A fly reel is a vital part of any fly-fishing outfit and works in harmony with the fly rod. In this article, we’ll focus on the best fly reels for beginners and people on a budget.
Once done reviewing the best fly reels, we also take a look at the features of a fly reel. This will help you understand which type of fly reel is best suited for your situation.
IN A HURRY? HERE ARE OUR TOP PICKS…
| Best Fly Reels | Product | Brand | Arbor Type | Fly Reel Material | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best fly rod and reel combo for beginners |   | NetAngler Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Combo | Large-Arbor | Die-Cast | Check price |
| Best fly reel under 200 |   | Piscifun Platte Fly Fishing Reel | Large-Arbor | Machined | Check price |
| TopBest saltwater fly reel for the money |   | Orvis Hydros Reel | Large-Arbor | Machined | Check price |
| Best trout fly reel for the money |   | Orvis Clearwater Reel | Large-Arbor | Machined | Check price |
| Best 5wt fly reel for the money |   | Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel | Mid-Arbor | Machined | Check price |
Table of Contents
The Best Fly Reel Reviews
Best fly rod and reel combo for beginners
- FLY FISHING OUTFIT STARTER FULL KIT :5/6 Weight Fly Complete Starter Package includes 1 fly fishing rod with a free rod tip+ 1 fishing reel with preinstalled fishing lines+1 free backing + 4 fly fishing tools + 16 fishing flies in tackle box +12pcs vivid color flies + 1 carrying case; The carrying case holds everything that is included in the package
- LIGHTWEIGHT FLY ROD&CONVENIENT to CARRY AROUND: 4 sections designed fly rod,1 free tip of the rod specially for starters;made of carbon fiber,super light weight, easy to take around and you wont be tired of fishing
- FLY REEL WITH PRE-SPOOLED FLY LINE TO SAVE YOUR TIME: Line Weight: 5/6; External Dia.: 2-9/10; Net Weight: 5.2 oz. Die-cast super large arbor spool design, durable aluminum construction and spool. Gear ratio is 1:1. One-way only roller bearing system. Ball Bearings: 2+1BB
- Great for trout, small bass, crappies and bluegill
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This four-piece combo includes a 5wt aluminum fly reel, 28 flies, a rod tip, and a cloth carrying bag. The NetAngler Fly Fishing Rod and Reel Combo is an ideal setting for a beginner since all the included items were selected carefully to ensure an easy fishing experience. Featuring an eight-foot rod, this combo set is a very portable set that can break down to only 27-inches.
The rod is made of carbon fiber and is very lightweight and easy to carry, so your arms won’t get too tired during the day. The aluminum 5/6wt fly reel is preinstalled with a fishing line and has a large arbor design that uses die-cast premium aluminum alloy. Featuring a left-handed retrieve, the reel easily converts into a right-handed retrieve if necessary.
The NetAngler Fly Fishing Rod and Reel combo is a great starter package. Lightweight and powerful, this is a great rod for long casts and the cork grip makes it comfortable to use all day long. The included carrying rod bag has handy storage pouches on the side that is the perfect place to store accessories and flies until you need them.
Best fly reel under $200
- Fully Sealed Carbon-To-Stainless Drag - Impervious to water, sand and grit, requiring no maintenance except for simple rinsing. Can be used for both fresh and saltwater fishing
- Click Retrieve And Positive Click Drag Knob - Provides accurate and repeatable drag settings. An aggressive diamond knurling on the drag knob permits easier grasp and adjustment mid-battle
- Precisely Cnc Machined - Strong yet lightweight anodized 6061 T6 aluminum, sports a heavily ventilated spool to shed weight yet keep its strength
- The fly reel has been set at the factory for left-hand retrieve. To convert your reel to right-hand retrieve,
- Lifetime Warranty
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Equipped with a large arbor, the Piscifun Platte Fly Fishing Reel also includes a fully sealed drag and a CNC-machined aluminum alloy body. This is an easy-to-maintain rod that only needs simple rinsing when used in either saltwater or freshwater. Plus, gravel and sand will not work their way into the real thanks to the sealed drag.
