Redington Crosswater Fly Reel Review – Affordability and Function

The Redington Crosswater series boasts great affordability and for the tags on each item, the manufacturer assures you of function and more value for your money.

The reel didn’t miss here and any novice angler looking for that special reel that they’ll catch with their first buddy can have this one among the top list.

Redington continues to root to its motive of making fly fishing fun and inexpensive for fly fishers of all levels.

Straight from the Redington Crosswater Fly Reel’s construction to the performance, we can agree that this fly reel can either be your main buddy or a spare one for your fishing trips.

A little into Construction on the Crosswater Fly Reel

As a budget-friendly reel, one of the striking aspects that will draw you to giving it a shot is its overall weight.

Redington uses a lighter composite material to craft the fly reel. Let the thought of it being composite not put you off. Some of its primary advantages are;

• Extremely lightweight than cast reels and will have less weight on the fly rod. This saves you from fatigue from longer fishing hours.
• Lower cost is expected because the overall expense of crafting a composite reel is cheaper.
• On reliability and durability, this could be questionable. However, the reels built from such materials are becoming hardy as technology improves.
• The Crosswater reel comes in various sizes to give an angler an option to choose between a masterpiece for trout, bass, or panfish.

This reel isn’t the bomb.com, but for a novice looking to adventure in the waters without breaking the bank, it will serve pretty well.

Its Mechanics

Redington, for the price, did well with the mechanics. At least we can say that reliability isn’t a primary thing to worry about.

Within its hub, the reel boasts a powerful disc drag system with excellent fish-stopping power.

There is nothing complex in terms of mechanisms that will mess the function of your reel.

Some anglers get irritated or distracted by the click sounds on some reels.

Luckily this one is quieter and a good one to fish longer without losing focus.

For freshwater fly fishing, you will not regret one bit.

The issue with casting with the reel in salt water is the spool.

It doesn’t take up enough fly line for saline fishing.

However, the weight and capacity of the biggest reel size can be just fine.

Durability Rating

We can place it at slightly above 5.

Composite fly reels are made from a very lightweight plastic-like material.

For the waters, anything plastic especially for a reel doesn’t guarantee longevity.

There are chances that a fish can break it.

This isn’t the primary cause of the breakages though.

The problem is with the brutality you take it through.

Manhandling might break something on the reel or ruin it completely.

On the web, some reviewers have complained of the handles breaking.

You should expect this as the handle and spool are also from composite material.

For avid anglers who often go through and can endure abuse, this reel isn’t a choice.

However, for the guy with a very light touch, you shouldn’t experience anything major.

The Ease of Application

There isn’t anything complex here. Regardless of its durability, something that gives the reel a bonus is its ease of use.

As earlier said, the mechanics are some of the simplest that Redington has.

It makes it usable by anglers of all skill levels. Major parts of the reel are the drag system and the handle so concentrating on making retrieves shouldn’t be a problem.

Fly fishing revolves around targeting one fish species at a ago.

Redington designs this fly reel in two sizes to give you more options to choose from.

The good news is the ability to make conversions to either side.

For pragmatic options, this one comes in handy.

Key Features of the Redington Crosswater Fly Reel

Material and Technologies – Usually, reels are made from different materials.

The choice of material will affect the overall reel price, performance, and durability.

The Crosswater fly reel is made from a polymer which is plastic-like material.

The results are reduced weight and affordability, unlike their machined cousins.

Finish – The build of the reel is from a plastic mold and the process of manufacture is similar to that of how an aluminum one is cast.

The fly reel is then finished with a composite material.

Arbor Design – Large arbor reels are the commonest because their benefits outdo their cons.

The Crosswater features a large one to greatly improve line pickup.

An angler can fight large fish species without being overpowered.

This size allows the reel to hold the line and backing pretty well.

It does exceptionally for any fly fishing scenario.

The efficiency enables an angler to free themselves of worries about where the line will land on their reel as they play a fish.

Disc Drag System – Redington builds this fly reel with a disc drag system to maximize the fish stopping power.

These chaps can decide to take after Usain Bolt.

We love how well the system is sealed to protect it against the saltwater effects on its internal parts.

Performance in the long run becomes user-friendly and maintenance quite easy and free.

The drag system is also made from a composite material that is rust-proof.

Retrieve and Conversions – Of course, retrieves are quicker from the large arbor design.

The reel comes programmed for the left hand retrieve but you can change directions depending on your fishing situation.

Sizes – Redington Crosswater Reels are available in two sizes.

Size 4/5/6 has a reel diameter of 3.5, reel weight of 5.1 oz., and backing of 100yards on 20lbs.

