The full guide
Read straight through, or use the fishing notes above to keep marks, tides and tackle easier to follow.
Our Beginners Guide to Buying Fishing Gear....
Which Sea Fishing Reel?
Deciding which sea fishing reel you need will very much depend on which type of fishing you are planning to do and also which rod you have or are going to purchase. A lightweight rod will obviously need a lightweight reel and likewise, a heavier duty rod will need a larger reel. We do not stock hundreds of reels as the choice can be overwhelming. Instead, we have a selection of lightweight rods, medium weight rods and heavier weight reels. Please see the comparison tables below
Sea Fishing Reel Specifications explained...
Reel Types
Fixed Spool
(also called Spinning Reels)
The majority of the reels we stock are fixed spool reels. This is because they are versatile reels that are easy to use for beginners and novices and are ideal for shore fishing.
These reels have a bail arm that is released allowing the line to flow freely from the fixed spool during casting. When retrieving, the bail arm rotates winding the line back on to the fixed spool.
Multiplier
(also called Baitcasting Reels)
Multiplier reels have a revolving spool which can be disengaged to spin freely when casting. The spool rotates multiple times when retrieving the line which is where the name multiplier originates.
Multiplier reels are not so easy to use for beginners or novices.
Gear Ratio
When comparing different reels, each reel has a different gear ratio such as 4.1:1 or 5.2:1
Put simply, these numbers let you know how many times the spool rotates for each turn of the handle - for example, 5.2:1 means that the spool rotates 5.2 times for each turn of the handle.
Front Drag / Rear Drag
The drag is the tension of the spool and can be adjusted to allow you to change how tightly or loosely the spool moves. The knob to adjust this tension is either positioned on the front of the reel or the rear, hence the names Front Drag and Rear Drag.
Due to the way that rods are constructed, it is generally accepted that front drag reels tend to be smoother.
Bearings
The bearings inside the reel will determine how smoothly the reel operates. The more bearings the better.
Lightweight Fishing Reels
Suitable for light spinning and float fishing
Fixed Spool
- Drag (Clutch)
- Front Drag (FD)
- Gear Ratio
- 5.2:1
- Weight (g)
- 230g
- Ball Bearings
- 1
- Pre Spooled with Line
- ×
- Spare Spool
- ✓
- Suitability
- Light Spinning Kayak Fishing Float Fishing
- Free Shipping
- ✓
Light / Medium Weight Fishing Reels
Suitable for light to medium spinning, float fishing and light bottom fishing
Fixed Spool
- Drag (Clutch)
- Front Drag (FD)
- Gear Ratio
- 5.1:1
- Weight (g)
- 289g
- Ball Bearings
- 5
- Pre Spooled with Line
- ×
- Spare Spool
- ✓
- Suitability
- Light to Medium Spinning Kayak Fishing Float Fishing .
- Free Shipping
- ✓
Medium / Heavy Weight Fishing Reels
Suitable for medium or heavy spinning and bottom fishing
Fixed Spool
- Drag (Clutch)
- Front Drag (FD)
- Gear Ratio
- 4.8:1
- Weight (g)
- 375g
- Ball Bearings
- 4
- Pre Spooled with Line
- ×
- Spare Spool
- ✓
- Suitability
- Medium Spinning Float Fishing Bottom Fishing Boat Fishing
- Free Shipping
- ✓
Useful tackle picks
Friendly tackle picks chosen to make the guide easier to put into practice.
Common questions
- Fixed spool or multiplier: which should I choose?
- For most anglers, and almost all beginners, a fixed-spool (spinning) reel is the answer. It casts smoothly, handles lighter weights well and rarely tangles. Multipliers offer brilliant control and distance on clean ground for experienced casters, but they take practice to master, so start fixed-spool and progress later if you wish.
- What size sea fishing reel do I need?
- Match the reel size to your method. A 2500-5000 fixed spool suits lure and float fishing for bass, mackerel and pollack, while a larger 6000-8000 size pairs with a beachcaster for casting bait at distance. The key is balance: the reel should sit comfortably and not feel nose-heavy on the rod.
- What is a good beginner sea fishing reel?
- A mid-size fixed-spool reel with a smooth front drag is the ideal first reel. It's versatile enough for spinning, float and light bottom fishing, easy to maintain, and forgiving to cast. Pair it with a multi-purpose or spinning rod and you have a balanced, fuss-free outfit that's perfect for learning the ropes.
- Why does the drag and number of bearings matter?
- The drag is what lets line slip smoothly under pressure so a fish can't snap you off, so a progressive, reliable drag really matters. More ball bearings generally mean a smoother retrieve and better-quality internals. You don't need top-end numbers to start, but a decent drag is worth prioritising over flashy extras.
- How much should I spend on a sea fishing reel?
- There's a reel for every budget. Light spinning reels start around £19.99-£21.10, light-medium sizes sit near £36.99-£38.95, and heavier reels for bottom fishing are £56.99 and up. Choose something dependable that matches your rod and method rather than the cheapest or showiest option on the shelf.
