SKU: 2JLX6124
Orvis Battenkill Disc IV Fly Reel

Purchased the Battenkill IV to pare with my TFO Mangrove 8wt rod. The weight matches great with the rod. This is primarily for large mouth bass fishing and I really like the mid-arbor style versus the large-arbor. Very high quality construction with a great drag system. This reel is a real joy to fish.

I bought this reel for the versatility of the range of line weights it can be used with and also cause it's sealed (incase I want to do some light salt water fishing). The reel is very strong and well built. I think it's stronger and more robust compared to a lot of light weight designs these days. The range of drag is really good too, I find some reels don't really tighten up until half turn. This one is more linear.

This is my third Orvis reel, having purchased 2 Hydros SLs previously. I love the Hydros SL, especially the drag performance. So, when I saw that the Battenkill Disc uses the same drag I thought I would try one to fill in the weight gap between my Hydros reels. I'm glad I did. I saved enough money to almost pay for a spare spool and did not sacrifice much in the bargain. Both reels are high quality, but there are a few differences worth noting: The Battenkill is a mid-arbor vs. the Hydros SL large-arbor, so the retrieve rate is slower. The Hydros is heavier by almost one full size, i.e., the Battenkill IV weighs the same as a Hydros III. This may be an advantage on saltwater, but 95% of my fishing is in fresh water. Additionally, this weight difference gives you a nice choice for matching the reel to your rod weight to achieve a good balance. The ease of swapping spools is the same on both. The Hydros is silent, while the Battenkill has a click in both directions. My preference is silent, but the Battenkill's click is subdued so not a problem. And, I must admit, hearing the reel buzz when a fish runs is kinda cool. The Hydros drag adjustment knob has a flat spot that you can use to "feel" where it is set. The Battenkill's is round. This is a non-issue for me because I always pull the line out a bit to test the drag. All said, both reels are good values delivering excellent performance compared to other brands at the same price. In my experience I would say get the Hydros SL if you need the extra weight; get the Battenkill if you want to save some money and go a bit lighter. Either way, you won't be disappointed.