Best Value Reel?

[bazakwardz]

I'm looking for a large arbor reel in the $200-250 range to balance an 8 wt Redington CPS. It will be used for redfish, bonefish, permit, baby tarpon, and etc. I was using a Lamson Radius, but the drag was too grabby at higher settings. Any recommendations?

[tailingloop]

Sea level Tempest 7/8 or 9/10 or TFO LA 375 or 425

[deathb4disco]

Sea level Tempest 7/8 or 9/10

Ditto. I have the 9/10 -- great reel.

[Clay]

I really like the Lamson Product and the drags systems, I have found them to be exceptionally smooth. If you want to upgrade from there Madison river has some good close outs on the Velocity, some Abel and Ross reels: http://www.mrfc.com/MadisonRiverShop...x?CategoryID=4

Personally would just call Lamson and discuss your issues with them. That Radius should do anything that you want a reel to do.

[bazakwardz]

Unfortunately, I got the Radius used without the warranty card. It works fine on the lower drag settings, but it gets very grabby and rough when you crank it up for bones.

Never heard of Sea Level reels before. Their website indicates that the Tempest was originally sold by Albright. I heard that the Albright reels (and the Redington CD) were actually made by Okuma. So, what makes the Sea Level Tempest a better choice than an Albright or Redington?

[bobbyg]

The Orvis Battenkill LAIV looks pretty sweet @ $239.00.

If it was me, I would look for one of these click/pawl, multiplier darlings.
Hopefully you could find one in this condition......











bobbyg

[bazakwardz]

Oh man, that Hardy multiplier is sweet!

Does anyone like the Ross CLA?

[tailingloop]

Don't know who makes the Sea Level Tempest but I doubt it is Okuma since Okuma has not produces a drawbar type design as far as I know. Doesn't matter who makes it anyway. The Tempest has had very good reviews from users around the world. Albright discontinued the reel when they got out of the higher end tackle business. The Sea Level tempest sells for half what it would from a name manufacturer because there are no marketing and distribution costs involved.

The Redinton Crosswater may be a clone of the Okuma Airframe or Cascade. The Redington CD/Rise , Orvis Mid Arbor, and Pflueger Trion are near clones with the exception of machining and the drag material and bearings, which the Redingtons have the better components.

The Sea Level is a much sturdier build than any of the current offerings from Albright or the Redington CD/Rise as well as having a much better drag systems.

The Redington CDL (not the same as the CD) is also a great alternative in your price range with a better build that the current Albright offerings. Is the Sea Level much better than the Redington CDL? I do not know, but I know of many happy Sea Level reel owners who have put them to the test in Baja for tuna, dorado, roosterfish, sailfish, etc. as they have also with the TFO Large Arbor reels.

The Ross CLA may be a good option also, I don't know anyone who has one though.

[Chuck S]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Old-Florida-Fly-...d=p3286.c0.m14

Here's my choice and they can still be found on ebay, for instance. These are much like the Tibors, etc in that they are a CNC machined, drawbar reel with a cork drag. Smooth and very reliable! In fact, I prefer these over the reel that Old Florida went to, the Nautilus although these are nice also but more expensive..

[Silver Creek]

How about this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-S-HANDLE-SE...4#ht_500wt_924