Walleyes are one of those fish that typically require light line and finesse tackle. It is not uncommon for anglers to drop down to 6-pound test line with 1/8-ounce jig heads. Having a smooth spinning reel for walleye with a good drag system is very important for this type of fishing.
The Angler’s Line is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program as well as other affiliate programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites at no extra cost to you.
Best Walleye Spinning Reels Under $100 (Quick Summary)
- Piscifun Carbon X II Spinning Reel
- Abu Garcia Revo X Spinning Reel
- Shimano Sienna Spinning Reel
- Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
Table of Contents:
With recent technological advancements, there are several excellent budget friendly walleye reels that still come in under $100. I have experimented with a lot of different spinning reels for walleye and have a good understanding of what makes a spinning reel a “winner”. In my opinion, the most important factors to consider when choosing a spinning reel for walleyes is weight, ball bearings, and spool size.
Factors To Consider Before Purchasing a Spinning Reel:
Spinning Reel Weight
The weight of a walleye spinning reel is often overlooked by anglers but can make or break your setup. It is not necessarily that lighter is always better, but rather the spinning reel that you choose needs to be balanced with your specific rod. To test this, attach the reel to your rod and balance it with your finger. If your finger is located just in front of the reel stem, your setup is balanced correctly (see picture below). Generally, most reels in the 7 to 8.5 ounce range will work just fine.
Ball Bearings
When I say ball bearings are important, what I am really saying is that the reel needs to be smooth. More ball bearings generally lead to a smoother reel since each ball bearing reduces friction. In all honesty though, some reels may have less ball bearings than others but operate much smoother. This all depends on the quality of ball bearings being used. Poorly made bearings can wear out quickly and reduce reel performance.
Spool Size For Walleye
The final thing I wanted to touch on is the spool size of a spinning reel for walleye fishing. Common spool sizes include 1000, 2000, 3000, and 4000. If you see reel sizes like 10, 20, 30, and 40, they mean the same thing. Once again, reel size is dependent on the specific rod you are putting it on. A good rule of thumb that I have found for walleye is a size 2000 reel for any rods shorter than 7 feet in length and size 3000 for anything longer. These sizes of reels tend to match up well with common walleye rod sizes and have plenty of line capacity as well.
Best Spinning Reels Under $100 For Walleye (More Specifics)
Piscifun Carbon X II Spinning Reel
General Information: 10+1 stainless steel bearings, 5.2:1 or 6.2:1 gear ratios, and 7.2 oz (2000 size)
Pros: This reel is very budget friendly, yet still contains high quality components for the price point. This is a well respected and popular spinning reel in the walleye fishing community. It has a high bearing count and is incredibly lightweight
Cons: May be too light for some setups. Make sure to check the weight of the reel with the spinning rod you intend to use before purchasing. This reel is ideal for a medium-light of light power spinning rod.
Abu Garcia Revo X Spinning Reel
General Information: 6 stainless steel bearings and 1 roller bearing, 7.5 oz (2000 size), and carbon body
Pros: This reel is very durable and is my go to reel for just about any application. It isn’t the lightest or cheapest reel on the market, but it can handle just about any walleye application you choose. This reel has a smooth drag for the bearing count and is one of the most versatile options. If you are just looking to purchase one walleye spinning reel, this is the way to go.
Cons: This spinning reel is the most expensive of the options listed in this article.
Shimano Sienna Spinning Reel
General Information: 3+1 ball bearings, 5.0:1 and 6.2:1 gear ratios available, and 9.5oz (2500 size)
Pros: This reel is the most inexpensive of the options listed in this article. After testing this reel however, it has a surprising smooth drag for bearing count. This reel comes in some great reel sizes that are ideal for finesse walleye applications with light rods.
Cons: Due to being inexpensive, this reel is comprised of cheaper components. This may decrease the longevity of the reel if you plan on using the reel a lot. Additionally, I would recommend avoiding this reel in larger sizes (3000) since it is quite heavy for its size.
Shimano Sedona Spinning Reel
General Information: 3+1 ball bearings, 6.2:1 gear ratio, and 8.6oz (2500 size)
Pros: This is another great inexpensive spinning reel option from Shimano. It is a step about the Sienna, and therefore has upgraded components. The 2500 size in the Shimano Sedona is a great budget friendly option that can cover almost all walleye fishing applications.
Cons: Similar to the Sienna, I would recommend avoiding this reel if you plan on getting any size larger than the 2500. It is quite heavy for its size. Additionally, the low bearing count brings longevity into question.
More Information
Thanks for making it to the end of our Best Spinning Reels For Walleye. I hope this article was helpful and simplified your search for a new reel.
The Angler’s Line is all about building a community centered around fishing and conservation, so that we can all enjoy this great resource for years to come. Make sure to always follow your local and state fishing regulations and use safe catch and release practices whenever possible.
If you are looking for a budget friendly rod for your new reel, check out this review of the Best Walleye Rods Under $100 and the Top 5 Spinning Rods Under $150
If you want a more in depth look into reel specifics, I recommend taking a look at this article
Let us know if you found this review to be helpful and if you have any other article topics you want to see in the future!
Pingback: Best Rod and Reel Combos For Beginners - The Angler's Line
Pingback: Best Fishing Nets For Walleyes - The Angler's Line