Inexpensive 8wt spey reel?

[Josh Root]

First Spey-related post! I picked up a Redington DFR 13ft 8wt from a forum member up here in Bellingham. It is my first trip into spey-land.

I went out with the guy I bought the rod from, and checked out a few lines. The Skagit 650 seemed to be about right (if maybe a little heavy). I then went out with another buddy and cast a bunch of different lines. Again, a Skagit 650 seemed to be the way to go, with an old school double-taper being pretty easy to cast as well.

So, I'm looking for suggestions for an inexpensive spey reel that would hold a Skagit 600-650. To me, "inexpensive" means $50-150 (used or new). Ideally, I'd be able to get a second spool for it in case I wanted to pick up a double taper for something different. I really don't think I'll be using a mid or long-belly line. Both because the rod doesn't cast them that well, and (more importantly) I have a hard time casting them at this point in my spey experience.

Redington AS? Okuma Integrity or Sierra? Some sort of Pfluger? One of those Orvis Mach reels they have on closeout? I'm open to just about anything.

[Scott Behn]

IMHO instead of looking for an "8wt" reel, I'd look for a reel that is 4" diameter or larger...

:cool:

[Josh Root]

Perhaps I should have rephrased the title to say "An inexpensive reel for an 8wt spey rod using a 650 Skagit line".

Then again, who cares? I make it pretty obvious in the post what kind of line I am looking to use. I'd think that would be enough information for anyone to make a suggestion.

But if you just want to nit-pick, that's fine too.

[Sloan Craven]

For CHEAP reels I like Okuma. An Okuma Integrity will suit your needs. After that, there are some Lamsons on sale at various places that are a decent price.

[shawn k]

you should be able to get a pflueger president reel for about 150. It is a great reel for the price

[GR8LAKES FLYER]

Josh ,

Check-out the Heritage Titan 9/11 . It's 4.25'' in diameter and has a really smooth drag system . It's definitely no LOOP Classic , but neither is the price .

One reel that gets very little attention is the J.W.Young 1540 . These reels have the same click pawls as their cousin's (Hardy) and are built like tanks and will last forever !! You can find them for under $100 with an extra spool on ebay .

Hope this helps !!


Mike

[GR8LAKES FLYER]

BTW , pretty cool that your taking the "old school" approach !!! Salmon DT's rock !!! Another great line for that rod is the Wulff TT-9-Floating and TT-9-Intermediate .

Welcome to Spey !!


Mike

[David Dalan]

I have the pfluger Tiron 12 (4 1/8 diameter) for my 7/8 St. Croix and 7/8/9 Rio line. I think I get ~ 300 yards of backing on (a bit of overkill I know), but I like the way the bigger reel balances with the rod better than my smaller reels have. It's still new (only fished it twice) but it seems solid enough to me.

[SteelieDan]

Cabela's is now offering a new line of spey reels called the XSS. It's new so I don't know much about it, meaning I don't know first hand how it performs ut it looks sweet, the specs look good for what you are looking for and the price is hard to beat. It's going for $160-$180, check it out.

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0051132320131a&navCount=2&podId=0051132&parentId=cat602040&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat20431-cat602040&catalogCode=UH&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat602040&hasJS=true

[Terry Bare]

I have a tioga 12 that I would let go for 100. It is brand new. I have not fished it. I put some backing on it. I have another one that I use on my 7/8 speyrod. Let me know if it is something you would be interested in.

[fredaevans]

I have a tioga 12 that I would let go for 100. It is brand new. I have not fished it. I put some backing on it. I have another one that I use on my 7/8 speyrod. Let me know if it is something you would be interested in.

That would be a good deal for both of you.:thumb:

[Terry Bare]

here are a few pictures of the reel,box and bag.

[Terry Bare]

trying again.
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l107/greensocks65/DSC_0006a-2.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l107/greensocks65/DSC_0005a-1.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l107/greensocks65/DSC_0004a-1.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l107/greensocks65/DSC_0002a-1.jpg
http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l107/greensocks65/DSC_0001a-1.jpg

[Red Shed]

A Tioga 12 with fresh backing for $100.00 is the best deal mentioned in this thread so far.

[Sloan Craven]

That is definitely a great deal. Should think about tthat a little.

[Big Tuna]

Madison River Fishing Company had some Velocity 4.0's for $169.00. Not sure if they have any left, but it's a pretty good reel for the money.

[Josh Root]

Terry, I sent you a PM. I'll be in anacortes on Wednesday.

Thanks everyone, I think I'm set if I can pick up this Tioga.

[flybill]

Terry, I sent you a PM. I'll be in anacortes on Wednesday.

Thanks everyone, I think I'm set if I can pick up this Tioga.

You got a good deal there Josh! I was thinking of picking it up as a spare, since I have at Tioga 12 LA, a Tioga 10 LA and an extra spool for each. Can't beat that price, w/ or w/o backing on it already!

[Salmo_g]

Josh, you got a great deal on that Tioga. And I was going to suggest a Pflueger Medalist at about $35, but take the Tioga.

Sg