The Hardy Ultralite reels are machined in South Korea from the high-grade aircraft 6061 aluminum. only comes in Slate Gray. A budget reel might flawlessly perform for one angler for 5 years, and quit-out on another after 5 days. Arbor Size in InchesThis measurement refers to the size of the arbor (where the end of your backing attaches to the reel). At the lower drag pressures for normal fishing, differences in smoothness are going to be negligible. Number one, it is much more durable. Moreover, we are using a floating line most of the time and not changing spools. While the visual effects of these harsh moves can be stunning, the result is often a lost fish. When applying more pressure to the line, be sure to do this smoothly, as big fish hate jerky sensations on their end of the line. Outgoing drag sound:  More muted, quieter sound going out. We then rotated the drag adjustment knob until we got a constant drag pressure of 2 lb. If line is running through your fingers, simply tighten your fingers or grip on the line. The other option is to upgrade to the Lamson Liquid that is a compromise between the Eddy and Zero. This is a large arbor design, and I can attest that this reel picks up line rapidly. When buddies or clients of ours want to get the ultimate heirloom reel they frequently get a custom Super Series Abel reel. The ultralight die-cast construction of the Zero makes it an excellent option of smaller sized reel in the 2wt to 5wt range. Typically, when fishing a 5/6 weight outfit the angler will set the drag at one level and rarely change it. In our chart on Objective Observations, you will see that we list our tested weight, the manufacturer’s claimed weight, and also the weight of the reel fully loaded with backing, line, and a leader. 1.  try to avoid submerging your reel in water, especially saltwater. The best reels in our Shootout had a range of adjustment of at least one full revolution of the drag knob. At a glance the color coded range instantly lets you know where your drag is set. The drag system is a washer pinch bearing system – it’s essentially adjusted by a screw that applies pressure onto a washer tightening or loosening the drag. All that being said, the Evolution is probably due for an update. Liquid’s high-quality castings are imported, but the components critical to the drag system are CNC-machined in the US. redington behemoth vs lamson liquid Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Google+ Email Don’t Hesitate To Ask Request A Quick Quote redington behemoth vs lamson liquid January 18, … In our performance chart we used the fully loaded reel weight rather than the naked weight since that’s how they are going to be fished. Seeing how much we like the Orvis Hydros SL II for saltwater, (it’s one of our favorite best buy 8-weight reels), we thought the 5-weight version was going to do equally well in fresh. Doesn’t seem as durable in the long run? Perhaps we should have rated this higher in our craftsmanship category, but all cast reels were docked compared to machined reels. Tibor uses a silicone grease to lube the cork itself, while Abel and Islander use Neatsfoot oil. We’ve even heard of Abel reels getting run over at high speed with a flats skiff and all the prop did was barely dent the frame and the reel’s foot. For instance, the 4/5 version weighs just 3.0 … Most reel cases today are neoprene and are very effective at protecting reels. to 2 lbs (since that’s what we felt you should use 95% of the time for a 5-weight trout reel). It employs a Rulon-to-stainless steel, stacked disc drag that has some pretty serious strength. These major repairs however require case-by-case evaluation. Number two is how difficult the spool is to change. In essence, it refers to the size of the reel’s diameter. Even though Tibor calls this a 5/6 weight reel,  we have found that it is much more of a 6/7 weight reel. Handle supposed to be “grippy” when wet, we didn’t notice either way, #3 Orvis Battenkill III   $119 – reel,   $59  x/spool. Reels like the Abel Super 4N that require a penny, or screwdriver, lost a lot of points here. The maximum drag is also on the lighter side, so be prepared to palm this reel for added drag pressure. For an extra 10% ($68.50) you can choose one of the three custom colors:  Crimson, Moss Green, or Graphite Gray. At this point extra spools are not available but Orvis claims they will become available by 7/1/2016. Spool Release: No Spool cap, No quick change – 6 