Saltwater fly reels are a different breed compared to their freshwater cousins…
The best saltwater fly reels need to be built to manage the salty environment and stop big fish when they take their screaming runs during your saltwater fishing trips.
After considering all the options our top picks were…
If you’re new to saltwater fly fishing, it can be hard to pick the right saltwater fly reel.
Brands you’ve used for freshwater fly fishing may not specialize in saltwater and it can take a while to find a new fly reel you can trust.
There are tons of saltwater fly reels to choose from, but which one amongst the saltwater reels will suit you best?
Here’s a collection of some of the best saltwater fly reel for the money, to help you find the best one for you.
Our Favorites…
A summary of the top three best saltwater fly reel for the money from our review.
Best All-Rounder
Maxcatch Sprint Fly Reel
This fly fishing gear has been made with saltwater in mind. The body is made from machined aluminum and is said to be the toughest reel Maxcacth has ever made.
Maxcatch Sprint Fly Reel
The best allrounder saltwater fly fishing reel is a reel that’s fit for purpose and can handle everything you throw at it while not breaking the bank.
The best allrounder of the group is the Maxcatch Sprint.
This saltwater fly reel has been made for saltwater and performs well in every aspect for a great price.
It’s a great saltwater reel that’s well made from quality materials to last a lifetime.
The power and quality of the drag system is impressive and combined with the large fly line capacity, you can target most fish out there.
Best on a Budget
Orvis Clearwater Fly Fishing Reel
This is a budget reel from Orvis and they have done a great job. The reel is made from die-cast aluminum but claims to be as strong as machined aluminum.
Orvis Clearwater Fly Fishing Reel
The best on a budget saltwater fly fishing reel will be the reel that does the basics well while meeting a smaller budget.
This category goes to the Orvis Clearwater reel.
It’s a fly reel you can rely on, with a good drag, a good build quality, and an amazing price tag.
Editor’s Choice
Hardy SDSL Fly Fishing Reel
Hardy are known for making good fly reels and the SDSL is no exception. It’s made from a special machined aluminum alloy that is exceptionally tough. This means you can be in the waves, fall on a rock or drop it on a boat and know your reel will be fine.
Hardy SDSL Fly Fishing Reel
This is quite frankly the best saltwater fly fishing reel in the line up based on my experience.
I’ve fished all over the world and have caught most species on a fly rod.
This prize has to go to the Hardy SDSL.
Yes, it’s the most expensive amongst the saltwater reels in the review but it’ll last a lifetime and have your back against any fish out there.
Our Top Choices of Best Saltwater Fly Reels
Here are all the top saltwater fly reels we reviewed.
We’ve lined out our top picks for best saltwater fly reels for the money and pitted them against each other.
Each one’s a winner in its own right and they all have their different strengths…
Redington Zero Fly Reel
This reel isn’t really made for use in saltwater but it will work if you’re fly fishing light for small species. The body is made from die-cast aluminum, but it’s not your normal die-cast.
Redington Zero Fly Reel
This reel isn’t really made for use in saltwater but it will work if you’re fly fishing light for small species.
The body is made from die-cast aluminum, but it’s not your normal die-cast.
Redington has their own alloy that can’t be machined.
…This reel is pretty tough and will handle saltwater well over time.
Usually die-cast reels means the reel will be susceptible to dents and scrapes but this material is very different…
When you feel it in your hands, its light and delicate, but don’t be fooled.
This fly fishing reel is pretty tough and will handle saltwater well over time.
The drag on this reel is a simple click-drag and won’t give you much pressure at all.
Don’t think about trying to stop a fish with it, stick to targeting small saltwater species you can palm in or fight on the line.
It may corrode quickly too and is certainly not a fully sealed drag system.
Be sure to maintain it well.
NOTE
It comes in a large arbor which is good for your retrieve rate and line capacity. The reel is also covered by Reddington’s lifetime warranty.
Specs
- Arbor – Large
- Drag – N/A
- Line Capacities: 100yds/20lbs braid
- Diameter: 3.3 inches
- Weight: 3 oz
- Sealed Drag: No
- Retrieve: Left but can be switched Full Specs
Pros
- Large arbor for a quick retrieve rate.
- Lightweight fly reel for long days of casting.
- Great for targeting smaller fish on a light leader.
Cons
- The drag is weak, you can’t target many species.
- Not really made for saltwater.
Best All-Rounder
Maxcatch Sprint Fly Reel
This reel has been made with saltwater in mind. The body is made from machined aluminum and is said to be the toughest reel Maxcacth has ever made.
Maxcatch Sprint Fly Reel
This fly fishing gear has been made with saltwater in mind…
The body is made from machined aluminum and is said to be the toughest reel Maxcatch has ever made.
This means it’ll handle being banged around and won’t dent.
