best affordable reel for the salt?

[Richard49]

Any thoughts on the best fly reel for use in salt water that is also affordable? I will use it to fish steelhead/salmon in cold country and bonefish down south; a dependable, smooth drag is a must. Don't want to mortgage the house for an Abel, Billy Pate or Tibor. Considering a Teton Tioga and Lamson/Waterworks Velocity. Anyone use the Velocity Hard Alox? Heard there was rust problem with older Velocities and wonder if this new treatment has solved that problem. Reel will pair with an 8-wt Sage Fli. Thanks in advance for any help. Rich

[Ron Crawford]

I like Galvan's Torque for the salt

[Pez Gallo]

I've had a couple of Teton/Tioga reels in my arsenal for a few years now. I have not purchased one for a couple of years so I can't speak for any new models or changes made. However, the models I do have ( one for 8wt and one for 12wt rod ) are pretty good for the price tag. Ive caught a variety of hard pullers on them and they fared well. I did have some drag issues with my Model 8 Tioga but was able to fix it myself.

[Porter]

There are many but here are a few (all under 200.00)

Orvis..Battenkill (several models)
Ross Cimmaron
Redington CD
Teton Tioga
Pflueger Medalists (under 50.00)
Some like Okuma's ...really don't know much about them

[miyawaki]

Take a look at the new Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor big game reels.

Leland.

[agent montana]

I used a 678 SA II for years in the salt..It was the only reel I owned for years..In fact I still use it today over 10 years later...Own a couple of them in fact...I am not sure of the latest quality though since they moved there facility to I believe China or something like that...Alpine would know that kind of stuff..

[Porter]

Anyone use the Velocity Hard Alox? Heard there was rust problem with older Velocities and wonder if this new treatment has solved that problem. Reel will pair with an 8-wt Sage Fli. Thanks in advance for any help. Rich

The Hard Alox reels have not been out long enough to (probably) be given a true evaluation by the fisherman. Some may have fished with the LS special edition which I believe had the Hard Alox finish and have been out a year plus now. Those owners may have some input.

The finish is not the problem Lamson reels were encountering, it was the drag assembly. Some time ago Lamson started putting stainless steel clutches in the drag mechanism which helped the rust corrosion problem that many reels were encountering. The new Hard Alox reels all have the SS clutch and you'll find some of the Smoke Blue Velocities and Lightspeeds (guide finish too) have them and others do not. I also believe that many ignorant, including me :beathead: removed their spools from the reel when rinsing after salt water use which is a NO-NO with lamson conical drag systems...however it is recommended by most other reel manufacturers to do so with their reels...such as Ross. I learned my lesson the hard way....but still encountered corrosion problems after my :ray1:. Someone else pointed out a very good point, which can be a bummer about the Lamson reels. When fishing in the salt, you really dont want to change spools while fishing....allows salt water inside. If fishing with a floater and you have another spool with a ST line on it and want to change over...you're taking a chance of exposing the drag to SW by switching spools...where as other reels you simply do it with little worry. I have a couple Lightspeeds and have not encountered any problems with them...but I'm also more cautious with them then my Ross's. Some older Velocities did not fare as well and they are kept away from the salt...matter of fact I don't even give them a chance to sniff salt air. :)

[hendersonbaylocal]

Teton Tioga is a great reel for the money - maybe a bit heavy, but it is built like a tank and has a great drag.

I have a Ross CLA that has worked great in the salt for me so far.

[Steve Rohrbach]

I have a Ross CLA on my 6, 8 and 9 weights and they are great reels. On my 12 weight I have gone with the Galvan Torque 12 and it did a good job stopping Albacore, Dorado, Yellowtail and Jacks. I think the Ross is a great way to go.

[SuperDave]

I have a Ross CLA #3 and it's a great reel in the UNDER $200 bracket.

Consider the price of SPARE spools in any selection that you make.

Even "high-end" reels need to be maintained when used in the salt.

SuperDave

[gt]

PT has a danielson for sale right now. can't beat a sealed drag! wash it off with some tap water and keep goin'.

[Derek Day]

Be sure to check out the battenkill mid arbors, they're pretty nice and not too spendy.

Derek

[Dick Warnke]

I'm partial to the Orvis Mid Arbor...probably because I own one. I have the titanium finish and it cleans up real nice after use in the salt.

