golden beetle
Active member
Looking for a sealed drag system that requires minimal maintenance.
Give us a try!
Welcome back to the new NEFF. Take a break from Twitter and Facebook. You don't go to Dicks for your fly fishing gear, you go to your local fly fishing store. Enjoy!
Best saltwater reels
- Thread starter golden beetle
- Start date
Simms
New member
I love my Galvan Torque t-10's and T-12's...But the CCF and NV are SOLID competitors in the saltwater scene as well. I haven't used my Pate in saltwater, but the ANTI Reverse is a beautiful thing and it makes early season chrome easier on the knuckles. I've been told Bonefish mimic that of the fall steel...
Since your wife canceled your internet service on you, perhaps you can splurge...
Since your wife canceled your internet service on you, perhaps you can splurge...
tomfly
The only thing left should be foot prints.
I have 2 reels for Saltwater. I have a 12 weight outfit that I use in Florida. And a 8 weight that a bought off Mac. (By the way Mac; thanks it is a great rod,) The 8 weight rod I purchased a Clearwater reel. I specifically bought the reel to fluke in the surf. I use a WF floating line with a leader that sinks 5 feet per second. The 12 weight I splurged and bought a Helios package with a Mirage for fishing while I am on vacation in Florida in the surf. I chose the beefier reel for the reason that I might hook up with a tarpon. I use a shooting head floating line and 30 lb leader on the outfit. Both reels work great for what I use them for. The Clearwater needs a bit more maintenance then the Mirage. With the Clearwater I strip the line and backing off after every use and clean the line backing and reel to remove the salt and sand. The Mirage I have had sand in the mechanism and on the spool with no effect on the reels performance but you pay for that with the price. I clean the Mirage reel once a season. The drag systems on both reels are fantastic. Personally I prefer to use Hardy and Orvis reels exclusively on all my rods, but that is me. GB I suggest that assess what you are fishing for first. Is it inshore species shook or redfish or stripers? Are you going to be fishing the flats for permit or bone fish? Are you going to be fishing offshore? One outfit is not going to cover them all. A saltwater outfit is not like buying a trout or steel head outfit. The weight and length of the rod, type of line and leader is the key to what you re going to target. If you are not going to use the outfit frequently, looking into more reasonably priced gear. I spent some money on that Helios outfit. I use it twice a year. I kick myself about spending the money for something I hardly use. When I do use it, my attitude is; yea this is why I bought it. I hope this helps.
golden beetle
Active member
I have a 9 wt rod, a st. Croix legend elite.. Nice rod.
I need a salt reel that I won't use much...
I can't fish a single handed fly rod in the surf without feeling a bit ridiculous.
I want to explore the Connecticut tidal ponds for a flats fishing type experience for striper.
I probably won't use the rig very often......
I need a salt reel that I won't use much...
I can't fish a single handed fly rod in the surf without feeling a bit ridiculous.
I want to explore the Connecticut tidal ponds for a flats fishing type experience for striper.
I probably won't use the rig very often......
tomfly
The only thing left should be foot prints.
golden beetle
Active member
I need a sealed drag system that require 0 maintenance.
This will be my only salt reel for a lifetime.
golden beetle
Active member
looking now...
trico mike
make mine wild
Do yourself a favor,go on eBay and look for a fin-or 3. The gold ones. These reels are built like tanks indestructible and will stop any fish out there. They are a older model reel but still one of the best. You will usually find them for about $300.
lightenup
A fan of Boobery
FIN-ITE 34
Well-known member
Fin-ite 34 says Fin-Nor if you can find them. Great strong reels that are on the beefier side with a very strong drag. Not a sealed drag, but easially flushed after use.
Also look at the Hatch reels. They too have opted to stay on the heavier side of the machining of the reel frame to eliminate the frame distortion of heavy loads by big fish. They also have a completely sealed drag system.
Also look at the Hatch reels. They too have opted to stay on the heavier side of the machining of the reel frame to eliminate the frame distortion of heavy loads by big fish. They also have a completely sealed drag system.
golden beetle
Active member
Here it is for auction on eBay.
Allen XLA Kraken Fly Fishing Reel Mint Used Once with Fly Line 7 9wt | eBay
Trout Nazi
And...Boom goes the dynamite.
Nautilus NV. Pretty solid, very smooth, awesome drag. Troll Ebay until you find one.
sneelhead
New member
@Trout Nazi do you have one of these. I want one for swinging for chrome but have been told by numerous people to stay away as NV tolerances are so tiny one good whack on a rock ruins the reel. Curious if that's true.
My buddy's hatch finatic 9 is built like a tank fwiw
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My buddy's hatch finatic 9 is built like a tank fwiw
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Trout Nazi
And...Boom goes the dynamite.
