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The best fly fishing reels you can buy

AI-shortlisted picks, with current prices and ratings.

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The best fly fishing reels you can buy

AI-generated summary · updated September 10, 2026 · verify details before purchase.

  1. Piscifun Sword Fly Reel
    Best budget pick Piscifun

    Piscifun Sword Fly Reel

    4.6/5 $62.99

    Affordable, smooth drag system and lightweight aluminum construction, great for beginners.

    • Very affordable
    • Smooth drag
    • Lightweight
    • Not for saltwater
    View on Amazon
  2. Orvis Hydros SL Fly Reel
    Best overall Orvis

    Orvis Hydros SL Fly Reel

    4.7/5 $139.00 Only 12 left

    High-performance sealed drag, machined from bar stock aluminum, excellent durability and corrosion resistance.

    • Sealed drag
    • Premium build
    • Smooth retrieval
    • Expensive
    View on Amazon
  3. Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
    Best value Redington

    Redington Behemoth Fly Reel

    4.5/5 $159.99

    Large arbor design with strong carbon disc drag, ideal for fighting big fish at a moderate price.

    • Large arbor
    • Strong drag
    • Good value
    • A bit heavy
    View on Amazon
  4. Sage Spectrum C Fly Reel
    Best freshwater LAMSON

    Sage Spectrum C Fly Reel

    4.6/5 $149.99

    Lightweight, fully sealed carbon drag system with a sleek design, perfect for trout and bass.

    • Sealed drag
    • Lightweight
    • Great for trout
    • Pricey
    • Not for salt
    View on Amazon
  5. Lamson Liquid Fly Reel
    Best entry-level premium LAMSON

    Lamson Liquid Fly Reel

    4.5/5 $159.99

    Cast aluminum frame with a large arbor conical drag, combines quality with affordability.

    • Smooth conical drag
    • Large arbor
    • Good looks
    • Drag can slip at high settings
    View on Amazon
  6. Best for beginners

    Shakespeare WonderFly 2

    4.3/5 $15-$25

    Entry-level reel with decent performance for the price, comes pre-spooled with line.

    • Very cheap
    • Ready to use
    • Lightweight
    • Low-quality drag
    • Plastic construction
    View on Amazon
  7. Orvis Battenkill III Fly Reel
    Best classic style Orvis

    Orvis Battenkill III Fly Reel

    4.6/5 $129.00

    Die-cast aluminum with a click-pawl drag, traditional design favored by purists for trout fishing.

    • Classic click-pawl
    • Beautiful design
    • Durable
    • Not for large fish
    • Drag not sealed
    View on Amazon
  8. Piscifun Blaze Fly Reel
    Best ultralight Piscifun

    Piscifun Blaze Fly Reel

    4.4/5 $62.99

    Extremely lightweight CNC machined reel with a carbon fiber drag, suitable for smaller fly lines.

    • Ultralight
    • CNC machined
    • Smooth drag
    • Limited line capacity
    • Not durable for heavy use
    View on Amazon
  9. Best premium saltwater

    Abel Super 8N Fly Reel

    4.8/5 $700-$900

    Handcrafted in USA, sealed drag, machined from solid bar stock, top choice for serious saltwater anglers.

    • Premium build
    • Sealed drag
    • Lifetime warranty
    • Very expensive
    • Heavy
    View on Amazon
  10. Redington Crosswater Fly Reel
    Best combo reel Redington

    Redington Crosswater Fly Reel

    4.2/5 $59.99

    Die-cast aluminum reel with a disc drag, often sold as part of a combo, good for beginners on a budget.

    • Good for its price
    • Comes in combos
    • Decent drag
    • Not very smooth
    • Basic design
    View on Amazon

Buying tips

When choosing a fly reel, consider the type of fishing you'll do (freshwater vs. saltwater), the size of fish you target, and your budget. A sealed drag is important for saltwater to prevent corrosion. For trout, a lighter reel with a smooth drag suffices, while big game fish require a strong, large arbor reel. Price often reflects materials and drag quality, but excellent budget options exist. Always match the reel size to your fly rod weight.

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