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The 8 Best fly reels of 2025

Are you trying to find fly reels among various brands on the market but aren’t sure where to begin? To assist you in finding the right one, we’ve put together a list of the 7 best to help you pick the perfect one!

We investigated and evaluated a number of the top-selling fly reels on the market in order to create our list of the best. Making a decision among the many options available is never simple. There are an infinite number of models available, each with a distinct price. And as you’ll find out, the best options aren’t usually the ones you imagine! This comparison is rich and relevant because of the numerous factors that were employed. You will find products featured in this ranking not only based on their pricing but also on their features and other customers reviews. To write this review, we completed 28 hours of research and did 41 fly reels tests. You won’t need to pick products at random any more. If you’re unsure of what to look for, browse our list and consult the buying guide!

An overview of our top picks

Table of contents

The best fly reels you can buy today

No. 1
M MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch ECO Large Arbor Fly Fishing Reel (3/4wt 5/6wt 7/8wt) and Pre-Loaded Fly Reel with Line Combo (Brown Trout Reel Loaded Moss Green Line, 3/4 Weight)
  • Outstanding Value: Designed for beginners while still remaining advanced enough for an angler's backup
  • Polished Die-cast Construction: Strong and Durable All-aluminum construction, large arbor design for rapid line retrieval
  • Teflon Disc and Stainless Steel Drag System: Rugged disc drag for putting serious pressure on the fish
  • One-way Bearing: For quick and easy left-to-right hand retrieval switch
  • Pre-loaded with Weight forward floating fly line, backing and leader
No. 2
Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reels with CNC-machined Aluminum Alloy Body Fly Reel 3/4wt (Black)
  • Solid and Lightweight: Precision CNC-machined from 6061-T6 aluminum alloy for high-impact durability; The larger CNC hollow design makes the reel lighter than ordinary models
  • Silky Smooth Drag: Experience a silky smooth drag with the multi-disc premium carbon and stainless steel drag system, featuring a one-way clutch bearing for immediate drag engagement. Enjoy an accurate click drag and silent retrieve
  • Corrosion Resistance: Hard anodized for surface protection to enhance abrasion resistance and weather resistance. Cold-forged and tempered for superior strength and rigidity
  • Mid-Arbor Design: Reduces line memory while facilitating lightning-quick line pickup
  • THREE-YEAR WARRANTY: Your reel has been set at the factory for left-hand retrieve. To convert it to right-hand retrieve or if you encounter any issues with our products, please contact us for guidance
No. 3
Orvis Clearwater Large Arbor Fly Reel - Smooth-Casting Fly Fishing Reel with Left or Right Hand Retrieve Conversion, Gray - II (4-6 wt)
  • CLEARWATER LARGE ARBOR size II for 4-6-Weight fly fishing line, 5.4 oz., 3½-inch diameter; and size IV for 7-9-Weight fly fishing line, 6.1 oz., 3¾-inch diameter.
  • SMOOTH-AS-SILK PERFORMANCE at an incredible value, delivering the best performance-to-value in the industry.
  • DIE-CAST FLY REELS with stealthy matte-gray powder-coat finish deliver performance comparable to more expensive machined fishing reels.
  • CARBON-TO-STAINLESS STACKED DISC DRAG with positive click drag knob delivers consistent settings every time.
  • EASY CONVERSION between left- and right-handed fly line retrieve.
  • ORVIS IS DEDICATED to making high-quality fly fishing accessories for your outdoor adventures, and the Clearwater Large Arbor Reel (2S53) features the best performance-value ratio in the industry.
  • COMMON SEARCH TERMS: fly fishing rod and reel combo, fly rod, fly fishing rod, fly rod and reel combo, fly reel, fly fishing reel, telescoping fishing rods, ultralight fishing rod, fishing rod & reel combos, fly fishing reels, fly reels, centerpin reel, fly fishing accessories, fly fishing rod and reel, fishing tools, fly fishing gear, fishing rod and reel, carretes de pesca, carrete de pesca, fly fishing reels, carretes de pesca agua salada, fly reels.
No. 4
Maxcatch Tino Fly Fishing Reel (3/4wt 5/6wt 7/8wt) and Pre-Loaded Fly Reel with Line Combo (Reel with Line Pre-Loaded (Black), 5/6wt)
  • OUTSTANDING COST EFFECTIVE VALUE – this reel incorporates all of the features of reels that costing much more money. Without break the bank and you can stop any fish smoothly. We just wish to bring the experience of Fly fishing to more people
  • Strong and Durable All-aluminum construction with CNC cutting for reinforcement, Large arbor design for rapid line retrieval
  • Rugged disc drag for putting serious pressure on the fish.Teflon disc and stainless steel drag system with one-way clutch bearing allow for smooth, immediate drag engagement
