As fishermen, we often wonder the impact that our tackle has on our fishing. Many will argue that spending more money should lead to results. We challenge that claim to say that higher priced items don’t always yield results unless you know how to use the extra features that are offered. When it comes to your fishing equipment, one of the most sophisticated pieces that you will own is your fishing reel. While reels can help specialize in casting for distance and accuracy, its most important feature is its ability to retrieve the fishing line quickly and smoothly. If you are interested in high-quality fishing reels, check out our article about the best fishing reels for tuna.
Finding the most expensive fishing reels on the market can offer the best experiences for the functionality of your reel. Having a reliable reel that yields results is the goal for any true angler. If you are interested in buying one of the top reels available on the market, regardless of price tag, then we have complied the perfect list for you.
Daiwa Dendoh Marine Power Deep Sea Power Assist Fishing Reel
At a price exceeding $3,000, the Daiwa Dendoh Marine Power Deep Sea Power Assist Fishing Reel is in a league of its own. If you ever have the opportunity to use this reel, you are likely fishing in over 500 feet of water. The reel was crafted to handle deep-drop fishing or “canyon” fishing, a phrase known to many offshore fishermen. Not only is this reel built to withstand heavy rigs and thicker line but it can also fish in depths of up to 1500’ with 120-Ib. braided line. Two other incredible features for this reel is its Preset Lever Drag and aggressive cam which can help maximize the control of the near-boat fish.
Focusing on the design, the reel is the one of the most premium looking models on the market. With a stellar gold machine-cut aluminum frame, side plates and spool, this reel will make you feel like the King of the Ocean. Daiwa manufactured this 12.28 pound reel with 16 ball bearings and 2 CRBB anti-corrosion bearings to help allow for reduced rotational friction as well as maximum load capacity. As you can notice from its picture, the reel was designed with a protective shield which helps keep away dirt and debris out. This design helps long-term performance versus the typically stainless ball bearings. This reel was built to look beautiful, last for a lifetime and produce top-notch results in the deepest fishing waters. If you decide to use this reel, just be sure to invite me on your next off-shore fishing trip!
Shimano Stella SW STL18000SWBHG Spinning Fishing Reel, Gear Ratio: 5.7:1
Shimano recently launched their new Stella SWB Spinning Reel which is arguably the best spinning reel on the market ranging at a price between $1100-1400. With its ability to handle power, while also delivering smoothness, you will land fish that you can only dream about. This reel was made to handle the most aggressive sport-fish in the seas. What makes this reel incredible is how light it is – only 1.93 pounds! At this weight, you may guess that this reel is the strongest reel on the market based on a pound-by-pound basis. Its silk aluminum handle and one-piece shaft help to maintain power and strength over almost any fish.
One can only imagine the oversized metal jigs and poppers that can be used with this reel. Not only can you use this heavy-duty equipment but you can cast it at extremely high levels of precision and accuracy. Improved technology has welcomed a new era for its X tough Drag which allows for continued drag consistency that lasts for your entire battle with the fish. Whether you are fishing for the prized blue tuna, an over-sized trivially or a giant blue marlin, this reel will work for you. Shimano will continue to be the leader in premium spin reels. They design the best spinning reels that are available on the market. Their Stella series is regarded as their premium class for Saltwater fishermen.
Daiwa SALTIGA5000H Saltwater Spinning Fishing Reel, 17-20 lb, Blue
Daiwa probably is the only other company that is able to compete with Shimano for top-tier spinning reels, ranging at a price between $800-1000. This sharp-looking blue reel can support high performance fishing for the biggest and fastest fish in the ocean. The Satltiga 2015 features an ATD, which is also known as an Automatic Drag System. This drag system allows for better experiences when battling and competing in long battles with fish. This feature promotes great movement and quickness for the reel.
Daiwa revolutionized their creation of their reels with the legendary Magsealed production located on the spool shaft and line roller. It was built to handle the most challenging fishing conditions and had been a lead choice for Sport fishermen. Not only is this reel made with the highest-quality material among spinning reels, but it also has great capacity to allow fish to go on long runs. This reel can do things that most spinning reels can’t. You will be amazed with what a spinning reel can do.
