I have seen reels with sticky inconsistent drags break lines, rip hooks out of the salmon’s mouths, and even break rods.įor salmon fishing, it is important to get a reel that has a nice smooth and consistent drag system that can handle big fish.Ī sticky drag is one where the drag will come off the spool for a second or two at one pressure and then loosen, then tighten again, and again, again and again. Not all spinning reels are created equal and not all sizes of spinning reels should be used when fishing for salmon. If you are looking for the best Centerpin reels for salmon check out my page Best Centerpin Reels.ġ0 Got A Question About The Best Reels For Salmon Fishing A Smooth Drag Is A Must On A Salmon Reel Many of the cheaper reels just can’t handle big salmon, but I will recommend some of the best reels for salmon from about $70.00 to $700.00. If you are considering buying a reel for salmon fishing you will want a reel that also has bearings that won’t get stripped on the first big salmon and you want one that has a drag that is strong enough to hold the salmon. The best spinning reels for salmon fishing are the Shimano Stradic FL, the Abu Garcia Revo SX 30, or the Pflueger Supreme XT 30X. Spinning reels for salmon must hold enough line, have a smooth drag, and have a wide spool that allows the line to come off smoothly for a better presentation. I get this question a lot from clients as well so this article is all about the best reels for salmon fishing on great lakes rivers. One of my new guides is getting set up to start guiding for salmon fishing and he asked me what spinning reels should he buy that are suitable for salmon fishing.