Fly Reels

At Tailwater Outfitters, we only sell the best Fly Fishing gear! We carry the big and small brands at the best prices. Shop from Abel, Orvis, Tibor, Hatch, Galvan, Hardy, Mako, and Nautilus . Choose the top-rated reels other anglers love. We carry both saltwater and freshwater reels for any fishing trip. Whether you’re fishing for trout or tuna, we’ve got the perfect reel for you.

Let us know if you have any questions. We’ve got a stellar customer service team here to answer any of your questions. Also, we carry the best saltwater rod selection of any shop, so check it out and let us know if you need a whole new setup; we’d be happy to put together a special bundle for you.

 

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Our Best Sellers in Fly Reels

Make sure your reel is up to the task and species you're targeting. We carry all the major brands but personally we only want to suggest the reels that we would use ourselves. Based on our preferences and feedback from customers we’ve narrowed down a few choices for you:

  • Tibor’s Signature Series 9-10 Tailwater Custom Fly Reel
  • Tibor’s Signature Series 9-10 Fly Reel
  • Seigler’s XBF (XBig Fly) Fly Reel
  • Nautilus XL Max Fly Reel

    • Recommendations for Beginners

    If you’re just getting started in fly fishing, we recommend going for a lower-weight class for your first reel. For saltwater , definitely get a high-end reel with a solid drag system to withstand the powerful saltwater species. 

    For freshwater fishing , Redington/Sage and Orvis offer great options that are lower in weight and more affordable for beginners. You’ll enjoy the ride more if you get really good gear that will last you a while without breaking the bank. All of our options are great for any fishing style; reach out if you have more questions .

    Fly Reel FAQs

    What Size Reel is Best for Fly Fishing?

    There are many sizes for fly reels and the size really is just the weight of the line you plan on using for the type of fish you’re trying to reel in. The most popular weight sizes are 3wt-10wt but it ranges from 1wt-14wt. Practically no one sells 1wt reels anymore and you’re rarely going to use 13wt-14wt unless you’re going after some really large fish. More power to you and we wish you the best of luck with that trip!

    Sizes include:

  • 2-4wt: Small stream fishing.
  • 5-7wt: Larger freshwater fish like large brown trout and carp.
  • 8-10wt: Saltwater fishing for your legendary bonefish, permit, redfish, and snook.
  • 11-12wt: We’re talking your large, powerful species like tarpon.

    • What Does “Reel Weight” Mean for Fly Fishing?

    Almost all fly reels are measured by weight ranging from 1-14+. The “weight” is super important to think about for your trip since the weight of the line you use is how you’ll cast your line out since flies are super lightweight. You essentially rely on the weight of your line for casting. If you have a heavier weighted line that you put on a lighter reel, that reel won’t hold enough backing and you seriously risk getting spooled.

    You’ll want to match the weight of your reel to your rod with a 1 to 1 ratio. If the weight of the rod is 5wt, then stick around 5wt for your reel.

    What is the Best Type of Fly Reel for Fishing?

    Oh man, this is a fun question. It all depends on what type of fly fishing you’re doing. When you’re choosing the type of fly reel you need, start with the water type. Are you doing freshwater fishing or saltwater? 

    What Are the Features of a Fly Reel?

    Reel features definitely matter depending on what and where you’re fishing and even the conditions you’ll be in. Do you need a sealed reel? How important is serviceability to you? How important is the warranty to you?  Everything counts!

    Shop by:

  • Design & Performance: Get a proper spool for holding all the line you need; you can change this out in the reel. Capacity for how many yards of backing a reel holds. And don’t forget the retrieve, which hand you reel in with (left or right); we carry for both right and left-handed reels, and many can be switched.
  • Drag System: Huge factor here! There are 3 types of drag systems, click-pawl drag (you can’t tighten this type), sealed (doesn’t let water inside so prevents rust when saltwater fishing), and unsealed (not usually great for saltwater, with the exception of the cork drag reels from Tibor and Abel).

    • All Fly Fishing Brands We Sell

  • Abel
  • Far Bank
  • Galvan Fly Reels
  • Hardy
  • Hatch Outdoors
  • Mako
  • Nautilus
  • Orvis
  • Ross Reels
  • Seigler Reels
  • Tibor