Best Catfish Reel-Reviews & Buying Guide

Do you love to catch catfish? It’s important to know that Catfish are aggressive, so they tend to run away after bait at any cost. This is why people enjoy catching them. If you are fishing on the boat or shore, you will encounter different catfish species. They all have different sizes, natures, and structures. So you will require the best catfish reel, bait, and tackle for the species you are fishing for.

A small catfish might weigh one pound, while the heaviest catfish would weigh more than 100 pounds. There are many catfish reels available to help you find the perfect one.

Top 10 The Best Catfish Reels:

Below, we’ve reviewed 10 of the best catfish reels you can use during your fishing adventures;

1.     Abu Garic Ambassadeur 7000 C Baitcast Round Fishing Reel (Overall best Catfish reel)

Do you want to experience catching a catfish? To get the best fishing experience, try the Abu Garic Ambassadeur 7000 C fishing reel.

This best catfish reel for 2024 is strong enough to enhance your fishing experience, especially when fishing catfish.

Additionally, this reel is designed for giant fishing catfish. This Abu Garic Ambassadeur 7000 C is a catfish fishing reel having handles with high pound test and not only this but also great spool tension.

Besides that, construction is corrosion-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about environmental deterioration. When catching a giant catfish, you will surely need a bulky and powerful baitcasting reel, which is what Abu Garic catfish reel offers.

Furthermore, it has some fantastic features, including a multi-disc carbon drag system, a 6-pin centrifugal braking system, Perfect torque enough to pull giant catfish, a Power handle, and an extensive line capacity; you can also find cumbersome for casual catfishing and Comes with great spool tension.

Apart from all these features, the Abu Garic Ambassadeur 700 fishing reel gets a little uncomfortable because of their Amature anglers; you will find it a little unnecessary for smaller fish as it makes it needlessly complicated.

Even though it is only 1 pound in weight with 8 x 6 x 4 L x W x H dimensions, you will be comfortable with it.

Bottom line:                             

Thus, Abu Garic Ambassadeur 7000 C is the best catfish reel according to its feature; it can be easily used to catch a giant catfish. But here are some things that make it a bit uncomfortable to use, which include amateur anglers.

 

2. PENN Rival Level Wind Conventional Fishing reel (Best  all-rounder Reel)

Do you need a catfish fishing reel that fulfills all your demands but is under your budget? Then do consider the Penn rival. Due to its versatility, it was initially designed as the best-budget catfish reel.

On the other hand, it has a lightweight body with 0.49kg weight only, a graphite frame with side plates covered with aluminum frame rings which will prevent frame-flex and improve the rigidity of the fishing reel.

Indeed it usually gets challenging to drag heavy loads, but the PENN Rival Level fishing reel is designed with HT-100 drag washers providing extremely smooth drag. Although, we all face while catfishing is the line we left during a fight with catfish; the capacity ring is the solution to this problem.

Accordingly, bottom dwellers tackle one of the engineers of fishing reels and always try to manufacture products asked by their customers. Yet all thePENN Rival Level fishing reels are built after going through the consumer’s recommendations and knowledge about the fishing reels.

Afterward, the products are first used by the manufacturers, and finally, out to be used by the buyers as it makes the fishing reels trustable.

These catfishing reels are best in different ways, but a few things that make them perfect include its trophy catfish gear, which is best for the weekend angler and can be used in serious tournaments.

Catfishing is a passion, and you only want a quality product when it comes to fishing a catfish. All the best catfish fishing reels offering unique features 8.75 x 8.3 x 6.15 inches body dimensions are available at a competitive price.

With its affordable price and unpredictable features, you can still own this PENN Rival fishing reel.

Bottom line:

Thus, there is nothing to complain about the PENN Rivals fishing reel as it is an all-rounder, and you can easily use it for fishing heavy and more giant catfish. Hence, the more oversized drag washers will let you drag heavy loads, and each of their products is manufactured based on customers’ needs to satisfy the users as much as possible.      

