Best Spey reel?
- This topic has 22 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated Feb 28, 2010 at 6:25 am by
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Hey all,
So i’m looking to buy a new reel for my 7 weight sage flight 9′ rod that I can also use on a Dec Hogen 13′ 7 weight spey rod. I just thought that I would see what opinions are out there?
I have about 280-300 to spend on the reel and I will be buying an extra spool to put a sinking line on and I will be putting a spey multitip line on the other spool. I don’t really think that you can really go wrong on a reel in that range but I would still like to know what everyone thinks?
Thanks a lot!
Zach ;DFor the money, the Battenkill Mid-Arbor V is an awesome reel for heavy freshwater and light spey use.
David,
I was considering the CLA-4 since it will be a 7 weight spey line. I know some other people that have suggested that real as well, so that reel is highest on my list. But I would love to hear more opinions!
Tyler,
thanks for the info, really seems like a great reel. I’m really leaning towards the CLA4 at this point I thnkA 7 weight ‘spey’ line is going to require a reel with much more capacity than a 7 weigh single handed line.
Thanks for all the info everyone! I will be checking out all the reels that you guys are talking about in the shop sometime this week. I’m glad that you guys are talking about size of reel and capacity of backing because I will need some serious backing with the line.
I plan on using the Rio Skagit multi tip line on the reel that I buy. Seems like all the spey reels are wayyyy out of my price range though. Need to keep saving!
If anything, spey reels usually have LESS drag than other reels of their size. There’s just no need for a 3-inch cork drag plate in a reel meant for salmonids. But a lot of anglers have ended up with Pates or Tibors or Seamasters on their spey rods due to the weight of the rod (requiring a balancing heavy reel) and the capacity requirements. That’s why I quoted you some older models that aren’t as expensive and were mostly designed before everyone got large-arbor crazy (which just eats backing capacity, frankly).
Zach
Mike, I did see that a lot of people use non “Spey” reels on their rods, I was just remarking on how spendy they seem to be. I’ thinking that the Ross CLA 5 or Lightspeed 3.5 or 4 would be good choices, Looks like I will just have to buy another reel for my single handed 7 weight.
Zach, I’ve been checking out the models that you were talking about. Its tough to make a choice though
What do you all think of the Galvin Torque G-10 Large Arbor for a 7 weight spey reel? checked it out today and it seems very very well made. Opinions would be great!
CLA 5 or Lightspeed 4 for a reel would be good for that two-hander. Remember that you are going to be using 30lb. backing so you need a larger capacity reel.
Zach, just checked the weights of the Ross Momentum LT and the Torque are about the same at 8 1/2 ounces. Looks like most of the 9-10 weight reels are between 8-9 1/2 ounces. I’m going to try the Dec Hogan series with different reels on them to see what they feel like. Thanks for the info as always!
Hi Zach,
There are spool weights available for the Torque that help to eliminate the tip heaviness often experienced when using lightweight saltwater oriented reels on two-handers. One of my buddies uses these weights with his Torques and rates them highly.
You might also consider gel-spun backing as a means of using a somewhat smaller reel with your Spey lines. I have serious doubts about the ability to remain connected to a fish with more than 200 yds of backing out in a river.
I think that you can find a reel that will work on both 7wts. It just might look a little big on the single-handed rod. Who cares, it’ll just wind in faster!
Cheers,
Rob
Yeah, its a tough one really, I’m thinking of just buying a switch rod to use with my single handed rod reel. Thinking of just using a switch 5/6 weight and a Ross Vexsis 4 reel, it would hold my 7 weight line on one spool and could handle a 5 weight spey line. I think that would work pretty well for summer run steelhead
Zach
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