Nautilus Reels

Nautilus Reels was founded in Miami, Florida, in 2003 by Kristen Mustad, whose family has been involved in the fishing industry for generations. Mustad combined his engineering background with this heritage to create a new standard in fly reel performance. Early on, Nautilus distinguished itself with fully sealed disc drag systems, lightweight machining, and large-arbor designs that catered to both freshwater and saltwater anglers. Over time, models like the NV, CCF, and later the NV-G and GTX cemented the brand’s reputation among guides and serious anglers worldwide

All Nautilus reels are designed and manufactured in Miami, Florida, where the company continues to push innovation in performance and durability.

Nautilus began with its CCF drag system—a sealed brake combining cork and carbon fiber discs that set a new standard for smoothness and minimal startup inertia. The NV‑CCF followed, offering improved strength, lighter weight, hybrid ceramic bearings, and a titanium drag shaft while maintaining the signature performance of the original design. The award‑winning CCF‑X2 doubled drag strength and smoothness, halved startup inertia, and featured dual-action cork/carbon braking, hybrid ceramic bearings, ActivSeal protection, and a broad adjustment range via the InfinAdjust knob. Their X‑Series uses the XCT drag system, a compact sealed Teflon and carbon fiber disc drag that preserves smooth, lightweight performance in minimalist reels. Finally, the GTX employs the Pentadrag system—a massive five‑surface brake combining carbon fiber discs with cork/Kevlar/carbon hybrid layers.

Nautilus Reels come with a limited lifetime warranty for the original owner, covering defects in materials and workmanship. This means that defective reels will be repaired or replaced at Nautilus’s discretion, with no cost for parts or labor. The warranty does not cover damage resulting from accident, misuse, improper maintenance, or modifications.