Thoughts on Budget Reels?

Lamson are great reels I own several and a couple of them are the konic.  Lamson is now my go to reel!

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/s~lamson/?perPage=96

With all these recommendations I bet even I can find a new reel - or a gently used reel (shopping CL is still in the race).  Thanks!

Now I'm going to ask a blasphemous question: I'm not in the market for one (this year), but what does one get with a $400 or $500 or even more expensive, reel than with a low-to-medium-priced reel?

Are they significantly lighter?  Do they have better drag systems?  Are they wonderful to look at?

I haven't had a chance to see a truly expensive fly reel and am as curious as can be.

I'm still shopping and if there are more suggestions and recommendations, bring 'em on!

you can look here for some great ideas on what 4-500  can buy..

http://www.bearsden.com/page5.html

I have 2 of the Valentines, 1 PL-9 and 1 PL-11... and love them to death. Hand made in Massivetwochits  by a father/son team.

I have 2 of the Valentines, 1 PL-9 and 1 PL-11... and love them to death. Hand made in Massivetwochits  by a father/son team.

And I don't blame you for liking them so much.

But here's my question in a nutshell - and I am not picking on Islander Reels by any stretch - the Islander LX Series in 4/5 weight goes for about $550.  It weighs in at 5.7 ounces.  The Allen Kraken in 5/6 weight goes for about $200 and weighs in at 5.5 ounces.

I don't understand the reason one costs $350 more than the other, and I'm not being a butt about it.  It'll be my Stupid Question of the Week, February 18 - 24 Edition.

Both are machined T-6061, both have excellent warranties, both are good-looking.  The less costly Allen weighs less.  Is there a quality difference I can't read about but only recognize if I'm holding each in my hands?

Always wonder that myself... and never having handled either of them, I really cant answer you honestly. Hoping others who do have insight pipe up here.

You mentioned being a sucker for reels with holes. Did you look at the Galvans ( Made in California by a family owned business) and the Bauers ?

Always wonder that myself... and never having handled either of them, I really cant answer you honestly. Hoping others who do have insight pipe up here.

You mentioned being a sucker for reels with holes. Did you look at the Galvans ( Made in California by a family owned business) and the Bauers ?

Sorry!  I wasn't directing my question about those reels directly to you; I was just tossing it out to anyone who had an opinion, and I see (now) where I didn't do that as well as I might have.

I'll look up the Galvans,  I've held a Bauer.

- Kevin

A lot of the price is in the name. Get what you can afford, there are a lot of good reels for under a 100 dollars. Pretty much anything under 5lbs. your not going to use the reel any way just strip the fish in. Now if you get into the saltwater you'll want one that is saltwater resistant and has a good drag. Trust me it sucks trying to stop a run away fish headed to china and the only drag is your palm palming the reel. The $600 -$1500 reels are nice and yes they will stop a fully loaded freight train on a dime but since  I will never will be fishing for them so it doesn't matter. Then there is the matter of dropping it and banging it around. Just remember the reel is there to hold the line only.

Let me make this very simple for you:
Since you are just getting into the fly world, On a 5 wt rod you will not be playing big fish off the reel- get a cheep reel, and get on the water.

Dont worry about what others say get use to what you like and what you dont and move one.
The Okuma sierra will more than do. Enjoy the reel, and slow the casting down to avoid wind knots. If you are ever in olympia let me know and I'd be happy to give a hand.
Ben

A lot of the price is in the name. Get what you can afford, there are a lot of good reels for under a 100 dollars. Pretty much anything under 5lbs. your not going to use the reel any way just strip the fish in. Now if you get into the saltwater you'll want one that is saltwater resistant and has a good drag. Trust me it sucks trying to stop a run away fish headed to china and the only drag is your palm palming the reel. The $600 -$1500 reels are nice and yes they will stop a fully loaded freight train on a dime but since  I will never will be fishing for them so it doesn't matter. Then there is the matter of dropping it and banging it around. Just remember the reel is there to hold the line only.

Thank you.  I'd noticed that when you pay more for a reel they do look prettier, but I hadn't thought about some internal components, like the drag system, being better engineered.

I was only looking at reels for little fishes and hadn't taken into consideration that some of those very (very) high priced reels are also used by folks who want to go after an IFGA record for the largest fish caught on the lightest tackle.

I appreciate it.  Thanks.

Let me make this very simple for you:
Since you are just getting into the fly world, On a 5 wt rod you will not be playing big fish off the reel- get a cheep reel, and get on the water.

Dont worry about what others say get use to what you like and what you dont and move one.
The Okuma sierra will more than do. Enjoy the reel, and slow the casting down to avoid wind knots. If you are ever in olympia let me know and I'd be happy to give a hand.
Ben

Aw, Ben, it was my Stupid Question of the Week.  Even if I were to take the Powerball three weeks in a row, I'd still find a better use for a thousand bucks than spending it on a fly reel.   

I'm both past my beginner stage and still beginning.  I haven't travelled out from the coastal streams I like so much, so I'm not experienced, but I can be hell on rainbows and cutthroat in my home waters.  I'm not looking for fancy, but I am starting my first steps to better gear - and by "better" I only mean a reel with a bit better fit and finish than what I already own.

I'm headed up to Coos Bay later today and Bi-Mart stocks both the Sierra and the SLV, so I'll have a chance to play around with them.

What I've taken away from the excellent suggestions I've received is that:

(a) I shouldn't rule out a bigger reel that I could later move onto a heavier weight rod because, heck, what's a bit more backing? (This is my favorite);

(b) very good and very capable reels, both new and used, can be found in the budget price range; and

(c) you have all done your best to keep me focused on appropriate reels for my commitment level and for what I'll be doing, and I'm not feeling tempted to blow through my budget.

Thank you.

It'll be a week or so before I head inland to the fly shops and sporting goods stores, and if there are more thoughts and suggestions, I'm still listening.  If I pick up an Okuma while I'm in Coos Bay, I'll let you know.

Always wonder that myself... and never having handled either of them, I really cant answer you honestly. Hoping others who do have insight pipe up here.

You mentioned being a sucker for reels with holes. Did you look at the Galvans ( Made in California by a family owned business) and the Bauers ?

Sorry!  I wasn't directing my question about those reels directly to you; I was just tossing it out to anyone who had an opinion, and I see (now) where I didn't do that as well as I might have.

I'll look up the Galvans,  I've held a Bauer.

- Kevin

No worries. Buy what you can afford and make it work . High end stuff comes later
 

I agree with you and with Ben: high end comes when I NEED it, and that's much later (if ever).

 

but what does one get with a $400 or $500 or even more expensive, reel than with a low-to-medium-priced reel?

IMHO the only thing you get is a smaller wallet. The basics for me are 1) Will it hold the line I want to use? 2) Does it match well with the rod I want to use, including considering the balance and weight while casting. If I need more drag, I can put my hand or finger on the spool to slow the fish down. 2cents

IMHO the only thing you get is a smaller wallet. The basics for me are 1) Will it hold the line I want to use? 2) Does it match well with the rod I want to use, including considering the balance and weight while casting. If I need more drag, I can put my hand or finger on the spool to slow the fish down. 2cents

    Good one!  And worth more than two pennies, I think.  Thanks.

Again the Lamson is an Idaho based company and you can get into the Konic under a $100 from the website I showed you on sale you will not be disappointed!