The right saltwater fly reel

Saltwater fly reel selection is not always as easy as one would think. There are small ones, big ones, light ones, heavy ones, some with a lot of bearings, some with a little, some that hold 400 yards of fishing line and some that only fit 100.

Understanding what saltwater fly reels are made of

Understanding the difference between choosing a freshwater reel and choosing a saltwater reel is important. Let's go over a few different types of metal saltwater fly reels are made of:

• Cast aluminum
• Forged aluminum
• Carbon fiber
• Aero space aluminum

The best option is aero space aluminum. They are built to last in tougher conditions than freshwater reels are. They will be a little more expensive, but worth it in the long run.

Picking the right drag system for your saltwater fly reel

Here’s the next issue: There are many drag designs on the market. Drag is also one of the most important parts of a reel. If you hook a big fish and don’t have the right drag system, there goes the couple hundred dollars you just spent! Here are a few different types of drag systems for saltwater fly reels:

• Cork disc drag
• Spring and pawl
• Cone drag

The cork drag system is in my opinion the best. Cork is fairly cheap to replace if needed. It’s easy to clean and it stands up to heat very well.

This article is a very quick “break-down” of an article that you can find on TheOnlineFisherman.com. It goes into more detail on drag systems and bearings. If you would like to read more, CLICK HERE.

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