A fly reel stores the line and provides drag when a fish runs. Unlike spinning reels it is mostly a spool with a brake, so the choice comes down to arbor size, drag type, body material and which line weight the reel is sized for.
The six reels below range from a 6.24 ounce mid-arbor machined reel to a 10.4 ounce heavy-drag die-cast reel. Specs come from each product’s listing page. We have not used these reels ourselves. Drag, durability and corrosion claims are the makers’ own.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Line weight | Match the reel size (3/4, 5/6, 7/8) to your rod and line |
| Arbor size | Large arbors pick up line faster and reduce coiling |
| Drag type | Carbon, cork and Teflon or sealed conical systems differ |
| Frame | Machined and die-cast aluminum differ in weight and finish |
Specs at a Glance
| Reel | Weight and sizes | Body and arbor | Drag |
|---|---|---|---|
| Piscifun Sword | 6.24 oz listed; line included on this version | CNC 6061-T6 aluminum; mid-arbor | Multi-disc carbon and stainless |
| Maxcatch ECO | 7.04 oz; 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 | Die-cast aluminum; large arbor | Teflon disc and stainless |
| Redington Run | 3/4, 5/6, 7/8; nylon case | Die-cast aluminum; ported large arbor | Compact carbon fiber |
| Redington Behemoth | 10.4 oz listed; 7/8 version | Die-cast; large arbor, deep V spool | Heavy-duty carbon fiber; 9.07 kg max |
| Lamson Liquid S | 7.65 oz | Pressure-cast aluminum; large arbor | Sealed conical |
| SF SF-001 | 200 g; 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 | Aluminum alloy per bullets; large arbor | Disc drag with ticking alarm |
The 6 Best Fly Fishing Reels
1. Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel
An ambidextrous mid-arbor reel CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, with a multi-disc carbon and stainless drag, a stainless handle and a 1 year manufacturer warranty. This version is pre-loaded with tapered fly line, 8-strand backing and a leader, and the listing covers several sizes and colors.
Suits: a ready-to-spool machined reel. Strengths: a pre-loaded line and a multi-disc drag. Weaknesses: mid-arbor rather than large. Skip it if you want a large arbor.
View Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel on Amazon
2. Maxcatch ECO Large Arbor Fly Fishing Reel
A 7.04 ounce die-cast aluminum large-arbor reel with a Teflon disc and stainless steel drag, a one-way bearing and a pre-loaded weight-forward floating line, backing and leader. It comes in 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 weights with a 1 year warranty.
Suits: a pre-spooled starter reel. Strengths: a large arbor and line included. Weaknesses: a die-cast rather than machined frame. Skip it if you want a machined finish.
View Maxcatch ECO Large Arbor Fly Reel on Amazon
3. Redington Run Fly Fishing Reel
A light large-arbor reel with a ported spool, a die-cast aluminum frame, a compact carbon fiber drag and an ergonomic handle, in 3/4, 5/6 and 7/8 weights. A nylon reel case is included.
Suits: a light trout reel. Strengths: a carbon drag and a reel case. Weaknesses: no line included. Skip it if you want a pre-loaded reel.
View Redington Run Fly Fishing Reel on Amazon
4. Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
A heavy-duty large-arbor reel with a deep V spool and a carbon fiber drag. The version listed is the 7/8 weight at 10.4 ounces with a maximum drag of 9.07 kg, line capacity of 200/20 and a lifetime warranty. The overview lists the material as carbon, while the bullets describe a die-cast construction, so confirm the frame material.
Suits: larger fish and heavier line. Strengths: strong drag and a lifetime warranty. Weaknesses: heavier and a conflicting material entry. Skip it if you want a light reel.
View Redington Behemoth 7/8 Fly Reel on Amazon
5. Lamson Liquid S-Series Fly Reel
A 7.65 ounce pressure-cast aluminum reel with a sealed conical drag, a larger arbor and a stated capacity of 100 yards of 20 pound backing. The listing covers S-Series and HD versions in several colors.
Suits: fresh and saltwater use per the maker. Strengths: a sealed drag. Weaknesses: many variants on one page. Skip it if you want a pre-loaded reel.
View Lamson Liquid S-Series Fly Reel on Amazon
6. SF SF-001 Large Arbor Fly Reel
A 200 gram matte black 5/6 weight reel with a large arbor, a disc drag and an audible ticking alarm for line leaving the reel. The overview lists stainless steel as the material while the bullets describe an aluminum alloy body, and the warranty field reads only 3.
Suits: a low-glare reel. Strengths: a ticking alarm and a matte finish. Weaknesses: conflicting material and warranty entries. Skip it if you need clear specs.
View SF SF-001 Large Arbor Fly Reel on Amazon
Specs to Check Before Ordering
- The line weight printed on the reel size you select.
- Whether line, backing and leader are included.
- The frame material named by the maker.
- Warranty terms on the maker’s page.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Selecting a reel size that does not match the rod’s line weight.
- Assuming every version includes line.
- Reading a multi-variant listing as one spec sheet.
- Choosing a heavy reel for a light rod.
Fly Fishing Reel FAQ
What does large arbor mean?
The spool core is wider, which the makers say speeds line pickup and reduces coiling.
Which reels come with line?
The Piscifun version listed and the Maxcatch ECO are described as pre-loaded. The others do not say so in what we read.
The Short Version
For a machined reel with line, the Piscifun Sword. For a pre-spooled large arbor, the Maxcatch ECO. For a light trout reel, the Redington Run. For heavy drag, the Redington Behemoth. For a sealed drag, the Lamson Liquid. For a low-glare finish and alarm, the SF-001.
