Best Musky Reels for the money in 2020. Tried, tested & reviewed

Image	Name	Top Choices	Latest Pricing
	1. Shimano Tranx 500 Fishing Reel	Our Favorite	Amazon
	2. KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel	Premium Pick	Amazon
	3. Zebco Big Cat XT Fishing Reel	Great Value	Amazon
	4. Okuma Coldwater Line Counter Reel		Amazon
	5. Shimano Corvalus Round Baitcasting Fishing Reel		Amazon

Pricing of these Musky Reels Range Between $60-$475

Shimano Tranx 500 Fishing Reel Review

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Although the Shimano Tranx 500 Fishing Reel is a low profile reel, it performs just as well as conventional large-capacity reels. The reel comes in two versions (high gear and power gear). But, it is the PG or power gear version that’s an excellent choice for musky.

It is perfect for musky fishing, mostly because of its incredible cranking power. Per crank, this fishing reel can retrieve as much as 30 inches of line. It is able to do so through Shimano’s highly regarded X-Ship and HEG technologies. The X-Ship design helps it perform excellently even with lighter lures and allows for longer, smoother casting.

On the other hand, the HEG technology minimizes the risk of flex in the drive train, so you don’t need to worry about your gears binding. The Tranx 500 by Shimano boasts a durable metal construction that’s anodized, plated, or painted in specific parts to give not only a beautiful finish but also to protect from rust.

It boasts a gear ratio of 4.6:1, 7+1 bearings, and a drag capacity of 25 pounds. For mono line, it has a capacity of 160/30, 120/40, or 100/50 yards per test. For braided line, its capacity is 420/50, 270/65 or 210/80 yards per pound.

Pros

• Low profile
• Incredible cranking power
• 30 inches retrieve per crank
• Boasts Shimano’s X-Ship and HEG technologies
• Allows for longer, smoother casting
• Minimizes risk of gears binding
• Durable metal construction
• 4.6:1 gear ratio
• 7+1 bearings
• Drag capacity of 25 pounds
• Mono: 160/30, 120/40, or 100/50 yards per test
• Braided: 420/50, 270/65 or 210/80 yards per pound
• Also available in high gear version

KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel Review

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The KastKing Rover Round Baitcasting Reel comes in four different sizes from 40 to 90, but the KK-Rover 80 has the perfect specs for musky. This reel was explicitly designed to withstand saltwater fishing conditions. Nevertheless, it is also suitable for inshore fishing for giant catfish, walleye, or carp. 

The frame and spool are made of anodized aluminum while the gears are made of machined brass. The other components, including the worm shaft, are made of stainless steel to protect from corrosion. The handle, which is 4.6 inches long, has a knob is made of EVA foam for a good, comfortable grip.

The knob is also oversized to minimize your fatigue when cranking. The KastKing Rover 80 boasts a carbon fiber drag system that’s not only smooth but also offers a max drag of 20. It has 4 + 1 ball bearings, a gear ratio of 3.6:1 and a retrieve of 24.8 inches per turn. It also has a line capacity of 650/16 yards per test.

Apart from a centrifugal braking system, this baitcasting reel features a clicker line-out alarm located on the sideplate.

Pros

• Designed for saltwater conditions
• Also good for inshore fishing
• Anodized aluminum frame and spool
• Machined brass gears
• Stainless steel worm shaft and other components
• Anti-corrosive
• 4.6-inch handle
• Oversized knob with EVA foam
• Carbon fiber drag system
• Max drag of 20 pounds
• 4 + 1 ball bearings
• 3.6:1 gear ratio
• 24.8 inches per turn retrieve
• Centrifugal braking system
• Clicker line-out alarm

Zebco Big Cat XT Fishing Reel Review

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Zebco has been a trusted brand in fishing since they made the world’s first spincast reel in the 1940s. Since then, they’ve been churning out high-quality fishing gear, and the Big Cat XT is no exception.

The Zebco Big Cat XT Fishing Reel was explicitly designed for heavy fishing applications like catfish or, for saltwater, striper and musky. This is a step up from its predecessor, the Big Cat, which was better for slightly smaller catch like bass or walleye.  The Big Cat XT by Zebco only comes in right-handed retrieve. It has 2 + 1 bearings and features Zebco’s Continuous anti-reverse system, an upgrade from their trademark QuickSet mechanism.

