Friends:
Which is the best drag reel at the high end? I’m saying the dream wish reel that you get because you just won the lottery.
OH! …and why?
Migs
The best reel on the market is one that comes with a lifetime of fishing, brand and drag are not important just the life time of fishing.
Rich
Ok guys… don’t get philosophical on me. Brand and model!
Pflueger Medalist still using my dads from the 30S—After all they just hold line.
Bill
Dear migs,
I’m with Bill above, they just hold line.
Besides, when I hit the lottery I plan on buying half of a State and posting it to the rest of you peons. 
Regards,
Tim Murphy
I think that it is a fairly well accepted fact that Charlton made the best reels in the world. All of their models. Their drags could hold back a whale and still be silky smooth. The engineering that went into the reels could rival NASA. Too bad that they are discontinued. Just too expensive. But you can still find a one on eBay every now and then.
I fish Pfluegers exclusively and never had one fail me or cause me to lose a fish, from spring creeks to salt. At under $35 on eBay for a US model that has been catching fish for many decades, how can you go wrong? Just look in any article or book written before 1970 and that’s all you’ll see and for good reason.
Varden
If you read their ads, they are ALL best.
I’m recommending the Abel Super Series with a custom paint job unique to your personal taste (or lack thereof).
Whale? Child’s play! The Super Series comes with a “stop-a-sub” drag!
Jim
When it comes to big fish, especially in saltwater, a reel has to do a lot more than hold line. The drag is very important.
There are many with good reputations for performance and reliablility in drags. Ross and Abel are two that I have found to be excellent. I have heard many good things about Islander. I recently acquired a Galvan Rush and am very impressed with the drag in this medium priced reel.
Joe
Sorry Migs,
But the best is not a high end for me,Nore is it a dream…I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.
The Teton Tioga,Is the best Fly reel bargin out there…The drags are sealed and FLAWLESS!..
Salt Inshore/Offshore,Salmon,Bass LM/SM/STRIPED,Pike,Tarpon,Sailfish,Bluegill…Farm Ponds To the largest of waters, There is a Tioga for everything…Large arbors are even interchangeable with Regular Arbor’s…within the same frame size…The drags are as silky smooth from startup as they are under the hardest of runs…And the prices you will not beat for the quality you get…$120.00 to $185.00…You’d pay that for a spare spool for most others.Which I feel is Insane…MHO…Magnum’s are a wee bit more…but give a hella lot more…
[url=http://www.feather-craft.com:3ec15]www.feather-craft.com[/url:3ec15]
Page 12 of the online spring/Master Catalog
There is no down side …Why do you ppl not listen to reason!!!..lol…
“I’ve often wondered why it is that so many anglers spend so much money on,and pay so much attention to.the details on the wrong end of the fly line.If they took as much care in selecting or tying their flies as they did in the selection of the reel and rod,They might be able to gain the real extra edge that makes it possible to fool a fish that has,in fact,seen it all before” A.K.Best
“Wish ya great fishing”
Bill
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[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 05 August 2005).]
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 05 August 2005).]
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Way to go people, keep the responses coming. I think this will prove interesting reading for all.
Migs
Trout- GALVAN by a good margin
Salt- TIBOR
Jude
Late to bed,
Early to Rise,
Guide all day,
Tie more flies!
www.customflys.com
Salt-Abel
Trout-Bogdan
If you want the best, then buy the best!
[This message has been edited by Ray (edited 05 August 2005).]
Abel, Ross & Hardy is all I use now.
If I hit the lottery there would be some Von Hoff, Leonard, and Ted Godfrey reels in my future.
The fly reel defines fly fishing lads!! You CAN flyfish with a bait rod and fly reel but not with a fly rod and spinning reel!!
Migs, the dream reel for me will be a true 4 1/2" Hardy wide drum Salmon Perfect in LHW!!! Agatine line guide, unfiled brass foot and a purr that will wake the dead!!!
My 3 3/4" Wide drum perfect is my dream reel, for now!
Good topic Migs and guys, the question was which reel is your dream reel! Philosophers and poetic waxers need not apply.
Salmon Chaser
>< )))*>
I did in fact win the lottery 1 year ago… not the lotto but one of those scratchers… I won $200 and bought a nice Ross reel. I love it very much and have had nary a problem with it.
That being said… Lets fish.
I have a CFO I and CFO 123 and think both are the best reels I have ever fished.
~ZM
- Abel
- Abel
- Abel
Am I being clear enough about my thoughts? I’m not sure they are worth the $$$$$ but I love them.
Ken
There is a fine line between fly fishing and and just standing in a river looking like and idiot.
Since reels are a “want” and not a “need”…
I would love to have an pretty & functional Abel for a 9 wt.
Instead, I’ll continue to enjoy the more reasonable costs of my workhorse Ross Canyon BG’s.
I have a couple of CFO’s click pawl reels I like a lot mostly cuz of the sound they make. The old Hardy made one just keeps on tickin.
I have some USA Medalist 1492’s I like the sound of as well.
The Ross San Miguel is probably the finest made reel I have ever seen, perfect machine work, an exceptionally smooth drag and gorgous to look at. There was no expence spared in making this reel, absolutely a work of art.