Salvelinus Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 I feel somewhat alienated from the reel market. It seems that (unlike most gear) the rule "you get what you pay for" does not apply at all to this market. I've owned plenty of reels, and my favorite rang in at under 100 bucks and one of my least favorites was over 600 bucks. Actually, my favorite was the BFR dragonfly, which is sadly now out of production. There are now all new reels from when I last looked and I don't know which ones are good and which are expensive paper weights. I see Ross has broken into the more budget market with the Flystart and the Flywater. Anyone have any experience with these? The old bottom model lamson was a decent reel, anyone know anything about the new Konic? Finally, has anyone heard anything about these Scierra reels? BTW, if anyone has a BFR dragonfly in the 6wt range they want to sell let me know. Quote
bulltrout Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 my opinion would be with a Pflueger Trion, Hardy, or Orvis...all are decent in my books... Quote
Guest bigbadbrent Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 I have a Ross flywater on my 5 weight, it's hard to beat a Ross reel for 130 bucks. The next step down would be the Ross Flycast, which i know Ladystrange has one, but she hasn't told me what she thinks, but she hasn't yelled at me for selling it to her, so she must like it. You can't go wrong with Ross, period Quote
Pythagoras Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 I have a BFR Dragonfly....it was set down and never picked up again somewhere on the upper Elbow...sigh... Even though I fish a LA Battenkill I think the Pflugher Trion is a great value for the price. Quote
lonefisher Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 was this reel made by dragonfly? or made by bfr ? as there is still BFR dragonfly reels available........ edit in see this link has em for sale..... also there is some large arbour BFR dragonfly reels if you google em....... http://www.poingdestres.co.uk/ProductDetai.../productID/1796 Edit in again..... AHHH I thinka you might be right they might not be available anymore...... Quote
Tako Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 Okuma SLV. Put one on my 3wt. I want one to replace my Ross on my 5wt. You'll never go back. Quote
Weedy1 Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 Okuma SLV. Put one on my 3wt. I want one to replace my Ross on my 5wt. You'll never go back. I'll trade you. I have a 5wt SLV I can't wait to get rid of. You want one for a 7 weight too? Quote
bloom Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 Ross reels are great...quality product and their customer service is great. Just used it for the second time this summer as one of my reels was starting to get a groove on the line guard (after 6 years of heavy use). They sent a new reel out (minus the spool). Quote
Guest Rocknbugs Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 Ross CLA2 is the best reel I have used, I also have 2 Teton's and a Dragonfly but none of them compare to the Ross. Quote
Tako Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 I'll trade you. I have a 5wt SLV I can't wait to get rid of. You want one for a 7 weight too? I'm too poor Talk to me in the summer when someone is paying me Quote
Crogg Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 I have a 6wt BFR with two spools. Make me an offer... Quote
CarlSpackler Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 There are a couple of reels that I would definitely recommend. You already mentioned Lamson reels, and I would stay with that if I were you. The Konic is a great reel with exactly the same drag system as their most expensive reels (like the Litespeed and the ULA Force). The conical drag is smooth, bulletproof, and does not require much maintenance (just leave it alone). I put my reels through a lot of abuse, and my Litespeed has stood up better than any of my other freshwater reels. The finish on these reels is extremely tough too. The Konic is probably a little less durable (cast instead of machined), but I think its the best bang for your buck out there. If you can afford it, I'd consider moving up to the Velocity (a really good looking reel). Alternatively, look at the Sage 1600 and 1800 series reels. These are good Large Arbor reels that come in under $150. Cheers. I feel somewhat alienated from the reel market. It seems that (unlike most gear) the rule "you get what you pay for" does not apply at all to this market. I've owned plenty of reels, and my favorite rang in at under 100 bucks and one of my least favorites was over 600 bucks. Actually, my favorite was the BFR dragonfly, which is sadly now out of production. There are now all new reels from when I last looked and I don't know which ones are good and which are expensive paper weights. I see Ross has broken into the more budget market with the Flystart and the Flywater. Anyone have any experience with these? The old bottom model lamson was a decent reel, anyone know anything about the new Konic? Finally, has anyone heard anything about these Scierra reels? BTW, if anyone has a BFR dragonfly in the 6wt range they want to sell let me know. Quote
maxwell Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 bauer reels all the way if u can fork out the coin...scierra reels are nice...wich models are you looking at..bin drooling over a few the past few months.....the xda's look sick.. Quote
KnotLikely Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 Ross is always a good choice. Not sure that their entry level reels have the same unconditional warranty, Brent could probably answer that. I've been fishing a couple of G. Loomis Venture reels for the last 3 or 4 years on my go to setup, and they've been great. I also fish Ross CLA, Tioga magnums, Orvis Battenkill and Mach LA, and a Reddington and all are great reels but for less than $125.00 you can't go wrong with a Venture. Quote
NormanMcLean Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 Love the lightweight Lamson/Waterworks reels. I am looking to buy a Waterworks Purist reel. The $300 price tag is worth it for a ULA reel that weighs 2.7 oz. Aerospace aluminum. I used one last summer and the after a long days casting, my arm wasn't tired at all. Some of those Pflueger/Islander reels look nice, but are just too heavy for my liking. And the Hardy Marksman at 2.5 oz. is the lightest on the market. Quote
birchy Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 I got a new Pflueger Trion 1934 for my 3 weight this summer and I love it. Haven't actually caught a fish on it yet though! Quote
lonefisher Posted January 22, 2008 Posted January 22, 2008 Gotta go with Max on the bauer reels..... they are not a flashy looking reel but they are well made and work very very well...... I have never once had to do any trouble shooting at all with mine....... Quote
Salvelinus Posted January 23, 2008 Author Posted January 23, 2008 I have a BFR Dragonfly....it was set down and never picked up again somewhere on the upper Elbow...sigh... Even though I fish a LA Battenkill I think the Pflugher Trion is a great value for the price. I'll trade you for my Teton Tioga which is somewhere at the bottom of Police Outpost lake Crogg, you have a pm Quote
vhawk12 Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 I'll put another vote in for the value you get with the Pflueger Trion Quote
esleech Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Pflueger trion is a great reel for the coin. Anything by Ross always impresses me though. Heard someone mention the Okuma SLV. Best reel for under 100 bucks in my opinion. Quote
walker1 Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 Ross, as many have mentioned make a high quality reel. I have a Cimmaron2 and a spare spool for over 7 years. Thet were about 220 bucks back then but I see they are around 140 now. Well worth it. I do fish Galvan reels now and like them more. however, they were in the 350 range. Quote
Taco Posted January 23, 2008 Posted January 23, 2008 I know where you can get a helluva deal on a Ross Evo one five :ph34r: Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.