Best Fly Fishing Reels of 2025

"Never would I have expected such high-quality craftsmanship at this price. The customizable drag and CNC machined aluminum construction are impressive. My son's casting improved significantly with this reel. It's worth every penny!"

"With over 40 years of fly fishing experience, I can confidently say this reel offers great value. It may not rival my high-end models, but it performs admirably for the price. Highly recommend it for budget-conscious anglers!"

"I've been using these reels since 2018 and have had excellent experiences. After a minor issue with a cork disc, Piscifun's customer service was outstanding—sending me replacement discs promptly. The reels are easy to maintain and perform well overall!"

"At 91 years old, my old reel finally gave out. I didn't want to spend a lot, so I ordered this one, and it works great. It's truly a good buy!"

"I've only had the chance to use it once, and it performed really well. The line was easy to strip, and I could reel in smoothly. I went with the yellow line for visibility, and it worked perfectly, whether casting in bright sun or shaded areas. My only worry is its lightweight feel; I hope it holds up if I accidentally bang it on a rock."

"I really love this reel! It has a large arbor and a quiet retrieve, with a smooth drag that isn't loud. I now have three of these, which gives me peace of mind in case I accidentally drop my rod while navigating rocky areas. I took off half a star for potential long-term durability, but at this price, I can easily replace it if needed!"

"This reel works perfectly! It's very sturdy and nice looking! It pairs well with my 7/8 weight fly rod and holds about 100ft of 8-weight fly line and 40ft of 20lb braided backing."

"I find this reel fun to use and the price is reasonable. It's great for panfishing! The auto reel mechanism adds a nice twist to the fishing experience, though I notice the spring is wearing after heavy use. Still, it’s perfect for those who struggle with reeling."

"I've had this reel delivered promptly, and it was as described. I love this brand and have other reels from them that I enjoy using. Great price too!"

"I purchased this reel and was pleasantly surprised by its high quality for the price. As a left-handed angler, I needed to change it to a right-hand retrieve. It took me about 13-20 minutes to switch it over, and I even did it after a few drinks!"

"At first glance, this reel appeared to be a work of art. I’ve used it three times now and am thoroughly impressed with the smooth operation and craftsmanship. My only minor issue is that the drag setting feels somewhat progressive, but I believe it will improve with use."

"I was skeptical about the low price, but after using this reel for over two years, I can confidently say it performs like a much pricier model. The bearings are smooth, and the drag works well. I highly recommend buying a couple of these!"

“I find this reel to be a great value. It’s lightweight yet sturdy, and I was surprised by how smooth the operation is. Swapping the reel orientation was super easy, taking just seconds. I can’t wait to hit the water with it!”

“This large arbor reel is nicer than I expected. It’s lightweight at 4.3 ounces, and the drag is smooth with effective adjustment. I appreciate the audible clicker during use. For a budget reel, it’s definitely worth considering!”

“As someone new to fly fishing, I found this reel to be very nice. It’s easy to use and lightweight. The machined aluminum gives it a strong feel, and I can’t wait to continue my fishing journey with it.”

"I was genuinely impressed by how light and simple this reel is. It's just what I needed for my spare setup, especially since spare reels for my Orvis Battenkill III are hard to find. The click & pawl version is perfect for weight savings and simplicity. While it's not as sturdy as the Orvis, I believe it can handle some rugged conditions without issue, and the included protective case is a nice touch!"

"I absolutely love this reel! This is my first clicker drag reel, and I’m shocked at how much I prefer it over my pricier adjustable drag reels. The default tension is just right, keeping the line secure without making it difficult to pull more line. It's incredibly lightweight and easy to maintain. After a year of fishing, it's held up well to sand, ice, and mud. My only minor complaints are about the finish and spool retention, but overall, for the price, this reel is unbeatable!"

"This reel is a solid choice for smaller fish. I appreciate its clicking style and the lack of an adjustable drag. The sound of the click was loud at first, but it has quieted down after extensive use. I did have an issue with the main shaft coming unscrewed while reeling in a large fish, which was frustrating, but I managed to fix it with Loctite and silicone grease. Despite this, I think it's a great reel for the price if you're not overly concerned about drag!"

"I purchased this reel primarily for saltwater fishing, and my initial impression is very positive given the under $20 price tag. While I haven't had a chance to use it yet, I must say it looks nice and well-constructed. I appreciate the quick response from Maxcatch when I reported some rough edges on the spool; they sent me a replacement right away. However, I did notice a significant difference in drag quality between the two reels. The first one had a smooth and responsive drag, while the replacement wasn't as consistent."

"I'm really happy with this affordable fly reel. It feels well made and is comparable to more expensive brands. The drag system is easy to adjust, and even though I plan to replace the included fly line with my preferred brand, I'm still getting good value from this purchase. As long as it holds up over time, I feel like I'm ahead with this buy."

"I absolutely love this fly reel! It's incredibly well-built and very lightweight, making it easy to use. The drag system works great, and I'm thrilled with its performance so far!"

"I purchased this as a gift, but I’ve owned many Redington reels and fly rods. I’ve had a few missteps with purchases before, but I've always had success with Redington. Their products never disappoint, and I will continue to recommend them highly."

"This is hands down my favorite reel. I own quite a few reels, but none compare to this one."

"It worked really well in Alaska. I managed to catch some salmon with it, and it performed admirably."

"I mostly fish for trout in tailgaters and didn't want to spend a huge amount for a reel that for me is just a line holder for an 11 ft nymphing rod. This reel fits my needs perfectly. It's well made, and its performance ranks up with reels five times its price. The drag is smooth and balances my rod nicely."

"After purchasing the 3/4 weight reel for my 8'6" creek rod, I was impressed. I've been fly fishing for over 35 years and this reel is as nice as the $200+ fly reels I've used before. It’s very smooth and the drag is silk smooth. I haven't tested it on the water yet, but I felt compelled to share my thoughts already."

"This reel and I have become good friends lately as I use it as a secondary chronomid rod for stillwater fly fishing. It has proven to be excellent, landing several trout in the 3-4 lbs range—definitely a great value!"

"I wasn't expecting such nice quality! For anyone wanting to learn to fly fish, this is a GREAT first reel! It's a reel you won't retire as long as it works!"

"This reel is a good unit for the price. I've been fly fishing since I was a kid, and all you really need is a good pole and a reel to hold your line."

"Overall, I found this reel to be much better than expected. It’s well machined and balanced, but I had to subtract a star for the loose drag mechanism."