RE: Quality Fly Reel on a Budget
2008/10/04 22:40:35
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In the reels you're looking at, I don't think you can make a bad choice. But one thing to pay attention to -- weight.
Although the standard arbor reel has been replaced by the mid-arbor -- and, to some extent, the large arbor reel -- the standard arbor reel is a much lighter design and can be converted to mid-arbor status by the size of reel you buy and winding on some backing. Even on my 6'11" #4 rod, my reel is still a standard arbor with about a 3.25" diameter. So the catalog would prolly say it's for #5-6 lines, but it balances perfectly on my shorter, lighter rod.
OTOH, depending on the rod, your outfit might balance better with a larger arbor reel. A 9' rod tends to get nose heavy with a light reel which makes me throw hook casts (curve left). Maybe others don't have the same trouble.
Anyhoo, check the weight in the brochure. Don't just bounce it in your hand. Strap it on the rod. The clerk shouldn't mind because -- muy importante -- some reel seats don't secure well in some rod grips. And no one can tell you what's what. You have to try it.
With reel and line in place, your outfit should balance at the grip. I get debate on this at times, but I really don't like an outfit in which the rod tip is constantly nosing down like it's a willow fork looking for water.