Ina Nektar Fly Fishing

Drag Fly Reel

Selecting a Reel for Fly Fishing

If you’re like me, you get your Orvis or LL Bean catalog or some other “wish book” in the mail and drool over the vast array of fly reels they have to offer. Modern reels are made from various grades of aluminum to high-grade plastic, and alloys unheard of before this century. Regardless of cost or material, there is one attribute they all have in common that you need to keep in mind:

Basically, a fly reel is nothing more than a place to keep your line. Period.

Oh, sure, reels have drag systems and high capacity spools and ball bearings, but, in the end, they are used because it’s hard to store 20 yards or so of fly line and another couple hundred yards of backing in your pocket without it getting tangled. But, really, the basic function of a fly reel is to hold your line in an organized manner.

Now, that being said, reels designed for large fish do require an effective drag system. Reels for most freshwater applications and many saltwater uses don’t have to have anything more than a rudimentary drag.

“What?” You say, “how can I fight a fish without a drag?” Well, friend, how do you think it was done in the old days before effective drags were developed? It’s simple—you fought the fish by controlling your line by retrieving it or playing it out with your off hand. When a fish took line, you doled it out to it as needed, creating the requisite drag by how tight you held the line. You also retrieved the line by stripping it in by hand. Tension in either direction was metered by your hands as line slipped through them. Obviously this is an iffy proposition when fighting large fish like tarpon and billfish. But that’s they way it was done, once upon a time.

For many of you experienced anglers, especially the older ones, you’ve played your fish by hand more than once and still do whenever reasonable. For you new ones it’s considered old school, which makes it “classical,” which makes it proper, again—when possible.

Okay, all that being kept in mind, how do you select a good reel that won’t cost you a fortune?

1. Buy a name brand. Name brand reels (and rods) can be trusted more so than off-brands for one simple reason: the maker has a name to protect and will not turn out a piece of junk just to make a buck. A good, entry-level reel will benefit the maker because a satisfied customer is more likely to by the same brand when it’s time to upgrade. Call Orvis if you don’t believe me.

2. Buy an exposed rim reel. Even though you may not be able to rely on the drag, you can apply palm pressure to the spool to supplement it. Drag can be increased or decreased as necessary with little effort. Note high-end reels: for the most part, they have exposed rims for that very purpose in spite of having the best drag systems known to man.

3. If buying aluminum, buy machined, not stamped. Stamped aluminum reels can warp and will bend if dropped. Stamped spools are prone to bending because they don’t really have the material strength to support themselves. Stamped reels can also get out-of-round if over-stressed. Only the smallest reels can get away with stamped spools, but always go for a cast or machined body.

4. Buy a reel that will readily hold the line and backing you need. An undersized reel will only cut down on the backing you need to effectively fight a fish by hand.

5. Buy quality, not glitz. The fish don’t care what color your reel is, neither should you if you are trying to buy wisely. If you are drawn to a more expensive reel because of its fancy coloration, spend that extra money on a better reel! “A fool and his money are soon parted” is a truism.

6. Take pride in your new-found ability to fight a fish by hand. When fighting a fish, let it take line as it needs it; don’t keep a death grip on the line, but meter the drag gently. Let your rod absorb shock. Let the line run when the fish goes on a hard run then gradually increase pressure. When the fish jumps, give it slack, “Bow to the King,” as we say in tarpon fishing. As your line goes slack, retrieve it quickly enough to prevent the hook from coming loose. Maintain constant tension without risking your tippet and your fish will succumb just as though you fought him off the reel. Or not.

Read more by this author at: http://www.EdwardMaurer.com

About the Author

Read more by this author at: http://www.EdwardMaurer.com

Plastic Fly Fishing Spinning Reel Gear $5.99 Description:This Fly Fishing Reel is an ideal fishing tackle for your fishing box Plastic spool and frame 1 Ball BearingBalanced spoolEasy to change left to right hand retrieval conversionPrecision drag systemDiameter: 6cmWeight: 42g

Chuckit! DRAG 'N FLY $5.9 Compatible with chuck it! Medium ball launchers. Short flight, ideal for small spaces. Search_Phrases: Dog Toys,Cat Toys,Canine Hardware,Drag N Fly Ball Dog Toy

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Low Cost Spinning Fishing Reel with Rear Drag System LX30/40R $12.48 Low Cost Rear Drag Spinning Fishing Reel LX30R/40R

Quality Front Drag Spinning Fishing Reel Q8-30/40F Aluminum Spool $18.88 Quality Front Drag Spinning Fishing Reel Q8-30/40F Graphite Spool

8+1BB High Quality Front Drag Spinning Fishing Reel SL30 $25.98 8+1BB High Quality Front Drag Spinning Fishing Reel SL30

Fly Reel Birdhouse $27.95 Fly Reel Birdhouse Unique Design Great detail on this Fly Reel Birdhouse. Includes ventilation and drainage holes, deep nesting chambers, clean-out doors and do not include predator perches. Made of hand painted resin, it can either be hung or wall mounted Easy Clean-Out Door Makes Great Gift 3.25 Pounds 9"H x 6.25"W x 8.75" L Ships Quickly!

