Best Mackerel Fishing Reels of 2025

Luke Dobson Avatar
Luke Dobson
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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Mackerel fishing reels are essential tools for any angler looking to catch this popular saltwater fish. These reels are designed to handle the unique demands of mackerel fishing, including the need for quick retrieval and smooth drag systems to prevent the fish from escaping. They come in a range of sizes and styles to suit different fishing techniques and preferences, and are made from durable materials to withstand the harsh marine environment. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, mackerel fishing reels are a must-have for any fishing trip.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Shakespeare SALT Pre-Spooled Spinning Reel 8000 Cover #TOP 1
Shakespeare SALT Pre-Spooled Spinning Reel 8000
ftb score rating icon 9.8
PENN Battle IV Spinning Reel, Saltwater Angler Fishing Sea Fish Lure & Bait, Bass, Pollack, Cod Cover #TOP 2
PENN Battle IV Spinning Reel, Saltwater Angler Fishing Sea Fish Lure & Bait, Bass, Pollack, Cod
ftb score rating icon 9.7
2 NEW LARGE ATLANTIC 7000 FD SEA FISHING LIDSTERS BEACH PIER REEL AND YELLOW LINE 70 Cover #TOP 3
2 NEW LARGE ATLANTIC 7000 FD SEA FISHING LIDSTERS BEACH PIER REEL AND YELLOW LINE 70
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Mackerel Fishing Reels

Shakespeare SALT Pre-Spooled Spinning Reel 8000

1548354
Blue
8000
Shakespeare SALT Pre-Spooled Spinning Reel 8000 Cover
Shakespeare SALT Pre-Spooled Spinning Reel, Fishing Reel, Spinning Reels, Surfcasting Fishing, Pre-Spooled with Line - Mackerel, Bass, Pollack, Whiting, Cod, Unisex, Blue, 8000

The Shakespeare SALT Reel is designed for fishing enthusiasts seeking durability and performance. Its body and crank are made from corrosion-resistant graphite, ensuring longevity even in harsh conditions. The reel comes pre-spooled with mono line, allowing you to start fishing straight away without the hassle of spooling it yourself. With a multi-disc drag system, you can easily adjust the tension on your line, making it simpler to handle large catches. Additionally, the stainless steel ball bearings provide smooth operation, enhancing your overall fishing experience.

What We Like
Corrosion-resistant construction
Pre-spooled with mono line
Adjustable drag system
Smooth operation
#TOP 2

PENN Battle IV Spinning Reel, Saltwater Angler Fishing Sea Fish Lure & Bait, Bass, Pollack, Cod

BTLIV2500
Black/Gold/Smoke
2500
PENN Battle IV Spinning Reel, Saltwater Angler Fishing Sea Fish Lure & Bait, Bass, Pollack, Cod Cover
PENN Battle IV Spinning Reel, Saltwater Angler Fishing Sea Fish Lure & Bait, Bass, Pollack, Cod, Mackerel, Wrasse, Aluminum Spool, Robust Ambidextrous 2500 Reel Size 6.2:1 Gear Black, Gold & Smoke

Features
Hydro Armor Sealing System: Protects Critical Areas From Water Intrusion.
CNC Gear Technology: Provides Precision And Durability For Smooth Operation.
HT-100 Carbon Fiber Drag Washers: Ensures Smooth And Consistent Drag Performance.
Full Metal Body And Sideplate: Offers Maximum Strength And Durability.
5+1 Sealed Stainless Steel Ball Bearing System: Delivers Smooth And Reliable Operation.
#TOP 3

2 NEW LARGE ATLANTIC 7000 FD SEA FISHING LIDSTERS BEACH PIER REEL AND YELLOW LINE 70

2 NEW LARGE ATLANTIC 7000 FD SEA FISHING LIDSTERS BEACH PIER REEL AND YELLOW LINE 70 Cover
2 NEW LARGE ATLANTIC 7000 FD SEA FISHING LIDSTERS BEACH PIER REEL AND YELLOW LINE 70