screws to get the spool off, (all of which seem like they are Loctited into the reel) – a major project in the shop, much less out on the stream, Drag Detents:  Excellent detents keep the drag setting from getting bumped off, Range of Drag: Best out of all the click style reels, but still weak compared to other reels, Max Drag: Best of all the click style reels but still weak compared to others, Handle: Good size, metal grooves for grip, but no swell, Awesome classic look, fantastic for photos, Looks great on classy graphite rods, bamboo rods, and fiberglass, When you turn up the drag, you feel the same resistance reeling in, Can’t palm the reel – have to finger palm it, #8 Pflueger Medalist 5/6  $129.95 – reel, (extra spools not available). But if you do want to change it, how easily can you adjust your drag while playing a fish? Drag Detents:  Drag knob could possible get knocked off on lowest drag settings, Detents are great from 1 pound up. Don’t waste your money on an inferior reel. Depending on drag setting, Counterbalance:  OK, despite no counter balance weight. Like most all of the click style reels, the Colorado LT has a very light maximum drag – you’ll have to be happy palming the rim of the spool to apply extra drag pressure when needed. The X Series reels are fully machined in Miami, Florida from the highest grade aircraft aluminum available. The RS reels come standard with a neoprene reel case, however, if desired you can upgrade to one of their hand made canvas reel cases, which includes a Montana elk antler button. Maxcatch recently sent me this model reel to fish with a few years back, and I gotta say I’m impressed. Although the Evolution isn’t a true “spinner” type reel we love the fact that its low retrieval resistance allows you to spin the reel and pick up slack. We also like how the full frame design offers the LRH more rigidity and durability if dropped. All things considered, if you’re willing to up your price range just tad, you’ll be the owner of a top-performing, long-lived fly reel with impressive versatility! If I’m fishing heavier tippet (3X or thicker) and I’m fishing with a reel that doesn’t have a strong maximum drag, then I simply override the drag by “palming” the reel, or even by adding more pressure to the line coming off the reel, using my fingers. Most of the time they are not. Hardy – Generally $35, (including labor, processing, and shipping). We discovered Einarsson reels via some of our European friends. Spool release: Easy to take off, although full frame makes it slightly tougher than non full framed reels. If this happens, the stacked rulon and stainless steel disc plates won’t work properly and the reel will shudder when line is peeled off, especially at higher settings (3 pounds or more of drag pressure). Sometimes you will notice the manufacturer’s claimed weight is well under our measurement, which is the reason we weigh the reels ourselves. With fly reels, durability can be a big factor. It has a reliable drag, utilizes a relatively large arbor and doesn’t break the bank. (And with sound vs silent), Counterbalance: A little bit of wobble (looking at the center of the reel when spinning fast), Spool release:  Great, easy to depress, can never lose, quick, Drag Knob:  More difficult to turn than Cimarron, Drag Detents:  No detents per se but drag adjustment is stiff and won’t get knocked off easily, Range of drag:  Good but not as good as most in the .25-2 lb. That beats nearly every other reel weighed naked! Editor's Top Cost For Quality Choice - Lamson: The Liquid and Remix by Lamson are also awesome options that honestly perform more like a top-shelf reel than a budget unit. Range of Drag Adjustment – 20 points available. Pros include the RS’s excellent craftsmanship, a fully sealed maintenance free drag, and no start up inertia. (At least the range will be better for saltwater use with the larger reels). In general, closer tolerances are best, but if they prove to be too close, any little fall on the rocks can bend the rim of your spool enough to cause it to lock up or rub badly on the frame. The Lamson Force isn’t for everybody. Where the RS lost most of its points was in the range of drag adjustment. Sometimes they are correct. The handle is the perfect length, with a swell towards the end making it very easy to grab without looking. The Zero balances … Reel seat has rivets instead of screws (shouldn’t loosen)? This reel comes as a 3/4 wt up to a 9/10 wt. Waterworks-Lamson