Bonefish Reels

[flamanna]

I am in the market for an 8/9wt reel to be used primarily for bonefish/small tarpoon/snook/redfish. I am considering a Tibor Everglade and an Orvis Vo2. Any thoughts on which way to go?

[superfly]

Hello,
I can tell you that I love my tibor/pate reels and if I had to choose between the, I'd go with the tibor.
I'm not knocking the orvis in any way, it's a sweet looking reel . Both your choices are very well made with excellent machining and drag systems.
I prefer the solid unported frame of the tibor for less water & sand intrusion, heavy porting on the spool keeps the weight very light.

[captcl]

Superfly, got a recommendation for a good all around reel? I have a 10wt. lamiglas rod that needs a reel for mixed sw activity(stripers,blues and maybe bigger). I'm new to the flyrod scene and the prices!!! I could by 2 TLDs for that! I want a good quality reel but not being a daily(although you never know) fly guy do I need to go straight to the top? AllTackle here in Md. has what looks to be a good price on the Alutecnos. I guess it is the old you get what you pay for and I know quality gear will last a lifetime. Thanks, nice talking with you.

[superfly]

Hey Cap,
I've got a couple suggestions for you.
The first being the Okuma integrity large arbor. Retails for aroung 100 bucks and is a solid performer that should match up nicely with you lami rod.
Also TFO has been coming out with some nice machined aluminum reels with a beautiful drag system, nice and smooth and built like a tank. this will set you back 250-300 depending on the size ytou choose. In reality it seems like everyone is making quality machined aluminum flyreels these days , most of which would serve you well Redington, Teton/tioga, orvis, pflueger the list continues. Fly reels seem do seem absurdly priced when compared to some of the other equipment available but plenty of us dont seem to mind shelling out big buck for the "quality"
If I were you and didnt think I would use the fly gear every day, I'd buy the okuma and spend the rest on TLD's.
tight Lines & sharp hooks

[acesover]

I would stay away from the Integrity reels. I have 2 of them and they will freespool without warning, no matter where the drag is set. Go with any of the others mentioned and you will be OK. I also have a Tioga that is agreat reel for the bucks, and not a minute of trouble from it.

[chuckanduck1]

You might want to give the Bauer's a look at. I've been running an M5 (which
is now theM6sl) for 8 years. Everything from Strippers to False Albacore
with Bones tossed in. They haven't let me down yet.

[worcester95]

I am in the market for an 8/9wt reel to be used primarily for bonefish/small tarpoon/snook/redfish. I am considering a Tibor Everglade and an Orvis Vo2. Any thoughts on which way to go?
I'd go with a Bauer Extreme MX4 on a 9wt rod. They change spools quickly and easily and are durable and reliable. I have one on my Xi2 9wt, used it in the Keys last October, saw bonefish but couldn't catch 'em, caught mutton snappers instead. Great reel, I'm sold on them. I had a Tibor Riptide on another 9wt but it was just too heavy; I'll put it on a 10wt when I get one - but the Everglades might be OK for your application.

[Sagittarius]

I like Terry Hayden's Pursuit Anti-Reverse reels best.
Just got a Pursuit 5 recently and have never seen its equal, construction wise, save for the much more expensive Henschel reels.
The Pursuit 3 or 4 would be great for the size fish mentioned.


Sag.

[jake61198]

A cheap reel and a bonefish is an invitation to disaster. I agree that the Tibors are indestructible, but they really are heavy. I've been using the Waterworks Reels for about five years now and for a dependable, lightweight reel they are really hard to beat.

[razorz]

I guess it depends on budget.

Billy Pate Bonefish is a nice reel, but I do not like A/R.
Tibor Everglades is very nice and the new QC series is beautiful

I personally fish Abel, but not everyone wants to drop that kind of cash on a reel.

Nautilus makes excellent fly reels for the price, as does Alutecnos.

I would, however, stay away from Van Staal fly reels. I do not like the way they feel or look. Their spinning reels are A+ though.

Good luck!

:gr_cheers: