Casting artificials for inshore species can put a lot of wear on a reel. Advances in saltwater reels now allow reels like this Penn SS series to stay reliable for many years of use. Photo by Mike Marsh

It was only a couple of decades ago when fishing in salt water meant buying a new reel after one or two seasons of use. Encrustations, salt and seawater caused a lifetime of wear on bearing surfaces in a short time compared to reels seeing only freshwater duty. Seawater corroded all metals used for reel bodies, gear systems and bearing surfaces including steel, aluminum and brass.

Fortunately for the anglers of today, buying a seaworthy saltwater reel has never been easier, with all major manufacturers offering product lines of reels specially designed to last for many years of salt water use. The technology used for salt water has also translated into better reels used for catching freshwater fish; some manufacturers can tout their reels as suitable for double-duty use in saltwater or freshwater fishing.

"Our Medalist series spinning reel is designed specifically for salt water use," said Joel Townley of Shakespeare. "But we are also recommending our higher end freshwater reels, our President and Trion series reels, for salt water use. When using these freshwater series reels in salt water, the only thing you have to do is rinse the reel with fresh water after using them in salt water."

Indeed, rinsing any reel after salt water use is an excellent idea. Rinsing helps clean the lines, roller bearings, bails and rod guides, helping them last longer.

Advanced features of saltwater reels include stainless steel bearings, titanium line guides, anodized aluminum spools and frames, sealed drag systems, larger spools and specialized bail arms.

Shimano has come up with new corrosion-resistant bearings for its spinning reels. The company's ARB bearings undergo a treatment process using chromium to make its stainless steel bearings at least 10 times more corrosion resistant than if they were manufactured of only stainless steel. Not only is the technology incorporated into the main spool shaft and drive shaft of the reel, it is used for every bearing. For some reel models, that means there are 12 to 14 of these corrosion-resistant bearings.

Shimano's top-of-the-line Stella spinning reel series has a new finish called the "S" finish. This is a multi-coating treatment that is applied to the aluminum frame, creating a protective shield against scratches. Once an anodized aluminum frame has been scratched, corrosion can begin at the site of the scratch. Spinning reels are subjected to more abuse than baitcasting or fly reels because it is difficult to lay them down or set them in a rod holder where they are not in contact with a hard surface like a slip-resistant deck with a grit-textured surface coat. Another feature is a tapered bail arm, which allows heavy monofilament lines used in saltwater fishing to feed from the reel more smoothly.

The bodies of Shimano's Calcutta TE series baitcasting reels are made of anodized aluminum. But it is a stronger metal than the metal used for making Stella spinning reels. Waterproof drag systems are incorporated into the Calcutta series. Keeping seawater out of drag systems is the best way to prevent mineral and salt deposits, which can result in a sticky drag. A smooth drag is vital to landing large fish with light tackle reels.

For saltwater fly reels, rim control is all the rage. Fly-fishing for big saltwater game fish species has become increasingly popular. The problem with landing a big redfish from a grassbed is that the angler has to adjust the drag multiple times during the fight.