In the world of Good Baitcasting Reels , baitcasting reels have their own special place. Some anglers like spinning reels because they are easy to use and simple, but baitcasters have their own benefits, especially when using heavier lines or certain techniques. They give you more control, power, and accuracy, which is why serious fishermen need them. For the past 15 years, our team has thoroughly tested and reviewed hundreds of reels. We’ve updated our list for 2025 to show you the best options available right now.
Every year, new models and technologies come out that change the way good baitcasting reels work. This means that something that was once thought to be the best might not be anymore or might not be made anymore. We spend a lot of time on the water testing the newest gear to make sure we’re always recommending products that you can easily find at your favorite stores.
Our Favorite Things for 2025
Best Overall: Shimano Metanium DC A Reel for Casting
The Okuma Hakai DT is the lightest reel.
SPRO JC Elite MG is the best power reel.
Lew’s Custom Pro Gen 3 is the best reel for cast control.
Bates Hundo LTS is the best BFS baitcaster.
Abu Garcia Revo5 Rocket is the fastest baitcaster.
Shimano SLX XT A 150: The Best Value Workhorse
Bates GOAT SWM 200 is the best swimbait reel.
Detailed Reviews of Our Best Baitcasters
Shimano Metanium DC A Casting Reel
The Shimano Metanium DC A is the lightest digital reel ever made. Its performance is truly impressive in a wide range of situations. I’ve used this reel for a lot of things, like casting worms that don’t weigh anything on light line and throwing 3/4-ounce spinnerbaits. It can handle heavy lures, but I’ve found that it works best with lighter baits.
The fifth-generation DC braking system on this good baitcasting reels is what makes it stand out. It lets you cast very smoothly even when it’s windy. Being able to pitch and skip light plastics and small swimbaits with such ease and accuracy is a huge deal. With the third-generation MGL Spool technology, you don’t have to worry about the startup inertia, which makes casting easy with just a flick of the wrist. The retrieve is very smooth, so you can feel every little movement of your lure. This reel weighs just over 6 ounces and has 10 bearings and a roller bearing. It is the best in terms of design and performance.
Okuma Hakai DT
The Okuma Hakai DT came out a few years ago and is still one of the lightest reels we’ve ever tested, weighing only 5.9 ounces. Its magnesium alloy frame at a price point under $200 is even more impressive, since this is rare in the good baitcasting reels market. The unique SUS FLITE SHAFT and FLITE-SPOOL technologies make it easy to cast smoothly. This reel is so free-casting that you’ll need to spend some time getting the tension and brakes just right, especially if you’re not a pro angler with a trained thumb. But if you know how to use it well, it can help you cast a long way.
SPRO Jason Christie Elite MG
The Jason Christie Elite MG series from SPRO is the result of several years of work and a strong start in the good baitcasting reels market. This reel is very light and strong because it has an 11-bearing system and a magnesium frame. The solid carbon fiber handle makes it feel even smoother.
These reels are made for power fishing, so they’re great for cranking, throwing spinnerbaits, and dealing with heavy cover. The JC Elite MG is perfect for people who like to fish in shallow, muddy water. It is strong and powerful, but light enough to fish with all day. For a magnesium-framed reel, the price of $229 is very good. It has four speeds, and you can easily tell which one it is by the color of the handle knob cover.
Lew’s Custom Pro Gen 3
The Custom Pro Gen 3 is the third generation of one of Lew’s most popular reels. It costs $279 and is a top-of-the-line reel. The new ParaMag ITB system is the best thing about it. It uses an advanced inertia control system to keep an eye on and control the speed of the spool. This gets rid of almost all of the backlash without using a computer chip, making the casting experience very smooth and easy to use.
This reel is quiet, strong, and smooth. It has 11 bearings, a one-piece aluminum frame, and a drilled aluminum U-spool. It has a carbon-fiber drag system and a lot of other high-end features, like Speed Dial line indicators and a 95mm carbon-fiber handle, that make it a good choice for any angler.
Bates Hundo LTS
Bates is a relatively new company that has quickly become known for its high-quality reels, which are known for having solid milled block aluminum frames. The Hundo LTS is their first real BFS (Bait Finesse System) reel and is a true flagship model that can be compared to the best BFS reels on the market. I have used it to cast lures that weigh as little as 1/16 ounce without any problems.
Rocket Abu Garcia Revo5
The Abu Garcia Revo5 Rocket is a real speed demon because it is one of the few good baitcasting reels that can go faster than 10:1. But don’t be fooled by its speed; it’s also built to be strong. This reel is made for people who fish for fast, aggressive fish, like a big largemouth hiding in heavy cover or a redfish racing through mangroves.
This fifth-generation Revo has 11 ball bearings, an X2-Cräftic alloy frame, and the IVCB-6 braking system, which uses both centrifugal and magnetic brakes to give you perfect control over the spool. With 18 pounds of stopping power and a 10.1:1 gear ratio, the Power Stack Carbon Matrix Drag System can pull in an amazing 44 inches of line per turn. This means you can set the hook with a lot of force in less than a second. It can hold 90 yards of 17-pound line or 160 yards of 10-pound line, so it’s ready for a fight.
Shimano SLX XT A 150 Reel
The SLX line was made for regular fishermen who need a good baitcasting reels that works well and is dependable but doesn’t cost a lot. The new SLX XT A 150 is even more powerful than the others and costs only $130. Some people might say it’s the best choice for fishermen who want a single, reliable workhorse reel to fill their deck.
How smooth it is to retrieve
When you pick up a reel, this is usually the first thing you see. A smooth retrieve means that the parts are of good quality and fit tightly. Stay away from reels that feel or sound gritty because this could mean they are not very good. Even when you’re fighting a fish, a good reel should feel “buttery smooth” and be quiet.
Managing Lines
If you don’t manage your lines well, a good reel can quickly become a paperweight. A good baitcaster should be able to handle lines of different sizes and materials, from light monofilament to heavy braided line. Look for things like a well-designed line guide and spool that keep the line from getting tangled and make sure it comes out smoothly.
Cost
Price is always something to think about. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a high-end reel if you’re just starting out with baitcasting. A beginner model that costs between $80 and $100 is a great way to get used to the technique. A more expensive reel can have better features and performance that are worth the money for more experienced anglers.
Don’t forget to check this guide again and again. We are always testing new good baitcasting reels, and when they pass our strict tests, we will add them to this list.
