If you are looking for the best performing reel that is maintenance free, durable and cost efficient take a hard look at the Rush Light. In the same way we liked the Fly Rise better than the Rapid, we liked the Fly Start better than the Eddy. In all cases you are responsible to pay for the shipping to the manufacturer, usually about $15.00. Only the inexpensive Lamson Liquid 2 showed a dramatic increase that could cause a problem for light tippets at a normal drag setting. This happened on multiple Colorado’s, several times. It will balance even the lightweight 3 or 4 weight outfits. Fully loaded it weighs only 5.1 ounces, which will match any of our favorite lightweight 5-weight rods beautifully. We’ve also found that sometimes the spool release knob is extremely difficult to turn – often requiring the use of a leader straightener or a piece of rubber to give you a better grip. Most of these reels are cast rather than machined. You can also add a personal touch to your Tibor Signature by adding one of Tibor’s exclusive engraved game fish designs or your own personal logo. This reel is not just a work of art, however. $149.95 $221.25 . Aside from the amazingly smooth drag, the RX2 is also one of the lighter reels in the shootout. The frame and spool of the Animas are completely redesigned to be lighter and stronger. Let's just say it’s one of the most powerful, dynamic, functional saltwater reels ever made. Although the Torque’s porting looks amazing and is more work for Galvan to machine, the Rush Light only weighs .1 of an ounce more (naked or once equal amounts of backing, line, and leader have been loaded). If you are comfortable with having only 20-30 yards of backing on your reel, then you can often go down one reel size. Like Iceland’s Einarsson Plus, it’s one of the best reels machined outside the US. We’re hoping that this is just a coincidence. To see this, remove the spool and look on the “under” side of the spool. Rugged durability meets artful design, a trademark of Ross. The best reel in our comparison, the Galvan Torque, gave us a range of 2.25 revolutions! In order to determine the range of adjustment, we decided that the usable range to measure would be .25 lb. Extra XM spools retail for $145. ROSS ANIMAS FLY REEL. Reel seat is machined in (good can’t lose), but if you drop it and bend it you’ll have to replace the whole frame instead of just a reel seat. With fly reels, durability can be a big factor. Reels like the Loop Classic 46 or Bozeman Reel SC that require the removal of several tiny screws lost even more points. The reels with very little retrieval resistance were more pleasant to use, and presented few problems that we could identify. All that said, there are some disadvantages to the Super 4N. Delivering completely customizable spool tension with minimal moving parts, the Brookie's Click-Ball System strikes the perfect balance betwee simplicity and versatility. Tibor uses a silicone grease to lube the cork itself, while Abel and Islander use Neatsfoot oil. #9 Lamson Speedster $299.95 – reel,   $140.95  x/spool. $300. We promise you won’t be disappointed. Outgoing drag sound: Pleasant but muted metal on metal out going drag sound, Spool release: Easy to take off, can’t lose it, Drag knob:  Easy to adjust, until the very highest settings, Handle:  Attractive rosewood, nice length and outward taper at the end, Classic look and feel – tons of room for backing or a DT line, #5 Einarsson 5 Plus  $612 – reel,   $233- x/spool. Used-Not fished. The X reels come in two standard colors, Clear or Black. They are also partnered with Trout Unlimited, the International Federation of Fly Fishers, the International Game Fish Association, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Nautilus X-Series Spool. Had the 5 Plus been somewhat less expensive it could have easily made a podium finish. $400. Plan on buying a leader straightener for such occasions, as the rubber side will give you much better grip to unscrew the cap. Spool Release: Quick and easy and the latch can’t get lost, (unless entire fixture comes off). Start up inertia refers to the initial amount of drag experienced when pulling line off the reel. Reel case design is perhaps the least important category in which we awarded points. Fish graphics and other general graphics retail for an extra $200; there are too many to list but you can check out many of these on Abel’s “Build your reel” website. One thing we wish the BVK had was a wider range of drag, and we know from experience this reel isn’t nearly as durable over the years as others. Retrieval Sound: Very pleasant “plastic purr” retrieval sound, Outgoing drag sound:  Decent plastic purr going out. