How much would you spend on a new reel?

[Jason]

If you needed to get a new reel, how much would you be willing to spend?

[Norm]

An exclusive poll? I see how you are.

Norm

[Curtis Fry]

Just curious though, but what "good" reels are there for under $100. Don't say Okuma.

I think there are some great reels for around $100 to $150, but I can't seem to find anything "good" for under $100. And I've tried some different ones....maybe I'm too picky.

[jim m.]

The original Orvis Battenkill. For the money, that's a great reel. I think they start at $90.

[thor444]

Abel Jerry Garcia Painted Large Arbor, $1300

Extra Spool: $550

Looking like you still don't know how to fish: Priceless.

[Crosby]

The amount of money I would spend depends totally on what reason I am buying the reel. What will it be used for?

[Fred]

What will it be used for?

The reel would be used for fishing, Crosby.

I picked up the Pfleuger Trion for $80.00 at the Smith and Edwards Country Boy Store and I like it so far. Haven't used it much. So, don't know how long it will last. But, so far so good.

yours truly,

Cheap Bastard

[Larry S.]

Is it one you are going to leave out in the rifle rack of your 4X for someone to steal? Is it going to compliment the new T&T rod you bought your "wife"? Saltwater,steelhead,stillwater,bass,trout,large arbor..................

A while back there was a thread going around that had some arguments that said that a reel is nothing more than something to hold your line so basically why go the extra expense?

I'm kinda like Fred tho(Cheeeep). But I don't own an O....., but I do have a few of the better O's.

Curtis, I have heard some good reviews on the new Ross(can't remember the model name) that is partially built in England (Jeez,outsourcing again!). It goes for around $100.00

[Jason B]

The Ross evolution is a great reel. Fished it this last year and love it. It is light weight and has a smoth drag.

[bigshane]

I am kind of weird I guess, when I went to look for a new reel I was looking for something quiet, I did not look at what it was made of or warranty, just that it held the line ane it didn't give me a headache when I hooked up with a nice fish, and that it was smooth action. I now own three of them because I like the way it feels and they seem to hold up to the beating I give them. I wish they weren't so damn shiney though, not because of scaring the fish but every now and then I blind myself with them by the reflecting sun. I think it all depends what features are important to the user to what to get, I would have spent four hundred if that is what it cost to get the reel I have, because it has the features that I want. Thankfully it was a lot cheaper.

[Stoney Clarke]

All my reels are under $200
Orvis Battenkill 3/4 $99
Orvis LA Battenkill 5/6 $199
Redington LA A/S 8/9 Retail $220 on sale $89
Lamson LS 5/6 $199

Love all of them, but I would not pay under $100 and over $200 for any reel I planned on using strictly for trout.

SC

[highcountry]

I know I am just a poor kid, but even if I had the money, I can't see the sense in buying those expensive reels. I have 2 rods and 2 reels, one set-up is a basspro $80 combo, and the other a rod-blanks.com 3# with a cheap reel (can't remember, but about $30 I think) from Basspro. They have disk drag systems that work beautifully. I know there are those Walmart reels with no drag, and I know those are no good, but I think if it holds line and has a good, solid drag, then it is a "good" reel. Maybe I have this opinion simply because I haven't fished with a super high quality reel or rod, but it seems like when I am out on the water, the reel is used maily for line storage. My cheap setup has handled fish up to 20" just fine, and I always laugh when I am catching more fish with my cheap stuff than these equipment junkies with all their expensive, high-tech toys. I fish to catch fish, not to play with expensive toys. The importance of equipment is minimal; the importance of knowledge and technique is what matters.

[Stoney Clarke]

HC,

I see your point at your stage of life and what you can afford now. But for me these are not just expensive toys, they are quality tools. I have had my Battenkill and Lamson reel for over 10 years and have no plans to replace them for at least another 10 years and unless I damage them somehow they will probably last another 20 years. Same with the rods that they go with. But I bet you will replace your $30 reel many times over if you keep buying $30 reels over the next 20 years.

[Jason B]

"imprtance of equipment is minimal, the importance of knowledge and technique is what matters."

don't you think that equipment would affect your technique? I can for sure say that i can fish nymphs a hell of a lot better with an XP than my cortland. I mainly fish very fast action rods. I guide a lot and would never put clients into some cheap crap rod. Equipment i believe can have a very important role of how your fishing. Large arbor reels have a advantage over small arbor reels when fishing say the lower provo. Knowledge and technique are very importance, key in flyfishing. But i also think that there is a great importance in equipment.