3. Abu Garic C3 Species Special Baitcast Round Fishing Reel (best bait caster for catfish)

Are you in search of the fishing reel best in sheer power? Then this ‘Abu Garic C3 Species “one of the best baitcaster for catfish. The durability of this catfish reel is as impressive as it is specially manufactured to last long.

 It doesn’t matter if you use it in fresh or salty water. The only target of this reel is to catch the most substantial fish in deep water.

Although, every Abu Garic C3 reel is famous for its strength and durability. Apart from that, their features are unique, including stainless steel ball-bearing, so you never have to worry about rusting; a 6-pin centrifugal brake can be easily used even while lobbying heavy baits.

Additionally, a rigid body 13 x 20 x 9.2 inches L x W x H and an aluminum spool also let you line up on a bigger fish quickly. The Abu Garic C3 comes in two sizes, including 6500 and 7000.

Both sizes come with long handles and oversized power knobs with excellent torque. With all these features, you can easily catch a giant catfish. Even, the smooth and dependable carbon matrix system will let you catfish with fantastic accuracy.

Furthermore, the Abu Garic C3 fishing reels are expensive, but their features make them perfect with only 0.75 pounds of item weight.

Aside from that, one of the best things is you only have to pay once, and you can use it for years. That is why paying at once can give you the best catfishing reel.

Bottom line:

Overall, Abu Garic C3 is a perfect choice; you may be thinking about the price, but trust me, it’s a one-time payment thing. And after paying at once, this excellent fishing reel will work with you for years. The reel could be more sturdy, as some users found it a bit complicated, and its max drag capacity is a bit low.

4. Okuma Classical Levelwind Star Drag Lightweight Round Trolling Reel (best catfish reel under $100)

Are you having trouble finding the best spinning reel for catfish in saltwater? So, try the Okuma Classical Levelwind Star Drag, known as the best catfish reel under $100. You can use it in saltwater or freshwater.

You can use this fantastic catfish reel as it is corrosion-resistant. But the only thing we always worry about when we are out to buy a catfish fishing reel is if it works well or if we can carry it easily.

 As it weighs only 0.5 pounds, you can take it anywhere. Also, you don’t have to worry about the working as the ported frame and corrosion-resistant side plates will give this fishing reel a long life.

Additionally, we have many more to discuss this reel, including the stainless-steel foot providing its strength. A multi-disc drag system is enough to drag with high load and depth. Self-lubricant gear system will make the reel dependable and work smoothly.

The wind system is made of stainless steel. The purpose of this system is to ensure that the line wraps on the spool evenly. Apart from that, there is a handle made of aluminum with T-style knobs, and instead of a ball bearing, you will find a bushing drive inside this reel.

Furthermore, this excellent reel is available at a reasonable price with different sizes including 8 x 5 x 5 inches in dimensions and cyclonic flow rotors making the machine work smoothly. The graphite body is so light in weight that you carry it easily.

Bottom line: In short, this catfish fishing reel is perfect as it comes at a reasonable price with many excellent features. But the bail of this fishing reel is a bit hard to close, but overall, you can use it smoothly. You can easily make the reel work for longer even when constantly using it in salty water due to the graphite body making it resistant to corrosion.    

5.  Abu Garic SMAX3 Silver Max Low Profile Baitcast Fishing Reel (best catfish reel 2022)

Do you think the silver Max’s body and size are almost identical to the Abu ORA SX? Remove the side plates from ORA SX and fix them to MAX’s body easily. However, you will notice a gap between the plates. Therefore, both reels have different bodies.

Taking a look at the structure of the Abu Garic Max Baitcast fishing reel, which comes with a silver finish. But the paint is mate, without a glossy coat and metallic flake.

Whereas, the frame is also finished with matte black color, and when you look inside the side plate and structure, you will notice inconsistencies throughout the side plate edges. But they are there, nevertheless.

The handle of this best catfish reel 2024 comes with zero back play, with a bit of movement helping you move in and out of the reel. But remember one thing: you can’t adjust the fit or maintain the bushing or bearing.

On the other hand, you will find five stainless steel ball bearings with more than one ball bearing, making the machine work smoother.