EatMyTackle 80 Wide 2 Speed Saltwater Fishing Reel | Blue Marlin Tournament Edition
Stepping away from the premium reel companies leads us to the company EatMyTackle. This reel costs anywhere between $600-1000. Their 80 Wide 2 Speed Saltwater Fishing Reel was crafted for big-time offshore tournament fishing. This model’s edition is dedicated towards Blue Marlin Tournament Fishing. This reel features 9 shielded stainless steel ball bearings as well as a 2 speed gear ratio of 2.5 : 1 and 1.3 : 1. With a line capacity of over 1,000 yards, its time to bring on the big fish!
This reel’s two speed function helps retrieve line as incredibly fast speeds which helps handle those last minute runs when the fish approaches the boat. This helps solve a larger problem that reels have when trying to successfully bring the fish into the boat. A high-quality and durable 9.6-pound reel that can handle the extreme environment of deep-sea saltwater fishing. The reel also comes with a full 2-year warranty to fix any defects that the rod may have. This reel is very good for its price and I would recommend as a suitable option for your offshore fishing trips.
Shimano Talica 25 II Speed Lever drag Big Game Offshore Seafishing Multiplier Trolling Fishing Reel
Deep-sea fishing typically requires trolling as the preferred method for fishing. Shimano addressed this need by offering its Talica Trolling Fishing Reel at a price ranging from $600-750. From its initial design, this reel was made to be great for casting as well as a premium drag system. Braided lines work very smoothly with this reel as well as shorter fluorocarbon leaders. Another interesting feature is that this reel is available is several sizes to accommodate the different needs of an offshore fishermen.
Although the description of this product is a trolling reel, it offers great versatility. It has the sensitivity and weight to achieve results when jigging as well as the smooth capability and power to deliver the best experience when trolling. This tends to be reel that once you buy, you prefer to just own more of them. It builds trust among its users and provides fishing results that are worth duplicating over and over again.
Q&A
Q: What is the most expensive reel that you can buy?
A: The most expensive reel that you can buy is the Daiwa Dendoh Marine Power Deep Sea Power Assist Fishing Reel which ranges from $3,000-3,500. Daiwa is known as one of the most premium brands within the fishing reel industry.
Q: Do more expensive reels help catch more fish?
A: It depends. When it comes to traditional fishing in more common waters, having a reel that is strong enough to withstand the fish that you will be catching is already enough. You don’t need to speed $1000+ to buy a reel that does exactly what a $50 reel will do for the fish that you may be catching. Other factors can also be important such as the rod, the line and the lures. Having a strong balance of solid fishing tackle will help lead to the best results in catching more fish.
Q: What is the best fishing reel in the world?
A: Given its ability to handle the deepest depths and more powerful fish, Daiwa Dendoh Marine Power Deep Sea Power Assist Fishing Reel would probably be considered the best fishing reel available in the world at this time. The best fishing reel should be able to handle the most difficult fishing conditions that are possible while also giving the fishermen a fair chance to successfully land the fish. With advancements in technology, these premium fishing reel companies continue to make slight tweaks to improve their products.
Conclusion
I personally always battle the dilemma of what is most important when purchasing a new fishing reel: best value or best reel. At the end of the day, you want to try to have the best reel to help you land big fish. These reels are sold to cater to a specific group of fishermen within the fishing community. These reels have premium features that would go unnoticed to the average angler. When it comes to the most expensive and top-notch reels, I prefer the Shimano Stella SW STL18000SWBHG Spinning Fishing Reel as my choice when fishing offshore. Not only is the reel super light but it is also so smooth which can be helpful when battling those monster tuna fish.
We continue to update this list and correctly show the changes to these prices. We welcome your thoughts and opinions as this debate continues for which expensive fishing reels truly work the best. We recommend a focus towards the top two brands, Shimano and Daiwa, as they continue to remain the pioneers to the most innovative fishing reel technology.