Redington Zero Fly Reel Review 2026: Worth It?

Fly anglers love a good debate about reels. Some swear by sealed drags and sealed bearings. Others want nothing more than a spool, a spring, and a satisfying click.

The Redington Zero sits firmly in the second camp, and it has built a loyal following among small stream anglers who count every single ounce in their pack.

This reel weighs less than a deck of cards. It costs a fraction of what premium click and pawl reels demand. It also carries real compromises that nobody should ignore before buying. I tested it, listened to it, dropped it, and compared it against reels that cost three times as much.

In a Nutshell:

• It is genuinely one of the lightest fly reels you can buy. The 2/3 model weighs 2.7 ounces and the 4/5 weighs about 3 ounces. For a 7 foot 3 weight glass rod, that balance feels perfect.
• The drag is a click and pawl system with no adjustment knob. You palm the spool or you let the fish run. That simplicity is the whole point, and it works beautifully on trout under 16 inches.
• The body is die cast aluminum with a painted finish, not machined and anodized. This is the single biggest compromise. Scratches show. Drops hurt. A few owners have reported frame cracks under hard use.
• Spool changes take about two seconds thanks to a center release button. Swapping from floating line to sinking line in the middle of a session is easy.
• Price sits near $109 for a complete reel and around $55 for a spare spool. Redington backs it with an original owner warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship.
• It is a specialist tool, not an everything reel. Buy it for creeks, brookies, and backpacking. Do not buy it for steelhead, bonefish, or heavy streamer work.

What Is the Redington Zero Fly Reel?

Last update on 2026-10-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Redington Zero is an ultralight click and pawl fly reel built for small trout. Redington designed it around one goal: cut weight to the bone while keeping the price under control. The company sells it in two sizes, a 2/3 and a 4/5, and both hold 100 yards of 20 pound backing alongside your fly line.

Redington operates under Far Bank Enterprises, the same parent company behind Sage and Rio. That connection matters because the Zero shares engineering resources with far more expensive products.

The reel pairs naturally with short, slow rods. Think fiberglass. Think bamboo. Think a 7 foot 6 inch 3 weight on a brushy mountain creek. On those setups, the Zero disappears in your hand and lets the rod do the talking. That is exactly what a click and pawl reel should do.

Unboxing the Redington Zero

The packaging is plain, and honestly that feels right for a budget reel. You get a simple cardboard box with the reel inside, a black fabric pouch, and a small folded owner’s manual at the bottom.

The pouch surprised me. It carries a red embroidered Redington logo, closes with velcro, and has a soft lining that protects the finish. The stitching holds up well. Plenty of pricier reels ship without any pouch at all.

Lifting the reel out produces the main reaction everyone talks about. It feels empty. Your brain expects metal heft and receives almost nothing. The first thing most people do is shake it and listen to the clicker buzz.

My advice: keep the manual. It has your warranty details and the Far Bank contact information, and you will want both if something breaks down the road.

Build Quality and Materials

The Zero uses a die cast aluminum frame and spool rather than bar stock aluminum machined on a CNC lathe. Die casting pours molten metal into a mold. Machining carves a solid block. Machining costs more and produces a denser, stronger part.

That difference drives the price down and the weight down. It also sets the ceiling on durability. The finish is paint, not a hard anodized coating, so rock scrapes and boat deck dings leave visible marks fairly quickly.

The drag internals mix an anodized aluminum clicker with a Delrin gear. Delrin is a tough engineering plastic that resists wear and needs no lubrication. Some owners have reported the pawl breaking under load, usually after heavy seasons or a sharp impact.

The honest summary: this reel is light because it gave up armor. Treat it gently and it will serve you well.

Weight and Balance on Small Rods

Weight is the Zero’s headline feature, and the numbers back it up. The 2/3 comes in at 2.7 ounces. The 4/5 sits at roughly 3 ounces. For comparison, the Galvan Brookie weighs 3.2 ounces and the Ross Colorado weighs about 3.5 ounces.

On a modern graphite 3 weight, this reel balances the rod right at the cork grip. You can cast all day without wrist fatigue. The difference matters most during long sessions of short, repetitive casts in tight water.

Backpackers love it for the same reason. Shaving an ounce here and an ounce there adds up over 12 miles of trail.

One caveat applies. If you fish a stiff, heavy rod, the Zero may feel too light and leave the setup tip heavy. Balance is a two part equation. Match this reel to a light rod and the magic happens.

Top 3 Alternatives for the Redington Zero Fly Reel

If the Zero does not fit your fishing, these three reels cover different needs and budgets.

