New Reel to Partner B&W Norway

[robmason]

Someone has been kind to me this christmas, no not santa- the taxman!

Thought I deserved a treat and would buy myself a few presents. Question is what reel should I get to partner a new Norway?

Pricewise, I would not want to spend as much on the reel as the rod. As a lifelong Magnum fan I've never before been tempted by the new flashy stuff (brief liason with a viscount la excepted) and would value some suggestions.

Happy New Year

Rob

[betanut]

Rob - Happy New Year to you - what sort of line and quantity of backing do you envisage requiring? A ballpark figure for budget would be useful as you know it's a huge market and I'd like any suggestion I make to be a good one

[betanut]

springer said:

Rob,

Ive had one of these for about 4yrs now, good solid reel with a decent drag. I dont use them for lines longer than 65' head length otherwise theres not much room for backing but will hold IG 65' and Snowbee's etc all day long.

At that price Ive just bought another for spare

www.johnnorris.co.uk/system/shopassistant.htm

Alan - hope the drams are helping in a swift recovery? The John Norris link always takes you to the assistant page and not to a particular product I've tried to use it myself......

[Sloggi]

System II if you can get hold of one - the best value reel of all time...

[betanut]

They don't come much cheaper or robust than that - the Lochmor is a good all rounder especially at that price!

[robmason]

I was thinking of pushing the boat out a little. £100-£150 possibly. What about the vision GT? On offer at Sportfish at the moment.

I'll probably be putting a multi-tip line on it and enough backing to cop with that huge Lochy springer.

[betanut]

robmason said:

I'll probably be putting a multi-tip line on it and enough backing to cope with that huge Lochy springer.

If the budget's up to £150 then I'd seriously consider this Snowbee XS (in black and the 11/12 wt) www.sportfish.co.uk/product/33547/Snowbee_XS_Large_Arbor_ReelSpool.html I have the Snowbee XS reels myself (for single handed use) and I swear by them - brilliant and, at this price, pretty much as good as you'll get IMHO

[altmor]

Would even be tempted to go for the Scierra XDA 9/11. I've had one for years and find it absolutely fine though some folk do say it's prone to over-run when pulling off to cast. Can't say that's ever bothered me, and with the change, if your budget's c.£150.00, you'd have well enough left over for a good line, and depending where you buy from, the backing and reel pouch too !!

[speycaster]

i have the snowbee xs [the 11/12 ] a great reel, great dragnice and smooth ,and light at about £160 a very good reel ;D

[speycaster]

comes with a,pouch and the spare spool sales at £57.00. ps backed by a brilliant after sales as well xs

[jimthefish]

betanut said:

If the budget's up to £150 then I'd seriously consider this (in black and the 11/12 wt) www.sportfish.co.uk/product/33547/Snowbee_XS_Large_Arbor_ReelSpool.html I have the Snowbee XS reels myself (for single handed use) and I swear by them - brilliant and, at this price, pretty much as good as you'll get IMHO

Agreed. I used the 11/12 version for Giant Trevally in the Seychelles last month and it performed admirably in what must be the ultimate test for any flyreel.
During that trip an American had his Tibor Gulfstream fail so it goes to show that the fancy priced reels are not always the best.

[jimthefish]

speycaster said:

i have the snowbee xs [the 11/12 ] a great reel, great dragnice and smooth ,and light at about £160 a very good reel ;D

Sportsfish have the reel in their sale at £122-50 and the spare spool at £38-50. A bargain I would say.

[robmason]

Thanks for the tips, but the Snowbee and Scierra reels don't do it for me looks-wise. I prefer a more traditional looking reel I think. Do I need a drag that will stop a Giant Trevally? What ever that is

[robmason]

Inclined to agree with you Alan, I don't have much trouble parting with cash for rods, but reels just hold the line. I think I might take a closer look at the vision GT though.

[jimthefish]

robmason said:

Do I need a drag that will stop a Giant Trevally? What ever that is

You're missing the point. If a reel will cope with a GT then it will cope well with the biggest salmon you are ever likely to hook. I see from your later post that you think reels are just for holding line..... best of luck then if you ever hook a large active salmon in a big river.

Picture of GT attached.

[robmason]

With respect, I have not missed the point. Salmon fishing in the UK is quite literally oceans apart. My largest salmon to date may be a modest 14lbs, but hooked and played in the fast water of the river Findhorn, I can assure you the drag setting had plenty to spare. On that basis I'm happy to deny myself the best drag I can buy and factor in other aspects such as how practical the reel is, the aesthetics, will it fit the rod, and of course how much line and backing it will hold, but then again, do I really need 350 yds gelspun "just in case".

[jimthefish]

robmason said:

Salmon fishing in the UK is quite literally oceans apart. My largest salmon to date may be a modest 14lbs, but hooked and played in the fast water of the river Findhorn, I can assure you the drag setting had plenty to spare.

Whatever lights your candle and if the biggest river you will fish will be the size of the Findhorn then you may never see your backing.
If you intend having a go on one of the middle/lower beats of one of the big four in Scotland sometime in the future however you may find it a different proposition playing a big active fish with 2 or 3 feet running on the guage.

[robmason]

I didn't say it was the biggest river I'd fished, just the river I'd caught my biggest fish on.

"The Big Four". Thanks Jim for all the tips, but as you might say, been there, got the tee shirt. Haven't yet needed train stopping drag.

[robmason]

salmosalar.proboards80.com/index.cgi?board=tackleroom&action=display&thread=1164747577

A very recent thread has helped to make my mind up. Thanks to all.

[robmason]

Thats well put Alan, cheers.