These Are the Most Expensive Fishing Reels in the World

Numerous moving parts made with insane precision and accuracy, materials resistant to corrosion and impacts, but still light enough to be comfortable to use, and of course, durability and smoothness, all determine the end price of a fishing reel.

Of course, you can be successful even when using entry-level models, but some anglers need, or simply just want to have, a high-end product.

So, if you are one of those lucky anglers who can enjoy equipment like that, or someone who is just curious about this stuff, should know what is the most expensive fishing reel on the market.

Some of them cost more than $3500, like Daiwa Dendoh Marine Power Assist Reel. Shimano, Penn, and Daiwa all have some really high-end models.

Here I am going to list a few very expensive models, together with their characteristics. However, those in a $3000 price range will just be mentioned.

Many of you are probably wondering is fishing with a reel like that really worth it, and what is the actual difference between a “normal reel” and the insanely expensive one.

I will tell you more about their price-performance too, and answer some of the frequently asked questions, in the following chapters.

Difference Between Low Priced and Most Expensive Fishing Reels in the World

Some will argue that after a certain price, there is no difference among reels, but that is not exactly true.

As the price goes up, so does the durability, smoothness, casting abilities, balance, drag performance, and everything else.

First of all, it’s the materials. Expensive ones use much lighter components, and the difference can be huge!

Weekend anglers who fish for a few hours may not see the difference that well, but those holding their rod from dawn till dusk three days in a row will definitely feel it.

If you pair an excellent rod with a cheap reel, the rod and reel combo won’t perform well, but if you take a decent rod and a high-end reel, you will definitely see the difference. These reels are balanced better.

Entry-level fishing reels are recommended for fishing beginners because beginners tend to misuse the equipment. I will also always recommend them because they are affordable, work good enough and, are easily replaceable, but actually, learning how to fish on a high-end reel, that can “correct your mistakes” would actually be easier. Great example is baitcasting reels and backlashing problem. Expensive reels have better braking systems and can help you cast better.

And of course, there is drag. Reliable drag system is priceless, and the better it works, less fish you are going to lose.

All of these benefits will ensure more happy fishing and less stressing out about faulty equipment failing you in the worst moment.

Within this high price range, you are not paying for the reel only. You are paying for the manufacturing process that tolerates no mistakes, you pay for high precision assembly, and constant innovation and tests done by the manufacturing company in order to make such a great product.

Of course, at some point, there is a limit after which you are not getting a better product. For example, the most expensive fishing reel in the world was sold for $58 000. There is not a lot of information about that baitcaster, however it was one of a kind, and was bought by a collector. I seriously doubt he is going to use it. The price was so high because the reel was unique.

Which are the Most Expensive Fishing Reel Brands in the World?

As I already mentioned in the beginning, there are a few of those.

Among the most expensive fishing reel brands, I would like to point out the Daiwa. This company offers everything, from cheap entry-level models to insanely expensive, high-end products.

Their most expensive reel is Daiwa Dendoh Marine Power Assist Reel and the price of it goes up to $3500. It’s an electric reel, and not the only one like that made by Daiwa, however, it is the most expensive one. It is made for deep sea fishing, and can handle a lot. This is not something you will use on a daily basis, and those who need that kind of equipment are aware of the price.

I can’t tell you about its performance because I have never used one, but for such a high price, I assume it is extraordinary.

Saltwater reels tend to be pricier than other types, and Shimano also has its own models. Shimano Stella spinning reel is one of them, and that one is included in the list below, with be price over $1000.

But, same as Daiwa, Shimano also has electric reels with a hefty price tag, like Beastmaster and Forcemaster models.

Penn has its own expensive models, like Penn International Trolling Reels, that can cost up to a $1000, or Penn Torque Spinning Reel, with a price up to $700.

Of course, as expensive as it is, all of this is still significantly cheaper than the most expensive fishing reel ever sold.

Does More Expensive Reels Help Catch More Fish?

Even the most expensive fishing reel in the world can`t catch a fish instead of you, and the ultimate responsibility for catching anything is on the angler.

However, expensive, and high-quality reels can make the process easier. I already mentioned all the benefits of expensive reels, especially dependable drag system.

Precise casting will also help you place your bait exactly where it is supposed to be. Holding a lighter reel will not put too much pressure to your wrists and your hand motion will not be impaired by heavy equipment.

