Spinning reel for pike: TOP rating of models

Daiwa Crest ($60-70)

These reels from Daiwa are similar in many ways to Ryobi's previous line. What they have in common is a similar budget price and the heavy weight of all models. The Daiwa Crest is a little lighter (for example, the weight of a reel with size 2000 is 270 g), but not everything is perfect when it comes to reliability.

With intensive use of the coils, over time, backlashes and interruptions in the operation of the mechanism appear. The line laying is quite tolerable, although sometimes the loops still fall off.

Each reel has 5 bearings, no spare spool included.

On the topic of spinning reels, we recommend our important review of spinning reels.

Selecting a coil by size

When choosing a Daiwa reel, the most important thing is to decide on its size. And it directly depends on the type of bait that will be used for fishing. However, very often this parameter is ignored, and a “standard” coil is selected, which in principle does not exist.

There is a widespread belief among Russian fishermen that the model 2500 reel is “universal”. The fact is that American athletes believe that this particular reel size is ideal for high-speed fishing in professional tournaments. But this does not mean that it can be used under all fishing conditions. The 2500 reel is medium-sized and has an increased winding speed. However, it must be used for its intended purpose.

Most often, 2500 is taken as a “universal” one, for catching fish with light and heavy baits. For example, spinners and wobblers from 6 to 15 grams are used with it. Of course, the reel will work well with such bait. But a reel of size 1500 or 2000 would be better suited for it. The latter is equipped with the same main gear as 2500. The safety margin of these reels is very large, and the weight is much less. In this way, the tackle can be significantly lightened.

The 2500 reel will also work great with heavy baits, such as forty-gram baits. But the fact is that it is not intended for them, and its internal mechanism will be subject to accelerated wear. For this type of bait, the 3000 model is better.

But the 3000 model can, with some truth, be classified as “universal”. These daiwa reels are equipped with powerful transmission, high sensitivity and excellent smoothness. They are intended for fishing with baits from 10 to 50 grams. But with the help of such a reel you can easily make long casts even with a five-gram bait. However, they should not be used for catching very large catfish, salmon, beluga, taimen, or in too extreme conditions. This is what the 4000 models are designed for.

There is also an opinion among fishermen that a larger spool diameter gives a longer cast. This is not entirely true. All Daiwa reels are equipped with ABS spools, which have an increased diameter. This system allows you to make long casts even with small diameter spools. ABS makes it much easier for the line to come off when casting. The casting distance also largely depends on the thickness of the fishing line, the diameter of the side, the size of the rod rings, and the distance between them. To achieve a high casting distance, all these parameters need to be consistent with each other.

When choosing a daiwa reel , first of all you need to decide on the fishing conditions, the size and weight of the bait that will be used. And then, in accordance with these parameters, decide on the choice of size.

Shimano Catana ($30-60)

This reel is very popular among spinning players around the world. Catana belongs to the budget class of spinning reels and has models with both front and rear drag. But as you understand, for spinning it is more preferable to have a front clutch.

The reel is good, but far from perfect. Only 2 bearings are installed, the mechanism of the line handler also causes criticism, and there is no wear-resistant coating for the roller. The packing is not bad, there is a spare spool.

Ryobi Zauber ($70-80)

A very good series of reels for its price category. Model sizes 1000-4000, gear ratio 5-5.1. All models have 8 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing (overrunning clutch). There is a reverse stopper.

The design of the reels is completely metal (body, rotor mechanism, spool). The line handle, roller body and spool side are coated with titanium nitride.

By fixing the rotor when the arm is open, the possibility of self-resetting is eliminated. The friction brake is easily and precisely adjusted to the desired position. The securely fixed folding handle can be rearranged.

Budget

Despite the highest technological level of Daiwa, its engineers did not ignore the most popular category of fishermen - budget ones. Today, many smart, inexpensive series of reels have been developed that are available to everyone, without exception.

Budget Daiwa reels are used for feeder, spinning, and float fishing. They can withstand heavy loads, rough handling and can last a full season of active fishing. In their price category, these are the best products that can be safely recommended to all fish lovers.

