Best reels for silverfish fishing

Offering quality at an affordable price, the Daiwa Ninja is a popular choice among anglers of all disciplines, the reel performs incredibly well and is very versatile.

A graphite body and Air Rotor save on weight while winding smoothness is maintained by four ball-bearings and an infinite anti-reverse which perfectly balances the lighter rods we generally use for silverfish.

A high speed line roller prevents line twist and the compact size of the reel, especially in the smaller sizes just makes it so easy to use. It comes with a spare spool and is available in five sizes from 1500 to 4000.

Read our full Daiwa Ninja Match and Feeder Reel review here.

A quality budget reel for silvers is hard to find, but the Shimano FX is just that. The reel doesn't come with a spare spool, but it does cost less than an extra spool for some other reels, allowing you to buy multiple if you wish.

The FX contains no less than 10 ball-bearings to ensure a smooth and reliable action, perfect when you are catching lots of fish or are very active when fishing for silvers.

The reel is available in five sizes, from the tiny 1000 through to the modest 4000, so there will be a reel to accommodate any rod setup you have, whether it be for feeder fishing or float fishing.

Whilst available in larger sizes, the Preston Magnitude 320 Reel is the best size in the range for targeting silverfish on a variety of tactics. The reels have been developed by some of the best silverfish anglers in the country, so you know you're getting a quality product.

The Magnitude reel is built on a very compact body, essential for not overpowering lighter rods as well as allowing you to easily command the reel when casting or controlling a stick float. Coupled with the powerful gearing, it allows it to be used for much larger silverfish on the float or feeder.

The super slow oscillation of the Worm Drive system creates a perfect line lay on the spool, which will aid casting whilst preventing any twist forming in the mainline. The 5:0:1 gear ratio provides steady power and a fast retrieve, which is ideal when you're fishing for lots of bites off roach and ide or sitting it out for a few skimmers on the tip.

The Okuma Ceymar XT Match Reel is a fantastic reel for silverfish, it comes packed with a host of features that make it great for using lighter wagglers and is more tailored towards float fishing than using a feeder.

The reel itself is built on an elliptical gearing system which provides a super smooth retrieve with no wobble, allowing you to keep steady, sustained pressure on the fish until it's safely in the net. The reel does have a bit of extra power, which makes it a great choice for chub on rivers too.

Okuma have designed the reel with a cyclonic flow rotor, this basically helps reduce friction when the line is peeling off the reel during a cast, which will increase distance. The benefit being that you can use a lighter float to get to the spot you intend to fish, this improves your presentation to help you get more bites.

The reel also benefits from a spare aluminium spool and has a lovely EVA handle knob that is easy to grip and comfortable to use and is available in sizes from 1000-4000.

In the smaller 2000 and 3000 sizes, the Daiwa TDR reel is about as good as it gets from a fishing reel for silvers, its smooth and unfaltering performance is exceptional and there is a reason you will see this reel attached to the rods of many of the best anglers in the country.

Built on an aluminium body, the reel is light and robust, with the Tough Digigear system ensuring that the reel will keep performing long after its first use. The TDR has power in abundance, lending itself to any style of angling you want, whether that be big bream fishing or fishing for small roach on a canal, if you need a silvers reel capable of doing everything, this could well be it.

The quick drag system is particularly good, with a half turn taking the reel from 'locked up' to 'freespool', this is great if there are larger fish like tench or chub that may turn up in your session, as it quickly allows you to give them line if they need it. The soft touch handle knob is comfortable in the hand and aids grip, great if you have wet hands from catching fish or using baits like casters.

The Shimano Stradic FL Reel has a reputation for delivering one of the smoothest performances on the market. The reel itself has improved design features such as the long stroke spool, with its elongated shape it helps to reduce the friction on the cast.

The internal gearing system features Shimano's coveted Silent Drive and Micromodule Gear ll, these two features make for effortless winding even when under pressure, making it ideal for any scenario you find yourself fishing for silverfish in.

The reel also benefits from X Protect water resistant sealing, this inhibits water and dirt ingress which could prevent the reel working properly, allowing it to last years with minimal maintenance

The superb Frenzee FXT 3000 Reel combines both performance and affordability, all packed into a stunning looking reel. These reels certainly feel far more premium than they cost and also come with a spare spool too.

With 6 ball bearings the FXT has a super smooth retrieve and it provides anti-twist line lay thanks to the line roller and slow oscillation. If you're a fan of using a float when fishing for silverfish, this reel is a joy to use, the short reel stem and easy to use bail arm make casting really efficient.

The 4000 size is great for feeder fishing but as an all-round silvers reel the 3000 is definitely the one to opt for.

Developed for both float and feeder fishing, the Matrix Ethos XR Reels are awesome reels for silverfish. They are lightweight, weighing around 300g for both the 3000 and 3500 models, helping to balance any rod you care to put them on.

The reels feature 7 ball bearings and have loads of cranking power, whilst this isn't really necessary for silverfish, it's nice to know the reels have it. It also means they can be used when bigger fish are the target such as chub on rivers or when fishing a feeder for bream.

The Graphite anti-flex body not only makes the reels lighter and more durable, but it also stops any movement when you are winding, which eliminates any wobble, delivering a much smoother experience. The drag on these reels needs mentioning too, it's very smooth and will result in you landing more of those bonus fish.

The Guru Aventus 3000 Reel is the company's flagship reel and for good reason, it's a spectacular item of tackle and offers everything you could want in a premium fishing reel and more.

The reels are available in 3000 and 4000, with the 3000 being the reel for all-round silver fishing. It is a smaller bodied reel with a shallower spool and has almost infinite winding power, it makes retrieving rigs and fish effortless.

The reel is made from aluminium and is lovely and lightweight, helping to reduce fatigue, especially on those very prolific days. The metal body also helps keep the winding power consistent, reducing the chance of losing fish, as you're always in control.

Relative newcomers to the market, Nytro have already produced some stunning gear and their Nytro Aryzon Reel is another example of that. A lightweight graphite body, finished in a glossy black and red, not only looks great but weighs nothing in the hand either.

The shallow spool is great for lighter mainlines, as it stops line becoming compressed over a larger surface, creating wider loops. Therefore, line flows better and with less resistance when casting, improving the distances achieved.

Featuring a twist-free line roller and an S-curve oscillation system, this will really benefit those fishing a float, as often the high speed retrieve will cause issues with twist but the Aryzon eliminates that.