The body is made from machined aluminum and is said to be the toughest reel Maxcacth has ever made…
The drag system is smooth and is made from a multi-disc system of alternating cork, carbon and stainless steel.
It has a lot of power and is sealed for easy maintenance but can slip in rare cases.
The fact it’s sealed means you can’t fix it yourself if it does fail.
TIP
There are some reports that it’s hard to set the right drag as the drag knob isn’t very sensitive but this could be user error.
The fly reel is a large arbor for a great retrieve rate and they have made the fly reel with a deep V design to increase the fly line capacity – which is huge on this reel!
The spool pops out easily and you can switch from left to right-hand quickly.
Specs
- Arbor: Large
- Drag: Multi-disc stainless steel, cork, and carbon
- Line Capacities: WF10/325yds/30lbs braid
- Diameter: 4.45″
- Weight: 206g
- Sealed Drag: Yes
- Retrieve: Left/Right Full Specs
Pros
- A smooth multi-disc drag system.
- Lightweight for long days of casting.
- Great line capacity.
Cons
- The drag can slip on occasion.
- Drag system is sealed, means you can’t maintain it yourself
- It’s hard to set the right drag.
Riverruns Z Fly Fishing Reel
This fly reel is made up of machined aluminum for increased strength and durability. It’ll handle life in the salt and being bashed around a little. The fly reel also has an anodized surface for even more protection against corrosion and scrapes.
Riverruns Z Fly Fishing Reel
This fly reel is made up of machined aluminum for increased strength and durability…
It’ll handle life in the salt and being bashed around a little.
The fly reel also has an anodized surface for even more protection against corrosion and scrapes.
This fly reel is made up of machined aluminum for increased strength and durability…
The drag is made up of a (supposedly) sealed multi-disc carbon and stainless steel drag system.
There are reports of the drag system not being fully sealed and this’ll become an issue as you can’t get in there to clean it.
The drag system will also not ‘free spool’ and will always apply some pressure.
This can get annoying and it’s a worry for storage purposes since if the drag is always on it can easily stick after being left for a while.
It has a large arbor design for a good pick up and a great line capacity.
The spool also comes out easily and it’s not hard to switch from left to right-hand retrieve.
TIP
Be careful when ordering this reel as there are some reports of them arriving oversized compared to the specifications.
Specs
- Arbor: Large
- Drag: Multi-disc Carbon and stainless steel
- Line Capacities: WF9F/100m/30lb braid
- Diameter: 4.06″
- Weight: 180g
- Sealed Drag: Yes
- Retrieve: Left/Right Full Specs
Pros
- Strong smooth drag.
- Good fly line capacity.
- Machined aluminum is very durable.
Cons
- The drag system isn’t fully sealed.
- Drag won’t go to zero.
- Fly reels can come oversized.
Piscifun Crest Fly Fishing Reel
This is a high-quality fly reel made for a life in saltwater and it has a great price tag. The drag is made up of carbon, Teflon, and stainless steel in a multi-disc system. They alternate the materials in order to ensure a smooth and powerful performance.
Piscifun Crest Fly Fishing Reel
Piscifun Crest Fly Fishing Reel
This is a high-quality reel made for a life in saltwater and it has a great price tag.
The drag system is made up of carbon, Teflon, and stainless steel in a multi-disc system.
This is a high-quality reel made for a life in saltwater and it has a great price tag…
They alternate the materials in order to ensure a smooth and powerful performance.
The drag system is fully sealed, which is awesome for saltwater fishing. Maintenance is super easy – all you need to do is rinse it after you’re done fishing and you’re good to go.
The saltwater fly fishing reel is a little heavy due to the sealed system and you might get tired casting it all day, but that’s something you’re going to have to get used to if you’re flying for big salt fish.
The fly reel has a solid line capacity and good retrieve rate, but the maximum size it comes in is a 9/10 wt.
This is fine for inshore fishing and medium tarpon but if you want to turn it up and go offshore (or target dinosaurs), you’ll need a reel that packs more of a punch.
The fly fishing reel is made from machined aluminum which is durable, corrosion-resistant and will handle being bashed around a bit…
The fly fishing reel is made from machined aluminum which is durable, corrosion-resistant and will handle being bashed around a bit.
When you fish in the sea, you are hopping on and off boats and often bang your saltwater fishing reels on something.
You’ll want one that doesn’t bend when this happens.
The saltwater reel is simple and easy to change from left to right hand retrieve.
The handle material is poor quality and it takes away from the reel, unfortunately, it could be better.
Specs
- Arbor: Large
- Drag: Multi-disc carbon/Teflon/stainless steel
- Line Capacities: WF9F/150yds/20lbs braid
- Diameter: .10″
- Weight: 193g
- Sealed Drag: Yes
- Retrieve: Left/Right Full Specs
Pros
- Sealed drag system for easy maintenance.
