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Redington has replaced the beloved Rise fly reel with the new Ace: their latest do-it-all freshwater fly reel at a very reasonable price. We were excited to give the Ace a test spin, and in this review we take a deep dive into its important features like spool design, drag strength, weight, and ergonomics. If you’re looking to replace your old Rise, or you’re on the hunt for a solid freshwater reel that won’t break the bank, check out our full review of the Redington Ace fly reel below. We cut through the marketing chaff so you can make an informed buying decision based on the features that really matter to you, your fishing needs, and your budget.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Fully anodized construction means great durability over time
• At 4.9 ounces, its lightweight for a reel at this price point
• Plenty of drag strength for Trout, Bass, and Pike

Cons

• There’s a lot of solid competition in the $250 price range
• The drag is not fully sealed, so you’re limited to freshwater use

Who It’s For

The Redington Ace is a blue-collar freshwater fly reel that will stand up to a diverse range of fisheries and needs. Offered in sizes ranging from 3/4wt to 9/10wt, the Ace is a great option for Trout, freshwater Bass, Pike, Carp, and even Salmon and Steelhead. For anglers who need an inexpensive workhorse reel that can go from the Trout stream to the Bass pond in the same day, the Ace is a fantastic option.

Weight

The Ace weighs in at 4.9 ounces in the 5/6wt size, making it a fairly lightweight option in the realm of sub-$300 freshwater reels. For comparison, the Orvis Hydros weighs about 5.5 ounces, and the TFO NTR weighs 5 ounces. Anywhere between 4.5 and 5.5 ounces is about right to properly balance most 9’ 5wt rods. If you’re looking for a reel to balance a longer euro nymphing or trout spey rod, you might want to consider a full-cage option like the Redington Tilt, the Orvis SSR, or the Lamson Remix S HD. All of these options are slightly heavier, and feature a full-cage frame to accommodate thin running lines.

Drag

In the 5/6wt size, we estimate the Ace to have about 3 pounds of maximum drag pressure, which is plenty for Trout and freshwater Bass fishing. It takes 2 turns of the drag knob to go from zero to hero, offering the perfect balance of adjustability without excessive searching. Unfortunately, this drag is not completely sealed, so you’ll want to stick to freshwater use with the Ace.

Sound

If you like a hushed drag, you’re in luck with the Redington Ace, which offers a very muted, slightly differentiated incoming and outgoing click. We generally prefer an audible click that offers greater feedback when a fish takes a hot run, but drag sound is subjective and this quiet option will appeal to a lot of trout anglers.

Spool & Cage Design

The Ace features a large-arbor spool with a deep v-shaped arbor that allows for increased retrieval rate with minimal backing. We measured a maximum spool diameter of 3.4 inches, a width of 1”, and an arbor diameter of 2.2”. These measurements yield about 8” of line pickup per turn, which is similar to other reels at this price point. Sure, it’s not the quickest line retrieval out there, but it's totally adequate for most Trout, Bass, and Pike applications. The latticed-ported spool shaves weight and helps your line and backing dry thoroughly between uses.

The reel’s frame is a simple open-cage design which contributes to a lighter overall weight. Although full-cage reels certainly have their place in euro and trout spey applications, this open cage design is on par with most value reels. Importantly, the Redington Ace is fully anodized, which means its more durable than cast reels like the Lamson Liquid S and the Sage Spectrum C. If it’s anything like the Rise, the Redington Ace can be fished hard for many years without issues.

Looks & Ergonomics

Like its predecessor, the Redington Ace looks very handsome for a value reel. It features a unique lattice-ported spool that looks more stout than the ultra-ported designs like we’ve seen from Lamson and TFO. As of December 2024, the Ace is available in three color options: Silver Dollar, Night Rider, and Tobacco Brown, which all look classy and complement most blanks very nicely.

Ergonomically, the Ace is notably comfortable for a value-priced reel. It features an adequately-sized drag knob and handle, both of which offer decent grip. If we’re nitpicking, we’d love to see an even larger drag knob and handle to maximize functionality. The Ace’s spool snaps into the frame using o-ring tension, meaning you never have to worry about a loose spool release knob or a small button to make a quick spool change on the water. Simply snap the spool out and replace it with the new one, and you can go from throwing dry flies with a floating line to dredging streamers with a sink tip in a matter of minutes.

Warranty

Redington Fly Reel Warranty

Value

Price: $239.99

True to the Redington ethos, the Ace represents an everyman’s freshwater reel that’s both functional and reliable, but at a price that's attainable for a majority of anglers. Sure, a value reel like the Ace wouldn’t be our top choice for taking to a place like Jurassic Lake or the Rio Grande in Argentina - most travelers will pack a premium reel for the peace of mind they offer. But can the Redington Ace handle the task? Probably so, and quite frankly, the Redington Ace will exceed the daily needs of 95% of anglers. 

Admittedly, there’s a lot of competition at the sub-$300 price point, with reels like the Orvis Hydros, Lamson Guru S, and TFO NTR all vying for the same niche. That being said, the Ace offers the durability of a fully anodized reel with very solid retrieval and drag performance, making it a great choice for anglers who use the same reel across many varied fisheries. From diehard Trout junkies to weekend warriors, anglers from coast to coast will undoubtedly see a lot of value in the versatile and durable Redington Ace.

Conclusion

We’ve come to expect great value products from Redington over the years, and the new Ace fly reel certainty fits that mold. This is a well-rounded freshwater reel that can do everything from small-stream trout to hefty Pike fishing, all for under $300. While we’d love a sealed drag, bigger (more ergonomic) components, and a louder drag click, it's hard to complain at this attractive price point. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Redington reels, or you’re looking for an everyday workhorse reel that will stand up to years of abuse, the Redington Ace is a very compelling choice in a crowded market. 

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