Reel size 7/8/9 has a diameter of 3.9, a weight of 5.5oz. and 200 yards on 20 lbs. backing.

Package – There is an option to get a pre-spooled Crosswater fly reel.

The reel specifications will remain the same only that your Crosswater will come with a RIO Mainstream floating line pre-spooled on it.

Reel Bag – Not all manufacturers give a reel bag when buying a fly reel.

Redington is generous enough to issue a cloth reel bag for every Crosswater reel that you buy at no extra cost.

It helps with storage and transportation to and from your fishing spot.

Warranty – Redington revised its policies since November 2019 to ensure that all the new reels will be backed by a warranty to cater for any defects in workmanship or material.

The Redington Crosswater Fly Reel comes with a 1-year warranty to the original owner and will only cover repairs and replacements with exceptions of indirect damage, direct damage, consequential damage, or incidental damage.

Pros – Things that Shine on the Crosswater Fly Reel

• Best for all-water use
• Backed by a one year warranty
• Available in two sizes
• Lightweight design
• There is a pre-spooled option available
• Conversions can be made to either side
• Quicker retrieves
• Greater fish stopping power
• Fully-sealed drag system
• User-friendly performance
• Maintenance-free
• Affordable and functional
• Comes with a free cloth bag
• The spool is easily changeable

Cons – The Concerns

• The delicate composite material that can’t withstand brutality.
• The smaller size might pose problems when saltwater fishing as it takes less fly line capacity.

Customer Thoughts on the Crosswater Fly Reels

The drag is easy to adjust and for beginners, there is nothing complex about this reel that you have to master.

If you have the Crosswater rod, get the reel from the series for better consistency as the two have similar mechanisms and are easy to use.

For amateurs or pros who are guiding the less experienced fly fishers, this reel is superb and is flexible when you need to switch rigs.

All the good features will be excellent for anglers who are fishing in freshwater zones. It is lightweight, has a spool that is easy to change, and right drag. Until you opt to go for steelhead then you might need a little more effort.

When fishing with a double taper line of size 6 or 5, you need to drop the smaller reel and choose the size 7/8/9 to prevent you from worrying about your spool running out of room.

We love how its outer rim goes past the handle. It is a good aspect as it allows the angler to palm the reel’s outer edge and add some more drag if you need it while fishing.

Some anglers have been having issues with the gap between the frame and spool that traps in the fly line and is a major concern when trying to land fish.

FAQ’s – Questions about the Redington Crosswater Fly Reel

Q) Does the fly reel have enough momentum like the metal reels?
A) Not quite. You will have to palm retrieve which is very easy to do when you need more drag.

Q) Is there any sound produced when the drag goes out as you cast?
A) There is a nice and soft click sound as the drag goes out. It however isn’t a nuisance.

Q) Can it work well in saltwater areas without rust?
A) The reel will work well in these areas as there are no metallic components that are prone to rust or corrosion. Simply give it a quick rinse with freshwater once done to maintain its performance.

Q) Is Redington already manufacturing spare spools for these fly reels?
A) There are spare spools for the Crosswater reels and go for about $20 to 30 depending on where you purchase.

Q) Can I use the spool that was on the older Crosswater reel design on the new one?
A) Unfortunately, they aren’t compatible.

Q) Can you pair the larger Crosswater fly reel size with a rod that is 8 or 9 weight for fishing stubborn fish?
A) The reel has excellent stopping and drag power for species that love to battle. It will do just fine.

Wrap Up

For entry-level fly reels, the Crosswater has proven to be more effective and affordable than most in its category.

Any early seasoned fly fisher who is looking to spend very little but have their hands on a reel that can get the job done in freshwater, Redington has this one for you all.

You will love the tension and brake setting that has variations from free spinning to hard options.

We love the classic red grip and the matter composite finish on the plastic polymer material.

There is no warping like what you experience in aluminum reels.

It fits the bill of a cheap yet functional fly reel for novices and anyone looking for a reel to play with for fun without minding the loss.

The drag system feels buttery and just as smooth as you’d want it for trout or bass.

Regardless of the few concerns on the Redington Crosswater Fly Reel here and there, this is the best fly reel you can find for this much or less.

We have a piece up on the site on Redington Fly Fishing Products. Also, the buyer’s guide section is filled with similar reels from various manufacturers.

From us here at Chuckingfluff.com, we applaud Redington for putting together a reel that is practical and very affordable for anglers of all skill levels.

An angler who understands what a cheap reel can do for their life on the water when you have nothing else will gladly have this one as a back-up reel.

The fact that there are pre-spooled options with the RIO Mainstream floating line at a cheaper price makes it even perfect for the bargain.

Last update on 2024-12-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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