Best Fishing Reels: Top Picks for Every Type of Fishing

Picking up a Daiwa Tournament Basia for the first time is like holding a champion's trophy, and the 26 model is sleek and surprisingly light at 540g, thanks to Daiwa's Zaion body and rotor.

But don't let the looks fool you as this reel is solid and built to last, with Mag Sealed protecting the gearing and the new Zaion AIRDRIVE rotor giving it strength, balance and smoothness.

The 2020 Basia was probably the smoothest reel I have ever tested, and Daiwa have built the 26 model around a bigger spool rather than change what already worked.

Casting is where it shines. The 45mm spool is now around 10% bigger with a slight 2° taper and a refined LC Long Cast lip, Slow Cross Wrap keeps the line lay neat, and the retrieve is a fast 115cm per turn.

You get two spools, one holding 300m of 0.35mm for casting and an LD spool taking 530m for rowing or boating baits out, enough to reach any spot on even the largest of waters. If you are looking for the best carp reel for distance fishing, this is it.

The QD drag goes from free spool to fight mode with zero fuss and now tops out at 15kg, giving you complete control over even the hardest-fighting carp.

Now, the elephant in the room is the price tag. At around £800 it is the most expensive reel in this guide, but for serious carp anglers the Tournament Basia might be worth the outlay. It's a top-of-the-line machine that combines incredible performance with stunning design.

It's like a work of art you can actually fish with.

The Shimano Baitrunner XTB CI4+ LC is a remarkable bit of reel engineering, combining lightweight durability with premium construction. At 640g for a 14000-size spool, the CI4+ carbon composite body is startlingly light for a reel this size.

The Hagane gear system, X-Ship drive and 6+1 shielded bearings give buttery smooth rotation under load, and the Aero Wrap II line lay with the AR-C long cast spool adds genuine casting distance at range.

The 20kg waterproof drag is class-leading. The Hi-Speed Drag needs minimal rotation to go from freespool to full fight mode, and X-Protect keeps the internals sealed in all conditions.

The slim profile and stealth looks will satisfy even the pickiest of tackle tarts, and the spare spool and line reducers in the box show Shimano's attention to detail.

The price is the main barrier, but if you want one of the best baitrunners out there with all the latest engineering, it's worthy of any serious angler's consideration.

The HX Pro is packed with features that cater specifically to match and coarse anglers. The 5.1:1 gear ratio strikes a nice balance, offering enough speed for quick retrieves without sacrificing control and power.

With 10+1 ball bearings, the reel operates incredibly smoothly, which makes the retrieve a dream.

The SDX multi-disc drag system is a highlight, providing precise and smooth control when playing fish. The large, easily accessible drag bar across the front of the spool is great for anglers who tend to adjust their clutch quite a bit mid-fight.

For backwinding enthusiasts, the anti-reverse lever is thoughtfully placed on the underside of the reel. It's elongated and easy to find by feel, yet unobtrusive during regular use.

Line capacity is ample for most match fishing scenarios, with the 3000 model holding 150m of 0.22mm line and the 4000 model accommodating 150m of 0.24mm line.

Line lay is spot-on straight out of the box, with no need for washer adjustments.

The spool design allows for easy line control when feathering casts or trotting a stick float, even for those of us with shorter fingers.

The reel's performance in challenging conditions is spot on even after being caked in groundbait and suffering several dunks in the margins!

In summary, the Matrix HX Pro Match reel is a seriously impressive piece of kit. Its lightweight construction, smooth operation, and thoughtful features make it a joy to use in various fishing scenarios.

While it's not the cheapest option on the market, the build quality and performance justify the investment for serious anglers.

The Daiwa 20 Tournament QD is a top of the range feeder fishing reel, available in 3010 and 4010 sizes to suit both close-range and distance work.

The Magsealed aluminium body offers exceptional durability while keeping weight down to just 290g in the 3010 model, impressive for a reel that can handle regular method feeder work.

Key features include the innovative Quick Drag system (QD), allowing rapid adjustment from free spool to full lock, and the LC Long Cast ABS Spool combined with the Air Bail system for superior casting performance.

The 10-bearing system and 4.7:1 gear ratio deliver the perfect balance of smooth operation and power for larger fish.

With a line capacity of 150m of 0.26mm line and precision worm shaft oscillation for perfect line lay, this reel ticks all the boxes for serious feeder fishing.

While the price tag is premium, the Tournament QD's build quality, performance, and durability make it quite simply one of the best out there.

The Penn Spinfisher VII stands as a testament to the brand's reputation for creating bulletproof saltwater reels, boasting impressive IPX5 waterproofing and robust full metal construction.

During testing, the CNC-machined brass main gear delivered exceptional smoothness under pressure, while the HT-100 drag system provided the kind of reliable stopping power you need when targeting serious fish.

With multiple size options available, including the versatile 3500 that's perfect for UK lure fishing, and features like sealed construction that laughs in the face of harsh conditions, it's clear why the Spinfisher VII continues Penn's legacy as a go-to choice for demanding anglers.

Whether you're targeting bass from the shore or battling larger species from the rocks, this reel brings the kind of dependable performance that serious saltwater anglers demand.

The Penn Rival Level Wind is our pick for an all-round sea multiplier because it does so much of what the expensive reels do for under sixty pounds.

It will happily handle everything from feathering for mackerel off the pier to bait fishing for cod and rays from a boat, and the level-wind is the feature I rate most. It lays line evenly across the spool as you wind, with no thumbing needed.

Penn use a graphite frame stiffened with aluminium rings, with a marine-grade bronze main gear and a brass pinion inside, so it is built for salt water from the ground up.

The HT-100 carbon fibre drag is the same material Penn fit in their dearer reels, and it gives smooth, consistent pressure when a fish takes line.

It will not match a full metal reel for outright strength, but as a first multiplier or a dependable all-rounder it is outstanding value.

When pursuing diverse species on the fly, from trout in gin-clear streams to hefty salmon in powerful rivers, the Greys Tital demonstrates remarkable versatility and dependability.

Available in multiple sizes to accommodate various line weights, this reel delivers smooth, consistent drag performance that protects even the lightest tippets while having enough backbone to tame larger specimens when needed.

The sealed drag system shrugs off water ingress, ensuring reliable performance in all conditions without maintenance concerns.

The thoughtful engineering extends to the full-frame cage design that protects line from becoming trapped, while the large arbor design provides faster retrieval and reduces line memory.

The balance of weight and durability positions the Tital perfectly for anglers who demand equipment that won't let them down.

For the serious fly fishing enthusiast looking for a reel that combines smoothness, durability and performance across various angling scenarios, the Tital delivers exceptional value despite its premium positioning in the market.