Photos: Greys · supplied retailer imagery
Fly fishing · Reels · Our take
Greys Cruise Fly Reel
5/6 and 7/8
An aluminium body, large arbour and Rulon disc drag give the Cruise a sensible set of essentials. Pick the right size for your fly line and you've got a reel that keeps things refreshingly simple.
- Available in 5/6 and 7/8 fly-line ratings.
- Full die-cast aluminium construction with a machine finish.
- Rulon disc drag and a modern large-arbour design.
- Weighs 165 g in 5/6 and 185 g in 7/8; supplied with a reel pouch.
Make sure it’s the right one. This is the Greys Cruise Fly Reel, available in two line ratings. The weights and capacities below are listed separately so you can match the right model to your outfit.
Tackle Index Score
Tackle Index score
A feature-based score for a straightforward freshwater fly reel: useful essentials, with no assumption of premium machining or sealed-drag protection.
- Product Quality8.5/10
- Performance8.6/10
- Impact on Fish Catching7.7/10
- Ease of Use8.9/10
- Value for Money8.5/10
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Who it suits
Is it right for you?
Great for
- Newer fly anglers putting together a trout outfit. The two clear line ratings and straightforward feature set make choosing a suitable reel less of a faff.
- Freshwater anglers who favour useful basics. Aluminium construction, a disc drag and a large arbour cover the main reel jobs without chasing fancy extras.
Maybe skip if
- Anglers after premium machined construction. The Cruise is die-cast and machine-finished, rather than fully machined from solid aluminium.
- Saltwater specialists. A sealed drag and dedicated saltwater protection aren't established features here.
The lowdown
Introducing the Greys Cruise Fly Reel
An aluminium body, large arbour and Rulon disc drag give the Cruise a sensible set of essentials. Pick the right size for your fly line and you've got a reel that keeps things refreshingly simple.
- Available in 5/6 and 7/8 fly-line ratings.
- Full die-cast aluminium construction with a machine finish.
- Rulon disc drag and a modern large-arbour design.
- Weighs 165 g in 5/6 and 185 g in 7/8; supplied with a reel pouch.
Quick verdict
A sensible reel without the fancy extras
The Cruise makes a convincing case for keeping your trout reel straightforward. You get full die-cast aluminium construction, a machine finish, a large arbour and a Rulon disc drag. That's a useful package rather than a load of distracting bells and whistles.
The 5/6 is the natural starting point for a matching lighter outfit; the 7/8 covers heavier fly lines. Just don't confuse machine-finished with fully machined construction, or assume the drag is sealed.
A feature-based score for a straightforward freshwater fly reel: useful essentials, with no assumption of premium machining or sealed-drag protection.
- Product Quality
- 8.5/10
- Performance
- 8.6/10
- Impact on Fish Catching
- 7.7/10
- Ease of Use
- 8.9/10
- Value for Money
- 8.5/10
Die-cast aluminium and a machine finish make a sensible construction package, though this isn't a fully machined reel.
The large arbour and Rulon disc drag address the main jobs of gathering line and controlling runs.
It supports line management and playing fish, but fly choice, presentation and location have much more influence on getting takes.
Two clear line ratings and an included pouch make matching and transporting the reel straightforward.
The practical feature mix gives it a sensible value case, provided the asking price reflects its die-cast construction.
Head to head
How it stacks up
Side by side with the closest kit we've reviewed. This updates as we add more reviews.
Greys
Greys Cruise 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 Greys Cruise Fly Reel
The Greys Cruise Fly Reel is the sort of kit that makes sense when you want to get a trout outfit sorted without disappearing down a rabbit hole of fancy machining and reel bling. It's available in 5/6 and 7/8 line ratings, with an aluminium build, a large arbour and a Rulon disc drag. Proper essentials, then. The appeal is easy to understand: somewhere sensible to store your fly line, a way to gather it back in, and resistance when a fish takes enough line to bring the reel into play.
First things first, this isn't a coarse reel with a different handle. With a fly outfit, you're usually controlling and retrieving line with your line hand, rather than winding throughout the retrieve. That changes what matters. A reel needs to suit the line you're carrying, hold the backing you need and feel sensible underneath the rod. It won't rescue a dodgy cast or make a fly land delicately on its own. Get the rod, line and leader working together first, then let the Cruise handle its part of the job.
