Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

The purpose of this board is to discuss, ask questions about, and give answers concerning fly reels, their makers and their history.

Moderator: Ken M 44

Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

Fly Reel
6
17%
Fly Rod
29
83%
 
Total votes: 35

User avatar
Brian K. Shaffer
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 3626
Joined: 03/03/06 19:00
Location: EARTH
Contact:

Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#1

Post by Brian K. Shaffer »

Fly reel ?

Fly rod ?

Which is easier when planning an outfit - easier to pick the reel first and then the rod ?

or the other way around - pick the rod first and then the reel ?
__________________________________________________________________________

I say buy the reel first. Because first you are buying the foot.
Brian
" 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.

TNriverB
Member
Posts: 5
Joined: 10/08/21 20:54

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#2

Post by TNriverB »

Picking the reel first is akin to picking the tires first for your next vehicle.

Silver and Gold
Sport
Posts: 35
Joined: 01/17/12 15:35

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#3

Post by Silver and Gold »

Pick your rod first then a suitable reel to balance the rod and your casting style.
I tend to “over gun” the reel size and weight on large salmon outfits as my casting style allows it.
Now on a single handed trout outfit I like a light reel.

sanderson
Guide
Posts: 342
Joined: 06/29/20 19:55

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#4

Post by sanderson »

foots gotta fit the seat. simple as that.

User avatar
sodbank
Master Guide
Posts: 482
Joined: 12/27/11 14:12
Location: South Jersey

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#5

Post by sodbank »

I usually have more rods in the quiver than reels in the stable.

User avatar
flyinorvi
Sport
Posts: 77
Joined: 12/20/05 19:00

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#6

Post by flyinorvi »

I have bought and kept many more reels/spools than rods. Makes it a lot easier to try a variety of lines when the new rods arrive. Also, cheaper/easier to hold onto multiples of reels/spools when you find something you like. Just what works for me.

User avatar
GerardH
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1071
Joined: 06/20/19 08:45
Location: Wyoming, MN

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#7

Post by GerardH »

Thus far I've purchased reels in anticipation of rods I'm having built so the rod's ready to go when I receive it from the maker.

Horse before the cart in my mind.

User avatar
teter
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 4917
Joined: 12/21/04 19:00

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#8

Post by teter »

Yes,

User avatar
Short Tip
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 3443
Joined: 02/26/06 19:00
Location: Old Dominion

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#9

Post by Short Tip »

teter wrote:
10/20/21 00:30
Yes,
Exactly so!

User avatar
steeliefool
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1675
Joined: 09/07/16 15:28
Location: Jersey

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#10

Post by steeliefool »

teter wrote:
10/20/21 00:30
Yes,
+2

GRASSNGLASS
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1686
Joined: 11/12/05 19:00
Location: Homosassa Fl

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#11

Post by GRASSNGLASS »

First decide what fish your after. What size fly are you going to use. What line do you need to cast the fly. What reel will handle the size line and how fast pickup do you need. Then the rod that will balance the reel to cast the line and present it to the fish you're after.

User avatar
Brooks
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 1645
Joined: 04/07/19 15:58
Location: Idaho

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#12

Post by Brooks »

…the bumpersticker……then the truck……

User avatar
archer829
Guide
Posts: 271
Joined: 07/31/19 12:35

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#13

Post by archer829 »

Your question assumes that I have control in this whole process. I do not. Sometimes a rod shows up in the mailbox. Sometimes a reel shows up in the mailbox. I don't know how. It just happens.....

woody osborne
Guide
Posts: 190
Joined: 04/17/13 06:27

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#14

Post by woody osborne »

i think of the situation as a ladder: rungs and an extension for the sides. no matter which you're buying you may as well buy the other. an ongoing journey. i have forsaken the thought/fantasy of simplicity in fishing.

User avatar
Brian K. Shaffer
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 3626
Joined: 03/03/06 19:00
Location: EARTH
Contact:

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#15

Post by Brian K. Shaffer »

Interesting. Many of you chose rod first.

Well not me.

I seem to be brought in more by the sound the reel makes.
" 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.

PYochim
Bamboo Fanatic
Posts: 6314
Joined: 12/23/07 19:00
Location: An Underground Bunker

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#16

Post by PYochim »

Rod first unless I located the specific Bogdan or Noel. Then I would match a rod to it.

User avatar
cappy
Guide
Posts: 253
Joined: 08/23/17 04:09

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#17

Post by cappy »

TNriverB wrote:
10/19/21 15:20
Picking the reel first is akin to picking the tires first for your next vehicle.
LOL, agree 100%. Interesting question. I can not imagine a situation where I would pick a reel first. IMHO the reel is the least important part of the rig. For me it's more of a line holder unless your fishing in the salt, big freshwater predators, salmon or trout >24" in swift water.
Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France

User avatar
ReelPatina
Guide
Posts: 250
Joined: 03/31/12 18:04

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#18

Post by ReelPatina »

Gents, this is the reel forum . There are those of us that visit and then there are those of us that live here. Evil laugh follows 😈

User avatar
cappy
Guide
Posts: 253
Joined: 08/23/17 04:09

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#19

Post by cappy »

ReelPatina wrote:
11/21/21 13:14
Gents, this is the reel forum . There are those of us that visit and then there are those of us that live here. Evil laugh follows 😈
Well good golly - ::) ;)
Until one has loved an animal a part of one's soul remains unawakened.
Anatole France

ff4trout
Member
Posts: 13
Joined: 08/06/07 18:00

Re: Do you buy the reel first ? or the rod first ?

#20

Post by ff4trout »

archer829 wrote:
10/22/21 08:06
Your question assumes that I have control in this whole process. I do not. Sometimes a rod shows up in the mailbox. Sometimes a reel shows up in the mailbox. I don't know how. It just happens.....
+1

Post Reply

Return to “Classic Reels”