Reels For Saltwater Fly Fishing

Choosing the right reel for saltwater fly fishing, as well as the best rod, is essential. The most suitable reels for this type of fishing are single action ones rather than Multipliers. This will please most fishing enthusiasts since Multipliers are more complicated reels and tend to cost more too. The many moving parts in them can often end up creating trouble just when it is most annoying, so using a single action will be cheaper and more convenient as well as better suited to your purpose.

There are two types of reel within the single action range.
A direct drive reel is the most common choice. As you release the line, the spin of the reel handle is backwards. It is much easier to estimate how much line has been released when using this type of reel, and you will also be able to keep track of how much of your line you have retrieved as you start reeling it back in.

The second type of reel is the anti-reverse. This releases the spool of line in a different way. It is designed to prevent you from getting hit by the handle when the line is being pulled out. When you are fishing for large, fast-swimming fish then the force of the handle could cause some serious damage. In a reel of the anti-reverse type the handle remains unmoving as the line is released, preventing any nasty accidents. This is a good choice of reel if you are after stronger, bigger species of fish, while the direct drive is preferable when you don’t need this added safety.

The key to successful saltwater fly fishing is to have a reel with a drag system that works efficiently. If the drag on an anti-reverse type of reel is too light then the line may tend to slip as it is being reeled in. A smooth drag will greatly improve the experience of fishing for fast moving marine fish. Freshwater fish don’t tend to be as strong, or such fast swimmers, therefore it is less important when you are fishing for them.

You can find reels that are designed to be used with a range of different line weights, and which come in different sizes. A larger reel will be able to wind in your line more rapidly, as each time you crank the handle will reel in a longer length of the line. This is particularly useful when you are fishing in saltwater, since you will often be using very long lines, releasing several hundred yards. You can choose a smaller reel if you are not intending to use as much line, for example if you are fishing for trout rather than billfish. The amount of line that you can fit on the reel will depend on the weight of line you are choosing, as heavier lines take up more room.

Saltwater can cause serious corrosion, but reels that have been designed specifically for use in this environment are made out of durable metals and so will be protected against it, to a certain extent. It will still help to prolong the life of your reel if you take good care of it, making sure that it is cleaned after each use. You can do this by scrubbing it with a gentle soap and some warm freshwater, and adding some lubricant as necessary.

A good saltwater reel should be considered as a substantial investment, so it is worth your time to look at a range of different reels before you commit to buying one.