Whether you are eying a walleye, trout, Tuna or bass, it’s time you tried jigging. Jigs create a vertical motion so you can reach fish that are dipper in the water. However, jigging requires a bit of mastering to avoid ending up without any fish.
A reel is an essential aspect of jig fishing, and it comes a long way in ensuring your success when fishing. Sometimes it can be challenging to choose a reel that works best for you. In this article, we will be helping you choose a good reel for jigging. Good fishing tools will also ensure your success when fishing.
Finding the right jigging reels can be challenging. However, we have researched tons of reels, and picked the top ten jigging reels for the money. We took a lot of factors into consideration including built material, quality, durability, performance, user experience, and pricing. If you are in a hurry, you may pick your desired reel from the list.
| Image | Product | Features | Action |
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Best Premium Choice Reel  |
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Best High Speed Jigging Reel  |
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Best Bass jigging Reel  |
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Best High-End Reel  |
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Best Trout Jigging Reel  |
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Best Slow Jigging Reel  |
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 | Gomexus Jigging Reel SX450 Saltwater LeverDrag Conventional Reel |
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Best Tuna Jigging Reel  |
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1. Penn Slammer III Spinning Fishing Reel
Best Spinning Reel for Jigging
This smooth spinning reel is our best choice for jigging. The construction consists of a full metal body, side plate and rotor, maintaining the reel’s superior strength, durability and excellent performance.
Size 3500-5500 comes with an automatic bail trip, while size 6500-10500 comes with a manual bail trip.
Here we will be dealing with size 3500 that features eight ball bearings for smooth casts and a powerful gear ratio of 6.2:1 for speedy retrieves when jig fishing. Additionally, it comes with a powerful dura drag with a maximum drag of 30lbs.
Pros
- Sturdy construction
- Sealed body and spool
- Automatic bail trip
Cons
- The cap on the aluminum knob can come off under vigorous activity.
2. Piscifun Salis X Trolling Reel
Best Trolling Reel for Jigging
The Piscifun Salis X Trolling reel is the best high-speed jigging reel. At a reasonable price, you can experience unmatched performance when jig fishing. It features a 6.2:1 gear ratio with 6+1 ball bearings for smooth casts and speedy retrieves. Moreover, the reel comes with a sensitive bait clicker that alerts you when the fish bites your jig and a stainless steel rivet reel foot that enhances maximum stability.
The construction consists of graphite frames and side plates with a stainless steel handle. The graphite construction maintains the reels lightweight, and the stainless steel handle ensures the angler’s comfort at all times. Additionally, the reel features a 64lb drag giving you the confidence to deal with freshwater and saltwater species.
Pros
- Sensitive bait clicker
- Powerful and comfortable handle
- Smooth drag
- Orientation Left-hand orientation
Cons
- Some parts are plastic and prone to damage
3. Daiwa Seagate Star Drag Reel
This vertical jigging reel consists of a corrosion-proof aluminum frame and side-plates, and an aluminum spool. This construction makes the reel stand out in its performance and strength.
It also comes with a powerful and comfortable handle that gives you enough leverage when jigging.
The reel is super smooth owing to the 3BB+1RB bearing system and a gear ratio of 6.1:1.
Additionally, it features a large bait clicker that helps notify you of your catch and an ultimate tournament carbon drag with a maximum drag of 15.4lbs.
Pros
- Great casts
- Smooth drag
- Sturdy construction
Cons
- It is limited to smaller fish
4. Piscifun Alijoz Baitcasting Reel
This reel stands out as the best jigging reel for bass. It is made of an aluminum frame and handle that ensures its superior strength and incredible performance. Try this reel, and you can boast of having caught the biggest bass without much of a struggle.
The high line capacity gives you an added advantage while jigging in addition to the 8+1 ball bearings and a 5.9:1/8.1:1 gear ratio that ensures smooth casts and retrieves. Additionally, it features an incredible drag of 33lbs plus Hamai cut brass gears so you can fight with any fish you encounter. Moreover, it has easy-to-access thumb bar engage buttons; you can easily thumb back the thumb bar without cranking the handle.
Pros
- Easy to access thumb bar engage button
- Sturdy construction
- Powerful Drag
5. Shimano Torium SW Saltwater Star Drag Reel
Those who have used Shimano reels can attest they are among the best reels. Shimano Torium is the best premium jigging reel featuring a HAGANE body with smaller and manageable side plates. The reel is super light, making it the perfect jigging reel.
Additionally, the star drag reel is made to ensure incredible smoothness and speedy retrieves with a gear ratio of 6.3:1 and 3+1 ball bearings. Moreover, it features a cross carbon drag giving you the confidence to deal with large species. The line capacity offers 240 yards making it the best choice for jig fishing application.