Features
Ideal For Sea Spinning Pier Or Beach Casting
2 X ATLANTIC 70 LARGE Sea BeachCaster Reels
Hi-Resistance Graphite Body
Comes Preloaded With Yellow 30lb Sea Line
722 Grams Per Reel
#TOP 4

2 Large Atlantic 7000 Sea Fishing Reels

2 Large Atlantic 7000 Sea Fishing Reels Cover
2 NEW LARGE ATLANTIC 7000 FD SEA FISHING LIDSTERS BEACH PIER REEL ORANGE LINE 70

The Atlantic 7000 Fishing Reels are designed for sea spinning, pier, or beach casting, making them an excellent choice for avid anglers. Each reel is preloaded with a robust 15lb orange sea line, ensuring you are ready to fish right away. The hi-resistance graphite body adds durability, providing you with a reliable tool that withstands the elements. Weighing only 720 grams per reel, these fishing reels offer a lightweight option that enhances your fishing experience without causing fatigue.

What We Like
Lightweight design
Durable graphite body
Preloaded with sea line
Ideal for beach casting
Great for sea spinning
#TOP 5

SEA FISHING REEL VIGOR SILK LINE 70FD WITH LINE BEACHCASTER SURF PIER REEL

0607885679422
SEA FISHING REEL VIGOR SILK LINE 70FD WITH LINE BEACHCASTER SURF PIER REEL Cover
SEA FISHING REEL VIGOR SILK LINE 70FD WITH LINE BEACHCASTER SURF PIER REEL

Features
Multidisc Frizione Anteriore
Abis Book
Frontbremse Multidisc
#TOP 6

2 x NGT CKR30 Fishing Reels with 8lb Line

NGT
unknown
Black
2 x NGT CKR30 Fishing Reels with 8lb Line Cover
2 x CKR30 Black Fishing Reels Loaded with 6LB Line For Coarse Match Lake River

The NGT CKR30 Fishing Reels are designed for versatility, making them perfect for various fishing methods. Pre-loaded with an 8lb line, these reels can handle everything from float and feeder fishing for small carp to spinning for trout and game fish. The rear drag system allows you to easily adjust the line tension, enhancing your control while fishing. With a generous line capacity, you can fish confidently without worrying about running out of line during your catch.

What We Like
Versatile for different fishing methods
Pre-loaded with 8lb line
Rear drag for easy adjustments
Good line capacity

Mitchell Avocet Black Edition Fishing Reel

Mitchell
1446189
Black
5500| 5.1:1
Mitchell Avocet Black Edition Fishing Reel Cover
Mitchell Avocet Black Edition Reel , Fishing Reel, Spinning Reels, Allround Fishing, Unisex, Black, 5500| 5.1:1

The Mitchell Avocet Reel offers a reliable and smooth fishing experience. Its multi-disk drag system allows you to handle up to 8kg of drag power effortlessly, ensuring a seamless line take while you fight the fish. With 2+1 stainless steel ball bearings, the reel rotates smoothly, providing you with a hassle-free operation. The high-performance design features a lightweight ABS graphite body, making it robust yet easy to manage. Additionally, the free spool system lets you engage the line with minimal resistance, perfect for various fishing techniques.

What We Like
Smooth operation
Lightweight and durable
Versatile for different fish species
Easy free spool engagement
Pre-spooled with quality line

CKR30 Match Coarse Fishing Reel with Line

AP-FRL-CKR30
Black
CKR30 Match Coarse Fishing Reel with Line Cover
CKR30 Match & Coarse Fishing Reel With Rear Drag Pre Loaded With 8lb Line

The CKR30 Fishing Reel is an excellent choice for those new to match and coarse fishing. It comes pre-loaded with 8lb line, making it convenient for you to start fishing right away. The rear drag system allows for easy adjustments to your line tension, ensuring a smooth experience as you reel in your catch. Its sharp-stop anti-reverse feature helps improve control, preventing any unwanted line movement. Additionally, the big line roller and long cast spool enhance your casting distance, giving you the advantage in various fishing scenarios.

