfortable grip. This reel is perfect for trolling and linecounting, and is sure to improve your fishing experience.
Piscifun Salis X 5000 Round Baitcasting Reel
The Piscifun Salis X 5000 Round Baitcasting Reel is a powerful and durable reel designed for big game fishing in a variety of saltwater conditions. It features a 37lbs max drag, 6.2:1 gear ratio, braid ready spool, and a stainless steel crank handle. Customers have praised its smooth operation, fast retrieve, and incredible power. The only downside is that the lock screws and nut can strip easily.
Shakespeare ATS Trolling Reel with Line Counter
If you are looking for a reliable and durable trolling reel for your fishing adventure, Shakespeare ATS Trolling Reel with Line Counter is definitely a great choice. With both line counter and non-line counter options in sizes 15,20, and 30, this reel provides you with the flexibility to suit your specific needs. The rugged one-piece graphite frame and side covers, combined with 2 ball bearings and stainless steel pinion gear, ensure a smooth gear feel and increased corrosion resistance. Additionally, the on/off selective bait clicker adds more convenience to your fishing experience.
Burning Shark Trolling Reel
The Burning Shark Trolling Reel is a high-performance saltwater level wind reel designed for boat fishing in the ocean. It features a double dog ratchet system to prevent handle reversing, a machined aluminum spool, bakelight sideplates, stainless steel gears for long-lasting durability, a smooth fishing reel seat, and a spherical handle. It has a max drag of 40 lbs and a gear ratio of 4.1:1. Customers have praised its durability, smoothness, and performance, though some have noted that the drag can be difficult to adjust.
Okuma Magda Pro Line Counter Trolling Reel
The Okuma Magda Pro Line Counter Trolling Reel is a staple for walleye, lake trout, musky, steelhead, and salmon trollers. Made of lightweight graphite with stainless steel reinforcements, it features a mechanical line counter function that measures in feet for accuracy and repeatability. Its lightweight frame, sideplates, and graphite spools are corrosion-resistant. The reel also has a multi-disc carbonite drag system, durable machine-cut brass gearing, and a self-lubricating gear system. Additionally, the 2 stainless steel ball bearings, 16-point anti-reverse, and stainless steel levelwind line guide system provide improved hookups and casting.
Okuma Classic Levelwind Star Drag Casting Reel
The Okuma Classic Levelwind Star Drag Casting Reel is a lightweight and corrosion-resistant fishing reel. It features a graphite spool that is also resistant to corrosion, a stainless steel reel foot, and an aluminum power handle. This reel is perfect for fishing enthusiasts who are looking for a durable and reliable fishing reel.
Okuma Convector CV-30L Trolling Reel
The OKUMA Trolling Reel is a versatile fishing reel designed for trolling. With its lightweight and corrosion-resistant frame and sideplates, this reel ensures durability and easy handling. The machined aluminum spool with smoke anodized finish adds strength and style to your fishing gear. Equipped with stainless steel reinforcing sideplate rings, this reel offers added protection and stability during your fishing adventures. The multi-disc Carbonite drag system provides smooth and reliable drag performance, giving you control when reeling in your catch.
Sougayilang Trolling Reel Level Wind Conventional Reel Graphite Body Fishing Reel, Durable Stainless-Steel, Large Line Capacity-DTR40 Right Handle
The Sougayilang Trolling Reel is a high-quality fishing reel designed for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. With its durable stainless-steel pinion gear and line guide shaft, this reel offers extreme durability and long-term alignment of gears and shafts. It features a powerful carbon disc drag system that delivers 32 lbs of fish stopping power, making it perfect for a variety of species such as salmon, trout, walleye, and more. The reel also has a large line capacity, allowing you to fish with ease. Its sleek matte black and dark red design adds to its overall high appearance. With 3 years of customer support, Sougayilang ensures that any problems you may encounter will be resolved quickly and efficiently.
Sougayilang Trolling Reel for Saltwater Fishing
The Sougayilang Trolling Reel is a high-performance fishing reel suitable for deep sea fishing. It has a double dog ratchet system that prevents the handle from reversing, making it durable and long-lasting. The reel is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and has a smooth fishing reel seat and a spherical handle. It produces minimal noise and has a comfortable cranking system. The reel weighs approximately 22.5 oz and has a maximum drag of 40 lb with a gear ratio of 4.1:1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What size trolling reel do I need?
Walleye fishermen for example favor the smaller 15 or 20 size reels, while salmon anglers are going to select the 30 size. Musky trollers who use 40 or even 50 pound test line often favor the larger 45 size reels for their trolling needs.
2. Can you troll with a spinning reel?
Today's spinners can stand up to heated runs and drag pressure more than they were capable of a few decades ago. So yes, you can use a spinning reel for trolling!
3. Is Baitcaster good for trolling?
Bait casters are far superior for letting out line, hook-sets, running drag without line twist, many have clickers for running the line down on a downrigger. Overall drags are far superior on bait casters. Easier to measure line out even without a line-counter.
During our lightweight trolling fishing reel research, we found 24 lightweight trolling fishing reel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 34,822 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lightweight trolling fishing reels list. We found that most customers choose lightweight trolling fishing reels with an average price of $55.18.
The lightweight trolling fishing reels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lightweight trolling fishing reels, including OKUMA, Okuma Fishing Tackle, Piscifun, Shakespeare, Burning Shark. 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.