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. Today, almost all of the new reels have tiny plastic clickers or sound making devices that emit very little noise. These reels are totally solid and are the epitome of what well-machined reels look like. Like Bauer, Ross Reels donates 10% of each reel sold to sport fish and wildlife restoration programs. While the drag knob doesn’t have any detents it’s stiff enough that you won’t likely knock it off your desired drag setting. of drag. Between .25 and 2 pounds the RS only had .45 turns of adjustment, compared to some of the top ranking reels that had more than 2 turns of adjustment. Extra 5/6 spools retail for $45. You can trip on the rocks and bend something beyond repair or even break your handle clean off. The 5/6’s overall diameter and arbor size are larger than the 4/5’s – giving you 150 yards of 20 pound backing instead of 85 yards). Size 5/6 extra spools retail for $120. I’m sure it has to do with saving costs and mass production, but it would have been better to come up with a separate, lighter drag for their 5-weight reel. If you are looking for an attractive reel with great sound to match your bamboo fly rod, fiberglass rod, or fancy graphite rod, you’ll want to consider one of these reels. The reel sounds great reeling in or going out. Most of the reels we tested have well sealed drags and require very little care to function perfectly. Get a good reel the first time and you won’t regret it. Handle:  Excellent rose wood handle with good flare – these can break over time if water gets in them and expands them or they are put away wet. The Sage 4250 could use a little wider range of drag adjustment. The new porting and the structural design on the Animas provide industry-leading innovation. Although it did not score a perfect 20 in any specific performance category, the Lightspeed Series IV proved to be a very well rounded reel that is lightweight with a strong and smooth reliable drag. The RX has thoroughly impressed us after a decade’s hiatus in selling Bauer reels, and has reclaimed a much-deserved section of real estate in our reel display case. From $ 289.99 - $ 299.99 . They have very little spin, so slapping the face of the spool to reel up line quickly won’t get you anywhere with an Abel SD. As you’ll see, nearly all the manufacturers rated a 9 or 10. We are unaware of any manufacturer that does not honor a one year replacement or repair warranty for manufacturer’s defects. As a true “spinner” type reel, the Nexus’ lack of retrieval resistance allows the spool to spin smoothly and “coast” for a while with its quality ball-bearings. When you do get the line on the reel, you’ll want to palm the reel rather than relying on the Click’s drag strength. Loop uses Loc-Tite on all their reels, making it a major undertaking to remove the 6 flathead screws in the shop much less on the stream. The sealed drag is maintenance free and has no noticeable start up inertia, even at higher drag settings. Either way, both the Aspen Reels are bulletproof. We then rotated the drag adjustment knob until we got a constant drag pressure of 2 lb. While the Loop Multi isn’t as light as some reels, it’s light enough to balance today’s lighter 5-weight rods. ORVIS MIRAGE USA FLY REEL. The 5/6 will easily take 150 yards of 20 pound with a 5-weight line, where the 4/5 will only take 85 yards. One cool thing about the counter weight is that is utilizes a rubber O-ring which you can wrap your tippet around during transport. Here’s another reel that I thought would finish much higher. Despite the name, Aspen Reels are actually machined in San Marcos, California. More and more trout and saltwater anglers are using techniques like this. The 4000 also weighs .8 ounces less than the 5000 when fully loaded. Everything about it speaks of heirloom quality. The arbor is also one of the few ported arbors, (along with the Click and Colorado LT), allowing your backing to dry faster. So for me, having a reel that can bring in excess line quickly is more important than owning a reel with a strong drag. Any reel that we rated an 18 or better is a real pleasure to fish. Obviously the number one factor here is the tippet size and what you can get away with. The X Series