Updated 12/29/2023
Ultralight fishing refers to using the lightest rod and reel setups available to target popular fish like crappie, bluegill, walleye, trout, and perch. Ultralight setups maximize sensitivity and finesse presentations at the expense of the raw strength offered by heavier rods and reels. Fishing with ultralight setups can be an absolute blast because you tend to catch higher fish quantities and even a modest sized fish can feel like fighting a catch of a lifetime.
Looking for the best ultralight spinning reels on the market? Look no further. I’ve done the hours of reel research and testing on strength, durability, and material quality so you don’t have to.
Whether you are a beginner or an expert angler, these ultralight spinning reels are sure to meet your needs and help land your next cooler full of panfish or trout!
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
Our Top Picks
- Best for the Money: Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
- Best Under $50: Shimano Sienna Spinning Reel
- Best Under $100: KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel
- Best Under $150: Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel
- Best Under $200: Daiwa Tatula LT Spinning Reel
- Best for Beginners: Daiwa BG Spinning Reel
- Best Premium: Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel
The Best Ultralight Spinning Reels
Whether you’re a new angler or a grizzled expert, we have you covered. Check out our recommendations for best ultralight reels for different price points and fishing styles. All the reels on this list are spinning reels because spinning reels are better suited for the small baits used to target panfish and trout when compared to casting reels.
1. Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
- Reel Sizes: 1000 to 8000
- Gear Ratio: 4.2:1 to 7.0:1
- Max Drag: 9 to 40 lb
- Ball Bearings: 5+1
- Weight: 7.8 to 38.8 oz
Pros:
- Premium reel features for reasonable price
- Robust construction means reliability
Our choice for the best ultralight spinning reel for the money is the Penn Battle III spinning reel which we feel is that perfect mix of premium quality with a manageable price tag. While it may seem strange to see a reel marketed for saltwater and freshwater at the the top of our list, we believe the sheer reliability of having a reel designed to last in tough conditions means you have a piece of kit you can rely on for years to come.
The Battle III includes a 5+1 sealed stainless steel ball bearing system, Penn’s HT-100 carbon fiber drag washers, and a full metal aluminum body and side plate. It is high quality designed for durability and performance and Penn really outdid themselves with the attention to detail. Line capacity rings on the spool make for an easy visual reference to tell how much line you have to spare.
We like the 1000 and 2000 size Penn Battle III as a great all-around ultralight fishing reels that excel for panfishing and trout fishing. We love having versatility in equipment and recommend to get gear that can be used for multiple applications.
The material choices make for a lightweight reel with great corrosion resistance. Also, the spool is considered a ‘Superline Spool’ or a braid-ready spool. This means there is a little rubber ring on the spool that lets you directly tie braid to the spool without it slipping. A nice touch!
No need to overthink it. This is a premium reel priced for value. The smaller size Battle IIIs are perfect for catching a mess of crappie, perch, trout or bluegill.
2. Shimano Sienna Spinning Reel
- Reel Sizes: 500 to 4000
- Gear Ratio: 5:1 to 6.2:1
- Max Drag: 4.4 to 18.7 lb
- Ball Bearings: 3+1
- Weight: 6.3 to 11.3 oz
Pros:
- Super budget friendly
Our choice for the best ultralight spinning reel under $50 is the Shimano Sienna Spinning Reel. While budget priced reels may not get you many bells and whistles, we’re pleasantly surprised with the Shimano Sienna as an effective fresh and saltwater ultralight spinning reel.
The Shimano Sienna spinning reel is a perfect option for budget conscious ultralight angler.
The drag rating for the ultralight versions of the Sienna are comparatively lower than most of the reels on the list. For example, the 1000 Sienna max drag rating is only 6.6 lbs compared the the more common 11 lb rating of much of the competition.
The Sienna isn’t going to win any awards for strongest or most smooth, but it does shine as a perfectly functional spinning setup for anglers wanting a solid budget option. You can catch plenty of fish without buying the most expensive equipment available.
3. KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel
- Reel Sizes: 1000 to 5000
- Gear Ratio: 5.2:1
- Max Drag: 33 to 39.5 lb
- Ball Bearings: 10+1
- Weight: 7.4 to 10.6 oz
Pros:
- Budget friendly but still fit for purpose
Our choice for the best ultralight spinning reel under $100 is the KastKing Sharky III spinning reel. You don’t need to break the bank for quality equipment. This reel hits above its weight class and gets the job done. The reel is surprisingly smooth for its price point with a 10+1 bearing system.
The Sharky III has some great features like the K.I.S.S. (KastKing Intrusion Shield System) sealing system to improve water resistance for the spool, body, and rotor. The aluminum spool has a rubber backing to allow direct spooling of braided fishing line. This reel also has best-in-class drag of over 33 pounds.