[highcountry]

I doubt my reel will last 20 years, but it just may. I have had it for about 3, and it still works like new. I doubt I'll get 10 years out of it because of the way I treat it, but if I took care like I should, I think it would last. If I have to buy 3 $30 reels in 20 years, then that is a total of $90, still far cheaper than most "good" reels.
Funny thing is that I know I will end up buying all the expensive stuff when I do have the resources. Fly fishing is my life, and I am going to be dumping a lot of dough into it just because it is what I love to do. I guess when I do have a $500 Sage and a reel to match, I will understand. Until then, it's Basspro for Chris.

[nightfish]

Jason posted this poll for me. It's for a lil sumthin Stef & I are working on. Preciatcha Jason!

Crosby, and anybody else...figure your answer on whatever type of fishing you would do with a new reel...whether you're gonna go bust tarpon with Cary or just hit the local waters. Say you just got a new 5wt, and you need something to pair up with it...whether it be for the smooth sound of a fish working the drag, or just something to store line on.

[Curtis Fry]

So Jason B, you're saying you finally ditched that old Cortland? Good move!

Fred,
I was eyeing that Pfleuger reel for the 6 wt I built last year, but now I might use it for an all-around 5 wt. They seem like big bang for the buck.

[Crosby]

If I was going to get a Salt Water reel ( which I am) I would and will spend the $$$$.
If I was going to buy a reel for my 5 wt XP- I would spend a moderate amount. I have a lamson now and will not need another reel though.
If I were looking into anything concerning my lighter rods . I would be going on the less expensive side.
All of my stillwater rods have some sort of Okumas on them- brother is a rep .

[jim m.]

Maybe some of this boils down to how long you’ve been fishing and what you fished w/ throughout your life. For example, some of my first fly-fishing gear came as a hand me down from my dad and uncle. They always bought good gear including reels, and as a result of that, I now have some gear that is 30-40 years old. It’s still works great and it’s nice to be able to appreciate the quality that went into making it and still being able to use that stuff today. Memories associated w/ that stuff cannot be defined w/ a price tag either. Largely because of this, when it comes time for to buy a reel (or any gear in general,) I’ll usually wait a little longer, I’ll save a little more and buy the reel that I want to own for a long time. I’ve even bought used reels over new because the particular reel was of better quality than the new, even though it was older and used and at the same price. Like my father, I have a thing for English made, click and pawl reels. I appreciate the work that goes into making them, I like their simplicity and I love the sound they make when a fish runs. To me they’re works of art.

That doesn’t mean that a cheaper reel won’t get the same fish in just as well. It will. And if cost is an issue that might keep you off the water, by all means get the gear you can afford and go fish! That is what it’s about in the end.

[Fred]

Curtis,

I'm pretty happy with the reel. I bought it and an extra spool and use it for stillwater fishing with a 6 wt. I don't remember how much the spool was, but it was a lot cheaper than the spool for my Ross Gunnison reel. That's for sure!

I looked into the reel because of a tip from somebody that posted about it on the FW site. Thanks TAWANDA! LOL.

[Cary]

Every time I fish with Fred he pulls out this reel, flashes it in my face, and says "nice reel, huh?"

Fred, its a nice reel. Not as nice as mine, but you're a cheap bastage.

[Fred]

Somebody sounds a little bit jealous.

[PowerBaitHeppy]

Highcountry -- I have two pflueger reels I bought from Walmart over 10 years ago. Probably paid about $30 each. Although neither is the reel I use most frequently now (I finally bought a new one last winter!), they are still great reels, and they still get used. They have landed countless numbers of fish. I also own an Orvis Battenkill (see Stoney, we do have something in common), and I love it. It is the reel I use most often. The pflueger reels have seen to many rocks up close and personal. But, even after the many bangs they have taken, they have never stopped working. I'd feel pretty sick if I took my clumsy ass out and dinged my brand new $200 reel! There are some advantages of going cheap!

I think I paid about $60 for my new Orvis reel (discounted price). If I get half the use out of the Orvis, that I got out of the Pfluegers, then I'll be happy. If it can't hack 2-3 years of use, I might have to go back to the old reliable Walmart special Pfluegers!

[chuckn'duck]

I Recently bought the Loomis 5/6 reel I thought it was a smooth reel that made my rod look good. The guys at sportsmans warehouse said it's a much stronger reel than the cheaper Okuma because it was machined out aluminum or something like that. One day as I was walking back to my truck. along the railroad tracks of fish creek I dropped it. not hard my leg just bumped out of my hands and whatayaknow that 100nsomodd dollar reel broke just like that now I have an okuma and an orvis and a lamson and bunch of other cheapo's. I fish now with the okuma it's every bit as smooth and the drag adjust's just as easily and don't need to worry about babying. because it's literally a fraction of the cost of a loomis, I can buy four Okuma to one loomis. I might break down into tears if I dropped an abel or ross and had it break. don't kid yourself in thinking that your getting a stronger smoother reel by paying more. The only thing your getting is a pain in the ass warranty and screwed.

sincerely, Tight ass who keeps his pants on