Sure, you can catch a fish with a cheap reel too, but the experience is different. Some anglers will argue that it is not true, but many of them have never used a high-end reel, and can`t really make a comparison.

If you can, try out the high-end reels, and you will definitely see the difference!

What Should You Look for When Buying a New Fishing Reel?

When choosing a fishing reel, especially the expensive one, you have to consider many factors, and those are the following:

DRAG

Dependable drag is crucial. Drag is there to apply pressure when the fish is hooked and pulls out the fishing line, so that the line goes out slowly. If that was not the case, the line could break. Drag washers have to be quality made and sealed to get the best possible protection from the salt and dirt.

GEAR RATIO

Gear ratio shows you how many times the spool will turn per one handle turn. For example, 5.1:1 means the spool will rotate 5.1 times. Different fishing techniques require different reel speed, so you should choose accordingly.

MATERIAL

Some reel housings are made from aluminum, while others are made from graphite.

Ball bearings can also be made from different materials, and are frequently made from stainless steel. Some materials are more corrosion resistant and lighter, while other materials are sturdier. The price depends on this.

SIZE

Size depends on your needs, and it is usually marked in thousands. So, 3000 size reels are smaller than 5000.

BEARINGS

Bearings enable smooth reel operation, and their quality is more important than quantity. Also, many of the expensive reels have shielded bearings, and that is excellent to prevent damage and corrosion.

BREAKING SYSTEM (BAITCASTING REELS)

Baitcasters have braking system that slows down the spool when casting. Some have magnetic, some have centrifugal, and some have dual. The better the braking system is, the better the reel performs.

No matter if you are in a search for the most expensive bass fishing reel, or the most expensive freshwater fishing reel, or any kind of reel, make sure that you carefully check all the features listed above.

Most Expensive Fishing Reels in the World:

So, here is a list of some very expensive, and really great fishing reels.

I will list the most important technical features under every reel. If you are thinking about buying a high-end product, you will not go wrong by choosing one of these.

Also, I usually include pros and cons of every reel model I describe when writing about affordable reels. I will skip this part here because to be honest, a $1000 reel works excellent, and has no real downsides when it comes to the reel performance. The only downside can be someone’s personal impression that they don’t like a certain feature, but it is never related to quality, durability or reel operation.

Sure, these are not the most expensive ever, but are the most expensive among reel types that are frequently used by anglers.

#1: Shimano Stella

So, the first one on the list is Shimano Stella SW C spinning reel (#ad).

Shimano has excellent fishing reels in all price ranges, however, this one offers a lot more innovative feature.

Besides HAGANE gears, this reel has HAGANE body, that makes it extremely sturdy. Infinity Drive enables better winding, and there is no reel that can outperform it here.

Heatsink drag is great for reducing heat, and it lowers the spool surface temperature. Shimano X Protect and Shield are features that make sensitive reel parts protected from harsh outside elements and that is very important for saltwater anglers. Drag is waterproof. It is important to know that waterproof and water resistant are different things, and waterproof means that it is completely protected.

This model is one of the most expensive saltwater spinning reels, and it comes in many sizes, mostly large ones. The smallest one is 4000, while the largest one is 30000. That is enough to catch a monster!

It has 13+1 bearings for maximum smoothness. Gear ratio goes from 6.2:1 for smaller models, down to 4.4:1 for the largest.

Shimano is a world leader in innovations and new materials and manufacturing processes, and this reel has all of those features included. Stella is their top model (#ad), and fishing with it is a completely different experience.

I can`t find a single downside of this reel.

#2: Daiwa Catalina

Daiwa Catalina (#ad) is another expensive, and excellent spinning reel on this list.

The body and side plates are made from special aluminum alloys, that are sturdy, light, and corrosion resistant.

Hyper Digigear system is a drive system that enables incredibly smooth performance, and once you try using it, you will see how different it feels when compared with cheaper reels.

This technology also reduces gear weight, so that their size can be increased, which is important for durability.

All these sensitive parts are protected by Magseald, which is a form of magnetized oil seal that keeps the parts protected form dust, salt, and impurities.

Air rotor installed is light and strong, that disperses pressure and reduces stress.

Bail arm and line roller are exceptional too, as every other part of this reel. All sizes have 8 ball bearings.