Crossfire

An entry-level budget reel that is suitable for any beginner who wants to master fishing with artificial lures. Suitable for different methods and directions of fishing. It is used in jigging, fishing with rotating and oscillating spoons, cranks and shads, spinnerbaits and rattlins.

Daiwa Crossfire is durable and resistant to rough handling

The best spinning rods from Daiwa

The Daiwa Crossfire reel is affordable for every spinner. Despite its low cost, it has good performance characteristics that allow it to withstand heavy loads. If handled correctly, this inertia-free machine will work for several full seasons without any problems.

Among the disadvantages of Crossfire, the following can be noted:

not suitable for fishing with thin lines and braids;
the clutch is not as sensitive as in expensive models;
relatively heavy weight.

The Daiwa Crossfire series is represented by a full-fledged model range in sizes from 2000 to 5000. It refers to universal reels with a reduction of 5.3:1.

Regal

Today, the Daiwa Regal reel is one of the best-selling reels on the domestic market. This is due to its impressive performance and affordable cost. The main categories of anglers who purchase it are beginners and advanced spinning anglers with limited financial resources.

Daiwa Regal is popular among beginners

The Regal series is presented in sizes from 1500 to 4000. The reel can be used in light spinning, fishing with jigs and spaced rigs, wobblers, spoons and spinners. Works confidently with braided and monofilament lines with a diameter of at least 0.10 mm.

Sweepfire

The Daiwa Sweepfire reel is a universal line that is very popular among our fishermen. It is used not only by spinning fans. This inertia-free rod can be seen on match and Bolognese fishing rods; it has proven itself well in bottom fishing.

The inertia-free Daiwa Swipfire has an attractive and memorable appearance; the best developments of the company’s engineers have been introduced into it, which allows it to compete with more famous and expensive series of reels.

Daiwa Sweepfire

The Sweepfire range consists of sizes 1500–5000. Small reels are suitable for light fishing, medium and large reels are suitable for “adult” fishing, including classic jigs and various spaced rigs, such as a lead, drop shot and others.

Ninja

At first, the Ninja series was developed for the Japanese domestic fishing market as a basic model for beginning spinning anglers. However, they quickly learned about it outside the country, and it gained popularity among European and domestic predator fishing enthusiasts.

The Daiwa Ninja spinning reel is available in a full range of models. It includes sizes for UL, for “adult” spinning rods, there are models for trophy fishing with large wobblers and spoons, as well as for fishing with a heavy jig.

Advice! Ninjas can be equipped with any budget spinning rod.

The design features of the Ninja series are as follows:

4 sealed ball bearings;
hollow rotor Air Rotor;
TDG final drive;
ATD brake system;
instant anti-reverse Infinite Anti-Reverse;
Twist Buster II line roller.

Daiwa Ninja looks like an elite product, but has an affordable price

The reel is made in the Light&Touch concept. Designed for fishing in fresh water bodies. Suitable for catching trout, grayling, perch, chub, pike and other representatives of ichthyofauna.

Ryobi Ecusima ($30-40)

Reels of this series can also be classified as budget, although in some characteristics they are not particularly inferior to more expensive products. All Ryobi Ecusima Vi reels boast a rotor lock when the arm is open and some elements (roller, spool side) are coated with titanium nitride. The body, rotor and spool are also metal. The friction brake with large washers allows for fine adjustment. Installed 4 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing. Gear ratio – 5.0. The sizes of the reels in this series are large - 3000 and 4000. The maximum pulling force is 5 kg.

How to choose a spinning reel for pike

Each line of individual products has its own strict operating parameters, most suitable for the style of fishing the bait and the size of the rod. To correctly select a tool, a spinning angler needs to navigate the main parameters, choosing exactly those that will help implement high-quality fishing. You can choose a reel with the greatest efficiency for pike based on the following values and functions, which we will describe in detail.

Size

The size of the accessory is marked with numbers that are multiples of 1000 and is based on the size of the spool, which can accommodate a certain amount of cord of a certain diameter. This parameter is the easiest to navigate when choosing spinning rods for your existing fishing rod and fishing method based on the weight of the bait.

Important! For example, marking 1000 indicates that the spool will accept 100 meters of cord with a diameter of 0.1 mm. The number 5000 will include the same piece of fishing line, only with a diameter of 0.5 mm.

