Best Ultralight Spinning Reels

Okuma Ceymar Spinning Reel

The Okuma Cecymar is a lovely light reel. It has a solid build and each component is made with great materials from the machine-cut brass pinion gear to the graphite body. The reel features some of Okuma’s new technologies that make it a step up from the old models.

The precision elliptical gear system reduces friction all round to give you longer accurate casts, a smooth drag and retrieve. The airflow has been increased thanks to the cyclonic flow rotor that stops water from getting in and thus corrosion.

There is an instant anti-reverse feature that means you can engage and hook up instantly. The switch for it does tend to snap off though. Another issue is that after a while noise can appear in the gears, this doesn’t seem to affect the functionality but it is annoying. These issues are rare though and may come down to user error.

Daiwa BG Spinning Reel

The Daiwa BG Spinning Reel comes in a range of sizes from giant to small and fits any occasion. The reels are durable and can be used in both fresh and saltwater. It’s made from an aluminum body with a dynamic cut ABS spool and Daiwa’s Digigear System that makes the reel super smooth.

The spool has a large diameter and is braid ready for easy filling and an even line lay. You’ll get no bunching while having a great line capacity. The reel has been made to reduce line twists and loops thanks to the large roller and pick up on the bail. This will keep you fishing instead of having to undo tangles during your time on the water. The drag is powerful and smooth and the sizes offer a huge range of max drag settings.

Overall the reel is a bit heavier than others in the same class and this is due to the quality of the materials. They could have made it light but it might have compromised the quality or increased the price.

The roller on the bail can corrode quite quickly if it’s not looked after so watch out for that, otherwise is a solid, well-priced reel.

Shimano Stradic Ci4+

This is one of Shimano’s top reels that comes with every feature that you could hope for, and it is expensive. It comes with Shimano’s G Free Body system and the HAGANE gear system which make both the cast and retrieve super-efficient and smooth.

It’s made from carbon fiber rather than graphite or aluminum. This makes the reel super-light while still being strong, durable, and corrosion-resistant. It’s a pleasure to cast with all day long and you won’t get tired throwing lures all day.

The reel also comes with an X-ship which increases the gear efficiency and makes a big difference when you’re winding under pressure. Every wind you make will be of maximum efficiency to ensure you can pull up fish from the depths and stop them from going into cover.

It has a quick, smooth retrieve thanks to the high gear ratio and shielded ball bearings. The bearings are shielding to ensure no dirt, salt, or water can get in there and affect their rotation.

The spool reduces twists, wind knots and manages the line really well thanks to the grooved power roller. You won’t have to worry about managing any tangles when you’re fishing. The drag is smooth and powerful. It’s also made from carbon fiber and will also be able to handle fishing in saltwater.

This reel sounds like it has everything but it is missing anti-reverse which is a shame. You’d think something so sophisticated would have it but unfortunately not. The only other drawbacks are that the bail arm is a bit stiff and the line roller bearing can fail in some instances, Shimano will replace this for you though.

Pflueger President Spinning Reel

The Pflueger President is a great reel and is a perfect choice if you’re just getting into fishing in particular. They work great, last a long time and give you a lot for your money. The body is made from graphite, the shaft is stainless steel and the handle is made from aluminum.

The graphite body keeps the reel light for easy casting and corrosion-resistant. It’ll work fine in both salt and freshwater, just be sure to maintain them.

The reel comes with 10 bearings which is quite a lot more than most reels and this gives the President a very smooth retrieve. Combine this with the gear ratio and you have a super fast smooth retrieve that you can rely on. The drag is made from a stainless steel/oil/felt system. This isn’t as robust as a carbon fiber drag but is still smooth and strong enough.

The reel features an anti-reverse which is easily switched on or off that the flick of a switch and also comes with a braid-ready aluminum spool. This will make fill your reel with braid a lot easier and save you some of those annoying moments when the braid can slip.

Unfortunately, the line can be uneven on the retrieve with this reel and bunch up which is a headache to deal with when fishing. The bail arm can also click closed mid-cast and you might lose a few lures to it, especially if you’re fishing light line. The gears can also start to grind after a while be these cases are rare.

SHIMANO Sedona F1

The Sedona F1 is a more affordable version of the Stradic. Shimano has kindly taken some of their high-end technology and put it in a reel that we can all afford which is nice of them.

It comes with the cold-forged HAGANE gear system to keep the gearing aligned and alive for a long time. It’ll have a smooth retrieve, even under pressure. The gears will also be solid enough to handle heavy uses in a saltwater environment.

The reel features the G Free Body System that moves the center of gravity closer to the rod and you. This helps with casting by giving you more momentum and you’ll notice how useful it is after a long day on the water.

The propulsion line management system lets the line of the spool in smaller loops to stop any backlashes or wind knots and helps reduce friction on the spool to help you cast further. Pretty perfect if you ask me.

There’s not anti-reverse again which you can live without but if it’s something you’re used to, then it might be worth looking at a different option. The only negatives are that the bail arm can malfunction and the reel can tighten up after some time.

Abu Garcia Revo X

The Revo X is a simple reel that is affordable, has everything you need, and just gets the job done. The body is made from carbon fiber making it really light and durable which is amazing for the price point.

It features a six-ball-bearing system giving it a smooth, quick retrieve. The drag is also smooth and has enough power for most fish you’ll target with an ultralight setup.

It comes with Abu’s rocket line management system that stops backlashes, wind knots and keeps your line even on the reel. The spool is made from aluminum and comes braid ready for easy filling.

This reel is fine for use in saltwater thanks to the quality of the materials it’s made from. The PVC handle is not my favorite but that’s just me. It’s grippy and gets the job done. The reel arm can stick though and you can hear some grinding in the bearings after a while but this happens rarely. Overall it’s a great reel.

KastKing Sharky III

The KastKing Sharky III although being a light reel comes with a large line capacity and huge max drag. It comes in a range of sizes and is made to be tough in both salt and freshwater environment.

The drag has a max of 18kg which is a tad high for a light setup but useful nonetheless. It’s made up of a multi-disc carbon fiber system, is smooth, and will be handy when you hook up to a big fish,

The body is made from high percentage fiber-reinforced graphite which makes it rigid, light, and affordable. You’ll be able to knock it around without worry and the lightness makes it great for casting with. The reel also includes an anti-reverse, an aluminum handle, and a braid-ready aluminum spool.

Sharky has out a shield system on this reel to try and keep water or dirt out of the inner workings. How effective it is, is unclear as the reels do seem to fail after use in saltwater which makes me think it’s not quite doing its job.

The line can also bunch up on the retrieve and wind knots seem to be a common theme as well as parts falling off. You do pay for what you get and the low price on this reel means it might not last as long as others.