Redington Behemoth 9/10 Review: budget bruiser with serious drag power

I’ve been fishing the Redington Behemoth 9/10 in gunmetal as my "big fish on a budget" reel. I picked it up because I wanted something that could handle salmon and the odd saltwater trip without dropping several hundred bucks on a fancy CNC reel. On paper, the Behemoth screams big drag, big capacity, and low price. I was curious if it was just marketing or if it actually holds up on the water.

In practice, this reel is pretty much what it looks like: a chunky, no-nonsense workhorse. It’s not light, it’s not super refined, but it pulls hard and doesn’t complain much. I’ve used it for kings in heavy current and some bigger warmwater stuff, and it never felt out of its depth. The drag has more power than I realistically need, and that’s coming from someone who actually leans on his drag, not just babying fish in a pond.

It’s not perfect, though. You definitely feel that it’s die-cast, not machined. There’s a bit of spool play, the finish marks up fast, and some parts (like the plastic spool cap and the drag knob feel) remind you why it’s cheaper than the high-end reels. If you’re picky about super smooth, tight tolerances, you’ll notice the shortcuts. If you’re more about function than finesse, you’ll probably just shrug and keep fishing.

So overall, this is a reel I’d describe as seriously capable, a little rough around the edges. It gets the job done with power to spare, and if you can live with the weight and cosmetic wear, it’s a very practical option for bigger fish or a backup saltwater reel. That’s the mindset you need to have going in: not a showpiece, but a tool you won’t be afraid to beat up.

For me, the big selling point of the Behemoth is value for money. You’re getting serious drag power, big capacity, and a usable, reliable reel for a fraction of what high-end salt or big-game reels cost. One reviewer mentioned he was prepared to spend around $600 for a GT-capable reel and instead bought two Behemoths with backing and line for less than that. That pretty much sums up the appeal: it lets you get into heavier, more demanding fishing without blowing your budget.

Now, there are trade-offs. You’re not getting sealed drag, you’re not getting a lightweight CNC frame, and you’re not getting a finish that stays pretty for years. The spool wobble, plastic spool cap, and slightly gritty drag knob all remind you that this is a budget-friendly reel, not a top-tier piece. If you’re the kind of angler who obsesses over tiny tolerances and ultra-smooth controls, you’ll probably feel those compromises and maybe wish you’d saved up for something higher end.

But if your priorities are more like: "I want a reel that can handle 15–25 lb salmon, maybe a GT trip, some saltwater, and not freak out if I drop it on rocks," then the Behemoth delivers good value. It’s especially appealing as a backup salt reel, a big-game setup you might not use all the time, or a tough reel for a pack rod you’re not afraid to beat up. The lifetime warranty from Redington also adds some peace of mind, even though with this price range I mostly assume I’ll just replace it if I really destroy it.

Compared to more expensive brands, you’re giving up refinement but keeping most of the raw performance. That’s why I’d rate the value as high. It’s not the best reel out there, but for the price bracket, it’s pretty solid. If you know what you’re getting into and you’re okay with the rough edges, your wallet will be happier and your fishing won’t suffer much, if at all.

Design-wise, the Behemoth is pretty bold. It doesn’t look like a classic, slim fly reel. It’s big, almost brutalist like one of the reviewers said, with an open frame and that deep V-spool that makes it stand out next to the usual Orvis/Sage crowd. If you like clean, traditional looks, this might feel a bit loud. If you don’t care and just want something that screams "I’m here to fight fish", it fits the bill.

The large arbor is the main functional part of the design. It gives you fast line pick-up, which you really feel when a fish decides to suddenly run toward you and you’re cranking like mad to keep tension. I’ve had a few salmon runs where I was grateful this wasn’t a tiny arbor old-school reel. That deep V-spool is also more than just a visual gimmick. Once you get used to it, it actually makes it easier to guide backing and line evenly with your thumb.

There are some trade-offs. Because it’s die-cast, the tolerances aren’t razor tight. On my reel and on others I’ve handled, there’s a slight spool wobble if you try to wiggle it side to side. It doesn’t affect performance much, but you do notice it if you’re used to higher-end machined reels. The front spool cap is plastic and doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence; you can feel the limit when tightening it and you don’t want to crank it too hard.

Ergonomically, the drag knob is big and easy to grab, even with wet or cold fingers. The handle is also decently sized with a grippy feel, which I appreciate when fighting fish where you’re constantly going from palming the reel to cranking. The only design downside for me is that nothing about the controls feels "refined". The drag knob has a slightly gritty feel as you adjust it and doesn’t stop instantly when you hit zero – it’ll still turn a bit. So from a design standpoint: very functional, easy to operate under pressure, but clearly built to a price point, not to impress gear nerds up close.

Let’s be honest: the Behemoth 9/10 is not a light reel. At around 0.9 lbs, you feel it, especially if you’re pairing it with a lighter 8 or 9 wt rod. It balances better on a beefier stick, and if your rod is already on the heavier side, the combo actually feels okay. But if you’re used to slim, machined reels, this will feel like a brick the first time you pick it up. On long days, especially when you’re blind casting a lot, that extra weight does add up in your wrist and forearm.

In terms of actual handling while fishing, though, it’s pretty comfortable. The handle is big and has a grippy, soft-touch feel, which makes a difference when your fingers are cold or slimy. I never feel like I’m hunting for the handle when a fish suddenly runs. The drag knob is large and easy to grab too, so making quick adjustments mid-fight isn’t a problem. Even with wet hands or a bit of sunscreen residue, I’ve had no trouble turning it.

