Trout reel - Our selection of the best ultra-light trout reels
How do you find the best ultra-light trout reel? That's the question we wanted to ask ourselves. Of course, budget is an important factor, but not the only one. We can also talk about quality, choice of materials, the type of lure fishing you do and the average size of trout you catch.ue you are looking for... That's why we wanted to share with you a list of the best ultra-light trout reels which we believe are ideal for fishing in rivers, ponds, lakes and rivers. or tanks to suit all budgets.
How do you choose your ultra-light trout reel?
Generally speaking he components of an ultra-light spinning reel will determine its performance on the water and its lifespan season after season. For ultra-light trout fishing, we're looking for a reel that doesn't weigh much (ideally less than 200g), that turns smoothly, has a more or less substantial drag and is resistant to corrosion and impacts on gravel, for example.
Ultra-light reels are generally used for trout fishing. spinning reels in sizes from 1000 to 2500 maximum. Here is a list of factors to take into account, not only those intrinsic to the reel but also the environment and the fish you are targeting.
The materials used
A spinning reel with a metal body is the best compromise when it comes to ultra-light trout fishing because of its strength and resistance. However, it is less flexible and does not resist corrosion. Graphite reels are therefore often used for ultralight fishing because they are lighter than their metal cousins.
However, some of the the best ultra-light reels have a carbon fibre frame and spool to reduce weight and avoid corrosion problems.
Brake power
The drag is a key element in all lure fishing. Ultra-light trout fishing is no exception. A good drag will allow you to control your fish in all circumstances, even during the rush of a big trout. So this is not a point to be ignored, far from it. The basic rule that can be applied to ultralights is that the power of your brake should be at least equal to a quarter of the resistance of your line. For example, if your line body on your spool has a resistance of 10kg, your reel should have a drag power of at least 2.5kg.
All the ultra-light reels on this list can easily exceed this level of drag. But overall, bear in mind that a 2 to 5 kg brake is a good choice for ultra-light trout fishing.
Recovery speed or reel ratio
To put it simply, the higher the ratio of your reel, the more centimetres you will gain with each turn of the crank. In practical terms, if the ratio of your reel is 5:1, the spool turns 5 times for each turn of the crank. A low ratio is preferable for slow fishing and a high ratio for fast fishing. The best reels for ultra-light trout fishing that we are going to present to you generally have intermediate ratios between 5.0:1 and 6.2:1.
However, we cannot give you the equivalent in cm as this depends on the diameter of the wire spool. Overall, we believe that a speed of recovery of between 60 and 70 cm is a good compromise for an ultra-light trout reel.
The fishing environment: a determining factor
Firstly, think about the type of spot you'll be fishing for trout. Do you prefer calm, deep waters (lakes, ponds, reservoirs) or running, shallower waters (rivers and streams)?
If you fish for trout with ultralights in lakes, the fish often stay very low in the water. So you'll have to go far and deep to find them. The capacity of your reel can therefore be an important factor to take into account to achieve the depth you are aiming for.
Conversely, if you're fishing in a small stream or shallow river, the capacity of the reel won't be paramount. The most important thing will be to use a Ultra-light, compact package that lets you link up your casts more quickly and manage your approaches more easily.
The size of the fish: adapt your equipment to the trout you are looking for
With the question of the environment comes the question of the type of fish you're looking for. Are you going to go after trout of all sizes or are you going to concentrate on trophy trout? The size of the trout you are targeting is also a determining factor. If your priority is to fish for small trout with an ultra-light, the drag and size of the reel are probably not very important.
However, if you fish in areas where there is a high probability of encountering large individuals (over 40 cm), you should choose an ultra-light trout reel with a good brake and ratio. These two factors play a major role in the speed and control with which you can reel in your fish. It would be foolish to miss out on the trout of a lifetime because of an unsuitable reel.
With these factors in mind, we believe that comparative list of the best ultra-light trout reels on the market. This list, subjective though it is, includes trout reels ranging from €50 to over €500, so there's something for everyone and every budget. With the right care and maintenance, these reels should give you some great times on the water.
