The reel is the most important component of any spinning rod. Beginners should take a closer look at budget options, which are often technically weaker than expensive models, but they can forgive you for a careless attitude towards them.
The previous article already discussed the best spinning reels, but without dividing them into price segments. In order to make the right informed choice, I recommend that you carefully read this article, which will consider not only the general selection criteria, but also the lineup of the best budget spinning reels.
Comparison of the best budget reels
To more clearly compare the models of budget spinning reels presented above, we will use the following table.
| Model | Bearings | Gear ratio | Class | Weight, g | Price, rub |
| Volzhanka Baikal 2000 | 1+1 | 5.3:1 | light | 230 | from 990 to 1 1250 |
| Salmo Elite Spin 7 1000FD | 6+1 | 5.1:1 | ultralight | 260 | from 1,870 to 2,359 |
| Ryobi Ecusima 2000VI | 4+1 | 5.1:1 | light | 262 | from 1,947 to 2,370 |
| Ryobi Fokamo 1000 | 4+1 | 5.1:1 | light | 262 | from 2,005 to 2,972 |
| Stinger Aero 2000 | 3+1 | 5.2:1 | ultralight | 237 | from 1,309 to 1,850 |
| Stinger ProFire 1500 | 5+1 | 5.2:1 | ultralight | 244 | from 2,029 to 2,984 |
| Kosadaka Safir 1500 | 5+1 | 5.2:1 | light | 271 | from 2,438 to 2,990 |
| Abu Garcia Blackmax 5 Spin | 3+1 | 5.2:1 | ultralight | 170 | from 2,010 to 2,799 |
| Abu Garcia Cardinal 52FD | 2+1 | 5.2:1 | light | 247 | from 1,049 to 1,655 |
| Black Side Aviator 2000FD | 7+1 | 5.2:1 | light | 262 | from 1,850 to 2,356 |
Top 2. Mifine FVB2000F
Rating (2021): 4.42
21 reviews taken into account from resources: Yandex.Market, Ozone
Affordable price The cheapest inertia-free reel, costing almost twice as much as its closest competitor. An excellent option for a novice fisherman.
- Characteristics
Average price: 300 rub.
- Country: China
- Gear ratio: 4.1:1
- Size: 2000
- Number of bearings: 4
- Materials (body/spool): plastic/plastic
- Weight (g): 170
Lightweight spinning reel at the best price. An inexpensive model from a Chinese manufacturer, which can be placed on a spinning rod with or without a float, but provided that the hunt is for small fish. Of course, even a medium-sized pike will easily break the clutch included in the design, but the reel is not designed for high loads. The manufacturer does not intend to mislead its customers, so it honestly says that it is advisable to use this equipment on float rods. This is an excellent option for novice fishermen who have not yet decided on their fishing style. The reel will give you the opportunity to try your hand and at the same time save money.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Attractive price
- Quick change of handle position
- Additional bracket and spool included
- Fully plastic model
- Short-lived reel
Best lists
Having assessed the list of reels proposed above, we can highlight the winners in the categories price-quality, durability and quality of winding.
Black Side Quest X 2000FD - best price-quality ratio
A compact, inertia-free engine based on a simple but reliable planetary mechanism. 6 stainless bearings are responsible for smooth running. A front-mounted clutch system allows precise adjustment to suit specific conditions. The rotor has undergone careful balancing using computer calculations. This reduced parasitic vibrations during rotation to a minimum. The base of the line layer has a conical shape, and the bow is hollow. The Antitwist roller performs the function of an anti-twist. The resulting winding is tight, without overlaps. The handle, made of aluminum alloy, is durable and has a non-slip soft knob.
