gettin a gloomis 8wt GL3 in a couple days and tryin to figure out the best reel to pair it up with for the money (hopefully under 150 or 200)
'00 Palmetto BoatWorks 15.5 w/ johnson 50
Lamson makes a solid reel with a good sealed drag. look for closeouts on the old model litespeed and velocity before the harder coating. its a sweet reel and cust. service there is awesome. i had a clutch bearing go out on one of mine and called to check with service. I had a new part on the door at 9am. 25bucks to ship probally a $3 part. the parts rep also called me to see if i had any problems with the drop in repair. first rate
I’ve got a Lamson Radius 6wt that is suh-weet! Checked online to get a price for you and apparently they are discontinuing that model. You can get one at a great price right now - check 'em out http://www.waterworks-lamson.com/closeouts.html.
Check out the Nautilus NV Series, they are hard to beat for the money! It’s a totaly closed sealed system with a lifetime warrenty!
Lamson, Bauer, Nautilus, Ross and Tibor. Tibor being the best of the bunch and then maybe Nautilus. The lamson’s are very nice and light. I had one and liked it. I like the cork drag on the Bauers. My next will be a Tibor or Nautilus.
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
Second the Tibor. I love my everglades.
“Fishing is alot like sex…when its good,it’s really good, and when its bad, its still pretty good.”
Try E-Bay, sometimes you can get a good deal on a Tibor or Abel. You can get most of your investment back if you ever sell.
I have been very happy with this reel.
http://www.okumafishing.com/products/flyfishing/helios.htm
It is a large arbor so you pick up line quickly. It is light and the drag is super smooth. Not bad for under $150. I ahve caught some big reds on mine and can attest to the stopping power.
Good Luck,
Chris
From Tibor to Okuma… really? lol… this place never ceases to amaze me…
Mad Mike
100 Feet away… ready to strike!
quote:
Originally posted by Faith and GraceLamson, Bauer, Nautilus, Ross and Tibor. Tibor being the best of the bunch and then maybe Nautilus. The lamson’s are very nice and light. I had one and liked it. I like the cork drag on the Bauers. My next will be a Tibor or Nautilus.
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
have you had any fish actually test any one of the above mentioned?
next reel? lol.
xHCFKx
7wt Icthy-Assassin
Smart Ass. i have caught several with my Ross and only 1 with a Tibor. Have heard great things about the Nautilus.
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
largemouth bass do not count.
xHCFKx
7wt Icthy-Assassin
HaHaHa. Damnit!
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
A buddy of mine has the Ross CLA on an 8 wt and he really likes it. It’s also close to your price range. I have a Nautilus #8 and love it.
Get a 7wt! Its better for spooky fish and its strong enough for any reds you will find wading in the grass. If you go after bigger fish like medium size tarpon you need a 9-10 wt. I have a 5wt for trout, and a 7wt for charleston reds, and a 9wt for vacation fishing…ie. TARPON&PERMIT!
7 is great but a 8 or 9 is better if it is a little windy out.
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”
7 is also a little light in the grass when the waters warm and you don’t want to stress the fish out… you need to land em’ quick, sometimes a 7 just won’t do that. Thats something alot of people overlook when they go light, and its something as responsible fishermen you should always take into account… it is all about the fish after all…
A 7wt is fine in the cooler months however and hot is right about a more delicate pres… just not a wind stick.
oh and this was about reels i think right??? how did we get off on rods?
Mad Mike
100’ Away… ready to strike!
yall talkin about reels or rods…i got a 8 wt rod already, 7 or 8 wt reel?
'00 Palmetto BoatWorks 15.5 w/ johnson 50
Mike…what is wrong with the Okuma reel? Have you put one in your hands…I think you will be surprised. He asked for something under $200. Of course he would love to have a Tibor, Nautilus, Ross, Abel…etc…who wouldn’t, but those reels are not in his budget. Is the Okuma better than those reels…of course not…but they are within his budget and it will get him on the water. Can the reel stop a 34" 15lb red…yes…and very smoothly at that. I can attest to that. Now…those albies you caught…whole different ballgame! 
Tight Lines,
Chris
Whalerman,
MadMike ids the most qualified person on this board to answer any question about fly fishing. He sell and actually uses this stuff. He is from NC and has fly fished up there most of his weird life.
“Plan like you will live forever but live like you will die tomorrow.”