[johnmetcalfe]

Check out the Ross Worldwide reels.
The fly start, fly water, and the fly cast.
Jm

[Sterling silver]

My experience with the Lamson has been excellent. I've used my Velocities in the salt for years without any problems at all. Can't say quite the same thing for Bauer. Rust, corrosion, or drag problemsare non- existant. I'm very pleased with my Velocities. I also have Orvis Mid Arbor reels, and agree that they clean well, have also been trouble free and have a classic appearance. So you should be pleased with either one.

Sterling

[Zen Piscator]

Check out the Ross Worldwide reels.
The fly shit, fly suck, and the fly crap.
Jm

Everyone do yourself a favor and stay away from these non-machined pieces of shit made over seas.

[SeaRun Fanatic]

I have exclusively fished Ross Gunnison reels in the salt for years without a problem, despite sometimes less-than-perfect maintenance on my part (the crowd gasps... only a cursory external rinse in freshwater... omigosh!!!). Although these fine reels are no longer available new, you may be able to find one used. Otherwise, I understand the other Ross products are quite reliable as well, though I am not familiar with the reel Zen so modestly detests:eek:

[rainbow]

Everyone do yourself a favor and stay away from these non-machined pieces of shit made over seas.

Yes I agree with this. They are very deceiving. you can get them on ebay for like 20.00. Dont let the name fool you, it is "ross worldwide". Dosent feel like a real ross a all.

[Blake]

Also, I'd recommend checking out the Okuma Helios. I've been using one on my 6wt setup and it has been awesome. Also the new Cortland Endurance Cassette reel as well as their Precision XC are nice reels as well.

[hbstriker]

I am using a Pflueger Trion 7wt right now here in socal, with a Lamiglas 7wt.

[salt dog]

My experience with the Lamson has been excellent. I've used my Velocities in the salt for years without any problems at all.... Sterling
iagree
I own several of both velocity and litespeed reels. No rust, no corrosion, extensive use in the salt for years. You can buy the older model reels on ebay cheaper than many spare spools, so I don't need to change out spools on the water which is the way you get into trouble with the early models.

[Richard49]

Thank you for all the very helpful and often entertaining posts. I see a number of deep discounts on Lamson Velocity 3.5 large arbor (Cabelas, Fly Shop Closeouts, among others). I assume that is on the the non-"hard alox" version. Are there other problems with these older (last year's) reels? What about availabiltiy of additional spools? Thanks again to all. Rich

[Les Johnson]

I've used the TFO 310 and 375 reels the last year or so and they have certainly done the job on salmon and could certainly be depended upon to handle bonefish.
One note of importance; if southern saltwater fly fishing for dorado and the like is on your agenda, you will need a very rugged reel with a dependable drag system that will handle fish that go charging away at 45-50 mph and sustain that speed for 200 yards or more. To this end I will give you my usual advice. Purchase the very best reel that you can afford designed for heavy duty use in southern salt water. It will also work fine for salmon and steelhead.
Good Fishing,
Les Johnson

[gt]

les, is obviously correct if your intent is to really get serious about trophy fishing in the salt, well made simple reels, the abel comes to mind. the key is still, and has been forever, that cork drag. yep, lots of composite developments over the years, but i still find that cork releases and slides with the least amount of startup inertia. (that was an opinion not a science based fact so your opinion may carry the day :) )

but for around the PNWet?? hey ping PT and pick up that swell danielson, sealed drag and a quality machined product that will serve you for years without trouble. you have to remember the colder water fishes are no where near as aggressive and strong runners as the more temperate water fishes. that said, the right gear will still let you bring those fish to hand quickly for the efficient release.

the pacific sail in my photo gallery was billed in less than 20 minutes. an aggressive fight on my part coupled with a capt. who knew how to handle his boat did the trick.

[salt dog]

.... I see a number of deep discounts on Lamson Velocity 3.5 large arbor (Cabelas, Fly Shop Closeouts, among others). I assume that is on the the non-"hard alox" version. ...

I would also make that assumption Richard.

Other problems? I did have a problem once with my velocity in extreme cold temperatures, like 22F. The drag must have froze as it was free spooling. Haven't had that problem before or since, though I must admit I have given up trying to fish fresh water when the middle of the river starts moving like a 7-11 slushy. Not much fun; this winter sucked for that.