You could easily spend thousands on a fishing reel that’s ultra lightweight or designed for a specific species.Does that sound familiar?It should, at least if you’ve read the companion guide to this one, our guide to the best fishing rod. And the message in these two guides is the same: Most casual fishers — and even some experts — are likely to be happier with something more versatile and less expensive.We’ve spent hundreds of hours over the past decade testing spinning reels and rods for casual anglers on reasonable budgets. For the past eight years, our favorite all-around reel for most people has been the Daiwa BG Spinning Reel.Like our favorite fishing rod (the Ugly Stick Carbon Inshore Spinning Rod), it’s approachable enough for a beginner to learn on, yet it performs well enough for a seasoned veteran to rely on.