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.
After much ado, it’s time to announce the winner of our 2018 8-weight Reel Shootout: The Nautilus CCF X2 8/10. The CCF-X2 replaces the old CCF as Nautilus’ mid-priced big game reel. Usually, mid-price comes with mediocre performance. Not so this time. The CCF absolutely crushes its big brother the NV-G, and takes the top spot in our shootout. Here’s why we love this reel so much.
When I asked Kristen Mustad which reel he thought would perform best in our shootout, he replied the XL Max. The X-series replaces the FWX as Nautilus’s lightweight and (more) freshwater oriented reel. That’s not to say that this isn’t a serious saltwater reel, but it’s just not as hardcore as the CCF and NVG.
If there was one question we received the last time we did our 8-weight Shootout more than any other, it was about the omission of the Nautilus NV-G. Despite that, it’s become one of our bestselling reels.
The NV-G replaced the older NV as the crown in the Nautilus lineup. They made one crucial change to the reel, which was to make the spool bigger. That meant that they took what is by today’s standard, a mid-arbor reel, and turned it into a high-performance machine. This should come as no surprise since Nautilus is based in Miami and has more access to top saltwater guides and test water than any other reel company.
The Nautilus NVG is one of the most talked about reels on the market today. It’s a quality product that’s made right here in the US. Better still, it’s received many awards and acclaim. But all of that has been for how the NV would perform as a SALTWATER reel. We’re here to see how it stands up to the rigors of trout fishing.
The Nautilus FWX is the little brother to the much-loved NVG. The so-called ‘FeatherWeight eXtreme’ is deigned to be lighter weight, but still heavy on performance. It’s also more geared towards the freshwater market, so we expect it to be a hit in this test. Read on to see how it does.
