Bonefishing and Tackle

[crabacle]

I would like to get some discussion regarding reels for Bonefishing.

I have been looking at the Orvis Battenkill Large Arbor V - but I would like a rounded opinion about the reel and any other options.

Given that here in the UK my Bonefishing trips will be few and far between I would welcome a constructive view. - BUT - of course I wouldn't want to lose fish because the reel wasn't up to it - I'm particulalrly concerned about the drag and quality as 150 yds of backing at 20 mph puts a certain stress on those things?

Thanks

PS - Rod wise I'm probably looking at a Bloke XL50 Permit (9 wt) and a Rio Bonefish Line.

Thanks

[Gonzo]

Crabacle

If you're definitely going to use it for Bonefish then get the best you can afford. Reels are one item you really shouldn't skimp on, when fishing for these speedsters!

[T.P.]

Crabacle

I agree with Gonzo, best you can afford. Would add that it's not just the drag, saltwater is extremely damaging to reels. I've heard many stories of reels failing in the first saltwater trip, so make sure it is designed for salt. You're looking for a sealed drag system and the best type imho is a disc drag.

Also the arbor is important. Bonefish run away from you just as fast as they do towards you - that means very fast winding!

Sorry I don't know the Orvis reel so can't comment. Are you intending to use your 9wt for some other species? If it's just for bonefish, I'd prefer to use an 8 wt.

Have some great trips and let us know how they go.

T.P.

[vickypollard]

OHISOCANTBELEIVEIMREADINGTHIS ! Take no notis crabapple my sister the tampon princess will reply to anythin as long as the headline grabs er by the short and curlies, we all knows the sort of bonefishing she likes to do and it dont envolve usin a disc drag whatever that is so shu erp an everybody in fishponds know she aint got no boobies in her fly box anyhow. anyways what happened was we wunce went to florida right an she she tried to get of wiff sum captain but he fancied me right an she wasnt allowed on an he took me on the flats an l spent all day slidin up an down on his pole yea but no but 3lb greyling texted me yesterday right cos he erd the tampons taken up fly tyin an lookin for feathers so me an trish went down to blazers in filton an got shelly really drunk on snakebites an she passed out in the ladies an we shaved off all her pubes an put em in the post for tampon to tie her first ginger minge fly.
actually
yea but no but she asked me to ask if anybodys got any spare feathers to email her on [e-mail]

[jat]

;DIt's a cracking reel depending on how much you want to spend have a look at the mach reels i used them in belize for a week and they stood up to the test as well as having a big drag, huge capacity and are very light weight! Or you have the mid arbour battenkill, not expensive but will handle any thing that a bone has to throw at it. ;D

[jan]

i have used a shimano ultegra 7/8 for four years now - okay it likes a light rinse off but its not showing any signs of wear - cheap as chips with a better drag than most reels and takes 200+yds backing plus a #8 or 9 line - terrific value. if that doesnt appeal then a teton tioga is also a great reel - you can pick them up pretty cheaply on ebay.com - the #8 standard oor the #10 LA will do the job and need no maintenance. Both of these are much better reels IMHO than the orvis LA.

if you want to step up a level then look for a cheap vortex 7/8 - they have been going around ebay at $250 ish which is phenomenal value - but the reel is way over engineered for anything but large bones.

where are you fishing? unless its large bones that you are after then a #9 is way over the odds for average fish - the first time i went i took my #7 trout rod and that coped with average fish up to 5lbs ish very comfortably - i like somethign with a bit more tip action now for windy days but even a #8 can be too much for small/medium fish

[slechtvalk]

Dear friend,

Have a look at the XDA LA reels of the brand Scierra. Good quality barstock alu made reels, with one of the best and smooth drag systems you will find on the market. I have one in the 8/9 size and used it for many
saltwater applications, from Bass, Pike, Bonefish, Stripers, to small Tarpon. It did never let me down.
Excelent protected against saltwater environment.
You may find one for 70 pounds at the moment at your
Scierra dealer. For information check www. Scierra.com

Succes !!

Rob

[trevallyjon288]

If you are only going to fish for speedy little fish once a year go for a cheap real like the comp. reel (graphite) they have no drag so that cant go wrong, you will be mooching aroud the flats getting plenty of salt on it (no worries). I have a few of these reels. I have hooked a doz. mac tuna in one day and the reel just keeps on going. I've heard people say that cheap reels fall apart on fast fish. Its probably because they dont look after them.

[gregmason]

OK crabacle,

I'm up for this info too. Spending too much time away from work surfing all the tackle sites and not making enough decisions.

I spent the weekend in the local ORVIS shop and had a good look at their reels. The Mach range has more of the capacity you need for the backing required with bones - Mach IV was the one I liked - BUT it had a very open mechanism that housed the disc drag and I could imagine sand getting in there and ruining your splendid fun.

I've been told to take 1 reel plus a spare as I'm going to Los Roques in the middle of nowhere.

I've looked at Snowbee

www.snowbee.co.uk/flyreel2.htm#1

...who do a great saltwater reel for about £170 and then Pfleuger...

www.pfluegerfishing.com/products/president_fly_reel.html

... check out this reel - the president. Around the £80-£90 mark. Felt very nice to hold and drag was good. You can buy 2 of these for 1 ORVIS. I will probably go with this if I can get enough backing onto it - using the new spun gel stuff seems to be a good idea.

As for lines - snowbee do specialist bonefish and tarpon lines. Rio is a good name and Mastery have already been mentioned.

For rods - carbotec at exeter angling centre are selling off their Elite range 7/8 9.5 footers for about £85 - that's what I'll be taking - very classy rods. I'll be getting a 10 weight travel rod from fulling mill for tarpon.

Good fishing

GREG

[jan]

for the same money as a president you can get the new shimano biocraft xt - well worth a look imho - i beleive that both the snowbee and the mach reels used to be made at the now defunct orvis/BFR factory in cornwall so spares may become a problem longer term. value for money the ultegra 7/8 will kick them all into a cocked hat - at about £60 its a no brainer.

[SalmoTrutta]

I agree with Jan on the rods. The travel Shimano biocraft rods provide 2 different rod lengths for the price of one. Currently cost about £55. For reels, personally don't skimp and like many things in life the better engineered tend to last longer and over time provide better value for money. I use Orvis vortex which double up as my salmon reels.

[jan]

it was the biocraft xt reels that i meant - i have never seen a biocraft rod - sorry.

[SalmoTrutta]

oops ..and I meant the Shimano STC Exage spinning rods!

[crabacle]

Thanks all for the comments

ROd WIse it looks a Bloke XL50 Permit and a reddington Core Performance 9wt.

Reel Wise - probably a Lamson Velocity V4

Line WIse Rio Bonefish Floater 9wt

How does this lot sound?

[nicepix]

crabacle said:

Thanks all for the comments

ROd WIse it looks a Bloke XL50 Permit and a reddington Core Performance 9wt.

Reel Wise - probably a Lamson Velocity V4

Line WIse Rio Bonefish Floater 9wt

How does this lot sound?

Expensive!

p.s

yea but no but she asked me to ask if anybodys got any spare feathers to email her on [e-mail]

Having problems contacting Joanne. My server says that 'Gspot' does not exist. ;D