I'm looking for a high end reel, folks. I'd appreciate your comments on the topic. No real rush to buy, but since it will not be cheap I want to make the right choice.
I've been very happy with the hard working Lamson LP machined disc drag reels for years. I've been so satisfied with them that I haven't purchased a reel in years. Coming at ~$200-250, they are a great value... but now I am ready for an heirloom reel.
Let's see... it can't be a Spey sized reel but it has to be big enough to use on a Spey rod in a pinch. 4" class is good. Might as well be large / wide or ultra large arbor, but that can be waived for the right reel. Disc drag... I like the Hardy click system but this things gotta be able to tame inshore tuna, blues, big stripers, steelhead, kings, ocean coho, bonefish, baby tarpon, who knows what else. Room for 9wt or 10wt line and 200 yards of 30# dacron minimum. Of course, machined bar stock. Light weight - although I love the Islander it's a little heavy for my tastes. I could live with that but I need to be able to swap spools easily with zero loose parts during the transition. Aesthetics are important too, I want to look at it and say to myself... "I finally got you after all these years!".
Any ideas?
I've been very happy with the hard working Lamson LP machined disc drag reels for years. I've been so satisfied with them that I haven't purchased a reel in years. Coming at ~$200-250, they are a great value... but now I am ready for an heirloom reel.
Let's see... it can't be a Spey sized reel but it has to be big enough to use on a Spey rod in a pinch. 4" class is good. Might as well be large / wide or ultra large arbor, but that can be waived for the right reel. Disc drag... I like the Hardy click system but this things gotta be able to tame inshore tuna, blues, big stripers, steelhead, kings, ocean coho, bonefish, baby tarpon, who knows what else. Room for 9wt or 10wt line and 200 yards of 30# dacron minimum. Of course, machined bar stock. Light weight - although I love the Islander it's a little heavy for my tastes. I could live with that but I need to be able to swap spools easily with zero loose parts during the transition. Aesthetics are important too, I want to look at it and say to myself... "I finally got you after all these years!".
Any ideas?