This makes for much easier hooksets when fish start to nibble. Additionally, this fishing reel has a max drag of 17 pounds. Its gear ratio is at 6.3:1, making it much faster than its predecessor. It has a line retrieve of 29 inches per turn, so you minimize your risk of losing a fast-swimming fish that’s already been hooked in.

Its mono capacity is at 200/20 yards per test, and it has a bait clicker that’s loud enough to hear even over roaring winds.

Pros

• Heavy fishing applications
• 2 + 1 bearings
• Continuous anti-reverse system
• Max drag of 17 pounds
• 6.3:1 gear ratio
• 29 inches per turn line retrieve
• 200/20 yards per test mono capacity
• Loud bait clicker

Cons

• Only right-handed

Okuma Coldwater Line Counter Reel Review

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While the Okuma Coldwater Line Counter Reel is excellent for walleye and salmon fishing, it’s even more perfect for anglers looking to reel in large stripers and muskies. That’s because of its powerful, multi-disc carbonite drag system that can handle a maximum pressure of up to 25 pounds.

It has 3 ball bearings plus 1 anti-reverse. Plus, it has a gear ratio of 5.4:1 and a line retrieve of 26.1 inches per turn. Apart from its superior performance, the Cold Water Low Profile Line Counter reel by Okuma boasts an exceptionally compact, ergonomic design. Its frame and sideplate are made of diecast aluminum. The spool, while aluminum as well, is machined and has two-tone anodized coating.

Because of a mostly aluminum construction, it weighs as little as 12.5 ounces — extremely light for the power it’s able to provide. Plus, it features oversized knobs, making it even easier to reel in your catch. Although compact, the Okuma Coldwater Line Counter Reel can easily hold 150/65 yards per pound of braided line.

Plus, it has an advanced line counter which measures in feet. It also has an easy-access thumb bar that works as a quick release.

Pros

• Powerful, multi-disc carbonite drag system
• Max drag of 25 pounds.
• 3 + 1 ball bearings
• 5.4:1 gear ratio
• 26.1 inches per turn line retrieve
• Compact, ergonomic design
• Aluminum construction
• Lightweight at 12.5 ounces
• Oversized knobs
• 150/65 yards per pound braided capacity
• Advanced line counter

Shimano Corvalus Round Baitcasting Fishing Reel Review

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The Shimano Corvalus Round Baitcasting Fishing Reel comes in four models: two different spool sizes, each with a right-handed and left-handed model. Musky anglers prefer the CVL400 (right-retrieve) or CVL401 (left-retrieve). These are the ones with a 330/12, 250/14, 22/17 or 165/20 yards/test mono line capacity.

For braided line, it can accommodate 305/50, 180/65, or 160/80 yards/lbs. The frame of the Corvalus fishing reel by Shimano is made of one-piece diecast aluminum, allowing it to weigh a light 11.8 ounces. Plus, it uses advanced coating technology to give the real not only a good-looking but also a durable finish. Its all-metal construction also allows it to keep precise alignment in all its moving parts.  

The Shimano Corvalus Round Baitcasting Fishing Reel features 3 A-RB stainless steel bearings plus 1 Super-Stopper anti-reverse. Max drag is at 11 pounds. This reel also features Shimano’s VBS technology, which, through centrifugal force, is able to offer better and smoother casting. Gear ratio is at 5.2:1 and retrieve is at 22 inches per crank.

Pros

• Available in left and right retrieve
• Mono: 330/12, 250/14, 22/17 or 165/20 yards/test
• Braided: 305/50, 180/65, or 160/80 yards/lbs.
• One-piece diecast aluminum frame
• Lightweight at 11.8 ounces
• Coated for good-looking and durable finish
• Precise alignment in all its moving parts
• 3 A-RB stainless steel bearings
• 1 Super-Stopper anti-reverse
• 11-pound max drag
• VBS technology for better, smoother casting
• 5.2:1 gear ratio
• 22 inches/crank line retrieve