Photos: Airflo · supplied retailer imagery
Fly fishing · Cassette reels · Our take
Airflo Switch Pro Fly Reel
#7/9
A #7/9 cassette fly reel that makes plenty of sense for reservoir anglers juggling floating, intermediate and sinking lines. Just check the spool count before parting with your quid.
- #7/9 size, with stated capacity for a WF8 fly line plus 150 yards of backing.
- Machined lightweight aluminium construction with an anodised gunmetal-grey finish.
- Large-arbour layout, quick-release spool system and precision drag.
- Compatible with existing Switch Pro and Switch Black spools; custom reel case included.
Make sure it’s the right one. This is the Airflo Switch Pro #7/9 fly reel. Bundle descriptions differ: Airflo lists five spare spools, while Fishers Direct describes five spools total.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A useful feature-led option for multi-line reservoir fishing, with the strongest appeal for anglers who will use its spool system regularly.
- Product Quality8.8/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching8.3/10
- Ease of Use9.1/10
- Value for Money8.6/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Reservoir trout anglers carrying several lines. The interchangeable spool setup suits moving between a floater, intermediate and sinking lines as conditions change.
- Existing Switch Pro or Switch Black owners. Compatible spools could let you keep using an established line collection rather than starting again.
Maybe skip if
- Light-line stream anglers. A #7/9 reel is aimed at heavier outfits than the small rods normally used for delicate brook work.
- Anglers who only need a floating line. The multi-spool approach adds less benefit when you rarely change lines.
The lowdown
Introducing the Airflo Switch Pro Fly Reel
A #7/9 cassette fly reel that makes plenty of sense for reservoir anglers juggling floating, intermediate and sinking lines. Just check the spool count before parting with your quid.
- #7/9 size, with stated capacity for a WF8 fly line plus 150 yards of backing.
- Machined lightweight aluminium construction with an anodised gunmetal-grey finish.
- Large-arbour layout, quick-release spool system and precision drag.
- Compatible with existing Switch Pro and Switch Black spools; custom reel case included.
Quick verdict
A proper practical reservoir option
The Switch Pro’s appeal is straightforward: a machined aluminium reel, large arbour and quick-release spool system built around carrying different fly lines. For #7–#9 reservoir outfits, that’s a useful combination rather than fancy kit for fancy kit’s sake.
It makes most sense if you’ll actually use the interchangeable spools, especially if you already own compatible Switch Pro or Switch Black spools. Check the bundle contents, though, and don’t mistake the precision-drag description for a promise of sealed saltwater protection.
A useful feature-led option for multi-line reservoir fishing, with the strongest appeal for anglers who will use its spool system regularly.
- Product Quality
- 8.8/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 8.3/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.1/10
- Value for Money
- 8.6/10
Machined aluminium construction and an anodised finish give it a solid on-paper foundation.
The large arbour, adjustable drag and quick-release spool layout address the main jobs of a reservoir fly reel.
Easier access to different line densities supports better depth control, although presentation and location still do the heavy lifting.
Quick-release spools and compatibility with existing matching spools make managing several lines more straightforward.
The multi-spool approach and included case offer useful value for regular line changers, with the exact bundle worth confirming.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Airflo
Airflo Switch Pro Fly Reel (this one)
Top scorer
Top scorer
Scores are our own, out of 10. Best in each row is in green. Prices change, so check the latest before you buy.
The full rundown
Everything you'll want to know about the Airflo Switch Pro Fly Reel
The Airflo Switch Pro Fly Reel is aimed at a familiar reservoir problem: you’ve packed several lines, the trout have changed depth, and swapping over suddenly feels like a right faff. This #7/9 reel puts an interchangeable spool system at the centre of things, backed up by a machined aluminium build and a large arbour. It’s a practical bit of kit for anglers who want their line choices organised, rather than a reel bought purely because it looks smart hanging beneath the rod.
