Best spinning reels under $100

Fishing on a budget doesn’t mean you have to go “cheap” with brands like Daiwa and Shimano catering for this type of angler; they've poured plenty of quality material and tech into their budget-friendly reels. In this blog we look at the best spinning reels under $100.

Shimano Sienna 

This is a stalwart of the young fishing scene. Many kids (now adults) started their fishing obsession with a Shimano Sienna reel. Coming in at only $59 these reels aren’t just made for those starting out but are equally as good for seasoned anglers. 

The range features Shimano’s G-Free body which provides a much smoother wind without the “wobble” of other budget reels and also features their A-RC spool which has been designed to provide better line-lay and castability. This makes it great for use with braid and mono line but also the smooth wind is great for casting lures and provides less fatigue. Some budget reels need a lot of work to wind which isn’t what you want after casting and winding lures all day. 

Moving away from the Shimano’s tech side of things these reels are built tough. I’ve used these reels in some undesirable situations in the surf and in particular off the ocean rocks but they still perform fish after fish. 

Now, you do need to remember these aren’t top-of-the-line reels so their water resistance and protection from salt water isn’t “amazing” but with a little bit of TLC they will outlast many of its competitors. When rising off the reel after use try and focus on the roller (the part the lays the line onto the spool) they use a brushing instead of a bearing but you want this to be able to spin. It's easy for salt or sand to build up in that brushing which seizes it so be sure to rinse and dry with freshwater after every use. The other thing to note is that the drag system isn’t very strong. What I mean by strong is that it will struggle to provide a few kgs of drag pressure. The good news is that the drag is smooth but if you’re trying to battle big, angry fish like kingfish it may not be able to handle it. However, it does make up for it with its smoothness making it perfect for lighter styles of fishing like whiting, bream, flathead and the like.

Shimano Nexave 

This is considered the “step up” from the Sienna. It’s a great spinning reel and with the nice metallic blue finish it makes it a great looking reel as well. It too features the G-Free body and A-RC spool design making it as smooth as the Sienna as well as featuring good castability. 

For $30( to $40 in the larger sizes) extra compared to the Sienna the Nexave has a few added features which makes it worth the extra money. First is the drag - the drag knob and drag system is slightly larger than the Sienna which makes is a little easier to control the drag pressure but the larger surface area of the drag washers provides a smoother and stronger drag. The 4000 size in the Sienna runs a max of 8.5 kg of drag whereas the Nexave runs 11 kg of drag. It may not seem like much on paper, 2.5kg of difference however, when when a Sienna’s drag is done up tight it does reduce it’s smoothness and can become “jerky” whereas the Nexave will maintain its smoothness even under heavy pressure which is ideal for larger fish like snapper, small kingfish and the like. 

The other difference is the body - the body of the Nexave is made from a better quality material which, yes, does increase the weight of the reel compared to the Sienna but it will be much more durable. Lastly, if you like a comfortable reel the reel knob/handle is made from a softer grip with an ergonomic design whereas the Sienna has a cheaper, plastic feel.

Daiwa Aird 

For under $100 (for the smaller models and $109.95 for the larger models) the Daiwa Aird would have to be one of the smoothest, toughest and lightest reels for the price. This reel falls under Daiwa’s LT (light tough) range of reels designed to be light in weight but tough when it comes to fish fighting abilities. 

What makes the reel so smooth is Daiwa’s Air Drive design which is a concept designed by Daiwa where the reel’s spool, rotor, shaft and bail work in unison to provide a smooth wind (Similar to Shimano’s G-Free body.) The biggest difference between these Daiwa Airds features compared to Shimano is the internal Digi-Gear system. Daiwa’s gears are generally larger with precision-cut teeth for smoother engagement. This means with each wind the teeth of the gears perfectly grip creating an effortless motion between the rotor and pinion gear.  

As for the strength the Aird 2500 packs a punch boasting 10kg of drag pressure which is more than double of the Shimano Sienna. However, I’ve used both the 2000 and 2500 size Airds for light lure fishing and as strong as the drag is it’s not as smooth as the Shimano when under pressure. It can be a little “jerky” when fighting fish which isn’t ideal but it isn’t a game-breaker. 

Lastly - my favourite thing about the Aird is the EVA handle knob. It looks great but also it is very comfortable in the hand. 

In summary - for their price point these reels will do more than their job in catching fish. If you want a reel for lure fishing definitely go to the Aird. Smooth, lightweight and comfortable. Perfect for flicking lures all day. If you’re looking for a reel to handle slightly larger fish - opt for the Nexave. For the all-round baitfishing reel definitely go with the Sienna.