The reels in this review run between $139 to over $800. At the low end of the range, the Okuma ITX cuts cost and weight with reinforced carbon fiber side plates. On the high end of the range, the PENN Authority and Shimano Stella use full-metal construction, reinforced components, and IPX8 waterproofing. Great reels are tough, but they are also precision machines. Using advanced alloys and smart engineering, these high-dollar reels maintain tight tolerances even under intense pressure of a speeding redfish or diving tuna. Corrosion-resistant materials and bulletproof design make a saltwater spinning reel more expensive than a freshwater reel. But the money buys a better reel that will last for years of hard use.