What We Like
Great for beginners
Pre-loaded with line
Easy rear drag adjustments
Improved casting distance
#TOP 9

PENN Pursuit IV Spinning, Fishing Reel

PURIV6000
Black Silver
6000
PENN Pursuit IV Spinning, Fishing Reel Cover
PENN Pursuit IV Spinning, Fishing Reel, Spinning Reels, Sea - Inshore Fishing, Spin Fishing, Jig, Lure Reel for All-Round Use, Boat, Kayak, Shore, Unisex, Black Silver, 6000

Features
The Pursuit IV Has An Ultra Lightweight Corrosion-Resistance Graphite Body Construction, Machined And Anodized Aluminium Spool And Powerful Sealed HT-100 Drag System Which Makes This Reel Perfectly Saltwater Resistant And Ready For Your Saltwater Fishing Adventures.
The Powerful Sealed HT-100 Multi-Disk Carbon Drag System In The Front Of The Reel Ensures A Smooth Line Take Even While Fighting Big Saltwater Predators.
The Line Capacity Rings On The Spool Let You Know How Much Line You Have Left When Fighting A Fish. Perfect Indicator When To Apply The Brakes!
The 4 Quality Sealed Stainless Steel Ball Bearings Make The Reel Rotate Smooth As Butter, While The Instant Anti-Reverse Bearing Eliminates Even The Slightest Rotor Back Play For Instant Hook-Ups Every Time.
Comes In Sizes 2500-8000 With Gear Ratio's 6.2:1, 5.6:1 And 4.7:1 Depending On The Size Of The Reel. The Drag Power Sits Between 4.5kg And 11.3kg, Also Depending On The Size Of The Reel.

Shakespeare Beta FS Freespool Fishing Reel for Freshwater

1275130
Black
Shakespeare Beta FS Freespool Fishing Reel for Freshwater Cover
Shakespeare Beta FS Freespool Fishing Reel - Freshwater Ledger Fishing for Carp, Bream, Tench, Barbel

The Shakespeare Beta FS Reel is designed for freshwater fishing, making it an excellent choice for targeting species like carp, bream, tench, and barbel. With a generous line capacity of 230m and a thickness of 0.36mm, you can easily handle long casts and heavy catches. The lightweight graphite body and handle ensure that you can fish for extended periods without fatigue. Additionally, the gear ratio of 5.1:1 allows for smooth retrieval, giving you better control over your catch.

What We Like
Lightweight and easy to handle
Generous line capacity
Smooth retrieval
Suitable for various freshwater fish
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the best bait for mackerel?

The best bait for catching mackerel is either a sandeel or strip of mackerel, but lures are also highly effective. I recommend the spinners listed on this page alongside Japanese Sabiki feathers for more hook ups. Fishing with baited mackerel feathers allows you to catch mackerel as well as other species.

2. What size hooks for mackerel?

What size hooks should I use for mackerel? The most often used hook for mackerel is a size 1O, however many anglers consider this to be an excessively big size. Sabiki feathers, a Japanese alternative to typically large mackerel feathers, are considerably superior to the traditional sized mackerel feathers.

3. How do you fish mackerel from a boat?

The easiest way to catch mackerel, garfish and sometimes bass is to tow your lures behind a slowly moving boat. The depth at which you fish is dependent on the speed of the boat and the weight on your line. Ideally you need to be going dead slow, at tick-over speed if motoring and no more than 2 knots if sailing.

4. What type of rod do I need for mackerel fishing?

We recommend using a 10-12ft rod with a fairly heavy casting weight to deal with the rigours of feather fishing. Reel wise, we need a 60 sized saltwater fixed spool reel. This provides the cranking power required to deal with the multiple catches that you will inevitably encounter.

Editor's Notes

During our mackerel fishing reel research, we found 106 mackerel fishing reel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 20,064 customer reviews through our big data system to write the mackerel fishing reels list. We found that most customers choose mackerel fishing reels with an average price of £26.24.

The mackerel fishing reels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of mackerel fishing reels, including SHAKESPEARE, Penn, Lidsters Fishing Supplies, Lineaeffe, NGT.

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.