Black Side Quest X 2000FD
Daiwa Joinus 3000 - best winding quality
Joinus is a “super-budget” series of reels from Dive. The presented model is suitable for beginners, weekend fishermen and pros who need a reel in reserve. There is nothing superfluous in the design: 1 bearing, front clutch, and the body itself is lightweight, made of modern materials. The spool here has an increased line capacity in the form of a reverse cone. A roller with the original Twist buster geometry, which prevents the line from twisting when winding. Rotor with digital Gyro Spin balancing to reduce unnecessary vibrations. The drive gear is bored using patented Digigear technology for better wear resistance.
Daiwa Joinus 3000
Daiwa StrikeForce 2500B - the best indicators of reliability and durability
It was possible to reduce the cost of the StrikeForce line due to the absence of a spare spool. However, the basic characteristics are acceptable. There is only one bearing in the mechanism. The gear ratio is 5.3:1. Front clutch. The machined Digigear gear is the basis of the drive mechanism, has perfect grip and lasts as long as possible. The spool's reverse-cone shape with a high edge ensures there is no friction when dropping line. Unique, patented roller geometry prevents cord kinking. Anti-reverse is also installed here. The model is the best in its price segment in terms of durability.
Daiwa StrikeForce 2500B
Top 4. Salmo Blaster MINI 1 2000FD
Rating (2021): 4.26
32 reviews taken into account from resources: Yandex.Market, Ozone, Otzovik
- Characteristics
Average price: 500 rub.
- Country: Poland
- Gear ratio: 5.5:1
- Size: 2000
- Number of bearings: 4
- Materials (body/spool): graphite, plastic/graphite
- Weight (g): 160
If fishing is not a frequent occurrence for you, there is no point in buying expensive equipment. But it is still better to give preference to a proven manufacturer, for example, such as Salmo. This brand has long established itself in the market, and its products are often found in the budget segment. But with this model he broke his own record. This inertia-free reel costs only 500 rubles, while its body is made of composite and the spool is entirely graphite. With a size of 2000 units, you can even hunt medium-sized pike with it. The friction is strong enough, and the gear ratio ensures fast rewinding. The only drawback is the frequent marriage.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Composite body
- Fast rewind
- Powerful clutch
- Factory defects often occur
- No manufacturer's warranty
- The handle does not change position
Differences from expensive ones
If you ask a beginner how a budget reel differs from a premium one, he will most likely answer - cost. To some extent this is true, but the technical and aesthetic parameters are often also different.
If you pay attention to state employees, here the spools are often made of plastic, and in general the entire structure is assembled from plastic. In more expensive models, the preference in this regard is aluminum - strong, inexpensive, lightweight. The number of bearings rarely differs, but their quality almost always does. In addition, in terms of the reliability of the mechanism and its functionality, expensive branded reels benefit. This is not to say that public sector manufacturers do not pay attention to reliability - it’s just that cases when a developer strives to create a durable product at a lower market cost are minimal.
Top 2. MIKADO MiniTroll MT 1000-03
Rating (2021): 3.32
11 reviews from resources taken into account: Yandex.Market, Otzovik
The best price for a multiplier The cheapest bait reel, costing several times cheaper than its closest competitors.
- Characteristics
Average price: 550 rub.
- Country: Japan
- Gear ratio: 3.6:1
- Size: 1000
- Materials (body/spool): plastic/graphite
- Weight (g): 76
An inexpensive baitcasting reel is a rarity, especially if it is produced by a famous Japanese brand. But they do exist. Here is a model with the lowest price tag imaginable. And judging by the name, it is designed for trolling. Of course, this is more of a publicity stunt, since if a pike of at least medium size is caught on your spinning rod, the clutch simply will not withstand it. But this is a great way for a beginner to try his hand at a multiplier without spending a huge amount on it. In addition, the design is very lightweight. Only 76 grams, although the spool is made of graphite. Size – 1000 units, that is, the fishing line capacity is small. Another argument against using a reel for trolling.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Best price
- A light weight
- Will fit on any spinning rod
- Not the highest build quality
- Small spool
- Plastic case
What to look for when choosing
In this paragraph, I will tell you which criteria are required when choosing budget spinning reels, and which ones can be missed.
