For those that want the nitty gritty details, keep on reading.

Along the way, we will discuss why the spinning reel is best designed for catching trout, what we are looking for in an excellent spinning reel, and lastly, we will end with reviews of the top 5 spinning reels including our number one pick.

Before diving right into the best rod and reel combos for trout, let’s get into the logic behind why we chose these specific reels. To do that you need to understand a bit more about trout.

The Specifics Of Fishing For Trout

Trout are an exciting game fish and are a delicious shoreside dinner also. It’s often said that fresh trout right from the water to the grill is one of the best fish meals you’ll ever have. 

Sport fishing for trout is yet another wildly popular American past time because they are known for putting up a good fight. Trout are often found in cold water throughout most of North America thanks to them being one of the most commonly stocked game species. Typically, trout are found in moving water because they enjoy running up and down the rivers and creeks. You can pull out small and average size trout just about anywhere along river banks, but the bigger trout tend to congregate within deeper pools created by the current around dawn and dusk.

Finding stocked trout in lakes isn’t uncommon but typically finding native trout will require some hiking off the beaten path. Trout are food for bears, bobcats, and other fishing wildlife so usually the more remote the river or lake, the more likely you are to find some.

While there are around 50 different species of trout there are roughly three that get the most attention because they are the most common:

• Brook Trout
• Rainbow Trout
• Brown Trout

On average the trout you’ll pull from the river are under 12 inches, but it wouldn’t be rare to pull an 18-inch trout from the water every once in awhile. Once you find a good fishing hole, it’s pretty common to pull several trout from the water every hour which makes trout fishing a wonderful opportunity to teach kids or inexperienced fisherman.

What To Look For When Selecting The Best Trout Spinning Reel

A light or ultralight reel. Lighter spinning reels are ideal for trout fishing because they are typically ultralight (usually under 8 oz in weight) and allow you to fish an entire day free of the fatigue and strain that comes with a heavier fishing set up.

A sturdy and durable reel because trout are notorious for being evasive and difficult to track. Since trout put up a good fight, it is imperative that your reel is durable and have a backbone. Spinning reels sport an open-face design that yields superior accuracy over other styles of reels.

What you want is one that is more metal than plastic parts. Metal or carbon fiber parts are ideal since they will last longer, are easier to maintain, and generally cause fewer malfunctions.

A decent drag system is a nice feature so you can tire out the trout and make them easier to reel in. Spinning reels aren’t known for having the best drag systems, but for the majority of trout fishing it isn’t an issue. This is because on average trout are smaller fish weighing approximately 4-8 pounds. Some stocked ponds or lakes can yield some monster trout but even then they don’t get more than 20 or 30 pounds typically.

Spinning or “open face” reels are the go-to reels for trout because they are incredibly versatile and have:

• The largest fishing line capacity
• Impressive casting performance that is easy to master
• A design that minimizes backlashes
• A simple maintenance requirement

There are countless cheap rod and reel packages out there for trout fishing that can’t survive more than a few days on the lake. On the other hand, many expensive options are available with features and add-ons that only make sense for professional anglers in tournaments or targeting monster trophy fish. Find that sweet spot somewhere in-between the cheap and less effective reels and frivolous overspending for features you’ll never use is what this article is all about.

Now that we have a better idea about chasing trout and what makes for a quality spinning reel let’s dive right into the top reviews so you can be confident in purchasing the best spinning reel for trout available on the market today.

The Best Spinning Reels For Trout: Product Reviews

1. Okuma Ceymar Lightweight Spinning Reel (Our Top Pick)

The cast was a thing of beauty and seemed utterly effortless. The crank had lightning fast retrieval that was strong and consistent, and as soon as I hooked my first trout of the day, I noticed the drag was buttery smooth and reliable. Whether it is a little four pound trout or a sizeable ten pounder you can be confident that the Ceymar’s drag won’t let you down when it counts.

Overall the Okuma Ceymar lightweight spinning reel couples a sleek design and smooth performance at a rock bottom price. If I had to describe this reel in one word it would be confidence. I know that it will take years of abuse in every imaginable climate and setting and still deliver. After just one outing I had to dig through my pockets and do a double take on the receipt. At around $50 I couldn’t believe the kind of performance and quality Okuma put into the Ceymar at that low price. It is an absolute steal. But don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself on Amazon.

2. Abu Garcia Revo SX

Another feature worth noting is how dependable and smooth the drag is. The Abu Garcia Revo SX comes equipped with a carbon matrix drag system that packs plenty of power and will help tremendously when trying to land bigger fish.  Simultaneously the K-Clutch anti-reverse bearing will keep any handle back play to a bare minimum to make sure there’s no interruption when cranking.

The Abu Garcia Revo SX is likely one of the smoothest spinning reels on the market and it comes with a very reasonable price tag. It is a great reel for seasonal fisherman and professionals alike and will quickly become one of your favorite reels.

3. Shimano Sedona FI

Another bonus feature of this super smooth Shimano Sedona is that it really takes the frustration out of inshore trout fishing. Cranking the reel is whisper quiet and the drag will hold its setting like no other. To top it off the frequency of wind knots is virtually non-existent. It is simply an all-around frustration free reel that is particularly useful at intercepting trout because of its lightweight size and ease of use.

The Shimano Sedona FI is Japanese precision in its purest (and least expensive) form that is perfect for recreational fishing and tournaments alike.

4. Pflueger President Spinning Reel

5. Piscifun Viper 1000

You can use mono, fluorocarbon or braid. I prefer braid with this reel because I can feel exactly when a fish touches my lure. It seems to handle four pounders with ease and you can tell it has a superior drag system because it stops fish in their tracks. Overall it has very little plastic, is balanced really well, and holds up in every condition I toss it into.

At this price point, you might be fooled into thinking it is a beginner reel. Although it is a great for a beginner, it can also work well in the arsenal of a seasoned tournament pro. It is a steal at this price and there’s no doubt that this reel will help you wrangle in some personal bests.

Conclusion

In the end, each and every reel on this list is completely capable of hauling in a boatload of trout. To give you a quick recap, here is a short description of each reel to help give you confidence in purchasing the best spinning reel for trout. For more in-depth specifications and to purchase your reel you can click on any of the links below which will take you directly to their Amazon listing.

On the high-end side, we have the crowd favorite Abu Garcia Revo SX that is packed full of added features to give you that extra edge out on the water. Then there’s the Shimano Sedona FI that is crafted using Japanese precision engineering to give you a smooth and effortless reel that is an absolute marvel at intercepting trout.

Next up was the Pflueger President spinning reel which is an all-around wonderful mid-range spinning reel that has one of the best cranks you’ll ever use and is a great pick for anglers of all levels of experience. We can’t forget the surprisingly affordable Piscifun Viper 1000 which sports a head-turning sleek design, is ultralight weight, and has seemingly flawless cast.

Last and certainly not least, our top pick, the Okuma Ceymar lightweight spinning reel which truly is a best in class reel and surpassed all our expectations. Its superb drag system, combined with its silky smooth cast makes trout fishing fun, fatigue-free, and effortless. We guarantee it will become your favorite reel after just one day out on the water.