This reel contains most of the features of a high end reel but is priced for value. This is a great option for a budget conscious panfish angler.
4. Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel
- Reel Sizes: 10 to 40
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
- Max Drag: 11 lb
- Ball Bearings: 8+1
- Weight: 7.1 to 8 oz
Pros:
- High quality reel for moderate price
Our choice for the best ultralight spinning reel under $150 is the Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel. This is a great quality, mid-tier reel that is perfect for panfish anglers wanting to step up slightly in price point.
We prefer the 20 size Revo SX as a great ultralight reel for jigging or using slip bobbers. The 20 size can fit 175 yards of 8 lb braid. The reel has a super-smooth retrieve thanks to its AMGearing precision machining.
The reel has a one-piece aluminum frame that allows for great strength without adding too much weight. The 6.2:1 gear ratio is perfect for most panfish fishing techniques like jigging bottom with live bait or tossing slip bobbers.
5. Daiwa Tatula LT Spinning Reel
- Reel Sizes: 1000 to 4000
- Gear Ratio: 6.2:1
- Max Drag: 11 to 26.4 lb
- Ball Bearings: 6+1
- Weight: 5.8 to 7.4 oz
Pros:
- Incredibly lightweight
- Super smooth
Our choice for the best ultralight spinning reel under $200 is the Daiwa Tatula LT spinning reel. This is a high-end ultralight spinning reel in every way. It’s lightweight, super smooth, and an absolute delight to fish with.
The Daiwa Tatula LT spinning reel is one of the lightest and strongest spinning reels on the market thanks to it’s Zaion high density carbon strain material body.
Ultralight anglers should look at the 1000 or 2000 size but could even bump up to the 2500 because this reel is so feather-light.
The Tatula LT features Daiwa’s Air Bail, Air Rotor, Automatic Tournament Drag, Digigear, and Zaion Body technologies that all make for a super lightweight yet powerful setup. The 7 bearings makes for smooth reeling and there is essentially zero play in the handle. This reel is a delight to fish with.
6. Daiwa BG Spinning Reel
- Reel Sizes: 1500 to 8000
- Gear Ratio: 5.3:1 to 5.7:1
- Max Drag: 4.4 to 33 lb
- Ball Bearings: 6+1
- Weight: 8.5 to 30 oz
Pros:
- Great reel for budget price
Our pick for the best ultralight spinning reel for beginners is the Daiwa BG Spinning Reel. It’s a solidly constructed, quality reel that is perfect for targeting panfish on your favorite lake or river. This reel is durable and smooth while maintaining a great budget price.
For beginners we recommend a 2000 or 2500 size, solidly built spinning reel like the Daiwa BG because this reel can be used for multiple types of fishing, not just ultralight fishing. New anglers either don’t own or don’t want to own dozens of fishing reels and there’s a lot of value in having one reel that can do it all.
The reel includes Daiwa’s Automatic Tournament Drag (ATD) that reduces initial drag start-up inertia to create a smoother drag from initial startup. It also has digitally engineered gears to optimize speed, power, durability, and smoothness. Daiwa claims their tests reveal their gear life is up to three times longer than competitors reels! We’re always looking for equipment that will last forever and this reel can take a beating.
Also, it doesn’t hurt that this reel just plain looks great with its sleek black anodized machined aluminum housing!
7. Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel
- Reel Sizes: 1000 to 5000
- Gear Ratio: 5.1:1 to 6.4:1
- Max Drag: 7 to 24 lb
- Ball Bearings: 7+1
- Weight: 5.3 to 7.8 oz
Pros:
- High quality in every aspect
Our choice for the best premium ultralight spinning reel is the Shimano Vanford. This reel is high quality in every aspect. The 2500 size is a super lightweight 6.3 oz with a beefy 20 lb drag.
The reel has the quickest feeling response due to the incorporated MagnumLite Rotor that Shimano claims has 48% less rotational inertia than traditional rotors. The reel also includes Shimano’s X-Protect and water-channeling construction to maximize water resistance and durability.
These features combined with the high quality carbon fiber body make this a great reel choice for panfish fishing. Also, don’t think twice about grabbing the Vanford as a high-quality multipurpose reel for crappie, trout, walleye, bass, panfish, and anything in-between.