The reel’s bulk does give it a slightly clunky feel when stripping line or palming the spool, but you get used to it quickly. The large arbor helps because you don’t have to spin the handle as many times to pick up line, which kind of offsets the weight a bit in terms of fatigue. When you’re fighting bigger fish, the extra mass actually makes the setup feel solid rather than flimsy, so it’s not all downside.

Overall, comfort is decent but not outstanding. If you care a lot about light weight and a super-balanced feel in hand, this probably won’t be your favorite. If you’re fine carrying a bit more weight in exchange for a tough, powerful reel at a lower cost, the comfort level is good enough. It’s the kind of reel I don’t baby, and I’m okay with how it feels after several hours, but I know there are more pleasant reels to fish if you’re willing to spend more.

Durability-wise, the Behemoth is a bit of a mixed bag, but mostly in a way that makes sense for the price. The die-cast frame is stout and feels solid in the hand. I’ve dropped mine on rocks, banged it around in the back of the truck, and one Amazon reviewer mentioned dropping it in river rocks multiple times. Functionally, it kept working fine. No bent frame, no misalignment that affected the drag or retrieval. So structurally, it’s tough enough for real-world abuse.

The downside is the finish and some of the hardware. The coating scratches and scuffs easily. After just a few trips involving rocks, gravel, and boat decks, it already looks well-used. Another user who took the 11/12 into brutal hot conditions for GTs said it showed plenty of scrapes and scuffs after the first day. If you like your gear to stay pretty, you might not enjoy how fast this thing looks beat up. Personally, I don’t mind as long as it still works, but it’s noticeable.

Then there are the plastic parts: the spool removal cap is plastic, and you can feel the limit when tightening it. You don’t want to crank it down like metal threads because you’ll feel like you might strip or crack it. That’s also part of why some people see slight spool wobble – you can’t just over-tighten the cap to lock everything rock solid. It hasn’t failed on me, but I’m aware it’s a weak point compared to fully machined reels with metal hardware.

As for saltwater use, the drag isn’t sealed, so you need to be realistic. This isn’t a reel you dunk in the surf and forget about. After fishing salt, I rinse it with fresh water and let it dry properly, and so far it’s fine. Other users have run it hard in hot salt conditions for several days straight without immediate failure, which is reassuring. But long-term, I wouldn’t expect it to age like a premium sealed-drag reel. For the price, the durability is pretty solid: it keeps doing its job even when it looks beaten up, but it’s not a forever heirloom piece.

Performance is where the Behemoth actually earns its name. The drag is strong, no question. I’ve used it on king salmon in heavy current, and other anglers have taken it for GTs, tuna, and big groupers. Several of us ran the drag almost locked down, and the reel kept up. You’re not going to realistically fish it at full drag unless you’re trying to break off or you’re dealing with very heavy tippet and brutal fish. For typical salmon, steelhead, or inshore species, you’ll be sitting somewhere in the mid-range and still have plenty of stopping power.

What matters to me is how the drag feels when a fish is peeling line. On that front, it’s smooth enough to trust, especially at realistic settings. I haven’t had jerky starts or weird surges, and other users hauling 15–25 lb salmon and GTs said the same thing. It’s not as buttery as high-end reels, and the drag adjustment doesn’t feel ultra-precise, but once set, it does its job. I’d rather have a powerful drag with slightly gritty adjustment than a silky-feeling knob that slips under load.

Line retrieval speed is solid thanks to the large arbor. When a fish turns and runs toward you, you can really crank quickly. I’ve cleared slack more than once where I’m pretty sure a smaller arbor would have left me with a loose line and maybe a lost fish. The handle is big enough that you can grab it easily without looking, and the rubberized feel keeps it from slipping when your hands are slimy or cold.

There are some performance quirks. The spool play and the plastic front cap don’t affect drag power, but they do make the reel feel a bit less precise when you’re swapping spools or checking for wobble. Also, the drag knob itself can feel cheap and has a slightly inconsistent feel when you’re backing it off. You can technically keep turning after you’ve run out of actual drag adjustment, which is a bit odd. But bottom line: on the fish, it performs well. It’s not refined, but it’s strong and reliable so far, which is what I actually care about.

The Behemoth 9/10 is built as a high-capacity, high-drag reel for heavier rods. Redington rates the backing capacity at about 200 yards of 30 lb, but in real life people are stuffing a lot more on it, especially with thinner backing. I loaded mine with 30 lb backing and a 9 wt line and still had room to spare. If you’re chasing salmon, steelhead, or doing some light offshore or GT-style stuff, capacity is not the issue here. You’ll run out of arm strength before you run out of backing.

The main sales point is the carbon fiber drag system. It’s advertised at around 20+ pounds of drag, which is already more than most people will ever lock down fully. On the water, it doesn’t feel like marketing fluff. When you clamp it down, you really feel it. I’ve had it close to max fighting salmon in current and it never felt like it was slipping or fading. Realistically, you’re more likely to back it off so you don’t pop tippet than to wish it had more power.

This model is die-cast, not CNC-machined. That explains the lower price and some of the quirks: slightly looser tolerances, more weight, and a finish that gets scratched and dinged pretty easily. The large arbor and deep V-spool are designed so the line stacks nicely and you can pick up line quickly. In use, line retrieval is solid, and the V-shape does help guide the line if you’re not paying full attention while reeling in fast.

One important detail: this is not a sealed drag. That matters if you’re planning to fish salt a lot. You can still use it in saltwater, but you’ll need to be disciplined with rinsing and basic maintenance after each trip. It’s marketed as fine for both freshwater and salt, and I’d say that’s fair as long as you treat it as a budget salt reel, not something you can dunk repeatedly and ignore. It’s more of a solid, affordable workhorse than a zero-maintenance piece of gear.