Gear Review: Ross Cimarron Machinist Edition Reel
Check out the raw machine marks on the new reel from Ross. Photos: Rick Mikesell
Over the years, I have owned a handful of Ross Cimarrons, each tied to a moment in my own fishing history. My first was a second-generation C4, bought secondhand and paired with a three-piece Scott STS 9-weight that served as my first dedicated pike and tiger-muskie setup. The next was a CLA (Cimarron Large Arbor) 5, which I pressed into service as a switch reel when shorter two-handed rods first became all the rage.
The newest Cimarron picks up strengths from those earlier versions but blends them with modern refinements. What you get is a reel that feels familiar yet sharper, and in my opinion, carries one of the best retro-meets-modern aesthetics Ross has offered outside updating the San Miguel.
A Nod to the Craft
To celebrate both the long Cimarron tradition and the people who build these reels, Ross released the Machinist Edition Cimarron ($299.99) from their high desert home in Montrose, Colorado. The highlight is the finish: a raw native-metal frame and spool, clear anodized so that tool paths and machining marks remain visible. Ross is directly calling out the human hands behind the work.
The Machinest has proven itself on trout, carp, and smallmouths.
The raw frame contrasts with a textured Cerakote drag knob built for durability and a hand-anodized reel foot, both in a striking navy blue. Looks do not land fish, but there is no denying that this reel is handsome. This special edition is available in only one size, a 5/6, at the same price as the standard Cimarron. Each comes with a Ross neoprene pouch and a hand-signed card from the machinist who cut the reel, a thoughtful connection from shop floor to the water.
On the Water
I paired the Machinist with my Scientific Anglers Titan Full Intermediate, a twitching line I favor for smallmouths, stillwater trout, and the opportunistic carp that always seem to show up at the right time. Most recently, the reel has been living on my TFO Blue Ribbon after my Echo Trout X finally gave up during a stillwater session. Over the last month it has been put through steady work stripping streamers and twitching leeches, and it has been a real treat to fish.
At 6.2 ounces, the Cimarron Machinist is not an ultralight reel. It leans stout, which can be an advantage when balancing longer rods or if you prefer the confidence of a reel with some heft. The drag is a simple, unsealed disc, proven and reliable. Very little has changed on the drag front from my older CLA, aside from the disc materials. That drag used synthetic discs; here they have been swapped for stainless steel. That change, combined with Ross’s steady reduction of plastic across the lineup, gives the reel a more premium, solid feel.
The new Machinist (left) next to an older Mardi Gras Cimarron.
Drag strength tops out around five pounds, plenty for trout and many larger freshwater fish. The carp I hooked on this setup pulled hard, but the reel kept pace. A Ross employee once told me that the CLA-style drag, which also shows up in the current Animas, has the lowest rate of warranty claims in the company’s history. That reputation for dependability carries forward. The system is easy to rinse if sand or grit gets in and resilient enough to handle a dunking without complaint. The sound is classic Ross: a crisp, clean click in both directions that sings when a fish makes a run.
Functionally, the Machinist is the standard Cimarron. The large-arbor design picks up more than seven inches of line per crank. Spool swaps take seconds, no tools required. Ross’s Micarta handle remains a highlight, tacky when wet and comfortable in hand. The drag knob is both visually distinctive and practical, with good grip and durability.
One of the most notable things about this finish is how little it shows wear. I am rough on gear, and I do not hesitate to set a reel down on the rocks when releasing a fish. After weeks of this kind of use, the Machinist still looks almost new. The raw frame and Cerakote accents shrug off scuffs and scratches.
From a Machinist’s Hands
The Cimarron Machinist Edition is a reel that ties history, craft, and function together in a reliable and fishable tool. The story of the actual machinists behind each reel is literally etched into the frame and reinforced by the signed card that comes in the box. Its one-of-a-kind finish, classic lines, and durable build make it a standout, while the proven drag system and solid performance keep it grounded in Ross’ long tradition of making reels that work.
For anglers who want a reel that not only performs on the water but also reflects the people who made it, the Machinist Edition Cimarron offers real value and a unique connection to a storied history of American craftsmanship.
Check Out the Ross Cimarron Machinist Edition Reel