Pros
- The reel is lightweight
- Smooth Drag
- Highly efficient gearing system
Cons
- Poor delivery and handling
6. KastKing Rekon Round Baitcasting Reel
Best Round baitcasting Reel for Jigging
If you are looking for the best jigging reel for trout, then this is the reel for you. Other than being sturdy, it is also light making it comfortable for jigging. Its construction consists of high-quality stainless steel and brass main gears and pinion gears. The frame is made of graphite hence the reel’s lightweight.
KastKing Rekon reel comes with three double-shielded ball bearings and an anti-reverse bearing for an incredibly smooth performance. Additionally, it comes with a triple carbon disc drag system that delivers up to 30lbs of drag power. Moreover, it provides a large line capacity as it can handle up to 330 yards of 25lbs of line, making it excel in jigging, especially for trout.
Pros
- The reel is light
- Comfortable and strong handle
- Two-line counters
Cons
- Some people complain that drag is not very powerful
7. GOMEXUS LX50 Slow Jigging Reel
If you are looking for a slow jigging reel, the GOMEXUS LX50 reel will not disappoint. With a 7.1:1 gear ratio and 9+2 ball bearings, you can be assured of ultimate smoothness. With a weight of 11oz, this reel makes jigging easier even for a beginner.
Additionally, the reel features HT-100 carbon drag washers that maintain a powerful drag of up to 60lbs. It also comes with a high capacity line of over 300 yards/30lb of line, so you can easily excel at jigging.
Moreover, the reel is comfortable as the 92mm handle gives you enough leverage so you can deal with flounder, Tuna, bass and snappers among saltwater species.
Pros
- Powerful and smooth drag
- Small and compact size
- Super light reel
- Line Capacity 300 Yards
Cons
- The foot is too thin
8. Okuma MA-20DLXT New Magda Linecounter Reel
Best Line counter reel for Jigging
If you are looking for a Walleye jigging reel, try the Okuma New Magda Jigging Reel. It is lightweight, and it features a sturdy and lightweight construction consisting of a graphite frame, spool and side plates. Additionally, it features durable machine-cut brass gearings for improved durability.
For better leverage and increased comfort, it features an ergonomic grip handle for all-day fishing. Moreover, the reel comes with a gear ratio of 5.1:1 and two ball bearings with a maximum drag of 6kgs. Furthermore, they contain self-lubricating gear systems and a line counter screw port for improved air access, plus a 16-point anti-reverse for improved hookups.
Pros
- Self-lubricating gear systems
- Corrosion-resistant spools and side plates
- Lightweight Reel
Cons
- The drag is not very powerful.
9. Gomexus Jigging Reel SX450 Saltwater LeverDrag Conventional Reel
This ultralight jigging reel comes with an aluminum spool, stainless steel gearbox and aluminum body. Therefore, you can be assured of its superior strength and outstanding performance despite its low profile. The features of this reel take the jigging technique to a new level. The Lever Drag system comes with an adjustable strike and a strike stop button. Additionally, there are precision machined gears that ensure the reel’s maximum durability and superior strength.
It features a high line capacity of over 490 yards for a 30lb line. Additionally, it comes with an 85mm EVA T-bar power knob that is comfortable and offers a good grip when jigging. The gear ratio of 6.3:1 and 9+2 ball bearings ensure smooth retrieves and casts. Moreover, the drag is quite powerful, featuring a HT 100 silk smooth carbon drag so you can fight different species.
Pros
- Ultralight reel
- Powerful and ergonomic handle
- Strike stop button
- Reliable carbon fibre drags
Cons
- The warranty is limited to one year
10. Ecooda Heavy Duty Metal Spinning Jigging Fishing Reel
Ecooda jigging reel is the best jigging reel for Tuna. These reels come in six different sizes, but there we will be focusing on size 6000. The size 6000 reel features a 4.9:1 gear ratio and 7+1 ball bearings to ensure smooth casts and aid retrieves.
The construction consists of an aluminum body and an aluminum spool. Additionally, the reel features titanium casting guides, a ceramic line roller and a changeable left/right power handle.
Moreover, it features a precisely machined oscillation gear and a carbon fibre drag with a drag power of 20kgs.
Pros
- Powerful Drag
- Oscillation gear technology
- Incredibly smooth
- Changeable power handle
Cons
- The warranty is limited to one year
Are Conventional Reels Good for Saltwater Jigging?
