Airflo V2 reel review: A great choice to start bass and pike fly fishing

fly fishing for Sea bass caught using the Airflo V2 reel

After a recommendation by a friend, I bought an Airflo V2 reel (9/10#) to complete my fly fishing kit for sea bass and pike fly fishing. 

Now, after fishing with it several times, I thought it would be useful to write this short review of how the V2 fly reel has performed. 

What is the Airflo V2 reel like…

It’s a large arbour fly reel that is fully CNC machined from aluminium and features a robust drag system. The design is lightweight with a V-cut spool providing extra backing capacity to tackle large game fish. 

Overall, its design is robust and fully protected for use in saltwater environments. Its stunning look is… 

Airflo V2 reel
The V2 reel looks great

Eye Catching!

It comes in a range of finishes (Black, Chrome, Mantis Green), I chose the Chrome model.

The drag system used in the Airflo V2 reel…

This fly reel is equipped with a fully sealed saltwater resistant drag system that I found easy to adjust, smooth running, and very little start-up inertia. 

On the 9/10# drag system has the torque to subdue large game fish e.g. pike, sea bass, salmon, etc. To date, I’ve not had the opportunity to test the stopping power of the drag system. However, I’m hopeful a… 

Airflo V2 reel seal drag system
Saltwater sealed drag system

BIG PIKE will help me out soon.

What is it like to use on the water?

I also bought a spare spool for the V2 reel to have the option of switching between fishing floating and intermediate lines.

After adding just over 100 metres of backing to each spool they were loaded with

  • RIO Intouch Pike Musky 9# Floating line
  • RIO Intouch Pike Musky 9# Intermediate line

Since I would be doing more fly fishing for pike than sea bass.

Rio Intouch Pike Muskie fly lines
Rio Intouch Pike/Muskie floating and intermediate fly lines for loading on my new reel

Saltwater fly fishing with the Airflo V2 reel

A sea bass fishing trip to Anglesey was my first opportunity to test and christen the fly reel. The fishing was tough in the surf, and I had to change lines several times during the day.

Changing the spool on the Airflo V2 reel was easy. Simply, unscrew the brightly coloured spool nut, slide the spool off the sealed drag system, slide on the new spool, and tighten the spool nut. 

While being sprayed with surf, there’s was no fear of saltwater getting into the sealed drag system or the captive spool nut being lost.

I had one take during the day and the easily adjustable drag helped me land lovely Welsh sea bass, which christened the reel.

Sea bass caught using the Airflo V2 reel
Sea bass caught on a pink shrimp on this great reel

I’ve been saltwater fly fishing with the reel several times and after a quick rinse with fresh water, the reel still looks great.

Pike fly fishing with the Airflo V2 reel

Fly fishing for pike essentially requires a strong reel that picks up line quickly, and the 9/10# model fits the bill on that score.

I’ve taken the reel fly fishing for pike several times and been very pleased with its performance. The low inertia drag system makes it especially easy to play fish from the reel.

Furthermore, it’s easy to change the spool and thus changing lines and tactics is no hassle.

pike fly fishing Trawsfynydd reservoir
A Pike caught using the V2 reel while fishing on Trawsfynydd Reservoir

How much did the reel cost me?

I shopped around, and at the time, bought the Airflo V2 reel (9/10# model) for £140 and the spare spool for £70. 

Overall, I felt this was a reasonable price given the quality and features of the fly fishing reel and that it allows me to fish for fresh and saltwater fly fishing.

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