Liquid/Remix Fly Fishing Reel Color Sleeve $9.99 Quick view Ross Reels Colorado Fly Reel $335.00 Quick view Cheeky Preload Fly Reel $99.00 Quick view Cheeky … Still, for the money this is a good option, and unlike the TFO large arbor reels that we love for 8-weights and two handed rod setups, the TFO BVK comes with a reel case. Hatch doesn’t do any porting on their arbors (where the backing sits). We recommend getting the 4/5 for a 5-weight and a 5/6 for a 6-weight. A smooth fight allows the angler to reel a fish in more quickly, which gets the fish back to the stream unharmed – something Bauer cares about deeply. The TFO BVK reels are precision machined in South Korea from bar stock aluminum. Either way, tight lines! I could simply slap the rim of the spool and it would “reel” quicker than any other reel… no doubt a tribute to its amazingly smooth bearings. As you’ll see, nearly all the manufacturers rated a 9 or 10. Turnaround time is typically 3-6 days including shipping. However, in our shop experience with repairs most all the manufacturers are generally more than fair with their fees as they want to keep loyal customers. These reels are totally solid and are the epitome of what well-machined reels look like. Claimed Weight in Ounces This is the weight in ounces that we got from the manufacturer, either from their website or on the phone with the company itself. This reel is rated very well by anglers for having a smooth retrieve. The 5+ is better for 6 and even 7-weight lines. Outgoing drag sound:  Silent sound going out – however you can hear metal hitting metal if you listen closely. The Sage 4250 could use a little wider range of drag adjustment. Fun to Fish / Got to Have – 20 points available, As with our rod shootouts, we got this category from the original Car and Driver automobile shootouts. Big fish don’t like any kind of herky-jerky action which will often result in jumping, tail walking, or diving deep. Our question to both Redington and Ross is WHY? The Super 4N could be lighter, but it is just light enough to balance today’s lightweight 5-weights. The Cheeky Boost is machined in China from high-grade aircraft aluminum. Tibor remedied this however, and now they have added a stopper which blocks any sand, grit, or river debris from entering the back side of the drag. If the fish happens to follow the fly all the way to the shore and eats it close to the bank the Cheeky Boost would be my number one pick to spin up the 50 feet of line as quickly as possible. Don’t let the price slow you down. The Ross Rapid is cast in South Korea and comes in two standard colors: Black and Charcoal Gray. There is no additional cost for their many hub colors which include: Sunset Orange, Royal Blue, Neon Pink, Aqua, Jet Black, Lime, Crimson, Graphite, and Violet 3D. For $109 we aren’t going to be too nitpicky. The 9-pound max drag strength was also stronger than the Rapid. We’ve also seen these dent in the shop, so you’ll want to be extra careful using this reel. By nature, the click reels have a very weak maximum drag setting and have a very narrow range of drag adjustment. Abel reels are precision machined in Camarillo, California from the highest quality 6061-T651 cold finished aerospace grade aluminum. The Loop G4 FW 3/5 is a bit on the heavy side but not bad. Most spinner style reels are silent when reeling in, so if you like more sound and slap reeling in your slack, this will be a great reel for you. We love the aesthetics of this reel – everyone we’ve shown it to has liked its rugged appearance. The porting on the curved arbor will help your backing dry quickly. Maximum drag on the Tibor Tailwater was only .75 pounds, so you’ll definitely need to palm this reel when playing larger fish. Perhaps the biggest downside to the Zero is that it isn’t going to be as durable as fully machined reels. The Ross Animas 5/6 is identical to the Animas 4/5 but with a larger overall diameter, larger arbor, and wider spool. The appearance of this reel option is honestly quite attractive despite it’s cheaper build, and there are even several color options to choose from. Loop Multi reels are die-cast in South Korea and come only in black. The Argus scored a perfect 10 in craftsmanship, spool to frame tolerances, start up inertia, and ease of spool removal. Choose among three standard colors: black, clear, and green. It has terrific drag detents that prohibit the drag knob from getting knocked off the desired setting. All of