Best Lightweight Fishing Reels of 2025

Luke Dobson Avatar
Luke Dobson
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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For avid anglers, a lightweight fishing reel is a game-changer. These reels are designed to be durable and sturdy while remaining light enough to prevent fatigue during long fishing sessions. With advanced features such as smooth drag systems and high gear ratios, lightweight fishing reels allow for greater control and precision when casting and reeling in your catch. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, investing in a quality lightweight fishing reel can greatly enhance your fishing experience.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Shakespeare Superteam Lightweight Fishing Reel Cover #TOP 1
Shakespeare Superteam Lightweight Fishing Reel
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Shakespeare Mach 1 Spinning Reel for Fishing Cover #TOP 2
Shakespeare Mach 1 Spinning Reel for Fishing
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Mitchell MX1 FS 5500 Fishing Reel with Line Cover #TOP 3
Mitchell MX1 FS 5500 Fishing Reel with Line
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Lightweight Fishing Reels

Shakespeare Superteam Lightweight Fishing Reel

1546257
Blue
2000
Shakespeare Superteam Lightweight Fishing Reel Cover
Shakespeare Superteam FL Reel, Fishing Reel, Spinning Reels, Lightweight Coarse Fishing Reel for Waggler, Stick Float or Feeder - Spare Spool included, Carp, Bream, Roach, Tench, Unisex, Blue, 2000

The Shakespeare Superteam Reel is a lightweight and versatile fishing reel designed for waggler, stick float, or feeder fishing. With its 3+1 ball bearings, you can expect smooth operation, making your fishing experience more enjoyable and efficient. The soft-touch rubber knob provides a comfortable grip, allowing you to fish for longer periods without discomfort. Its graphite body ensures durability while keeping the reel light, so you can easily carry it during your fishing trips. Additionally, the aluminium coil offers a flat design that aids in casting accuracy and distance.

What We Like
Smooth operation with 3+1 BB
Comfortable soft-touch rubber knob
Lightweight graphite body
Durable aluminium coil
Versatile for various fishing styles

Shakespeare Mach 1 Spinning Reel for Fishing

1310654
Grey
3000
Shakespeare Mach 1 Spinning Reel for Fishing Cover
Shakespeare Mach 1 Spinning Reel – Lightweight Graphite Body and Rotor, 2+1 Ball Bearings, Smooth Drag System, and Extra Rigid Bail for Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing - 3000

The Shakespeare Mach 1 Reel is designed for an enjoyable fishing experience. Its 2+1 ball bearing system ensures smooth and reliable operation, making casting and retrieval effortless for you. The lightweight body and rotor enhance comfort during long fishing trips, allowing you to focus on the catch. Additionally, the extra-rigid bail arm guarantees precise line handling, which is essential for effective casting, helping you land more fish with ease. The precision felt drag washers provide superior control during intense fights, giving you confidence when battling larger catches.

What We Like
Smooth operation with ball bearings
Lightweight for comfortable use
Precise line handling
Superior control during fights

Mitchell MX1 FS 5500 Fishing Reel with Line

Mitchell
1544512
Black/White
5500
Mitchell MX1 FS 5500 Fishing Reel with Line Cover
Mitchell MX1 FS 5500 Allround Fishing Reel with Line - Spinning Free Spool Freshwater Carp Fishing Reels and Deadbait Pike & Zander Anglers - Robust and lightweight Black Aluminium - 2+1 Bearings

The Mitchell MX1 Fishing Reel is a reliable choice for anglers, featuring a multi-disk drag system that ensures smooth line take when battling fish. With 2+1 stainless steel ball bearings, you will enjoy a buttery smooth rotation. The robust design includes a lightweight ABS graphite body and a durable aluminium spool, enhancing your fishing experience. Additionally, the free spool system allows you to control the line easily without opening the bail, making it perfect for various fishing scenarios, including carp and pike.

