I am huge fan of Cheeky Reels, especially the Limitless series. Proving my confidence in the Cheeky Limitless series of fly fishing reels, I have brought them on international trips to places like the Northwest Territories, Quebec, Labrador, Mexico, Iceland and beyond. By far my favorite feature in the Limitless series of reels is the incredible fully sealed gasket drag system. I love that the drag allows fish to take line when they run and has great braking strength to slow down a fish at the appropriate time. In the past, with other reels, I have lost trophy fish because the reel was “sticky” on the first run, even when the drag was set properly. I always find my Cheeky reels to have that zero inertia pick up, so the drag never gets sticky and never causes you to lose a fish. When traveling, I sometimes end up fishing a friend’s/lodge’s/guide’s rod. When I hook that big fish, I always say to myself, “Man, I wish I had my Cheeky reel right now.”
The Limitless series of reels are well crafted. They feel solid in your hand and on your rod. They are constructed of high-grade aluminum and have beveled machining throughout to maintain a durable frame while keeping the weight down. You may find a lighter reel on the market, but with the Limitless 375 weighing in at 6.6 oz., and at a cost of $399, it’s lightweight enough and balances well with appropriately sized rods as well as your wallet.
The reel is designed in two pieces, the reel, which includes the drag system, and the spool. That is it. You never have to worry about knobs or parts falling off when you are changing spools or adjusting the drag. It is a super clean design that just works.
Another great bonus with the Limitless series is that the reel size matches the arbor size. Because of the spacious arbor, there is plenty of room for backing.
Here’s the breakdown:
Reel | Rod Size | Arbor Size | Weight | Color | Price |
Limitless 325 | 2-4 | 3.25” diameter | 5.8 oz | Gold/Silver | $349 |
Limitless 375 | 5-7 | 3.75” diameter | 6.6 oz | Forest Green/Gold | $399 |
Limitless 425 | 7-10 | 4.25” diameter | 7.5 oz | Power Blue/Gold | $449 |
Limitless 475 | 10-12 | 4.75” diameter | 10.9 oz | Green/Royal Blue | $499 |
Limitless 525 | 12-16 | 5.25” diameter | 12.8 oz | Royal Blue/Silver | $549 |
I always back up my reel with at least one, but usually two to three spare spools. This way I can manage any fishing situation I run into. With so many great and specialize lines on the market, I like to be prepared to throw a dry fly trout taper, a sink tip, or indicator nymph rig at any given moment. The price point for the spare spools is reasonable, so it is easy to be dialed in with every line you may need on a spare spool.
When possible, I like to be brand loyal. If a series and equipment is meeting my needs, I like to assemble multiple pieces in that series. That is what I have done with these Cheeky Limitless reels. I have the 375, two 425’s and a 475 along with several spare spools each. I have not been disappointed. They always do the job and bring the fish to the net. I wash them down, especially after a saltwater trip and that is about it, they do not take much maintenance. I have fished many of these reels over the years and they still look and perform like new.
I offer a high recommendation for the Cheeky Limitless line of reels. Check them out online or at one of their dealers.