The Best New Fishing Reels—ICAST

New fishing reels are among the thousands of new products featured at ICAST (July 14-15), the annual fishing trade show in Orlando. Here are some of the lake set and great fishing reels unveiled at the show.

SEVIIN

GW Series Casting

Available in December, SEVIIN’s GX Series Casting Reels feature a 1-piece aluminum frame with a rigid aluminum gear-side cover for zero gear torque. Also: 9+1 bearings with premium Japanese spool bearings, a thick 95-mm carbon fiber handle with integrated hook keepers, technique-optimized skeletonized spools, and a dual magnetic/centrifugal braking system for optimal tuning in diverse fishing scenarios. Six 150-size GX models are available in three gear ratios with right or left retrieve. $220 | Learn More

GW Series Saltwater Spinning

Available Sept. 1, GW Series Saltwater Spinning Reels deliver uncompromising reliability at a modest price. Fully sealed and gasketed corrosion-resistant rigid aluminum bodies combine with a shielded 5+1 stainless-steel bearing system and multi-stack carbon-fiber drag to yield smooth operation and effective stopping power. Also: forged and hard-anodized aluminum braid-ready spools and corrosion-resistant internals. Five sizes available from 2500 to 6000. $130-$160 | Learn More

Lew’s

Speed Spool RX Baitcast

Lew’s Speed Spool RX baitcast reel is built for serious anglers, with cutting-edge engineering and a user-friendly design that takes your fishing performance to the next level. ParaMag RX magnetic braking system ensures smoother casts and reduced backlash, extreme braking power and precise braking adjustments. P2 Super Pinion bearing-supported pinion system delivers solid stability and precise alignment for seamless operation. The 8-Bearing System features double-shielded stainless steel ball bearings. Hard-anodized aluminum Speed Gears deliver long-lasting strength for consistent, high-performance fishing. Carbon fiber drag system provides up to 20 pounds of max drag. $179.99 | Learn More

Lew’s Speed Spin CRX Spinning

Lew’s Speed Spin CRX spinning reel, with a 10-bearing system (9-bearing system on the 75 size), offers silky-smooth operation, complemented by a responsive hybrid carbon drag system and a high-speed gear ratio. The graphite body and skeletal C40 carbon rotor reduce reel weight and provide lightweight feel without compromising strength. Also: one-piece bail with aluminum bail wire, braid-ready double anodized aluminum spool, and a folding screw-in machined aluminum handle with EVA pro knob. $89.99-$99.99 | Learn More

Quantum

Benchmark Spinning Reel

The Quantum Benchmark spinning reel is offered in six sizes to catch anything from trout to tarpon, and are built to the highest quality standards. Benchmark reels have a sturdy aluminum frame, and are fully sealed with SEALOQ 6 to protect internal components from water, salt and sand. The GEARTEQ machined gearing is cut to tight tolerances and is comprised of premium materials to achieve extreme cranking power and exceptional gear feel. Class-leading CFX200 carbon fiber Xtreme drag system offers impressive max drags, with great range and a consistent curve. $169.99-$219.99 | Learn More

KastKing

Mg12 Elite Magnesium Baitcasting

The KastKing MG12 baitcaster is meticulously crafted with a lightweight magnesium-alloy frame and weighs only 4.8 ounces. The deep spool design holds more line than other reels in its class. The reels have a revolutionary, patented-design "Auto-adjustment Magnetic Braking System" (AMB) that virtually eliminates backlashes. Also: 11+1 double shielded stainless steel ball bearings, a 7.5:1 gear ratio is designed for fast retrieves (perfect for topwaters, jerkbaits, jigs). Although the reel is tremendously light, it doesn’t skimp on power. $249.99 | Learn More

Kestrel Elite Magnesium Frame BFS Finesse Baitcasting

KastKing's Kestrel Elite BFS (Bait Finesse System) baitcasting reel is the lightest on the market weighing only 4.4 ounces. Effortlessly cast lightweight baits farther with greater accuracy while nearly eliminating backlashes. The FAF (Flyout Arc Finesse) braking system was designed for finesse fishing; two half-ring magnetic brakes automatically adjust to slow down the spool when braking to prevent backlashes. The ultra-lightweight BFS shallow feather spool weighs only 5.6 grams. The shallow spool requires less effort to turn and get up to speed, enabling anglers to cast lures down to 1/32 ounce. $199.99 | Learn More

Shimano

Talica 4011 A and 5011 A

Shimano expands its legacy of saltwater angling innovation with the introduction of the Talica 40II A and Talica 50II A, the latest sizes in its flagship lever-drag conventional reel series. The new 40-size Talica 40II A addresses market demand for a reel that bridges the gap between the 25 and 50 sizes. Infinity Drive, Shimano’s premier technology for lever-drag reels, features a new drag design that increases drag force while reducing side-load pressure, allowing for significantly lighter handle rotation under load. This results in more cranking power with less effort. X-Protect, Shimano’s advanced water-resistance technology, delivers high-level protection to the drive gear shaft bearing using waterproof construction for durability and corrosion resistance. The heavier Talica 50II A (55.7 ounces) will hold more line than the 40II A (54.7 ounces), but the 40-size boasts the same retrieval rate of 46 Inches per crank, and max drag of 66 pounds as its 50-size sibling. Compact enough for stand-up harness fishing, yet powerful enough to handle the demands of trolling under high drag pressure. $599.99-$719.99 | Learn More

Curado 150

Shimano’s Curado 150 delivers trusted performance with advanced features. The SVS INFINITY braking system offers consistent spool control with an external knob for on-the-fly adjustments. An ultra-thin MGL III Spool reduces inertia for smoother, more precise casting—even with lighter lures. Built around a rigid and durable Hagane body, this reel resists flex under pressure, translating effort directly into cranking power. $209.99 | Learn More

Okuma

Tesoro Lever Drag Jigging Reel

The Okuma Tesoro LDJ is a mid-gear lever drag jigging reel engineered for serious saltwater anglers who demand power, control, and long-term durability. Built on a rigid one-piece 6061-T6 machined aluminum frame with forged side plates, the reel delivers the structural integrity needed for high-drag jigging applications. It’s perfectly suited for vertical and slow-pitch jigging, combining strength and smooth operation to perform under extreme pressure. The cold-forged, Type-II anodized spool ensures consistent performance, while Okuma’s Carbonite Dual Force Drag system delivers up to 46 pounds of max drag with smooth, controlled power. $449.99 | Learn More

Inspira ISX Spinning

The new game-changing Okuma Inspira ISX spinning reel sports a diecast aluminum Torsion Control Armor (TCA) technology that results in up to 40-percent greater torsion and flex resistance with a double-arm body design ensuring perfect internal alignment. Available in 2000, 2500, 3000, 4000 and 5000 sizes. $114.99-$120.74 | Learn More

---

• Information in this roundup was compiled from press releases.

---