When talking about sizes, this reel comes in sizes from 3500 to 6000. These are a bit smaller than Shimano Stella sizes, however, they are more than enough for some serious saltwater fishing.

All sizes except 3500 and 6000, are available in two gear ratios, where slower one is 4.9:1 and faster one is 5.7:1.

Overall, this reel is extraordinary (#ad).

#3: Shimano Stradic

Another Shimano model on this list is the Stradic (#ad).

This one is a bit more affordable, but it is still a high-end product.

What makes it amazing is the Shimano MicroModule gear, that enables incredible smoothness and precision. This technology was never installed in reels within this price range, and by doing so, Shimano made getting and exceptional reel for the decent price possible.

X-Protect coating is applied in order to protect the sensitive parts from corrosion. It is basically a water repellent coating that performs excellent.

Sizes 3000, 4000, and 5000 have Cross Carbon Drag system.

Casting light lures with ease is possible due to specially constructed and supported pinion gear that is perfectly aligned with the gears, and they always stay in a proper position. That feature reduces friction. This is also important for handling heavy loads and high pressure.

When it comes to sizes, the reel comes in a range from 1000 to 5000. Gear ratio goes from 6.0:1 to 6.4:1.

Although this reel has a bit less ball bearings, 6 of them, they are exceptionally made and the reel is as smooth as possible.

#4: Penn Slammer III

Penn Slammer is a great real (#ad), and also costs a bit less than some other models on this list. It is not the most expensive fishing reel, but it is excellent.

Penn implemented their IPX6 Sealed System, that keeps the water out of the reel, even when heavily used. Dura Drag material is another upgrade on this reel that makes the drag system stronger.

Slammer has 7 ball bearings and it feels excellent when used. Smaller reel sizes have automatic bail trip, while larger ones have manual.

Full metal body, together with sideplates, and rotor make the reel very strong. Spool is made from aluminum.

The reel is made for heavy-duty fishing, both from a boat and from a shore, while the size range allows you to catch all kinds of fish.

Reel is available in a 3500 to 10500 size range. Gear ratio goes from 4.2:1 to 6.2:1.

If you are looking for a high-end reel but you are not willing to pay thousands of dollars, this model could be for you (#ad).

#5: Shimano Twin Power SW-B

Shimano makes some of the best reels on the market, so it is not a surprise that half of this list are Shimano models.

Twin Power SW-B (#ad) comes at the price in between the two Shimano reel already mentioned.

This saltwater reel features many Shimano innovative technologies including Cross Carbon Drag, Aero Wrap, Waterproof body and drag, one piece bail, X Protect and Shield, and many more.

This reel has 10+1 ball bearings, and operates incredibly smooth. It comes in a few sizes, and those are 4000, 5000, 8000, 10000 and 14000. The large ones are sufficient for catching really big saltwater fish.

Gear ratio is 6.2:1 for all sizes except 8000 and 10000. Those have 4.9:1.

No matter how strong the fish is, this reel will never let you down (#ad).

#6: Penn Battle II & III

And the last one here is the Penn Battle (#ad).

This reel has excellent performance, without a crazy price tag, so anglers can enjoy premium features without paying insane amounts of money.

Battle III is the newest version that was made by implementing all kinds of new technologies. The reel has full metal body, CNC Gears, and Carbon Fiber drag system.

CNC cut drive and pinion gears are far better than molded ones when it comes to sturdiness and alignment.

Penn Battle has 6+1 sealed bearings made from stainless steel.

All of this makes it sturdy, dependable, and capable of fighting even the largest fish.

The reel comes in sizes from 1000 to 10000. Sizes up to 5000 have brass pinion gear and aluminum main one. Sizes from 6000 and up have main gear made of brass too.

Sizes 4000, 6000, and 8000 exist in high-speed versions too. Gear ratio goes from 4.2:1 to 7.0:1, which makes this one the fastest on this list.

No matter what kind of saltwater fish are you trying to catch, this reel will make the experience quite enjoyable (#ad).

Conclusion

Having the most expensive fishing reel does not mean you will always catch a fish, but it will make your fishing experience better.

Being able to rely on your equipment, and have a reel that will never let you down, is priceless. Those who can, should think about investing in such a high-end product, and enjoy the benefits of the improved angling experience.

Just make sure to pair the reel with a good rod, and use high quality lines too. All of the models mentioned here are truly amazing and perform incredibly well.