Best Lightweight Fly Fishing Reels of 2025

Luke Dobson Avatar
Luke Dobson
Last Updated: 6 Feb 2025

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For anglers searching for a high-quality and easy-to-use fishing reel, the lightweight fly fishing reels are the perfect choice. These reels are designed to be ultra-lightweight, making them ideal for long days on the water. With their durable construction and smooth drag system, they offer excellent performance and reliability. Whether you're a seasoned angler or just starting out, these reels are sure to make your next fishing trip a success.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Premier Fly Reel - Lightweight and Durable Fly Fishing Reel Cover #TOP 1
Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Premier Fly Reel - Lightweight and Durable Fly Fishing Reel
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel with Line Cover #TOP 2
Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel with Line
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Martin Caddis Creek Size 6/5 Fly Reel Cover #TOP 3
Martin Caddis Creek Size 6/5 Fly Reel
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Lightweight Fly Fishing Reels

Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Premier Fly Reel - Lightweight and Durable Fly Fishing Reel

SRECCP78
Black
Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Premier Fly Reel - Lightweight and Durable Fly Fishing Reel Cover
Shakespeare Cedar Canyon Premier Fly Reel – Lightweight and Durable Fly Fishing Reel with Smooth One-Way Bearing and Convertible Left/Right Hand Retrieve - 7/8

Features
Smooth One-Way Bearing – Ensures Reliable, Seamless Drag Operation For Consistent Performance When Reeling In Fish.
Lightweight, Durable Graphite Construction – Designed For Easy Handling And Long-Lasting Performance, This Reel Offers The Perfect Balance Of Strength And Reduced Weight.
Versatile Fly Reel – Ideal For Beginners And Experienced Anglers Targeting A Variety Of Freshwater Species.
Non-Flash Finish – A Sleek, Low-Reflection Finish Prevents Spooking Fish And Ensures A Professional Look.
Convertible Left/right Hand Retrieve – Easily Adjustable Retrieve Direction, Making It Suitable For Both Left-Handed And Right-Handed Anglers.

Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel with Line

HU-XI-122
Gunmetal
5/6wt
Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel with Line Cover
Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel with Line, Pre-Loaded CNC-Machined Aluminum Alloy Fly Reel, Light Weight and Corrosion Resistance Design, 5/6wt Gunmetal

The Piscifun Sword Reel is an excellent choice for fly fishing enthusiasts. With its pre-loaded tapered flying line, you can achieve accuracy even in breezy conditions, enhancing your fishing experience. The reel is made from lightweight, durable CNC-machined aluminium, ensuring it won't weigh you down. Its silky smooth drag system offers you immediate engagement, allowing for precise control when reeling in fish. Plus, its corrosion-resistant design means it can withstand various weather conditions, ensuring longevity and reliability on your fishing trips.

What We Like
Lightweight and durable design
Smooth drag system
Corrosion-resistant materials
Pre-loaded for convenience

Martin Caddis Creek Size 6/5 Fly Reel

Martin Fly Fishing
MLT63A,,CP4
Black
Martin Caddis Creek Size 6/5 Fly Reel Cover
Martin Caddis Creek Fly Fishing Reel, Size 6/5 Single Action Fly Reel with Rim-Control, Changeable Right- or Left-Hand Retrieve, Lightweight Aluminum Spool, Brown, 63

The Martin Caddis Creek Reel is a 6/5 single action fly reel designed with a reinforced aluminium spool, making it an excellent choice for catching various fish such as panfish, trout, walleye, and bass. The metal clicker features an on/off control, allowing you to manage your fishing experience effortlessly. You will appreciate the push-button spool release, which offers convenience when changing lines. Pre-spooled with 20-pound backing, LT6F fly line, and a 5X leader, this reel ensures you are ready to fish right out of the box.

