Redington Reels

[Adam-Albino]

Has anyone seen those new Redington machined reels (not the Ari T'Hart's)? Real short $ it seems for such large reels. 13/14 wt (5"dia) reel for around 200.00. Whats the catch?
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[backman]

<FONT color=black face=Verdana,Geneva size=2>looking to buy the exact same reel myself.&nbsp; hard to resist for a two fish/year (if I'm lucky) reel..</FONT>

[Adam-Albino]

Larry - I just bought a Fin-Nor FR-12 for the 15wt.... 500 yards of spectra - Thinking that the Redington might even be a tad better in backing - at about the same price (E-Bay). I'll check 'em out at the show.

Another reel to look at - if you can find 'em - is the Elite Reels "Yellow-Fin". They are a far east made reel - designed by some west coast tuna guy. Short money, and look to be made well - but can't really say.
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[josko]

Two questions/tests for aspiring tuna reels:

1. How big a weight can you hang off the line on a full spool before the drag slips? 10 lbs=great 5 lbs=lousy

2. Once the weight starts to move, does it slide down slowly and smoothly or does it plummet? I.e. what's the stick/slop friction ratio? This is where cork drags shine and steel disk/rubber pad reels falter.

If the reel'll hold a 10 lb weight, and then let it creep down slowly as you release the drag, I'll buy it! There are very few reels I've found that can do the above. That would mean you can meaningfully fish the reel with a 30# tippet.

My guess is the redington reel wouldn't do all that well here. They've put the money into machining and looks, and I have to wonder about drag quality, particularly since they don't even mention it on the web page.

Can't make the show - tomorrow's Marco's 8th birthday, but I'd be curious if someone can try the 10 lb test on a bunch of big reels for me. Anyone?

[Adam-Albino]

Very good point. I know my Fin Nor is exceptionally smooth. Done the same thing by turning the reel upside down and letting it slip as slow as possable - smooth... Not the 10lbs test but it will show any jumps, or warp to the drag plate.
If I see the redington at the show, I'll tie a bag of sand to one... :-);
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[Roop]

I spent quite some time discussing the drag system with the Redington rep's. Being a fan of simplicity I was a little concerned with the system; the spindle is a completetely enclosed system of bearings(?) and discs/ pads. The spool has a one way bearing, more like prefered direction, that needs to be switched for left or right hand retrieve. Tools for switching from right to left and spare parts are included.

Mechanical inaptitude aside, I think the weight, cost factor and warrantee make it the reel I'll buy for my 8 wt.

Roop

[Adam-Albino]

I agree. I was a little concerned with the small size of the disc pads (approx. 1") especially in the 13/14-weight size The one I was most interested in). The Redington guy's swear up and down it will handle anything were likely to hook into.
Several of us will be owners shortly - I do need another 11/12 reel for the new 12wt :-);

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[BobD]

I spoke with the boss yesterday while I was putting the shop back together. I mentioned the concerns and testing method Josko had brought up. He told me to go ahead and spool one and perform the tests. I not going to do this on a bunch of reels, but will try the 10lb test on the new Redingtons. Both large arbor and standard 13/14 weight.

I'll let you know the results once I've finished. Although I may not get to the testing until this weekend.

Bob D<BR><img src="http://www.watersedge-charters.com/nebaylogo.gif">

[JoanieB]

Any update on that test for drag on Redington Reel

[BobD]

Between inventory, the Marlboro and Worcestor shows I have not had the time to perform the test. I have the boss's permission to pull the reel out of stock and spool it up and I have been searching the shop for something that weights 10 lbs so far all I can find is a bag of shot which weights 25lbs. We do have some large lead sinkers which I could probably use. If things settle down a little this week I try and get it done.


Bob D<BR><img src="http://www.watersedge-charters.com/nebaylogo.gif">