Crazyrainbow Fly Fishing, Casper Wyoming

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Let’s Talk Salt Water Reels

Let's talk salt water reels

Let’s Talk Salt Water Reels

In the land of trout fishing, saltwater fly fishing can be an intriguing but cumbersome endeavor. There are many salt water specific fly fishing reels on the market, but it can be hard to sift through and locate the perfect reel for your desired application. The best way to narrow down your salt water reel of choice is to break it down by line weight. Check out our top reels per line weight below: 

7-8 Weight 

The Orvis Hydros

 

The Orvis Hydros IV is hands down the best bang for your buck as far as salt water reels are concerned. Each Hydros features a fully concealed drag adorned with stainless steel washers. The concealed drag makes it durable for salt water use, and the stainless steel washers offers the strength to fight salt species. Many anglers may already run a Hydros on their freshwater setups. If that is the case, it is an even better bang for your buck to purchase an extra spool. Run it on your carp set up with a 7 weight freshwater line, then change out your spools to run it on your red fish set up with an 8 weight salt line.  Best part? This reel is sub $300. 

8-10 Weight

Ross Evolution R Salt

 

As you go up in line weight, the cost of the reel tends to go up as well.  Though this reel is a step up in price from the Hydros, it reasonable compared to larger salt water systems. The award-winning Evolution R Salt is a breakthrough product, designed with a power-to-weight ratio never before seen in a saltwater fly reel. This makes the R Salt the most unique, best-performing reel per dollar on the water today. It is worth the price point to ensure you land your fish of a lifetime! 

 
 

10 – 11 Weight

Hatch Iconic 

 
Hatch sets the standard for salt water fly reels. All reels are cut out of a block of aluminum, where most other reels are pored into a cast mold- this makes Hatch frames stronger and more durable than most. Hatch also has a unique drag system made of multiple disks. These disks take breaking pressure on both sides, making it one of the strongest systems on the market while remaining fully sealed with no maintenance required. If you put the perfect cast on a tarpon, you want to make sure you have a reel that will finish the job. This is that reel. 

12 Weight 

Shilton SR12

 

Big dog fish call for a big dog reel: it doesn’t much more big dog than a Shilton. The SR12 is the latest of the Shilton salt water range that’s is specifically designed for the most remote and hostile environments. These reels use a cork drag system. This works to angler’s advantage. If you are using a 12 wt reel, odds are you are somewhere far from the states. Furthermore, if you are using a 12 wt reel, the odds of your reel seizing on a big fish increase heavily. Though many remote fishing destinations will not have the parts and pieces to fix a seized disc drag, they most likely will have the cork to repair a cork drag. This investment could be a true trip saver.  
 

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Blake Jackson

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