Redington Behemoth 5/6 Review: Too Much Drag?
Buy it if you want one reel that covers trout now and something that runs harder later, and you value drag strength over swing weight. Skip it if you fish a light 5 weight on small water, because this reel's drag is engineered for fish that will never take your line and the weight is real.
The 5/6 size, a carbon drag built for saltwater, and what that costs on a trout rod.
Redington Behemoth Fly Reel, size 5/6
Under $250
Redington's die-cast large arbor reel in the 5/6 size, with a carbon fiber drag package Redington describes as the most powerful in its class.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Size on this listing | 5/6 |
|---|---|
| Construction | Die-cast, described by Redington as un-machinable, with an interlocking large arbor spool |
| Drag | Super heavy duty carbon fiber drag package |
| Handle | Twin molded, with a soft touch ergonomic grip |
| Backing capacity | 5/6 holds 125 yards of 20 pound; 7/8 holds 200 yards of 20 pound; 9/10 holds 200 yards of 30 pound; 11/12 holds 250 yards of 20 pound |
| Range | Redington sizes the family from 5 weight trout rods up to big game saltwater |
| Budget | Under $250 |
Specifications above come from Redington's published description of the Behemoth. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Published backing capacities by size, which is more numerical honesty than most reel listings offer and lets you buy backing without guessing.
- The drag is genuinely strong, which matters if this reel is ever going to see a bonefish, a steelhead or a pike rather than only trout.
- Die-cast construction is what makes a strong sealed feeling reel affordable at this price, and the interlocking spool design is not a cosmetic detail.
- The twin molded handle is comfortable to palm and to wind under load, which sounds trivial until a fish runs.
Where it falls short
- The drag is far stronger than trout fishing needs. On 5X tippet you will never approach its capability, and drag you cannot use is weight you are carrying.
- Die-cast reels are heavier than machined reels of the same capacity. On a light 8 foot 6 inch rod that shifts balance toward the butt in a way some anglers dislike.
- 125 yards of 20 pound backing in the 5/6 is generous rather than necessary. Most trout anglers will never see backing in a season.
- Redington does not publish a weight for this reel in the listing, so we are not going to state one. If swing weight is your deciding factor, weigh one or ask a shop.
What owners report
Published owner reviews of the Behemoth are consistently strong on value and on drag, and the phrase that recurs is that it punches above its price. Owners who fish salt water or for larger species are the most enthusiastic group, which matches the design intent. The finish and the look also draw genuine praise.
The consistent criticism is weight. Trout anglers in published reviews report it feeling heavy on a light rod, and several describe buying it for versatility and then leaving it on a heavier outfit. That is a useful pattern to know before you buy it as a dedicated 5 weight reel.
How it fits with the rest of your kit
Most of the confusion around trout reels is about what a large arbor actually buys you, and the large arbor against standard arbor comparison settles it: faster pickup and less line memory, not more drag. Once you have the reel, the next question is how to fill it, and the backing against more fly line comparison answers that with Redington's published 125 yard figure as a starting point.
For lighter options, the Lamson Liquid and the Orvis Clearwater reel are the two sealed drag rivals at similar money, and the trout reel roundup covers where a click drag is genuinely enough. If you are pairing this with a rod, it suits a fast 9 foot blank better than a short moderate one.
Who it suits
- Anglers who want one reel to cover trout now and heavier fishing later.
- Anyone who fishes species that actually run: steelhead, pike, bonefish, larger bass.
- People who value published capacity figures over marketing adjectives.
Who should skip it
- Small stream trout anglers on light short rods, where the weight is the wrong trade.
- Anyone chasing the lightest possible setup.
- Buyers who want a machined reel, which this deliberately is not.
Alternatives worth considering
Lamson Liquid -5+ S-Series Fly Reel, 4/5/6 weight
Under $250
Lamson's sealed conical drag in a 4/5/6 for under $250. A better balance on a light trout rod, with a drag that is smooth rather than merely strong.
Check price on AmazonRedington Zero Fly Reel, size 4/5, click drag
Under $250
under $250 for a click pawl 4/5 reel. Simpler, lighter and genuinely sufficient for trout, since the drag on a trout reel mostly exists to stop the spool overrunning.
Check price on AmazonOrvis Clearwater Fly Reel, 5 to 7 weight
Under $250
Orvis' sealed carbon-to-stainless drag at under $250 in a 5 to 7 size, which is the pick if you also own a 6 or a 7 weight rod.
Check price on AmazonKeep reading
- Large arbor against standard arbor reel
- Backing against more fly line
- Best fly reel for trout
- Lamson Liquid review
- Orvis Clearwater reel review
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Redington Behemoth too heavy for trout?
It is heavier than a machined reel of the same capacity, which is the cost of die-cast construction, and trout anglers in published reviews report noticing it on light rods. On a 9 foot 5 weight it is fine. On a short moderate blank it shifts the balance toward the butt. If lightness is what you want, a click drag reel weighs less and costs less.
Redington Behemoth versus Lamson Liquid, which reel is better for trout?
The Liquid, for most trout anglers. Its sealed conical drag is smooth at the low settings trout fishing actually uses, and it balances better on a light rod. The Behemoth wins if the same reel needs to handle a species that runs, because its drag has genuine reserve you will never reach on 5X tippet.
How much backing does the Behemoth 5/6 hold?
Redington publishes 125 yards of 20 pound backing for the 5/6 size, alongside 200 yards of 20 pound for the 7/8, 200 yards of 30 pound for the 9/10 and 250 yards of 20 pound for the 11/12. Published capacities are unusually useful here, because they let you buy the right amount of backing rather than guessing and crowding the arbor.
Do I need a strong drag for trout?
No. Most trout are landed on hand pressure and a lightly set drag, and a sudden lock up on 5X or 6X breaks you off rather than landing the fish. What matters on a trout reel is smooth start up inertia, not maximum stopping power. Strong drag is worth paying for when you fish species that run a hundred yards, which trout in most rivers do not.
Is a die-cast reel worse than a machined reel?
Not worse, different. Die-cast makes a strong reel affordable by using more material, which means more weight for the same strength. Machined reels remove material precisely, so they are lighter and cost more. For a trout reel that mostly stores line, die-cast is a perfectly rational trade, and the weight only becomes an argument on a very light rod.
How we choose: we compare published manufacturer specifications, line and leader standards, and verified owner reviews across retailers. We do not test gear in person, and every diameter, grain weight and breaking strength quoted here is the manufacturer's published figure unless we say otherwise, so check the spool label before you trust a number. Nothing here is professional instruction. Wading moving water is the real hazard in this sport: wear a snug wading belt, know the water temperature, and turn back rather than push through a crossing you are unsure of.