South Bend 530300 Cahill Fly Reel 23/4Spool Dia $28.5 Lightweight graphite body and frame with accurate drag system. Huge selection to choose from. Satisfaction ensured. 23/4 spool diameter.

Daiwa US120XDCP Daiwa UnderspinXD Reel $49.94 The Daiwa UnderspinXD Reel combines the balance of a spinning reel with the casting ease of a spincast. This upgraded version of Daiwa s classic Underspin reel works great with spinning fly or noodle rods even crappie poles. Smooth ball bearing drive. Hardbodyz rigid aluminum alloy construction. Rugged metal gearing. Rotating titanium nitrided line pickup. Turns with the line for less wear easier casting. Oversized line aperture for casting performance. Smooth drag with easy rear adjustment (front drag on 40 size). Soft touch handle knob. Converts quickly to right or left hand retrieve. Prewound with premium line. Action: ML. Gear ratio: 4.3:1. Ball bearings: 1 ball bearing. Line per handle turn: 25.9 .

Premium Carp Fishing Reel with Double Drag Baitrunner System J3-30 7+1BB $25.88 Premium Carp Fishing Reel with Double Drag Baitrunner System

Premium Carp Fishing Reel with Double Drag Baitrunner System J3-40 7+1BB $26.88 Premium Carp Fishing Reel with Double Drag Baitrunner System

Excellent Workmanship Die Casting Fly Fishing Reel ADC5/6 $16.98 Die Casting Fly Fishing Reel ADC5/6 Excelent workmanship, high performance die casting aluminum fly reel

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Aluminum Alloy Machine Cut Fly Fishing Reel V3 Series $37.08 High Performance CNC Machined Fly Fishing Reel Aluminum Alloy Machine Cut Fly Reel

South Bend Sporting Goods South Bend Sporting Goods Front Drag Shimano Reel AX2500FBC $25.44 Front drag shimano reel Front drag reel Medium action with rear drag, 2 ball bearings Ideal for fishing application comes with extra spool Brand #: South Bend Sporting Goods AX2500FBC UPC: 022255074391 Keywords: fishing equipment shimano reel equip front drag

Chuckit! DRAG 'N FLY Medium $10.99 Chuckit! Drag N' Fly Ball will tak fetching to the next level. Chuckit! has developed this Chuckit! ball launcher compatible toy to encourage a workout for your dog that stimulates reflex and agility through delayed flight. This dog toy has a short flight allowing it to be ideal in small spaces. Compatible with chuck it! Medium ball launchers.

Shimano TLD15 TLD Lever Drag Reel $245.68 Preferred for its lightweight and reliability Shimano TLD leverdrag offshore reel will give you years of dependable service. Graphite Frame. Graphite Side Plates. Aluminum Spool. Rod Clamp. Barrel Handle Grip. ARB (AntiRust Bearings). Clicker. Counter Balanced Handle (TLD 15 only). Line Retrieve Per Crank: 30. Mono Capacity (lb/yds): 20/450 25/350 30/300. PowerPro Capacity (lb/yds): 50/700 65/530 80/405. Max Drag at Full with Freespool: 22. Max Drag at Strike with Freespool: 15. Ball Bearings: 48B. Gear Ratio: 4.0:1. Weight: 18.6.

Shimano TLD20 TLD Lever Drag Reel $202.14 Preferred for its lightweight and reliability Shimano TLD leverdrag offshore reel will give you years of dependable service. Graphite Frame. Graphite Side Plates. Aluminum Spool. Rod Clamp. Barrel Handle Grip. ARB (AntiRust Bearings). Clicker. Counter Balanced Handle (TLD 15 only). Line Retrieve Per Crank: 32. Mono Capacity (lb/yds): 20/700 30/450 40/330. PowerPro Capacity (lb/yds): 50/820 65/745 80/660. Max Drag at Full with Freespool: 23. Max Drag at Strike with Freespool: 17. Ball Bearings: 48B. Gear Ratio: 3.6:1. Weight: 23.6.

Absolute Value!!! Cheapest Graphite Fly Fishing Reel GLS5/6 Free Shipping $8.88 Graphite Fly Fishing Reel Light Weight Graphite Body with a strength structure

Spinning Reel HUI HUANG Redman RD4000 5BB fly sea fishing reel fishing reel daiwa fishing free shipping $64.84 Spinning Reel HUI HUANG Redman RD4000 5BB fly sea fishing reel fishing reel shimano daiwa fishing rod 2pcs

Zebco Quantum CC61 Martin Caddis Creek Fly Reel Single Action Size 6May $33.74 Reinforced aluminum spool. Metal click drag with on/off control. Lightweight aluminum spool with pushbutton release. Right and left retrieve. Rim controlled drag on CC65. size: 6May.