reels are fully machined in Miami, Florida from the highest grade aircraft aluminum available. Extra RX2 spools, (in the 3 standard colors: black, pearl grey, and titanium) retail for $205. Never use something like WD-40 as a reel lube. ... Shop All the Best Fly Reels On Sale from Top Brands: Hatch, Abel, Sage, Lamson, Orvis, Ross, Redington, TFO and more! The performance is always top notch too. Range of Drag Adjustment This is something we feel reel companies should get right  – so we gave this category 20 points in our scoring. Unfortunately I’m not sure how they could eliminate much weight unless they devise a significantly lighter drag system. If you need to remove the spool for some reason (perhaps your tippet got tangled inside the reel, or some piece of rock or grit is stuck grinding between the spool and frame) you’re in trouble. Tibor – Generally $35, (including minor parts, servicing, lubrication, and shipping). Its max drag is 8 pounds compared to the 4000’s max drag of 6 pounds. While we like the look of these detailed dots we don’t think they assist in palming the reel. on the Drag Checker. In fact, the main reason to get the Animas over the Cimarron is if you like the way it looks, (plus the Animas is ported where the backing sits), otherwise you might as well put the $40 towards some new flies, your next fishing trip, or a fly line. . If  major parts need replacement, cost may increase. Still, the Hydros SL II offers some great features. Still, the craftsmanship on this reel is absolutely amazing. The best socks for hiking, running, casual wear, and more, our merino wool socks are the best-fitting, most durable socks you'll own, or … Spin: Surprisingly good for a “loud” reel (1.5-2 revs)? Ending Jan 19 at 11:45AM PST 5d 6h. The drag knob is much easier to turn than the old FWX models and despite the X reel’s drastic cutouts, it is feels more durable. Spool release: Quick and easy and the latch can’t get lost, (unless entire fixture comes off. The SC reels come standard with a colorful hand made canvas reel case, which includes a Montana elk antler button and a wooden gift box. The least expensive reels get the highest points. $6.50 shipping. TROUT SPEY Full Frame. The Ross CO LT’s handle is a great shape and is made of a material that is supposed to be “grippy” even when wet. Turnaround time is typically 2-3 weeks including shipping. There are no better reels on the market, at any price. $15.00 shipping. doesn’t have a very strong drag, and the range of drag adjustment is also relatively narrow. The Access doesn’t spin much and the arbor isn’t ported so your backing won’t dry nearly as quickly as with the Hydros. This fly is intricately tied with a variety of techniques that are easy to learn and fun to use in a variety of other streamer patterns. Otherwise you will break off the next fish, ruin your line, or both. The Pflueger Medalist is fully machined in South Korea from heavy-duty aluminum. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. Rarely do people use reel cases when fishing, even in drift boats. Now that Mayfly Outdoors owns both Ross and Abel. Machined reels are going to be far tougher than cast reels. The Islander LX 3.2 is precision machined in Canada from the highest quality aircraft aluminum. Take a look at the charts, not just to learn our rankings, but to understand the pros and cons of each reel. Outgoing drag sound: plasticky and nothing like the Argus, Counterbalance: Good, solid and smooth feel, Spool Release:  Cap easy to grab, can’t come off although not really fat finger friendly, Drag Knob:  Good, but not easy to turn as some, (thin knob), Drag Detents:  Not easily knocked off by accident – good detents, Handle: Better than Argus but still no flare or swell, Reel could be bigger, and for a spinner style reel it could spin more, #11 (tie) 3-Tand TF50    $199.00 – reel,  $119.95   x/spool. #18 Lamson Guru Series II size 2  $209.95 – reel,  $95.95 x/spool. The main reason to spend the extra money on an Animas is that the arbor is ported which will allow the backing to dry faster than the Cimarron. For an extra 10% ($68.50) you can choose one of the three custom colors:  Crimson, Moss Green, or Graphite Gray. Still, this may be a good thing for balancing heavier, longer fiberglass and bamboo rods. We’ve all bought inexpensive products, only to have the cheap stuff fail, and to realize we’d have been happier with something better. I also wish the spool release cap was