  • One-way bearing for quick and easy left-to-right hand retrieval switch with no tools needed in 30 seconds
  • Pre-loaded with WF fly line, backing line and tapered leader
No. 5
Redington Crosswater Reel, Durable Fly Fishing Reel, Left and Right Hand Retrieve, 4/5/6, Black
  • CROSSWATER REEL: Multipurpose fly reel offers both style and function for all anglers fishing in freshwater or saltwater.
  • RELIABLE DRAG SYSTEM: The smooth disc-drag system offers fish-stopping performance with head-turning power for all gamefish.
  • DURABLE DESIGN: A durable composite design with an easy to change spool makes time on the water more enjoyable.
  • EASY RETRIEVE: The Crosswater fly reel can be easily converted between left-hand and right-hand retrieve. Large arbor design for easier and quicker retrieve.
  • REDINGTON WARRANTY: If your Reddington product has a defect in workmanship or materials, we will repair or replace it at once - you have 1 year from the moment of purchase to make a claim.
No. 6
Waterworks-Lamson Liquid Fly Fishing Reel
  • Format: Large Arbor
  • Materials: Pressure Cast Aluminum Frame and Spool. Weight: 0.8 lbs
  • Finish: Polyurethane Case and Spool
  • Drag: Sealed Conical Drag
  • Set up for left hand retrieve – easily changed to right hand
No. 8
Martin Caddis Creek Fly Fishing Reel, Size 6/5 Single Action Fly Reel with Rim-Control, Changeable Right- or Left-Hand Retrieve, Lightweight Aluminum Spool, Brown, 63
278 Consomer Reviews
Martin Caddis Creek Fly Fishing Reel, Size 6/5 Single Action Fly Reel with Rim-Control, Changeable Right- or Left-Hand Retrieve, Lightweight Aluminum Spool, Brown, 63
  • ULTIMATE CONTROL: The Martin Caddis Creek fly reel is a size 6/5 single action fishing reel and is designed with a changeable right- or left-hand retrieve and rim control that provides a place for the angler to manually control the drag
  • DURABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT: Engineered with an aluminum frame for added durability and a lightweight aluminum spool so you can enjoy many fishing adventures with ease for years to come
  • PRECISION CASTING: Featuring a metal click drag with an on/off control that alerts you when the line is coming off the reel and to control the speed at which the line comes off of the reel
  • VERSATILE USE: This reel comes pre-spooled with 20lb backing, LT6F fly line, 5X leader, and is ideal for catching light and medium species from panfish to trout, walleye, bass and more
  • TRUSTED: Since 1949, Zebco has been inviting people to explore the outdoors. Zebco products are warranted for a period of (1) year from date of original retail purchase against defects in workmanship and/or materials
No. 9
Sougayilang Fly Fishing Reel Large Arbor 2+1 BB with CNC-machined Aluminum Alloy Body and Spool in Fly Reel Sizes 7/8
992 Consomer Reviews
Sougayilang Fly Fishing Reel Large Arbor 2+1 BB with CNC-machined Aluminum Alloy Body and Spool in Fly Reel Sizes 7/8
  • NEW for 2018!This fly reel is made of CNC-machined 6061-T6 aluminum alloy,that made it more durable and corrosion resistant in all environment.larger CNC hollow design makes the reel lighter than ordinary ones.
  • 2+1 Ball Bearings and 1:1 Gear Ratio, One-way roller bearing engages drag in one direction,Strong All-aluminum construction, Large arbor design for smooth immediate drag engagement accurate click drag and silent retrieve.
  • Finely machined and knurled metal screw caps to loosen the spool and easy to change left to right hand retrieval conversion.Hard anodized for surface protection increases abrasion resistance and weather fastness; Cold forged and tempered for superior strength and rigidity.
  • A killer freshwater fly reel for multi-species fishing in rivers, lakes, streams, creeks.,Ideal for all around fly fishing species such as Trout, Grayling, Salmon and other predatory fish.
  • FIVE-YEAR WARRANTY!If Any Problem about The Product,Please Contact Us Firstly and Our Customer Service Will Solve It for You Soon.Your reel has been set at the factory for left-hand retrieve. If you want convert your reel to right-hand retrieve, please contact us for guidance.
No. 10
SF Large Arbor Fly Fishing Reel 5/6wt Aluminum Alloy Body Die-Cast Matt Black Pre-Loaded Fly Reel with Line Combo Fluorescent Yellow Fly Line
  • 1. Comprehensive Combo: Our matte black 3/4 wt fly reel comes with everything you need, including a WF5F-90FT fly line in fluorescent yellow, 20LB-50M backing in orange, and a 9FT-4X tapered leader in clear.
  • Large Arbor: The large arbor design is helpful for quick line retrieval.
  • Anti-Corrosion: The reel body is made of durable aluminum alloy and adopts surface anti-corrosion treatment. And the metal parts of the main shaft and fishing power adjustment structure are made of stainless steel.
  • Advantages: Easy left-hand to right-hand retrieval and disc drag can put serious pressure on the fish.
  • Clear Ticking Alarm: Keep track of your line with our audible alarm, which lets you know when the line is exiting the reel.

