Fly FHG_116 Fly Reel Review
Our verdict
The Fly FHG_116 costs just $9, the cheapest fly reel in this comparison, and holds a 4.0 star average across 205 reviews. Its engineering plastic build and 4.0 rating trail every metal alternative here, making it a bargain pick with a clear tradeoff.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Anglers who want a cheap backup reel or a way to try fly fishing for $9 before committing to a metal reel. With 205 reviews behind the 4.0 rating, it fits casual or occasional use rather than serious pursuit.
Skip if
Skip it if you want the highest possible rating, since every metal reel compared here scores 4.4 stars or better. Anyone who needs an aluminum build for durability, like the Pflueger or Okuma offer, should look past this plastic option.
- Material Engineering Plastic
- Technique Fly Fishing
- Size 62MM / 2.44"
- Color Yellow
- Pieces 1
- Feature Rust Resistant
- Priced 81% below the category median ($46.73 across 20 tracked models)
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating4.0/5
4.0 average across 205 owner ratings
-
Popularity2.5/5
205 owner reviews, fewer than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other fishing gear and tackle we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Overview
Somebody trying fly fishing for the first time, or looking for a spare reel to toss in the truck, often just wants to know the cheapest option that will not fall apart immediately. The Fly FHG_116 answers that at $9, the lowest price of any fly reel in this comparison by a wide margin.
It is built from engineering plastic rather than metal, measures 62mm or 2.44 inches, comes in yellow, and is described as rust resistant, which matters since plastic will not corrode the way an untreated metal part might. Amazon lists a 4.0 star average across 205 reviews, the lowest rating among the reels compared here but backed by a real sample size.
Against the field, the tradeoff is clear. The Pflueger 1149988 costs $37.58 with a 4.4 star average across 566 reviews, using a blend material instead of plastic. The Okuma S-8/9 runs $39.99 at 4.5 stars across 139 reviews, built from aluminum. The Ross Reels Animas sits at $449 with a 5.0 average across just 10 reviews. The FHG_116's 205 reviews is actually the largest sample here after the Pflueger, so a full point below on rating comes with real volume behind it, not a handful of buyers.
Pros
- Costs $9, by far the cheapest fly reel in this comparison
- Rust resistant per the listing, despite being a plastic build
- 205 reviews, the second largest sample in this comparison after the Pflueger's 566
- Compact 62mm or 2.44 inch size for lighter setups
- Low price makes it reasonable as a spare or a try before you buy option
Cons
- 4.0 star average is the lowest rating of any reel in this comparison
- Engineering plastic construction instead of the aluminum used in the Okuma S-8/9 and the blend used in the Pflueger 1149988
- No drag or braking system listed in the available specs
- Bought last month reads 0+, so recent demand momentum is not clear from that number
Specifications
| Material | Engineering Plastic |
|---|---|
| Technique | Fly Fishing |
| Size | 62MM / 2.44" |
| Color | Yellow |
| Pieces | 1 |
| Feature | Rust Resistant |
Performance notes
Engineering plastic keeps the FHG_116 light and cheap, and the rust resistant claim addresses the main weakness plastic housings can still have around metal hardware exposed to water. At 62mm or 2.44 inches, it is a compact size suited to smaller, lighter fly rods rather than anything built for larger fish or heavier line weights. The 4.0 star rating across 205 reviews sits a clear step below the 4.4 to 4.5 stars posted by the metal reels in this comparison, which lines up with what a $9 plastic build against $37 to $40 aluminum or blend reels would suggest. It is not a reel built to match the durability of the Pflueger or Okuma, but at this price the gap in rating is proportional to the gap in materials and cost.
What buyers say
With 205 reviews, the FHG_116 has the second largest review sample in this comparison, trailing only the Pflueger 1149988's 566 and well ahead of the Okuma S-8/9's 139 and the Ross Reels Animas's 10. Its 4.0 star average is the lowest of the group, though a large sample size like 205 makes that rating harder to dismiss as a fluke. Bought last month is listed at 0+, so there is no sign of a recent purchase spike, meaning the review count built up steadily. For a $9 reel, a 4.0 average across that many reviews reads as a fair, if unremarkable, buyer response.
Similar fishing gear and tackle to consider
Featured in
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fly FHG_116 a good first fly reel?
At $9 it is the cheapest option in this comparison, making it reasonable for trying fly fishing before investing more. Its 4.0 star rating across 205 reviews is lower than the metal alternatives, but the review count shows real buying volume at this price.
What is the Fly FHG_116 made from?
It is built from engineering plastic and described as rust resistant, measuring 62mm or 2.44 inches. That differs from the aluminum used in the Okuma S-8/9 and the blend material used in the Pflueger 1149988, both of which cost well over $9.
Why is the Fly FHG_116's rating lower than other fly reels?
Its 4.0 star average across 205 reviews trails the 4.4 to 5.0 star range of the metal reels in this comparison, which range from $37.58 to $449. The gap in rating tracks with the gap in materials and price, since this reel is plastic rather than metal.