With an alternating stainless, carbon, and Teflon design, the drag gives you a lot of strength. The Piscifun Platte Fly Fishing Reel offers repeatable and accurate drag settings and only offers a subdued click as it operates. The drag system on this reel has a large working surface, so it is simple to adjust it while the fish is still hooked allowing for smoothness and better heat dissipation.
Lightweight but strong, the Piscifun Platte Fly Fishing Reel includes a spool that is heavily ventilated to shed weight while keeping its strength. The large arbor design helps to improve the retrieve rate and hold more fly lines and backing while reducing the line coil memory. And the handle is easy to grip thanks to the knurled knob.
Best saltwater fly reel for the money
- Ergonomically improved, easy to use drag knob as well as a radiused reel foot for kink-free leader protection
- It features interchangeable spools so you dont lose time changing fishing line
- Excellent retrieval rates and less line coiling
- Refined, lighter weight large arbor fly reel
- Zero start-up inertia
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Comfortable to use, the Orvis Hydros Reel has removed all the unnecessary material to reduce the reel’s weight as well as stiffen the spool to reduce line stacking. The knob that controls the drag has an ergonomically accessible design while the drag is sealed to keep the clutch bear protected inside the drag. One of the strongest available, the sealed drag features stacked stainless steel and carbon disc washers and no start-up inertia.
The Orvis Hydros Reel uses a matte anodized finish along with a large arbor that helps balance well with a lightweight fly rod. It offers less coiling of the line and great retrieval rates in comparison to other arbor reels.
Best trout fly reel for the money
- Clearwater reels are die-cast aluminum and given a stealthy matte-grey powder-coated finish
- This reel features a positive-click drag knob which allows you to make consistent adjustments every time you use it for fly fishing
- The Orvis Clearwater Reel is manufactured by Orvis, US-based retail and mail-orders business
- This Clearwater Reel is an all-new fly reel from Orvis manufactured in such a way that it costs less than the other Orvis reels, but can compete with other reels with hefty price tags
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Featuring a large arbor, the Orvis Clearwater Reels come with a powder-coat, matte-gray finish over its die-cast design. It also comes with a Rulon-to-stainless stacked disc drag and can easily convert into either a left or right-handed retrieve. This reel can hold its own against high-quality machined reels.
Equipped with a positive click drag knob, you can be assured of a consistent setting each time you use it. The Orvis Clearwater Reels are good-looking reels with high performance and good value. For trout fishing, (new) anglers are better off focusing on line weight 4-6.
Best 5wt fly reel for the money
- Mid-ARBOR DESIGN - Reducing line memory while also facilitating lightning-quick line pickup
- CORROSION RESISTANCE - Hard anodized for surface protection increases abrasion resistance and weather fastness; Cold forged and tempered for superior strength and rigidity
- SOLID and LIGHT WEIGHT - Precision CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum alloy for high-impact durability; Larger CNC hollow design makes the reel lighter than ordinary ones
- SILKY SMOOTH DRAG - Multi-disc cork and stainless steel drag system with one-way clutch bearing for smooth immediate drag engagement. Accurate click drag and silent retrieve
- 3 year warranty
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
This CNC machined aluminum alloy fly fishing reel comes with four different weights and five different colors. The Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel is tempered and cold-forged for better rigidity and strength. With a super smooth drag system, this precise fly fishing reel provides silent retrieve and accurate click-drag.
The Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel is abrasion or corrosion-resistant thanks to its hard-anodized surface protection. It includes a knurled handle that is easy to grip and a stainless steel and cork drag that is silky smooth. The large CNC hollow design makes this reel lighter than its competition and the professional machine work and polishing make this reel three times stronger.
Easy to maintain, you just need to rinse off the Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel in freshwater to keep it clean. The mid-arbor design helps to reduce line memory as well as provides super-fast line pickup. And it comes with a three-year warranty.
How To Choose The Best Fly Fishing Reels
source: anchorfly
The purpose of a fly reel is to store and retrieve the backing and the fly line. There are several things you need to think about when choosing a fly reel including whether it will hold the fly line that your rod uses, and does it have the power you need to pull in the fish species you are targeting.
It’s important to make sure you buy a durable reel that is low maintenance and long-lasting. Here are some considerations to help you find the best fly reel for your fly fishing needs.
