Abel Super 8 or 3N

[Count]

Anybody use these reels? Which do you like better? I'm looking for something to load up with a 9wt line and use for bonefishing.

Thanks for your help.

Count

[albacized]

Anybody use these reels? Which do you like better? I'm looking for something to load up with a 9wt line and use for bonefishing.

Thanks for your help.

Count

Mechanically, they are both built the same (same drag, etc). The choice is really a preference in the ol' large arbor vs standard arbor argument. But in the end, you'll be getting the same reliability. My lone Abel is the non-ported big game two and I'm not sorry I got it.

[Smcdermott]

I have a super 8 with an extra 3N spool. The Super 8 will hold a 9wt with about 250yds of 50lb gel. I personally think the 3N arbor is too small for bones or other fast fish. The Super 11 reel also matches up well with a 9wt rod and provides a really big arbor but may be a little big if you are going to use it with 8wt or smaller.

Sean

[canalyaker]

Abel also offers a Super 9 spool that will go on the same housing (4N) as the Super 11. The Super 9 spool would be my choice and you could use standard backing rather than Gelspun and add a Super 11 spool later for larger species.

[Marshrunner]

I have used all of the Abels mentioned for bonefishing and would match the 9 wt to an Abel Big Game 3. The Big Game 3N is on the small side for the 9wt with 210 yards of backing capacity. And the Super 8 with its larger arbor only gives you capacity for about 190 yards of conventional 20# backing + fly line. A Big Game 3 is the same dia and width as the Super 8 but with a small arbor giving you room for about 300 yards of 30# or even more 20#. If you get the ported model its about as light as the Super 8.

Email me if you want to discuss further.

Dick B

[masssalt]

I like the Super 8 for 9-weight lines.

Has anybody ever given up 200 yards of backing to a bonefish?

[uncle4]

Hi there. I like SMcdermott's plan (probably because
that's what I've done, too!) <hehehe> Get the
Super 8, and an extra 3N spool. When walking the
flats, I usually have the Super 8 and the large arbor spool.
These days I'm using the 3N spool, because yes, I've come
close to being spooled a couple times this week (some
pretty big bonefish around now). There're also shots
at sharks, and a 20# lemon (or 50# black tip/spinner)
_will_ take a lot of backing.

Once the spring (and reportedly smaller) bonefish move
in, I'll probably go back to the ported Super 8 spool.

Bottom line: While pricey, this combo will fish a TON
of different species requiring only a change of spools
(and not reels, lines, rods, yada, yada, yada).

Lettuce no....

Post Pix....

Uncle 4

[Al D'Addario]

I bought my 3n ported when Abel changed the style. I got a good deal on it. I always bring a back-up reel on my bonefishing trips but never need it. I think it's the perfect bonefish reel. When striper season comes I take off the floating 8 wt and put on the intermediate 10 wt.

I can't think a better reel for versatility, reliability and pride of ownership.

Al D'Addario
Wakefield, MA.

[Marshrunner]

"Hi there. I like SMcdermott's plan (probably because
that's what I've done, too!) <hehehe> Get the
Super 8, and an extra 3N spool."

Uncle 4


Sean and Uncle 4,
Have you guys figured out a way to use the Able 3N on the Super 8 frame. I regularly switch the std Super 8 spool (large arbor) and the std Big Game 3 spool (small arbor) on the Super 8 frame because they are all the same diameter (3.90") and the same spool width (1.125"). But the Abel Big Game 3N spool is only 3.75" dia and .7" wide, so it not only has less capacity but would seem to be a less than satisfactory fit. Just curious if I am missing something?

Massalt,
Yes, on a fish I will never forget.

Dick

[Smcdermott]

"Hi there. I like SMcdermott's plan (probably because
that's what I've done, too!) <hehehe> Get the
Super 8, and an extra 3N spool."

Uncle 4


Sean and Uncle 4,
Have you guys figured out a way to use the Able 3N on the Super 8 frame. I regularly switch the std Super 8 spool (large arbor) and the std Big Game 3 spool (small arbor) on the Super 8 frame because they are all the same diameter (3.90") and the same spool width (1.125"). But the Abel Big Game 3N spool is only 3.75" dia and .7" wide, so it not only has less capacity but would seem to be a less than satisfactory fit. Just curious if I am missing something?

Massalt,
Yes, on a fish I will never forget.

Dick

Dick,

Good catch. I just assumed when the question was posed that those were the interchangable models. I now realize I have a BG 3 spool. I don't think you are missing anything.

Sean

[yakbass]

Get an Abel Super 11. I have/had both the 3N and the Super 8s, and went with the Super 11 for my 9 wt. Best combination of line pick-up speed and spool width.

Another great pick would be the Charlton 8500ss 1.2, sadly out of production.


Mike