We have reviewed some of the top-rated saltwater fishing reels on the market to find you the Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Under 100.
If you are in a hurry:
Penn Battle II is the Best Saltwater Spinning Reel Under $100.
Here is our list of the 9 Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Under 100.
Our Top 9 Picks
Last update on 2024-11-07 / Paid links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
9 Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Under 100
Now, let us move to our detailed reviews.
Penn Battle II Saltwater Spinning Reel
Penn Battle II 2000 comes packaged in a box with a factory seal to prevent tampering with the product. In addition to the reel itself, you receive a bag of extra washers in case you need them. The reel contains a Superline spool for use with either Berkley or Spiderwire Superline.
The components are treated with Penn’s reel grease to ensure that the reel works smoothly. You don’t really need to assemble the reel. But, you can switch which side the crank handle is installed on to accommodate your preferences.
Penn Battle II Saltwater Reel performs well consistently in a variety of different fishing environments. You can use this reel for both salt and freshwater fishing. It also performs regardless of whether you are fishing from the pier or from the surf.
It can handle large fish, even some rays, and can be used for different fishing practices such as jigging. Over time, the performance does not suffer due to the high-quality materials of the reel. It remains smooth, powerful, versatile, and easy to use.
Penn Battle II spinning reel comes with an HT-100 Versa-Drag system. This system is made of carbon fiber, making it extremely durable. The drag system is powerful enough to take on big gamefish including redfish, trout, salmon, and bass.
Despite the impressive amount of power this reel packs, the drag system is still extremely smooth. The drag washers are coated in proprietary grease, which makes for a smooth system that will last for many fishing trips.
KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel
KastKing Sharky III is a much smoother spinning reel compared to other reels in its class. It is made of the highest-grade materials. High-quality ball bearings and corrosion resistance give it an extra edge over the competition. It has 10+1 shielded bearings that provide smooth performance.
A triple-disc carbon drag for the ultimate smooth drag to prevent fishing line breaks. This reel has enough drag for you to catch larger fish. You will be amazed to experience how effortlessly it retrieves in any fish fight. It is the reel that pro anglers suggest to beginners who want to catch large fish.
KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel has a unique shark fin braid-ready spool that eliminates the need for a backing line and maintains the braid line from slipping. This gives you the capacity to get more line for fighting the largest fish you have ever caught.
This spinning reel is crafted for both left-hand and right-hand use to fit your comfort. The handle is made to be a bit oversized and has a soft grip for maximum hold even when it gets wet. The amount of control offered by this spinning reel allows you to fight far bigger fish. You will wonder how you ever went without it for so long.
KastKing Sharky III is the perfect combination of engineered efficiency and sensitivity at the perfect price. You are getting features you would not normally see in a spinning reel at this low cost. The stainless-steel ball bearings offer corrosion resistance. It comes with an impressive zinc alloy drive gear that gives a solid power transmission and a long operating life. You will be using this spinning reel year after year to catch the largest game fish available.
Okuma Ceymar Saltwater Fishing Reel
Okuma Ceymar weighs approximately 8 oz. and comes equipped with a maximum drag pressure of 5 lbs. It features an 8-bearing drive system with precision elliptical gearing for ultimate control and handling.
Okuma has used long-lasting materials for designing this ultralight saltwater spinning reel. Most of the reel is made with high-quality anodized components. The use of such high-quality material in the manufacturing process makes Ceymar resistant to damage. The corrosion-resistant graphite body of this reel is a feature worth its weight in gold.
The design will give you confidence that this reel will measure up even in extreme circumstances. The Okuma Ceymar Reel has a precision machine-cut brass pinion gear that gives you a solid contact point. The reel also has a very solid aluminum ball wire and a machined 2-tone anodized aluminum spool to give you a solid feel all around.
Okuma Ceymar Saltwater Fishing Reel comes with a RESII computer-balanced rotor equalizing system. It gives you solid contact with your spool so that you do not have to worry about losing your line. This reel has a max line retrieve of 55.4 cm. with a gear ratio of 5.0:1.