How to choose a good fly reels

Does the idea of finding a fantastic fly reels make you anxious? When it comes to purchasing this product, specifically when deciding which model to select, has your head been spinning between options? You are not alone if that is the case. We are aware of the pressure involved in the purchasing process!

Your presence here indicates that you are interested in fly reels. Before choosing which product would be the best for your needs after being inundated with information, locate a reliable source with genuine selections. You can get that information from a variety of sources, including buying guides and rating websites, word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family, online discussion forums where users can share their own experiences, product reviews that can be found all over the internet, and YouTube channels. You can only get the right product through exhaustive analysis. But you realize that’s not always simple. In order to ease your concerns, we have taken the time to develop a list of the top fly reels products available right now. You might be wondering how we came up with the list. How was this buying guide developed?

First, we used our algorithms to gather as much reliable data as we could about these products. To verify all the data gathered, we used both artificial intelligence and a lot of algorithms.
Then, our experts used criteria that are recognized in the business to evaluate them according to their quality to price ratio, allowing us to choose the top fly reels on the market right now!

The selection of the goods is not arbitrary. Before creating a list, we take into account a number of factors. Below are some of the criteria discussed:

Brand Value: What happens if you choose a dubious brand just because it appears to be a good deal? So the likelihood of receiving a product with a short shelf life increases. That is due to the fact that well-known brands have a reputation to uphold, while others do not. Top fly reels brands strive to provide some distinctive traits that set them apart from the competition. So, hopefully one or more of the items on our list will be perfect for you.

Features: Useful features are all you need, not tons of them. We consider the important aspects and select the top fly reels based on those.

Specifications: Numbers always help you measure the quality of a product in a quantitative way. We try to find products with higher specifications, but with the right balance.

Quality: A product’s quality may always be quantified with the aid of numbers. We look for goods with better standards that strike the proper balance. The best quality product that gets highly appreciated and recommended by experienced users.

Customer ratings:  Would it be accurate to suggest that the fly reels were used by hundreds of customers before you? Superior ratings indicate that many customers had better service.

Customer Reviews: Like ratings,  provide you with accurate and reliable information about the product from genuine customers. Customer ratings are very important to all of us because they contain accurate and reliable information about the customer service we received from several hundred customers.

Seller Rank: This is very intriguing! Not only do you need a good fly reels, you also need a product with rising sales that is trendy. It accomplishes two goals. First, the expanding user base proves the quality of the product. Second, given that number, producers must be able to offer greater quality and after-sales support.

Value: You get what you pay for, they say, so consider the value. Cheap isn’t always good and expensive isn’t always bad. However, that does not imply that spending a lot of money on a product that is flashy but underwhelming is a good idea. Before adding them to the list, we make an effort to evaluate how much value you can get for your money from your fly reels.

Durability: Durability and reliability are closely related concepts. You will benefit from a strong and long-lasting fly reels for months and years to come.

Product availability: Products come and go, and new ones replace the old ones. Most likely, a few new features and required changes were made. What use is it to use a supposedly good product if the maker no longer supports it? We make an effort to highlight products that are current and offered by one or more trustworthy sellers, if not more.

Negative Reviews: Yes, we do take that into account as well! The goods with the majority of bad reviews are filtered out and disregarded when we choose the best-rated one on the market.

These are the standards by which we selected our fly reels. Do we end our process there? Hell no. The most crucial fact about us that you should be aware of is that we regularly update our website with current and pertinent information. We have one more layer of filtration since we place the greatest importance on reader satisfaction. Please let us know if any product included here is incorrect, irrelevant, subpar, or simply out of date. We always value your opinions, and we’ll work hard to make any necessary corrections to our list in response to them.

Why should you believe us?

There are now thousands of possibilities for these products on Amazon, but choosing the best one can be difficult and time-consuming. And what fly reels should you purchase in 2022?

This guide is the result of more than 10 years of experience in researching, testing and writing about many topics. Each member of our team is an authority in their area. We read every article we could find online and every consumer review on every retail website for seven hours. Additionally, we discovered a ton of websites that offered helpful resources, including buying tips and thorough information on fly reels.