Fly Reel Size
Depending on the type of fish you are targeting, the size of the fly reel will need to be able to hold the amount of backing and fly line you need for that type of fish. A typical fly line is 90 feet long, but the diameter will vary based on the line weight.
For example, an 8wt fly line will require more room than a 4wt fly line. Plus, large fish that run farther will need more backing than more passive fish, so you will need a large spool.
Fly Reel Drag
The drag on a fly reel is basically its braking system. Slowing the spool’s rotation, the reel allows you to apply pressure and control a fish on your line. The drag will also help stop backlash and stop the spool from overrunning if the line becomes stripped.
Synthetic drag systems like Teflon, Delrin, and Rulon are long-lasting and durable. Since they self-lubricate, they are easy to maintain. It is also possible to seal this type of drag system so saltwater and silt can’t harm it.
Carbon fiber drag systems are similar to other synthetic drag systems, but with the additional benefit of dissipating heat quickly so, there is no chance of it overheating. Most drag systems these days are made of carbon fiber.
Cork drag systems are very slow to startup, which can cause your tippets to break. But cork does compress, so the force it takes to get the drag moving is less, which will protect the tippets from a hard-running fish. Plus, as the fish runs, the cork will expand, and the pressure quickly ramps up to a level that will stop the fish from running. You do have to manually lubricate a cork drag, and you cannot seal one.
It’s important to maintain cork since it will dry out and rot if you don’t. you also can’t compress it constantly, or it will lose its memory after a while, which can cause the reel to have no drag at all.
Arbor Fly Reels
One of the most important advancements in fly-fishing technology is the introduction of mid-arbor and large-arbor fly reels. They offer several benefits to your fly fishing experience.
Advantages of large-arbor fly reels
Fast line retrieval – With a large arbor, you get more line retrieve every time you crank it. This can be particularly helpful when you need to pick up a slackline at the start of a fight and require consistent line tension, even if the fish is swimming towards you.
Less coiling – Using a larger arbor allows you to wind the fly line in a more open and looser coil. With a more open coil, you can create less line memory so the line can be straighter on the water. A larger coil will also lead to a longer line life since it endures less stress over time.
Consistent drag – Since the diameter of the spool stays the same when a fish is pulling more line, you will maintain constant force when the line is pulled. Thus, you don’t have to adjust the resistance while fighting a fish, so you can control the fish better and are less likely to break a point.
Advantages of mid-arbor fly reels
There are several advantages to using a large arbor reel, but there are also some benefits to using a small one.
Smaller arbors also mean a lighter arbor, which is an important consideration if you have a small rod. If you have an arbor that is too heavy for your rod, it can throw off its balance and make it awkward to cast.
The mid-arbor is also an option on many reels today. A mid-arbor reel combines the benefits of both the large and small arbor reels, but they are not as pronounced.
Fly Reel Materials
Machined – A machined reel will be more durable than the other two options. If you fish in places with lots of rough terrains, a machined reel is a great choice since it can withstand more abuse than a stamped metal or die-cast reel. Plus, they are more corrosion-resistant since they can be anodized, which makes them good for use in saltwater or other harsh environments.
Die-Cast – With recent advances, die-cast reels have become stronger and lighter. They are also very affordable, which is good for anyone on a budget. Just remember that they can’t be anodized, so they are susceptible to corrosion.
Stamped Metal – A stamped-metal fly reel is less durable and heavier than a die-cast or machined fly reel. They are also the least expensive reel available, which makes them great for beginners. It’s a good choice if you aren’t targeting any fish that can really test a fly reel.
Our Top Choice
The winner of the best fly fishing reel roundup is the Orvis Hydros Reel. With an ergonomically accessible design, this is a comfortable reel to use that is also lightweight. Equipped with a sealed drag, this reel keeps everything inside the drag protected.
With no start-up inertia, the Orvis Hydros Reels have less coiling of the line and better retrieval rates when compared to other reels on the market. The matte anodized finish gives extra durability while the large arbor helps to keep the reel well-balanced on a lightweight fly rod. The definite winner of the best fly fishing reel roundup is the Orvis Hydros Reel hands down.
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