Redington offers some of the most functional and dependable fly reels on the market. From small trout on your favorite local stream to big, exotic species in far away places, they offer a little of everything when it comes to the fly fishing scene.
Back in 2015 they introduced the BEHEMOTH, a large arbored, big-game dominant reel to their line and it became an instant success, not only for its workability and design, but also for its pricing. It fit perfectly into our arsenal for chasing big pike in Canada and high-flying salmon all across Alaska.
Now, fast forward to 2019 and another ‘Big Time’ reel has hit the market, the GRANDE. The GRANDE is a fully anodized, machined aluminum reel that features their new sealed SUPER-TORQUE carbon drag system that will KO any fish you hook. After years of field testing, Redington bulked up the GRANDE with an oversized palming rim, increased backing capacity and gave it an easy to locate handle and drag knob so you can make quick adjustments in the heat of the battle.
Although the GRANDE is available in a 5/6/7 sizing for the average fly guy, it is really targeted for big fish in big waters, hence the 7/8/9, 9/10/11, 11/12/13 and 14+ models all come into play. Now when you are talking about reels of this magnitude, big price tags are also the norm. You would expect prices in the $700 - $1,000 in most cases for a reel that would get the job done, but Redington has stayed within their target market as the GRANDE’s price tag comes in under $350.
When you are looking for a reel that can handle big fish, the first thing you need to address is the drag system; can the drag provide the stopping power you need, protect tippets when you need it to and dissipate heat efficiently enough so that it doesn’t freeze-up in the heat of the battle. Well in the case of Redington’s GRANDE, the answer is a resounding ‘YES’!
The GRANDE’s fully-sealed drag is smooth as silk and virtually maintenance free. Even if you are fishing in some of the nastiest conditions imaginable, mud, sand and anything else you can think of is no problem, even if you forget to give it a thorough rinse before you stow it away after a day on the water.
Lastly, the GRANDE is fully anodized, T-6061 constructed, offering superior durability and workmanship. The big palming surface and its sturdy, solid-feeling frame and spool will provide you with the feel and confidence you are looking for in a workhorse of a fly reel and at a price that will have you scratching your head in disbelief.
Redington continues to bring great innovation and performance to the world of fly fishing. Check out the new GRANDE and many other great Redington products at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.