Last update on 2026-10-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Ross Reels Colorado Fly Reel

Last update on 2026-10-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Redington Crosswater IV Fly Reel

Last update on 2026-10-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

LAMSON Remix S Series Fly Fishing Reel

The Click and Pawl Drag System Explained

A click and pawl drag works through a spring loaded triangular pawl that rides against a gear on the spool. When line pulls out, the pawl drags across the gear teeth and creates resistance. That is the entire mechanism.

The Zero has no drag knob. You cannot dial in more tension or less tension. The factory setting is the only setting you get.

Does that matter? For small trout, no. The click tension is strong enough to prevent spool overrun when you strip line quickly, which is the main job a trout drag performs. Your palm becomes the adjustable drag. Press lightly against the spool rim and you add tension instantly.

For fish that make long, fast runs, this system falls short. A 20 inch rainbow in heavy current will test your palming skills hard. Anything bigger, and you want a sealed disc drag instead.

Sound and Feel on the Water

Half the appeal of a click and pawl reel is the sound. The Zero is loud. Very loud. The outgoing click and the incoming click produce different tones, which is a nice touch, but both lean metallic and buzzy rather than deep and musical.

Traditionalists who love the warm ring of a Hardy Perfect will find the Zero harsh. People who just want to hear a fish run will grin every time.

Sound preference is completely personal, so judge this one yourself if you can. Visit a shop, spin the spool, and decide.

What I appreciate is the feedback. You always know exactly how much line is leaving the reel without looking down. In tight brush, that information is genuinely useful. The handle is a twin molded soft touch design that feels comfortable, though it runs on the stubby side.

Spool Size, Capacity and Retrieve Rate

The Zero measures 3 inches across at its widest point, with a 1 inch spool width and a 1.9 inch arbor. Redington calls it a large arbor reel. In practice it sits in medium arbor territory.

Line pickup comes to about 6.8 inches per revolution. The Sage Click leads this category at 9 inches per turn, so the Zero trails the premium options. For creek fishing, that gap rarely matters. You almost never need to reel in 40 feet of line in a hurry on a stream you can jump across.

Capacity is 100 yards of 20 pound backing plus your fly line in both sizes. That is plenty for trout.

One practical note: do not overfill the spool. The ported frame makes it easy to misjudge how full the spool actually is, and a crowded spool causes line to catch on the frame.

Quick Change Spool Design

This is one of the Zero’s quiet strengths. A small button sits in the center of the spool. Press it, and the spool pops free. No tools. No fiddly nuts to drop in the river.

Reattaching takes the same two seconds. Line it up, push, and listen for the click.

Spare spools cost around $55, which is reasonable. Carry one with a sinking line and one with a floating line, and you can change your entire approach in the time it takes to eat half a granola bar.

The button is small, and anglers with cold hands or gloves may fumble it. That is a minor complaint against a genuinely clever feature. Compared to reels that require unscrewing a knurled cap, this design feels modern and well thought out.

Colors, Finish and Looks

Redington currently offers the Zero in four matte colors: burgundy, avocado, wolf grey, and matte black. Older runs included a few extras, including a popular dreamsicle colorway that still turns up on resale sites.

The styling leans aggressive. Heavy porting cuts through the frame and the spool, which saves weight and shows off the backing underneath. Whether you like the look depends on your taste. Traditionalists who want a classic round silhouette will prefer something like the Orvis Battenkill.

The matte paint hides fingerprints well. It does not hide scratches at all.

After one hard season, expect visible wear on the frame edges and the foot. That is cosmetic rather than functional, but it bothers some owners. If pristine gear matters to you, budget for an anodized reel instead.

What the Redington Zero Does Not Do Well

Authentic reviews cover the bad parts, so here they are plainly.

The reel is not durable under abuse. The frame section connecting the reel foot is thin cast aluminum, and multiple anglers online have documented cracks in that exact spot. One failure happened within two months of purchase.

The plastic clicker has broken for some users, including one case that happened seven miles into a backcountry hike. That is the worst possible place for gear to fail.

The drag offers no adjustment, so bigger fish require skill rather than hardware.

The painted finish chips. The handle is short. The sound polarizes people. The reel is also useless for saltwater, since it is neither sealed nor corrosion resistant.