- Lifetime warranty included.
- Large arbor for good fly line capacity and retrieve rate.
Cons
- Heavier than other saltwater fly fishing reels.
- Max size is a 9/10 wt.
- The handle feels flimsy.
Editor’s Choice
Hardy SDSL Fly Fishing Reel
Hardy are known for making great reels and the SDSL is no exception. It’s made from a special machined aluminum alloy that is exceptionally tough. This means you can be in the waves, fall on a rock or drop it on a boat and know your reel will be fine.
Hardy SDSL Fly Fishing Reel
Hardy are known for making great fly fishing reels and the SDSL is no exception…
It’s made from a special machined aluminum alloy that is exceptionally tough.
This means you can be in the waves, fall on a rock or drop it on a boat and know your reel will be fine.
This reel comes in every weight you might need for any fish out there…
This reel comes in every weight you might need for any fish out there.
Finally, a manufacturer that offers a 12 wt reel! The drag matches this, and you can be confident in hooking any fish out there without worrying about your reel.
I’ve seen some great reels explode into pieces against a GT but never a Hardy, the fish lose when a Hardy reel is involved.
The drag system is sealed and made of a carbon fiber disc system which makes it smooth and powerful.
The maintenance is easy, just rinse off after you’re done fishing.
TIP
The reel is heavy for casting but again, if you want to catch big fish on a fly you’ll need a heavy reel.
The drag system is easily adjusted with micro-increments, this means you can find the exact drag pressure for you.
This is very handy when you are permit fishing for example.
Permit are large and clever fish and you’ll need a very light leader to hook one.
If your drag wasn’t set right, it would pop on the first run.
Specs
- Arbor: Large
- Drag: Multi-disc carbon fiber drag system
- Line Capacities: WF11/290yds/30lbs dacron
- Diameter: N/A
- Weight: 9.2 oz
- Sealed Drag: Yes
- Retrieve: Left/Right Full Specs
Pros
- Smooth, powerful drag system.
- Lifetime warranty.
- It comes in every size.
- Will handle large fish
- Easily adjustable drag
Cons
- A heavy reel to cast with.
- It’ll put a dent in your wallet.
Best on a Budget
Orvis Clearwater Fly Fishing Reel
This is a budget reel from Orvis and they have done a great job. The reel is made from die-cast aluminum but claims to be as strong as machined aluminum.
Orvis Clearwater Fly Fishing Reel
This is a budget reel from Orvis and they have done a great job.
These budget fly reels are made from die-cast aluminum but claim to be as strong as machined aluminum.
This is not the case. If you give the reel a few bangs and scrapes you can see it’s still the same as a normal die-cast aluminum.
Just like any other die-cast reel, marks and dents appear easily.
The spool feels solid enough while you’re winding and giving it a whack makes it spin a few times so you can pick up fly lines quickly.
You can feel its a little loose around the handle if you really focus in on it, but it’s hard to notice.
The drag is super smooth and powerful enough for smaller fish…
The drag is super smooth and powerful enough for smaller fish, but its not sealed…
Even in full lock, the drag peels off smoothly. It’s easily adjustable and is made from a rulon multi-disc/stainless steel drag system.
It only takes two full turns to get from zero to the max drag and you can feel the adjustments as you go.
The reel itself is nice and light, making it a pleasure to cast with.
The spool is a large arbor for a great retrieve rate and line capacity, plus it’s easily switched from left to right hand retrieve.
Specs
- Arbor: Large
- Drag: Multi-disc Rulon and stainless steel.
- Line Capacities: WF9F/100yds/20lbs
- Diameter: 3.75”
- Weight: 6.1 oz
- Sealed Drag: Yes
- Retrieve: Left/Right Full Specs
Pros
- Strong, powerful drag.
- Corrosion-resistant and durable reel.
- Handy drag knob.
Cons
- Not made for large fish.
- Will dent with die-cast aluminum
- Unsealed drag.
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
Another great reel from Redington made with their own unique die-cast material, the same material used in the first reel in the Redington zero. This makes the reel strong and corrosion-resistant but affordable at the same time.
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel
Another great reel from Redington made with their own unique die-cast material, the same material used in the first reel in the Redington zero.
This makes the Redington Behemoth fly reel strong and corrosion-resistant but affordable at the same time. It is definitely one of the best saltwater fly reels.
The drag’s made from heavy carbon fiber and can offer up to 30 lbs of pressure.
The drag’s made from heavy carbon fiber and can offer up to 30 lbs of pressure…
That’s the most drag you’re going to find compared to other reels in this class…
You can go catching fish like a sailfish with no problem.
The Redington Behemoth drag system also engages smoothly and consistently.