For ultralight, take mechanisms marked from 500 to 1000. For grass, a range of 1500–2500 will do. If you plan to catch 3–5 kg of pike, then select a product marked 3000–3500. For trophy fish, you also need a massive, powerful unit with spool parameters of 4000–6000. The selected inertia-free motor must correspond to the capabilities of the form on which it will be installed.

Gear ratio

The gear ratio of the reel characterizes the amount of fishing line reeled onto the spool per revolution of the accessory handle. A high gear ratio allows you to reel out the cord faster, and therefore increase the speed characteristics of the bait being pulled. As a rule, for pike spinning fishing, the optimal gear ratio is 5:1. But to catch trophy pike, you need to make an exception and use a product with lower speed characteristics, which at the same time increase traction forces, and therefore the power of the mechanism itself.

Important! It is more convenient to fish with slower, inertia-free versions using large and heavy baits. High-speed ones provide advantages when working with small and ultra-light imitators.

Friction brake

A friction brake is necessary to effectively distribute the increased load when fishing a trophy. This device protects the tackle form from destruction, absorbing jerks from overloads by dropping the fishing line. In pike spinning hunting, the fineness of the clutch settings plays an important role. After all, optimal balancing allows you to reliably hook a fish that has taken the bait and at the same time guarantees a successful outcome in the fight against a trophy that significantly exceeds the test loads on the rod, which in excess arise from its resistance. According to the design and control, friction brakes can be in front or rear variations. This design feature does not change the essence of the role of the function itself; the choice of its location is made based on the preferences of the spinning player.

Important! A multi-disc friction brake system is preferable, which allows you to make adjustments to the parameter in finer settings.

Line laying quality

It is equally important that the reel in the spool has even turns of fishing line that do not overlap each other. High-quality laying makes casting long-range, and the cord used for fishing, being less subject to structural deformations of the material, lasts much longer than with chaotic winding, which can result in the formation of both knots and increased wear on the surface of the line. A properly functioning mechanism lays the turns exactly along the diameter of the spool, tightly pressing the resulting line rings one against the other.

Important! When purchasing an accessory, you should definitely make a test reel (read more about how to tie a fishing line to a reel).

To do this, you can use monofilament or fluorocarbon cord together with braid, which will also clearly show the quality of laying materials with different rigidities. It is especially worth paying attention to this nuance when choosing Chinese coils, which often suffer from even and dense laying.

Line thickness

One of the key selection parameters is the thickness of the fishing line used. After all, based on its material, the side surface of the inner part of the spool, as well as the surface of the line roller, are subject to loads from frictional forces, and their premature wear leads to a decrease in the breaking loads of the cords, which directly affects the reliability of catching fish.

Important! The use of small diameter braids greatly cuts the surface of the roller, making micro-scratches on it and when planning to fish with such cords, choose models where the surface of the spool and the roller itself are made of ceramic material.

Gladiator Inquisitor ($65)

A budget line of reels that includes models for almost all types of spinning fishing. For example, the smallest reel with a size of 2000 and a weight of 211 g may be suitable for ultralight lovers.

For heavy jig fishing or using large wobblers as bait, a powerful model of size 4000FD, which weighs 303 g, is suitable.

All reels are quite reliable and durable; backlash and unnatural squeaks are initially absent, and, as a rule, appear only after prolonged active use.

The reels cope well with laying lines of any type, are distinguished by their smooth running and good design. Sold complete with spare spool.

Below are no less interesting spinning reels that are not included in this review.

Useful information for beginners

Most often, gears in inertialess reels break, which happens when they are used irrationally. For example, with high-speed reels, you should never fish out large fish by simply rotating the handle. Experienced fishermen use the “pumping” method. They pull the fish towards them with the rod, moving it to a vertical position. And then, quickly rotating the reel handle, lower the rod down. You just need to make sure that the rod and line do not straighten out in a straight line. With this method of fishing, the entire load falls on the rod and the friction mechanism of the reel. And the mechanism that rotates the line layer avoids too sharp, powerful and, as a rule, unexpected influences from large fish.

