How to Choose The Best Fly Reel | WATCH Before Deciding!

Are you in the market for a new fly reel, but feeling overwhelmed by all the options available? Choosing the right reel is crucial to having a successful fly fishing experience, but it can be a daunting task.

In this must-watch video, we'll guide you through the process of choosing the perfect fly reel for your needs. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned angler, we'll cover the important features to look for when selecting a reel, including the size, weight, and materials.

We'll also discuss the importance of matching your reel to your fly rod and line, and give tips on how to ensure that you're choosing the right reel for the job. From freshwater to saltwater fishing, we'll cover it all.

Our expert team of fly fishing enthusiasts has decades of experience in the sport and has carefully researched and tested a wide range of fly reels. We'll share our insights and provide honest, unbiased reviews of some of the top brands on the market.

At the end of this video, you'll feel confident in your ability to choose the perfect fly reel for your next fishing adventure. We'll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision and avoid common mistakes that can lead to disappointment on the water.

Whether you're looking to upgrade your current reel or purchase your very first one, this video is a must-watch before buying. Don't miss out on this opportunity to learn from the experts and take your fly fishing game to the next level!

Chapters
0:00 - Intro
0:15 - Opening Thoughts
1:00 - Fly Reel Size
2:45 - Fly Reel Weight
3:30 - Fly Reel Drag
5:08 - Fly Reel Arbor Size
6:05 - Look/Feel/Ergonomics

Got Questions?
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[ExploringSitkaAlaskausin-wjwu]

I am still fishing with my 1967 Model 1495 Pflueger Medalist I bought for $9.95 I believe. I have caught hundreds of Trout, Steelhead, and Salmon in the last 50 years with it. On a whim, I bought a fancy very expensive reel 10 years ago. It lasted about 90 days. I still use my fly rod which is an original SAGE 4 piece 5#. I received it in 1973! No..they are not for sale.

[microdolo]

I love these guys at Trident. You never have to watch the entire video. Just pick the higher priced item. No fancy algorithms needed. Remember, they don't ever pay full price. There are two reasons to work in or own a fly shop...access to the industry (it's cool to know the Sage guy) and the opportunity to pay short money for high end gear.

[nathancottrill]

Always remember when it comes to fly fishing usually, but not always, more expensive gear means better usage and quality of product. You can still catch the same fish with cheaper gear and there is nothing wrong with that either!

[MeuySaelee-zcgs]

Balance matters....in all fishing...10 fold on fly because the rods ard long and it changes the swing weight.

[j.]

You have to establish the grams length ratio (GLR) of your rod before anything else... once you have that... you can pick the right sized reel and fly line.

You measure the rod blank from tip to the handle, divide by 10 ànd draw a line that length on a sheet of paper.

Take a film container or medicine bottle and attach a paper clip hook into it.

Straighten the paper clip and heat one end to pierce the plastic and make a hole in it. Form an S clip with the paper clip and attach it to the container.

Find a table and firmly place the rod handle onto the table so that the entire blank is freely out in the air and is level.

Move the tip towards a wall... but NOT touching the wall. Make sure that only the handle is on the table. Weigh it down so that it can't move.

Take your sheet of marked paper and tape it to the wall so that the tip... is level with the top of the perpendicular line.

Carefully... attach the container to the rod tip and fill the container with shot or water until the tip droops level with the bottom of the drawn line...

Use a kitchen scale that measures grams and measure the entire assembly... (paper ciip... container... shot or water)...

Divide the gross measured weight by the length of the ratio line....

...That wil give you the result as to the exact line weight for that rod... and the matching reel size...

.. example...

Ratio Line Weight

1.4-1.6 3
1.6- 1.9 4
1.9-2.2 5
2.2-2.6 6
2.6-3.0 7
3.0- 3.5 8
3.5-4.2 9
4.2-5.0 10

My Sage rod is marked as a 7... and its GLR is 2.76... which indicates... pretty much... a perfect 7 line weight...

My custom rod... unmarked... same length... an once lighter... is a GLR 2.96... which is on the high side of a 7 line weight... and just barely... a possible 8 weight...

So.. in my case... which is the best line and reel combo....???... decisions... decisions... 😢

PS... I use both rods as 7's... but if I have to go for steelhead... I can use an 8 on the custom rod... 😊

[powerlongman-]

We develop clutch for such flyyreel, make it more fantastic.

[HeheHa-kn]

I’m gonna have to disagree about the not caring about balance thing. 6 hours into a day of throwing a tip heavy 8 weight you’re gonna be wishing you had a heavier reel. Then again, that’s just my personal preference.

[Equalityandbeauty]

Everyone should try the new elite range from Pooop Reels from Gimpland. A full unconditional 10 lifetimes warranty, they weigh 0 grams, have a fully sealed “Halo” drag of 99kg, are type 66 hard anodised with diamond coating, ultimate self balancing mechanism, looks like the worlds most stunning model, cost is $25 each plus packaging……………. all this for a line holder (excluding big big big “fush”).

[danbolton]

I'm glad I watched this video. I was having trouble getting my Penn International electric to fit the Oyster 3 wt.

[tlpoutdoorsman]

Fantastic vid!!! The best informative vid on fly reels!

[cheechwizard]

Easy - You just check to see if has Tibor written on it.

[skilife]

Awesome video! This helped! But dude it’s ok Blink once in a while

[darrellmiskovich]

What do you think of the forged invictus fresh water fly reel

[KevinEng]

I use a hardy udla green on my sage sonic and a lamson remix smoke on my scott centric.

[raywalteroutdoors]

Ross Colorado or Animas and then everything else (unless you can afford Abel). I am not a fan of my Sage Reel and I hear they were clearanced last year due to drag issues. Hardy is fine and Lamson is great for the money but under $400 Ross is my go to.

[thebigdipper]

What’s the pros and cons of putting 5wt line on a 6-8 wt reel?

[olivertwist]

I‘m missing the link to the video on rod/reel balance. Would be interesting to know why balance does not matter when it influences the moment of inertia of the entire setup. But maybe there’s a reason (other than looking a bit alien) why the Waterworks Lamson Center-Axis rod/reel combination wasn’t a huge success.

[waynedawe]

LX Islander Fly Reels Can't be beaten, You pay for what you get

[Chris-czsq]

Strongly disagree I run 7/8 reel on a 5/6wt.. Why because a larger reel has more pick up and you get less tangles in your larger fly reels in which I bloody hate in smaller reels!

[thetattooedangler]

There is absolutely no need for 150 yards of backing line. If you're fishing light saltwater, and your fish gets 150 yards + your main line away from you, then find another hobby