- Matching rod. Yes, it is important to take this parameter into account. I'm not talking about the type of fastening (they are almost the same everywhere), but about the size. That is, the 1000-2000 series are suitable for ultralight rods, the 2000-3000 series are suitable for light rods, and so on. The length of the spinning rod and the number of guide rings are also important to consider.
- Bearings. The presence of even a hundred bearings will not provide you with a perfectly smooth and soft spool motion. In fact, a high-quality reel should have 3-5 bearings. The presence of a roller will also be an important advantage, because it is responsible for the reverse stopper.
- Gear ratio. Responsible for the number of rotor revolutions per revolution of the reel handle. There are low, medium and high gear ratios. The former provide good traction for large fish, but poor animation for wobblers. The latter are universal, combining well with completely different types of fishing and lures. High gear ratios will allow you to reel in large volumes of line in a matter of seconds, so long casts will not be a problem in this case. In addition, such models are highly sensitive.
- Friction. Everything is simple here: the friction brake can be rear or front. The first is universal, as it is based on prestressing a group of washers with Teflon layers with a screw. It does not require maintenance, but has low sensitivity and inconvenient adjustment. The front friction brake is ideal for large predatory fish. It consists of several washers made of abrasive material. Yes, the design is a little more difficult to maintain, but the sensitivity is much higher.
- Ease of use. The ease of use of a reel is influenced by two fundamental things: its location on the spinning rod and the handle. The handle itself, at best, should be soft (preferably made of EVA material), although this is rare in budget phones. On a fishing rod, the product is usually located from the edge with a certain margin, but if your reel has a size of 3500 or higher, then this margin may not be enough and the balance of the spinning rod will be upset.
Thank you for reading my article. I hope it was as interesting and understandable as possible. If you haven’t found any information related to the topic, then I advise you to read the previous article about the best spinning reels. Or immediately ask questions in the comments.
Top 3. GRFISH Black Sea 2000TRC
Rating (2021): 3.27
12 reviews from resources taken into account: Yandex.Market, Ozone
High power multiplier The characteristics of the reel allow it to be used in trolling. A full-fledged multiplier model at an affordable price.
- Characteristics
Average price: 2,650 rub.
- Country: China
- Gear ratio: 3.8:1
- Size: 2000
- Materials (body/spool): plastic/aluminum
- Weight (g): 480
Here we have a full-fledged inexpensive baitcasting reel with all that it implies. It has a powerful clutch and a high gear ratio, ensuring fast rewinding. The spool is aluminum, with a special coating. The design uses 3 ball bearings and an additional module on the handle for smooth winding. This is the best option in the category up to 3,000 rubles, although it has its drawbacks. For example, the reel is very heavy. With a size of 2000 units, it weighs almost half a kilo. Also in the reviews they write a lot about poor quality assembly. This can be easily fixed by tightening all the bolts and nuts, but the fact remains. In general, if you decide to buy this reel, be sure to work with it before fishing.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Reinforced body
- Powerful handle
- Poor quality assembly
- Will not fit on some types of spinning rods
Top 1. Lucky John Maiko 6.5
Rating (2021): 4.13
20 reviews from resources were taken into account: Yandex.Market, Ozone, Otzovik
Unusual design Multiplier reel in a non-standard form factor. Suitable also for winter fishing without casting.
- Characteristics
Average price: 2,150 rub.
- Country: Latvia
- Gear ratio: 2.6:1
- Size: 1500
- Materials (body/spool): plastic/plastic
- Weight (g): 152
The Lucky John brand has once again decided to surprise its customers by releasing an unusual baitcasting reel that can be used not only for summer but also for winter fishing. Structurally, this is a regular inertial reel, but with the addition of a friction brake and an ergonomic handle. By the way, it can be placed on any side. One of the advantages is the versatility of the model. It can be used on winter fishing rods or spinning rods. However, in the second case, some skill will be required, since the holder is long and is unlikely to be convenient. However, multipliers always require skill, and it is better for beginners not to use them.
