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Nautilus Fly Reels have garnered an almost cult-like following thanks to reels like the CCF-X2, GTX, and the X-Series. Known for their incredibly strong drag systems and meticulous attention to detail, these USA-made reels are some of the most coveted in the game, but new models don’t come around often. Nautilus has introduced the GTS, a versatile fresh/salt fly reel and their first new model in nearly five years. This reel bridges the gap between saltwater and freshwater use. Keep reading to learn more about the new Nautilus GTS fly reel, including who it’s for, and whether it’s worth the price tag.

Pros & Cons

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

Who It’s For

Nautilus has built a reputation in the saltwater market with purpose-built reels like the GTX. The GTS takes a different approach, blending saltwater and freshwater capabilities, and broadening its appeal beyond flats fishing. It still features a fully-sealed drag that can stop a freight train Jack Crevalle, but it is equally at home targeting trophy Pike or Salmon in Alaska or Labrador.

Weight

At 5.3 ounces in the 7/8 size, the Nautilus GTS is among the lightest in its class, coming in just above the Orvis Mirage LT (5 ounces) and significantly lighter than the Ross Evolution FS (6.9 ounces). This is a great choice for balancing extremely lightweight rods like the Orvis Helios and the Atlas Signature.

Drag

Its drag system is one of the GTS’s most impressive features, though this won’t surprise anyone familiar with Nautilus reels. With about 3 turns of adjustability, you can access the GTS’ whopping 10+ pounds of drag pressure. This is more than enough for Bonefish, Steelhead, Pacific Salmon, and other hard-fighting species. And like the GTX, the GTS features a fully-sealed, saltwater-safe drag. Simply rinse it off after each use and it should withstand years of serious use without any drag issues.

Sound

We love reels with an audible drag click, and the Nautilus GTS delivers. The differentiated incoming and outgoing clicks provide satisfying feedback, especially during fast runs from a big fish. This is one of our new favorite drag sounds on the market.

Spool & Cage Design

The spool design on the GTS is similar to the GTX but scaled down for a lighter reel. The 7/8 size features a 3.6-inch maximum spool diameter, a 2.35-inch arbor diameter, and a 1.1-inch width, offering about 9 inches of line pickup per turn. These specs place it in the moderately-large arbor category, providing quick enough line pickup for most freshwater and flats applications. If you need the quickest line pickup possible, you might consider an ultra-large arbor spool like the Lamson Hyperspeed M8.

Looks & Ergonomics

The Nautilus GTS shares the basic ergonomic design features as the GTX, except a bit smaller. It features a grippy drag knob that provides distinct clicks as you turn it. The handle is well-shaped but slightly small, and the spool release knob is easy to grip and use. While the overall design is solid, slightly larger components would improve usability.

Warranty

Nautilus Fly Reel Warranty

Value

Price: $625.00

At $625, the Nautilus GTS packs quite a punch. While the GTS isn’t inexpensive, it reflects the high-quality craftsmanship expected from USA-made products. In this case, you’ll get an incredibly light reel with a stout sealed drag for considerably less (money and weight) than a Hatch Iconic ($815) or the new Bauer SLT ($895). When compared to other crossover reels like the Orvis Mirage LT ($479) and the Sage Spectrum ($325), the Nautilus offers better drag and retrieve performance, so the additional cost makes sense.

For anglers who want the performance of a premium saltwater reel, the Nautilus GTS makes a lot of sense. For those who want a true crossover reel and don’t necessarily need top performance or usa-made quality, the Orvis Mirage LT or the Sage Spectrum are more economical options.

Conclusion

There’s plenty to like about the new Nautilus GTS fly reel. This is a tool that will stand up to powerful flats species and freshwater foe alike, offering a robust sealed drag system that is designed to withstand years of abuse. It’s also ultra-lightweight, so it pairs well with lightweight rods, and won’t wear you down if you’re blind casting to Bass, Trout, or Snook all day long. Although it doesn’t have the biggest, grippiest ergonomic components, it's a handsome reel that anglers will recognize as a Nautilus immediately. We anticipate this being a very popular reel for Anglers who need a dual-purpose workhorse reel that can withstand a multitude of fishing environments and applications. Its price tag of $625 is certainly steep, but when you consider its USA-build quality and its performance, it feels worth the price for a lot of serious anglers. Nautilus is known for taking its time between new releases, and the GTS shows that the wait was worthwhile.

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