High End Fly Reels??

[Shadowcast]

So I got my Loomis 8 wt Pro 1 in the mail and now I am looking to put a reel on it. My #1 choice is a Tibor Everglades. I am wondering if anyone has ever played with a Hardy Zane #1 reel. I like the look of it but am curious to its performance.

[rhett121]

Don't know if you've had a chance to drool over the new Nautilus NV reels but I picked up the size 10/11 for my new CrossCurrent GLX 10wt and it is the sweetest thing I've ever seen. Super light, strong, totally sealed, almost no startup inertia. Oh it's a beauty.

[Shadowcast]

No I have seen the Nautilus yet......

[rhett121]

Well here are a few quickie shots of my Nautilus NV Ten/Eleven. Scott over at the Bears Den (http://www.bearsden.com/page0.html) picked it up for me as well as my new CC-GLX-10wt (worked his butt off to get them for me) and I couldn't be happier.

The vent holes and groove for the last of your backing.
http://www.geocities.com/rhett1212/images/NV1.jpg
The quick release knob to remove the spool. And no, the knob does not fall off when you detach it. It stays on the spool.
http://www.geocities.com/rhett1212/images/NV2.jpg
The drag knob has a very nice feel and operates smoothly. It has a slight clicking in the adjustment to let you have some feel for how far you turned it.
http://www.geocities.com/rhett1212/images/NV3.jpg
The sealed drag unit. If you notice the star pattern on the under side of the spool in the background, this slides together and the thread attaches to the knob from the earlier photo above.
http://www.geocities.com/rhett1212/images/NV4.jpg

I just can't say enough good things about this reel. It looks and feels to be VERY well made. There isn't any play or flex in it anywhere, just a sturdy light weight unit. I can't wait to get it wet.

[Sagittarius]

Ordered a new Wellstone reel from Just-Reels last week and think it's fantastic.
It has the finest and largest bearing system I have ever seen.
Much smoother reel than the Tibor, Able, Ross, and Bauer reels I compared against it.
The Wellstone is a sleeper of a reel.
Wellstone reels are available in sizes suitable for fish from Trout to Marlin.
Do a Google search for Wellstone Fly Reels and Just-Reels to find out more information.


Sag.

[Capt. Ted Lund]

All excellent choices. I've got several of the Everglades and have caught some great fish on them, as I have the Nautilus and Abel. Haven't played with the Hardys on the water, but I know from handling them, they look like a quality reel.
Good luck!

[tarponut]

I've heard of some of the older Nautilus drags failing on GiantT's. If a drag can be smoked a GT could certainly do it. I don't know if it's true. Anyone know? I don't think it involved the CF drags.

[jake61198]

I've got the regular Nautilus #12 that I use for GT's and haven't had any problems with it as of yet. I've only landed fish in the forty lb. range, but have had some larger ones on. Lance Kaufmann uses the same reel and I know that he has landed fish up to at least sixty lbs.

[George Woodward]

I found myself fishing a Zane a few weeks ago in New Zealand. They're beauties and work just as well as any other of the "new" reels.

You might want to have a look at the Sirrus Allwater or the Angel reels if you can. Well built, tough as nails and smooth. I've used Hardy Reels going on fifty five years, so my collection is now worth tens of thousands of dollars (compared to what I paid for them). They are great reels made by concientious craftsmen.

[Legend]

I used an Angel (odd name for a reel) last week on Flathead. Held up really well on the lake trout. Lefty Deceiver flies 1/0 with heavy eyes and mylar flash, on a double hook rig was the ticket. 15 pounders were thick in the lake and this reel is so slick. Perfectly matched for my 9wt Fisher. I'm glad someone thought enough of it to buy it for my b'day.

[Sagittarius]

Jack Charlton has returned with a reel called the Mako. :thumb:


Sag.

[waterbum]

Surfin around and found Mako reels at these sites.

http://www.swoffa.com They got some purdy neat videos
http://www.makoreels.com

[Sagittarius]

I have a black type III anodise Mako 9700B on order from www.just-reels.com
Just had to order one. :)


Sag.

[TimHarden]

The Nautilus NV is what I'll be buying in a couple days. Can't wait.

