Photos: Fox Rage · supplied retailer imagery
Reels · Lure fishing · Our take
Fox Rage TR Reel
TR 1500 and TR 2500
A magnesium-bodied lure reel with two genuinely different size options. The neat twist? The smaller TR 1500 picks up more line per turn than the TR 2500.
- TR 1500: 220g, 6.2:1 gearing and 79cm retrieve per handle turn.
- TR 2500: 232g, 5.1:1 gearing and 74cm retrieve per handle turn.
- Magnesium body, carbon-reinforced rotor and 10+1 bearings.
- High-grip spool band for direct braid attachment; spare spools sold separately.
Make sure it’s the right one. This review covers both TR sizes. Their weights, gearing, braid capacities and retrieve rates differ, so check the individual figures before choosing.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A feature-based score for a well-equipped lure reel. The build and practical spool details are its strongest points; value remains dependent on the asking price.
- Product Quality9/10
- Performance8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching7.9/10
- Ease of Use9.1/10
- Value for Money8.3/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Mobile perch anglers. The 1500's compact size, 220g weight and finer-braid capacity make sense alongside a light lure rod.
- Lure anglers wanting more braid capacity without much extra weight. The 2500 holds 150m of 0.16mm braid and weighs just 12g more than the 1500.
Maybe skip if
- Heavy-lure pike specialists. Big lures and sustained heavy work call for a reel chosen specifically around those loads, rather than this compact size range.
- Carp anglers shopping for a main rod reel. This is a lure-focused option, not the natural fit for distance carp work and the line capacity that goes with it.
The lowdown
Introducing the Fox Rage TR Reel
A magnesium-bodied lure reel with two genuinely different size options. The neat twist? The smaller TR 1500 picks up more line per turn than the TR 2500.
- TR 1500: 220g, 6.2:1 gearing and 79cm retrieve per handle turn.
- TR 2500: 232g, 5.1:1 gearing and 74cm retrieve per handle turn.
- Magnesium body, carbon-reinforced rotor and 10+1 bearings.
- High-grip spool band for direct braid attachment; spare spools sold separately.
Quick verdict
A tidy choice for a dedicated lure outfit
The Fox Rage TR has a convincing set of ingredients for regular lure fishing: a magnesium body, carbon-reinforced rotor and a spool band that grips braid. Both sizes keep the weight sensible, without making the smaller model the automatic winner.
Go 1500 for the finer-braid capacity and quicker line pickup, or 2500 for more capacity with thicker braid. Neither is a substitute for a proper heavy-duty pike outfit, and the bearing count alone shouldn't seal the deal.
A feature-based score for a well-equipped lure reel. The build and practical spool details are its strongest points; value remains dependent on the asking price.
- Product Quality
- 9/10
- Performance
- 8.8/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 7.9/10
- Ease of Use
- 9.1/10
- Value for Money
- 8.3/10
The magnesium body, carbon-reinforced rotor and CNC aluminium drive gear form a convincing construction package.
The two retrieve and capacity combinations offer useful choices for light and general lure work.
Appropriate line pickup and capacity support lure control, but location and presentation remain far more important.
Front-drag adjustment and the braid-gripping spool band keep everyday setup straightforward.
The feature package has clear appeal for regular lure anglers, though the asking price and extra spool cost need checking.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Fox Rage
Fox Rage TR 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 Fox Rage TR Reel
The Fox Rage TR is one for the lure bag rather than the three-rod carp setup. Think wandering a canal with a perch rod, working soft plastics along a reservoir edge or dropping into a promising swim for a few casts before moving on. It's available in TR 1500 and TR 2500 sizes, with a magnesium body and carbon-reinforced rotor giving it a purposeful build on paper. The interesting bit isn't just the materials, though. These two sizes offer different gearing and braid capacities, so choosing properly means looking beyond the number on the box.
Start with the smaller reel. The TR 1500 weighs 220g, holds a listed 150m of 0.1mm braid and has a 6.2:1 gear ratio. Its quoted retrieve is 79cm per handle turn. That combination makes sense for a light lure outfit where you're using fine braid and want to gather slack promptly after twitching a lure or lifting a jig. It doesn't mean you should race everything back, mate. Handle speed is still down to you. It simply gives you a useful amount of pickup when you need to reconnect with the lure.