It’s easily adjustable and accurate, so you can find the perfect pressure you need.
Unlike most saltwater fly reels, it isn’t sealed though so you’ll have to take good care of it.
The spool is a nice large arbor with a V design, making the line capacity and retrieve rate both petty awesome.
The spool also gives a great line lay, I’m not sure if Reddington meant to do this but it’s a great addition.
NOTE
The reel is pretty heavy for casting with all day but that’s usually a sign of quality construction.
Specs
- Arbor: Large
- Drag: Carbon Fibre.
- Line Capacities: 250yds/30lb backing
- Diameter: 4.7”
- Weight: 23g
- Sealed Drag: No
- Retrieve: Left/Right Full Specs
Pros
- Smooth, strong drag.
- Lifetime warranty.
- Corrosion-resistant and durable.
- Huge line capacity.
Cons
- Unsealed drag means a lot of maintenance.
- The reel is very heavy.
What to Look for in a Saltwater Fly Reel?
When you’re buying a saltwater fly reel there are a few things to think about. You must not choose a reel just because it’s among the best saltwater reels.
Here’s a guide of what to look out for when making your choice…
Weight
If you’re a saltwater fly angler you’ll know this, but I’ll cover this for any newcomers out there.
The reel you buy needs to match the weight of your rod. Fly rods and reels have the same weighting system, so it’s easy to work out.
If you have a 10 wt fly rod, you’ll need a 9/10 wt fly reel. Simple!
TIP
Choosing the right weight setup depends on what you’re targeting. Fly rods and reels get bigger and more powerful as you go up the scale, so the bigger the fish the higher the weight should be.
Here is a simple guide to help you make sure you get the right weight for the saltwater fish species you want to catch.
- Bonefish – 8wt
- Permit and medium tarpon – 10wt
- Large Tarpon and offshore species – 12wt
Arbor Size & Line Capacity
Arbor refers to the diameter of the spool on your reel
Saltwater fly fishing reels can come in the small, mid and larger arbors.
For saltwater fishing, you’ll mostly want a large arbor, but a mid-sized arbor is also manageable.
The bigger the arbor the faster your retrieve and the more line you can get on to your reel.
You should also work out your line weight and fly line backing after deciding what type of fish you are looking to catch.
Drag
You’re going to need your drag in saltwater and it can make or break your chances of landing a big saltwater fish.
Drag systems can be sealed or unsealed, both of which are useful in their own ways.
Fully sealed drag systems stop water and dirt from getting into the drag system and make for easy maintenance.
The downside is you won’t be able to fix it yourself and will have to return it to the manufacturer if it fails.
TIP
An unsealed drag will require consistent care but you can get in there and replace parts if you need to.
Your drag also needs to be able to handle the fish you’re after.
If you want to catch a marlin, your drag is going to have to be the toughest out there, whereas the drag you’ll need for a bonefish won’t be as robust.
Durability & Frame
Most of the best fly reels on the market are made from either die-cast or machined aluminum.
Die-cast aluminum is softer and will suffer from dents and bangs.
Machined aluminum is much tougher and will survive being bashed around.
The last thing you want is to show up to your fish spot, drop your reel and dent your spool so you won’t be able to fish.
Sound
In fly fishing, you don’t need a reel to let you know you’ve hooked a fish.
Whether it makes a noise or not is a personal thing.
Some people enjoy silence and others like the sound of a screaming reel.
TIP
Pick what you love but don’t compromise on quality for the sake of sound.
Conclusion
Let’s take a quick look at our top three best saltwater fly reels…
Best All-Rounder
The allrounder is the Maxcatch Sprint…
This fly gear is well made from great materials, will survive the salt, has great fly line capacity and has a powerful drag.
It’s been designed for saltwater and does everything you need it to for a good price.
Best on a Budget
The best fly reel on a budget category goes to the Orvis Clearwater reel.
This is a simple entry-level saltwater reel that’s still reliable.
The drag is solid, durable, with corrosion resistance and you can’t beat the price.
Editor’s Choice
The overall best saltwater fly reel in the lineup is the Hardy SDSL.
I know it’s an investment price-wise but it’ll last you a lifetime.
It’s a good saltwater fly reel that saltwater fly anglers can really fall in love with.
There you have it, the best saltwater fly reels for the money.
I hope this Best Saltwater Fly Reel For The Money review helped you find the right reel for you.
If the saltwater fly reels in this review don’t suit you, there are more options in the Best Saltwater Fly Reels review that you might want to see.
When you do make your choice, just be sure the reel is going to last and can handle the fish you want to catch, that way you can’t go wrong!
After your fly fishing trip, you should always clean your fly reels. Here are some tips on fly fishing gear maintenance.
And don’t forget to share this to other saltwater anglers you may know that might find this useful.