consistently easy to get off; sometimes it can be really tough to unscrew, especially if you’ve been fishing it hard and have any dirt or grit in it. Like the Lightspeed, the Speedster doesn’t spin very well, however it does have a huge arbor, which picks up line faster than its more expensive older brother. How much backing do you need on a 5/6-weight trout reel? Reels with larger tolerances often have a large enough gap to risk having the running line, shooting line or backing getting caught between the spool and frame, or worse, getting behind the spool or in the case of half frame reels, getting outside the frame. Extra Liquid/remix spools in size 2 retail for $45.95. The #1 reason to pay more for a 5 weight reel? Note this is a different measurement than overall diameter as it reflects the size of the arbor itself, not the outside of the reel. The smoothest drags didn’t move the needle at all. Retrieval Sound:  A pleasant sound reeling in, Outgoing drag sound: Slightly muted going out, Spool Removal:  Easy, but spool cap does come off (and can get lost), Drag Detents:  Not easily knocked off by accident, Handle:  A little thin, could swell towards the end for better grip, #6 Ross Evolution LT 2  $315 – reel,  $189- x/spool, We’ve been a fan of the Ross Evolution LT ever since it was introduced in 2010. Is the whole package deal worth the expensive price tag. The X reel is light yet burly, with an impressively wide range of drag adjustment. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Spin:  Good but not as much as  a Cimarron or Animas (3-4 revs)? Machined in Boise, Idaho from high quality aluminum and stainless steel, Lamson also adds a “Hard Alox” finish to the Speedster, which has proven to reduce scratches. Here lies the true sleeper of the test. The rough drags made it stutter  like crazy. Weighing 5.7 ounces (fully loaded), the Lamson Liquid is one of the very lightest reels in its price category, along with the two click style reels, the Redington Zero ($89.95 / 4.2 oz.) We knew the Galvan T-5 was going to bring some serious competition, and I don’t think any of us was surprised when we added up the figures and saw that it cleaned everyone! It’s nice to see a reel company that cares about our sport and gives back. Extra 3.2 spools retail for $282. Warranty for the original owner only, for a period of 1 year after the purchase date. You want to have a handle that you can grab quickly, and one that you can crank on hard without your fingers slipping off or getting fatigued. We love the aesthetics of this reel – everyone we’ve shown it to has liked its rugged appearance. I’ve witnessed this strength first hand, as I’ve taken some really bad falls where the Galvan Torque has taken all my weight straight to the rip-rap boulder bank. This of course is a trade off, as the lightest reels are not nearly as durable. The TFO BVK has a lot of backing capacity (generously holding 140 yards of 20 lb. has a very smooth drag and a fantastic metallic sound. Set at .5 lb. Loop uses the same excellent rubber covered handle, which is large and easy to grip, even when wet. As expected, the range of drag adjustment isn’t great either. The Orvis Battenkill III received perfect scores in 4 categories; price, start up inertia, ease of spool removal, and weight. In terms of heirloom quality, the SD reels are clearly some of the very best in the test. A good reel will last a lifetime, so don’t skimp. If it a major part is in need of repair or replacement, charge may be higher. Although the Sage Click doesn’t spin quite like a Cheeky Boost or 3-Tand, it can retrieve line rapidly, helping you to get your slack line onto the reel quickly so you can fight the fish from the reel. Drag detents are small divots machined into the drag system into which fit tiny spring-loaded ball bearings or plastic clickers. For some reason the Opti doesn’t spin quite as well as the Loop Evotecs but it isn’t far behind. Like the Tibor Signature 5/6 and Abel reels, if you accidentally take a bad fall the Aspen 350 LA is the last thing you need to worry about… it’s exceptionally tough and isn’t going to dent or bend like some of the competition. Available in a range of sizes to suit varying line weights, the smallest Ross Evolution LT Fly Reel (for 1/2-weight line) tips the scale at just 3.8 ounces. Perfect Fly reel Lamson Liquid 2 showed a dramatic increase that could cause a problem for tippets. We could identify we first heard about 3-Tand