7 Best Baitcasting Reel For Light Lures (Top Picks for 2024)

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If you are looking for a new challenge, I bet it’s time you tried using light lures. At first, this technique will be challenging, but once you have gotten the hang of it, you will have your best encounter fishing. If you do not enjoy it in the long run, at least you’ll have learned a new technique. To ensure your success when using light lures, you need to have the right fishing equipment.

Baitcasting reels are an essential component, and having a good reel will make your fishing trip more enjoyable. We have reviewed seven of the best baitcaster for an amazing fishing experience.

Here are the 7 best Baitcaster for Light Lure (comparison table)

ImageProductFeaturesPrice
Best Premium Choice Reel
Shimano CURADO DC

Shimano CURADO DC

  • Max Drag (LB) : 11
  • Ball Bearings : 6+1
  • Gear Ratio : 8.5:1

 

 

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Best Overall Reel
SHIMANO SLX XT

SHIMANO SLX XT

  • Max Drag (LB) : 11
  • Ball Bearings : 4+1
  • Gear Ratio : 7.2:1
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LEW'S Fishing Tournament Pro

LEW'S Fishing Tournament Pro

  • Max Drag (LB) : 20
  • Ball bearing : 10+1
  • Gear Ratio : 8.3:1
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Best Level Wind System Reel
Daiwa Tatula SV TW

Daiwa Tatula SV TW

  • Max Drag (LB) : 13.2
  • Ball Bearings : 7.3:1
  • Gear Ratio : 5BB+1RB
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Best Budget Friendly Reel
KastKing Zephyr BFS

KastKing Zephyr BFS

  • Max Drag (LB) : 10
  • Ball Bearings : 6+1 BB
  • Gear Ratio : 7.2:1
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Best High-End Reel
Shimano Chronarch MGL

Shimano Chronarch MGL

  • Max Drag (LB) : 11
  • Ball Bearings : 8+1
  • Gear Ratio : 6.2:1
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Piscifun Phantom

Piscifun Phantom

  • Max Drag (LB) : 17
  • Ball Bearings : 6+1
  • Gear Ratio : 7.0:1
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1. Shimano CURADO DC, LowProfile Baitcasting Freshwater Fishing Reel

Shimano baitcasting reels give you the confidence to explore different fishing grounds. CURADO DC reels are made for use with light lures. It is easy to use, making it perfect for every angler, beginner, or veteran. The high gear ratio ensures smooth casts and retrieves. Additionally, the six ball bearings go a long way in ensuring success in your fishing, while the anti-reverse bearing gets rid of backlash.

This advanced baitcasting reel comes with the new Digital Control Braking System that maintains the durability and versatility of the reel. It also offers unparalleled performance due to the micromodule gear system and X-Ship system technology. Additionally, it has a cross carbon drag material that provides a smooth and powerful drag while maintaining a wide range of drag settings.

Key Features

  • Weight 7.9oz
  • Line Retrieve Per Crank 26 to 36 inche
  • Easy to use
  • Less friction between the spool shaft and gear
  • High rigid HAGANE body
  • The reel is lightweight
  • Powerful cross carbon drag

See also : Is the Shimano Curado DC worth it?

2. Shimano SLX XT Series Casting Reel

This reel comes with a super-free spool that helps eliminate friction during casts and keeps the gear in proper alignment. Its construction comprises a highly rigid HAGANE body that eliminates body flexing while maintaining its quality and durability.

 Additionally, it comes with the SVS INFINITY that maintains consistent spool control, ensuring accuracy, especially when using lighter lures. The high gear ratio ensures you have smooth retrieves, and the ball bearings maintain smooth casts with a reverse bearing that gets rid of pullbacks.

The SLX XT series has an excellent butter smooth drag and oversized handle that maintains a firm grip and enhances all-day comfort. The sensitivity of this reel is also enhanced with the well-designed braking system.

Read More : What is the difference between Shimano SLX XT and SLX DC?

Key Features

  • Weight 7.2 oz
  • Smooth drag
  • Accurate and very sensitive
  • Rigid HAGANE body
  • Reduced Friction
  • Retrieve per crank 25 to 32 inches

3. Lew’s Fishing Tournament Pro Speed Spool LFS Series

Lew’s baitcasting reel is a great reel made for lightweight lures. It ensures incredible performance and smooth and fast retrieves. The Lew’s reel stands out for its quality and durability, and you have different sizes to choose from. Here we are focusing on the 35″ reel.

