I’m looking for some opinions regarding an 8 wt. reel in the $150-$200 range for steelhead and maybe some stripers next season…any suggestions or advice as to what to get or what to stay away from?
Thanks,
-Pemi
As a mater of personal taste I prefer a palming rim over a disc drag. I also am a bit partial to the Hardy Marquis. The Marquis 8/9 will hold an 8 wt line and just short of 100 yds of 20# backing. Simple, reasonably well made, and available on e-bay in your price range.
AgMD
pflueger president or trion, i like my trion on the 9wt, the president is the La design
or the teton tioga is popular
Hi Pemi-Man,
I use the Scientific Anglers System 2 reels, the old style unvented. I find these are better then the new ones (vented). I have 2 8/9’s and 2 10/11, all with extra spools. They also have a drag system that would stop a horse. They will not backlash like some other reels. My first one I had for 15 years and it still works like a charm. Here is one on E-Bay that closes in the next day or so. If I didn’t already own so many I would buy it myself. It’s in great shape, you also can usually get extra spools for about $25.00 to $35.00 on E-Bay http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie … %3AIT&rd=1
Alan (salmonguy)
I must admit that I am impressed with my mid-arbor Orvis reel. Very smooth and has a nice fit and finish. Haven’t tested it out under reel or real pressure, but that will come soon (I hope)
jed
I have not been disappointed with my Redington GD 7/8.
They have discontinued it and followed it up with the CD series. I imagine it is just as good or better. MSRP is $139.
Teton Tioga’s are popular in the NE for inshore saltwater and have a good track record.I would take a look at them as well as Ross Cimarron and the SA system 2 reels.I also have an old style system 2 and you cant kill them.
I always recommend that one should purchase the best reel he/she can afford. If your budet is in $150-200 range you should be able to find a durable and long-lasting reel new or used. The new SA Large Arbor is an excellent reel that will handle salmon, steelhead or stripers and retrive line like greased lightning. The Tioga Magnum in an 8 is also a dandy and one I’ve tested on big, northern Queen Charlotte Islands cohos. The TFO 340 or 375 reels are also nifty looking and tough-as-nails. All of the above are relatively new.
I also own a Fin Nor #2 A/R (40 years old), Fenwick World Class 6 A/R (25 years old), a pair of Ross 3.5s made in Etna, California (25 years old). All are still working very well and should be passed on others when I (hopefully) go to that great pea-gravel drift in the sky.
Finally, buy your reel from a company that will take care of it . As for a drag on an 8-weight reel, a palming is usually standard nowadays, but I feel a bit more comfortable with the addition of a reliable disk drag that has a wide range of tension control.
Good Fishing,
Les Johnson
The Okuma Helios models are fairly new and I think are worth checking out…
i own a teton tioga 8wt reel and a ross cimmoron large arbor 4,in 8wts.
The tioga was alot cheaper and i like it more, so go with the tioga its a great reel and it handles salmon with no problem
Dear pemi-man,
If I was buying one today I’d look hard at the Teton Tioga reels.
Since I bought my big reels 15 to 20 years ago I have to say that my Scientific Angler’s System 2 reels have performed flawlessly since new.
Best Wishes,
Avalon 
Are Shilton flyreels available to you guys in the US?
They are one of our local brands that have just begun to have an impact in the UK and Europe and so far the guys there seem to be quite impressed with them.
They are mostly aimed towards the higher line weights and have a couple of models that would cover an 8wt.
Local guys are catching monster Yellowfin Tuna with these reels with no problems (not the 8wt model - that’s just asking for trouble).
You should find them in most UK catalogs, but here is a link if you want to have a look at them:
http://www.bluewaterflies.co.za
Enter the site and follow the links on the left to “Shilton Fly Reels”
Not bad looking reels either.
Check it out if you’re keen to see something different.
Well I went ahead and ordered myself a Teton Tioga, I had been leaning towards that one to begin with because I’ve heard nothing but good things about them and hearing more good things on this thread, I figured I couldn’t go wrong.
Thanks for all the input!
-Pemi
Did you see the one for sale here?..