That matters because changing depth isn’t always as simple as counting down your current line for another few seconds. A floating line with a long leader, an intermediate and a faster sinker each give you different ways to present your flies. From a drifting boat, or when covering water from the bank, having those options ready can be dead handy. The Switch Pro’s quick-release spool system lets you change the loaded spool without replacing the whole reel. You’ll still need to sort the line through the rod rings, mind.
The reel itself uses machined lightweight aluminium with an anodised gunmetal-grey finish. That gives it a fairly understated look, which suits a working reservoir outfit nicely. More importantly, it’s a metal-bodied reel rather than something sold entirely on how many spare spools you get in the bag. Anodising adds surface protection, but don’t treat it as permission to chuck the reel onto gravel while you untangle a leader. Keeping grit away from moving parts is basic reel care, however posh or affordable your tackle happens to be.
Its large-arbour design is another sensible choice for this sort of fishing. A larger winding diameter helps bring line back efficiently and avoids wrapping it into such tight coils as a smaller arbor would. That’s useful when you’re gathering loose line or getting organised after a fish. It doesn’t mean you should automatically wind every trout straight onto the reel, though. Keep control of loose line first, watch for loops around the handle or your boots, and let the situation decide how you play it.
Airflo describes a precision drag system, giving you an adjustable means of controlling a running fish. The sensible approach is to set it with your tippet in mind, rather than cranking it up because there’s plenty of backing underneath. A sudden surge close to the net is exactly when an over-tight setup can spoil your afternoon. There’s no need to turn a decent rainbow into a tug of war, mate. Equally, that drag description alone doesn’t tell you it’s sealed or intended for regular saltwater work.
Capacity is stated as a WF8 fly line plus 150 yards of backing, which gives you a clear reference point for loading this #7/9 version. Don’t read that as an identical allowance with every line you own. Fly-line profiles and backing thickness vary, so leave sensible clearance rather than filling a spool right to the edge. If you’re setting up several spools, label each one with its line weight and density. Trying to identify three similar-looking sinking lines when the breeze gets up is a completely avoidable headache.
One particularly useful detail is compatibility with existing Switch Pro and Switch Black spools. If you’ve already got a little collection loaded and labelled, that could be the strongest reason to choose this reel. Starting again with another system can mean buying more spools and transferring lines, neither of which is much fun. A custom reel case is included too, helping keep things together in your tackle bag. Just make sure wet lines and backing get a chance to dry before everything disappears into storage.
The buying wrinkle is the supplied spool count. Airflo lists five spare spools, while Fishers Direct describes five spools total. Those aren’t the same bundle, so ask how many you’ll receive altogether, including the fitted spool. Once that’s clear, the decision is pretty straightforward: this looks a sensible fit for reservoir anglers who genuinely switch lines, and less compelling for someone fishing a floater every trip. Match it to a suitable rod, organise your spools properly, and the appeal is less fiddling about when you’d rather be covering fish.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Size
- #7/9
- Stated capacity
- WF8 fly line plus 150 yards of backing
- Construction and finish
- Machined lightweight aluminium; anodised gunmetal grey
- Arbour and drag
- Large arbour; precision drag system
- Spool system
- Quick release; compatible with existing Switch Pro and Switch Black spools
- Included storage
- Custom reel case; confirm supplied spool count with the seller
Specs checked with Airflo, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Different depth, same reel
Reservoir trout don’t always stay where you first find them. Being able to swap line density without changing the whole reel is the Switch Pro’s big draw.
Think of it as line management first. It won’t sort your retrieve or find the fish, but it can make adapting your presentation a lot less of a chore.
The setup
Closer look: a reel built around line choices
The core package is a #7/9 reel with machined aluminium construction, an anodised finish, a large arbour and a quick-release spool system. The useful distinction is between the reel and the loaded spools: you can prepare different lines beforehand and keep the same reel on your rod when you change over. For reservoir fishing, that’s the whole point.
Think about the lines you actually fish before loading every spare. A floater and an intermediate might cover most of your trips, with sinking options added for your water and methods. Keep backing connections tidy and check that each loaded spool turns freely without line rubbing against the frame. More choices are only helpful if they’re ready to use.