Weight of this reel is only 209 grams due to the spool being made up of an aluminum slim-wall machine which will increase its strength. The ultra-smooth drag system will provide a powerful drag even in deep water.

You can easily hold the fishing reel with the dimensions of 4.5 x 6.25 x 3 inches and large co-molded soft touch knobs and compact bend handles. Finding a fishing reel with a good brake system is always hard, but the Abu Garic max Baitcast fishing reel will give you a MagTax brake system.

Bottom line:

However, all the features of Abu Garic Max Baitcast make it perfect to use for more giant catfish. But one thing is, if you compare this max Baitcast with other Abu Garic catfish fishing reels, you will find that this one is a bit more side-play than the alternatives. But overall, you can say that this fishing reel is the best catfish reel in 2024.                  

6. Quantum Nova Conventional Fishing Reel (Best conventional fishing reel)

Do you want a spinning wheel that can handle heavy work and catch a giant catfish? If so, then this Quantum Nova Conventional Fishing Reel is the perfect catfish fishing reel for you.

It provides power handles that let you catch even heavier and bigger fish easily. Further,  the drag system is upgraded, or you can say you will get a clicker drag system that can work even in deep hard water.

As well as,  a corrosion-resistant body will let you work for years in salt water; no need to worry. In the fishing industry, Titanium bail is one of the strongest bails present in this fishing reel.

Furthermore, features will include a powerful body that is 0.71 pounds in weight and comes with three years of warranty. So if there is any problem with its working during those three years, you can contact the company to repair it.

Due to their aggressive nature, catfish always fight back, so in this case, you will need a casting ability with a heavy lure so you can easily catch even heavier and stronger catfish.

One of the basic things we all want in our fishing reel is the clutch shown to be good. You are undoubtedly getting an anti-reversed grip in this Quantum fishing reel. This will prevent the reel from turning backward and also engage the drag.

If you are searching for a powerful reel for tossing or cutting a big fish and don’t want to pay for many different reels, this fishing reel is just for you.

Bottom line:

In either case, if you are a user of artificial lures and you can make a lot of casts through them, then they might not fit correctly for you because they are undoubtedly a lot heavier than some other fishing reels. The quantum fishing reel is a conventional reel durable with cranking power.

7. Quantum Optix Spinning Fishing Reel (Best Catfish Reel Under $50)

If you’re looking for some lightweight fishing reels for heavy species, then The Quantum Optix spinning is the perfect choice. Despite its lightweight, it is a high-performance fishing reel.

With 4 ball bearings and a smooth retrieve, this fishing reel has a machine with an aluminum spool that ensures long-term durability.

Moreover, right and left-hand retrieve are changeable so that you can use them on any angler. To give reliable performance, the Quantum Optix Spinning fishing reel has a rotor with a solid brass pinion gear with a TRU-Balance.

This spinning reel is available in all sizes, shapes, and prices with 1 x 1 x 1 inch in L x W x H. With respect to cost, we all want as much value for our money as possible.

But that’s different from the most expensive reel that will be best for you. The incredible thing is that you can find the best catfish reel for under $50.

Moreover, you can go more than 27 inches on resolution, ensuring more prolonged content use. Apart from that, the fishing reel doesn’t come with bells or whistles but will do its work perfectly.

Bottom line:

In brief, it’s not true that you have to spend more to buy the best spinning reel. The Quantum Optix Spinning fishing reel is under $50, with its unique features like durability, sturdy structure, collapsible handle, and lightweight design. But you will only face one problem: the bail wire screw holding, which needs screwing every now and then.

                                                                                                                 

8. Lew’s Walley Marshall Signature Series Spinning Reel (Best budget reel)

Do you want to go for round crappie fishing? With Walley Marshall’s amazing small fishing reel, you can easily jig or trot when fishing. This micro-spinning reel comes in three sizes so that you can choose according to your need.

Apart from that, the function of this reel will also make you buy it as it is the best catfish reel for the money. With all of its features, you will find the reel worth its money.