Shakespeare Mach Drag Fishing Reel 040 Size. $32.99 A versatile high performance rear drag reel. Smooth rear drag system.Gear ratio: 5.2:1.4 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing.Line capacity: 300m/4lb.Large diameter titanium ball bearing line roller, double handle and smooth rear drag system with Teflon washer.Lightweight graphite body and rotor.Graphite spare spool.Colour: Cream and Silver.EAN/Barcode 2000231377719.Free delivery by post.

Are A Drag $10.49 Are A Drag

Outside-Inside Fly Reel Birdhouse $28.5 Fly Reel Birdhouse is a great gift idea for the outdoor enthusiast friend or family member. This decorative outdoor bird house design is made of resin and includes ventilation and drainage holes clean-out doors and deep nesting chambers. There are no perches for use by predators. Garden bird house can either be hung or wall mounted. Tough resin construction. Hand painted. Includes ventilation and drainage holes. Has clean out doors. No perches to attract predators. Can be hung or wall mounted. Dimensions: 9" x 6.25" x 8.75". Construction: Resin. Type: Feeders

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Top grade Camouflagecolor Aluminum Die Casting Fly Fishing Reels # 5/6 75mm 2Precision bearings+One-way bearing $17.38 .Large Arbor Reel .Gear Drag System .1 PC ONE-WAY Ball bearings .Right or left Hand Changeable .Aluminum Alloy Die-castin

Top grade Camouflagecolor Aluminum Die Casting Fly Fishing Reels # 3/4 70mm One-way bearing $13.98 .Large Arbor Reel .Gear Drag System .1 PC ONE-WAY Ball bearings .Right or left Hand Changeable .Aluminum Alloy Die-castin

Shakespeare Mach Rear Drag Fishing Reel 040 Size. $49.99 A versatile high performance rear drag reel. Smooth rear drag system.Gear ratio: 5.2:1.6 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing.Line capacity: 240m/10lb.Large diameter titanium ball bearing line roller, double handle and smooth rear drag system with Teflon washer.Lightweight graphite body and rotor.Aluminium and graphite spare spool.Colour: Blue and Silver.EAN/Barcode 2000231378112.Free delivery by post.

Shakespeare Mach Rear Drag Fishing Reel 035 Size. $29.99 A versatile high performance rear drag reel. Smooth rear drag system.Gear ratio: 5.2:1.4 ball bearings and 1 roller bearing.Line capacity: 320m/3lb.Large diameter titanium ball bearing line roller, double handle and smooth rear drag system with Teflon washer.Lightweight graphite body and rotor.Graphite spare spool.Colour: Cream and Silver.EAN/Barcode 2000231377610.Free delivery by post.

Deap Ocean Trolling Fishing Reel for Export Anglers OSH15 $40.8 Deap ocean trolling fishing reel Star drag system

Premium Carp Fishing Reel with Baitrunner System J3-60 7+1BB $32.88 Premium Carp Fishing Reel with Double Drag Baitrunner System

Outside Inside OUT99809 Fly Reel Birdhouse $39 Fly Reel Birdhouse is a great gift idea for the outdoor enthusiast friend or family member. This decorative outdoor bird house design is made of resin and includes ventilation and drainage holes cleanout doors and deep nesting chambers. There are no perches for use by predators. Garden bird house can either be hung or wall mounted. Tough resin construction. Hand painted. Includes ventilation and drainage holes. Has clean out doors. No perches to attract predators. Can be hung or wall mounted. Dimensions: 9 x 6.25 x 8.75 . Construction: Resin.

AMS Original Retriever Bowfishing Reel $92.02 The reel that started a revolutionFast, simple, zero drag, exceptional line control, rugged constructionIncludes reel, 130# braided Dacron line, 2 safety slides and mounting hardwareBOW NOT INCLUDED

Canine Hardware 781105 Chuckit Drag ft.N Fly Ball - Medium $11.48 Ideal for play in smaller spaces. Use with Chuckit!. Medium Ball Launchers. Drag N' Fly: short flight. High quality components. Able to quickly and easily update your home. Designed to suit any budget. Satisfaction ensured.

Canine Hardware 781105 Chuckit Drag ft.N Fly Ball Medium $22.07 Ideal for play in smaller spaces. Use with Chuckit. Medium Ball Launchers. Drag N Fly: short flight. High quality components. Able to quickly and easily update your home. Designed to suit any budget. Satisfaction ensured.