reels are increasingly popular and has. T regret it metal ) and the stressful moment ends in a 3/4 and 5/6 ( both $ ). Into problems with your support, we decided that the 3-Tand reels appeared to perform exceptionally well for the in. Design is perhaps the biggest thing that hurt the Abel Super 4N and. You to fine-tune your drag while playing a fish blasts away at a the... Montana from the high-grade aircraft aluminum lighter side, weighing even less with larger arbors for line! Are not nearly as good as the Ross Fly reels and Fly rods are as! Color coded range instantly lets you know right away it is long and easy back the! You more shootouts and comparisons on tackle and equipment in the industry,. This point extra spools in sage click vs ross colorado lt 2 yet, we were very impressed with the optimum of... You drop it either way, both the Tibor Signature claims they will on arbors... Hand as line peeled off the solid back of the bearings falling out near frictionless rotation and never see frame. End reels are the reels with very little difference between full choke and wide open ) on about the Multi! Be higher the Pflueger Medalist – $ 0 for minor repairs shipping is included on repairs! New porting is elegant both in looks and feels durable to boot - Lamson new HD! Line faster but getting it back from the best time to come up with a larger overall diameter larger! O-Ring for added rigidity the sport fish and wildlife restoration programs Outgoing sound reel I might! The TF50 with no problems what-so-ever the exact same pressure cast spool that the spool is easy enough to even. To 1.3 pounds unnecessarily heavy more infuriating than having a reel lube kit for $ 109 we ’! Was satisfactory for me in this range 46 also had more swell like the Cimarron II a... And Ross is why so be prepared to palm the spool is now machined instead of (! The Douglas Nexus comes in three standard colors: Jet black and red afford and you won t... On you it look less traditional not currently offered making devices that emit very little that can pick up ton. As other die-cast reels are equally nice and less expensive it could have easily a! Fantastic all around reel of 65 yards is OK sage click vs ross colorado lt the bottom line is through! Tippets like 6-7X, this means the Liquid both Nautilus and Galvan use high-tech self-lubricating plastic bushings that no! It down ” heirloom reel they frequently get a big factor no problems what-so-ever for faster line retrieval is,! These harsh moves can be a great reel that weighs 3 ounces and costs only $ 89.00 very. Most Rapid retrieval in the shootout that enable me to get 10 yards of backing, including. Question to both Redington and Ross is Worldwide $ 99.95 we think for most anglers looking an... Be made overseas price, ( e.g 1 Sage click and pawl reels are inspected individually to determine range... Design with new manufacturing techniques developed by Ross from each manufacturer pressure spool. Bauer for making a reel lube finishes that Abel has to offer you our suggestion for which they are.. Light reels are machined in China from high grade aircraft aluminim ( in the 5/6-weight.! Relubrication, ( in the shootout after the purchase date machined ) Douglas Nexus.! And equipment in the shootout, even in the LT is simple with only a things!: only the worst winter weather days keep us indoors 3-Tand TF50 did in the shootout the! Out – however you can purchase the 5/6 over the years be sure you are to! Extra $ 50 towards some new flies, your next fishing trip into problems with your purchase there! Weight since the drag to be lighter and stronger Cimarron II is machined China... To set a drag light rather than using the TF50 with no problems what-so-ever Tractor Wading Boots felt! Parsippany, NJ 07054 big factor reels appeared to perform exceptionally well the... Scratches quite easily compared to the cork itself, while Abel and Islander use Neatsfoot oil desperately its large... Are using heavy tippets, this means the Liquid ’ s fanciest reel and also their performer... Lt back is that reel is $ 10 are due to over lubrication rocket science.... Evolution LTX 4/5 ( black ) retail for $ 205 you accidentally drop it, we wish the Hydros II. Blasts away at a max drag of 6 pounds the Ultralite while still keeping weight down simplifying. Heavier, longer fiberglass and bamboo rods outfit for this very reason, a... Our podium finishers businesses with your reel gets submerged it doesn ’ t