The TR 2500 weighs 232g and holds a listed 150m of 0.16mm braid. That's only 12g more reel for a noticeably different capacity. Its gearing drops to 5.1:1, with 74cm retrieved per turn, so the larger model is actually the slower of the pair on those quoted figures. Don't buy it expecting a quicker retrieve just because the spool is bigger. The more convincing reason to choose it is accommodating thicker braid while keeping the overall outfit reasonably light. Rod balance matters too, particularly when you're holding the tip up for long spells.
Construction is another part of the appeal. Alongside that magnesium body and carbon-reinforced rotor, you get a CNC aluminium drive gear, a carbon bearing cover and 10+1 bearings. That's a decent list of ingredients for a dedicated lure reel. Still, bearing numbers aren't a magic shortcut to judging smoothness, durability or how a reel behaves under load. The useful thing here is the overall build approach: keeping weight controlled while giving the working parts a supportive housing. For a roving session, that deserves more attention than simply counting bearings and shouting bosh.
One properly practical touch is the high-grip spool band. It's there so you can attach braid directly without the whole lot slipping around the spool core. That removes a potential headache when you're setting up, especially if you've previously mistaken slipping braid for a drag problem. It doesn't make spool filling foolproof, mind. Keep sensible tension on the line as you load it and avoid piling braid beyond the spool's recommended fill level. Backing can still be handy for building up the spool if your chosen length of braid would otherwise leave it underfilled.
You also get a front drag, anti-reverse and a cork/EVA handle. For fishing light braid, spend a moment setting the drag against the whole outfit rather than just the strength printed on the line packet. Your leader, knots, hook and rod all have a say. With small hooks and a lively perch close in, a locked-up drag is asking for grief. Keep an eye on loose coils too: after a slack-line presentation, close the bail by hand and make sure the braid is seated properly before winding. Little habits save a surprising amount of faff.
Spare spools are available separately, which is useful if you want another line choice without carrying a second reel. Just factor that extra purchase into your thinking rather than assuming it's part of the deal. Capacity figures also need a bit of common sense: braid diameter labels aren't perfectly consistent between brands, and actual fill affects line pickup. Treat the listed capacities as a buying guide, not a promise that every spool of braid with the same printed diameter will fit identically. That's especially relevant when you're trying to get the fill level bob on.
So, who should have it on the shortlist? Primarily the angler building a dedicated light or general lure outfit, with the 1500 leaning towards finer braid and the 2500 offering more room as line diameter increases. Neither size is an automatic recommendation for chucking hefty pike lures all day. Nor will either turn an empty swim into a bag-up session. What the TR offers is a thoughtful set of features for managing line and working lures. Pick the version around your actual fishing, not the idea that bigger must be better.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Sizes and weights
- TR 1500: 220g; TR 2500: 232g.
- Gearing and retrieve
- TR 1500: 6.2:1 / 79cm per turn; TR 2500: 5.1:1 / 74cm per turn.
- Braid capacity
- TR 1500: 150m of 0.1mm; TR 2500: 150m of 0.16mm.
- Body and rotor
- Magnesium body and carbon-reinforced rotor.
- Internal construction
- 10+1 bearings, CNC aluminium drive gear and carbon bearing cover.
- Controls and spool
- Front drag, anti-reverse, cork/EVA handle and high-grip spool band.
Specs checked with Fox Rage, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
The smaller reel is actually quicker
The TR 1500 retrieves 79cm per handle turn against the TR 2500's 74cm. That's a useful reminder that a bigger spool and a bigger size badge don't automatically mean faster line pickup.
Choose around your rod, braid and lure work. The 1500's quicker pickup can help gather slack between movements; the 2500's capacity is the stronger reason to step up.
