It’s rare to find a low-cost reel that you can use in saltwater, because most good saltwater reels will cost you an arm and a leg. Unfortunately, most low-cost reels just aren’t built to withstand the corrosive environment of the salt flats or the open sea. That’s why we were so excited to hear about the Echo Bravo – a saltwater-specific reel for under $150!
Tim Rajeff and the team at Echo Fly Fishing aim to make saltwater fishing more accessible to fly anglers, no matter what your budget is. So, the Echo Bravo was created with two goals – performance and affordability. As with all Echo products, the aim was to create a quality reel without the high price tag. And that’s exactly what they’ve done!
So, let’s find out whether the Echo Bravo is worth the buy.
Echo Bravo Specs:
| Available Size: 7/9, 8/10, 10/12 | Overall Weight: 8.5 – 9.2oz |
| Arbor Size: Large | Material: Aluminum Alloy Construction |
| Spool Diameter: 4.25 – 4.75in | Colors: Black |
| Warranty: 12-Month Limited Warranty | Warranty: 12 Month Limited Warranty |
| Drag Type: Disc | Country of Manufacture: USA |
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Echo Bravo Review
When Echo released the new Bravo reel in 2018, there was nothing like it (and there still isn’t today!). It’s a great budget reel that is suitable for all sorts of saltwater fishing from deep water to fly fishing saltwater flats.
The Bravo boasts clean, attractive aesthetics, and a large arbor for speedy line pickup. But most importantly, it has a super-strong yet smooth drag system. It can handle big fish and holds plenty of backing for when you catch a runner!
One thing to be aware of is that you will need to be meticulous with the cleaning of your Echo Bravo. But if you do, this affordable new reel should last you for many seasons of fishing. That’s a fair trade-off for such a low-cost reel.
All things considered, we think that the Echo Bra