Einarsson’s reels are beautifully machined in Ísafjörður, Iceland from aircraft grade 6061 T6 aluminum. When buying an economic fly reel it’s absolutely a wise move to buy with a warranty – reels like the Sword perform wonderfully but definitely have potential to be faulty. We particularly love how well this reel spins. The bottom-line, if you like to play with your gear (and you’re mechanical by nature) you may enjoy a reel that requires more upkeep. And some reels are better looking than others. Note this is a different measurement than overall diameter as it reflects the size of the arbor itself, not the outside of the reel. We utilized die-cast construction to create an incredibly lightweight design not … The Hardy Ultralite reels are machined in South Korea from high-grade aircraft 6061 aluminum. Any reel that we rated an 18 or better is a real pleasure to fish. They are also partnered with Trout Unlimited, the International Federation of Fly Fishers, the International Game Fish Association, and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. Usually a good fly shop will be able to true up a bent spool (in the same way a good mountain bike shop might true up your wheel). Below you’ll find our finishing order as well as my comments. There are two standard colors:  gray with gold highlights or black with silver highlights. What hurt it the most was its poor range of drag adjustment between .25 and 2 pounds. Size 5/6 extra spools retail for $120. What did score big for the Abel SD was craftsmanship and durability. of straight pull drag. A couple of times someone in the shop has dropped a spool and we’ve noticed the Fanatic spools bend more easily than others. Spool Release: Quick and easy and the latch can’t get lost, (unless entire fixture comes off). Retrieval Sound: Plasticky retrieval sound, OK but not as nice as Ross reels, Outgoing drag sound: Slightly deeper plastic sound going out, Counterbalance: Good – no counter weight, (just holes filled in with metal). It won’t cut you like gel spun, but will get you the extra yards you are looking for…, Retrieval Sound:  Louder sound reeling in but still somewhat muted, Outgoing drag sound: Outgoing sound is even more muted, Spool Removal:  Spool release sometimes extremely difficult to get off (need rubber cloth or leader straightener). Details of Abel’s color options can be found in our write up of the Abel Super 4N earlier. Although the RS may cost a little more, it’s nice to support local and small businesses with your purchase. We also noticed that our sample reel’s drag knobbed wobbled badly when we backed off the drag completely – something we wouldn’t expect from a $500 reel. Spin: Good (2revs)? In general, the best time to come is July – August. Handle – A tiny bit short, but wide at the end where you need it and still very easy to grab, #2. The Loop Classic 46 also had a loud metallic outgoing drag sound, and had a very smooth drag. Turnaround time is 4-6 days including shipping). Its bulk also translates to insanely tough. Retrieval Sound:  Excellent metallic on plastic sound reeling in, Outgoing drag sound: Totally different pleasant plastic sound going out. Slightly bigger (and better) than the handle on the Abel SD 4/5, Feels a tad heavy (due to heavy sealed drag), Excellent machining and quality feel, second to none on color option, #25 (tie) Lamson Force 1 $499 – reel,   $219.95 x/spool. At 2.25 revolutions between .25 and 2 pounds, you have a lot of room to fine tune your drag to the exact setting you like. Excellent quality sealed conical drag system is saltwater approved, Durable clicker drag system is an excellent choice for trout fishing, Super lightweight die cast construction pairs nicely with dainty rods, Exceptionally powerful drag system can handle hard fighting game fish (30 pounds of torque), Oversized drag knob for easy, rapid adjustments, Deep V-Spool for increased backing capacity, Unique construction is built to take a beating - this is a good knock around reel, Orvis guarantee and customer service is some of the best in the industry, Multi-disc cork and stainless steel drag system with one-way clutch bearing for smooth, immediate drag engagement, Cold forged and tempered for serious durability, Multi-disc cork and stainless steel drag system with one-way clutch bearing, Comes in a wide array of sizes (3wt to 10wt), Machined aluminum alloy body is very durable, this is one you can beat up on, Built with CNC-machined 6061-T7 aluminum