[baldmountain]

I knew you there was a catch - so you are a rod glut

Yeah, I am.

I got laid off in the fall and took a nasty pay cut so I can't afford much in the way of rods now. (I had to scramble to pay for the bamboo.) On the other hand I'm enjoying my job now.

 

[Spock]

Waterworks and Ross are tough to beat. i use them every year from maine to mexico and have had no problems with them at all. Besides its hard to beat Ross in the service dept, after the trip just send it back to them and they will inspected it and clean it for free. No worries

 

[fullflex6425]

who here has really fished in the salt?

 

[salmo]

gimmefish,

The good solution for you would be Danielsson ( Feather Weight) 5-7 for $235. This reel weights as about the same as Evolution 3.5, has similar size and capacity, but most important !!!, like all Danielsson Reels, has fully sealed, extreamlly extremely reliable drag system.
I use one on my Winston BIIX wt.7 , 9’6” for large Rainbows in SW Alaska when fishing in wind with mouse patter or sink tips. The set-up will also very good for silvers.

The reel is salt proof and the grag is smooth like a butter. At max set up the drag has similar stopping power ( if you would like to use it in salt water) to the LWs.
One more notice, FW reels have no clicker.


http://www.danielsson-flyreels.se/us/prod_fw.php

Salmo

 

[juro]

who here has really fished in the salt?

What that a trick question?

A significant percentage of the membership here has extensively fished the salt from the north pacific coho to the tropics to the northeast stripers to down under etc. In fact the membership of this site has a higher saltwater FF population than most 100% flyfishing websites on the web which are often much stronger in trout (as is the general market) or really gear / bait sites disguised as flyfishing sites. It is also well represented by spey casters and river anglers for salmon and steelhead as well (although speypages.com is the web's top site for Spey).

Innovators in two-handed saltwater flyfishing visit here often. People on this site have been direct contributors to development of new rods and lines expressly suited to saltwater flyfishing. We have organized sorties' into remote islands in the tropics where fresh water is a commodity and we're just scratching the surface. So I think many people here really know about the products that can pass muster in the salt, and those that can not - especially those who fish for stripers in the northeast as that becomes about all the fishing they do (it's so much more exciting than the trout fishing if you live near the coast). There are almost 46,000 posts in the saltwater section of this board.

Why do you ask?

 

[FishHawk]

You can purchase the graphite lube along with the reel and reapply to the cork when necessary. Depending on how much use the reel gets, you can reapply every year or after three to four years. Some guys even reapply after each trip but it is generally not necessary. You can tell by looking at the cork to see if it looks dried out.
This is what Tibor recommends on maintaining the cork drag. They also said not to use Neet's Foot oil as it tends to dry out the cork. The spool changing problem has been solved with the QC model.
This was part of my research in buying a reel . FishHawk.

 

[Swalt]

I have been looking at reels in a similar price range and I have about decided on new the Sage 2580D. Its very light weigt and highly corressive resistant. Holds plenty of line for bonfish. I know of tests at Cape Lookout where it was used for Flase Albies and the drag took it even when tightened way down. Sells at $370. Plan to use it for those long walks on the flats with a 7wt. They also make a 6/7 for a bit less but I like more line for bonefish.

 

[salmo]

What would be advantage of $ 374 Sage over
Danielsson LW 6-9 ( $ 295) or Danielsson FW5-8 ( $ 235), both reels have super smooth and reliable sealed drag system?

Salmo

 

[Adrian]

It always amazes me that there more expensive traditional cork drag models require the least maintenance. My Billy Pate marlin is about 12 years old and has had plenty of abuse. It still comes out of its pouch and "purrs". :smokin:

It seems that the more expensive the reel, the less complicated the drag and, hence, ease of maintenance.

I wonder why that would be? Lower manufacturing cost to install a sealed unit vs sticking a piece of cork (or suitable substitute) to the frame?

 

[Wee Hooker]

Find a used Cimmeron and never look back. Indestructable reels with bulletproof drags. Got 7 of em?

 

[salmo]

" wonder why that would be? Lower manufacturing cost to install a sealed unit vs sticking a piece of cork (or suitable substitute) to the frame? "

Seems to me that you don't know what are you talking about

Before Danielsson split with Loop HD reels cost around $700.
Tibor reels for example are offer to shops and guides ( trust me…..) at 40 -45% discount.


Since Danielsson sells its reel directly ( no Loop middle man ) we can all buy for what fly shops or guides used to pay.

