Pick a reel and see what it actually sells for on eBay, both used and ex-display, with shipping, condition and seller rating side by side. Prices are pulled live, so what you see is what sellers are really asking this minute, not tackle-shop retail.
Live from eBayFeel the drag and the bearings. The drag is the reel's most important system, so wind it up and down and confirm it engages smoothly without jerking, which signals worn or corroded washers. Turn the handle slowly and listen and feel for grinding or grittiness in the bearings; a smooth, quiet wind is the sign of a healthy reel, while a rough one needs a service or new bearings.
Saltwater is the enemy. Reels used in the sea and not rinsed corrode internally, so ask whether it was used in salt or fresh water and how it was cared for. Look for salt crust, pitting on the metal and a stiff, gritty feel, all of which point to internal corrosion that is hard to reverse. A freshwater-only reel is generally a safer buy.
Match the reel to the fishing. Spinning reels are the versatile all-rounder and easy for most anglers; baitcasters give more control for experienced users but can backlash. Check the bail arm or line guide moves freely and the spool has no cracks. Make sure the model suits your rod and target species by line rating.
Value. Quality reels from the established makers last for decades and can be serviced, so a well-kept used one is often better than a new budget model.
Live eBay listings, one of the largest sources of used and ex-display fishing reels. Pick a reel and it fetches the current lowest-priced listings in real time.
Smooth drag under load, a bail that flips and springs back, a handle that winds without grinding or play, a free-spinning line roller, and no corrosion on saltwater reels. A cheap service fixes a dry-feeling reel.
Quality reels like the Shimano Stella and Stradic hold value very well and last decades with care, so a serviced used reel is often far better value than a cheap new one.
Used reels typically run 30-50% below new, and ex-display less. We show the cheapest next to the typical price so you can judge.
The Shimano Stradic and Daiwa BG are the classic value picks, near-premium performance for far less, while the Shimano Stella is the flagship if you want the best. Match the reel size and type to your fishing against the live price.
A daily snapshot of the lowest genuine eBay price for every model we track, and how good that price is right now versus its usual level, updated automatically. Prices last refreshed 7 August 2026 . Tap a price to see that model's cheapest listings on eBay, or tap a model name for the full live list here.
Under each model is the actual listing that price came from, so you can see whether it is the thing you want or a bundle, a variant, or an accessory that happens to share the name.
| Model | Cheapest now | vs typical | This week |
|---|---|---|---|
Daiwa BG Daiwa BG 4500 Black and Gold Saltwater Spinning Reel - No Handle, Used Once | $80 | 14% under | ▲ 9% |
Shimano Stella Shimano 98 Stella 3000 Spinning Reel Made in Japan JDM | $212 | 4% under | ▼ 4% |
Shimano Stradic Shimano Stradic 2500FH Spinning Reel | $123 | about typical | ▼ 2% |
Shimano Vanford Shimano 20 Vanford C2000S Lightweight Spinning Reel | $164 | about typical | ▲ 17% |
Penn Spinfisher Penn Reel Spinfisher 712 Spinning Reel Vintage Super Clean | $100 | above typical | ▲ 8% |
Daiwa Tatula Daiwa TATULA CT TTUCT100HL 6.3:1 Left Handed Baitcast Reel - Black | $110 | above typical | ▲ 10% |
Abu Garcia Revo Abu Garcia Ambassadeur REVO-SX Baitcast Reel *11 Ball Bearings *7.1:1 Gear Ra… | $90 | above typical | ▲ 12% |
Shimano Sienna Shimano Sienna 2500FD Spinning Reel #SN-2500FD New/ Open Box | $50 | – | new |
Shimano Sedona Shimano Sedona 2000RA Fishing Reel | $57 | – | new |
Daiwa Sweepfire DAIWA Spinning Reel SWEEPFIRE XR 2500 | $60 | – | new |
Abu Garcia 5500 VINTAGE ABU GARCIA AMBASSADEUR 5500 C3 The Original FISHING REEL W/ Box & Pap… | $70 | – | new |
Penn Battle II Penn Battle II Spinning Reel - BTLII5000 | $70 | – | new |
Daiwa Legalis Daiwa 12 Legalis 2506 Spinning Reel from Japan | $72 | – | new |
Penn Senator Vintage Penn Senator 114-H Saltwater Big Game Fishing Reel 6/0 High Seed Test… | $80 | – | new |
Shimano Baitrunner Shimano Baitrunner 4500B Fishing Reel | $80 | – | new |
Penn Surf SALE PENN Prevail® Surf Spinning Rod, 8' Medium Fishing Rod, 2 Piece | $81 | – | new |
Okuma Avenger Okuma, Avenger New Generation Spinning Reel, 4.51 Gear Ratio, 31.10 Retrieve… | $85 | – | new |
Abu Garcia Ambassadeur Abu Garcia Ambassadeur SX AMBSX6601 Baitcast Reel Left Hand Red 6600 Series | $93 | – | new |
Quantum Alterra QUANTUM FUEL PUMP TEXTRON ALTERRA 500 18 QFS-303-UR | $98 | – | new |
Quantum Smoke Asics Women’s US 10 | EU 42 GEL QUANTUM 90 RUNNING Shoes Smoke Oyster Grey | $98 | – | new |
Daiwa Millionaire Vintage Daiwa Millionaire SS35 Magservo Baitcast Reel Magnetic Brake Smooth J… | $98 | – | new |
Abu Garcia 6500 Abu Garcia Ambassadeur 6500 C3 Baitcasting Reel Sweden #990202 | $100 | – | new |
Daiwa Sealine SL-H Daiwa Sealine SL250H Conventional Baitcasting Fishing Reel SL 250 H | $100 | – | new |
Penn Squall Penn SQUALL Level Wind SQL20LW Reel FREE SHIPPING RH | $110 | – | new |
Shimano Curado 200 Shimano Curado 200 baitcasting reel | $116 | – | new |
Okuma Citrix Okuma Citrix CI-273V LX Baitcaster Fishing Reel GR 7.3:1, 8BB Left Handed! | $119 | – | new |
Penn Squall II Penn Squall II 40 SD Star Drag Multiplier Reel - SQLII40SD RRP 249.99 | $121 | – | new |
Shimano Curado BFS Shimano Curado BFS Casting Reel - Type:Right - Ratios: 8.2:1 | $164 | – | new |
Shimano Metanium DC SHIMANO 08 METANIUM MG DC bait reel | $183 | – | new |
Shimano Calcutta Conquest DC SHIMANO Calcutta Conquest DC | $221 | – | new |