What to look for in a Saltwater Reel

Discussion in 'Saltwater' started by Kcahill, May 11, 2012.

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  1. 5shot Member

    Posts: 89
    Spokane, WA
    Ratings: +11 / 0
    Have any of you guys had a chance to handle the Ross F1? I can get a great price on the new #5, but it is still a big chunk of change.
    5shot, May 16, 2012
    #21

  2. Kcahill Active Member

    Posts: 640
    Renton, WA
    Ratings: +122 / 1
    Lot of great information here, thanks everyone for helping out.

    I ended up picking up a used Galvan Torque T-8 at a good price as a backup and am going to head down to my favorite fly shop to check out some others this weekend.
    Kcahill, May 16, 2012
    #22

  3. Mike T Active Member

    Posts: 839
    Gig Harbor, WA
    Ratings: +42 / 1
    I've not fished the Ross F1, but it's been highly recommended to me. The consensus seems to be that after the Vexsis trainwreck that their engineers worked very hard to get the F1 right. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.
    Mike T, May 16, 2012
    #23

  4. Porter Active Member

    Posts: 5,564
    Kenmore, WA, USA.
    Ratings: +158 / 0
    Yes...galvan t's good choice
    Porter, May 20, 2012
    #24

  5. Denny Active Member

    Posts: 3,882
    Seattle, WA, USA.
    Ratings: +12 / 0
    Budget?
    Denny, May 29, 2012
    #25

  6. simpleinterest Member

    Posts: 95
    burlington, washington
    Ratings: +0 / 0
    KC
    Just read your thread. Excellent comments. I own some Charltons and Makos and live 4 miles from Judys and formerly Jacks shop (
    Charlton Outdaorr Technologies). Started buying from Jack in 1993.
    I have caught 160# tarpon on the 8550C, 70# giant trevaley on the 8500 1., and 20# steelies on the 8500 .8. Charltons are the BEST period.
    I now fish several weeks a year for dorado at Loreto Baja Sur Mexico.
    I have used: Charlton 8500 1.2, Orvis Vortex 13/14, 11/12, Orvis Odyssey IV, Orvis DXR Tarpon, Fin Nor 3 (1993), FinNor 3 AR (1993), Marryat M7X, System 2 10/11 and 12/13,and LL Bean Tidemaster 3 (Islander 3) for dorado and caught dorado to 62# casting on 12 wt fly rods. All but the Charltons, I have purchased on ebay.
    If interested in Dorado, Sailfish, large roosters, giant T, marlin or other blue water fish in the 30# and above range, in my humble opinion, your best bang for the buck and keeping the salt water rule (own two identical fly reels), look at the Orvis DXR Tarpon with the blue label (made by Lamson) or the white label (made by Ross).
    They have a very good +++ drag that is adjustable, hold 300+ yard of 30# dacron and a Orvis wonderline WF11 ro12 S or WF12F. Cost on ebay of Orvis DXR Tarpon typically runs from $90 to $160 and they apprear fairly regularly. A slightly better fly reel and drag and my fly reel of choice is the LL Bean Tidemaster 3 or the Islander 3 (cork drag) that only rarely shows on ebay, typically in the $200 to $300 range selling price.
    simpleinterest, Dec 5, 2012
    #26

  7. Don Freeman Freeman

    Posts: 1,104
    Olympia, WA
    Ratings: +80 / 0
    And,they are made in 'Merica
    Don Freeman, Dec 10, 2012
    #27
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