The drag system is sealed and based on multiple carbon and steel discs ( similar material used in formula 1 cars).
Look at HD, FW or LW disck and you will know what I am talking about!
No hydroplaning effect.



http://www.danielsson-flyreels.se/us/bromsteknik.php

see pictures

The drag works smoothly in all situations, regardless of high or low temperature, without changing brake torque.
To design a drag that maintains the chosen torque setting, the drag material cannot be flexible. (If the dimension changes with temperature etc., the torque will be changed). Neither can the drag be lubricated, since lubrication introduces inevitable friction changes as temperature, load and rotation speed change. Cork was therefore completely inconceivable.
Our experiments led to a carbon composite, stable up to 2000° C and extremely wear resistant. The advantages of this choice are obvious: the brake torque stays invariable independent of rotation speed and temperature. This decreases the risk of breaking a leader, fatigues the fish faster and gives you better control so you can concentrate on the fish and not on adjusting the drag.

It's impossible to design a good drag system without sealing it. Reels with drag systems that aren’t properly sealed can be used in dry conditions, but when the drag comes in contact with water the friction changes dramatically. Water planing can be the result and with that you lose control of the fish. Since Danielsson reels are completely sealed they still maintain all their functional qualities when wet.

 

[Adrian]

Seems to me that you don't know what are you talking about

You are probably right :roll:

 

[juro]

Salmo -

The traditional high-end "unsealed" cork drag has been a staple of many anglers and Adrian makes a good point - he certainly does know what he is talking about. The drags in Abels, Tibors, Islanders, etc are very reliable if cared for. Combination drags like Bauer, Gilmore, use both traditional cork material and modern synthetics together, which makes them easier to care for.

I am an ultra-satisfied Danielsson reel owner and love the sealed drag, in fact I can't think of many other reels that have a "real" sealed drag despite having owned most (if not all) of the ones who claim it. They turned out to be kinda sorta sealed which doesn't cut it. The LW and HD have ended my search. The aesthetics suit my tastes to a "T".

However the traditional cork drag is a proven system and with care as effective as any system on the market and some people understandably prefer it. I think these reels have proven it's possible to make a good drag without sealing it, the difference is the amount of care each requires.

.02

 

[BigDave]

It's impossible to design a good drag system without sealing it..

Salmo since you're such an expert maybe you can explain why Tibor and Abel, with their non-sealed designs hold more IFGA records that all other reel companies combined. Also I am also curious why they are the top choice of big game anglers worldwide and considered the benchmark of quality and craftsmanship? Why do people still buy them, considering they use a draw-bar design that hasn't changed in nearly 30 years?

Maybe they need to use more parts from formula 1 cars to catch your interest

Let's see how your forumula 1 drag design stacks up to this track record in 25 years...if they are still around :razz:

 

[juro]

Conversely, I have no doubt that the drag designs on the Evotecs could have set these same records. Danielsson reels have passed the test of time and performance over the years and are a much evolved reel.

Reputation has driven your more traditional designs for decades and word of mouth is probably one reason why you chose them too. Hard-earned reputation indeed, but evolution is inevitable.

I know firsthand how much time owners put into care of these traditional designs verses what my newer reels require. Cork is nice but over the course of the reel's lifetime more work than I feel is necessary especially when options like the Evotec drag are available at half the price. When factoring in the maintenance, price - just not my everyday choice.

However I want to get some real classics for my collection and I don't care how much care they take. Maybe a Bogdan someday.

 

[striblue]

I may be wrong but I thought that all sealed drags are mesured by the Charleton Reels

 

[BigDave]

All good points and don't get me wrong - I like the design of the Daneilsson and it looks like a good value for most inshore applications.

Frankly I thought Tibor reels were over-priced until I had the opportunity to use them on big fast-running pelagics. This is where they shine. My purchase was based on first-hand experience, not reputation or stuff I read on the web.

Not sure what maintenance you are referring to. You only need to back off the drag, give the handle a spin under running tap water and let it dry. Mine looks/works like brand new despite taking a beating on big fish, dunks in the salt and drops in the boat.

Regarding Adrian's post about price/durability/maintence: IMHO this is a proven combination of few moving parts that are very high quality, overbuilt, and hand-assembled in the USA.

I don't mean to start a pissing match about who has the better reel, but to claim that exposed draw-bar cork drags are inferior is ridiculous :smokin:

 

[juro]

Sorry bro, not meaning to cause a pissing match either just trying to bring some balance to the discussion / pros cons.

You have to back off the drag? :lildevl:

 

[BigDave]

Hopefully we can do a side-by-side comparison on legal flats bass in a month or so :devil:

That way everybody wins...

 

[curtisbroughton]

still looking for a versitile reel?

If you haven't found quite what you are lloking for, you might want to check out the Islander reel company. they are located in victoria bc in canada. They have been around for quite a while now and manufacture top notch reels. Single action is their game. I know a few outfitters on the west coast that use them exclusively for their depndability and toughness. It will be worth your while to check them out.