bass fishing techniques | fly fishing equipment

Should You Buy Low Cost Fly Fishing Reels

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Fly fishing reels are the most important piece of equipment of the fly fishing angel. There are many different reels available. Most reels are simple drums on which the fly line is wound and the actual casting of the fly line is done by pulling line from the reel with the hand and them whipping the line into the water using the fly rod. The question is if you should buy low cost fly fishing reels or spend some more money.

Most fly fishing reels are designed to be reeled in with either hand, depending on the direction in which they are mounted to the pole. The drag, or resistance the reel can place on the line while reeling in a fish is also variable, but many simply allow the angler to use the palm of their hand against the side of the reel to slow down the line being pulled out by a hooked fish and the price is not always the issue, low cost fly fishing reels can, most of the time, do the same things, however the quality of the material is something completely else you can see the difference there.

On fly fishing reels with enclosed sides protected from the palm the angler will need to place resistance on the line by gently holding the line back with two fingers while fighting with their catch. Some of the better fly fishing reels also reject backward rotation to avoid having the line get tangled on the reel’s spool. Low cost fly fishing reels usualy dont have this option.

Different low cost fly fishing reels hold different size line

When you first buy low cost fly fishing reels the manufacturer’s information will detail the diameter of the line and how much the reel can hold without becoming jammed against the reel cross bar. Exceeding the recommended line size and thickness may make it difficult to pull the line out for casting as well as reeling in the fish.

Some low cost fly fishing reels also have interchangeable spools that can be removed and replaced in a matter of seconds allowing the angler to change the strength of their line quickly to meet the current needs but you will find this option probably more in the more expensive fly fishing reels. For example, if you are using a number eight line and catching small panfish and spot a school of larger trout, you can remove the spool and replace it with one loaded with a number 10 or heavier line and begin casting a wider net. Most low cost fly fishing reels dont have this option.

While the rod length and stiffness and thickness of the line are probably the most important variables in expensive and low cost fly fishing reels, fly fishing reels can make or break your day. We recommend to save some money and buy the good stuff.