Which reel to choose for spinning for pike
The choice of a spinning reel for pike depends on conditions . Which one to prefer - inertia-free, multiplier or inertial - is also largely determined by the personal habits of the spinner.
In most cases, preference should be given to
spinning reels. They are best suited for guiding spinning lures in almost any fishing situation. With inertialess baits you can successfully catch pike using all types of light, medium and heavy baits with uniform and uneven retrieves.
But multipliers have an advantage when fishing with heavy and super-heavy baits. They are very resistant to heavy loads and allow you to fish for large pike with minimal effort. Another advantage is that they are superior in sensitivity to inertialess ones. This quality turns out to be especially important in jig fishing.
You need to keep in mind that for fishing with such reels you need special, so-called casting, rods with specially shaped handles and small guides. Multipliers are not suitable for fishing with light and ultra-light baits, as they do not allow you to cast them a sufficient distance. If you are going to fish with light or ultralight, choose spinning reels.
Inertial reels are well suited for fishing with heavy and medium weight rigs from a boat . They cannot provide long-distance casting of bait, but at the same time, like multipliers, they provide good sensitivity to the gear.
Gear ratio
The gear ratio is a characteristic that shows how much fishing line is wound onto the spool per revolution of the reel handle. The higher it is, the faster you can get the equipment out of the water. But too large a gear ratio can make it inconvenient to retrieve a spinning bait.
A good pike reel should have a gear ratio of about 5:1 . Powerful reels with smaller gear ratios are better suited for hunting trophy specimens with heavy baits, while faster models with higher gear ratios are better suited for fast retrieves of light equipment and catching small fish.
Friction brake
A good spinning reel for pike should be equipped with a high-quality friction brake . In this case, the likelihood of the trophy falling off during fishing will be minimized .
To evaluate the operation of the drag, you need to check the reel in the store by first winding a little fishing line onto the spool, and then changing the brake adjustment and pulling the thread through the line roller. Preference should be given to reels with a multi-disc friction brake system .
Line laying quality
When choosing a reel in a store, you should evaluate the quality of the line laying . The best way to do this is to wrap the spool with braid. A good coil should lay the turns tightly and evenly . When fishing with such a reel, the likelihood of loops falling off and the equipment getting tangled will be minimized.
How to wind fishing line on a reel: diagram
Line thickness
When choosing a reel for pike fishing with a spinning rod, you also need to take into account the capacity of the spool - it must hold at least 130 m of fishing line of the required diameter. As a rule, there will be no problems with placing the required amount of braid. monofilament or fluorocarbon as the main line .
Main manufacturers
Shimano and Daiwa - are traditionally very popular among fishermen . These companies introduce innovative developments into their new models and use the most modern materials in their production.
There are also many manufacturers whose assortment includes interesting models in the budget and mid- price segment. These include Ryobi, Stinger, Kosadaka, Mikado and others .
Types of spinning reels
For catching pike with a spinning rod they are used:
- spinning reels;
- multiplier reels;
- drum-type inertial coils.
are most often used ; pike are much less often caught with multipliers. Inertial drum reels are practically not used for spinning fishing today.
Spinning reels
The spool of a spinning reel is deployed parallel to the direction of movement of the fishing line during casting and reeling. It does not rotate either when throwing or when retrieving the bait. Winding of the fishing line onto the spool is carried out using a special mechanism - a line layer, which consists of a metal bow and a roller.
Multiplier reels
A multiplier is a type of inertial coil. Its main feature is the presence of a gear mechanism , through which the force applied by the fisherman to the handle is transmitted to the spool. There are two types of such reels, which among spinning players are usually called soap dishes and barrels . The former are more compact, the latter are the most powerful and durable .
Drum type inertia reels
This type of reel was available to anglers the earliest. Such models consist of drum-shaped spool
