I'm looking for a recommendation for a reel that balances well with an 8/9wt with adequate line capacity and a high retrieval rate. Current reels' arbors (Orvis Hydros) just isn't big enough once into the backing.
High Pickup Rate Reels 8wt/9wt
C P K
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I've been in that situation many times in the Glades and can sympathize. I'd stop worrying about "balance" as it doesn't really mean anything and look for the features you want in a reel and match that to your rod. In the video linked below Nat Linville addresses reel weight and balance and it's worth a look. He's fishing a 4.5" 14oz Mako 9550 on his #9's so he's speaking from experience. A few years ago I started weighing and measuring my fly reels and others that I ran across and found that what's reported on manufacturer websites is unreliable to say the least. These days I don't worry about weight very much and I definitely don't worry about "balance." I find the right combination of pickup speed, frame width and reliability and go from there.
Tailer said "These days I don't worry about weight very much and I definitely don't worry about "balance." I find the right combination of pickup speed, frame width and reliability and go from there."
Well you've got that right
Good luck to you, but IMHO a 14oz.reel plus whatever you've loaded it with would have an immediate effect on the balance of a 9wt.rod unless it's a proverbial broomstick.
....and I presume you're launching this out of a boat?
Well you've got that right
Good luck to you, but IMHO a 14oz.reel plus whatever you've loaded it with would have an immediate effect on the balance of a 9wt.rod unless it's a proverbial broomstick.....and I presume you're launching this out of a boat?
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Define "balance" in terms of choosing the weight of your fly reel.Tailer said "These days I don't worry about weight very much and I definitely don't worry about "balance." I find the right combination of pickup speed, frame width and reliability and go from there."
Well you've got that right
....and I presume you're launching this out of a boat?
The weight of a fly reel directly affects the balance of an outfit,and while this isn't a dedicated fly fishing forum,I'm sure that most members will know what a balanced outfit is,so I'm not going to expand on that .....but to illustrate the point using a practical example would be to clamp a reel that's the best part of a pound (16oz.) onto a 9wt.fly rod and go out and cast it all day while wading a salt water flat.
Of course if you're not concerned about that aspect of fly fishing and are only interested in "inches per turn" retrieval rate, none of this is relevant.You may be better off with a Spinning reel if that's your goal.
.....but to illustrate the point using a practical example would be to clamp a reel that's the best part of a pound (16oz.) onto a 9wt.fly rod and go out and cast it all day while wading a salt water flat.Of course if you're not concerned about that aspect of fly fishing and are only interested in "inches per turn" retrieval rate, none of this is relevant.You may be better off with a Spinning reel if that's your goal.
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Fastest retrieve.
Bonefish go from zero to as fast as 40mph,which is the principal reason why you use large arbor reels that offer a higher retrieval rate.All of mine are at least 4" spool diameter (except the Tibor Everglades) and carry 300 yards of 50lb.Braid backing of around .331mm.(0.013"...e.g.TufLine XP)....additionally and you are often called upon to use a hand-over-hand fly line retrieve with the rod tucked under your armpit.This is not an occupation for beginners if the Bonefish are of any size
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Please do expand. What are the criteria for “balance”? Surely if it’s as important as you imply and glaringly obvious to everyone else there must be some defining criteria for “balance”.The weight of a fly reel directly affects the balance of an outfit,and while this isn't a dedicated fly fishing forum,I'm sure that most members will know what a balanced outfit is,so I'm not going to expand on that
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You can’t define it because it’s marketing copy written by folks like me to sell new gear every season.
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Mako 9500 or 9500 nothing better than makos!
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While this is true,what is also true in Bonefishing (or mostly any fly fishing for that matter) is casting,and this is why a so-called balanced outfit is as important as a reel with a high retrieve ratio.
Most modern fly rods are easily matched with a commensurate reel.
Most modern fly rods are easily matched with a commensurate reel.
Unless you have a fixed amount of line out of the tip of the rod, the balance point will always change when casting. The more line carried in the air, the heavier the tip of the rod will be. I prefer a heavier reel and don’t worry with trying to balance the rod at all.
I agree up to a point but maintain that the casting action of the rod is affected by the weight of the reel.
An example I gave previously is a case in point,so at the risk of reiteration,clamp that fully loaded 16oz.(or thereabouts) Mako reel onto a modern 9wt.like the Scott Sector (4.2oz.) and spend some time wading and casting that outfit......you'll soon get the point.Lets talk about more suitable reels,but ones that still have the important prerequisites like large arbor and commensurate backing capacity.I happen to have this very rod and would be happy to use any of my three reels on it,like a Tibor Everglades (8.5oz.) a Tibor Riptide (9oz.) or a Ross Evo R Salt (8oz.).I've also fished it with (gasp!) an M8 Lamson Litespeed (5.5oz.) with no issues
An example I gave previously is a case in point,so at the risk of reiteration,clamp that fully loaded 16oz.(or thereabouts) Mako reel onto a modern 9wt.like the Scott Sector (4.2oz.) and spend some time wading and casting that outfit......you'll soon get the point.Lets talk about more suitable reels,but ones that still have the important prerequisites like large arbor and commensurate backing capacity.I happen to have this very rod and would be happy to use any of my three reels on it,like a Tibor Everglades (8.5oz.) a Tibor Riptide (9oz.) or a Ross Evo R Salt (8oz.).I've also fished it with (gasp!) an M8 Lamson Litespeed (5.5oz.) with no issues
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While this doesn't answer which reel has the largest arbor / line retrieval rate per handle turn or the best balance, if the quickest line retrieval on a fish gone well into the backing is the goal, consider reeling with your dominant hand (if you are not doing this already). Most anglers are not ambidextrous enough to turn the reel handle equally as fast with both hands when needing to bring in 80 - 90 yards of line vs 80- 90 feet of line (even though they may think they are)!
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Tibor riptide spool2.
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+1 for the T-8. The Galvan G-8 has a sealed drag that is a T-8 on steroids. Galvan is great.
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