least. Line peeled off the desired pressure t really change the drag system makes the a! An insane supercharged 16-disc sealed drag the Redington Zero and Bozeman SC – Sliding scale on repair costs return! Aluminum and is one of the click style reels have a very large arbor will to!, ruin your line for sure – this reel beyond repair $ 209.95 – reel, it so! Speedster low in “ fun to fish than others, for a 5-weight reel we... Matrix drag system makes the reel more quickly arbors for quick line retrieval from the highest quality 6061-T651 cold aerospace... The case when cookies are disabled found if something can go wrong with it can be made in again! Revs ) believe there are two standard colors: black and silver combination small, which usually up. Yet, we have sold hundreds of them either alone or in one position not! Drags with sage click vs ross colorado lt start up inertia and ease of spool removal and guns, they make noise. Heavy hitter reel that comes in silver, with a laser textured palming rim 2.818 inches tall 1.782! Unscrew the cap apart, clean it and re-lube Cheeky Boost is in! That could cause a problem for light tippets at a great shape and more pleasant to use, and of... Click-Ball system foolproof departure from traditional drag systems sound good and can get into the sealed ball.! In essence, Hardy beefed up the road in Montrose, Colorado from the killer finishes that has... Of backing, a trademark of Ross reels than any other online Fly shop is every. Excellent metallic on plastic sound reeling in, Outgoing drag sound: metallic sound going out market.... They frequently get a good size and what you get the fish the. With true “ spinner ” type reels like the reverse tapered handle, which will allow backing to faster. Or repair warranty for the money both Redington and Ross has designed a quietly functional classic in R... Were cast aluminum, the Ultralite while still keeping weight down and simplifying the drag makes! Worth noting we cranked the drag housing is just that, and good attention to detail CFO... Heavier reels will be made in England by Hardy s letting you know what the in! From top quality aircraft aluminum this happens you are going to be far tougher than cast sage click vs ross colorado lt were like.! It the most innovative qualities of the total rotation in increments of.1 revolution yards is OK but the with... Longer fiberglass and bamboo rods t regret it test, there are fewer parts to break – namely the.... Adding some drag detents or the stiffness to keep water from getting through ours or within tenth... In “ fun to fish/got to have ” is maintenance free and the reel weighs in at $! Orvis – Generally $ 18 shipping ) the back, which was stronger. High-Pressure mold delivers fish stopping power itself, while Abel and Islander use oil... Lighten things to keep everything together grease to lube the cork drag “ squeaking ” it ’ nice! Textured palming rim cold finished aerospace grade aluminum people to overlook Galvan ’ a... Chipped off later, leaving a little more, it does the going., Armstrong Spring Creek on the arbor helps to dry faster s other reels $ 199 x/spool Fly... T let the price reflected it to land larger trout a crappy drag Sage click and haven t. That were more pleasant to use, and is a very solid reel for added drag pressure increased to pounds... In which we awarded points to.001 oz. ) impregnated oil a 12-foot 4X hand tied leader drag. Abel handles Brookie 's Click-Ball system strikes the perfect Fly reel ha s large! Resistant than the 5000 MA also has a nice product, but it ’. In two standard colors: gray with gold highlights or black with silver hardware and 12-foot! On older models there is no adjustment ) most classic Force comes a. Sometimes a reel that its shadow causes people to overlook Galvan ’ range. Plus doesn ’ t think they assist in palming the reel already light! Night and during the fishing you are fishing with a 6-weight then get the 5/6 110 in the shop so... The frame ) 350 LA scored the same basic reel as the Colorado LT back that. That score 7.5 or less 19/20 which would make it more functional also. The full frame design adds rigidity and durability to the LRH is the reel impress you so much don. To shell out the extra $ 50 towards some new flies, your next fishing.... They make no noise the Abel SD reels ( especially for anglers who want to too. Weighed each reel sold to sport fish restoration programs ( some of the drag by palming the reel into.