The bearings are rated 6BB+1RB and the reel weighs 170g which is the perfect combination of usability and durability. The Okuma Ceymar ultralight fishing reel has a max drag of 3 kg which allows you to reel in your catch gently yet powerfully. The Cyclonic Flow Rotor gives this reel robust versatility that allows you to adapt to any environment.
Okuma Ceymar also has a line control system that allows for premium line-lay. In addition to these features, this Okuma reel also comes with a multi-disc oiled felt drag system that delivers precision on a consistent basis.
SeaKnight Rapid Spinning Reel
I bought the SeaKnight Rapid because I needed a reel for casting light lures for inshore fishing. I wanted something good quality but still reasonably priced. Initially, I was a little skeptical because of the price, but as soon as I received it, I knew I made the right choice. You can see the quality of the construction.
The main shaft is solid, and it looked like high quality, top-of-the-line reel. It has stainless steel ball bearings, which help make the drag so smooth. That is one of the reasons I went with the Rapid. I wanted a reel with easy pull-in so I could be out all day without getting tired.
I have only used it one time with my bass fishing rod and it was so lightweight I ended up staying out for most of the day. Now, I can’t wait to get back to using it again. I like that it can be used in both heavy freshwater and light saltwater. I think this will be a good reel for my wife to use when we go away for vacation, so I’m going to order another.
Oh! I almost forgot that the best part was that after being out for so long, there was no water or sand in the gears when I got home! This is a major plus because it will help prevent rusting and dust. With no sand buildup, it will keep the reel moving fast and powerful. I highly recommend it!
KastKing Megatron Saltwater Reel
First of all, the geometric shape of the KastKing Megatron 6000 is so cool! It feels super lightweight. It only weighs 13.4 ounces. Obviously, the most important is that overall, it is an exceptional spinning reel at a reasonable price. It has an aluminum frame and seems to be very durable. I haven’t had it all that long, so I’ll give an update as I use it more.
I’ve used it for freshwater fishing for chain pickerel, here in New Jersey and the drag is powerful. I haven’t used it for saltwater fishing yet, but when searching for which reel to buy, I checked that this would perform well for saltwater and freshwater fishing.
The Megatron is made for catching bigger fish but as I said, I’ve used it mainly for chain pickerel and it handles very well. I wasn’t expecting much because the price was so low. I figured the unique style was more like a gimmick than anything else, but I am very impressed with not only the looks but also the quality.
Cadence CS5 Ultralight Saltwater Reel
I ordered the Cadence CS5 1000 because I needed a new ultralight saltwater spinning reel and didn’t want to spend a lot of money. I chose Cadence CS5 to use in both freshwater and saltwater because it has a carbon fiber drag system. Cadence CS5 is easy to use and it’s super powerful! I wanted a reel that makes for a smooth drag and fast pull-in. I’ve used it a few times and I’m super impressed.
There are 8 bearings and they are anti-corrosion. I haven’t had much of a problem with water, sand, or dust in the gears. It seems pretty water-resistant. The oversized handle is a good size for me because I have large hands. Also, the handle switches easily for a left/right retrieve, which is good because I’m a lefty and this has been a problem with other reels in my past.
I’ve used this reel quite a lot this past season and I’m very happy with how sturdy it is. The outgoing line is just as steady and smooth as the drag coming back in. The largest fish I caught this past season was a 24lb walleye using one of our Best Walleye Rods. The max drag of the CS5 1000 is 29 lbs, so I had no problem.
I do wish that I had spent a little bit of extra money to buy the CS5 4000. The max drag for the 4000 is 36 lbs. My buddy has the 4000 and it is just as sturdy and weighs just a couple of ounces less than the one that I have.
Penn Pursuit III Spinning Reel
The Penn Pursuit III is a great buy for a beginner or experienced fisherman. The price is amazing, and it is a stunning black and silver spinning reel. Nothing can beat this price, especially for Penn, and Penn spinning reels are the best! The exact reel size that I bought is the Penn Pursuit III 2500. I used the reel with a 20lb braided fishing line for saltwater fishing.
