Choosing from the Three Types of Fly Fishing Reels

Don’t automatically reach for the least expensive fly fishing reels as they may not perform as you might expect! Reels perform other tasks than just serving as a receptacle for your fishing line like the ability to release line in an efficient, smooth and tangle-free way. Of course, nothing is simple when it comes to fly fishing reels as there are three different types to choose from!

The Single Action

Most fly fishermen go for the single action fly reel because it is simple to use and there are few parts inside of it to break down. The single action means that you have a retrieve ratio of 1 to 1 which translates to one turn of the handle equals to one turn of the spool line. Of the other types of fly fishing reels, the single action is the easiest to replace spools and there is virtually no maintenance needed in its upkeep.

Resilience and reliability are two prominent characteristics of single action reels so they will serve you in good stead. Plus, these also have a greater fishing line capacity than other fly reel forms, making it quite a popular catch.

Multiplying Action

Multiplying fly fishing reels are quite different from the single action in that not only do they have several gears to worry about, their retrieval ratios is higher than 1 to 1. This means that you could turn the handle of the reel just once and the spool of line could turn several times for quicker line retrieval.

The multiple gears in these fly fishing reels can be troublesome and for many, not worth the bonus of the quick line retrieval. The reels could easily break down thanks to the intricate springs and gears housed within it. Fishermen who do get the multiple gear reel say they are great for quick reeling of large fish.

Automatic Action

The automatic fly fishing reels have an automatic line retrieval process where you do not even have to turn the handle of the reel. Instead, the automatic reel has a special trigger which releases a spring so as to “reel” in the fishing line. This type of reel is quite cumbersome due to its weight plus it cannot hold as much backing line nor does it have a good drag setting. However, some fishermen like the automatic reel because they don’t want to mess with manually reeling in the fishing line.

There are some pros and cons of each of the fly fishing reels so you should really evaluate the typical fishing scenario you will encounter to determine which reel to choose. Do consider this one piece of buying advice – try to purchase a reel where the weight matches the rod it will be attached to for a more balanced fishing experience.