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Most people think of tournaments and conventional fishing gear when they think of Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Sure, Largemouth Bass are fun to catch on a crankbait or a topwater plug... But we think they're even more fun to catch on a fly rod (admittedly biased). We've already covered How To Choose A Fly Rod For Bass, but what about the right fly reel for the job?

The proper fly reel can mean the difference between landing a trophy Bass or losing one. These warm water predators are heavy, strong, and mean, so having a reel with enough drag to stop a charging fish is a must. In prior posts we've also talked about durability and retrieval rates. For Bass, durability doesn't matter as much... but we'll get into that.

Let's start with the basics. It's necessary to match the size of the reel to the size of the rod you're using. This may seem intuitive but it's worth mentioning: if you're fishing an 8wt fly rod (and an 8wt is the most popular rod choice for Bass), choose a 7/8 or an 8/9 sized fly reel.

Smallmouth VS Largemouth

• A 5-8wt fly reel with a strong drag system and solid retrieval rates is generally the best for Smallmouth Bass fishing.

• A 6-9wt fly reel with high retrieval rates is typically best for Largemouth Bass fishing.

It's important to consider retrieval rates, drag, and durability when choosing a fly reel for Bass. But how much is enough? Does buying the most expensive reel on the market make sense for Bass? Let's dive in.

Drag

Drag helps you stop a fish, turn it around, and bring it boatside - every angler's primary objective after the hook set. But how much drag do you need for Bass? Does splurging for a premium reel with the absolute strongest max drag make sense?

It depends. In most cases, I'd say buying the reel with a drag strong enough to stop a truck isn't necessary. There are stronger fish out there, especially in saltwater, that require a very stout drag (seriously, a GT can destroy a cheap reel). For Bass, however, a huge max drag and the latest in sealed drag technology is usually overkill.

If you're fishing for Smallmouth on bigger rivers, drag is more important because you're fighting the current.
If you're fishing for Largemouth in lakes, drag isn't as important. You can typically strip a fish in, unless its a true tanker.

The Redington Behemoth Fly Reel is a great option with solid drag and quality cast construction. Higher-end machined reels like the Ross Evolution LTX and the Orvis Mirage USA, are also more-than-capable of maximizing your chances of stopping and turning a big Largemouth Bass or a sporty Smallmouth. Plus, these reels are more durable... but how important is durability for Bass?

Durability (and why it's nice but not always necessary)

If you've done any fly reel research you've probably read about the difference between reels built with a cast construction and reels built with Bar Stock Aluminum and a machined finish. There's a big difference, no question. In many cases, it makes sense to opt for a more expensive reel with a durable finish. If you're scrambling over boulders in the New Zealand backcountry, or navigating slippery granite shorelines in Maine, then a durable reel will save you time and money when you inevitably drop it. For Bass, however, it matters less.

Freshwater Bass are very rarely targeted from rocky shores. Sure, sometimes people fly fish for river Smallmouth from a rocky riverbank, but most Bass fishing is done from a boat. And, it's safe to say that a majority of the Bass fishing that's done from a boat is done from a Bass boat. And Bass boats are carpeted.

Carpet protects reels that are dropped or dinged so it really doesn't make sense to spend a ton of money on a machined reel if you're fishing out of a carpeted boat. If your boat doesn't have carpeting and you're clumsy (like I am), maybe it makes more sense to get a machined reel. And, we do recommend machined reels for rocky riverbanks if you're fishing for Smallmouth.

Retrieval Rate

Yes, retrieval rates matter when fly fishing for Bass (and most species for that matter). The industry's creation, and strong bias toward, large arbor reel designs is indicative of the importance of a reel's ability to pick up line quickly. Large arbor reels sacrifice backing capacity for a wider spool diameter and increased retrieval rates. For Bass, this trade-off is to the angler's advantage.

Bass generally don't peel out hundreds of yards of backing, so they don't necessitate maximum backing capacity. They also can turn and make quick runs toward the boat, prompting you to pickup line quickly. Because of these characteristics, a large arbor fly reel is the best tool for the job.

Reels with high retrieval rates include the Orvis Hydros (over 10" per turn in the 8wt model), the Nautilus CCF-X2 (over 10" per turn of the 8wt model), and the Redington Behemoth. These are just a few favorites, but don't rule out the many other large arbor reels on the market!

Other Resources

Photo by Greg Bostater, Maine River Guides

I've already mentioned the article about choosing a fly rod for Bass but if you missed it, find it here. This article is really worth reading, especially if you're trying to put together a rod and reel setup for Bass.

Another resource worth referring to here is our 2018 8-Weight Fly Reel Shootout and Review. If you choose an 8wt rod for Bass, the best reels will be listed and described in detail in this shootout.

Ok, I know what I'm looking for. Now, which reel should I go with?

Some reels mentioned in this article include the Redington Behemoth, Nautilus CCF-X2, Orvis Hydros, Orvis Mirage USA, and the Ross Evolution LTX. A few budget-friendly Bass reels include the Lamson Liquid S and the Echo Bravo.

Questions?

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