Best Fly Fishing Reels (2026)

The Redington Behemoth 5/6 is named accurately — it's built for the harder fights that come with larger fly fishing applications. The carbon disc drag system is the defining feature: carbon fiber drag washers deliver smooth, consistent resistance without the startup inertia that ruins light tippet when a fish takes off unexpectedly. Large arbor geometry means the line wraps in bigger loops, which reduces line memory and coils on the water while also picking up line faster during a fish fight. At $159.99, it's the premium pick in this lineup. The 5/6 weight designation covers the most versatile range in trout and small streamer fishing — light enough for dry fly presentations, heavy enough to handle indicator rigs and streamers with split shot. Carbon drag systems are typically found at higher price points; Redington's approach of putting serious drag hardware in a mid-priced reel is what earns the Behemoth its reputation among value-focused fly anglers. The main consideration is that large arbor reels are physically larger in diameter than standard arbor reels — they don't fit in every reel seat on older rods. Check your rod's reel seat diameter before buying.

The Redington Crosswater IV Prespooled with 5WT line removes the most frustrating barrier to entry in fly fishing: getting a reel properly spooled with backing, fly line, and leader before you can fish. This version comes ready to fish out of the box with 5-weight fly line already installed. At $69.99, it's the same price as the bare Crosswater IV, making the prespooled version the obvious choice for beginners or anyone buying a setup for a specific application where they just want to fish, not gear-configure. The die-cast aluminum construction handles normal freshwater use reliably, and Redington's quality control ensures the reel functions smoothly at this price point. The drag system is click-and-pawl rather than disc drag — adequate for trout fishing but less smooth under the sustained pressure of a large fish. For smaller trout streams and typical fly fishing applications, click-and-pawl drag is entirely functional. The prespooled convenience is the main decision point: if you already have backing and fly line or want to choose your own line weight and taper, the bare Crosswater IV saves the same $0 (identical price). If you want to be fishing same-day, the prespooled version is the right choice.

The Redington Crosswater IV in its bare configuration is the most affordable way into a reliable fly reel at $69.99. Die-cast construction at this price point is standard across entry-level fly reels, and Redington's version is consistently reviewed as one of the better executions of that construction — the tolerances are tight enough that the reel doesn't wobble or develop play over time the way cheaper die-cast options do. The 4/5/6 weight range makes it adaptable across trout applications from small streams to larger rivers, and the reel changes direction (left or right hand retrieve) with a simple conversion. Click-and-pawl drag is functional for typical trout fishing; it won't win a tug-of-war with a running salmon but handles a 16-inch brown trout cleanly. At the same price as the prespooled version, this is the right buy for anglers who already have fly line or who want to choose their own taper and line brand. If you're outfitting a guest, student, or secondary setup where convenience matters more than customization, see the prespooled version above. Both deliver the same reel at the same entry price point.