Best Spinning Reels for Bass
Five spinning reels the experts keep picking for bass, from the Daiwa Tatula MQ LT to the Shimano Stradic, with how many roundups name each one.
The short answer
The Daiwa Tatula MQ LT and the Shimano Stradic FM each appear in 2 of the 3 expert roundups we read. The Shimano Ultegra and Vanford and the Lew's Speed Spin CRX each appear in one, covering value, light weight and budget. None are reels Jeff has fished.
Top picks at a glance
| Product | Roundups | Size and ratio | Status | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Named in 2 of 3 Daiwa Tatula MQ LT Spinning Reel | 2 of 3 | 3000, 6.2:1 | Consensus pick (not fished) | Check price (Tatula MQ LT Spinning Reel, affiliate link, opens in a new tab) |
| Named in 2 of 3 Shimano Stradic FM Spinning Reel | 2 of 3 | C3000XG, 6.4:1 | Consensus pick (not fished) | Check price (Stradic FM Spinning Reel, affiliate link, opens in a new tab) |
| Best value (1 of 3) Shimano Ultegra Spinning Reel (2500HG) | 1 of 3 | 2500HG, 5.8:1 | Consensus pick (not fished) | Check price (Ultegra Spinning Reel (2500HG), affiliate link, opens in a new tab) |
| Lightest pick (1 of 3) Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel (2500HG) | 1 of 3 | 2500HG, 6.0:1 | Consensus pick (not fished) | Check price (Vanford Spinning Reel (2500HG), affiliate link, opens in a new tab) |
| Budget pick (1 of 3) Lew's Speed Spin CRX Spinning Reel | 1 of 3 | 300, 6.2:1 | Consensus pick (not fished) | Check price (Speed Spin CRX Spinning Reel, affiliate link, opens in a new tab) |
Daiwa Tatula MQ LT Spinning Reel
Best for: An all-around bass reel
Outdoor Life's best overall spinning reel for bass and Tackle Warehouse's best bass pick, so two of the three roundups name it. Consensus pick, not fished.
Pros
- Named in 2 of 3 roundups
- Outdoor Life lists the 3000 size at 6.2:1 and 7.1 oz
Cons
- Not fished by us; confirm the size and ratio on the Amazon page
Shimano Stradic FM Spinning Reel
Best for: A step-up reel that handles many uses
Wired2Fish's best all-purpose spinning reel, with the Stradic C3000XG also on Outdoor Life's list, so two of three roundups name it. Consensus pick, not fished.
Pros
- Named in 2 of 3 roundups
- Outdoor Life lists the C3000XG at 6.4:1
Cons
- Costs more than the Ultegra and the Speed Spin CRX
Shimano Ultegra Spinning Reel (2500HG)
Best for: Anglers who want Shimano quality for less
Outdoor Life's best value pick, the Ultegra 2500HG at 5.8:1 and 7.6 oz. Named in one of three roundups. The link goes to the older FB version of the reel. Consensus pick, not fished.
Pros
- Outdoor Life's best value spinning reel
- 5.8:1 and 7.6 oz for the 2500HG, per Outdoor Life
Cons
- Named in only 1 of 3 roundups
- The linked listing is the older FB model, which is listed at 6.0:1, so check what you are buying
Shimano Vanford Spinning Reel (2500HG)
Best for: Anglers who want a lightweight reel
Outdoor Life's best lightweight spinning reel, the Vanford 2500HG at 6.0:1 and 6.3 oz. Named in one of three roundups. Tackle Warehouse's top pick is the pricier Shimano Vanquish. Consensus pick, not fished.
Pros
- Outdoor Life's best lightweight pick
- 6.0:1 and 6.3 oz for the 2500HG, per Outdoor Life
Cons
- Named by name in only 1 of 3 roundups
Lew's Speed Spin CRX Spinning Reel
Best for: A reel under $100
Wired2Fish's pick for a spinning reel under $100, listed in the 300 size at 6.2:1. Named in one of three roundups. Consensus pick, not fished.
Pros
- Wired2Fish's budget pick
- Listed at 6.2:1 in the 300 size
Cons
- Named in only 1 of 3 roundups
Spinning reels are where the expert lists agree the least, because every shop and magazine has a different price ceiling. This page tallies three published roundups to show which reels recur, and where the budget and value picks sit.
How this page was built
This is a consensus page, not a hands-on review. It tallies which products recur across published expert roundups (Outdoor Life, Tackle Warehouse and Wired2Fish) and counts how many name each one. Sources are named, never quoted. Where Jeff has actually used a product, the page says so with a field note, and every other pick is labeled consensus pick, not fished.
About the Amazon links: some go to a model line or a listing that is not the exact model the experts named. Each entry says so where it applies. Check the size, model and spec on the Amazon page before ordering.
Daiwa Tatula MQ LT: named in 2 of 3
Two of the three roundups name the Tatula MQ LT. Outdoor Life picks it as the best overall spinning reel for bass and lists the 3000 size at 6.2:1 and 7.1 oz. Tackle Warehouse calls it the best bass spinning reel. The Amazon page covers several sizes, so pick the 3000.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Shimano Stradic FM: named in 2 of 3
The Stradic appears in Wired2Fish as the best all-purpose pick and in Outdoor Life as the C3000XG at 6.4:1. The link here goes to the C3000XG, the fast-retrieve version.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Shimano Ultegra: Outdoor Life’s value pick
The Ultegra is the value choice in Outdoor Life’s list. Outdoor Life’s figures for the 2500HG are 5.8:1 and 7.6 oz. The Amazon listing we link is the older FB version, so check the model name, year and ratio before you order (the FB is listed at 6.0:1, not Outdoor Life’s 5.8:1).
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Shimano Vanford: Outdoor Life’s lightweight pick
The Vanford is Outdoor Life’s best lightweight spinning reel for bass, at 6.0:1 and 6.3 oz in the 2500HG. A lighter reel matters on a rod you hold all day. Tackle Warehouse’s best overall is the Vanquish, a step up in the same family.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Lew’s Speed Spin CRX: the budget pick
Wired2Fish chose the Speed Spin CRX as its pick for a reel under $100, in the 300 size at 6.2:1. It is the budget entry on this page.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens in a new tab)Also named, not linked
The Daiwa Certate also appeared in two of the three roundups, as the premium choice, but it sits far above this page’s price range so it is not linked. Tackle Warehouse’s top pick, the Shimano Vanquish, is also outside it.
Field note (Jeff): the spinning reel he uses is a Pflueger President, not one of these. He owns it for drop shotting and finesse and calls it the best spinning reel he has used. See his Pflueger President review.
How to choose
- Choose the size first: 2500 to 3000 covers most bass work.
- Check the gear ratio. The roundups list 5.8:1 to 6.4:1 for these reels.
- Weigh the reel against the rod you hold all day. The Vanford is the lightest pick here.
- Match it to a rod. See the best spinning combos for finesse bass fishing.
Counts come from three published roundups. None of these reels is one Jeff has fished. Confirm size and model on each Amazon page before ordering.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best spinning reel for bass?
By roundup count, the Daiwa Tatula MQ LT and the Shimano Stradic FM, each named in 2 of the 3 lists we read.
What is the best budget spinning reel for bass?
Wired2Fish names the Lew's Speed Spin CRX for under $100, and Outdoor Life names the Shimano Ultegra as best value.
What size spinning reel for bass?
The roundups mostly pick 2500 to 3000 sizes. Pick the size for the line weight and lures you throw.
Which spinning reel does Jeff use?
A Pflueger President size 30 for drop shotting. It is not one of the consensus picks, and he reviews it separately.