I have a Ross animas for my 8wt they make other sizes but overall a great little reel. very happy with it

 

Tibor New Backcountry $545.

 

I have a Tibor Signature 6-weight that I like.

The Galvan Torque-6 is another good option, made it USA and won't break the bank.

 

Forgot about the backcountry that's also a good reel.

 

Orvis Hydros are killer reels, but sealed drag. The Abel Super 5/6 is pretty sweet too.

 

I've used a bunch of different reels on my 6wts in salt. Any decent reel will work for the typical 6wt sized fish as they are really just line holders. Where it can get questionable is when you hook a fish way above the reel's weight class. That's were high quality gear really shows it's worth the expense.
Hatch 5+ is probably my fav all around 6wt reel for salt, considering quality and cost. I have a couple of them for that reason.
Abel 5/6 SDF is my favorite of my 6wt reels but they are on the pricey side. The Vaya has a cork drag and can easily handle the typical 6wt fish.
Lamson Guru's are good lower priced reels that I used for years. The drag can get a little sticky on startup but they are great reels that won't break the budget

Also, don't pass up the used market for Tibors and Abel Supers if you really want a top quality cork drag reel at a more palatable price.

 

Use a light weight 7/8 reel for the 6wt in salt water

 

Generally agree. A Ross Animas 7/8, a Litespeed 3 or 3.5, a Sage 2580, a Galvan Torque 6, a Bauer M4SL - all function or have functioned well for me on a salty 6.

 

I've bought from this guy in the past:

www.tradenstuff.com

Also eBay can have some good deals sometimes.

 

I have a Ross Canyon Big Game 4 that is almost new. It is sealed drag and bullet proof. I will take $275 for reel and backing and a $125 for extra spool. Check out the reviews of this reel. Backing and reel pouches included. Thanks Scott

 

Best value I’d say is orvis hydros sl. I’d probably get the size iv over the iii but that’s just me. I don’t have experience with the new hydros reel but I have the sl iv and I use it both on my 6wt and 8wt rods and it feels fine on both. See a decent number of them pop up used so if you’re patient and looking should be able to find one if that’s the reel you choose.

 

The Nautilus XL is my go to. The Lamson guru or Abel Vaya are great lightweight reels.

If you want something a little heavier duty check out a Tibor Signature.

 

I have the new Tibor Backcountry on a 7 and it would work just fine on a 6.

 

Colton CGR?

 

Billy pate salmon used. Old school but a tank and not as heavy as you would think. I just got one and it's only 8.32oz put it on my 6wt

 

Billy pate salmon used. Old school but a tank and not as heavy as you would think. I just got one and it's only 8.32oz put it on my 6wt View attachment 193108

Those Billy pate reels are sweet! I was curious about those reels. How do you adjust the drag? Or is it similar to a click and pawl type reel?

 

I use a Freestone and a 8w nautilus fwx on my 6W’s

 

My vote goes to the Sage Spectrum LT 5/6. Way lighter than most of the above. Plenty of drag for 10-12# tippet. Will hold plenty of braid backing (@200yds of #40 Samauri). Sealed drag. You can get them with a free flyline so final cost is @$300. Handled all these (and other bonefish up to @9lbs).

 

I put a Ross evo 5/6 on my 6wt tcx. It’s a pretty great combo.

 

My vote is the backcountry all the way.

 

Really like these 2 for saltwater 6wt & 7wt . . . Nautilus XL and Orvis Mirage LT III. Both have sealed drags and are light weight . . . 4.5 to 4.7oz

 

I use also use light 7/8 weight reels for my 6wt. My go to is a Nautilus FWX, which weighs all of 4.1 oz. and balances nicely on my 6wt Mauser Waterman, and I also use a Ross Evolution LT 4, which is like 4.8 oz. or something. Both are awesome reels if you can find them on the used market, otherwise take a look at their replacements - Nautilus XL mentioned by many above and a Ross Evolution R or LTX. Plenty of other great options out there that have already been mentioned!

I like using the lightweight 7/8 reels because I like the safety of additional backing as a lot of 6wt saltwater reels are on the low end of what I'm comfortable with for backing anyway (that's just personal preference). Need for backing depends on what you're fishing for, I guess.

 

Currently using a Billy Pate Trout DD for my 6wt, and Abel Big Game 1 (floater), Abel 6N (intermediate line) for my 7wts - all bought used.

 

Part of that answer depends on your rod, in my opinion. On what rod are you hanging this? To me, the rod/reel combo should be relatively balanced, and some rods may be better balanced with a lighter (relatively) reel and some with a heavier (relatively) reel.

Hope that makes sense.

 

Pate reels are cork disc drags, adjusted with a knurled knob. No draw bar like Tibor or Abel Big Game/Super Series.

 

Yep mine are all direct drive versions. I have a salmon,, bonefish, and tarpon. The drag knob is in the center on the same side as the handle.

I run nautilus and tibor signature in sealed drag but love these pate direct drives. They are replacing my old pflueger medalists/orvis madison. I have a collection of those also still use for fresh water.

The drag is adjusted by the gold gear looking thing in the center... reel isn't on a rod.

 

Yep mine are all direct drive versions. I have a salmon,, bonefish, and tarpon. The drag knob is in the center on the same side as the handle.

I run nautilus and tibor signature in sealed drag but love these pate direct drives. They are replacing my old pflueger medalists/orvis madison. I have a collection of those also still use for fresh water. View attachment 193304

The drag is adjusted by the gold gear looking thing in the center... reel isn't on a rod.

what’s funny is I was considering just going with a simple click and pawl reel over a sealed drag simply because it is wide open and would be easier to service than a sealed reel. But I’m not sure how these things would hold up in the salt…

 

I recommend an American made product like Abel, Tibor for high end and little less; Nautilus, Galvan, Colton, Ross or Lamson. Don't be afraid to use an 8wt reel on a 6wt rod. Makes the reel you choose more "all purpose" for different applications. The real choice will be sealed or unsealed. My choice is unsealed for saltwater because I have been there and done that when the seals on a expensive fly reel can't keep back the fine particles in the water. You are down and out until you can get it apart. Non sealed take it apart, rinse it off and your back to fishing.