Worth knowing. Ask for the total spool count, not just the number of 'spares'. Airflo says five spare spools; Fishers Direct says five spools total. Confirming that small detail makes comparing bundles much easier.
Your fishing
Who it suits: reservoir anglers with more than one plan
If your day might involve nymphs on a floater followed by pulling flies deeper on a sinking line, the Switch Pro has a clear job. The same applies when wind, drift speed or the depth of feeding fish changes your approach. It won’t choose the right line for you, but it gives those choices somewhere organised to live.
Existing Switch Pro and Switch Black users have another reason to pay attention: spool compatibility. Check the matching size, then work out how much of your current setup you can carry across. That practical saving can matter more than chasing a different finish or a reel with a flashier name.
For a small stream outfit, look towards a reel sized to that lighter rod instead. And if you only ever use one floating line, be honest about whether you need a cassette system. There’s nothing wrong with keeping things simple and spending the spare quid on leaders, flies or another day ticket.
Before you buy
FAQs in full: fit, compatibility and bundle contents
What does #7/9 mean here? It identifies the reel’s intended fly-line class range, not a promise that it will balance every rod carrying those ratings. The stated loading reference is WF8 plus 150 yards of backing. Your chosen line and backing affect the final fit, so check clearance as you load rather than blindly winding on a fixed amount.
Will older spools fit? Airflo explicitly lists existing Switch Pro and Switch Black spool compatibility. That’s useful if your lines are already loaded onto those systems. When buying individual spools, confirm the matching size and product identity rather than assuming anything with 'Switch' in its name will do.
What should you confirm with the shop? Mainly the total number of supplied spools. Five spare spools would mean something different from five altogether, and both descriptions appear in listings. The custom reel case is included, but it’s still sensible to get the exact bundle contents clear before checkout. No one wants a missing line option discovered while packing for a trip.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Quick-release spools make carrying several line densities a practical proposition.
- Compatibility with Switch Pro and Switch Black spools is handy for existing owners.
- Machined aluminium construction and an anodised finish.
- Large arbour helps with line recovery and reduces tight coiling compared with a smaller arbor.
- Included case keeps the outfit together between trips.
Worth knowing
- The #7/9 size isn’t the natural partner for a delicate light-line stream rod.
- Spool-count descriptions differ between listings, so bundle contents need checking.
- Much of the cassette system’s benefit goes unused if you only fish one line.
Want one?
Add it to your Wanted list or join a Group Buy — shops see anonymous totals only.
Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01What line size is the Airflo Switch Pro designed for?
What line size is the Airflo Switch Pro designed for?
This version is rated #7/9. Its stated capacity is a WF8 fly line plus 150 yards of backing; the room available with other lines will depend on their bulk and the backing used.
02Can I use Switch Black spools with it?
Can I use Switch Black spools with it?
Yes. Airflo lists compatibility with existing Switch Pro and Switch Black spools. Check that the spools you’re buying or reusing are the appropriate matching size.
03How many spools come with the reel?
How many spools come with the reel?
The descriptions differ. Airflo lists five spare spools, while Fishers Direct lists five spools total. Ask the seller to confirm the total number supplied, including the one fitted to the reel.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a proper practical reservoir option. The strongest reasons to choose it are quick-release spools make carrying several line densities a practical proposition. and compatibility with switch pro and switch black spools is handy for existing owners.; the main trade-off is the #7/9 size isn’t the natural partner for a delicate light-line stream rod..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Quick-release spools make carrying several line densities a practical proposition.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Reservoir trout anglers carrying several lines: The interchangeable spool setup suits moving between a floater, intermediate and sinking lines as conditions change.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “The #7/9 size isn’t the natural partner for a delicate light-line stream rod.”
Tackle Index’s take from the product details and fishing fit we checked. We haven’t found enough independent public feedback to call this an angler consensus yet.
Angler score
What our readers rate Airflo Switch Pro Fly Reel
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Owner reports
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