[haven41]

So I got my Loomis 8 wt Pro 1 in the mail and now I am looking to put a reel on it. My #1 choice is a Tibor Everglades. I am wondering if anyone has ever played with a Hardy Zane #1 reel. I like the look of it but am curious to its performance.

latest hardy's are gorean and expensive...paying 500 plus for gorean or chinese is paying a lot for brand sizzle...now paying 500 plus for a wellstone made by a japanese old world sword maker that's a different story...cannot go wrong with tibor or abel also with the heft of those reels you can repel boarders...I use abel 3N, 4N(solid frame and spool and it does repel boarders):), first edition Everglades, English Mach VI, Ross BG 8...would have got a nautilus in lieu of Ross but the old model BG 8 was on sale for $350.00

[Bender]

What about Bauer Mackenzie Xtreme? Do you think is a good saltwater reel?I'm thinking to renew my bonefish reel (actually i've a Ross B.G. 5) and there are very good stuff out there in the market that capture my interest,i'm considering also the Riptide Q.C.,but i would like to know if somebody can tell me about Bauer reel,they look pretty well made,very light in weight and i seen a video where a MX 4 was tested on motorcycle ...and its drag appears very smooth with almost no start up inertia......i hope in your suggestion about this reel,i know the Tibor products because i've 4 ones (Pacific,Gulfstream and 2 Tibor Light CL)they are super with an incredible smooth drag ,but i never had the opportunity to have a Bauer MX in my hands..so........i hope in your answers,thanks in advance.

[Sagittarius]

Bender,

All the reels you mentioned are good to great reels.
But, if you want the best for not much more than a Tibor QC reel costs, take a look at the new Mako by Charlton.
Do a Google search on Mako reel.
Have never seen a better built or better engineered reel in my life.
After seeing the Mako, I'm not interested in any other reel. :)
Here's a pic showing the stunning craftsmanship of the reel.


Sag.

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e279/Sagittarius_too/Misc/AaaMako-1.jpg

[Bender]

i know ,i know thanks,i've already contact just-reels ! The problem here in Italy is that only few big name are in the market,like tibor,abel,and few more...but i've not the chance to compare side by side the whole good american reels that you have.
...Mako reels looks like Nautilus in their construction...,probably the first are better but i really don't know,i like very much also the new NV by Nautilus because it is maintenance free and sealed from the outside elements (Mako too!),but i heard and read in many forums that the CCF series had problems with heavy drag setting and some big fish was lost due to that....so i hope the new NV will be better than the previous serie.
When i buy a saltwater reel (and an expensive one) comes to play also the guarantee and the service offered from the company,and i can tell you that Tibor and Abel have a super service,like Sage!
..i'll see what reel to buy for bonefishing that can suite an 9 wtline and at least 200yds of backing.
Suggestions are welcome!
Thanks Sagittarius

[Sagittarius]

Alutecnos is a great reel made in your own country.
They are made from 6082 aluminum and have your choice of cork or carbon fiber drag.
A real sleeper of a reel.
Can be viewed at Just-Reels also.

http://www.alutecnos.com/


Sag.

[waterbum]

I surfed back to the Mako reel temperary web page only to find the full blown site is up. Pretty awesome stuff.

http://www.makoreels.com

[Bender]

For Rhett121,so finally have you test your new beauty Nautilus Nv 10/11 with some fish well in to the backing or not yet?
I'm thinking to be on the way to buy a Nv 8/9 for bonefish in blood red color,so any info about the quality and the drag of the NV series are well accepted!
Thanks to all in advance!

[waterbum]

Just received my new MAKO reel (9550 1012) and I am still blown away by this thing. The drag knob turns effortlessly one turn for the entire drag range which produces about 12 pounds as best I can measure, very smooth and predictable. I have never seen such machining and finish on any reel. Thanks Sagittarius for pushing me over the edge.

[Sagittarius]

Hello, Waterbum.

Hadn't checked this site in awhile.
Glad you got a Mako and like it. :thumb:
Finest reel ever made, imo.
You're welcome, on the push. ;)


Sag.

[razorz]

Looking into getting a Mako reel for myself soon for a 9 or 10 weight setup. Any suggestions on where to purchase?

[Sagittarius]

Razorz,

I prefer to order from Jim Williams at www.just-reels.com
Jim has good prices and better service than anyone out there.
His site features all the finest reels in the world.
Tell him Sagittarius sent you. ;)


Sag.

[Shadowcast]

Well I started this....so I might as well show off....
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y193/CAPTJBULL/IMGP0317.jpg

[petegray]

Signature Series 8550 and MAKO 9550 (Special Ops Stealth) ...as good as it gets!
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Phracas/KineticSculptures.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa176/Phracas/05June08a.jpg

[Bender]

For Shadowcast:
the rod on the left side is the same used in "Chasing Silver-Andy's return" DVD? Same reel,rod and floaty toad fly too! :) Good equipment for the poon.
I use the Gulfstream QC reel with my 12WT Xi2 rod,and it performs very well.