alloy for high-impact durability, Alumilite diecast aluminum frame is lightweight and impressively durable, Precision machined Brass bushing drive system is simple but robust, Quick exchange spool allows you to quickly and easily switch out fly lines, Conical drag system is sealed, this unit is built to last, Drag system is built with the same components as Lamson’s high end reels, Higher price point than most "budget" reels, but well worth the cost, Some might prefer a bit more weight - this thing is featherlight, Spools are interchangeable with the Lamson Liquid Fly Reel, Rock solid build with super tight tolerances, Fairly expensive option for a "budget" fly reel, but an excellent overall value, Come anglers might prefer to have an fully die-cast, or fully machined reel, but it's really a matter of preference, Excellent price point, minimalist reel option, Durable clicker drag system is an excellent choice for trout fishing - just be mindful that it will not stop larger, more powerful fish, Easily converted between left and right hand retrieve, Some anglers might not like the noise output of the clicker, Exceptionally powerful drag system for fighting fish that just run and run (30 pounds of torque), Oversized drag knob for making easy adjustments, Excellent choice for targeting trout to tarpon depending on the size you choose - truly a versatile reel, This reel should hold up to corrosion quite nicely based on the diecast construction employed in its construction, Some complaints about the dimensions of extra spools being slightly off - fortunately Redington has great customer service, Reel tolerance is not super tight - there are issues with thin-diameter running line sneaking out so consider using dacron backing versus gel spun, Compact and smooth sealed carbon fiber drag system, Large arbor design for rapid line retrieval, Easily converts to right or left hand retrieve, Twin molded, soft-touch ergonomic handles and an oversized drag knob for quick and easy adjustments, Higher price point for a "budget reel", but an excellent value none the less, Drag knob might be a bit clunky for some, it's a matter of preference, Some anglers find the drag to be a bit undergunned for some more powerful game fish, Lightweight die-cast reel great for pairing with dainty rods, Powerful inline, Rulon-to-stainless, stacked disc drag, Cassette spool system is designed to be quickly switched out for versatile fishing contexts where you want to have multiple fly lines on hand, Some might not like the cassette spool system - it takes some getting used to, Hard anodized for surface protection increases abrasion and weather resistance, Cold forged and tempered for enhanced durability, Large, non-slip drag knob is easy to make rapid adjustments with, Attractive, machined look with an array of color options to choose from, The drag is not sealed - make sure to midfully maintenance this reel after saltwater use, Multi-disc cork and stainless steel drag system with one-way clutch bearing allows for smooth immediate drag engagement, Cold forged and tempered for enhanced strength and rigidity, Hard anodized for surface protection and abrasion resistance, Very little side ply or wobble with this unit despite its low price, Oversized drag knob is a breeze to make rapid adjustments with, Comes in a wide array of sizes (3 wt to 10 wt), There’s a spring clip that’s easily misplaced when switching the reel over to the other side so be mindful of that, Drag is suitable for saltwater but not fully sealed, so be sure to thoroughly rinse it after fishing the salt, Drag adjustment clicks audibly and is easy to locate when fighting fish, Silky smooth retrieve is a pleasure to fish, Easy to transfer from right to left handed retrieve, Metallic finish has kind of a cheap looking appearance, The drag is not sealed, rinse this reel well after saltwater use, Modern, loud color schemes are not for everyone, Built with CNC-machined 6061-T7 aluminum alloy for high-impact durability and hard anodized surface finish for added corrosion resistance, Lightweight option that pairs nicely with dainty rods, Hybrid cork and teflon disc and stainless steel disc drag system with one-way clutch bearing operates smoothly, although is not very high-powered, Easy switch from left to right hand retrieve, Drag is not sealed, nor does it provide much stopping power. When I’m fishing, using 5X tippet, I am only using .25 lb. It would be nice to see a ported arbor to help