Abel SD Fly Reel Review

Jan 31, 2015 · 3 min read

The Abel SD has been discontinued by Abel. Check out its successor, the Abel SDF, or shop our full lineup of Abel Fly Reels.

Red anodized Abel SD fly reel with gold drag cap, machined aluminum cage and pale fly line, black reel foot

When Steve Abel started building fly reels, they were some of the finest fly reels ever built. They were well machined and had some of the best drags in the business. This was proven by the countless world records that can be attributed to Abel reels. Fast forward to today. The world of reels has changed. The best reels are the market are made by the likes of Nautilus and Hatch and cork is no longer the best drag material. Enter the Abel SD fly reel. It's the first departure from tradition in over 20 years. This innovative reel has been tested and re-tested. Finally in July 2014, Abel unveiled to the world an entirely new, sealed drag fly reel. Needless to say, we were excited to get our hands on it and test it. 5-Weight Reel Shootout Full Results

WEIGHT

5.5 ounces. A little heavy for a trout reel.

DRAG

The SD's drag tested at 2.2 lbs, which, while not best in class, is above our 2lb threshold for how much drag we'd like to see. What we really liked about the SD's drag is that it had very little startup inertia - .16lbs. An Abel with a smooth drag? We like that.

DRAG TEST GRAPH

SOUND

Perfect. It reminds me of a cross between a Ross and a Tibor.

SPOOL & RETRIEVAL RATE

If there's one real complaint we had with the SD is that they built a modern reel, but put a mid-arbor spool on it (it only pulls in line at 6.3 inches per turn). When I switched back to my Lamson Vanquish after fishing with this reel, the retrieval rate was noticeably better. The reel does feature a quick change spool, which is also somewhat of a shift for Abel.

LOOK & FEEL

There were few clear category winners in this test. The Galvan Torque's drag was fantastic, but not sealed. In the look and feel category, there was one unequivocal winner: the Abel SD. It's incredibly well machined and the anodizing was gorgeous. Of course you've got all the custom options that Abel is known for, like a brown trout drag knob. It's got a comfortable, machined, handle as well.

The Drop

Above Average. The finish on the Abel is first rate. It resists scratching especially well. Unfortunately, it divoted a litte more than we'd like. No Damage.

WARRANTY

$20 plus shipping and handling. Price: $550

CONCLUSION

The SD finished in the middle of the pack, a fact that really saddens us. There's no reel that we loved as much as the Abel SD. Sure, it's expensive, practically a mid-arbor, and has 1/4 of the drag of the Galvan Torque, but it's very easy to overlook these shortcomings when you're fishing with it. In virtually every subjective category, the SD is perfect. This is one reel that's worth checking out before you decide on your next trout reel. Help us review more reels. Shop the Abel SDS now!

PROS

Best looking reel in the test
One of the sounding reels in the test
Lots of options

CONS

Heavier than we'd like
Expensive
Slow-ish retrieve

Written by

Ben Freeman

Ben Freeman founded Trident Fly Fishing in 2012 to cut through the marketing fluff and provide anglers with the technical info they actually need. He’s built his reputation by putting gear to the ultimate test in the world’s most unforgiving fisheries. With fishing stamps from over 22 countries and 17+ states, Ben’s passport is a roadmap of bucket list angling—from landing a 25lb Golden Dorado in Bolivia and 150lb Arapaima in Guyana to sight-casting for Roosterfish off the beaches in Baja. Whether it’s battling 60+mph winds to land a 20lb Rainbow at Jurassic Lake or a full day of casting 8in streamers in Mongolia, Ben has spent decades ensuring his gear performs when a trip of a lifetime is on the line.

At Trident, Ben serves as the lead gear geek, specializing in the deep-dive mechanics of rods, reels, and lines. Over the past 15 years, he's reviewed 250+ fly rods and 150+ fly reels and is likely one of the most prolific rod reviewers in the world. But he doesn't just curate the catalog; he scrutinizes every taper and drag system through the lens of a traveling angler who knows what it's like to have gear fail a thousand miles from home. For Ben, the mission is simple: leverage his experience across nearly 100 species to ensure that when you head into the wild, you’re equipped with gear that has been vetted by someone who has actually been there.

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