8wt Fly Reel Reviews
An 8-weight fly reel needs to do it all, smooth drag for bonefish sprints on the flats, enough stopping power for a redfish in the mangroves, and the corrosion resistance to survive season after season in saltwater. This is the most popular saltwater reel class, which means the options are deep and the differences between top performers and overpriced disappointments are significant.
Fifty-plus 8wt reels tested in real fishing conditions - that's the foundation behind these reviews. Drag performance, corrosion resistance, line capacity, and durability under sustained pressure were all measured. The full breakdown is below.
Einarsson 8Plus Fly Reel Review
With a name that sounds a little too much like a Hatch, the little brother to...
Einarsson Invictus 8/10 Fly Reel Review
Einar-who? They are made where? You may not know them yet, but you certainly ...
Bauer RX5 Fly Reel Review
Another newcomer to our shootouts is Bauer. You might be asking yourself, “He...
Loop Opti Strike Fly Reel Review
Last but not least from Loop is the Opti Strike. It’s big. It’s full cage. Ho...
Loop Opti Speedrunner Fly Reel Review
Next up in our shootout is the Loop Opti Speedrunner. There are 3 reels in th...
Loop Evotec HD 8ten Fly Reel Review
Another newcomer to our shootouts is Loop. But they are definitely not new to...
Sage 2280 Fly Reel Review
The 2200 series has been around for a while now. We already know that this is...
Taylor Array 8/9/10 Fly Reel Review
Rounding out the trio of reels from Taylor is the Array. The Array sits betwe...
Taylor Revolution Fly Reel Review
There are those out there who believe that we don’t like reels made overseas ...
Taylor Enigma ESD 6-8 Fly Reel Review
A great looking reel for under $200? On the surface, the Taylor Enigma looks ...
Waterworks-Lamson Force SL II Fly Reel Review
The Force SL has been Lamson's flagship reel series for some time. It's known...
Redington Rise 7/8 Fly Reel Review
Redington Reels are well known for their high quality and bargain price. The ...
Ross Momentum LT Fly Reel Review
Ross Reels have made a wave in the trout fishing world. The Ross Momentum LT ...
Redington Delta 7/8 Fly Reel Review
Redington Reels are synonymous with value. The Redington Delta is the latest ...
Ross F1 Fly Reel Review
There's a lot to like about Ross Reels. They're made in the USA, have made q...
Lamson Vanquish 7.8LT Fly Reel Review
"It looks like a spaceship!" That was what one of our customers said when he ...
Tibor Signature Fly Reel Review
The Tibor Signature is the latest creation from master reel designer Ted “Tib...
Cheeky Mojo 425 Fly Reel Review
Not a lot of people have heard of Cheeky. They are one of the newest reels o...
Sage 6080 Fly Reel Review
The Sage 6000 Series fly reel has long been Sage's benchmark saltwater fly re...
Abel Super 7/8N Fly Reel Review
The Abel Super 8, along with the Tibor Everglades, made up the "classic" port...
68 articles