Conventional reels are famous for their excellent performance in jigging. When you are slow-pitching or speed jigging, these reel excels and offers incredible performance. However, if you are wondering whether these reels are suitable for saltwater jigging, the answer is yes. But, you need to make sure you get a quality reel due to corrosion. Conventional reels can be used in saltwater and freshwater applications, and they will thrive in the two applications. The best conventional reels for saltwater jigging include Piscifun Salis X Trolling Reel and GOMEXUS LX50.
What is the Best Spinning Reel for Jigging?
Spinning reels remain many anglers’ favourite reels due to their outstanding performance. They get the jig in water faster than other reels, which is why some anglers prefer them for this application. With the many manufacturers today, you have a wide variety of reels you can choose from for jigging applications. The best Spinning reels for jigging include PENN 1403983 Slammer III Spinning Reel and Okuma Azores Saltwater Spinning Reels.
Best Jigging Rod and Reel Combo
Any professional angler understands that you need a perfect combination of a reel and rod to have incredible performance. Jigging combos are no exception, and you need to have the best combination to ensure maximum performance. Whether a beginner or a veteran, you need some aid when choosing the best rod and reel for jigging. The best combos for jigging include Ugly Stik CX2 Spinning Reel and Fishing Rod combo and EatMy Tackle Pro Jigging Saltwater Rod and Reel Combo. These combos offer exceptional performance, strength, maximum durability, and they are easy to use. This makes the combos perfect for beginners and experienced anglers.
What makes a Good Jigging Reel?
Reel Type
People differ in their preference for jigging reels. You need to determine what reel works for you. Some people prefer spin reels, while others prefer conventional reels. For speedy jigging, you can choose a spin or convectional reel. However, if you are looking for a reel for slow-pitching, the conventional reel is the perfect reel here.
Weight
Jigging involves a lot of lifting of the rod and reel; that’s why you need to consider the weight of your reel. Lighter reels remain the best option for this application. For this reason, manufacturers are coming up with smaller conventional reels that can hold lots of lines.
Speed
When jigging, you need to be careful about the retrieval speed. Conventional reels have been advanced to accommodate two speeds. The gear ratio determines the speed. With a high gear ratio, you can be assured of speedy retrievals, and the same case applies to when your reel has a low gear ratio. The high speed helps move the jig quickly. On the other hand, low-speed reels offer maximum power when pulling a fish from the bottom and increase the reel’s sensitivity.
Line Capacity
When jigging, you will probably be casting deep in the water. Therefore, you need a reel that is suitable for this application. Conventional reels are better as they hold more lines compared to other reels.
Drag
When jigging, you need to check the fishing area and fish you are eyeing. The drag you need will depend on your fishing application. For smaller fish, you can get a reel with a drag of 15 to 20lbs. However, if you are eyeing bigger fish, you can go for reels with a more powerful drag. It would be best to have a powerful drag when slow-pitch jigging as the reel does most of the work.
Care and Maintenance of Jigging Reels
Like any other reels, jigging reels also need care and maintenance to ensure their durability and maximum performance. The first step in ensuring the maintenance of the reel is by regularly cleaning the reel. After fishing, make sure you clean the reel to get rid of any accumulated dirt and salt particles.
When cleaning the reel, use fresh water and make sure you loosen the drag first and use a sponge and warm water to clean it. After you are done cleaning, dry it and leave it to dry for some time, after which you can lubricate the different parts on the reel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types of reels are good for Jigging?
However, your choice for a jigging reel will depend on your application. You can choose slow-pitch or speedy retrieves. A conventional reel excels in both applications. On the other hand, Spin reels are better when you are looking for speedy fishing and retrieves.
Can you troll with a jigging reel?
Jigging reels can be used for different fishing techniques, including trolling. Any angler who doesn’t mind trolling can try using jigging reels. However, you need to ensure that you get the small and lightweight reels to ensure your success when trolling.
What is the best baitcasting jigging reel?
Determining the best baitcasting reel for jigging can be difficult as anglers look for different qualities and specifications. However, the performance, construction, weight and durability of a jigging baitcasting reel will help you determine the best reel that works for you. KastKing Rekon jigging Baitcasting Reel stands out due to its incredible performance and quality, making it one of the best baitcasting reels for jigging.
Why are Jigging Reels Narrow?
Jigging requires a reel that is easy to handle and fish with. Additionally, it requires a low-profile reel that will not leave you exhausted after fishing. This explains why jigging reels are narrow. With narrow reels handling, the reel will be a lot easier to handle, and they are slowly gaining popularity among anglers in other techniques.
Final Impression
Jigging is not only fun but also a successful fishing technique. However, you need to have the right equipment to be sure of your fishing success. If you are a beginner or purchasing a jigging reel for the first time, you will probably get confused by the different reels available in the market. However, to avoid any disappointments, you need to consider the reels’ speed, weight, performance and quality to avoid any disappointments.
