10 Best Baitcasting Reels For Bass Fishing in 2024

Our number 1 recommendation is the Abu Garcia Revo SX. This is an amazing baitcaster that provides everything you need for just about any type of bass fishing presentation you want to use it with.

For many bass fishing strategies, baitcasting reels have a winning edge over spinning reels. So what are the top benefits of a baitcaster reel when compared to a spinning reel?

Well, let’s take a look.

• Baitcasters Provide Better Line Control.
• Better Control Over Lure Speed.
• Easier To Detect Fish Strikes.
• More Cranking Power.

The main difference between baitcasting reels and spinning reels is that baitcasters are designed for heavier line and lures. The line feeds directly onto the spool, versus a spinning reel which requires the line to be redirected. This gives you more torque to handle larger fish.

They also have a brake system (centrifugal or magnetic) to control the spool speed and prevent backlash.

Baitcasting reels are a good choice for just about any type of presentation, like flipping jigs, deep diving crankbaits, casting large swimbaits, topwaters and even using Alabama rigs.

They can be a little tricky to use for beginner anglers, but they are a good all-around reel for bass fishing once you get the hang of them.

If you’re looking for a good baitcaster at an incredibly affordable price, we’d suggest checking out the Piscifun Torrent.

You can typically pick one up for around $40, which is an excellent deal for everything this reel brings to the table.

The short answer is that they can both work very well and that neither is really better than the other.

The long answer requires a little more detail about braking systems.

Centrifugal brakes are activated by the centrifugal force at the first part of the cast. These brakes are good for providing the brake action on the casting reel for the first part of the cast, but are limited once the lure stops and the baitcaster keeps backing. These reels need a brake system that is activated by a push/pull motion and is capable of braking the spool as the reel is returning.

Magnetic brakes work best at the end of the cast. Magnetic brakes are activated at the end of the cast by a push/pull motion using magnets that are inside of the reel.

Centrifugal brakes are located within the reel itself and typically require removing the sideplate of the reel to make adjustments. This is an extra step and so requires more work to tweak the brakes.

Magnetic brakes are typically controlled via a dial on the outside of the reel. This makes them very easy to adjust.

So, which is better?

It’s actually not really that easy to answer that question since each manufacturer’s braking system is different. Some brands have great braking systems, whether magnetic or centrifugal. Though, in our observations, some of the best braking systems utilize a combination of centrifuge, magnets, and cast control tension.

Overall, each of the reels on this list has a very reliable braking system.

The best gear ratio for flipping jigs will vary depending on the weight and size of the jig, as well as the angler’s personal preference. In years past, the general advice would have been slower gear ratios like 5:1 and 6:1. However, as reel technology has advanced and high gear ratio reels have been produced, that advice has shifted to higher numbers.

So if you’re wanting to do other types of fishing with the reel, a 7.5:1 will get you a good all around gear ratio. However, if you’re using the reel primarily for flipping and pitching, you may want to go with something that’s 8.5:1 or higher.

Check out this article by Piscifun for more information.

If you’re fishing with oversized swimbaits, you’re going to want a reel with a high max drag rating, good quality components, and available in a lower gear ratio that provides you with plenty of torque.

With this in mind, the 13 Fishing Concept A in the 5.6:1 gear ratio would be our top pick.

Yes, baitcasting reels are good for beginner anglers. They can be a little tricky to use at first, but with a little practice, most people can get the hang of them.

Baitcasting reels offer more power and control than spinning reels, which makes them a good choice for fishing for large fish.

We’d recommend going with a slow reel. One with a gear ratio in the 5:1 range. This will slow down the retrieve speed and allow the crankbait enough time to sink deep into the water column.

While you could get a higher gear ratio and manually slow down your retrieve, if you’re primarily crankbait fishing, I’d recommend going with the Shimano Curado K.

No, the handle side is determined at assembly. So unlike a spinning reel, you’re unable to change the side the handle is attached on.

If you need a right or left handed model, make sure you make the correct selection at purchase.

The general consensus is to use a reel with a higher gear ratio. However, you can technically skip a jig with any type of reel. The main benefit of having a higher gear ratio would be to get the fish out from under the dock as quickly as possible. This avoids the potential of the bass getting wrapped up around a dock post.

So, with that in mind, any of the reels on our list with a 7:1 or higher gear ratio will work fine.

If you’d like a direct recommendation though, I’d say to check out the Revo SX or the Alloy M.

If you’re fishing with an umbrella rig (Alabama rig) you’ll want to get a heavy duty, low gear ratio, baitcaster.

We’d recommend checking out the 5.6:1 GR Lew’s Speed Spool LFS. It should provide you with the power you need for throwing a-rigs, while also being general purpose enough to allow you to fish other presentations.

If you’re looking to fish umbrella rigs exclusively and would like a little more substance to the reel in your hands, then you should check out the Curado 300 K on Amazon or the 13 Fishing Concept A3 on Amazon. Both of these are beefed up models from the ones listed on this page.

To learn more about using an Umbrella rig, check out this article by ShopKarls.

While many of the reels here would likely be up to the task of fishing for striped bass, you may want to have more line capacity available to you than these low profile casting reels provide.

With that said, the Revo SX or Revo Ike should provide you with enough power and line to handle most inshore fishing situations.

However, you may want to opt for a reel with a larger spool design like a conventional reel or a more reinforced baitcasting reel like the Curado 300 K on Amazon or the 13 Fishing Concept A3 on Amazon.

Braided fishing line is a great choice for baitcasting reels. It is very thin and strong, so it can handle large fish without breaking. It also doesn’t curl up on the spool like monofilament line does, which makes it easier to cast.

The Revo SX at the 7.3:1 gear ratio should provide you with everything you need for bass froggin’.

If you’re looking to really burn it back to you, then you may want to get an 8:1 GR like the Alloy M or the Curado K.

This depends on the type of lure you’re going to be throwing into the weeds.

If you’re using an underwater lure, like a lipless crankbait, you’ll want to go with a lower gear ratio, something like the 5:1 Curado K or Concept A.

If you’re throwing a topwater, you’ll probably want to go with a higher gearing like Curado K, Alloy M, or Revo Ike.