The reel’s construction consists of a one-piece aluminum frame with lightweight carbon side plates. The aluminum frame and carbon side plates are sturdy and are meant to withstand harsh conditions when fishing..

These reels come with solid brass speed gears, and P2 super pinion bearing supported pinion gear that ensures proper alignment and maximum stability. Additionally, this reel features a Zirconia line guide, an externally adjustable six-pin 27 position Quiet cast, and an adjustable Centrifugal braking system

The handle consists of carbon fiber material with combat-style grip knobs. Additionally, it features a rugged carbon fiber drag system for a powerful and smooth drag. Additional features include a zero reverse one-way clutch bearing, P2 Super Pinion, and a speed dial line indicator.

Key Features

  • 6.4 ounces
  • Line capacity 120/12
  • The reel is light
  • Sturdy construction
  • Powerful carbon fiber drag system
  • Comfortable handle
  • Properly aligned gears
  • Line Recovery per Turn 28 to 35 inches

4. Daiwa Tatula SV TW Baitcast Fishing Reel

Tatula SV TW is the perfect choice for light lures. It features a T-WING system that helps you make long casts without experiencing backlash. Additionally, it features a Duralumi SV spool for easy castability. The seven ball bearings ensure smooth and fast retrieves. In addition, there is a reverse bearing that eliminates pullback and backlash.

The ultimate tournament drag provides a powerful and smooth drag. Its aluminum body is made to ensure maximum strength and durability while maintaining a reasonable weight. Additionally, it features a cut-away 90mm swept handle that maintains the angler’s comfort for all-day fishing.

Key Features

  • Weight 0.55 pounds
  • Line capacity Mono 14/100, 16/90 J-braid 30/115, 40/85.
  • It is really small
  • The T-wing system is great
  • SV spool prevents backlash
  • Brake and spool tension knobs are easy to adjust

5. Kastking Zephyr BFS Baitcasting Reel

Kastking reels are unmatched for their quality and durability. They are incredibly light, making them a perfect choice for lightweight lures. Kastking Zephyr reel is ideal for different skill level anglers looking to improve their fishing skills. It features a CNC aluminum spool in addition to the machined pinion gears for maximum durability and exceptional performance. This aluminum spool also comes with a micro-click knob with audible click adjustments that helps manage spool tension.

The reel comes with an aluminum handle that is comfortable with Eva paddles ensuring all-day comfort while fishing. It also features a fingertip star drag that maintains a smooth and powerful drag. Moreover, it comes with a powerful gear ratio for smooth and quick retrieves.

Key Features

  • Weight 5.6oz
  • Line retrieve per crank 29.8 inches
  • Frame Carbon Fibre
  • Monoline capacity LB/YD 4/75, 6/65, 8/50
  • Palm perfect frame design
  • Outstanding spool braking
  • High gear ratio
  • Extremely light
  • Reliable drag
  • Braid Line Capacity 8/110, 10/80, 12/65

6. Shimano Chronarch MGL Low Profile Baitcasting Reel

With this reel, you can be assured of smooth, silent, and quick retrieves. The high gear ratio, ball bearings, and weight will make your fishing less tiresome. Shimano Chronarch MGL baitcasting reels are light reels made for use with light lures. These reels also feature a lightweight MGL spool design that helps improve the casting distance and improve accuracy.

For increased sensitivity and seamless engagement, this reel has the micro module gear. This reel is powered by an X-Ship system that ensures smooth reeling even when dealing with heavy loads. The SVS Infinity technology also maintains a consistent spool control and brake force, making it easy to switch baits and make adjustments.

Key Features

  • Weight 6.5oz
  • The reel is Light
  • High sensitivity and smooth casting
  • Smooth and quick retrieves
  • Retrieve Right and left hand retrieve

7. Piscifun Phantom Baitcasting Reel

Piscifun Phantom baitcasting reel works incredibly with lightweight lures. This reel has a high gear ratio of 7.0:1 for smooth and quick retrieves. The six ball bearings help improve the casts, and the reverse bearing eliminates backlash.

