New To Spey World

Echo Ion or TFO Prism are your basic budget-friendly large arbor (and heave enough) reels to do the job.

You might look into this. Smokin' good deal. My only question would be if it's too big for you set-up--but it might be just about right. Also, some food for thought.

I have the same rod and love it!

To match the rod I use the Redington Behemoth 9/10 reel I got used on eBay for $100.

The lines I use are:
600 gr Rio Skagit Max floating for maximum distance mated with a Rio T14 12.5' MOW tip + salt fluorocarbon or bonefish leader carrying a heavy weighted fly.
600 gr Airflo Intermediate skagit for distance mated with a Rio iMOW sinking tip + salt fluro leader for deeper water work.
540 gr Airflo Scandi floating for trout nymph & dry fly / hopper fishing on fresh water.

This is my go to rod for:
Surf fishing perch, halibut & Corbina on the beach, estuary salmon, bay fishing for sharks, and cold water trout rivers as well as warm water bass lakes....

4sallypat said:

This is my go to rod for:
Surf fishing perch, halibut & Corbina on the beach, estuary salmon, bay fishing for sharks, and cold water trout rivers as well as warm water bass lakes....

Click to expand...

Enquiring minds want to know more about Spey and surf fishing.

Quit school, then you can fish whenever and wherever! Plus wazzu lame

Wish your location wasn't a secret....If you live close, I would be glad to help

SilverFly said:

Enquiring minds want to know more about Spey and surf fishing.

Click to expand...

It's worth it..

I use a switch rod, but because my casting sucks, most time it's the single hand 7wt. Getting an anchor is not easy in the suds.

This video looks like the central coast area, roughly Monterey.

Large fly reels, like 4sallypat's Red. Behemoth 9/10, are sized for single hand lines of the stated size. So we can know that spey lines designated two or three sizes lighter will fit on that reel with a reasonable amount of backing line. His reel will (probably) go well with 7 or 8 weight spey lines.

For good balance, which makes for a less tiring day on the river, a reel for your rod should weigh, empty, around 9 ounces or a few more. Small, medium, or large arbor, disc drag or click-and-pawl drag, can all be good spey performers.