It is also the fault of the fisherman that the friction brake of the spinning reel deteriorates. You should know that outside of operation, during storage, this brake must be completely relaxed - unscrewed all the way.

A spinning reel must, with its volume (line capacity), power and other parameters, correspond to the rod, fishing line and fishing characteristics. You should know that the same reel is suitable for one type of fishing and unsuitable for another. So, for example, in a current, a rotating spoon produces very high drag and the reel is forced to overcome it. Jig baits, even the most bulky ones, create several times less resistance. That is why not very powerful reels are acceptable in jig spinning, although, of course, a reel with good traction is preferable. Especially when fishing with strong braided line.

How to choose the right spinning reel

The importance of ease of movement and sensitivity of the reel is very high when the bait is evenly retrieved. You reel in a fishing line with a spinner at the end, and the slightest change in its play as a hint of a bite is transmitted not only to the rod, but also to the reel. The sensitivity requirements for jig fishing, in my opinion, are less stringent. Since the vast majority of bites occur when the reeling is stopped. And in this case, the fisherman perceives them either by sight or by the hand that holds the rod.

The effectiveness of fishing, not to mention its comfort, largely depends on the correct choice of a high-quality and reliable spinning reel. Reliability is especially important when fishing for large pike. The caught fish desperately resists, can break the reel and escape, breaking the fishing line on the hapless fisherman’s tackle.

Reels from Daiwa series: Sweepfire, Exceler, Regal

We have created a separate article about Daiwa reels, which collects reviews from fishermen. For more information about the reels of the series: Regal, Procaster, Sweepfire, Megaforce, Revros, Crest, Freams, read the article reviews about Daiwa reels.

Also read the review about the best spinning reels in various price categories. In the article you will find such flagships as Daiwa Exist, Daiwa Certate, Shimano Twin Power, Shimano Elf, Ryobi Tressor and other reels.

Reels under $100

This rating list includes the most interesting spinning reels from the following companies: Shimano, Daiwa, Ryobi, Okuma.

Daiwa Revros (85$)
Daiwa Exceller (100$)
Daiwa Legalis 12 1003 ($60)
Daiwa Regal (60$)
Daiwa Megaforce (30-60$)
Daiwa Sweepfire (15-20$)
Daiwa Crest (60-70$)
Daiwa Sweepfire (20-50$)
Shimano Elf 11 C2000S (80$)
Shimano Nasci 13 c2000 ($80-100)
Shimano Catana (30-60$)
Shimano Nexave (60-100$)
Ryobi Tresor 1000 (30-40$)
Ryobi Zauber (70-80$)
Ryobi Ecusima (30-40$)
Ryobi Excia (70$)
Gladiator Inquisitor (65$)
Okuma Trio 20 FD TRIO-20 ($30)

Rating of spinning reels for pike

For a correct orientation when searching for a suitable model, we advise you to familiarize yourself with the rating of spinning spinning reels presented below in the form of five products preferred for purchase.

Will open the list of Shimano Stradic . After all, this is an impeccable and reliable model in a case made of innovative ultra-light material, where the high-quality bearings used in the mechanisms guarantee smooth operation and long service life, despite the highly dynamic operating mode.
the fast Daiwa Sweepfire the second line in the rating. The model achieves speed balance and traction thanks to the increased size of the spool. The sealed housing with ceramic surfaces of the receiving and traction elements of the fishing line is also one of the advantages of the accessory.
The top three is completed by a representative from Mikado, its brainchild Crystal Line . The graphite body significantly distinguishes models of similar design from other manufacturers in terms of weight. Crystal Line is positioned as a tool purely for jigging. Reliable metal bearings in this pike reel guarantee long service life without breakdowns.
Fourth place for Kosadaka Blaze . The reel models are ideally adjusted to the uniform wiring of spinners and wobblers. The manufacturer guarantees smooth running and fine adjustment of the friction brake, which is exactly what a spinning angler needs in extreme pike fishing.
An honorable fifth line in the rating will be given to the budget, but fairly high-quality, inertia-free Ryobi Zauber . It is distinguished by the density and evenness of the cord laying and low weight. A spare spool adds interest to the product along with the low cost of the product.