The size choice is fairly painless. If your outfit calls for a 5- or 6-weight line, look at the 5/6. For a 7- or 8-weight outfit, the 7/8 is the obvious starting point. Those aren't fish-weight limits, by the way; they're fly-line ratings. Think lighter trout work at one end and heavier trout lines at the other, rather than small fish versus big fish. Your chosen line and fishing method should lead the decision. Buying the bigger reel just because there's a chance of a lump isn't the best way to match things.
Weight is another useful bit of the picture. The 5/6 comes in at 165 g and the 7/8 at 185 g, before adding your line and backing. Neither figure tells you everything about how the complete outfit will feel. Rod length, reel-seat position and where you naturally grip the handle all play a part. If you can put the reel on your intended rod before buying, cracking. You're looking for an outfit that's comfortable through repeated casts, not simply the smallest number on a product page.
Construction needs a straight explanation because the wording can get muddled. The Cruise is made from die-cast aluminium and is machine-finished. That doesn't make it a fully machined reel cut from a solid billet. It's a different way of making the thing, and you shouldn't pay for it expecting otherwise. For someone who wants an aluminium fly reel rather than a showpiece, the approach is perfectly understandable. Still, don't treat metal construction as permission to chuck it onto stones while you sort a wind knot. A little care saves unnecessary grief.
The large-arbour layout is a useful feature rather than just a modern-looking shape. A larger winding core helps you gather line efficiently and keeps the innermost turns from being wrapped around a tiny spindle. That's handy when you're tidying slack before moving swims or winding in at the end of the day. Actual pickup changes with how full the spool is, though. Leave sensible clearance when loading it, and don't cram backing in until the fly line rubs the frame. More isn't always better; sometimes it's just extra faff.
Then there's the Rulon disc drag. Its job is to provide resistance when you're playing a fish from the reel, but a named drag material doesn't tell you every detail about startup behaviour or protection from water. Keep your expectations sensible and your initial setting forgiving. With light tippets, the rod and drag need to work together rather than fight each other. If a trout runs, keep loose coils clear of your boots and tackle before worrying about getting it onto the reel. Trapped line can undo a perfectly good setup.
The included pouch rounds things off nicely. It's a small extra, but dead handy when the reel shares a bag with fly boxes and other odds and ends. Dry the reel before putting it away for any length of time, and keep grit out of moving parts. Overall, the Cruise looks best suited to freshwater anglers who want the essentials sorted and aren't chasing premium construction. Match the size properly, load it neatly and spend the rest of your attention on finding feeding fish. That's where the interesting bit starts.
Specifications
The nuts and bolts
- Line ratings
- 5/6 and 7/8
- Weight
- 5/6: 165 g; 7/8: 185 g
- Listed line capacity
- 5/6: WF6+50 (20 lb Dacron); 7/8: WF8+50 (20 lb Dacron)
- Construction
- Full die-cast aluminium, machine-finished
- Drag and arbour
- Rulon disc drag; modern large-arbour design
- Included
- Reel pouch
Specs checked with Greys, Oct 2026.
Spot a model or spec change?
Our take
Match the line first, worry about the bling later
A fly reel doesn't cast your flies for you. Its everyday jobs are storing the line, gathering slack and providing controlled resistance when a fish gets onto the reel. The Cruise concentrates on those basics.
Choose between the two sizes by your fly-line rating and backing needs, then consider how the reel balances your rod. Bigger isn't automatically better, mate.
Build and layout
Closer look: useful basics, clearly explained
What you're buying is a die-cast aluminium fly reel with a machine finish, a large-arbour spool layout and a Rulon disc drag. The distinction between die-cast and fully machined matters if you're comparing it with more elaborate reels. Judge the Cruise on its own construction rather than treating the word aluminium as proof that every metal reel is made the same way.
Greys lists capacity as WF6+50 with 20 lb Dacron for the 5/6, and WF8+50 with 20 lb Dacron for the 7/8. Treat those as loading guides, not a guarantee that every line of the same rating occupies identical space. Fly-line profiles and backing thickness affect the final fit. Wind everything on evenly and check that the loaded spool turns freely.
