There are so many different saltwater fishing reels available, how do you know which one to use and when? As you already know different reels are designed to work better in different environments and with different species of fish. Therefore, the first thing you will need to do is determine where you plan on doing your fishing so you can choose the reel that will work the best for that environment.

You will also need to determine which species you are most interested in catching and whether or not you are just fishing for fun or searching for that trophy fish. When choosing your reel take into consideration that over time the saltwater will eat away at the reel so you need equipment that is designed to hold up under these conditions. Here you will find a description of the top 5 saltwater fishing reels along with the pros and cons of each one to help you determine which one would be best for you.

Spinfisher SSm

Pros - This reel was designed to handle the saltwater environment. It is made with a drag knob supported with a stainless steel shaft to prevent it from being damaged by the saltwater. It has a balance rotor that reduces the amount of fatigue the angler feels because it prevents the reel from wobbling which in turn produces a great performance. This makes it easier to handle so you struggle less and exert less energy. It has Penn's Leveline spool-wrap so you can count on the line being flat and level for every retrieval you perform. It has 5 stainless steel ball bearings, full-metal body, infinite anti-reverse and it is also available in three sizes. This one is a great design that provides a smooth performance every time.

Cons - At this time there are no bad points to report about this reel.

Abu Garcia Cardinal C3

Pros - The Abu Garcia Cardinal C3 is a good reel that performs great for any saltwater fishing. It is designed with instant anti-reverse for hook sets, which is a very important feature for the serious angler. Cleaning is a breeze, just remove three screws to clean and oil all the parts. If you do a lot of fishing this is very important to maintain the life of your reel. This reel also has a great "stamina drag system" that can hold up to long hours of hard fishing. The 5ball-bearing design makes retrieval easy and it is a great reel for anyone who enjoys fishing every chance they get.

Cons - The main complaint with this reel is the fact that it provided little in the way of instructions and so it may be difficult for an inexperienced angle to understand exactly how everything should work.

Daiwa BG-15 Spinning Reel

Pros - This spinning reel has a lot to offer with three ball bearings that provide you with smooth action when fishing. It is great for the saltwater because it is designed with a very hard anodized finish that resists corrosion. It is also made with a 5.1 to 1 gear ratio making it perfect for saltwater fishing. You will also enjoy the high performance drag system and durability of the Teflon and stainless steel washers.

Cons - The bad thing about the design of this Daiwa spinning reel is that it does not have a full time anti-reverse and it weighs approximately 12.3 ounces. This will make it more difficult for many anglers to use.