What We Like
Smooth operation
Lightweight design
Versatile for multiple species
Easy line management
Robust construction
#TOP 4

Cadence Essence Low Profile Baitcasting Reel

Cadence
Essence LP-L66
Black
Cadence Essence Low Profile Baitcasting Reel Cover
Cadence Essence Low Profile Fishing Reel,Lightweight Baitcasting Reel with 8 Corrosion Resistant Bearings, 20 lbs Carbon Fiber Drag with High Speed 7.3:1 Gear Ratio Baitcaster Reels

The Cadence Essence Reel is designed to enhance your fishing experience with its lightweight carbon frame, making it easier for you to cast for extended periods. Featuring seven stainless steel ball bearings, this reel offers ultra-smooth operation, ensuring you can reel in your catch effortlessly. The compact design fits comfortably in your palm, allowing for better control while fishing. With a fast gear ratio, you can retrieve your line quickly, enabling more efficient fishing sessions.

What We Like
Lightweight and comfortable
Ultra-smooth retrieval
Compact palm-sized design
Fast gear ratio
Great value for money
#TOP 5

Sougayilang XY1000 Ultra Smooth Fishing Reel

ZF-XY1000-IN
silver , black
XY1000
Sougayilang XY1000 Ultra Smooth Fishing Reel Cover
Sougayilang Fishing Reel 13+1BB Light Weight Ultra Smooth Aluminum Spinning Fishing Reel with Free Spare Spool-XY1000

The Sougayilang XY1000 Reel is designed for smooth operation, featuring 13+1 corrosion-resistant ball bearings that enhance your fishing experience. You'll appreciate the strong build, with precision brass gears and a hardened metal main shaft, ensuring durability and reliability. The high-powered drag system offers exceptional stopping power, making it easier to battle with larger fish. Additionally, its lightweight design and hollow frame make it ideal for extended fishing sessions, providing comfort whether you're a novice or an expert.

What We Like
Ultra-smooth performance
Durable and strong materials
High stopping power
Lightweight for easy handling
Versatile for various fishing locations
#TOP 6

Okuma Ceymar Lightweight Spinning Reel C-30

OKUMA
C-30
Multi-coloured
C-30, 110yd-10LB
Okuma Ceymar Lightweight Spinning Reel C-30 Cover
Okuma Fishing okuma Ceymar Lightweight Spinning Reel- C-30, Multi-coloured

The Okuma Ceymar Reel is a popular choice among fishing professionals worldwide, ensuring reliability and quality for every angler. It is crafted from the highest quality materials, providing durability you can trust on your fishing trips. The reel is designed with lightweight comfort in mind, weighing just 6 ounces. The soft touch EVA handle knobs make it comfortable to hold, allowing you to fish for longer periods without discomfort. This combination of features makes it an excellent option for both novice and experienced anglers alike.

What We Like
Lightweight design for easy handling
Comfortable EVA handle knobs
High-quality materials used
Tested for reliability
Ideal for professionals
#TOP 7

Sougayilang R-Spider DL Lightweight Fishing Reel

ZF-LIUYE1000 REEL
black green
1000
Sougayilang R-Spider DL Lightweight Fishing Reel Cover
Sougayilang Fishing reels Light Weight Saltwater Spinning Reel - 39.5 LB Carbon Fiber Drag,12+1 BB Ultra Smooth All Aluminum Inshore Reel for Saltwater or Freshwater-1000

The Sougayilang R-Spider DL Reel is designed for an exceptional fishing experience. Its super smooth operation ensures a quiet and effortless retrieve, making your time on the water more enjoyable. With 12 ball bearings and a carbon fibre drag system, you can rely on consistent pressure while reeling in your catch. The durable construction, featuring a rigid carbon-fibre rotor and aluminium spool, provides the strength needed for both saltwater and freshwater fishing. Plus, its lightweight design allows for prolonged fishing sessions without fatigue.