I think all of the high-end reels have tight tolerances these days. That said, I've been fishing with an NV 8/9 the past 3 years, mainly in the salt. I haven't dropped too badly on any rocks, but its pretty solid. I think from a design philosophy its more in line with the Hatch, focused more on performance rather than weight. I also have FW and FWX trout reels that have seen some abuse and drops, no issues, and they're lighter than the NV's.
I have a Lamson Litespeed that I love, but have had multiple issues after I've dropped it, where it rubs the reel body. I think that they're machined within an inch of their lives in the name of weight.
I have a Lamson Litespeed that I love, but have had multiple issues after I've dropped it, where it rubs the reel body. I think that they're machined within an inch of their lives in the name of weight.
FIN-ITE 34
Well-known member
Holding machined parts everyday, the first thing I noticed in the Hatch reels was how much thicker and more solid the reel frame is. I had a long conversation with the Hatch folks before I purchased the 5 Plus for my switch rod. They stated that they were not in the marketing race to produce the lightest reels on the market and sacrifice strength for over the top lightness. They also brought up a good point about how making the reel too light on heavier rods makes the fulcrum point move above the rod hand and actually increases the effort it takes to cast the higher line weights.
Another feature of the Hatch is the reel foot is an integral part of the reel frame when machined. It is not a separate piece that has been screwed on to the reel frame, thus increasing the strength of the frame and no additional corrosion points or possible loose connections.
sneelhead
New member
Yea the build quality on my buddy's finatic 9 is ridiculous. Definitely not a light reel nor are they inexpensive ie Lamson
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
tomfly
The only thing left should be foot prints.
I here that they have a lot of corrosion problems.
Trout Nazi
And...Boom goes the dynamite.
If I needed another heavy line-weight reel and had the money, I think that Hatch would be hard to beat, although I think the Nautilus is a little smoother. I like the bomb-proof construction of the Hatch though.
For trout, I don't think that Hatch would be my first choice, as the reel is a little too heavy and over-built for the application. kind of like hunting rabbits with a 7.62 and 15-25x scope.
For trout, I don't think that Hatch would be my first choice, as the reel is a little too heavy and over-built for the application. kind of like hunting rabbits with a 7.62 and 15-25x scope.
MACFLY
Too many streams too little time
I have 4 and they all work great and I have had them for over 3 years. And FYI the kraken is their first fully sealed drag system so I don't think previous reels are a useful comparison. Also their warranty was excellent. In short if you aren't going to fish the salt consistently and need a decent reel its a good reel and you and Simms are boos. Have a nice day
golden beetle
Active member
I have 4 and they all work great and I have had them for over 3 years. And FYI the kraken is their first fully sealed drag system so I don't think previous reels are a useful comparison. Also their warranty was excellent. In short if you aren't going to fish the salt consistently and need a decent reel its a good reel and you and Simms are boos. Have a nice day
The guy who buys the hatch for a few saltwater trips per year is gonna upgrade in 3 years anyway, regardless of the condition of the reel.
He'll tell you now that he wants the hatch because it will last a life time.
MACFLY
Too many streams too little time
In my experience Hatch makes an awesome reel but it costs a premium. Now I had bought a hatch for my zenith rod a couple of years ago and I had a couple of issues with it. Easily resolved but it just shows that regardless of price you can have issues with any piece of equipment.
theartoflee
Anadromous Angler
Avoid the Hatch reels as there sealed drags arent as sealed as they advertise them. Had a 4+ reel which ceased customer service said that sometimes water can get in to the drag and cause the drag to rust. To me that doesn't seem like the drag is too well sealed.
Check out the Nautilus reels! Love my CCF 12 and have never had a problem with it.
Check out the Nautilus reels! Love my CCF 12 and have never had a problem with it.
iflifish
I flyfish
Tibor Everglades. If you look on ebay a little bit you should be able to find a nice used one in the 360-380 range. Not a sealed drag but built like a tank. I have had a riptide since shortly after they came out and have done virtually nothing to it but rinse with freshwater every once in a while.
golden beetle
Active member
There is a new Nautilus reel that has my interest.
The Silver King or something like that.
I will post a link.
Rusty Spinner
Active member
You're fooling yourself if you think there is a single reel on the market that is maintenance free when used in the salt, sealed drag or not. Salt is highly corrosive, so make sure you properly wash your gear in warm soapy water after use and dry everything thoroughly when done and you'll get decades of use out of even a not so expensive reel. I use mostly Ross reels in the surf, but I have an older Sci Angler Mastery series in 10 weight that is still going strong because I take care of it.
