After a rod has been selected, the next piece of equipment to consider is a fly reel. With many various styles of reels to consider, there are a few classifications that should be understood. With careful consideration to the composition, drag mechanism, and arbor size, one should be able to select a reel that best suits their needs.

The type of drag desired is one aspect of a fly reel to consider. The two types of drag are click-and-pawl and disc drag. Click-and-pawl reels are the traditional style where a spring and a clicker are the only sources of resistance when line is released. These reels have more traditional origins however they do not allow for adjustment to the level of resistance. Disc drag reels use a cylindrical surface to apply friction to the spool, thus releasing line with the desired amount of resistance. Usually the amount of resistance is selected by adjusting the drag knob on a reel. Most anglers prefer a disc drag reel because of the ability to adjust the resistance and the increased ability to use a reel to fight a fish. For anglers considering a rod with a lighter line weight, the benefits of a click-and-pawl reel often outweigh the drag issue. Disc drag reels are usually more labor-intensive to produce and thus are usually more expensive than click-and-pawl reels.

The size of the arbor should also be considered. With reels divided into standard arbor, mid arbor, and large arbor categories, the benefits of each should be assessed. Standard arbor reels have the smallest arbor and have significantly larger backing capacity. Due to the smaller diameter of the arbor, the amount of line retrieved per revolution of the spool is far less than that of a large arbor reel. Large arbor reels have a larger diameter arbor specifically designed to retrieve line faster and with more efficiency. Anglers pursuing larger fish that can run significant distances many times when hooked prefer these reels. The ability to quickly retrieve line allows for better use of the reel’s drag to tire a fish. Mid arbor reels are a combination of standard arbor and large arbor design. The benefits and drawbacks of both reels are combined yet these reels are not highly recommended.