Pond Reels Criteria

In my last full-length post, I went over the top 5 rods I would recommend for anyone looking to get a new combo or even their first combo. Of course, it’s not much of a combo without a reel to go with it. In today’s post, I’ll be recommending 5 reels I’d recommend pairing up to these rods.

When it comes to reels, picking a model is much simpler than picking rods. Fishing reels aren’t quite as nuanced as rods are. Really, picking a fishing reel comes down to general quality of life; how light is it? Does it fit well in your hand? Is it too bulky? Is it durable? The only real nuances you’ll find in a reel are casting distance, how good the brakes system is, the line capacity and the strength of the drag. These things are less lure-dependent than, say, rod power or speeds.

The following 5 reels are models I would recommend for anyone to pair up to a rod of their choice. I recommend models in the $100-$250 price range for beginner to intermediate pond fishermen: anything over that is likely not needed. Modern fishing reels are marvelous, and at times the cheaper options perform just as well as or even better than the high-end ones. Picking the reel that’s right for you truly comes down to small preferences that you may have.

With that said, you still want to be well researched and educated when choosing a reel. The right reel will give you no problems and haul in fish for years to come, but the wrong one may end up backlashing and tangling for months before breaking. So, without further a due, let’s dive in.

Reel #5: 13 Fishing Inception G2

Budget Option: 13 Fishing Origin F1

The 13 Fishing is one of my favorite brand choices for reels for a couple of significant reasons. One reason is their sleek design and comfortable size: but the main reason I like these reels is the drag system. Drag is how hard it is to pull line from the spool when it’s locked, calculated in pounds of force necessary. Most other reel brands have somewhere around 10-15 pounds of drag: the Inception G2 sports a whopping 22 pounds of drag at a $150 price point. And the budget option isn’t far behind: the Origin F1, for only $70, has 18 pounds of drag.

This stopping power makes these reels perfect for power fishing on a little more of a budget. They are perfect for throwing frogs, big jigs, flipping and pitching. However, I wouldn’t recommend throwing heavy swimbaits on the Origin. I abused the absolute heck out of this reel, and eventually the spool tension system pretty much stopped working. So, even though it’s an absolute workhorse, keep in mind it is still a $70 reel.

Aside from the powerful brakes, the Inception is framed with lightweight aluminum, featuring a 6-speed internal brakes system and 3 gear ratios to choose from (5.3:1,6.6:1, and 7.3:1). The Origin only has 2 (6.6:1 and 8.1:1), but both cast a mile if set properly, reel smoothly and are great options for someone looking for powerful reels at a lower price point.

Reel #4: Shimano Miravel 2500-4000

Budget Option: Shimano Nexave 2500-4000

Even though I don’t fish much spinning gear, I had to include this amazing reel in this list. The Shimano Miravel is an amazing finesse spinning option, and at $130-$140 it doesn’t break the bank. It’s super sensitive, buttery smooth, has good line capacity for its size, and it’s extraordinarily light and comfortable in the hand.

The primary feature of this reel that I like is how smooth everything feels for the price. Just a tsp is enough to send the reel spinning, and the reel feels very light and balanced when casting and reeling. It really feels like a high-end reel for a budget price point.

And if you want an even cheaper option, look no further than the Nexave. For $50-$60, it’s a durable and relatively smooth option for the price. I recommend between the 2500 and 3000 sizes for finesse fishing, and the 4000 size for more all-around application.

Reel #3: Daiwa Tatula 200

Budget Option: Daiwa Fuego CT

Daiwa is one of the most renowned and trusted reel brands on the market, and for good reasons. All of their reels come with sleek designs, top of the line materials, and are tried and true on the water. However, lots of their reels are on the more expensive end. But that doesn’t stop their more budget-friendly options from performing on the high end at a lower price point.

The Daiwa Tatula (specifically the regular 200 or 150: not the Tatula elite or any of the other, more tuned models) and the Daiwa Fuego are both phenomenal pond reels, coming in at $180 and $120 respectively. With a drag max of 13 and decent line capacity for the sizes, both are great all-around reel options that are reliable, flexible and check all the boxes.

The Daiwa Tatula and Fuego cast far, reel strong and have external braking systems, making for an easy adjustment.  They sit comfortable in the hand, and I rarely backlash with either reel. Perfect for the all-around pond angler looking to up their game and invest in some more quality reels.

Reel #2: 13 Fishing Concept A3

Budget Option: 13 Fishing Concept A2

I love to power fish. It takes some of the edge off fishing: when you’re throwing a frog on 65-pound braid, you’re not worried about breaking off or getting hung up. You only have to do 2 things: make the right cast and keep the fish pinned long enough to get your hands on it. The Concept lines help you execute this vision perfectly.

Built for power fishing, The Concept A3 comes equipped with a whopping 40 pounds of drag, a 6 way braking system, a durable aluminum-framed body and a whopping 240 yards of line capacity (12/240). For $250, the Concept A3 is built to power fish and it’s built to last. I primarily throw frogs and big swimbaits with this reel.

As for the budget option, the older Concept A2 comes in at $180. It has most of the same features as the A2, but with only 25 pounds of drag. This reel is still perfect for more power fishing applications, but with less drag and much smaller line capacity. However, for 100 less dollars you’re still getting a great, reliable power fishing reel.

Reel #1: Shimano Curado 200 M

Budget Option: Shimano SLX

And now we come to the #1 pick, the best reel I would recommend to any pond fisherman. These 2 reels are light, long-lasting, all around, versatile and high quality. They cast a mile and have plenty of power, and both come in a variety of models depending on any niche preferences you may have. I am, of course, talking about the Shimano Curado and SLX reel lines.

If you’re looking for a reel you can throw anything with, anytime, anywhere and reliably catch fish, this is the reel for you. Both come equipped with decent line capacity for the sizes, comfortable handles, 12 pounds of drag for the SLX and 13 for the Curado. They cast a mile, reel smoothly and powerfully, and rarely backlash. Pairing nicely with any rod you could pick up, these are perfect all around reels with no downsides.

At $200 for the Shimano Curado 200 M and $100 for the Shimano SLX A, both of these reels perform like top-of-the-line reels for a fraction of the price. You’re getting $500 quality for $200. You also have the flexibility to choose between multiple other options: if you want a smaller reel profile for more finesse fishing, pick up an SLX MGL or Curado MGL 70. If you want a bigger, stronger reel, grab an SLX XT or a Curado 300. Both have DC (digital control) options as well. You cannot go wrong with either of these reel lines.

Further Recommendations

Buying reels isn’t quite as delicate of a process as buying rods, but I would still recommend you try to get your hands on the physical reel before ordering online. I would also, of course, recommend you read specs and product descriptions of each reel to make sure it’s got what you need.

If you’re a beginner looking to pick up your first baitcasting reel, don’t break the bank without learning how to use one first. A $200 baitcaster will backlash just as badly as a $60 one if you use it poorly. I recommend picking up the cheapest option you can find and learning how to use that one flawlessly before upgrading to a more expensive model.

If you learned something from this post, check out a couple of the other posts! I’ve written more specifically about rods and reels, I have a list of the top 5 rods to go along with these reels, and I post lure reviews every week. You can check those out here. Happy fishing!