Saltwater Fishing Reels
Fisherman's Outfitter offers a wide variety of saltwater fishing reels from top manufacturers such as Penn,
Shimano, Accurate, and Alutecnos. We offer spinning reels and conventional reels for big game and light
tackle saltwater fishing. Our fishing reels can be matched with a custom fishing rod that is suitable for
your quarry. We are also a Penn authorized Fishing Reel Service Center, and can service your fishing reels
through the mail, or in one of our 3 Massachusetts locations. We also stock a wide selection of fishing reel
parts, so feel free to drop us a line if you have a problem with your reel.
Selecting a Fishing Reel
Fishing reels come in two varieties: spinning reels and conventional (trolling reels). Spinning reels are
typically used for casting small live baits and artificial lures to smaller fish such as kingfish, dolphin,
tuna. They are very popular with live bait fisherman in South Florida as well. Spinning reels are used to
slow troll live ballyhoo and pichards for sailfish, which is very popular in the Florida Keys. The largest
spinning reels such as the Penn 9500 and the Shimano 6500 accommodate 30 lb class line, while the smallest
are for 2-4 lb line. Conventional reels are used while drift fishing and trolling and can be used for casting
as well. Successful anglers carry a variety of spinning and conventional fishing reels on their sport fishing
trips.
Spooling Your Fishing Reel
Fishing Reels are rated by monofilament line class. Popular line classes for spinning reels are 6-8, 8-12, 16-20.
Conventional reels start at 16 and go up to 130lb class. With the advent of super thing braided lines, you can
either load up your fishing reel with higher test line of an equivalent diameter or you can use the name line
class and increase your fishing reels capacity. If you are fishing rod and reel setup with line 30lb or less,
spooling your fishing reel with the same line class is preferable as the fishing reel can usually only produce
enough drag to break the line at its stated test, and the fishing rod that the reel is matched with may break if
the line doesn't break first. But if you are fishing heavy tackle rated for over a 40lb line class, loading up
your fishing reel with heavier class braided line makes sense. Braided line lasts longer, has no stretch, and
better withstands abrasion from rocks and other debris. Wire line is also available for certain applications such
as fast or deep trolling. If you need help determining what kind of line to put on your fishing reel, give us a
call, and tell us what you are after, and we can make recommendations.
Maintaining your Fishing Reel
The best maintenance you can do is to wash your fishing reel off after each use. Also, rinse the rod and the
line to remove any salt deposits. Store your fishing reels with the drags backed off. Periodically spraying or
wiping the handle, any knobs, as well as any metal parts with something like CRC, will help inhibit corrosion.
Have your fishing reels thoroughly serviced once every season insures your fishing reel will be in use season
after season for many years.
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