saltwater fly reel recs

[mountainstate]

Ive been flats fishing for a couple years and need to find a new reel in the 8-9wt range. I had to fall back on my ross rhythm 6wt last year after my XSS finally gave out. Im headed back down to the Bahamas in a couple months and need to gear up. Still a little green when shopping for saltwater fly gear so any recs would be appreciated. Bones, jacks, permit, small tarpon, mutton snapper are my primary targets.

-RT

[Onshore]

I would recommend either a Tibor Rip Tide or Gulf Stream or one of the large Abels. Smooth drags that hold up year after year. I've been fishing both of the above Tibors for 7 and 8 years, respectively with absolutely no problems. They have taken Stripers to 44 lbs., Tarpon, Jacks, Redfish and a couple pretty big sharks. They have both been sent back to Tibor for cleaning about every two years with nary a problem. My third choice would be a Billy Pate.

[Strat]

I would second the vote for Tibor. The Everglades is what I use for 8/9 rods but the the Riptide might be a better all-purpose size if you're only going to have one premium reel.

Also a fan of the Bauer M5 superlite if you don't want to break the bank. Very light and smooth drag but will not 'stop a sub' (which you don't really need on a 9wt reel anyhow).

You should probably be looking at a little more than a 9wt setup for tarpon.

[Only On A Fly]

Take a good look @ Nautilus. They are awesome. Excellent customer service.

[loon]

What price range do you have in mind?

[Doug Jowett]

Cortland Precision XC #4 will surprise you - short money too.

[Captned]

Been happy with my Ebay bought Ross Canyon BG-4.....

Captned

[bonefishwhisper]

let me put a fly in the ointment and start trouble...drags are over rated and you dont need a truck stopping drag no matter what anybody tells you...the highest tippet you will ever use is under 20lb...you can break it with your bare hands...why would you need to put anything other than palming to stop the fish? I say this because I gave up entirely on drags many yrs ago...my reels dont even have a clicker...I can catch anything that swims...with this being said I recommend Danielsson Reels...they have several models with drags but also the Original model WITHOUT the drag...now your talking...cheap too...they are the original large arbour reel and its the only reel I use from 4wt thru 10wt...ok let the attacks begin