Best Reel - Everyone Pitch In Your Opinion

FAOL Community Fly Anglers Online
21

Trout - Charlton
Big Game - Charlton

Now, back in the real world of normal paychecks…

Orvis CFO’s (NOT the new ones!)
Ross Visions and Evolutions
Abel’s
Lamson Litespeed

Nawwww!!! Sorry… Reality bites… they can’t hold a match to Charltons!

22

I’m surprised noone has mentioned Tibor or Billy Pate. Top of the line, and top of the budget. I’m sure I’ll never be able to afford one. But it sure would be fun to play with one.

A free gift waits for those who ask.

Lotech Joe

23

If money were no object, I’d have a full selection of Tibors. My favorite reels.

24

Hey buddies:

The Lady and JC’s comments are absent. What gives?

Migs

(By the way Abel has 6 comments and Ross has 5 - so far the others are way behind.)

[This message has been edited by Migs (edited 06 August 2005).]

25

Hey buddies:

The Lady and JC’s comments are absent. What gives?

Migs

26

FreshwaterTrout: Hardy Bougle; Abel Pt.5

Saltwater: Abel; Charlton (discontinued); Tibor; Seamaster
Dahema

27

Hey Folks,

My $0.02, Hayden’s from Australia,

I own (4) and would not trade for anything.

TONS of drag and line capacity and BULLETT PROOF!!!

Terry’s RAG fly was fly of the week a short time ago.

Terry is a one man operation that produces each reel himself.

[This message has been edited by pirate@40+ (edited 06 August 2005).]

28

Migs…with so many votes…how many actually own them…??..that would be the defineing factor…I own 5 Teton Tioga’s…and prolly 12 spare spools for em…

“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

29

jackster, thy this: [url=http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=16519&orderfield=:67cdf]http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/subgrouping.htm?cat=16519&orderfield=[/url:67cdf]

30

For a mass produced reel prolly any of the high end reels EX: Abel, Ross, Tibor, Galvan, etc.
But if you really have the cash I would get a LAW A/R Reel in a heart beat. [url=http://danica.com/flytier/law/law_r1.jpg:466ea]http://danica.com/flytier/law/law_r1.jpg[/url:466ea] [url=http://danica.com/flytier/law/law_r2.jpg:466ea]http://danica.com/flytier/law/law_r2.jpg[/url:466ea] [url=http://danica.com/flytier/law/law_r3.jpg:466ea]http://danica.com/flytier/law/law_r3.jpg[/url:466ea] [url=http://danica.com/flytier/law/law_r4.jpg:466ea]http://danica.com/flytier/law/law_r4.jpg[/url:466ea]

“GET THE DRIFT?”

[This message has been edited by Mike Murgida (edited 06 August 2005).]

31

I lie the St Croix, but at 270.00 they aren’t cheap. I also use the Bass Pro Classic, which is a good reel at 90.00. I have never had either one fail me.
BillMc

[url=http://community.webshots.com/user/billmc111:a870e]http://community.webshots.com/user/billmc111[/url:a870e]

32

I’ve owned many of the contemporary brands already mentioned here by others and some uncommon reels like the McNeese Anti Reverse. Of the lot, the only ones I’ve kept to fish with are Abel’s & Bauer’s.

If there is only one best, I’d cast my vote for Abel.

Dave

33

I don’t know enough to really provide a knowledgeable opinion. I WILL say that I own 2 Teton Tiogas & if there’s a better “dollar for dollar” reel out there, I’d like to see it!
Mike

34

If money’s no object, I’d choose a Bogdan. If I’m paying for it, a Ross - specifically a Gunnison.

35

Migs: “OH! …and why?”

Charlton because of the materials, workmanship and engineering that went into them.

I have Orvis CFO’s, a Hardy, Bauer and a couple Ross’s but that Charlton simply outclasses them in every single detail, from form to function.

36

Also…Teton does make a higher Dollar “Teton” Line of reel…of which I have the smallest of this Model…so small that if line is left on it for a decent period of time,You have a springy phone cord for line…and those are “HIGH” end reels…but still (WAY) under priced by comparison.If Pretty is what defines a great reel,These are certianly Pretty, And just as durable as the Tioga line…You just don’t need to shellout a grand to have that level of performance,Nore would I ever pay more.

“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

37

Orvis CFO III. Anything higher end than this is just a boutique reel.

38

for the buck, the okumas are a cheap reel, and pretty bulletproof, i own two integrities, and they handle fresh, or salt, (keep in mind, ive only had three king mackrell on the line at one time)

39

Having reread the spirit of the question:

I would probably get a [url=http://www.gilmorereel.com:44530]Gilmore[/url:44530].

It is both good looking and very well made. It is, uniquely, available as an anti-reverse or a direct-drive with a conversion kit to change between the two. Takes only 20 seconds without tools. It can use a small arbor or a large arbor with a smaller weight line size.

I have never used one but have inspected them first hand and am very impressed with the way this reel is made and it’s versatility. They are available in larger sizes only, 8/9 and up.

Starts at $563 for an 8/9 wt. including a conversion kit. I know, if I won the lottery I could pick a more expensive reel but this one appeals to me.

Joe

40

Here’s one that will be hard to beat and even harder to get!
An experimental Merlin Titanium!
Anyone at all familiar with pro cycling will recognize the name.

[This message has been edited by Jackster (edited 06 August 2005).]