Ultimate Reel for Modern Spey Rods

[splash]

What do you think is the ultimate Spey reel to put on and balance a modern double handed carbon fibre 15fter.

My own favourite is a Charlton 8550C ( the ultimate) followed by Ari T Hart "The Tweed" or Ari V. Lamson Litespeed IV and Vosseler S3 are excellent in terms of value

Al the above have sophisticated drag systems , balance modern rods well and have sufficient line capacity for the lines that I used when used with 30lb dacron or 65lb gel-spun
Puhlease no 60lb lead weights from Hardy used to counterbalance 18ft greenheart poles we are talking modern here guys...

Cheers

Splash

[johnny]

My own favourites are Orvis CFO VI & Marquis salmon No.2 simply because I like the way they sing.

[elwyman]

I like my hardy gem reel, but you can't beat the sound of a fish pulling line from a Marquis 2.

[splash]

elwyman said:

I like my hardy gem reel, but you can't beat the sound of a fish pulling line from a Marquis 2.

Personally, I much prefer the zizz from a smooth disc drag to the rather raucous, alert everyone on the beat, noise from a ratchet but its horses for courses I guess. We have a guy who we trout fish with, uses click and pawl drags which are never oiled and everyone for miles knows when he hooks up

[rennie]

elwyman said:

I like my hardy gem reel, but you can't beat the sound of a fish pulling line from a Marquis 2.

Yes you can its the sound of a fish pulling line from my Marquis 3 and I likes my Hardy Angel too.

[johnny]

splash said:

elwyman said:

I like my hardy gem reel, but you can't beat the sound of a fish pulling line from a Marquis 2.

Personally, I much prefer the zizz from a smooth disc drag to the rather raucous, alert everyone on the beat, noise from a ratchet but its horses for courses I guess. We have a guy who we trout fish with, uses click and pawl drags which are never oiled and everyone for miles knows when he hooks up

I normally fish the reel down by my side and in any moderate current when wading the water drowns out the noise of most modern reels (my failing hearing) & the only indication I'm getting a take is watching the colour change of my line move out.
I used 'modern' reels (System2s, Lamson LS4s) for a while but reverted back to my old clickers for take alert and much prefer the clickety-clack when a fish takes.

Each to there own I suppose.

[elwyman]

splash said:

elwyman said:

I like my hardy gem reel, but you can't beat the sound of a fish pulling line from a Marquis 2.

Personally, I much prefer the zizz from a smooth disc drag to the rather raucous, alert everyone on the beat, noise from a ratchet but its horses for courses I guess. We have a guy who we trout fish with, uses click and pawl drags which are never oiled and everyone for miles knows when he hooks up

I use a litespeed for sea trout fishing - it always seems a shame to spoil a peaceful night with lots of noise.

[Sloggi]

Loop Evotec

[hornet]

Hardy Swift

[chasb]

Hardy Bougle or Cascapedia mk1 or mk2

[easky]

Litespeed 4

[JJ]

Hardy Swift every time!

[castlikeaghille]

The question was what is the 'Ultimate' reel on a modern Spey Rod? Well that by almost universal aclaim is one of these:




However, if your reel doesn't also have to cope with Blue Water Sail Fish then I'd say the Hardy Sovereign followed a hair's breadth behind by the Lamson Litespeed

[chasb]

Cant understand why folk like the Evotecs -I've an original Daniellson 6-9 lw which has been in a draw since last time it was used in Canada 5 years ago. Looks Ok but ws a costly mistake.

[splash]

castlikeaghille said:

The question was what is the 'Ultimate' reel on a modern Spey Rod? Well that by almost universal aclaim is one of these:




However, if your reel doesn't also have to cope with Blue Water Sail Fish then I'd say the Hardy Sovereign followed a hair's breadth behind by the Lamson Litespeed

You are obviously selling it on eBay then...

[Sloggi]

chasb said:

Cant understand why folk like the Evotecs -I've an original Daniellson 6-9 lw which has been in a draw since

It's never let me down, drag is good, holds spey lines with plenty of backing and is very well built.

Let's face it, all the reels mentioned are excellent - it's just personal choice.

Wonder which reel is considered the best value - System II?

[albyn73]

My old Daiwa 813w ok its a bit noisy like the Johnny Young's 1500 series, but the fish have never complained!!!!!!!!

[say]

Apologies for going off the thread a little

I considered buying the Hardy Angel 11/12 and Danilesson HD11/14 but decided against the additional spend when I have four System 2 12/13 in full working order.

Personally I have used the System 2 10/11 and 12/13 (all models) for years and they balance my B&W Norway and Powerlite rods well.

Maybe if I moved to the Modern Speyrods then I would have a different view.

[pertempledog]

Say, I too like the System 2 reels but apart from the fact that they did not fit in my reels seats I did start to find them, by comparison with the newer reels available, a) heavier b)slower to start up when a fish was puling c) not so smooth at letting the line out and d) could be criminally erratic when very wet.

I became a fan of Lansoms about three years ago although preferring a mid arbor I do like the Velocity. Low initial inertia, smooth take off, great drag if needed, loves all conditions, light, robust (mine has fallen off the roof of a car at 40 mph and hit tarmac and apart from a scratch is none the worse),and reasonably priced. I happily recommend them to anyone.

CLaG your Able reel is fabulous indeed - only a little pricey!

I worry about how robust Hardy drag systems are at the moment. My own Ultralights did not stand up to too much hard work!

[al44]

This is the one for me, direct drive though, not the anti-reverse. None of the drillings to let all the grit and dirt into the drag. Balances the rod just right and will last into retirement and beyond!

Tarpon and Marlin models are just the job...!

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