None of these faults are deal breakers for its intended job. They simply define the boundaries of that job.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptionally light at 2.7 to 3 ounces, which balances short glass and graphite rods perfectly
• Simple click and pawl mechanism with very few parts to fail or maintain
• Two second spool changes using the center release button
• Affordable price near $109, with spare spools around $55
• Original owner warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship
• Satisfying, audible click that tells you exactly what a fish is doing
• Easy to clean thanks to the open ported design and minimal internals

Cons

• Die cast construction is weaker than machined aluminum, with reports of frame cracks
• Painted finish scratches and chips far faster than hard anodizing
• No drag adjustment at all, which limits the reel to smaller fish
• Plastic pawl has failed for some owners under load
• Loud, metallic sound that will annoy traditionalists
• Moderate line pickup of 6.8 inches per turn, behind premium rivals
• Not suitable for saltwater or any heavy freshwater species

How the Redington Zero Compares

Against the Orvis Battenkill Click, the Zero loses on build and wins on weight and price. The Battenkill runs about $179, uses machined 6061 T6 aircraft aluminum, and sounds far more pleasant. It is also noticeably heavier.

Against the Ross Colorado, the comparison is lopsided. The Colorado is machined in Montrose, Colorado, carries a Vesconite bushing, and costs several times more. It is simply a better reel in every way except weight and price.

Against the Echo Ion, the Zero holds its ground. Both start at a 2/3 size, and the Zero stays lighter.

The honest framing is this: the Zero is the best reel in its price bracket for ultralight trout work. Step up to $180 and you get something built to last decades instead of seasons.

Who Should Buy the Redington Zero

Buy this reel if you fish small streams with light rods. Blueliners chasing wild brook trout in headwater creeks will love it. Backpackers who count grams will love it. Anglers building a dedicated fiberglass setup will love it.

Buy it if you want a second or third reel for a specific job rather than your one and only reel.

Skip it if you need one reel that handles everything. Skip it if you target steelhead, bass, carp, or anything saltwater. Skip it if you are hard on gear and tend to drop things on rocks.

Beginners should think carefully. A click and pawl reel teaches good line handling, but a disc drag forgives more mistakes. If you are learning on a 5 weight and chasing stocked rainbows, a Crosswater or a Lamson Liquid serves you better.

Price, Warranty and Value in 2026

Last update on 2026-10-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

The Zero sits around $109 for a complete reel, with spare spools near $55. Street prices move, and retailers discount older colorways regularly, so watch for deals on discontinued finishes.

Redington’s warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship for the original owner. Second hand buyers get nothing, which is worth knowing before you shop used listings. Repair fees vary by model and age, and the warranty excludes consequential damages.

Value depends entirely on your expectations. As a lifetime heirloom reel, the Zero is poor value. As a light, cheap, functional tool for creek trout, it is excellent value.

Think of it the way you think of trail running shoes. They perform brilliantly for a few hard seasons, then you replace them. That framing makes the Zero much easier to appreciate.

Final Verdict

The Redington Zero earns its place in 2026 for one clear reason. Nothing else delivers this weight at this price.

It is not the toughest reel. It is not the prettiest. The sound divides people, and the die cast body will not survive careless handling. Those are real limitations, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something.

But put it on a 7 foot 3 weight, walk up a small creek, and hook a wild brook trout. The reel vanishes. The rod comes alive. The clicker sings. That experience is exactly what Redington built this thing to deliver, and it delivers it well.

Rating: 4 out of 5 for small stream anglers. 2 out of 5 for everyone else. Know which group you belong to before you click buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Redington Zero good for beginners?

It can be, with one condition. Beginners fishing small streams for small trout will do fine and will learn good line control. Beginners chasing larger fish should pick a reel with an adjustable disc drag instead, since that hardware forgives rookie mistakes during a run.

What size Redington Zero should I buy?

Buy the 2/3 for 2 weight and 3 weight rods. Buy the 4/5 for 4 weight and 5 weight rods. Both hold 100 yards of 20 pound backing. Matching the reel size to your rod weight keeps the setup balanced and comfortable.

Can you adjust the drag on a Redington Zero?

No. The Zero has a fixed click and pawl tension with no adjustment knob. You control extra resistance by palming the spool rim with your hand. This is normal for click and pawl reels and is not considered a defect.

Is the Redington Zero saltwater safe?

No. The reel is not sealed and the finish is paint rather than hard anodizing. Salt exposure will corrode it quickly. Choose a sealed, corrosion resistant reel for any saltwater fishing.

How long does the Redington Zero last?

With gentle use on small streams, several seasons is realistic. With rough handling, failures can happen much sooner. The thin cast frame near the reel foot is the most commonly reported weak point.

Does the Redington Zero come with backing or line?

No. The reel ships bare with a pouch and a manual. You will need to add backing and fly line yourself, or ask your local shop to spool it for you.

Is the Redington Zero loud?

Yes, noticeably so. Both the outgoing and incoming clicks are audible from a distance and have a metallic tone. Some anglers find this charming. Others find it grating. Listen before you buy if possible.