Whats the difference b/w the saltwater and the freshwater spinning reels for fishing?

Answer 1

Nowadays, it's the size and line capacity (and the size of the drag washers). But back when I was a kid, a buddy of mine showed up to fish off the pier with a freshwater reel, while I had my Penn spinning reel of the same size. I used my reel for years -- his was good for that one trip -- it rusted!

But nowadays, I think all reasonable reels are corrosion-resistant enough to use in the salt.

Answer 2

Surface finishes on a saltwater reel are prone to be more corrosion resistant than those used on freshwater reels. CARB (Corrosion-resistant Anti Rust Bearings) bearings are often used on both salt and freshwater reels (though not all freshwater reels have them) and some come with sealed bearings. Line capacity and drag systems also differ. Of course physical size can also be drastically different. Saltwater reels are available in sizes from ultralight to 8500 series monsters (maybe larger?) which is way too big and heavy for fighting most freshwater fish species.

Here is a reel that has some of the features you want in a saltwater reel:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=51680&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Here is a comparable freshwater reel:
http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10151&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&partNumber=74149&hvarTarget=search&cmCat=SearchResults

Answer 3

Generally, today, not too much!

Saltwater reels may/can have more stainless/non-corrosive attributes. Bigger reel-handles and more "protective", "heavier", enclosed, drag systems.

Saltwater reels also come in much bigger sizes/weigh more. You CAN fish in fresh water with a saltwater reel , it's just not very "sporting"!

Inshore salt-water reels can easily translate into Fresh or Salt.

Answer 4

Any type of reel of good quality can be used for saltwater but ones are made better for it also have larger spool capacities,top drags,larger reel handles,less corrosive and sealed gears with gaskets!
By no means do they last long with out some kind of care and cleaning.
All my reels are washed down with soapy fresh water after use in salt water no matter how good of quality!

Answer 5

The bearings and springs in most saltwater reels are made of stainless steel. Ambassadeur reels use the C code to identify stainless steel parts. Like a model 5500C3 would have 3 SS bearings inside of it instead of hardened steel bearings.

Answer 6

Mainly the only difference is the size and the price of the reels.
the bigger salt water reels hold more line and have stronger drags to fight the bigger fish you find in the ocean.