Furthermore, the Lew’s Walley Marshall spinning reel features include the new skeletal rotor design and only 6.4 ounces in weight, which means it is easy to carry and comfortable to use with the dimension of 5 x 5 x 3 inches.

The double anodized aluminum spool and lines of the golden accent will increase its durability and make it work longer. Bail is an essential part of any spinning reel; you never want it to keep screwing it again and again.

So with the substantial aluminum wire balanced bail, you can use it for a more extended period and don’t have to keep screwing. Accordingly, With the six-bearing system and collapsible handle system, which can be retrieved right or left, you can use this spinning reel smoothly.

Bottom line:

To sum up, many users highly recommend this spinning reel as they work great. You can quickly slow down a retrieve with the light, compact gearbox.

Most fishing reels automatically reverse back, but with the help of a one-way clutch bearing, it will prevent the rotor from moving backward.

                                  

9. South Bend Microlite S Class Spin Reel (Best spinning reels)                                   

The most suitable spinning reel for anglers is the South Bend S Class spin Reel which makes your fishing experience exceptional. With the help of this fantastic fishing reel, you can make your catch of the day by catching more significant and robust catfish.

Sometimes, if you are a lefty or want to handle the reel through your left, most fishing reels have right retrieve. But in this fishing reel, you will get both right and left-hand retrieve which means you can adjust it accordingly.

Additionally, with the front, a robust drag system will make it hard for the fish to run away, which means a greater chance of catching a lot of catfish successfully.

Moreover, with the anti-reverse and balanced rotor, there will be no chance that the retrieve will reverse automatically. The weight of this fishing reel is only 0.1 pounds with a 5.2 x 4.2 x 4.2 inches dimension making it perfect to use and carry.

The precision line roller will make it possible to do longer casting and reduce the tangling potential. In fact, there is a line roller with precision, there is less chance of friction and line slap.

Indeed this excellent reel is worth its price, but some users are concerned about its strength, and when we tested it, it started grinding, but apart from all that, it still works impressively.

Bottom line:

The best way to identify a spinning fishing reel is to look for the body structure. Thereafter, South Bend Fishing reel is made up of drilled aluminum spool, making it sturdier and lasting for years. Apart from that, the five-ball bearing drive will make your fishing reel work smoothly without tiring you.

10.  Penn Pursuit III & Pursuit IV Spinning Fishing Reel- (Best for saltwater fishing)

When fishing for catfish, what is the biggest difference between Penn Pursuit fishing reels? Penn Pursuit III fishing reels feature HT100 drag systems. This fishing reel is reliable and durable if you are an average angler.

Moreover, Penn Pursuit also allows you to access a broad range of fishing applications. The revolution is made up of a graphite body with 0.76 pounds in weight, making it light in weight, and you will get adequate strength.

Furthermore, the features of this reel also include the aesthetic body of this reel. The fishing reel with silver highlights will look amazing in your hands, and the slick-looking black reel with silver highlights. If you are searching for a smooth crank, these four bearings will work smoothly for you.

All budget-driven anglers will love this spinning reel as comparing it with others on the price point makes it perfect. With this reel, you can easily cover plenty of fishing applications and catch giant catfish in no time.

Bottom Line:

Like other Penn Pursuit models, this new model only has one feature: its drag system. The drag washers, however, are made from carbon fibers with stainless bearings. A catfish cannot run away from this fishing reel because it has line capacity rings with superliner spools. Overall the Pen Pursuit spinning reel is powerful, affordable, and perfect for saltwater fishing.  

Things To Consider Before Buying the Best Catfish Reel

There are a few critical things you should take into account when buying a reel that will be employed primarily to attract catfish. There are several things that you should consider when purchasing a catfish reel that you wouldn’t usually keep in mind when buying a bass fishing reel or one designed for other species of fish.

The vast majority of the time, these reels will include a distinct collection of quality indicators specifically developed to guarantee that you will have the correct type of performance and features for your equipment to resist a considerable prize catfish.

 The following are some crucial things to keep in your mind while you search for a catfish reel.