Worth knowing. Disc drag doesn't automatically mean sealed drag. Don't assume the Cruise has protection against salt and sand simply because it uses Rulon discs. Freshwater trout work is the more sensible starting point for this reel.
Finding your fit
Who it suits: straightforward freshwater outfits
If you're building your first trout outfit, the Cruise keeps the shopping list manageable. Match the reel to the line your rod calls for, then sort suitable backing and a leader for the flies you're fishing. The 5/6 is the place to look for a matching lighter setup; the 7/8 makes more sense when your rod and line move into those heavier ratings.
It also suits the angler who sees a reel as useful working kit rather than the centrepiece of the outfit. A large arbour and disc drag are worthwhile things to have, but neither replaces line management. Keep loose line away from bank vegetation, landing-net handles and anything else that'll grab a coil just as a fish decides to leg it.
Look elsewhere if your wish list starts with fully machined construction, confirmed sealed-drag protection or a line rating outside these two sizes. Those aren't reasons to write the Cruise off. They're simply reasons to choose a reel that fits your particular fishing rather than hoping this one covers everything.
Before you buy
FAQs in full: size, construction and drag
Which size should you buy? Start with the actual line you'll be using, not the biggest trout you hope to catch. The 5/6 weighs 165 g and the 7/8 weighs 185 g. Both figures are for the reel itself, so remember that backing and fly line add weight. If you're between options for an unusual setup, check capacity and fit rather than guessing from the reel's name.
Is it fully machined? No: the body construction is die-cast aluminium with a machine finish. Casting forms the component, while machining is used in the finishing process. That's not the same description as machining the reel from solid stock. Keep that distinction in mind when weighing it against pricier alternatives.
What drag do you get, and does it come with protection for travel? The Cruise uses a Rulon disc drag and includes a reel pouch. Set the drag to suit your tippet, allowing line to leave under controlled tension rather than locking things up. Use the pouch for transport, but let a wet reel dry before storing it away. Simple habits, less grief.
On paper
Pros & cons
What we like
- Two useful line ratings for matching common trout outfits.
- Large arbour helps gather loose fly line efficiently.
- Rulon disc drag provides resistance when playing fish from the reel.
- Included pouch is handy for protecting it during transport.
Worth knowing
- Die-cast construction won't appeal if you specifically want a fully machined reel.
- Only two line ratings, so it won't cover every specialist fly outfit.
- No confirmed sealed-drag protection to lean on for saltwater use.
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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.
01Should I choose the 5/6 or the 7/8?
Should I choose the 5/6 or the 7/8?
Start with your fly line. Choose the 5/6 for a matching 5- or 6-weight setup and the 7/8 for a matching 7- or 8-weight outfit, while checking backing space and rod balance.
02Is the Greys Cruise fully machined?
Is the Greys Cruise fully machined?
No. It has full die-cast aluminium construction with a machine finish. That's different from a reel machined from a solid aluminium billet.
03What drag does it use, and is a pouch included?
What drag does it use, and is a pouch included?
It uses a Rulon disc drag system and comes with a reel pouch. Don't read disc drag as sealed drag; they're different things.
What anglers say
The word from the bank
Our read: a sensible reel without the fancy extras. The strongest reasons to choose it are two useful line ratings for matching common trout outfits. and large arbour helps gather loose fly line efficiently.; the main trade-off is die-cast construction won't appeal if you specifically want a fully machined reel..
Our take on the feedback
Why it appeals
Checked Sept '26 — “Two useful line ratings for matching common trout outfits.”
Best fit
Checked Sept '26 — “Newer fly anglers putting together a trout outfit: The two clear line ratings and straightforward feature set make choosing a suitable reel less of a faff.”
Worth knowing
Checked Sept '26 — “Die-cast construction won't appeal if you specifically want a fully machined reel.”
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 Greys Cruise Fly Reel
No angler score yet — nobody's reviewed Greys Cruise Fly Reel here. Be the first and get the score started.
Owner reports
Own this? Help the next angler.
Quick multiple-choice reports from people who say they own the Greys Cruise Fly Reel. Not verified purchases, and kept separate from our score.
No owner reports yet.
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