Reaction Tackle SpinStrike Spinning Reel Review
Reaction Tackle has become a big player in the bass fishing industry. They make a wide variety of products, the latest of which is a number of rods and reels.
Before, the release of these products, I had used and loved a bunch of their terminal tackle products, as well as their braided fishing line which is what they are best known for.
So when they released a brand new product line of rods and reels, I was very excited, but a big skeptical because building a high performing reel is a bit harder than line and terminal tackle.
The SpinStrike is their highest performance spinning reel that they offer, and is definitely worth reviewing.
SpinStrike Reel Specs:
- 5.2:1 Gear Ratio
- 5+1 Ball Bearings
- 5 Sizes from 1000-5000
- Price: $20-23 on Amazon and $26-31 on RT Website
General Overview
After a few months of fishing with the SpinStrike spinning reel, I’ve definitely been quite impressed.
As a budget spinning reel, it feels and performs a lot like other spinning reels that come in at much higher price points.
Now to be honest, I’ve always been a believer that budget spinning reels are almost always the better option (with the exception of saltwater fishing), because spinning reels are much simpler than casting reels.
So I have found that the quality difference between most budget spinning reels and the premium spinning reels is not worth the huge price differential.
With that being said, there are some very bad, cheaply made spinning reels out there, so it is very important to make sure the quality of the SpinStrike is up to par.
Size Guide
So the SpinStrike comes in 5 different sizes ranging from 1000 to 5000. The only size that I have used is the 2000 size reel because I use the SpinStrike as a bass fishing reel, and that is the size I like for bass fishing.
So all of my review analysis and thoughts are coming from my experience with the 2000 size reel.
I can’t give as accurate information about the other sizes, however I doubt they are much different because they are all built off of the same platform.
- 1000: Panfish/Crappie
- 2000: Bass
- 3000: Bass (if you prefer a bit bigger bass setup)
- 4000: Catfish/Carp
- 5000: Catfish/Carp/Other Big Freshwater Species
Drag
The drag is one of the most important aspects of a spinning reel. Because these are usually a light line, finesse setup, being able to utilize the drag to fight fish is very important.
And a smooth drag system is paramount. And after catching a number of bass on the SpinStrike, some being quite big, the drag system is very solid.
It is very smooth and not sticky at all on the initial pull like many cheap spinning drag systems are. So in my experience, I haven’t had any issues with the drag system on the SpinStrike.
Ball Bearings
The SpinStrike comes with 5+1 (or 6 total) ball bearings. This is actually very impressive for a budget spinning reel. Most budget spinning reels only come with 4-5 ball bearings.
Which isn’t a huge difference, but is definitely impressive and worth noting when comparing the SpinStrike to other similar budget reels.
And with those 6 ball bearings, the SpinStrike is very smooth, both in retrieving and fighting fish.
So that smoothness combined with the good drag system makes fighting fish very smooth and easy to do.
Now the ball bearings aren’t quite as important in a spinning reel as they are in a baitcasting reel, but it is definitely nice to know the SpinStrike does beat out most competitors in the budget reel market.
Materials / Construction
Just like the other reels that I have used from Reaction Tackle, the materials and construction are very impressive.
All the externals of the SpinStrike are metal (with the obvious exception of the handle grip, which is rubber), with a combination of aluminum and steel.
So as far as durability goes, there shouldn’t really be any issues with the SpinStrike because of the solid metal materials.
And then on the construction side, everything is very firm and solid. The reel handle isn’t loose at all and the bail doesn’t jiggle around and snaps up and down very well.
Overall the materials and construction of the SpinStrike has been very impressive, which tells me there shouldn’t be any durability issues and this reel should last you a long time, as long as you take care of it.
My Personal Opinion
When it comes to value per dollar, the SpinStrike is one of my favorite spinning reels on the market.
If you don’t have the budget to spend premium money on a high-end spinning reel, I think that the Reaction Tackle SpinStrike is a great option and I haven’t found anything that is genuinely better at the same price point.
Reeling this In
Reaction Tackle has successfully expanded its lineup beyond their renowned terminal tackle and braided line. The SpinStrike spinning reel proves that high performance doesn’t have to come with a premium price tag.
After rigorous testing, particularly with the 2000 size, I was genuinely impressed by its smooth, non-sticky drag and the overall solid, metal construction. With 6 total ball bearings, it offers exceptional smoothness that rivals reels at a much higher cost.
The Reaction Tackle SpinStrike also comes in at our #2 ranked spinning reel under $50.
If you are looking for a reliable, durable, and high-performing spinning reel that excels in the budget category, the SpinStrike is an excellent choice.
It delivers exceptional value per dollar and is easily one of the best affordable options available for bass fishing and general freshwater use.
