Will K 0 Report post Posted December 28, 2011 I'd ditto the "probably a line holder" on a 3wt... But, ill add to it by saying I like playing fish on the reel - and if you do, then having a good drag is really helpful. I dont know where you fish, but I fish 6 and 7X in some areas, and if you want the fish on the reel, you better have a pretty nice drag assuming you could be fighting a solid sized fish (15-20+ inchers for example). I have a Colton CRG II on my 4wt which has been great, and the drag super for about 100 bucks. I just saw and heard good things about an Echo Ion which is like 80bucks. I'm sure there are other similarly good reels, and pretty much any Lamson is solid - bottom to top of their line up. So, if you like to play fish on the reel or may need to... get a solid reel. Honestly, as some one said, it's a hobby. If you can spend the $, spend it and enjoy the reel you really want. If you spend 45 bucks and are unhappy with your purchase, well, then you may end up spending more over the course of a year when you go out and buy a more expensive reel to replace it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
heavynets 0 Report post Posted December 29, 2011 I think it depends a lot on how much you appreciate quality. Some could care less about how a reel or any tool looks or feels as long as it basically gets the job done. Others, like myself, get a lot of pleasure about using a reel or most any mechanical device that is a thing of quality in design, workmanship and function. Generally, quality reels are light in weight, more dependable and last longer too. On the other side of the coin, when that thing of beauty get lost or damaged it REALLY hurts. That's one of the drawbacks of becoming a little materialist. You certainly don't need an expensive reel to get the job done. A tuna can might be all you really need. However, most of us aspire to something a little better than that. But where each of us draws the line is just a personal decision. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnP 0 Report post Posted December 29, 2011 Old Pfluegers made in USA Amen. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
onceahoosier 0 Report post Posted December 29, 2011 My two cents: you don't have to spend a lot for a trout reel with a functional drag. If you take care of the reel, loosen the drag when the reel isn't in use, a low cost reel will meet your needs. I have an old Ross Cimmaron for my 3/4 weight rods, and a $50 Cabela's reel for my 5/6 weights. I love he Ross, but the cheap Cabelas works fine and I've never had a problem with it. Tom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSzymczyk 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2011 an $850 Hardy Perfect which folks drool over has a click-check, not even a "drag" as we know it. So tell me what I'm missing? Folks, if you're fishing a 6x or 7x tippet and have a large fish on which makes a run, THE RESISTANCE OF 50 OR 60 FEET OF FLY LINE BEING PULLED THROUGH THE WATER could be enough to exceed tippet strength. "sealed" drag for a general-purpose trout reel? Why? Take care of your equipment and you rarely will need to think about it. After fishing my entire life, I still cannot comprehend why fly fishermen love to throw their rod and reel into the river before taking a picture. If you're willing to grind your reel into the streambed at every opportunity, then grit is going to find itself a way to get into any mechanism eventually. I fully understand that occasionally things get dropped, I've done it. Too much of a big deal is made for super-high-tech drag BS that can stop a train engine, built into a reel barely big enough to hold a 3 weight line. Don't depend on any technology as a crutch to being a good angler. The gear doesn't make YOU better. If you've got the $$ to spend, buy what you want and be happy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Voodoo 0 Report post Posted December 31, 2011 i love to fish the 2wt for 20"ers (when im lucky) with the SAGE click series. It is wonderful on lakes and medium pace rivers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutguy 0 Report post Posted January 1, 2012 This is a 1492 Pflueger I got in 1974 on a 6'6" Orvis Flea made in 1970. I caught this brown in 1998 on a public water stream in North Carolina. Backing is for sissies. The 1492 has no drag. The stupid sliding reel seat rings fell off and I had to reattach the reel while trying to land the fish. I cut the cork reel seat off and added a down locking normal reel seat after this. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSzymczyk 0 Report post Posted January 1, 2012 This is a 1492 Pflueger I got in 1974 on a 6'6" Orvis Flea made in 1970. I caught this brown in 1998 on a public water stream in North Carolina. Backing is for sissies. The 1492 has no drag. The stupid sliding reel seat rings fell off and I had to reattach the reel while trying to land the fish. I cut the cork reel seat off and added a down locking normal reel seat after this. Well, OBVIOUSLY that is a Photoshop job and a real "fish story" because WE ALL KNOW fish like that can NOT be landed without a reel made with a sealed drag with Unobtanium power spheres and a three-point-six jigga-watt flux capacitor!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
troutguy 0 Report post Posted January 2, 2012 LOL nope sorry no high tech, no photochop. I have some even worse. I have some much much worse. Look in corner bottom right. Another Pflueger and can you believe a cheap graphite pack rod. No flux capacitors here. I even fish fiberglass at night. Please don't kick me off the site. Sorry for the large size but I wanted you all to see the reel. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ditz2 0 Report post Posted January 3, 2012 Yepper, gotta luv them Pfluegers. Just like an old TimeX. Takes a lick'n and keeps on tick'n Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fishin'Magician 0 Report post Posted January 4, 2012 I have a Redington Rise on my 3 weight rod and a G Loomis Venture on my 5 weight. Both are smooth and have a nice silky drag system. Both reels have tangled with some nice 20" browns on the Big Manistee river and I never felt the reels were too light (though my tippets may have been). I think if I had the money I would spend a little more and get a reel that will last a long time. I don't think you have to spend upwards of a hundred bucks to get one though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites