The 11 Best Drag Reels (2022 reviews)
It is important to have the well suited drag reel.
We are here to help you choose the best one for your needs from all the best available products in market today.
Also check our buying guide on Best Reels For Fishing, which will help you understand market quickly.
Our review process:
Our Top Picks:
Best Overall: Buy: Burning Shark Drag Reel READ REVIEWBest For Extra Spool: Buy: Shimano Great Reel READ REVIEWBest For Great Quality: Buy: Okuma Drag Reel READ REVIEWBest For Spinning Reel: Buy: Shimano Drag Reel READ REVIEWBest For Corrosion Resistance: Buy: Daiwa Excellent Reel READ REVIEWBest For Bottom Fishing: Buy: Sougayilang Drag Reel READ REVIEWBest For Aluminum Frame: Buy: Daiwa Drag Reel READ REVIEWBest For Smooth Action: Buy: Penn Drag Reel READ REVIEWBest For Fishing Time: Buy: Fishare Drag Reel READ REVIEWBest For Stainless Steel: Buy: Okuma Fishing Tackle Drag Reel READ REVIEWBest For Carbon Fiber: Buy: Penn Baitcast Reel READ REVIEWBest Overall: Burning Shark Drag Reel
Buy on Amazon Here, we present a reel that manages to win our hearts. It's the Burning Shark Drag Reel and it's widely considered as one of the all-around great reels you can buy. The burning shark drag reel performs well, it works nice and has a very nice design. Whether you are sight-fishing inshore for redfish, bonefish or trolling offshore for hard-striking billfish, saltwater fishing can take a toll on your tackle. Further, the reel is used for best value, looks great, it is cool and has a comfortable design. The reel is interchangeable, is corrosion resistant, it feels great and has a new design. Above all, the burning shark drag reel is small, the line release lever works good, comfortable cranking.Most customers agree that the reel is well below the relative quality given. And, they strongly agree that the reel is great to make it rite. And, they strongly agree that the reel is a great reel for the price.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is built of high-quality metal with a layer of coating.
- This is not the type that uses a clamp to attach to the pole.
- It is big enough to take 300 yards with 80 pounds of braid line.
- This is a trolling reel for boat and bottom fishing, not for fly fishing.
Best For Extra Spool: Shimano Great Reel
Buy on Amazon Next on the list, we've got yet another reel that manages to win our hearts. It's the Shimano Great Reel and it's widely considered as one of the most convenient reels you can buy. The shimano great reel is ideal for extra spool, has more drag and it is easy to adjust. And the sahara r also features shimano fight in' drag ii, which adds a rear strike lever that enables solid hook sets without losing your drag setting. And, it is very nice, makes for nice quality and it is for better quality. The reel works fine, is easily adjustable, it is good for small capacity and has great style. Moreover, it is original and it is smoother. Above all, the shimano great reel is easy to set and it is designed for top quality.Most customers find that the reel will crank down but it's not as smooth, as there again a 200.00+ reel. Moreover, they strongly agree that the reel is good for salt water. And, they strongly agree that the reel is easy to use and brings in the fish with ease. In short, many customers have used the shimano great reel for more than a few months without any issues, and it shows no sign of giving up.Top Customer Quotes:
- This comes with a spare spool.
- Reel "sougayilang spinning fishing reel with rear drag.
- Max drag force: 4.4 lbs, bearings: 3 sus and 1 rb.
- Line retrieve per crank: 27 inch.
Best For Great Quality: Okuma Drag Reel
Buy on Amazon Okuma offers a variety of reels for personal choice and yet maintains quality in all the variants. The Okuma Drag Reel is built solid, makes for a great buy and it is great for trolling. There's a stainless steel reel foot. In addition, it is very impressive. is made for far casting, It is designed for a corrosion resistant frame and has great style. The reel is very nice and it allows for excellent performance. In addition, this is perfect for great quality, it provides great value and has a nice style. Finally, the okuma drag reel is very good, is perfect for red fish and it is highly recommend.Almost all buyers agree that the reel does have a bait clicker, which clicks pretty loud. Moreover, they also found that the reel could handle a 1 ounce swimbait no problem. Also, they also found that the drag moves around a little but the reel casts well and and retrieves very well.Top Customer Quotes:
- This is a touch bigger than the abu 7000.
- Lightweight corrosion resistant frame and side plates.
- This is great with excellent quality and it is designed for spinning reels.
- It is thick, is designed for high performance and it is lighter.
Best For Spinning Reel: Shimano Drag Reel
Buy on Amazon The Shimano Drag Reel's material feels more premium than its price would suggest. The shimano drag reel is really nice, is maybe more, It is beautiful and has a quality design. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. This low - end rear drag spinning reel is perfect for every angler who likes to fish occasionally and who does not want to spend a large amount of money on a reel but still wants to experience the quality of shimano. Above all, the shimano drag reel is excellent, It is highly recommended and has a nice style.Almost all customers agree that the reel is a great reel, never noticed any reverse issues. And, a few strongly agree that the reel provides constant quality. Additionally, it is easy to catch fish with this reel. Moreover, they also found that the reel is perfect for piers, lakes, even rivers. Overall, the tone of buyers is very positive and we believe that the reel suits the purpose.Customers say that getting a braids for spinning reel, along with reel is useful.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This is best for quality construction, it allows for nice smooth and has a good design.
- Prevents backlashes and wind knots from forming.
- Rear drag reels allow anglers to make drag adjustments on the fly.
- This offers trouble - free casting and provides less risk of line trouble or breakage.
Best For Corrosion Resistance: Daiwa Excellent Reel
Buy on Amazon Not everyone likes to purchase a reels for their regular usage, but the Daiwa Excellent Reel would be an anomoly. The daiwa excellent reel works well for fast action, is made for super light and it has a gear ratio. 1 gives you more power for fighting larger game. Further, this allows for longer casts under a variety of conditions and uninhibited spool pay out is ideally suited for fishing live bait. The reel comes with a roller bearing, is excellent and it is powerful. Finally, the daiwa excellent reel is constructed from machined aluminum, anodized for maximum corrosion resistance, These reels are sturdy and durable yet highly performing.Most buyers opine that the reel can be used for bottom, trolling, or jigging.Why We Like This:
- Line capacity (lb. Test / yards)-mono: 14/270, 20/150, j-braid: 30/330, 40/260.
- 4 CRBB ball bearings and a roller bearing.
- Built from machined aluminum with an anodized finish for greater corrosion resistance.
- Maximum drag pressure is from 17 to 25-pounds, well suited for braided lines.
Best For Bottom Fishing: Sougayilang Drag Reel
Buy on Amazon Not everyone likes to purchase a reels for their daily purpose, but the Sougayilang Drag Reel would be an anomoly. The sougayilang drag reel is great for super light, It is made with product description and has a great design. Add it to your cart if you want to own it and if you want fish smoothly. Moreover, the reel offers phenomenal durability and cranking power. The reel is the best gift for fathers, sons, husbands, friends, and boyfriends on important holidays such as Christmas and New Year. In addition, it is blue, it is used for heavy-duty and has a solid design. Lastly, the sougayilang dragreel catches some fish, is easy to retrieve, it is very responsive and has a good design.Most buyers find that the reel feels solid and adjustments are easy, the clicker is crisp even after moderate use. Moreover, a few say that the reel is easy to attach to the rod and all the bearings are smooth and quiet. In conclusion, most buyers found the reel suits best, and no one questions it.Why We Like This:
- Full metal body and side plates constructed from die cast aluminum for rigidity.
- High-tensile aluminum spool, super-strong yet super light in weight,3 ball bearings,6.0:1 gear ratio.line capacity:(lb.-yds. )25-390/30-330.
- Go with family and enjoy your time on the water.
- The Manufacturer says: Fishing for a better life has always been our vision.
Best For Aluminum Frame: Daiwa Drag Reel
Buy on Amazon We would, of course, be remiss if we didn't mention Daiwa Drag Reel for regular usage. The daiwa drag reel can have high speed, is unmatched and it is best in class. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. And, the reel is corrosion resistant, is powerful and it is very impressive. Most importantly, the daiwa drag reel is really smooth and it comes with a power handle."Bought the 50 size reel to fish 60. " - says, one customer. Overall, for almost all customers, Daiwa product was what they were looking for.Why We Like This:
- This is good for the aluminum frame and it is good for tight lines.
- This works with great power and it has great drag.
- Precision stainless steel gears, helical-cut for smooth, powerful winding. Ultimate tournament carbon drag (utd).
- Fast, one touch gear shift, six crbb corrosion resistant ball bearings.
Best For Smooth Action: Penn Drag Reel
Buy on Amazon The best part: Penn Drag Reel costs comparatively low and it is available to ship in 24 hours. The penn dragreel is really good and it is great for smooth action. Line capacity rings eliminate the question of how much line you have left when fighting a fish. Also, the reel is really smooth and it is great for anodized aluminum. Most importantly, the penn drag reel is a left hand retrieve fishing reel.To sum up, most buyers agree that the reel suits them best, and no one questions it.Why We Like This:
- Lightweight graphite frame & machined and anodized aluminum spool; 6 stainless steel bearing system.
- It feels good and it comes with a lightweight graphite frame.
- Dura-drag washers virtually eliminate hesitation, even under extreme drag settings.
Best For Fishing Time: Fishare Drag Reel
Buy on Amazon Not everyone likes to purchase a reel for their regular usage, but the Fishare Drag Reel would be an anomoly. The fishare drag reel features 9 + 1 shielded stainless steel ball bearings and precision alloy gears with a 52. Its light weight makes the fishing reel greatly reduces the fatigue placed on your wrist over a long day of chasing those fish. The fishing reel features an exceptionally smooth carbon fiber drag system of impressive run - stopping power. Most importantly, the fishare drag reel is great for high quality and it works great.Almost all customers agree that the reel will be able to handle medium sized fish as well. And, they say that the reel is good for catching small to medium sized inshore saltwater and freshwater fish. Overall, most customers found the reel is functionally comfortable and no one questions it.Customers discovered that getting a pelican reel, along with reel is useful.
Why We Like This:
- This allows the bait to move naturally.
- This is used for brake systems and it is available.
- This has a gear ratio and it is perfect for spinning reels.
- This provides great value and it is reliable.
Best For Stainless Steel: Okuma Fishing Tackle Drag Reel
Buy on Amazon We know from years of feedback from readers, amazon sellers, and family and friends what most people want in a convenient and appropriate reel. The Okuma Fishing Tackle Drag Reel is exactly that - it's a simple reel that hits all the right notes. Make sure this fits by entering your model number. Furthermore, the reel has side plates and it works perfectly. The reel is easy to maintain and fits perfectly for your daily use.In short, most buyers agree that the reel suits them best, and no one questions it.Why We Like This:
- Stainless steel reinforcing side plate rings.
- Carbonite drag system with cal’s universal drag grease.
- Good brand reputation.
Best For Carbon Fiber: Penn Baitcast Reel
Buy on Amazon The Penn Baitcast Reel should be able to handle its purpose and duties with ease. The penn baitcast reel offers long-lasting durability plus offers exceptional drag power without sacrificing reliability. It comes equipped with the versa-strike adjustable strike stop that allows you to customize the reel’s strike position according to your preferences. The reel ensures years of flawless operation with its four shielded ball bearings and stainless - steel gears that are drilled out for weight reduction. Lastly, the penn baitcast reel is stainless steel main and it is used for heavy-duty.Almost all customers quickly discovered that the reel was a very heavy 50 size reel but very effective on the plus size fish.Why We Like This:
- Stainless steel main and pinion gears.
- This is great for anodized aluminum body and it is blue.
- It has side plates and it is constructed with an aluminum body.