What We Like
Lightweight aluminium construction
Easy right- or left-hand retrieve
Convenient push-button spool release
Pre-spooled for immediate use
#TOP 4

Redington ZERO Lightweight Fly Fishing Reel

5-5507R23NB
Matte Black
Redington ZERO Lightweight Fly Fishing Reel Cover
Redington Zero Fly Fishing Reel, Lightweight Design for Trout, Clicker Drag System, Matte Black, 2/3

The Redington ZERO Reel sets a new benchmark for lightweight fly fishing, particularly when targeting Trout. Its clicker drag system ensures that you experience smooth resistance during those thrilling runs, allowing for better control. The large arbor design aids in quick line retrieval and minimises line memory, making your fishing experience more efficient. Crafted with durable die-cast construction, this reel is not only lightweight but also features a quick-change spool for added convenience during your fishing trips.

What We Like
Lightweight design
Smooth clicker drag
Quick line retrieval
Durable construction
Easy spool change

OriGlam Ultralight Fly Fishing Reel

FHG_116
Black
OriGlam Ultralight Fly Fishing Reel Cover
OriGlam Fly Fishing Reel Fishing Wheel, Fly Ice Fishing Reel Spinning Fishing Reels, Powerful Lightweight Spinning Reels for Freshwater Saltwater (Black)

The OriGlam Fishing Reel is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced anglers. Its wide application makes it ideal for freshwater fishing, particularly in trout rivers and lakes. The ergonomic knob design allows for easy drag adjustments, even in chilly conditions, ensuring you can fish comfortably. Made from ultralight engineering plastic, this reel is not only durable but also corrosion resistant, giving you peace of mind in various environments. With no signs of rust after extensive testing, you can rely on its performance for years to come.

What We Like
Wide application for various fish
Easy drag adjustments
Durable and corrosion resistant
Lightweight design
#TOP 6

Maxcatch Minima Lightweight Fly Fishing Reel

Olive Green
2/5wt
Maxcatch Minima Lightweight Fly Fishing Reel Cover
Maxcatch Minima Fly Fishing Reel Lightweight Clicker Drag System Super Large Arbor Aluminum Fly Reels

The Maxcatch Minima Reel is crafted from T6061 aluminium, ensuring unmatched strength while remaining incredibly lightweight for all-day fishing comfort. Its super light clicker drag system operates quietly, allowing for smooth line management without distractions. The super large arbor design enables rapid line pick-up, saving you time and effort during your fishing trips. The U-shape spool is specially designed for optimal fly line spooling, making it easier for you to handle and store your line efficiently.

What We Like
Lightweight for all-day use
Quiet drag system
Fast line retrieval
Optimal line spooling
#TOP 7

Sougayilang G5/6 Fly Fishing Reel

5/6 WT
Sougayilang G5/6 Fly Fishing Reel Cover
Sougayilang Fly Fishing Reel,Large Arbor With Diecast Aluminum Body Fly Reel-5/6,7/8 Weights,Essential Fly Reels For Beginners-G5/6

The Sougayilang Fly Reel is designed to enhance your fishing experience with its silky smooth drag system, allowing for easy and adjustable drag resolution. Its lightweight and durable die-cast aluminium construction ensures you can enjoy long days on the water without fatigue. The large arbor design increases backing capacity and enables quicker line retrieval, making it easier to manage your line and avoid tangles. This great value reel is perfect for anglers of all skill levels, providing versatility and performance for your fishing adventures.

What We Like
Silky smooth drag system
Lightweight and durable design
Large arbor for quick line pickup
Great value for beginners

Matymats Lightweight Fly Fishing Reel for Trout

Matymats-UK4-XXY-B10254-4
Silver
3/4wt
Matymats Lightweight Fly Fishing Reel for Trout Cover
Matymats 3/4wt Fly Fishing Reel, CNC-Machined Aluminum Alloy Trout Fly Reel, Lightweight Salmon Fly Reels for Bass Carp Pike Panfish, Silver

The Matymats Fly Reel offers outstanding features for avid anglers. Its large line capacity ensures you can load plenty of fly backing and master line, making your fishing experience seamless. The smooth, click-free drag system allows you to fight your catch without distractions, giving you the precision you need. Constructed from solid CNC-machined aluminum, it is both lightweight and durable, ensuring it stands up to the elements. Additionally, the reel easily switches between left and right-hand retrieval, catering to your individual preferences.

