Fly reels are a core piece of equipment for fly fishers. Alongside your rod, line, and a few flies, a reel is one of the key pieces of fly-fishing gear required before getting out on the water and going fishing. But reels are also a source of much confusion for fishermen. There are many options on the market; how does an angler find the best reel fit for their needs and preferences?
Above all, your reel will be dictated by the fishery and the species you are chasing. The requirements for a large tarpon reel are, as one can imagine, very different to the needs for a small-stream brook trout reel. We've considered use cases, weight, materials, drag systems and sealing, durability, comfort and more in our choices of the six best reels on the market right now in 2024. One key thing to remember as you keep reading, however, is that—like fly rods—reels are largely a personal preference. Once you've found a few that match your needs, the exact model you end up with will likely come down to personal feature choice. That's why it's a good idea to fish friends' reels and spend time in your local fly shop talking with the experts before purchasing.
I started fly fishing when I was too young to rightfully remember it, and have spent the past 15 years of my life working as a professional photographer, writer, and angler in the fly-fishing industry. It has meant a lot of time casting various equipment in very special fisheries located in some of the stranger corners of the world; from 12-weights for sailfish in Mexico to 2-weights for small creek trout in Tasmania. Over the years I've learned the importance of high-performing reels for larger fish, and come to appreciate nuanced features in smaller trout and bass reels. Here are my favorite fly reels for all kinds of fishing.
Best Fly Fishing Reels of 2024
- Best Overall Fly Reel: Orvis Mirage
- Best Budget Fly Reel: Sage Spectrum C 5/6
- Best Fly Reel for Big Fish: Hatch Iconic 7 Plus
- Best Saltwater Fly Reel: Mako 9600B
- Best Click-and-Pawl Fly Reel: Abel TR 4/5
- Best Trout Fly Reel: Lamson Litespeed F 5+
Best Overall Fly Reel
Orvis
Top Pick: Orvis Mirage ($598-898)
Spool Diameter: 3.5" - 5" | Drag System: Sealed carbon and stainless steel
Orvis's Mirage reel can be found in fishing lodges around the world, and for good reason. Designed and machined in the USA, the reel is made from light but strong aluminum bar stock, with an ergonomic handle for comfort when fighting fish. It balances well on most fly rods, is low-maintenance (give it a good rinse after fishing, but that's about it), and holds up well to abuse. In the past three months, I've had 120+ tarpon, 34-inch sea trout, and 20-pound golden dorado on mine and it performed effortlessly throughout.
The extra-large arbor offers increased retrieve rates (key when bringing in fish who have run a long distance) and helps minimize line coil. The low profile of the reel is minimalistic and aesthetically pleasing, and it's easy to switch out spare spools to go from floating to intermediate or sinking lines. Occasionally I've had the drag slip and had to re-tighten mid-fight, but overall this is a workhorse of a reel.
- Lightweight and minimal
- Sealed drag is durable and low-maintenance
- Extra-large arbor
- Drag occasionally slips on larger fish
Best Budget Fly Reel
SAGE
Top Pick: Sage Spectrum C 5/6 ($165)
Spool Diameter: 3 ?...?" | Drag System: Sealed carbon
There are many budget reels on the market, but Sage's Spectrum C really stands out as a budget reel that performs like the "big kids." The sealed carbon drag is easily adjustable and offers consistent, reliable pressure throughout the fish fight. The large arbor allows a good pick-up rate, and the machined die-cast frame seems like it will hold up to hard use.
The Spectrum offers a few features that set it apart from the other budget reels, including a very comfortable handle, secure foot, and ventilated, lightweight frame. With Sage's reputation, we'd expect little else, and this little reel secured our top spot for a budget or beginners' reel for freshwater and trout anglers.
Product
- Sealed carbon drag is consistent
- Large arbor for good pick-up rate
- Can feel a little too light with some rods
- May not be as durable as higher-end offerings
Best Fly Reel For Big Fish
Hatch Outdoors
Top Pick: Hatch Iconic 7 Plus ($815)
Spool Diameter: 4 ?...?" | Drag System: Carbon-filled drag
Hatch rebuilt the drag system on the new Iconics, implementing a carbon-filled drag system that helps create a smoother feel and dissipates heat quickly. The drag is buttery smooth with no hard start-up "jerking," and easy to adjust thanks to a large knob that's easy to finesse even with a big fish on the line. The large arbor allows for quick line pick-up when fighting fish.
One of our favorite features on this reel is that Hatch machines it from a single piece of aluminum bar stock. The reel body and the foot are not separate, eliminating one key area of potential failure. Overall the reel is light, burly, and the 7-Plus size is a good companion for both large freshwater fish (bass, pike, musky, steelhead) as well as smaller saltwater species such as bonefish, redfish, snook, and even permit.
- Carbon-filled drag system dissipates heat quickly
- The machined reel seat means the body and seat are made from a single piece of metal, helping eliminate failure points
- Drag can loosen on long fights with big fish
Best Saltwater Fly Reel
Mako Reels
Top Pick: Mako 9600B ($1,865)
Spool Diameter: 5 | Drag System: Fully-sealed carbon fiber
Mako Reels began with Jack Charlton, an aerospace engineer with a passion for fly fishing, who designed his first reel in 1980. The company has come a long way since then and now designs some of the burliest, most aggressive big fish reels on the marketplace. The brand's carbon fiber, fully sealed drag systems use a button technology that eliminates start-up friction and helps lock in the drag setting during long fights.