What We Like
Super smooth retrieval
Durable construction
Lightweight for easy handling
Versatile for various fishing

Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel for Fishing

1548584
Black / Red
1000
Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel for Fishing Cover
Abu Garcia Cardinal X Spinning Reel, Fishing Reel, Spinning Reels, Predator Lure Fishing - Trout, Perch, Pike, Salmon, Unisex, Black/Red, 1000

The Abu Garcia Cardinal X Reel is expertly designed for those who enjoy fishing. Its strong, lightweight graphite body ensures durability, making it reliable for various fishing techniques. You will appreciate the very smooth rotation, thanks to the 31 high-quality stainless steel ball bearings, allowing for effortless casting. The high-performance fighting drag system provides consistent drag performance, essential when reeling in that big catch. Additionally, the multi-purpose functionality of this reel makes it suitable for various species, from trout to salmon.

What We Like
Lightweight and durable design
Smooth rotation with ball bearings
Reliable fighting drag system
Versatile for different fishing techniques
#TOP 9

Shakespeare Firebird 4000 Spinning Reel

1310647
Black
4000
Shakespeare Firebird 4000 Spinning Reel Cover
Shakespeare Firebird Spinning Reel – Pre-Spooled Lightweight Reel with Graphite Handle and Spool, Smooth 1-Ball Bearing Design for Freshwater Fishing - 4000

The Shakespeare Firebird Reel is an ideal choice for freshwater fishing enthusiasts. It features a smooth 1-ball bearing design, ensuring effortless casting and retrieval, which helps you enjoy your fishing experience even more. The lightweight graphite handle and spool provide excellent durability and ease of use, reducing fatigue during long fishing sessions. Additionally, the reel comes pre-spooled with mono line, so you can start fishing right away without the hassle of spooling it yourself.

What We Like
Lightweight design for easy handling
Smooth casting with 1-ball bearing
Durable graphite construction
Pre-spooled for immediate use

KOVNISE Lightweight Spinning Fishing Reel

KOVNISE
AR028
Golden
13.4*12.9cm
KOVNISE Lightweight Spinning Fishing Reel Cover
KOVNISE Spinning Reel Smooth Powerful Freshwater Saltwater Spinning Fishing Reel Handle Interchangeable Left/Right Lightweight Sea Pole Wheel with 4.7:1 Gear Ratio 22Lbs Max Drag 2+1 Ball Bearings

The KOVNISE Fishing Reel is designed for both freshwater and saltwater fishing, offering a smooth and powerful experience. Its thickened throwing loop ensures that you can cast effortlessly without damaging your line. With a maximum drag of 22lbs, you can tackle larger fish with confidence and ease. The 4.7:1 gear ratio and 2+1 ball bearings provide exceptional smoothness during operation, making every catch a pleasure. Enjoy the durability and performance that this reel brings to your fishing adventures.

What We Like
Smooth casting and operation
High maximum drag capacity
Durable metal components
Lightweight design
Suitable for various fishing conditions
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the lightest fishing reel?

Designed to give serious bass and walleye anglers the advantages they need to propel them to fish to win, the Zenon is the lightest spinning reel ever produced, tipping the scales at an unbelievably light 4.9 ounces for the Size 20 and 5.4 ounces for the Size 30.

2. What size is an ultralight reel?

Ultralight spinning reels are not a type of reel itself but are the smallest model/size of a spinning reel. Typically, ultralight reels are within the sizing of 1000, 1500, 2000 & 2500 (or 10 – 25). These numbers are common model numbers that are given to represent the size of the spinning reel.

3. Which reel is the easiest reel to use?

Spincast reels are the easiest to learn and simplest to operate of the three primary styles of casting reels. Generally, they are the least expensive. Spincast (spincasting) reels are identifiable by their "closed face." That is, the spool containing the fishing line is totally enclosed within the reel itself.

4. What is the easiest reel to cast?

1. Abu Garcia Revo SX. This reel continues to be one of the most popular models used by many bass anglers. It's a very sleek and elegant low-profile baitcaster, and due to the Abu Garcia Infini dual brake system, it's easy to cast without generating backlash.

Editor's Notes

During our lightweight fishing reel research, we found 250 lightweight fishing reel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 33,556 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lightweight fishing reels list. We found that most customers choose lightweight fishing reels with an average price of £21.38.

The lightweight fishing reels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lightweight fishing reels, including SHAKESPEARE, Mitchell, Cadence, Sougayilang, OKUMA.

Written by
Luke Dobson Avatar

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.