backing dry better. The performance is comparable to much pricier stuff, and that’s no bull. (The 325 MA lost a couple of points since it did not have as wide a range of drag adjustment as the 350 LA). Find more Waterworks-Lamson Liquid Fly Reel information and reviews here. Spool to frame tolerances are very good. Last but not least, the price could be lower to compete with Lamson or Ross, but consider this – Bozeman doesn’t make thousands and thousands of reels each year. Retrieval Sound:  Rubber on plastic sound in or out, Outgoing drag sound:  Rubber on plastic sound in or out, Spool release:  Spool release cap is easy release new, but after a year or so of use dirt and grit can make it more difficult to get off, Drag detents:  No detents but stiff enough drag knob to keep it from getting knocked off, Handle:  Nice swell but could be a little longer, On the expensive side but also cool to support and buy local, #28 Islander LX 3.2   $565 – reel,  $282   x/spool. Its max drag is 8 pounds compared to the 4000’s max drag of 6 pounds. The Lamson Force is machined in Boise, Idaho from the highest quality aluminum. Smaller drag knobs were more difficult to adjust, as were drags knobs that were more difficult to turn (e.g., Lamson Guru). A bigger 0-ring would help? Ross Reels – Generally $30, (includes shipping)  Reels are inspected individually to determine repair fee. For others, they see how the reel performs in their guide’s hands, and think that it is going to make them great anglers too, or at least take them to the next level. Lamson Liquid 3 Pack $169.99-$209.99 All together now. That and the Animas’ spruced up looks. The Orvis Battenkill III is machined in China out heavy- duty bar-stock aluminum. The handle is terrific, with a wide rubberized O-ring for added grip when wet. The reel sounds great reeling in or going out. The attractive rosewood handle is agreeable and easy to grab without looking. All screws are secured with Loc-Tite. Get a good reel the first time and you won’t regret it. The Ross Colorado LT received 5 perfect scores, including craftsmanship, maintenance, spool to frame tolerance, start up inertia, and weight. The arbor measures at 2.475 inches, the third largest in the shootout, (following the Loop Evotec G4 LW 5/8 and Sage Click 4/5/6). Despite the Hardy Ultralite’s 19th place finish, (mostly due to a narrow range of drag) we are still very excited about this reel. Drag Knob: Easy to turn, but can come off, Drag Detents:  No detents and drag knob isn’t stiff enough; you can knock the drag setting off accidentally, Handle: sweet wooden handle – could be longer with a bit more swell at the end, Kind of heavy for size, but feels durable, Cool Cork Drag system, intricate parts, very well made, #29 (tie) Aspen 350 LA    $250 – reel,    $120   x/spool, Here’s another reel that we thought would finish higher. While the range of drag adjustment might not match a Galvan or Tibor, I believe it’s more than sufficient for trout fishing. The Sage 4250 is made of 6160 – T6 top grade aircraft aluminum in South Korea. Another thing JG noticed fishing his Tibor in the middle of winter is that when the temperature is below freezing the cork drag can develop a thin layer of ice, causing the reel to free spool with no drag pressure (even though the drag dial should be engaging the drag). While it is available in smaller reel sizes, you’ll really get your money’s worth out of this option if you fish to bigger species with it. The Waterworks-Lamson Remix Fly Reel is an absolute stellar value reel coming in at a mid-range price point, yet offering top-quality performance. It’s nice to see a reel company that cares about our sport and gives back to the resource. Multi-disc cork, and stainless steel drag system, Large arbor design for rapid line pick-up, Non-slip positive grip rubberized handle knobs, Easy to switch from left to right hand retrieve, Drag system although quite effective, will likely not last for years and years of fishing if you're hard on your gear, Wise fishermen will lubricate the internal of this reel and gently sand the fairlead in order to have it fish smoother, Some complaints that the finish wears off after heavy use. Or perhaps it became too expensive to make in the US. One thing’s for sure – this reel is durable! When I needed a new salmon reel I went for a size4 Lamson Liquid. We don’t think the extra 65 yards is going to make a huge difference, nor will the 5/6’s extra 2 pounds of max drag.