In‑depth review of the Abel SDS Underwood Fly Reel

In‑depth review of the Abel SDS Underwood Fly Reel

sean Fields |

 

Here’s an in‑depth review of the Abel SDS Underwood Fly Reel—a stunning fusion of high‑end angling performance and gallery‑worthy art. Often summed up as “Art Meets Angling Excellence,” this reel lives up to that reputation in almost every aspect.




Design & Aesthetics


  • Underwood Artist Finish: Casey Underwood designs—such as “Slammin’ Deep Blue,” “Tailing Bonefish,” “Moondance,” and others—are laser‑engraved and polished through proprietary texturizing and anodization. The result is a visually stunning finish that is handcrafted and unique. Due to its intricacy, Underwood graphic finishes cost approximately $225–$350 more over standard gloss finishes 

  • Collectors and anglers alike rave about these finishes. As one user put it, “hand anodization via a trade secret process” ensures each reel is unique and artful 




Build & Performance


  • Sealed Drag System (SDS): The multi‑disc drag, comprising alternating carbon composite and stainless steel discs, delivers over 20 lbs of braking power while being fully sealed for saltwater durability

  • Material & Construction: Precision‑machined from 6061‑T651 aerospace‑grade aluminum, including frame, spool, drag knob, and foot. Reel is made in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty to the original owner 

  • Sizes & Capacity: Available in 7/8, 9/10, and 11/12 weight sizes. The 11/12‑weight reel can handle about 250 yards of 30 lb backing and sports a ~4.5″ spool diameter with lightweight ported design

  • Performance Notes:  up to 25 lbs of max drag (though torque drops at lower settings). Line pickup measured around 9.4″ per handle turn—adequate, but in smaller sizes the spool feels on the tight side. Sound and ergonomics receive high marks, with a refined drag knob and machined handle 




User Experience & Reputation


  • Durability & Reliability: Customers report that the beauty of the finish holds up well over time since it’s anodized, not merely painted—still looking “like new” even after significant use 




💲 Value & Cost


  • Pricing Overview: Base SDS reel models start around $895, while standard Underwood‑graphic versions begin around $1,345–1,445, and fully custom color/Underwood finishes can command up to $1,595–1,875 depending on size and options 




✅ Pros & Cons


Pros

Cons

Exceptional sealed drag system with ~25 lb stopping power

High cost—especially for Underwood graphics

Precision machined from aerospace aluminum, lifetime warranty

Smaller spool sizes limit line pickup

Hand-anodized graphics that stand the test of time

Some anglers prefer simpler reels for utility

Fully user-convertible retrieval direction, quick-change spool

Many similar-performing reels at significantly lower price



The Abel SDS Underwood Fly Reel is a rare blend of high-performance engineering and artisanal craftsmanship. If you’re seeking:


  • Top-tier saltwater reel performance,

  • Unique, hand-made cosmetics,

  • A reel you’ll be proud to display—this is certainly one to consider.




Ultimately, if you're drawn to artist-level design and heritage build quality, the Abel SDS Underwood delivers both — making it a compelling choice for collectors and serious saltwater anglers alike.





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