I told you I’d do it, and here we are: my review of the Danielsson H5D reel—a perfect match for my R.B. Meiser Highlander CX spey rod. I don’t like paying a fortune for gear, especially reels. That said, I’ll happily spend more if the product truly delivers. At around the mid-$300 range, this higher-level offering from Danielsson is worth every penny—and I’d buy it again in a heartbeat. Here’s why.
History of the Danielsson Brand
Danielsson, a Swedish reel manufacturer, emerged in the 1980s as a collaboration between Tomas Danielsson and Loop Tackle Design. Spey anglers will know Loop for their robust lines of two-handed rods and reels. During the partnership, Danielsson designed and manufactured reels for Loop and is now credited with popularizing the large-arbor design—a feature standard in nearly every modern fly reel. Large arbors allow for faster line pickup and reduced line memory, the latter being particularly important for spey running lines.
In the early 2000s, Danielsson and Loop parted ways. Danielsson launched his own company with a focus on direct-to-consumer sales and performance, rather than prestige branding. In the process, he reclaimed his original designs and began shipping reels directly from Sweden—no sales reps, no distributors, no influencers, no sponsorships. Just reels, straight from the factory.
An Overview of the H5D Series
The H5D series is Danielsson’s high-end lineup of purpose-built reels for two-handed and big-game fishing, starting at $368 as of this writing. Think of the H5D as a beefed-up version of the L5W series, with the upper end of the L5W designed for spey use. The two reels share similarities in design, but the H5D features reinforced housing, allowing for greater torque when fighting everything from big salmon to blue-water species.
Because saltwater fishing demands a sealed drag, Danielsson pressure-tests the H5D to ensure its multiplate disc-stack drag system stays dry and corrosion-free. The clutch system can even be reconfigured to customize drag preferences, though most anglers will never need to. The reel is machined from high-tensile aluminum and stainless steel, making the entire assembly both strong and corrosion-resistant.
So, How Does It Perform?
In a word: splendidly. The H5D offers low startup inertia with a silky-smooth, progressive drag. At the low end, I can easily palm the reel; at the high end, it feels like it could stop a car (though I won’t be testing that theory).
I own the H5D 9thirteen and have had zero issues stopping hot steelhead. Honestly, I doubt I’ve tapped into more than a quarter of this reel’s drag potential. Built to stop tarpon, this system makes quick work of summer steelhead.
The H5D 9thirteen pairs beautifully with my R.B. Meiser Highlander CX—a 13’ 7wt two-hander. At 8.7 oz, the reel balances the rod perfectly, leaning slightly toward the reel side, which I actually prefer to help anchor my casting stroke. I wouldn’t size up to the 11fourteen unless I were rocking a 14’ or longer spey rod.
The Value Proposition
My opinion that Danielsson offers the best value reels on the market today stands. Their designs are minimalist, functional, and built to last.
The main question when considering the H5D 9thirteen is whether it’s a better buy than the L5W 8twelve. Both reels hold the same amount of line (they even share the same spool), but the H5D is 0.7 oz heavier thanks to its reinforced build. As of this writing, the H5D 9thirteen costs about $45 more than the L5W 8twelve. I need to order an L5W to give you guys an accurate breakdown of the key differences.
If balance is your top concern, then buy the reel that works better with your rod. But if the weight difference is negligible for your setup, I’d spend the extra cash for the reel designed to handle more abuse and function seamlessly in both spey and saltwater environments.
That versatility is a big reason I went with the H5D. Besides preferring the slightly heavier feel, I wanted to future-proof my setup in case I needed to bring a reel to the salt for tarpon or bluewater species. While I haven’t fished it in the salt yet, I’ve heard reports of anglers wrestling permit and GTs with this reel. The H5D 11fourteen has even been credited with stopping sailfish and bluefin. I can’t think of another reel in this price range with comparable features and durability.
Final Thoughts
The Danielsson H5D delivers exceptional value at the mid-$300 price point. For freshwater single-hand applications, I’d steer anglers toward the F3W series. But for two-handed setups dedicated to chasing steelhead, salmon, or big seatrout, the L5W 8twelve and H5D series are excellent choices.
The H5D earns my final vote thanks to its reinforced design and ability to transition seamlessly into saltwater. Danielsson continues to prove that they’ve earned a customer—and an advocate—for life.
—T
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