This has got be old, BUT::: which reel??

[misccotty]

I know these topics get hashed out time and again in places like this, but I am really trying to figure out which direction to go here.

I need a new reel to match with a dandy new 9-WT that I got for a variety of uses on the Florida east coast. It has to stand up to some hard running fish.

Here is what I am looking at:

Ross CLA

Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor

Teton 9-11

The common thread here is a large arbor reel for under 250.

Guys and gals, thanks a lot for your help!!

[Onshore]

Check out the archives here. You will find, hands down that the most recommended large or standard arbor SW reel is either the Tibor or the Abel. Bite the bullett. Even a used Tibor or Abel is far ahead of any that you list for SW use. You won't go wrong.

I learned the hard way but now fish an Tibor Everglades, a Tibor Rip Tide and a Billy Pate Bonefish. The latter is made by Ted Juracik, as are the Tibors.

[maineguideman]

I have a couple of Redington 9/10 Ti CDL's Im using on my light weight gear 8wt 9wt For the money they are good / excellent I have a 7/8 size for steelhead also excellent. $$$$ is going to dictate what you get, check Ebay for a deal on an Islander AR2 They are hard to beat I have one and it is 13 years old and still looks new. Ross is good possible drag issues Tibor is the industry standard for perfection. Nautilus are also good Lots of people swear by Teton tioga
Orvis blows

[uno]

I have both Tibor and Abel and both are great, but I also have a couple of Penn Internationals that I picked up on Ebay for under $200.00 and both are in like new shape. I have used the Penns for Steelheads, Redfish, and Bonefish and the perform great. The down side of the Penns are that they are on the heavier side and Penn does not make them anymore.

[gseries69]

I agree with the above post...bite the bullet best you can. You basically have two option in the reel market. Closed drag system or cork disk. I prefer the cork disc as they are usually easier to maintain and bullet proof. I have gotten my leader caught in my closed drag systems and was unable to do anything about it until I got it home and sent it back to the manufacturer. If I had been on a trip out of country or didn't bring a spare reel I would have been in trouble. Tibor, Abel , and Islander all offer disk drag systems. I'd check e-bay but also warn that Islander does not continue to make spools for discontinued models. I have two LA models and can't find spare spools any where...my only complaint about the company.

[misccotty]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I have recently converted from light spinning tackle to predominantly fly fishing....basically I got a cheap fly rod and I just can't put it down in favor of my old stuff. Now I'm ready for something a little better.

But as someone who is relatively new to the game.....I just don't understand why it is so unreasonable to expect a fly reel to work as well as a spinning reel for comparable prices!! I know there are some design contstraints that spinning tackle doesn't have.....but I can get a spinning reel for less than 100 bucks that may not be the smoothest beast out there, BUT it will last my lifetime if cared for and it's drag will take anything a fish can give it...if cared for.

I have no doubt that the Tibors and Abels are beautiful examples of engineering and craftsmanship. But I just refuse to spend that much (new or used) on pure principle....and until I am educated otherwise, it's my impression that these prices are what they are because the demographic of the sport, not because of the value of the item.

That said, I can tell you guys are probably right about this.....