Choosing the right fishing reel to pair with your rod is one of the most important steps in building a setup that performs the way you need it to. A fishing rod is designed with a certain action, power, and intended technique in mind, and the reel is what brings that design to life. When the reel is mismatched, even the best custom rod can feel off-balance, underpowered, or clumsy in your hands.
Balance
The first factor is balance. A rod may feel light and responsive, but pair it with a reel that’s too heavy or too light, and suddenly casting all day becomes tiring or awkward. Proper balance reduces fatigue, increases accuracy, and makes your overall fishing experience smoother. Whether you’re flipping jigs into heavy cover for bass, or working topwater lures with a popping rod, the right reel weight and size help the rod feel like a natural extension of your arm.
Performance
Next is performance. Reels come with different gear ratios, line capacities, and drag systems tailored for certain techniques. For example, a high-speed reel is ideal for covering water quickly with reaction baits, while a lower gear ratio gives you the power needed to crank big deep-diving plugs or haul fish out of cover. Match that reel to the proper rod, and you maximize both tools.
Durability
Durability and efficiency also matter. If you’re building a rod for saltwater use, a reel with corrosion-resistant components is essential. Similarly, if you’re crafting a finesse rod for light line, a smooth, lightweight spinning reel ensures delicate presentations and controlled fights.
Ultimately, rod and reel are partners. A custom-built rod deserves a reel chosen with equal attention, ensuring the setup is balanced, technique-specific, and capable of handling the conditions you’ll face. The right match makes every cast more effective.
The Proper Reel Pairings
Every rod I build—whether for freshwater or saltwater, and no matter the technique—starts with knowing the reel it will be paired with. It all makes a difference. If I’m investing the time, effort, and money into crafting a custom rod, you can be sure I’ll match it with the right reel.
I made a short list of my favorite MHX Rod blanks and the reels I pair with them and why.
MB873 - The All Around
If you do not know one of my favorite blanks is the MB873, you have been living under a rock for over a decade. I have one in almost every one of the metallic colors and they all get fished. It is my favorite all around rod. From a texas rig worm to a spinnerbait and even a single swimbait, its perfect for all.
When it comes to reel, yes I have a number of different models and gear ratios but if you are only going to have one, stay in the middle of the road on this one. The Daiwa Tatula SV TW 150 in the 6.3 gear ratio will take care of all the MB873 techniques. Whether you are throwing 50lb braid in heavy cover or 16lb fluorocarbon in open water, the overall performance and capacity is a winner in my book.
CB905 - The Cranking Rod
Engineered for crankbait performance, the CB905 delivers modern graphite sensitivity paired with the forgiving action that makes reaction baits shine. Built from a proprietary multi-modulus graphite blend, these blanks cut excess weight while preserving the load and flex that crankbait anglers rely on. This blank is the perfect shallow and mid-depth rod but you need a unique reel to truly make it shine.
When many anglers are starting to expand their arsenal they forget about gear ratio. They might buy multiples of their favorite reel but not realize you really need reels in varying speeds. The Abu Garcia Revo Winch in a 5.4 gear ratio is ideal for crankbait fishing because it provides the power and torque needed to retrieve deep-diving baits without wearing you out. It also helps maintain the slower, steady retrieve that triggers more strikes from bass following reaction baits.
FP936 - The Flippin' Rod
If I had to fish one flippin' or pitchin' rod until the end of time, it would be the FP936. of all the models in the FP lineup this one is the most comprehensive. From 3/4oz up to 2oz it can handle anything you can throw at it. From the crankbait rod above needing a slow crank this goes to the other end of the spectrum.
Unlike most techniques where you are fishing the lure all the way back to the boat, when you are punching heavy cover, the lure is flipped into a specific spot, fished and then quickly retrieved to make another flip. This is why I go with the Shimano Curado 150M in the high gear 8.1 ratio.
XJSP661H - The Slow Pitch Rod
In the last two years I have really taken a liking to slow pitch jigging. Depending on where you are from the slow pitch takes on different species and techniques within the technique. It is what makes Slow Pitch special and so much fun. Here in south florida I fish mid water column but deeper than other locations. So, I fish the 6'6" heavy and jigs that are from 225g to 330g for blackfin tuna. Since I do not need to winch reef fish off the bottom I have a unique approach to my jig reel.