Reel Comparison Table
Check out our handy comparison table showing key specifications for our top reel choices.
| Reel Name | Reel Sizes | Gear Ratio | Max Drag | Ball Bearings | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penn Battle III Spinning Reel | 1000 to 8000 | 4.2:1 to 7.0:1 | 9 to 40 lb | 5+1 | 7.8 to 38.8 oz |
| Shimano Sienna Spinning Reel | 500 to 4000 | 5:1 to 6.2:1 | 4.4 to 18.7 lb | 3+1 | 6.3 to 11.3 oz |
| KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel | 1000 to 5000 | 5.2:1 | 33 to 39.5 lb | 10+1 | 7.4 to 10.6 oz |
| Abu Garcia Revo SX Spinning Reel | 10 to 40 | 6.2:1 | 11 lb | 8+1 | 7.1 to 8 oz |
| Daiwa Tatula LT Spinning Reel | 1000 to 4000 | 6.2:1 | 11 to 26.4 lb | 6+1 | 5.8 to 7.4 oz |
| Daiwa BG Spinning Reel | 1500 to 8000 | 5.3:1 to 5.7:1 | 4.4 to 33 lb | 6+1 | 8.5 to 30 oz |
| Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel | 1000 to 5000 | 5.1:1 to 6.4:1 | 7 to 24 lb | 7+1 | 5.3 to 7.8 oz |
Conclusion
In conclusion, having the best ultralight spinning reel is essential for a successful day fishing. There are many great options available, but the Penn Battle III Spinning Reel is our top spinning reel choice due to its versatility and reliability. The reels on our list offer a balance of performance, durability, and value that make them great choices for any panfish angler.
Check out our articles for great rods to pair with these reels:
Check out our related reel articles:
Buying Guide – How to Choose The Best Ultralight Spinning Reel For You
Key factors for choosing the best ultralight spinning reel include reel size, line capacity, drag strength, material quality, and fishing application.
Reel Type
Ultralight setups targeting panfish and trout are primarily spinning rods and reels because spinning reels handle light baits much better than baitcasting or conventional reels. Casting reels would be prone to backlashing or extremely short casts if an angler tried the lightweight tackle setups common for ultralight fishing. For jigging, slip bobbers, and small soft plastics, anglers should use a quality spinning reel because these reels handle light weight tackle the best.
Reel Size
Most spinning reels come in sizes like 1000 or 2000 all the way to 10,000 or higher depending on the model. Lower numbers are smaller reels, higher numbers are larger reels. 2500, 3000, and 3500 are the most common all-around sizes that can be used for panfishing and bass fishing. Sizes 4000 and higher are reserved for heavier duty applications like surf fishing or offshore fishing where large spool sizes and heavier drag ratings are important.
Ultralight reels are the smallest reels available and are generally the 1000 or 2000 sizes for most reel manufacturers. It’s important for ultralight anglers to pick these smaller reels because super light, small diameter fishing lines like 2 lb or 4 lb test don’t take up much space on a spool and you don’t want to have to put 500 yards of line on a large spool to fill it up. Spinning reels cast best and perform better when their spools are full so pick the appropriate reel size so you don’t have to blow the budget on hundreds of yards of line!
Line Capacity
Line capacity refers to how much fishing line fits on the reel. The total spool capacity is specified by mono vs braid and line strength as pound test. An example line capacity would be “200 yards of 20-pound test braid”.
Braid is smaller diameter than mono at the same line strength which means you can fit more braid on a reel. Also, higher pound test line is larger diameter and will take up more space on the reel spool.
Ultralight anglers should target between 100 and 150 yards of line on their spinning reels although it is uncommon to use more than the first 50 yards of line on the spool for panfish.
Ball Bearings
Ball bearings in fishing reels are small, spherical bearings that reduce friction and increase smoothness of a reel’s operation. They are located within the internal mechanism of the reel and allow the reel’s moving parts to rotate smoothly against each other.
Most quality reels have at least four ball bearings. More ball bearings is usually better because the higher the number of ball bearings, the more friction is reduced and less wear and tear on the internal reel components. That said, ball bearing quality and material choice is also important. I would rather have four high-quality ball bearings than ten low quality bearings.
Most ball bearings are stainless steel but can also be ceramic. Many reels list something like “5+1 bearings” – this reel would be five ball bearings plus one roller bearing.
Drag System
Drag systems on fishing reels provide resistance to the spool as line is retrieved. A loose drag makes it easier for the spool to spin freely and a tight drag makes it difficult to rotate the spool.
Drag systems work using a series of washers or disks pressed together by a drag knob or level (usually on the top of spinning reels). As the drag is tightened, the drag washers are pressed together which increases resistance on the spool. Drag should be set to match the strength and size of the target fish species.
Setting the drag properly is an art. You want the drag tight enough to reel in the fish, but not tight enough where a strong pull could snap your line or cause your fishing knot to fail. When the drag is properly set, a strong pull from a fish should be able to pull some line from your reel.
Gear Ratio
The gear ratio on a fishing reel refers to the relationship between the number of turns on the spool for every turn of the handle. For example, a gear ratio of 5:1 means the spool rotates five times for every turn of the handle.
