The best fly reels for fly fishing tarpon
Our favorite fly reels for fly fishing tarpon on the salt.
Stalking tarpon in saltwater may well be the ultimate test for a reel. Broken reels aren’t uncommon, and when you’re miles from shore with no backup your dream trip can quickly turn into a heartbreaker. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that the fly reels we’ve chosen from Hatch, Nautilus, and Redington are all built for the rigors of offshore tarpon fishing. You can’t go wrong with any of these reels, but if you’re planning a trip of a lifetime we highly recommend bringing along a backup reel.
In the market for a fly rod, too? Be sure to check out our picks for some of the best fly rods for tarpon fishing, too.
| Reel | Line weights | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hatch Finatic fly reel | 2wt–16wt | $470.00 - $990.00 |
| Nautilus CCF-X2 6/8 fly reel | 8wt–12wt | $435.00 |
| Nautilus NV-G 5/6 fly reel | 5wt–12wt | $560.00 |
| Redington GRANDE fly reel | 5wt–14wt+ | $299.00 - $349.99 |
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Hatch Custom Color Finatic Gen 2 Fly Reel
Price: $470.00 - $990.00
Line weights: 2wt - 16wtHatch builds some of the finest fly reels on the planet for both freshwater and saltwater fishing. Built entirely in the USA and available in sizes from 2wt to 16wt, Hatch has everything covered—even colors. Their Custom Paint Fill Program lets you choose from a wide range of fill colors to create a custom look. Lead time is just 2 weeks.
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic 2 Plus
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic 3 Plus
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic 4 Plus
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic 5 Plus
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic 7 Plus
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic 9 Plus
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic 11 Plus
- Hatch Gen 2 Finatic 12 Plus
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Nautilus CCF-X2 6/8 Fly Reel
Price: $435.00
Line weights: 8wt - 12wtEquipped with their award-winning dual action CCF-X2 drag system, hybrid ceramic bearings, and a fully sealed design using their Activseal technology, these Nautilus reels are superb for saltwater fishing. Available in brushed titanium or black anodized finish. The features on these reels are extensive, so click to learn more.
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Nautilus NV-G 5/6 Fly Reel
Price: $560.00
Line weights: 5wt - 12wtSuper lightweight, extremely tough, and equipped with one of the best drag systems ever designed, the Nautilus NV-G series is their top-of-the-line reel and one of the best saltwater reels you can buy. Available in brushed titanium or black anodized finish, these rods look as great as they perform. Click to learn more about their unique design features.
Product details >>