Although you might not see it often, I use what is an oversized baitcasting reel for my slow pitch jigging reel. The Daiwa Lexa TWS is a 7.1 gear ration and most importantly has a level wind. When you are regularly fishing 300' down with a heavy jig, the level wind and higher speed is wonderful when fishing long days. If I am only fishing in 90-120' feet over reefs and wrecks I am going to drop to a lower gear reel with more torque and pulling power.
SWB956 - The Swimbait Rod
This one is a blast to fish and typically comes with catching big fish, so I have a special place in my heart for the SWB956. From large single baits like the Clutch Darter Glide at 2oz or throwing the A-Rig with multiple jig heads, this blank is designed to handle it. So, the next time you are looking to catch your personal best, this is blank, just don't skimp out on the reel!
There is a reason I chose the Bates GOAT 200 for this application. Designed for anglers targeting bigger, tougher fish—or those throwing heavy glide and swimbaits—the G.O.A.T. SWM starts as a solid block of 6061-T6 bar stock aluminum, precisely machined to perfection on our state-of-the-art 9-axis CNC equipment. This is not your normal baitcaster made of mostly plastic. The drag is strong, the handle is 110mm titanium and the 200 size boats just the right amount of capacity to handle this application.
SJ842 - The All Around Spinning
When you ask anyone what is the ideal, all around spinning rod for bass and light inshore, the consensus is the SJ842. It is 7' long, medium-light power with a fast action. It is a go anywhere, do anything blank. From weightless senkos to topwater walking baits and everything in between, you will find levels of anglers love this blank.
The reel I fish on all my bass and light inshore spinning rods is the legendary Shimano stradic 2500. I have ones that are three models ago and over twelve years old! I even use them daily for my clients to catch hard running bonefish and permit, they never let me down. Spool this 2500 up with 10lb braid and add a fluorocarbon leader and you will be covered for everything.
S781 - The Ultra-Light Rod
It is hard to not have fun with an ultra-light. Whether you are chasing crappie, panfish or trout in a mountain stream, the S781 is fun, crisp and light in hand. This 6'6" blank with fish 2-6lb line and lures as light as 1/32oz. Plus, if you need to travel, it some in a 2-pc blank as well!
A common mistake when anglers are picking out an ultra-light reel is to just buy the cheapest, smallest reel you can find at a big box store. Now, I'm not here to tell you to blow your budget on a reel to catch panfish but keep in mind a reel like the 500 size Nasci shares a lot of the same features as the more expensive line of shimanos. Remember, you might be fishing 2lb line and having a smooth drag can be key. It isn't necessary to have an ultra strong drag but cheap reels will have plastic parts that do not provide smooth operation, even line lay or a drag to protect light line.
F905-4 - The Freshwater Fly Rod
Every fly angler needs a 5-weight in their lineup. It may sound bold, but there’s a reason it’s the top-selling rod weight in the world. The F905-4 is a favorite among both trout and Stillwater anglers, offering unmatched versatility in a 9’0”, 4-piece design. This 5-weight handles nearly any trout fly, from delicate indicator rigs to big, buoyant hoppers, making it the go-to choice for all-around freshwater fishing.
Although it isn't necessary to have a top of the line fly reel for a 5-weight, the Redington Behemoth combines a ton of features with a price tag in everyone's budget. Built from a unique die-cast construction that can’t be replicated by machining, it features a rugged, interlocking large-arbor spool for both premium looks and performance. Its heavy-duty carbon fiber drag system delivers maximum strength, consistency, and reliability. Perfectly sized for your go-to 5-weight trout rod, this reel is ready for anything.
ISSW1088 - The Surf and Jetty Rod
If you are targeting big snook around the jetty or bridges at night, it takes a very particular rod blank. Typically built on an 8’ to 9’ blank allows anglers to make long casts past breaking waves or structure and to control fish in strong current. The ISSW1088 boasts a medium-heavy power with a mod-fast action, giving you the backbone to turn big snook away from rocks while still providing sensitivity for accurate lure presentations. Durability is also key, so make sure to use quality components and a reel that can stand up to the harsh environment.
Yes, I went a little overboard here but when you are pulling on a huge snook or striper in the surf, that is not the time to cut corners on gear. The Original Spinning Reel from Visser is built for anglers who expect precision, toughness, and top-tier performance. Its waterproof, modular one-cover body is vacuum tested to deliver unwavering reliability in the harshest conditions. Lightweight yet remarkably strong, it matches seamlessly with our lighter weight full graphite surf rods while providing outstanding strength and balance.
Hopefully this will act as a guide as you built your next custom rod and need the right reel. If you have followed along for years, you know I always match my reels to my builds and you should too.
