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When it comes to saltwater fly fishing, having a reliable reel with a solid drag and quick line pickup is of the utmost importance. Choosing the right reel, however, can be tricky. With so many options available and prices ranging from under $200 to well above $1,000, it's hard to know which reel will offer the best performance for the money. Today, we’ll share our list of the best saltwater fly reels of 2025, giving you some pros and cons for each reel, and the price. Hopefully, this list will help you weed through the countless options and make an informed buying decision. Whether you’re gearing up for a GT trip to the Seychelles, or just getting into saltwater fly fishing and looking for a reliable Bonefish reel, this list will help you pick the best fly reel for your specific needs.

Bauer SLT

The Bauer SLT Fly Reel is one of the most exciting new saltwater reel releases in recent memory, delivering cutting-edge performance in a sleek, modern package. Built around Bauer’s proven sealed carbon-fiber drag, the SLT boasts buttery-smooth stopping power and ultra-fine adjustment, giving anglers the confidence to handle explosive runs from bonefish, permit, and tarpon. Its large arbor design not only looks sharp but also delivers lightning-fast line pickup, perfect for keeping up with blistering fish. Lightweight yet robust, the SLT is built to withstand the harshest saltwater environments without sacrificing finesse. With a fresh design that feels like a precision instrument in hand, the Bauer SLT isn’t just a reel—it’s a weapon for the saltwater battlefield.

Price: $895

Pros

• Extremely powerful sealed disc drag
• Stout and durable
• User-friendly ergonomic design
• Made in Twin Bridges, Montana

Cons

• Heavy for its size
• Very muted drag sound

Nautilus GTS

We've been anxiously anticipating the new GTS for quite awhile, and Nautilus did not dissapoint! The Nautilus GTS sets itself apart in 2025 as a high-performance saltwater reel that combines innovative design with unmatched reliability. At its core is Nautilus’s powerful sealed carbon-fiber drag system, delivering buttery smooth performance and unparalleled stopping power, even during the longest runs of trophy bonefish or permit. Its lightweight, machined aluminum frame strikes an ideal balance between durability and reduced fatigue, making it a joy to use for those dawn-till-dusk flats missions. The GTS also features an ultra-durable design with exceptional corrosion resistance, ensuring it thrives in harsh conditions where other reels may falter. Built for serious anglers who demand the best, the Nautilus GTS raises the bar for saltwater fly reels in 2025.

Price: $655.00

Pros

• Manufactured in Miami, Florida
• At just about 5 ounces, it’s one of the lightest 7/8wt reels on the market
• Ample drag power to handle anything you’ll hook on an 8wt

Cons

• Less ergonomic than the GTX or some competing reels
• Expensive

Hatch Iconic

Although the Hatch Iconic has been around for a few years now, it’s still one of the best saltwater fly reels of 2025. Hatch reels embody a spirit of elegance and power. The Iconic is not only one of the best-performing saltwater reels on the market, but it’s also arguably one of the most handsome reels, too. With the Iconic, you’ll get a whopping 10+ pounds of drag at the maximum setting, which is more than enough for the big three flats species: Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon. Additionally, Hatch has improved the drag housing on the Iconic to be more robust and protective against corrosive saltwater. The last thing you want is a drag malfunction on a big trip, and it seems Hatch has resolved any seal issues from the Finatic.

If there’s one area where Hatch could improve the Iconic, it’s the cage design. Unfortunately, the gap between the reel’s cage and the spool is wide enough to allow line slip - an issue we’ve heard about since its release. Although it would add a bit of overall weight, a full-cage design reel would alleviate this issue. Overall, the Hatch Iconic is one of our favorite saltwater fly reels for its powerful drag, quick line pickup, and beautiful aesthetics, and should be a top consideration for saltwater anglers looking for a versatile saltwater reel.

Price: $815.00

Pros

• Incredibly strong and smooth drag system
• Fast line retrieval
• Cool factor 10/10

Cons

• Potential for line to slip between the spool and the frame
• The spool design hasn’t changed much from the finatic. Will Hatch ever deviate from this design?

Mako 9600B

A winner in our 2023 Big Game Fly Reel Shootout, the Mako 9600 is known for its impressive drag performance. At its maximum setting, it offers over 14 pounds of drag pressure, which is enough to tame anything from GTs and Tarpon to blistering quick Bonefish. What’s more, the 9600B picks up line quickly and efficiently, giving you 12 inches of pickup per revolution. The only major drawback of the Mako is its weight, which is roughly 50% heavier than similar premium reels like the Hatch Iconic. So while the 9600B isn’t a great reel for blind casting all day, it's a beast of a big-game saltwater reel that’s up to any challenge. For anglers in the market for a premium reel that’s ready for the Seychelles, look no further than the Mako 9600B.