The reels are incredibly well-sealed thanks to o-rings and carbon/Teflon lip seals, which help keep sand, grit, and mud out of the inner workings. The dag knob is easy to grasp and turn—important when fighting big fish—and overall the reel is remarkably durable. Yes, it's the most expensive reel on our list and an investment piece with this price tag, but for serious, traveling, big-fish anglers, it's a reel worth exploring.
- Full-sealed carbon fiber drag
- O-ring sealing to eliminate sand and grit
- The most expensive reel on our list
- Quite heavy
Best Click-and-Pawl Fly Reel
Abel Reels
Top Pick: Abel TR 4/5 ($475)
Spool Diameter: 3.29" | Drag System: Click-and-pawl
Colorado-based Abel has updated their classic TR Reel series but kept the features that made this click-and-pawl reel a time-honored favorite. Click-and-pawl reels feature a metal tooth (the "pawl") which is attached to the spool. This tooth runs over gear in the frame of the reel, and the resistance is controlled by a small spring; the higher the resistance, the more drag. It's a classic drag for a reason—it works well, especially for smaller fish—and the clicking sound is simply delightful.
This ported, updated design is lightweight but retains a large spool to reduce fly line memory and increase line pick-up rates. It's available in a broad variety of fun patterns, including fish-inspired designs, making it a good choice for someone looking to have a little fun on the water.
- Classic click-and-pawl feel with modern performance
- Lightweight
- The classic click-and-pawl noise is louder and different than most reels on the market
Best Trout Fly Reel
Lamson
Top Pick: Lamson Litespeed F 5+ ($560)
Spool Diameter: 3.75" | Drag System: Conical (sealed)
Lamson's unique conical system is a stand-alone in the fly-fishing industry. The system works by using a pair of cones to apply drag pressure instead of the normal round washers, and results in a smooth drag with little to no start-up inertia. The whole system is well sealed and resists mud, sand, and grime well; it's a drag system well suited to trout anglers who need the ability to handle larger trout when needed. The click stop drag knob is easy to adjust and finesse.
The Litespeed F's design is ultralight—it might be too light with some heavier rods—but when paired with a lightweight trout fishing rod, it's a pleasure to cast all day long. The large-arbor scale offers high retrieval rates. Overall, it's a clean design with a minimalist appeal.
- Conical drag system
- Minimal design
- Could be too lightweight for some heavier trout rods
What to Look For When Buying a Fly Fishing Reel
If you're in the market for a new fly reel for fishing, there are many factors you'll want to consider to make sure you're buying the best equipment for your needs. Namely, you'll want to consider:
A quality reel will have a well-sealed drag system, which helps prevent dirt, sand, grit, and water from entering the delicate inner workings of the reel. Most drags can be divided into two categories: a disc drag system (which uses compressed washers to create friction) and a click-and-pawl drag system, which we talked about above with the Abel TR Reel.
Most modern fly reels are machined from bar stock aluminum, a purified form of raw metal. The reel's design, as well as various feature additions, will bring the reel's weight up. Bear in mind what rod you'll be fishing the reel with, as some ultra-light reels don't balance well with heavier rods (and vice-versa). Try to pair the two together for the perfect angling combo.
Many reels currently on the market feature a large arbor, which means it takes fewer spins of the reel to gather line. This is an advantage when you're trying to gain on a fish, as it helps you get line back on the reel quickly and efficiently. Large arbors also result in less fly line coil, as the line sits in slightly larger loops when on the line.
Saltwater reels are obviously larger—bigger fish, bigger reel—but the main thing to look for when purchasing a reel for saltwater use is a fully-sealed drag system to eliminate corrosion. An unsealed reel will allow saltwater and sand to get into the inner workings of the drag, eventually rusting it out and ruining the reel. Even if you rinse your reel carefully after every use (which you should, regardless), look for reels made specifically for saltwater use.
Your Questions, Answered
The best fly reel for your use will depend on where you're fishing, what kind of species you're targeting, and personal preferences (do you prefer a click-and-pawl reel, for example?). Look for reels with a quality sealed drag system and then go from there.
Often spending more money on fly reels gets an angler lighter and higher-grade materials, a better, fully-sealed drag system, and more aesthetic features. Especially if you're fishing trout or bass and don't need the drag muscle required by bigger fish, don't feel like you have to spend a fortune on the reel. For freshwater fishing, the reel often really functions as simply a line holder.
Reels such as the Mako 9600B have a carbon-fiber drag system that's incredibly strong, designed for the world's toughest saltwater species, and eliminates the start-up friction commonly found in disk drag systems.
Who We Are
Jess McGlothlin has spent more than 15 years working around the world in the fly-fishing industry. She's fished from Russia to Bolivia, the South Pacific to Iceland, and can usually be found on the water in some strange corner of the world with a fly rod and a camera close at hand. See more at www.JessMcGlothlinMedia.com.
Editor's Note: Products featured on Wide Open Spaces are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
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