Fly Fishing

reeladdicted · Location: Port Charlotte, FL

I just got into fly fishing recently but I salt water fish so I can't have just any reel an my ancient G.Loomis couldn't take any more even with me cleaning it after every trip out on the water. So I now need a new reel that will be reliable in salt but won't break my bank, cheaper is better. If any one knows the best web sites that have the cheapest reliable reels it would be much appreciated for the help!!
I'm looking for 7-9W reel with a disc drag system, can't have anything else with these fishes. An the bigger the better, just means I can chase bigger fish Smile

Shakeyfly · Location: MA

I would have to give some serious props to the Sage 1600 reel here. I had the 7 - 9W model and several different spools for a while now. And the drag system has never failed me. I've used it for Stripers and blues in Massachusetts, as well as Steelhead for Pulaski. They've been dropped in sand, dropped in freezing water and frozen, and still have done a solid job.

I will say I've had a couple of them break when dropped hard on rock, such as slipping and trying to catch yourself with rod in hand hahaha. not a disc drag (i beleive) but for 99 bucks and 45 dollar spools. great gear.

My Friends had the Orvis Mid Arbor as well for saltwater, but it didn't hold up as well as the sage. the Orvis showed signs of rust after two seasons(he even washed them after each trip in freshwater) and eventually the reel would just free spool with no drag etc.

just my .02

reeladdicted · Location: Port Charlotte, FL

Do you think it will hold up to tarpon's, snook, red's, etc. My buddy has a reel, idk what it is, but it's not a disc drag like mine was an any time he hooked some thing big the drag did like nothing, for some reason it seemed like there was like no drag on even turned all the way. Thats the only reason I'd be iffy, but if you think it will I'll give it a try. I do appreciate the insight, thank you very much.

rustayy · Location: Islamorada,FL

As far as reels go, depending on who you ask, you will get a different answer(opinion) on which one is the best. For the $, I really like the Reddington Titanium CDL. Great reel with a sealed disc drag. I have caught everything from False Albies to tarpon on it with no issues at all. I also use a lot of Galvans. They are great reels, and have put them up to the test against all of the big 3 species down here in the Keys. Great reels! But, there are tons of other great reel companies out there as well......Nautilus, Abel, Tibor....and it goes on and on. All would be fine for what you are fishing for. A couple of tips, get a large arbor reel with a nice wide spool that will hold a lot of backing , get something that will pick up line quickly, and get something in your budget.
As far as a website to buy reels on, personally, I feel that Ebay is the best place to buy fishing gear. You can find some amazing deals on there if you look around. Used is never a bad option. Good luck

Shakeyfly · Location: MA

reeladdicted · Location: Port Charlotte, FL

I'll give the reel a try an if it holds up it's just one more thing you can tally towards it lol I just started fly so you def know more than I do an I greatly appreciate the help. An thanks rustayy, I also have been told the knew Orvis Mirage is really nice any one know how that one is? If it's worth it I'd invest in it for bigger game like tarpon an what not. Fishing is my lively hood so I need the best, I'm guna get the sage an try that one for sure thou!

rustayy · Location: Islamorada,FL

ShakeyFly- Stripers and Blues are no joke. I grew up in South Shore Mass and chased them my whole life. And not much matches the pulling power of a Blue pound for pound....well, Albies do! A 30' Stripe is a nice fish...good work. And, if you want big game up there, go get a Blue Fin on a fly or a big Blue Shark!

Shakeyfly · Location: MA

Reeladdicted - Thanks for the assumption that I know more than you. Every day I feel like I know less than everybody else. I probably don't know more about it than you. I read alot about it.. but what's that to experience right? Laughing

What I do know, is that there is absolutely no better way than catching fish on a fly rod! I hope my suggestion works for you! Don't believe it's a disc drag. I think they call it a sealed carbon drag system.

If fishing is your lively hood though, I would probably look at other alternatives/suggestions from the knowledgable people around here, as they might have better insight like the Orvis reels that are a step up!

rustayy - I've only been saltwater fly fishing for two years. and to be honest, I'm not the super hard core fly fisherman that is out after work hours into the wee hours of the morning only to drag myself to work. I'm a weekend warrior when I can find the time lol. But That 30 inch fish was awesome. I would love to get into them more consistently. I'm shore bound too, so I find the spots where I can. I prefer finding channels where I can fish the tide like a current, bottom bouncings clousers or rabbit strip flies with a Grain line.
I have never caught an Albie. Hooked into one once, felt the blinding screaming run. My backing unfortunately had an overlap and that quick increase in pressure popped my leader.

reeladdicted · Location: Port Charlotte, FL

Shakeyfly-Your welcome, naturally some one who has been doing some thing longer knows more. An you absolutely right! My fist fish on fly was insane compared to a conventional or spinning rod! It was only a small snook but it felt huge! Now I'm hooked ha I'm guna give the sage a try, who know's it may be nice for smaller fish. I also plan on trying Orvis's Mirage. I heard about Allen Fly Fishing Co. from a localm tackle shop but almost no one has heard of them an I can't seem to find anything on them besides what the company says, have any of you guys heard of it?

Here7ico · Location: Venezuela.

Hi, i'm also looking for a saltwater reel for my 10wt.
your opinion of the Lamson Konic and Fly Logic FLA? both have sealed brake systems.
Now I have a ProCast Cortland, not recommend it much maintenance required.