Seigler XBF Fly Reel Review
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The XBF is Seigler’s premier fly reel designed for big-game fishing applications. Think Tarpon, Sailfish, Tuna, and GT’s, the XBF can handle it. Like all Seigler fly reels, the XBF features a unique lever drag system that many anglers have come to adore for precise drag settings. The XBF also features some interesting design elements that make it ideal for pursuing the largest and fastest fish in the ocean. Keep reading to learn more about the Seigler XBF including its pros and cons, to decide if it is the right reel for your big-game quiver.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High performance: Powerful drag and extremely quick line pickup!
- Excellent ergonomics. Unique lever drag and an oversized handle.
- The reel foot is replaceable, and each reel comes with a spare foot.
- Cool spool and frame design that looks sharp and powerful.
Cons
- Expensive at $2,000!
- Heavy. If you need a lightweight reel, there are much lighter options.
- Changing spools is not an easy task; it's advisable to do this off the water.
Who It’s For
The Seigler XBF is best suited for big-game anglers who need to set a precise upper limit for their drag pressure. The XBF has plenty of drag power to slow down powerful fish such as Tarpon and GTs but also allows for fine-tuned drag adjustments and a pre-set drag range thanks to its lever drag system. Unfortunately, its high price of $2,000 may not be attainable for all anglers, so having a larger budget is an important factor when deciding if this is the right reel for you.
For beginner or casual saltwater anglers who primarily target Bonefish or other smaller species, the XBF is overkill. There are many budget-friendly options available that offer similar drag strength that would fit the bill.
Weight
Weighing in at 13.6 ounces, the 12wt XBF is a heavy reel even by saltwater standards. For comparison, most 10-12wt fly reels weigh somewhere in the range of 10-12 ounces. That being said, the XBF isn’t the heaviest saltwater reel on the market - that title goes to the Mako 9600B and the Sage Thermo - both weighing around 15 ounces.
If you’re mostly sight-fishing, the extra weight of the XBF probably isn’t a deal-breaker. For this reason, you’ll probably see some XBFs in the Florida Keys for Tarpon, and in the Seychelles for GTs. On the other hand, the XBF might be too heavy for all-day blind casting pursuits, like surfcasting for Stripers or big Snook.
Drag
The drag on the Seigler XBF is a powerhouse offering over 10 pounds of maximum drag pressure. This is enough pressure to put the brakes on powerful Sailfish, Tuna, Tarpon, and more. However, its lever design sets it apart from other big game reels. The lever drag system has been around in the conventional world for quite some time, but Seigler aims to bring this useful technology to the fly reel, allowing anglers to pre-set their drag range ahead of time. The concept is simple: your drag knob still goes from zero to hero, but with each click of the drag knob you’ll be able to access a range of drag pressure by using the lever. Set the knob pressure first, then test the maximum pressure using the lever. If you want to protect your tippet to a certain poundage, you can test your lever settings the night before, using a Boga or a mock leader, and see just how much pressure you can set without breaking your tippet.
Seigler doesn’t explicitly advertise their drag as being sealed, so keep that in mind after each day in saltwater. Be sure to thoroughly rinse your reel to remove any salty debris from the drag mechanism, inside and out.
Sound
The incoming sound on the XBF is nonexistent, which we don’t love but some anglers may prefer. The outgoing, however, produces a nice audible click and will sound fantastic with a powerful fish running into the backing. We’d love to see Seigler create a reel with an audible incoming sound to match their great outgoing click, but reel sound is subjective and you may enjoy the current configuration.
Spool & Cage Design
Seigler has created a very clever spool for the XBF, featuring a ‘stepped’ arbor that allows for increased backing capacity without sacrificing line pickup. We measured a maximum diameter of 4.9 inches, a width of 0.9 inches, the smaller stepped arbor at 2.87 inches, and the larger stepped arbor at 3.5 inches. These specs result in a whopping 13 inches of line pickup per turn, which is fantastic for big-game fishing applications. Although the steps make calculating backing capacity a little tricky, we estimate about 300-400 yards of 40lb PowerPro braid with a 12wt line. The only downside, however, is these spools are quite difficult to remove. Therefore, any spool changes would likely need to be done off the water.
The XBF features a full-frame cage with large porting. This is a durable cage that will withstand years of abuse, and we appreciate the full frame which is less common for saltwater reels.
Looks & Ergonomics
Seigler reels are immediately recognizable because of their lever drag, and we dig the overall aesthetic of the XBF. Its burly sharp edges give it a stout appearance, and at first glance, you can tell this reel is meant for serious duty. Available in black or silver with optional accent colors, the XBF is fully machined and anodized, so it will continue to look and perform well for many years.
Ergonomically, the XBF is one of our favorite big game reels on the market today. The drag lever is large and incredibly intuitive, and the oversized reel handle is extremely wide and easy to grip.
Warranty
Value
Price: $2,000.00
At $2,000, the XBF might stand for Xtra-Big-Financial investment. All jokes aside, this is an expensive reel even by saltwater reel standards. Whether or not it's worth the money comes down to your needs. If you need top-notch performance features like a powerful drag and a fast retrieval rate, the XBF fits the bill - but so do other reels that cost much less. However, if you also need the ability to fine-tune your drag during a fight, then the lever drag of the XBF may make this reel worth the investment. Ultimately, Seigler has a fantastic product in the XBF, and its lever drag system combined with its stellar performance will make it worth the price for many serious big-game saltwater anglers.
Conclusion
The Seigler XBF lever drag system is a standout feature, making it a solid addition to any big-game arsenal. With a powerful maximum drag and lightning-quick retrieval speed, the XBF is ready to do battle with virtually any saltwater foe. Sure, it isn’t the lightest reel on the market, and its spool is tricky to remove in a hurry. But if performance and drag adjustments are features that matter most to you, then the Seigler XBF might be the perfect choice.
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