Last Updated on July 19, 2022 by Ecorf
Fishing is a lot of fun if you don’t mind the sometimes frustratingly long waits before a catch. As a matter of fact, a lot of people regard fishing as a hobby.
When you are packing yourself a gear set for fishing, an ultralight spinning reel is something you definitely want to have. Except you want to add the weight of a heavy reel to that of your big catch, effectively giving you a hard time pulling out your catch from the water, ultralight spinning reels are for you.
Considering how large the market of anglers is, it should not be surprising that there are countless ultralight spinning reels out there. So if you wanted to get yourself one, you would also be giving yourself a headache from having to decide which ultralight reel to buy. But don’t worry, this article addresses just that.
In this article is a short guide to choosing an ultralight spinning reel that would perfectly suit your preferences, along with a list of the best ultralight spinning reels in 2020.
Let’s get started, shall we?
Table of Contents
Choosing An Ultralight Spinning Reel For Yourself
As is the case for many things that come in varieties according to their features, there are some things you really should consider before buying an ultralight spinning reel.
Factors To Consider
- Saltwater or Freshwater
The two common water bodies where anglers fish and they are saltwater and freshwater.
Deciding where you want to fish comes into play when you consider the fact that saltwater easily corrodes reels. So, if you would be doing more of your business in the saltwater, you should really consider getting yourself a corrosion resistant seal. Anodized aluminum, shielded stainless steel, and forged aluminum materials are great for this.
However, freshwater doesn’t have this complication so you are good to go without any care for corrosion.
- Materials
The durability of your reel is highly dependent on the kind of material it is made of. That is why you should put a lot of thought into choosing a build material.
The most common materials that are used to make reels are graphite and aluminum. Aluminum reels are usually strong and do pretty well when you catch a big fish. Graphite reels, on the other hand, may not be as strong but they are really light, making them perfect for long fishing trips.
- Drag
The bigger the drag, the more successful you would be in winning a tussle against big, strong fish without breaking your rod. A frame-based drag system is generally stronger than a spoil based drag system. However, the spool based drag system affords you a level of control that a frame-based system couldn’t.
- Gear Ratio
This signifies the number of times your reel spins per rotation. Basically, the higher your gear ratio, the faster it is for you to retrieve your line. The heat ratio always looks like this: 5.7:1. This means that your reel spins 5.7 times per rotation.
- Reel Size
This is simply the amount of line your spool can take. To put it simply, if your reel is too big, it would be hard for you to maneuver it. And it is too small, you’re more prone to errors.
- Bearings
Bearings help you to have a smoother casting or reeling. They also help to keep your reel stable. The number of bearings in reels usually varies.
At this point, it is important to note that a reel that has many bearings doesn’t necessarily guarantee you more smoothness than another reel that has less, although the number of bearings does count. What matters most is the quality of the bearings.
Benefits of Ultralight Spinning Reels
Because they are generally light, they’re easy to handle for light fishing and better for relaxing. Also, kids, adults with small hands and beginners would find them easier to use because the reels afford better control.
Another advantage is that ultralight spinning reels work excellently in either freshwater or saltwater to help catch different species of fish.
Taking Care Of Your Ultralight Spinning Reel
No matter how durable and rugged your spinning reels are, they still deserve to be well taken care of. Here are a few ways to help keep them in top condition.
- Consistent greasing helps your gear work smoothly and keeps them from grinding due to friction.
- Keep your reels dry after using them. This way, they don’t corrode easily.
- Regular cleaning is important
- Oil the bearings regularly too.
- When taking the reel apart, do it with as much caution
FAQ
- Which is better, spinning reel or bait caster?
It all depends on you, really. They both have their strengths and weaknesses. Spinning Reels are generally better for beginners while bait caster is great for their accuracy. So, go with whatever suits you best.
- How is front drag different from rear drag?
Although there may not be a huge difference between them, if it counts for anything, front drag runs very smoothly while rear drag allows for an easy spool changing.
- What’s instant anti-reverse?
It simply stops your reel from going backward.
Top Ultralight Spinning Reels
Although, there are many great spinning reels in the market with great features, the ones mentioned here have been carefully selected after endless researches, reviews from professionals and beginners alike, and a lot of studies.
Shimano Sedona FI
One blazing feature of the Shimano Sedona FI is that it has the flagship cold-forged Hegane gears which greatly enhances its durability and strength. It also makes it great for fishing inshore or offshore.
The reel boasts of a gear ratio of 5.0:1 and a maximum drag of 7pounds. Although this maximum drag may be quite disappointing for a reel of its quality, it definitely makes up for this in its ruggedness while handling fishes within its drag rating. Also, it retrieves 26inches of line per crank and has a high line capacity.
Also, the reel employs the G-Free body technology to help reduce fatigue by bringing the center of gravity of the rod closer to the angler, effectively making it easier to control. Another thing is that it has a high casting distance and a spool lip design that makes it resistant to wind knot formation and backslashes. Have I also mentioned that it has an astonishingly lightweight of 7oz?
Pros
- Works great in both freshwater and saltwater.
- Lightweight.
- Durable and reliable
- Reasonably priced
Cons
- No anti-reverser switch
- Drag capacity is small
KastKing Sharky III
Honestly, there aren’t many reels that beat the KastKing Sharky III when it comes to durability and reliability. The reel works well in both freshwater water and saltwater.
You’d think that there would be a compromise on its strength because it has a reinforced graphite body and rotor that makes it weigh just 6.9 oz, but no! The reel is just as strong as any other quality spinning reel. In fact, it even has a maximum drag capacity of 33 pounds!
Furthermore, the reel is built to be water-resistant such that, water and dirt can’t get into its working system even if it falls inside water. Isn’t that just great? Also, you are guaranteed a smooth reeling and casting with a massive line capacity and 10 ball bearings and a roller bearing that are all covered with stainless steel to prevent corrosion.
Finally, the general sturdiness, durability, corrosion resistance and line capacity all combine to make the Kastking Sharky III one of the best ultralight spinning reels on the market today.
Pros
- Reasonably priced
- Optimum quality
- Waterproof
- Great drag capacity
Cons
- Uneven line retrieval
- Sometimes makes a squeaky noise
Okuma Ceymar C-40
You could use an Okuma Ceymar C-40 for a long time and not have to worry about corrosion. This is because the reel is designed in such a way that too much water is prevented from entering the reel. This is made possible by its cyclonic flow rotor design. Its graphite body also complements this fact.
The alignment of the reel is topnotch, allowing for a high maximum cast while accuracy is not compromised in any way. The reel weighs 10 ounces and has a maximum drag capacity of 13 pounds.
With a gear ratio of 5.0:1, 8 ball bearings and 1rollee bearing, the angler is guaranteed a smooth fishing experience.
Finally, the Okuma Ceymar C-40 is not in any way inferior in strength to other reels as it features a zinc diecast handle which makes it sturdy enough to win a tussle against almost any catch.
Pros
- Durable and strong
- Not expensive
Cons
- You might encounter frequent lockups while using it.
My pick
All the mentioned reels are of great quality and would serve you well if you decide to get any of them for yourself. However, after some considerations and researches, the Kastking Sharky III looks to be the most outstanding of all.
This is because it not only has a really durable and strong build, but also a body that resists corrosion and water. Also, its massive drag capacity of 33 pounds effortlessly combines with an incredibly lightweight of just 6.9 pounds to make the reel very formidable. Something the other reels, in one way or the other, fail to pull off.
To Wrap It All Up
Really, any angler would find any of those reels to be of great help in their fishing experience. Just as long as the reels are well maintained.
And remember, never stop fishing!