What We Like
Large line capacity
Smooth, silent drag system
Lightweight and durable
Interchangeable hand retrieval
Versatile for various fish
#TOP 9

Maximumcatch Lightweight Large Arbor Fly Reel

Black Fly Reel
5/6wt
Maximumcatch Lightweight Large Arbor Fly Reel Cover
Maximumcatch Tail Fly Fishing Reel Light Weight Large Arbor Teflon Disc with CNC-machined Aluminum Alloy Body 5/6 7/8wt (Black Reel, 5/6wt)

The Maximumcatch Fly Fishing Reel is an excellent choice for freshwater anglers seeking a lightweight option without compromising performance. Its smooth drag system ensures you can effectively stop even larger fish like trout, providing you with confidence on the water. The combination of die-casting and CNC machining creates a robust body that can withstand high-impact situations, making it durable for frequent use. Additionally, the stacked Teflon and stainless steel disc drag system allows for immediate drag engagement, enhancing your fishing experience by ensuring prompt responses to any catches.

What We Like
Lightweight for easy handling
Smooth drag for effective control
Durable construction for longevity
Quick drag engagement
#TOP 10

MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Tail Fly Fishing Reel

Black Fly Reel
3/4wt
MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Tail Fly Fishing Reel Cover
MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch Tail Fly Fishing Reel Waterproof Light Weight Large Arbor Teflon Disc with CNC-machined Aluminum Alloy Body 5/6 7/8wt (Black Fly Reel, 3/4wt)

The Maxcatch Fly Fishing Reel is a lightweight yet powerful choice for anglers. Its smooth drag system allows you to stop even the largest freshwater fish with ease, ensuring a successful catch. The reel features advanced die-casting and CNC machining, providing you with a durable body that can withstand high impacts. Additionally, the stacked Teflon and stainless steel disc drag system offers immediate drag engagement, giving you confidence when reeling in your catch. You will also appreciate the one-way bearing, which enables quick switching between left and right-hand retrieval.

What We Like
Lightweight design
Smooth drag system
Durable construction
Quick hand retrieval switch
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the lightest fly reel?

On the exterior, the Brookie features distinct porting and a weatherproof finish. Aside from giving it a unique style, this precision machining process eliminates virtually all excess weight from the fly reel making it one of the lightest fully machined American-made reels available.

2. Does fly reel weight matter?

Most fly lines have informational labels that give you the basic specifications for that line. And please remember – no matter which fly line you choose, it is essential to match the fly line weight with the rod weight to ensure balanced, reliable fly fishing performance.

3. Can fly reels be too light?

If the reel is too light, the tip will fall toward the floor. If the reel is too heavy, the butt will tilt downward.

4. How do I choose a fly reel?

The main key point to choosing a fly reel is to pick one that can hold the necessary amount of backing and fly line for the weight of rod that you are fishing with. If you purchased a 5 weight fly rod, make sure you are choosing a fly reel that will accommodate fly line weights from 4-6.

Editor's Notes

During our lightweight fly fishing reel research, we found 243 lightweight fly fishing reel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 9,520 customer reviews through our big data system to write the lightweight fly fishing reels list. We found that most customers choose lightweight fly fishing reels with an average price of £29.02.

The lightweight fly fishing reels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of lightweight fly fishing reels, including SHAKESPEARE, Piscifun, Martin Fly Fishing, REDINGTON, OriGlam. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 382 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Luke Dobson Avatar

Luke is a runner, a climber, hiker, hunter, and a lot more. Luke Dobson is Celtic-born and has lived most of his life in Scotland. However, his sporting endeavours have taken him to several countries around Europe. He serves as a tour guide for countless companies and owns a couple of gyms and recreational centres in Scotland. Luke Dobson is proficient in 7 different languages. He maintains many sport article columns where he shares his wealth of experience in the sport industry.