Price: $1,865.00

Pros

• Smooth, powerful drag
• Quick line pickup
• One of the best-sounding drag clicks on the list

Cons

• Heavy! 
• The most expensive reel on the list

Sage Enforcer

The Sage Enforcer is Sage’s mid-priced saltwater reel that shares many design features with their top performance reel, the Sage Thermo. The Enforcer’s strongest assets are its ergonomics and its powerful drag. Its drag knob is one of the best single-turn drag knobs we’ve ever reviewed - it’s big, easy to grip, and provides numbered clicks so you can easily dial in just the right amount of pressure for any flats situation. Its drag is also very stout, offering plenty of stopping power for Bonefish, Permit, and even Tarpon. Unfortunately, the Enforcer is a heavy reel, so you’ll probably want to avoid using it for excessive blind casting situations. Priced at under $600, we see tons of value in the Sage Enforcer for beginner to advanced saltwater anglers.

Price: $575.00

Pros

• Ergonomic design
• Powerful drag

Cons

• Quite heavy! Not ideal for all-day blind casting

Lamson Guru S

The Lamson Guru S Fly Reel brings reliability and performance to the forefront, offering an impressive value for saltwater anglers in 2025. Weighing just 6.03 ounces in its size 9+ model, the Guru S is one of the lightest fully machined reels in its class, reducing fatigue during long days on the flats. Its large arbor design ensures fast retrieval rates, making it easier to keep up with hard-charging species like bonefish and permit. With Lamson’s sealed conical drag system delivering smooth and consistent performance, the Guru S handles the challenges of saltwater fishing with ease. This reel’s clean, minimalist design, combined with exceptional durability and performance, makes it a top pick for anglers seeking premium features at an accessible price.

Price: $349.99

Pros

• Excellent value
• Aesthetically pleasing
• Very lightweight, a great match for a light Bonefish rod

Cons

• Not the most user-friendly ergonomics

Tibor Everglades

The Everglades is Tibor’s 7-8wt saltwater fly reel, which has become a cult classic in the saltwater fly fishing scene over the past several decades. Its popularity is largely due to two factors: performance and simplicity. The Everglades offers great line pickup and backing capacity, with a powerful cork drag system that can stop anything from Bonefish to Permit to big Jacks. From a design standpoint, the Everglades is a very simple reel that features an unsealed cork drag. Fewer bells and whistles mean there’s less to fail, and many anglers appreciate that they can take the reel apart easily to clean it and perform routine maintenance. Some anglers, however, may not want to take the time to dismantle their reel frequently to clean it and lubricate the cork disc, so you should understand the maintenance requirements of a Tibor before purchasing one. Overall, we’re big fans of the Tibor Everglades, and it remains one of the best saltwater fly reels available in 2025.

Price: $730.00

Pros

• Handsome aesthetics and excellent craftsmanship
• Powerful cork drag system
• Durable anodized aluminum

Cons

• Not a featherweight at 8.45 ounces
• The cork drag requires more frequent maintenance

FAQ

What species can be targeted with a saltwater fly reel?

Like most fly reels, saltwater fly reels comprise a broad range of reels that are built for specific purposes in most cases. Some saltwater fly reels are designed for powerful big-game species like adult Tarpon or Giant Trevally. Others are intended for smaller flats species like Bonefish and Permit. Depending on the species you want to target, there are likely multiple options that will fit the bill. 

What fly line should I choose for my saltwater fly reel?

Choosing the right fly line depends on several factors, including the target species, the size of the fly you’ll be fishing, and the water temperature. For lots of specific information about picking the right fly line, check out our Blog.

What are the key differences between premium and budget-friendly saltwater fly reels?

Premium and budget-friendly fly reels are more similar than they are different these days, with many budget options now featuring things like powerful drags, quick line pickup, and functional ergonomics. That being said, there will be differences between the two, and a little research can pay dividends when shopping for a saltwater fly reel. One of the main considerations should be the drag. Generally, premium saltwater fly reels will feature fully sealed drags that require virtually no maintenance other than rinsing. Budget fly reels, however, may not feature fully sealed drags, so extra care should be taken to clean the reel and its drag thoroughly after each use. Another factor to consider is ergonomics. Premium reels usually offer better ergonomics such as a big drag knob and an easy-to-grip handle. Lastly, researching the warranty could help you decide which fly reel is the right choice for you. Premium reels will generally offer a more substantial warranty, although this can vary depending on the brand and model.