Gear ratio is an important consideration when selecting a fishing reel because it affects the speed at which you can retrieve your line. A higher gear ratio is better for situations where you need to reel long distances or require fast bait presentations. A lower gear ratio is preferred for situations where a lower retrieval rate is desired, like when using finesse techniques.
Most reels have a gear ratio between 4:1 to 7:1. Most ultralight spinning reels are between a 5:1 and 6:1 gear ratio which is a great for most applications.
Material Quality
Material quality is an important consideration for picking a reel. Fishing reels are typically made of a combination of metal, rubber, and plastic parts. The body of the reel is usually made of aluminum or another type of metal to provide strength and durability. Plastic is used for many of the peripheral parts like the handle or drag knob because it is lightweight and corrosion-resistant.
Rubber seals may be used to protect against water, dirt, and sand ingress. High-end reels may have ceramic bearings or higher quality metal components.
Look for reels made of high-quality materials with solid, durable construction.
Fishing Application
We believe it’s important to consider the application of a fishing reel. Ultralight setups especially should take into account the angler. Specifically, since ultralight fishing for panfish like bluegills and perch are so kid friendly, consider if you’re going to let a young boy or girl use your fishing equipment! Kids are pretty rough on equipment so definitely think about a budget option if you’ll be sharing with a new angler.
High-end ultralight reels are a good choice for more hardcore anglers wanting the luxury fishing experience targeting panfish, trout, crappie, etc.
Ultralight Reel Frequently Asked Questions
What is ultralight fishing?
Ultralight fishing refers to using the lightest rod and reel setups available. Ultralight reels are usually spinning reels of 1000 or 2000 size and ultralight rods ultralight or light power rods between 5 and 6 feet long. These ultralight setups are ideal for small baits and finesse rigs to target crappie, walleye, perch, bluegill, or trout.
What kind of reel is best for ultralight fishing?
Spinning reels are best for ultralight fishing because they handle light tackle like small jigs, slip bobbers, and small soft plastics much better than casting reels do. Casting reels have a tendency to backlash with ultralight tackle setups.
What size spinning reel is best for ultralight fishing?
The best size spinning reel for ultralight fishing is 1000 or 2000 size. These smaller reel sizes are important because they have much smaller spools which means the angler doesn’t need to purchase hundreds of yards of line to fill the spool. Ultralight fishing uses light fishing line between 2 and 8 pound rating that has extremely small diameter meaning it doesn’t take up a bunch of space on the spool. Additionally, the smaller fish targeted with ultralight setups don’t need massive drag ratings so these smaller reels are plenty strong to handle even the toughest fighting panfish or trout.
What rod to pair with ultralight spinning reel?
The best rod to pair with an ultralight reel is a 5 to 6 foot long, ultralight or light power spinning rod. These types of rod are highly versatile for different ultralight fishing techniques with plenty of sensitivity to detect subtle strikes. Pick a rod closer to 6 feet long if casting distances is a key factor.
How do you care for ultralight spinning reels?
Caring for an ultralight spinning reel is important to ensure it performs its best and lasts a long time. Here are a few tips to take care of your reel:
- Rinse the reel with freshwater after each use to remove any salt, sand, or dirt
- Periodically lubricate the moving parts
- Store the reel properly in a dry protected place when not in use
What strength fishing line for ultralight spinning reel?
Two to eight pound test braided line is a great option for ultralight reels. Panfish aren’t known for being strong fighters and this lighter line is ideal for getting light baits to the target depth. Smaller diameter lines can also help with line-shy fish that may be spooked by larger lines.
How many yards of line do you need for an ultralight spinning reel?
Ultralight reels should preferably have between 100 and 150 yards of line. This allows for long casts and enough line to get to the target depth. Swapping from mono to braid can help with fitting more line on the spool because braid has a smaller diameter than mono.
Is mono or braid better for ultralight fishing?
Braided fishing line is preferable for ultralight fishing. Braided line has significantly smaller diameter for the same strength line when compared to mono. This can be key while fishing because wind and waves will constantly be pulling at your line. The smaller diameter means less effect from the elements. Mono also has a tendency to have line twist while braid does not.
How to switch reel from right to left handed?
Most spinning reels are swappable from from right to left handed and vice versa. Unscrew the handle by rotating it backwards while holding the bail to stop it from rotating. Remove the dust cover on the backside of the handle connection. Insert the handle on the opposite side and tighten. Be careful not to drop any small parts!
Written By: Andrew Juran
Andrew is a seasoned angler with over 25 years of experience fishing across the United States. He has caught hundreds of fish using various techniques and mentored many in the art of fishing. An advocate for sustainable fishing, Andrew is an active member of the Coastal Conservation Association, an organization committed to marine conservation.
For frequent fishing tips, behind-the-scenes looks, and real-time catches, connect with Andrew on Instagram
