[nightfish]

How much would you be willing to spend for some new gear? Since we have a broad group of flyfishers here, with interests from panfish to trout to salt, and users of both traditional and spey tactics, I'm wondering how deep you'll reach into the pockets?

[mozes]

For my trout/panfish/bass I don't have any reels that are more than $20.00. I never had a problem with any fish that I catch on my 5wt, I can always palm the reel if I catch that monster blue gill . For salmon and saltwater I have Redington RS2 9/10 reel that I paid $75.00 and I never had a problem with it yet. I would rather buy another 3 Whiting Grade 1 necks than catch 8" trout on a $300.00 reel.

[fish]

I agree mozes. Still, I bought a large arbor Islander for a trip to the tropics which cost me a pretty penny - it is my salmon reel now. It is a pleasure to use but I doubt I will buy a reel like that again. There are excellent reels for less than $100 now.

[TroutBum]

I think for many fishing situations a $100 or less reel is all you will ever need. But if you target species that make long sustained runs deep into your backing that budget reel is toast.

[Sean Juan]

For freshwater I use an el cheapo reel that doesn't even have a drag...don't need one just palm it when the need arises which I must confess it very rarely does - most fish don't even get back on the reel. It holds the line and thats all.

My saltwater reel costs more than my first truck - its worth every penny and if it ever goes to Davey Jones's locker I'll buy a new one just like it.

[Steelheader69]

Ah, well, this is a toughy. Since I rarely ever buy reels new. LOL. So I put up the price of the reels I buy at their new prices. Just that I always run deals used, or buy through prostaff deals. So never pay the full price. I just wish I could be one of those "big name" guys and get most of my tackle free. LOL.

[getholdofjoru]

I won't spend over $100 on a new reel, not including additional spools. If you take at least one spool into consideration I think $150 is tops. I don't need fancy drag systems or anything because I prefer palming rims. I do prefer metalic reels to black though.

[Dble Haul]

I have reels ranging from a few cheapo Martins to the Orvis Vortex rated for 12 weight lines. Because of this range, I voted $400 or more on the poll because the Vortex easily surpasses that mark.

And it's worth every penny.

[Todder]

My next reel will be a Harris Solitude V or VI Large Arbor so choose the $300 range.

[fishinlk]

I voted for the 200-299 but I'm kind of all over the board on this. The past couple trout reels have been all been over $100 after having one come apart on me in the middle of fighting what would have been my biggest brown ever. The need for a quality reel for steelhead and salmon is what the main reason I'm in on the this range though.

[skeet3t]

My most expensive reel is a Pflueger Supreme costing $65. Others are cheaper- down to about $10 bucks. My observance is that for most fishing the lower priced reels are adequate. For big salmon or saltwater, I might opt for a better quality reel with a precision drag. But remember- I'm cheap!

[Peddler]

I'm not cheap but I'm reasonable! Sorry, old joke.
I'm not cheap but I'm thrifty at times. I tend to grab opportunity when it knocks. When Orvis was blowing out what is arguably the finest trout reel made, the old C.F.O. click and pawl, I scooped up what I needed and I am extremely glad I did.
When I was at a Bass Pro Shop and noticed a Litespeed in the case at almost 1/2 off, I scooped that up too. I am VERY glad I did that too. Some of the salt water fish I caught this fall would have left burn tatoo's in my palm were it not for the smoooooth drag on that reel!
Other times I justify a pricey reel by thinking it will escalate in value. That I nailed when I bought some Charlton stuff a dealer was blowing out a few year ago.
The way I see it, anything you buy that satisfies you and leaves you with no doubt as to its worth is worth the price. I wish Fifi felt that way too!

[wickedcarpenter]

i spent $385 on a Ross GB5.Super sweet reel with a sweet drag!Not that i'm made of money,But when it comes time to play.....i play and want something that won't let me down.The rod set me back $530 and that's worth more than all my Bass rods put together
Hopefully the Wife could find it in her heart to get me a Jack Charlton reel for Christmas LoL! i'll keep on dreaming.

[steeldrifter]

[Shoe]

I must be off my Rocker

I don't mind spending money if it's on something I want. Did I really need it? Nope, but... If I don't blow it, my wife will...LOL

Got a Vortex, 2 CFO discs, A Battenkill LA, extra spools for all of them, one of those over-priced ULA's and a couple entry levels that I retired, not that there was anything wrong with them, but I couldn't see hanging a Martin from a T&T.

Why buy twice

I don't think any of us started out with top-end gear, but somehow end up there...