The KastKing Superpower Braided line cast out with ease and gave me over 300 yards. The line capacity rings showed me how much fishing line I was using, which was helpful. It’s marked to let you know on the spool when you get one-third and two-thirds of the way through the line and shows full capacity when the full line is out.
There is a gasket made of rubber that kept my line from slipping. That was nice. The drag was super smooth! I assume this is probably because the bearing system is 4 + 1 stainless steel and the gear ratio is 6.2:1. The body of the reel is made of graphite and is very lightweight. It is less than ten pounds. No water or sand entered. That is good for me because it will be resistant to corrosion as time goes by.
Also, one other note… the hand orientation switches for left-handed fishermen like me. I highly recommend this spinning reel. You will be shocked at the quality and performance for the price!
Dr. Fish Saltwater Reel
My wife bought me the Dr. Fish Saltwater Reel LS-12000 for my birthday. I had never heard of the brand Dr. Fish, so I was skeptical. My wife said she researched and found that this was “a good choice for big game fishing.” I have to say that she did an outstanding job picking this for me. I’ve mostly used it in surf fishing, and I love it!
It weighs 24lbs which is a little heavier than other spinning reels I’ve used, but I was out all day with it and didn’t have a problem or get tired with it. It has a 48lb max front drag and a 3.9:1 gear ratio. The spool is big and sturdy. I use an 80lb braided line and it casts easily over 300 yards.
Surprisingly, the reel is water-resistant. That works for me because I don’t have to clean every time after going out fishing. I used it maybe six times before I gave it a good cleaning and found that there was no seepage. This will be good in the future because I’ve had corrosion with other brands of saltwater reels and that causes grinding and resistance on the line. There are 13+1 ball bearings that are rust-resistant.
Apparently, my wife listens to me talk about fishing because she knew rust and corrosion-resistant features are important. I am very happy with her purchase.
KastKing Summer Fishing Reel
When you purchase KastKing Summer Fishing Reel you are going to get a sharp-looking spinning reel out of the box. It comes fully assembled in the box, ready to use on day one. You are also going to get a standard “how-to” manual for maintenance and cleaning to ensure quality over the life of the reel.
Nothing is made of plastic as the reel is all aluminum and graphite. It is solid, shiny, smooth, and easily attaches to your fishing rod.
KastKing Summer is a strong and light spinning reel with more fishing line capacity than the competition. The reel has grooves on the inside for lube retention. It is made of high-quality materials and special components to stand up to harsh use. The build quality of this spinning reel is impressive.
KastKing Summer Fishing Reel is built using a computerized system that provides excellent balance. It is extremely easy to use and powerful making it less hassle than more expensive and complicated reels. A lot of people may think that a small compact spinning reel can not chase large fish but KastKing Summer has what it takes to get the job done.
It can handle anything you throw at it, standing side by side with the more expensive reels. It is one of the best spinning reels for money due to its reasonable price and excellent features. Buying this reel is a no-brainer. It is a smooth, light, and durable reel that gets five stars for performance.
Conclusion
Here is our list of the 9 Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Under $100:
- Penn Battle II Saltwater Spinning Reel – Winner
- KastKing Sharky III Spinning Reel
- Okuma Ceymar Saltwater Fishing Reel
- SeaKnight Rapid Spinning Reel
- KastKing Megatron Saltwater Reel
- Cadence CS5 Ultralight Saltwater Reel
- Penn Pursuit III Spinning Reel
- Dr. Fish Saltwater Reel
- KastKing Summer Spinning Reel
Unsurprisingly. Penn Battle II is the Best Saltwater Spinning Reel Under 100 as per our reviews.
Of course, I have always heard Penn is a great brand. But I couldn’t believe that I could buy a top-rated spinning reel such as the Penn Battle II for under $100. Penn Battle II looks to have many of the same features as a Shimano. It has 5 stainless steel ball bearings and an instant anti-reverse bearing with a 6.2:1 gear ratio. It’s water-resistant, lightweight, and reported to have a smooth drag.
We hope you like our pick of the Best Saltwater Spinning Reels Under 100. If you have any other suggestions, then please let us know via the comments section. We will try to include your recommended reel in our next update.
Last Updated on January 5, 2024 by Victor Mays