The best top-of-the-range ultra-light trout reel: The Shimano Stella FK 1000
Its reputation is well established. Visit Shimano Stella is Shimano's top-of-the-range spinning reel and, in our opinion, it is the best ultra-light trout reel on the market for those with a big budget
Over and above the many innovative technologies it possesses, this reel offers the following features exceptional performance for demanding anglers. Light, fluid and strong, it's no less powerful for that. So you can fight big trout as well as gently handle small ones. It's a reel we think you'll keep for the rest of your life for ultra-light trout fishing.
The model FK 1000 is top for ultra-light. However, you can upgrade to larger sizes if you want to use it in a more versatile way.
Bearings : 12 +1
Weight : 165g
Brake Weight : 3kg
Recovery Size : 64 cm
Ratio : 5.1
The best ultra-light trout reel for €50: The Shimano Sedona
Given its price and quality, the Shimano Sedona is for us the best trout reel dedicated to ultra-light for small budgets. Robust yet lightweight, it will enable any beginner angler to Learn and/or improve ultra-light trout fishing without breaking the bank.
Weighing in at 215g, you'll have no trouble fishing for trout for hours on end without tiring out your handle. It has a smooth retrieve and a 3kg drag. That's more than enough to handle any trout in a fight.
With proper maintenance, you'll be able to keep this reel for several seasons.
Bearings : 3 +1
Weight: 215g
Brake Weight : 3kg
Recovery Size : 66 cm
Ratio : 5.0:1
The best ultra-light trout reel for €100: The Daiwa Exceler lt Edition 2020
If we weren't fans of previous editions of the Exceler range, the Daiwa LT Ed 2020 have, in our opinion, a good weight/power ratio.
The reel frame and spool are made from carbon, making the whole thing lighter but also stronger. The one-piece crank handle has been lightened for smoother rotation. The brake is also acceptable given the overall price of the reel.
For ultra-light trout fishing, we recommend the 1000 model. It has a high retrieve speed. So it's perfect for Fish quickly and flush out active fish.
Bearings : 5 +1
Weight : 180g
Brake Weight : 5kg
Recovery Height : 77 cm
Ratio : 6.2:1
The best value for money ultra-light trout reel: Abu Garcia Revo SX Spin
TheAbu Garcia Revo SX In our opinion, Spin has the The best value for money in ultra-light trout fishing. It's reasonably priced (around €150) and has a solid aluminium frame that will last for many fishing seasons.
Its carbon brake is fluid, light and solid all at the same time. You'll be able to handle the big girls in a fight. It's a little heavier than the top-of-the-range models. But its 205 g are still very reasonable for this type of fishing.
In short, the Revo SX Spin is ideal for all types of ultra-light trout fishing. We are focusing here on the 2000 model
Bearings : 8 +1
Weight : 205g
Brake Weight : 4.8kg
Recovery Size : 64cm
Ratio : 5.1:1
What is the best brand of ultra-light trout fishing reel?
All reel brands have models designed for ultra-light trout fishing. They vary in price and are packed with innovative technologies. Some brands, such as Penn and Abu garciaare renowned for the robustness and power of their reels. Others, such as Daiwa for the design and weight of their reels.
But in our opinion (and this is our personal opinion), the best ultra-light trout reels are to be found at Shimano. Here are a few examples Stella, the Vanford, the Biomaster (which I personally use) or the Stradic.
In conclusion
The best ultra-light trout reel is above all the one that will be the most enjoyable to fish, without constraints and within your budget. Whether you're fishing an Alpine lake or a river, choosing the right reel will save you a lot of trouble.
So pay particular attention to the characteristics of your reel: materials, brakes, ratio, etc. You should also take into account the fishing conditions in which you are used to fishing.
These are the details that will make all the difference at the water's edge.
Useful links to complete this article:
How to choose your casting reel?
Lure fishing: Which fishing rod to choose according to the lure used?
Casting or spinning: which choice to adopt?
About The Author
Rodmaps
Rodmaps is above all the story of Nicolas and Matthieu, two friends passionate about fishing. Since our childhood, our passion drives us to travel through France and to travel around the world in search of adventure and trophy fish. Through Rodmaps, we want to share our passion for fishing with as many people as possible and make people discover the joys of this sport around us, because yes, fishing is a sport!