Build and layout
Closer look: useful details beyond the bearing count
The TR's material choices are its main talking point. A magnesium body, carbon-reinforced rotor and CNC aluminium drive gear make a more meaningful buying story than the bearing count alone. They show a clear focus on weight and construction, although they don't tell you everything about long-term wear or winding feel under pressure.
The controls are straightforward: front drag, anti-reverse and a cork/EVA handle. The spool band is the particularly handy detail for braid users. It tackles braid slipping around the core, but it won't prevent wind knots caused by loose coils, overfilling or winding slack line onto the spool.
Worth knowing. Compare centimetres per turn as well as gear ratios. The 1500 picks up 79cm and the 2500 74cm on their listed figures; an underfilled spool reduces pickup, so line loading matters as well.
Choosing your size
Who it suits: match the reel to the lure rod
For small soft plastics and finer-braid perch fishing, the 1500 is the sensible starting point. Its quicker pickup is handy for gathering slack between lure movements. Just don't confuse quick pickup with better bite detection by itself: line control, wind, lure weight and keeping appropriate contact all matter.
The 2500 earns its place when you want the capacity for thicker braid, with very little extra weight. Check how it balances your rod rather than choosing from weight alone. Neither the size badge nor a lower gear ratio proves heavy-duty suitability, so anglers working big pike lures should look at outfits built around that job.
Value depends on the asking price when you buy. If your fishing makes good use of the materials, braid-ready spool and spare-spool option, there's a clear reason to consider the TR. If you only flick a spinner about occasionally, those extras may matter less than keeping a few quid in your pocket.
Before you buy
FAQs in full: speed, braid and spare spools
Which size is faster? The TR 1500 has both the higher gear ratio, at 6.2:1, and the higher listed line pickup, at 79cm per turn. The 2500 is 5.1:1 and 74cm. The difference isn't a reason to reject either reel; it's something to match to your preferred retrieve and line capacity.
Can braid go straight on? Yes, the high-grip band is designed for direct attachment without slipping. Use a secure attachment and load the braid under steady tension. If you're adding backing to achieve the right fill, remember that it takes up some of the available capacity.
Can you buy another spool? Yes, spare spools are available separately. Get the correct size for your reel. A second spool can be dead handy for changing line diameter, but leave enough time to check the drag again after swapping rather than assuming the previous setting will suit.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Only 12g separates the two sizes, so the extra braid capacity brings a small weight penalty.
- Magnesium body and carbon-reinforced rotor make a purposeful lightweight construction package.
- Grippy spool band helps prevent braid spinning around the spool core.
- Two distinct capacity and retrieve combinations let you match the reel to the job.
- Separately available spare spools offer a route to carrying another line choice.
Worth knowing
- Spare spools are an extra purchase.
- The larger size doesn't offer faster line pickup, which could catch buyers out.
- The compact size range isn't the obvious choice for heavy pike lure work.
Want one?
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Your questions answered
What anglers want to know
The stuff you’d ask your mate on the next peg. Straight answers, no waffle.
01Which Fox Rage TR size retrieves line faster?
Which Fox Rage TR size retrieves line faster?
The TR 1500. Its listed retrieve is 79cm per handle turn, compared with 74cm for the TR 2500. Actual pickup changes with spool fill.
02Can you put braid straight onto the spool?
Can you put braid straight onto the spool?
Yes. The high-grip spool band is designed for direct braid attachment without the line slipping around the spool core. Backing can still be useful if you need to build up the spool before adding your braid.
03Are spare spools available?
Are spare spools available?
Yes, separately. Match the spare to your TR size and include that extra purchase when weighing up the total cost.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a tidy choice for a dedicated lure outfit. The strongest reasons to choose it are only 12g separates the two sizes, so the extra braid capacity brings a small weight penalty. and magnesium body and carbon-reinforced rotor make a purposeful lightweight construction package.; the main trade-off is spare spools are an extra purchase..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Only 12g separates the two sizes, so the extra braid capacity brings a small weight penalty.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Mobile perch anglers: The 1500's compact size, 220g weight and finer-braid capacity make sense alongside a light lure rod.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “Spare spools are an extra purchase.”
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 Fox Rage TR Reel
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Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Fox Rage TR Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
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