Can a 3-4wt reel work with a 2wt rod fine? I’m just having a hard time finding a 2wt reel in my price range. But a few 3-4wts. I’m curious if anyone has done it and how it works out. Is it too much extra weight?
Thanks a bunch,
Shane
Go to a store that will let you put the reel on the rod to see how it feels to you. Any good tackle store should let you do this. I would also think a Cabelas would also. A stock answer would be if the reel is small enough it should be fine.
shane, have you looked at the orvis bbs II? i am sure it would work fine on a two wt. rod and the price is right too.
Try Bass Pro - Whitewater I believe -. I have a 3 wt ultralite - cute little thing. Nice and light. Do not put any 5 or 6 wt. reel on a 2 wt rod. You are defeating the purpose of the system. Don’t worry about balance - go for as light as possible. Really, really, light.
Bob Bolton
What he said! I saw the White River Classic when I was in their fly shop. It is small & sweet for $99.
I use a Okuma Sierra 3/4 on my 2 wt. At $39.95 it even has a nice little drag system on it, and makes for the perfect starter/low budget reel.
Joe
I was thinking of going with the Cabela’s Prestige Plus 3/4 to get me through this season. Thanks a lot everyone for the suggestions, I do like the looks of the suggested reels. Just still too much out of my price range right now. My list for Cabela’s grew too large hahaha. But, only with items I need, of course:)
Thanks again, just wanted to mainly make sure a 3/4 was ok on a 2wt. So I’m happy once again:)
Shane
I use a J. Austin Forbes reel on my 2 wt and love it. While it is a different model reel, there is a J. Austin Forbes reel listed on the For Sale board that would work perfectly for your 2 wt. Just one possibility.
Jim Smith
If you want lightweight, try the Crystal River Cahill CR-0001. All graphite, disc drag, under $20, and it weighs only 2.7 oz. Not a bad little reel. I picked up one to get me by for my 2 weight, and I’ve never had a reason to replace it, even after hooking into a 5 lb. carp.
Otto,
Some good answers here. From my experience with 1 and 2wts, I’ve used a light reel too and have appreciated not getting the really small dia. reels that have you reeling for a week each time you retrieve line.
For that reason I’ve sold some of the very small sizes (Ross San Miguel #1 and Ross Colorado “0”) in favor of the next size up.
Just an FYI.
Jeremy.
Basspro has them. Was looking at one yesterday.
I use an Okuma SLV 2/3 weight reel on my H&H 6’6" 2 wt. The outfit works great. A little more expensive than the Sierra but not much and definitely worth the extra $.
Otto,
That is what I am using on my 2 wt rod, a reel that is listed for a 3 wt. Most likely you are not going to be casting long distances with your 2 wt. For me, most of my casts are very short range in small streams. Short casts for line control casting into small pockets of soft water. The few ounces of ?extra? weight mean little to me in that situation. If you are out on a lake and you will be casting all day, reaching out a little more with the line, then it may make a difference. Best bet, go ahead and try it. If after a season of fishing you think you may want a smaller reel, then you can get one.
Larry 
—sagefisher—
I just got an Orvis BBS 1 for my 2 wt. Nice little reel and it balances the rod great. For $89.00, I don’t think I got hurt.
Brad
Streams for 2 weights.
Bob Bolton
Ottodita, you have a PM.
Oh, how I want to be out fishing now…Thanks a lot for all the replies and suggestions, it’s greatly appreciated!!
My Inbox is showing nothing new…
Thanks again!
Shane