The braking system consists of the centrifugal brake and magnetic brake. The centrifugal brake improves casting distance, especially when dealing with light lures, while the magnetic brake gives precise adjustments. It also comes with a CNC hollow aircraft-grade Duralumin spool that ensures better handling of the light line and lures. The handle is a 105mm carbon crank handle that gives you leverage and power to pull even the largest species.

Additionally, it comes with high-quality gears that maintain the reel’s durability and exceptional performance. It features a rugged carbon fiber drag system for a powerful drag.

Key Features

  • Brake system Centrifugal Brake and Magnetic brake
  • The reel is light
  • High durability and exceptional performance
  • Maintains precise and long casts
  • The reel is very attractive
  • Two different braking system
  • Retrieve per Turn 30.3 inches
  • Mono capacity 10lb/120 yds
  • Braid Capacity 30lb/120yds
  • Weight 5.7oz

What makes the Best Baitcaster for Light Lure

When choosing a bait caster for light lures, you need to take into consideration different factors. Anglers have different preferences and look for different qualities in their choice. Below are some of the factors to look for.

Gear Ratio

While some people ignore the bait caster reels gear ratio, it is essential to note that it’s crucial in determining the speed of retrieves. The standard gear ratio for baitcasting models is 6.4:1; however, some brands have higher and lower ratios. With light lures, you can choose the standard gear ratio or the lower gear ratios as they are less tasking.

Fishing Line

When choosing a bait caster for light lures, you must consider the line; the different line materials include monofilament, fluorocarbon, and nylon monofilaments. For lighter lures, monolines under 10 pounds will perform incredibly. This is because the 10 pounds lines work incredible especially when you need to make longer casts.

Material

The material of a baitcasting reel determines its durability, quality, and performance. Graphite and aluminum are the most common materials. Graphite material is known for its lightweight and aluminum stands out for its strength and quality. If you are looking for the lightest reel, then go for a graphite reel, and if you are looking for unmatched quality, aluminum reels will work perfectly.

Size

Baitcasting reels vary greatly in size. The size of your baitcasting reel will determine your success, especially when fishing. The size of the reel will also be determined by your rod. Smaller reels are more preferred especially when you are dealing with light lures. However, some people will go for larger reels especially if they are looking to make long casts. So, you need to be careful when selecting the reel size as manufacturers rate their sizes differently. A size 35 from one manufacturer can be rated as a size 40 by another manufacturer.

What are the Advantages of Using a baitcaster for Light Lure?

Baitcaster reels are an essential part of fishing. When dealing with light lures, especially, getting a bait caster will make your fishing easier and faster. The benefits of using a bait caster for light lure include :

  • The baitcaster allows you to slow down the lure so that it falls in the water softly without startling the fish.
  • The baitcaster lets you keep contact with the lure, even when the reel is in a free spool.
  • With light lures, a baitcaster helps you detect bites and strikes as you let out your line.
  • The baitcaster will help you cast far. You can cast to the bottom of the spool without experiencing much friction.

Light Lure Baitcaster Setups

Light lure bait caster setups can be challenging even for experienced anglers. You need to get a fishing rod with a fast action tip and ensure your spool is lightweight to ensure your success. A braided line will work better for light lures compared to fluorocarbon lines. Additionally, make sure you get a heavy hook for some added weight. Once you are done with this setup, all that is left is casting using the proper technique.

How do you Cast farther with a Light Lure?

If it’s your first time using light lures, you might have a hard time making longer casts. Without the correct technique, no matter how much you try, you will only end up with short casts. Light lures do not go farther than four feet. But, using the right techniques, you can make longer casts. To ensure longer casts, first, make sure you choose the best length rod so that your lure can go as far as possible. Next, add lure weights and sinkers as they allow your lures to sink faster. Additionally, ensure that your line is thin and make sure you are using the right fishing technique. Finally, ensure you take your time when casting and practice regularly.                                                   `

Final Verdict

Purchasing a bait caster reel can be challenging. Ending up with a poorly constructed reel or poor-performing reel can be very frustrating. To avoid disappointment, first make sure you get the reel from renowned brands and check the critical features like the size, gear ratio, and bearings. When using light lures, you need to be extra careful, and you can’t just pick any reel. It would be best to have a baitcaster reel that would allow you to make good casts and help you feel every bite and movement of the lures and fish for increased accuracy.

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