If you’re passionate about fishing and want top-tier gear without blowing your budget, you’ve probably heard about Piscifun. As someone who spends countless hours chasing walleye and panfish on both open water and ice —I can say Piscifun makes some of the most quality fishing reels for the price point. I used to not be skeptical of the brand (long time Shimano President user here), until someone put one in my hand. Now, after using them for the last year religiously, I’m here to tell you that they offer the best budget fishing reels on the market. You truly can’t beat these prices for the quality.
I’m going to go through my favorite budget fishing reels out of the lineup (focusing on walleye, panfish and ice – the exact ones I use). For extra savings, I also have an exclusive discount code they gave me to offer my fans and followers (nicole18 – save this for all future orders) so you can stock up at an even better deal.
If you want to stock up on quality reels for CHEAP – this is your ultimate guide.
Why You Need More Fishing Reels
The Simplest Hack to Catching More Fish: Be More Prepared
Having multiple reels rigged while you’re on the water offers a huge advantage by allowing you to switch quickly between different presentations without wasting valuable time. Whether you need to change lure colors, sizes, or techniques, having a variety of setups ready to go lets you adapt instantly to changing conditions or fish behavior. This flexibility can mean the difference between catching fish and missing out, especially when targeting species like walleye or panfish that respond to subtle changes in presentation. Plus, it helps reduce wear and tear on a single reel by spreading the workload across multiple setups, keeping your gear in better shape over the long haul.
Why Piscifun Reels Stand Out For the Best Budget Fishing Reels
Piscifun reels are made to deliver premium performance, durability, and smooth operation comparable to brands twice the price. Whether you’re just starting out or demand reliable gear season after season, Piscifun’s value and engineering are hard to beat. Reviewers routinely compare them favorably to reels costing $150 or more, praising casting distance, drag smoothness, and lightweight feel.
When you want multiple rods ready to go, Piscifun is it.
My Best Budget Reels for Open Water & Ice
Here are the three reels I recommend the most, especially for walleye and panfish:
For Open Water Walleye
- AlumiX 1000
The Alumix is perfect reel to pair with your walleye gear, whether it be for open water or ice. I have a number of these on all of my Medium power St Croix rods. I’ve been advertising this reel for quite a while now, because I simply love it that much. A few of it’s key features include:- Full aluminum frame for strength and ultra-light weight (just 6.1oz for the 1000 size).
- Carbon fiber drag system means consistent, smooth power—even in tough fights.
- Ten bearings create a buttery-smooth retrieve and the conical spool design casts further than you’d expect at this price.
- Perfect for long hours on the water, casting light lures or managing aggressive walleye.
- Carbon XT 1000
The Carbon X, XII and XT are all budget options that work great for both open water and ice.- The lightest carbon-bodied reel in Piscifun’s lineup—great for fatigue-free fishing.
- Ultra-light but robust, and delivers up to 8.8lbs of drag power in the 1000 model.
- Stainless steel sealed bearings and precision gears keep everything moving smoothly, trip after trip.
- Equally great for multi-species fishing: bass, trout, walleye, or finesse.
For Panfish (and Ice Season Crossover!)
- Viper X 500
- The Viper X 500 is my go-to for panfish on open water, and it transitions seamlessly to ice fishing.
- Features 10+1 ball bearings for a sensitive, smooth retrieve — you’ll feel the lightest crappie bite instantly.
- Works brilliantly for ultralight setups and finesse fishing. Need to chase perch and crappie all day without wrist fatigue? This one’s the ticket.
- Also ideal for lightweight walleye rods, whether you’re vertical-jigging or hole-hopping on ice.
- Pro Tip: I often move these same reels over to my ice setups—pairing bigger reels to heavier rods, while the 500s handle panfish or light walleye effortlessly. You get versatility and value without needing a separate reel set for every season.
ICX 5: The Ultimate Ice Reel (When You Can Find It!)
The Piscifun ICX 5 ice reel is a true favorite for hardwater warriors, particularly because of the quick collapse handle making it so easy to pack down into an ice rod box quickly. It also has an exceptionally sturdy design for its very compact and lightweight fit. Multiple torture tests have proven it lands everything from trout, panfish to 4lb smallmouth. Best of all? It’s CHEAP coming in at 34.99 The only downside: it’s often sold out.
Key Takeaways on Why Piscifun has the BEST Budget Fishing Reels For ALL Anglers
- Piscifun reels offer unbeatable value for quality—they’re smooth, durable, and comparable to premium brands at half the price.
- The AlumiX 1000 & Carbon XT 1000 are perfect for open water walleye, with lightweight frames and powerful, smooth drag. They crossover to ice nicely as well, especially for my heavier ice rods.
- The Viper X 500 does double duty, excelling for panfish and transitioning perfectly to ice fishing.
- Many Piscifun reels can move between open water and ice—just pair them to the right rod for the conditions.
- If you see the ICX 5 in stock, grab it!
Piscifun’s lineup is huge, and I’ll be the first to admit: there are so many reels I haven’t even tried yet! Whether you’re chasing giant bass, northern pike, or even musky, Piscifun has options tailored for every angler. From ultralight spinning reels perfect for finesse techniques (like the Viper X in size 500) to heavy-duty baitcasters designed to handle monster fish, you’re covered no matter what your target species or preferred fishing style.
So, whether you’re a multi-species enthusiast or specialize in big game, you’ll find a reel that fits your needs for freshwater, saltwater, and everything in between.
No matter your fishing style, Piscifun’s expansive product range ensures you’ll find the perfect match—and often for far less money than competing brands. Use code Nicole18 to make your search even sweeter.
Happy fishing and tight lines!
