The Hatch Iconic 11 Plus Fly Reel: A Heavyweight Champion in Saltwater Fly Fishing

The Hatch Iconic 11 Plus Fly Reel: A Heavyweight Champion in Saltwater Fly Fishing

For fly anglers who chase big game in saltwater — think giant trevally, tarpon, tuna, and bluewater species — having the right reel can make or break the experience. The Hatch Iconic 11 Plus stands tall in this category as one of the most rugged, reliable, and performance-driven fly reels on the market. Built for strength, sealed for endurance, and refined through years of angler feedback, the Iconic 11 Plus is not just a reel; it’s a workhorse engineered for battle.

A Legacy of Quality: From Finatic to Iconic

Hatch Outdoors earned its reputation with the Finatic series, a line that was widely praised for its precision machining, durable construction, and smooth drag systems. When the company introduced the Iconic series in 2021, it wasn’t a radical reinvention — it was a careful evolution. The 11 Plus model, part of this new line, was crafted with the needs of serious saltwater anglers in mind.

The Iconic series brought several design improvements over the Finatic, including a new one-piece frame and spool design, an upgraded drag system, and improved aesthetics. The 11 Plus, in particular, offers massive line capacity and the stopping power required for the most powerful fish fly anglers might pursue.

Build and Design: Strength Without Compromise

The Hatch Iconic 11 Plus is machined from a solid block of Type II anodized 6061-T6 aluminum — a process that eliminates any weak points in the frame and maximizes strength-to-weight ratio. Its monoblock body (a single-piece design for the reel seat and frame) enhances structural integrity, reducing potential points of failure.

Weighing approximately 11.9 ounces, the 11 Plus is balanced to pair with 11–13 weight rods. It doesn’t feel bulky for its size category, largely due to the precision machining and smart ergonomics. Everything about the reel — from the porting of the spool to the tactile drag knob — exudes quality and attention to detail.

Aesthetically, the Iconic series brings a sleek, modern look with bold color combinations like Clear/Blue, Black/Silver, and Grey/Black. These aren’t just pretty faces; the anodized finish offers exceptional corrosion resistance, a must-have in the punishing saltwater environment.

Drag System: Power Meets Precision

The star of the Hatch Iconic 11 Plus is its sealed multi-disc drag system, which builds upon the proven Finatic design but with significant refinements. Hatch’s drag system uses a stack of Rulon and stainless-steel discs, providing a smooth and linear drag curve with almost zero startup inertia. This is critical when targeting species known for blistering runs — it prevents break-offs during those first few explosive seconds of a fight.

The drag is sealed to protect against salt, sand, and grit, ensuring long-term reliability with minimal maintenance. The large, easy-to-grip drag knob allows for precise adjustments even with wet hands or gloves, and the detents give satisfying tactile feedback.

At full pressure, the Iconic 11 Plus generates over 20 pounds of drag, which is more than enough to turn the heads of tarpon, tuna, or even smaller billfish. Yet it can also be dialed down to protect light tippets, offering versatility for different techniques and situations.

Line Capacity and Spooling Options

The 11 Plus is available in both Large Arbor (LA) and Mid Arbor (MA) configurations, giving anglers the flexibility to prioritize retrieval rate or line capacity. With the LA configuration, you'll enjoy faster line pickup — useful when a fish charges the boat. The MA configuration offers greater backing capacity, ideal for long-running species or those who fish in bluewater environments where a 300-yard run is not uncommon.

Here are some rough capacity figures for the LA version:
- WF11F + 250 yds of 30lb backing
- WF12F + 225 yds of 30lb backing

For most saltwater anglers, that’s more than sufficient.

On the Water: Real-World Performance

In practice, the Hatch Iconic 11 Plus is a joy to fish. Whether you’re stripping streamers for GTs on the flats of the Seychelles or battling tuna off the Baja coast, the reel delivers unwavering performance. The drag is buttery-smooth, and there's no “jerk” or hesitation when a fish takes off. The frame doesn’t flex under load, and the handle remains firm and comfortable even during long fights.

The spool change mechanism — a simple push-button release — makes switching lines or arbors quick and tool-free, a small but valuable convenience during a long day on the water.

Several anglers have praised the reel’s ability to withstand serious abuse. Drop it on a skiff deck, dunk it in saltwater, or store it for months between trips — the Iconic 11 Plus shrugs it off and performs as reliably on day 1,000 as it did on day one.

Comparisons: How It Stacks Up

The high-end saltwater fly reel market is competitive, with notable players like the Nautilus NV-G, Abel SDS, Ross Evolution R Salt, and Sage Thermo vying for attention. Each has its strengths, but the Hatch Iconic 11 Plus holds its own, especially in terms of durability, ease of maintenance, and long-term reliability.

Where the Abel SDS might edge out in sheer drag power and customization, the Hatch matches it in resilience and often surpasses it in ease of handling and sealed drag protection. Compared to the Nautilus NV-G, the Iconic 11 Plus might feel slightly heavier, but many anglers appreciate the added robustness.

And while reels like the Sage Thermo boast enormous drag figures, the Iconic is more than capable of dealing with 99% of saltwater scenarios — and does so with a proven pedigree.

Price and Value

The Hatch Iconic 11 Plus typically retails for around $950 USD, putting it in the premium category. For many, that’s a serious investment. However, for anglers targeting large, powerful fish in challenging environments, this reel represents exceptional value. It’s built to last a lifetime, and Hatch’s customer service and warranty support are widely considered top-tier.

Final Verdict: A Reel Worthy of Big Fights

The Hatch Iconic 11 Plus is more than a luxury reel — it’s a tool built to withstand the harshest conditions and the fiercest opponents the salt has to offer. Every element, from the drag system to the body design, speaks to decades of refinement and feedback from the world’s best anglers.

If you’re serious about saltwater fly fishing, the Iconic 11 Plus is a smart investment — not just because it performs today, but because it will continue to perform for many seasons to come.

Pros:
- Ultra-durable one-piece frame design  
- Smooth, sealed multi-disc drag with low startup inertia  
- Excellent line capacity options  
- Stunning anodized finish and colorways  
- Easy spool change and minimal maintenance required

Cons:
- Premium price point  
- Slightly heavier than some competitors 

Bottom Line: The Hatch Iconic 11 Plus isn’t for everyone — it’s built for anglers who demand the absolute best when battling the biggest fish. And in that arena, it’s nothing short of iconic.