Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
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Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#1Hi Folks,
I’m new to the Forum and will probably have quite a few questions in the future but here’s number one:
I’m having a custom 8wt-ish (Wes Jordan/Orvis taper - I believe) rod built for saltwater flats fishing. It’s going to have saltwater compatible hardware and a 1000 coats of varnish,etc. I want the set up to look kinda old school like something Ted Williams or Joe Brooks would fish but without breaking the bank. Any suggestions? What reels DID those guys fish? Does anyone use Pf Medalists for the salt?
All input is welcome. Thanks
I’m new to the Forum and will probably have quite a few questions in the future but here’s number one:
I’m having a custom 8wt-ish (Wes Jordan/Orvis taper - I believe) rod built for saltwater flats fishing. It’s going to have saltwater compatible hardware and a 1000 coats of varnish,etc. I want the set up to look kinda old school like something Ted Williams or Joe Brooks would fish but without breaking the bank. Any suggestions? What reels DID those guys fish? Does anyone use Pf Medalists for the salt?
All input is welcome. Thanks
Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#2Hi Guys, Well, Joe Brooks used one of those cool looking Johnson reels.
:viewtopic.php?t=11557
Edit: Sorry, I forgot it was a SW reel discussion. I use an Orvis Odyssey III. I'm not sure the Johnson Magnetics are SW reels.
Jay Edwards
:viewtopic.php?t=11557
Edit: Sorry, I forgot it was a SW reel discussion. I use an Orvis Odyssey III. I'm not sure the Johnson Magnetics are SW reels.
Jay Edwards
Last edited by bluesjay on 10/15/21 19:26, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#3Have you looked at the Orvis Saltwater CFO?
It should take your line a backing, and is very classic in appearence.
It should take your line a backing, and is very classic in appearence.
Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#4I have used a Billy Pate Salmon AR reel on an Orvis 8 1/2 ft 8wt. SSS rod in the salt for school stripers.
Balances well and casts an 8wt. Intermediate line a mile.
Doug
Balances well and casts an 8wt. Intermediate line a mile.
Doug
Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#5I have used an Orvis BBS V for saltwater including bonefish and permit. It looks fine to me and has worked very well and they were made in 3 colors, titanium (bright silver), black and gold.
Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#6The ultimate saltwater classic, a Fin Nor Wedding Cake #2 will work perfect for that rod.
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Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#7Another vote for the Billy Pate Salmon model, which is sized just right for 8/9 lines. I personally prefer the single action model to the A/R, but that's up to the user. You should be able to find one for about half what they sold for when new. They will handle school stripers and bluefish as Sodbank suggests, but also handle the long running speedsters like Atlantic Bonito and False Albacore.
BTW,I did get started years ago with a 1498 Medalist that I slightly modified by adding a counterbalance. It worked, but really did not have the drag for the longer running fish.
BTW,I did get started years ago with a 1498 Medalist that I slightly modified by adding a counterbalance. It worked, but really did not have the drag for the longer running fish.
Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#8+1 on the #2 Wedding Cake. A real classic, and ideal for an 8 weight.
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Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#9I would use anything and have fun doing it - I applaud you.
Try the Medalist and cut the hole thru... very old school.
________________________________________________________________________________
Kave wrote : I want the set up to look kinda old school... like something Ted Williams
Can't make out what that reel is...
LINK - also with Jimmy Stewart photo
http://moldychum.squarespace.com/home-o ... ition.html
Try the Medalist and cut the hole thru... very old school.
________________________________________________________________________________
Kave wrote : I want the set up to look kinda old school... like something Ted Williams
Can't make out what that reel is...
LINK - also with Jimmy Stewart photo
http://moldychum.squarespace.com/home-o ... ition.html
" There's no such thing as a fly fisherman wholly satisfied with his casting performance. " ~ Jim Green (1971)
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer
Use the SEARCH for justification and reasoning.
" Just once I wish a trout would wink at me. " ~ Brian Shaffer
Use the SEARCH for justification and reasoning.
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Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#10Joe Brooks and Ted Williams used Zwargs and EVH reels a lot in the salt.
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Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#12Take a look at the Orvis SSS reel series made by STH. A 7/8 weight model in either direct drive or anti-reverse won't break the bank and should be a perfect fit. I used one for many years chasing stripers/blues and made many trips down south for bones, snook and medium tarpon never let down. Super smooth cork/teflon drag and looks good on Boo.
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Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#13what species will you target 90% of the time? My friends and I use 7 and 8 's most of the time here on Cape Cod. About 150 yards of 30# backing is all we use, even for the albies. Anti-reverse is good if you are a doctor (don't want your fingers banged up) and fish for bonefish or the like. There are many reels out there and they are all decent. It comes down to your choice and the depth of your pockets.
Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#14+3 for the Billy Pate AR, Salmon, or personally I'd get the Bonefish model instead. To keep it all "saltwater looking" you say.
But their arbor is small so line retrieve would be slow, not very favorable for SW flat. And, they do NOT have line out clicking sould.
I'd prefer an Abel Super 7/8 instead. They don't look really classic but with cork drag they don't look modern either.
But their arbor is small so line retrieve would be slow, not very favorable for SW flat. And, they do NOT have line out clicking sould.
I'd prefer an Abel Super 7/8 instead. They don't look really classic but with cork drag they don't look modern either.
Re: Reel for 8wt saltwater fishing?
#16Surprised no one mentioned the Martin MG reels.
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