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You may or may not be aware of Shilton Fly Reels. Although the South African company has been around for several decades, they’ve only recently gained momentum stateside. Their growing popularity can be attributed to holistic word-of-mouth spreading the gospel about their good looks, build quality, and alleged fish-stopping ability. After all, their slogan is “We Stop  Fish.” We recently had a chance to test out the SL7 for our Big Game Fly Reel Shootout. If you are Shilton curious or looking for something a little different for your next big game or tarpon reel, you will not want to miss this review. Read on to see if ‘Stopping Fish’ is more than just a slogan.

Big Game Reel Shootout Full Results

Weight

At 10.7 ounces, the SL7 is slightly heavier than average. However, it seems about right for a reel of the SL7’s style.

Drag

If your entire marketing scheme is centered around your reel’s ability to stop fish, you better bring the heat. Its max drag strength of 12.6 pounds ranks higher than the tied-for-first Hatch Iconic. However, the drag isn’t nearly as linear; its average at half-drag drops to 2.10 pounds. Since there’s no lower limit on the drag, the drag bottoms out at an almost impressively low .03 lbs and takes the prize for most likely to end up with a bird's nest.

The three-turn drag rotation offers the right amount of adjustability. However, one crucial issue is that the drag is cork and not sealed, so you must clean it thoroughly after each use and lubricate it periodically to maintain performance. However, this also means it’s easier to repair on the spot, if something should happen in a remote location.

Drag Test Graphics

Sound

Uniquely, the SL7 has no sound on the outgoing, but the incoming was one of the best in the shootout.

Spool & Retrieval Rate

The SL7 holds a ton of backing- nearly 350 yards of 30lb dacron with an 11wt line. This is where the good news ends, unfortunately. Like the Tibors, the SL7 is more of a mid-arbor reel, and its spool is short and wide, leading to a slow line retrieval rate. It averages less than 10 inches per turn, which was the worst in the shootout.

Looks & Ergonomics 

If you are a fan of classically styled saltwater reels, you will like the SL7. However, it will not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially those searching for a reel with sleek modern lines like the Hatch Iconic or Ross Evolution R Salt. You’d be forgiven if you mistook the SL7 for something Steve Abel or Ted Juracsik designed during the heyday of saltwater fly fishing. 

The handle was a little small but otherwise solid, but the drag nob was way too small on the SL7. The machining on the reel stands out, and it looks like a durable, high-quality reel. Both the SL7 and the SR10 lose points for not having a quick-release spool. If you’re looking to switch lines on the water, be careful, as you’ll have to take the reel apart to do it.

Warranty

Lifetime to the original owner

Price: $842

Conclusion

We were really looking forward to testing the SL7 based on Shilton’s reputation for building high-quality fly reels. In many ways, it didn’t disappoint, and the machining is second to none. We understand why these are popular for destination trips in remote locations or used extensively in the Seychelles. The SL7 looks bombproof, and the easy maintenance and repairability factor is a huge bonus…

However, in this test, the SL7 finished near the bottom for several reasons: It’s a little too heavy, a little too slow, and a little too mid-arbor-y. While there’s definitely some retro appeal here, true performance lies elsewhere.