• Type of Reel

The specific kind or style of reel you decide to employ is one of the most crucial factors to take into account when looking for the top reels for catfish. For catfishing or chasing almost any other kind of fish, one can pick from a spin-cast reel, a spin reel, or a baitcasting reel since most fishermen are well acquainted.

The benefits and downsides, or the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of reel, will be unique to that reel model. The first step in your search for the most suitable reel for catfishing is to understand and pay close attention to the numerous negative and positive characteristics of these varieties of reels.

• System of braking

Nesting (rat nests) is the factor that frightens the living daylights out of newbie fishermen. When throwing a bait caster, you encounter this situation where the spool spins continually, but the line stays still. It can occur in the wind but could also happen without apparent cause. The majority of people are encouraged by this factor to stand firm in their spinning rod arrangement.

For the sake of preventing these issues, most high-quality baitcasters are outfitted with sophisticated braking systems. In order to stop the line from shooting off the spool too rapidly, the reel instantly lowers down the spool when it senses that the line is going to slow down.

• Line Alarms

Line alarms or bait clickers are one characteristic you will notice on so many catfishing reels. These enable free spooling and will produce a click whenever something tries drifting away with your bait.

You must throw them out, adjust the slack, and trigger the alarm to use them. When you do this, the line will be completely free to move when you press the spool release.

The line alarm would let you notice when something comes out and grabs your lure. This is especially prevalent while using catfishing equipment such as slip sinker setups. Without manual input, you could explore the water column and make the perfect presentations.

• The Line Capacity

It shouldn’t be necessary to go into extensive detail about line capacity, given that it is self-explanatory. You probably use a more extensive line for catfish fishing than you would for the majority of forms of freshwater fishing.

 If you wish to put more line on the spool to catch larger fish, you need to have a larger line capacity since the large braided line uses up additional space on the spool.

You could only be likely to get 100 to 120 feet of line somehow when fishing with a low-profile reel, such as some of the small spinning reels, which is generally insufficient. Up to 350 to 400 feet of a line can operate on bigger trolling and shooting reels. In this way, you can quickly get the fish to do its work.

• Gear Ratio

The gear ratio is yet another major controversy among several of the top fishing equipment suppliers that are believed to be appropriate for catfishing. The size of the reels and other factors play a significant part in how this value changes throughout the many distinct categories of reels.

The amount of spool rotations you will get for each whole spin of the reel’s handle is known as the gear ratio. You should select a gear ratio that is significantly larger than that used on most other reels when catfishing.

With each handle turn, you will be able to operate the device in a more consistent manner. Suppose you are an angler engaging in a tense struggle with a fish that tugs hard and continues to run back toward your boat or location. In that case, this can seem a significant advantage since it will compel you to gather momentum slowly whilst depending on your reel to carry out your work.

These are some of the particular features you should search for while assessing goods. To choose the best reel for catfish, you need to understand what makes this fish unique and why these characteristics are essential.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1: What size reel is best for catfish?

Any experienced angler can easily use a spinning reel with a size of 10 or 20. Most people also prefer 30/300 size or even larger.

2: Are Baitcasters good for catfishing?

If you get a baitcaster fishing reel this means you will get good line capacity, and you can also easily hold heavier fishing line. Moreover, the gear ratio of a baitcaster fishing reel is just perfect to be used for catfish.

3: What line should I use for catfishing?

You can use light or heavy lines according to the situation, but for all-around use, a high-intensity line having about 15-20 pounds of small-diameter monofilaments is a perfect choice. Remember that this can only be used for smaller catfishes. The 30-40 or 80-pound test should be upgraded accordingly for bigger and heavier people.

Final Words

According to our review of the 10 best catfish reels, an ideal catfish reel should be light in weight, come with left and right retrieves, have the best line alarm, and be able to hold perfect lines. Having read through the entire article, if you’re still unsure which one to choose, here are the two best catfish fishing reels to choose from;

1.       Quantum Optix Spinning Fishing Reel

2.       South Bend Microlite S Class Spin Reel

There are a lot of reasons why these fishing reels are the best, just like their lightweight design, comfort, and features they come with. Catfish fishing will indeed be easier with these reels.