Top Brands for Captivating Reels Filming

In the world of fishing, choosing the right reel is paramount to enhancing your angling experience. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out, the market offers a myriad of options across various brands, each boasting unique features and technologies. From top-tier durability and precision engineering to affordability and user-friendliness, there's a brand out there tailored to meet every fisherman's needs. Below, we explore some of the best brands in the reels industry and what makes each of them stand out.

Illustration of reels

Best brands of reels in 2025

Shimano

Shimano is a leading brand in the fishing reel market, known for its innovative and high-quality products. Despite a 1.6% decline in sales in 2023, Shimano's fishing division remained a strong performer, particularly in North America where demand for new products was robust. The brand's new STRADIC spinning reels and high-end World Shaula lure rods were well-received, indicating continued consumer interest in advanced fishing gear. Shimano's commitment to cutting-edge technology and durable products has helped it maintain a significant presence in the market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2024 to 2033. For more details on their product offerings, visit the Shimano official website.

Daiwa

Daiwa is a leading brand in the fishing reels market, known for its innovative and high-quality products. The company has made significant contributions, such as the Daiwa BG MQ series, which offers fully sealed reels with advanced features like anodized metal frames and rubber seals, a rarity in mid-priced reels. Daiwa's reels, including the BG MQ, Ballistic MQ, and Saltist MQ, are popular among anglers for their durability and performance, with the BG MQ series priced between $210 to $290. Spinning reels, a category where Daiwa excels, account for the largest market share at 31% in the global fishing reels market. Daiwa's commitment to product innovation and customer satisfaction has solidified its position as a top player in the industry.

Penn

Penn, a renowned brand in the fishing tackle industry, has been a staple since its founding in 1932 by Otto Henze in Philadelphia. Known for its iconic Senator and International series, Penn manufactures these popular reels in the USA, although the majority of their models are produced overseas. Despite the shift in manufacturing, Penn's American-made products are easily identifiable with the "Made in the USA" stamp. The company, now headquartered in Spirit Lake, Iowa, produces over 220 different reel models and has a significant presence in the global market. Penn's commitment to quality has made it a favorite among anglers, contributing to its strong market share. For more information about their products, visit the Penn Fishing website.

Abu Garcia

Abu Garcia is a renowned brand in the fishing reels market, celebrated for its precision engineering and innovative products. Founded in 1921 in Sweden, the company has evolved from manufacturing pocket watches to becoming a leader in fishing gear, with notable milestones such as the introduction of the ABU Record(r) in 1941 and the iconic Ambassadeur(r) reel in 1952. Abu Garcia's commitment to quality has earned it the distinction of "Purveyor To The Royal Swedish Court." The brand continues to dominate the market, particularly in North America, where it contributes significantly to the region's 53.7% market share. With a wide range of products, including low-profile baitcast reels, spinning reels, and round reels, Abu Garcia remains a favorite among professional and avid anglers alike.

Okuma

Okuma, a leading brand in the fishing reels market, is renowned for its innovative and high-performance products. The company has introduced premium fishing rods like the X-Series Bass Rods, which combine advanced engineering, superior craftsmanship, and unmatched performance, transforming the bass fishing experience. Okuma's products feature advanced gear systems, improved drag systems, and enhanced materials, providing anglers with smoother operation, increased durability, and improved casting and retrieval capabilities. This technological advancement has significantly driven the demand for Okuma's reels, contributing to the global fishing reels market's growth, expected to reach USD 7,990.74 million by 2032 with a CAGR of 4.50% from 2024 to 2032. Okuma's innovations align with the market's trend, where North America dominates with over 53.7% market share, driven by the growing popularity of recreational fishing. For more details, visit their official website.

Pflueger

Pflueger, a renowned brand in the fishing industry, is recognized for its high-quality and innovative fishing reels. As part of the global fishing reels market, which was valued at USD 5.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 7.9 billion by 2033 with a CAGR of 4.5%, Pflueger contributes significantly to the North American market, which holds a 61.7% market share. Pflueger's products, particularly spinning reels, dominate the market with 35.0% of the type segment in 2023. The brand's commitment to durability and advanced technology aligns with consumer expectations, making it a favorite among both casual anglers and experienced fishers. Pflueger's presence is further strengthened by its inclusion among key market players like Shimano Inc. and Daiwa.

Lew's

Lew's Fishing is a renowned brand in the fishing industry, celebrated for its innovative and high-quality rods and reels. With a history of product innovation, Lew's continues to set standards, as evident from their latest models like the Speed Spool LFS and HyperSpeed LFS, which boast advanced features such as aluminum frames, brass gears, and high-gear ratios like 9.5:1. The company has seen significant growth, with a 22% increase in employee count last year and an estimated annual revenue of $14.5 million. Lew's products are known for their durability and performance, making them a favorite among anglers. The brand's commitment to quality and innovation has solidified its position as a leader in the fishing reels market. Learn more about Lew's Fishing and their innovations on their company profile.

KastKing

KastKing, a renowned brand in the fishing tackle industry, is known for its high-quality and affordable products. As a subsidiary of Eposeidon Outdoor Adventure, Inc., an American company based in New York, KastKing designs its products in the USA but manufactures them globally, including in China, South Korea, Japan, Germany, and the USA. Notably, over 80% of all fishing tackle, including KastKing products, is made in China, particularly in the city of Weihai. KastKing's direct-to-consumer business model helps keep prices low without compromising on quality, making their products accessible to a wide range of anglers. The brand is also innovative, having developed products like the Royale Legend baitcasting reel and the smart fishing iReel. For more details on where KastKing products are made, visit their official blog.

Quantum

Quantum is not a producer of fishing reels; instead, it is a company specializing in data storage and management solutions. Quantum's revenue has been impacted by a decline in its hyperscaler tape business, resulting in a 23% year-on-year fall in quarterly revenues and a net loss of $20.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The company is focusing on growing its ActiveScale object storage, all-flash DXi deduping backup appliance, and Myriad storage OS revenues. Quantum's financial struggles include a significant revenue dip, largely due to the loss of a single hyperscaler customer. Despite these challenges, Quantum aims to improve its financial performance through long-term initiatives. For more details, you can read their official press release.

Mitchell

The Mitchell brand is renowned for its high-quality and innovative fishing reels, particularly the Mitchell Series, which has been a staple in the industry since its introduction. The series includes models like the Mitchell 300, 301, and 308, known for their stainless steel internals, automatic bails, and tungsten line rollers, making them highly durable and user-friendly. These reels have been favored by anglers for their balance between performance and simplicity, with the Mitchell 300 being one of the most popular models. The brand's reels dominate the spinning reel segment, which accounts for 35.0% of the market share as of 2023. Mitchell reels have been in production since 1946, initially sold in the French market before expanding to global exports.