Medalist alternatives

[daverson828]

What are your favorite alternatives to Medalist reels? Something used ("vintage," I suppose) that works well and you can pick up on the cheap, five weight and below.

[kevinhaney1]

Pflueger Gems are nice, and Ocean City 76s (as well as a number of other Ocean city reels). If you want something in the 4wt and under, there are many skeleton reels out there that would fit the bill.

Kevin

[GRASSNGLASS]

J.W. Youngs can be had in the same price range.

Barry

[troutnut]

I agree on J W Youngs. I have several and like them all.

[3creeks]

+1 for the Gems. I have a 2094 and a 2095 that I love.

[narcodog]

Heddon 125's

[kevinhaney1]

Heddon 125’s are nice, but usually you can’t pick one up for cheap.

[Bugtussel]

Love the Gem 2094 and Symploreel 370 and 371. Got an Allcock Ousel cheap and love it. Heddon 125 Imperials look nice but don't have one yet. As said not found that cheap. Heddon Daisy 300 and 310.

[JMQ4]

Daiwa 730 with Hardy pawls, but not that 'vintage'. Vintage - meisselbach rainbow 627, but not as cheap

[prairieschooner]

SB Finalists can be had on the cheap.

[Doug K]

Martin reels.. the best is the LM45 which unfortunately isn't cheap anymore, $100 and up.
But the MG-3, 67 and SS series are readily available, have a coil-spring click pawl that sounds great. Solid US engineering for not much money.

Second the SB Finalists also, have an 1133 that is my standard reel for SB rods.

[mdwwhw]

My 4 weights are on Daiwa 730’s. If I have a negative about the reel it is that it could use a few more teeth on the spool gear—just to smooth out the feel and sound. The Hardy clones, Daiwa/Heddon/Eagle Claw/Berkley, in the X10 size are good as well.

[Brian K. Shaffer]

Orvis CFO's - heck, why not ?

viewtopic.php?t=140608

An alternative to a classic from a classic.

[Bill Charles]

The Shakespeare Purist reels are Medalists by another name and can be obtained for a fraction of the price of the equivalent sized Medalist.

I believe parts are exchangeable between the two.

The other one I would mention is the Ted Williams 'Triple Crown' reel made for Sears by Bronson. Solid, smooth and very cool looking.

[munsey w]

Meisselbach Rainbow fly reels. They look great on a classic rod!

[uppercreek]

Bronson Royalist 370. Smooth click and adjustable check. Can even be converted to left hand wind by flipping the springs. Usually in burgundy anodized finish but can be found in a copper tone.

[Bud]

The Youngs are readily available and are quality reels.


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[Skimpole]

Sometimes the early Shakespeare Russells with the wishbone check show up for reasonable prices.

[flyroder72]

I second the early Shakespeare 1894 and 95's although the 1133 finalist was my first reel.

[drbaits]

Here is a passel of Medalist wannabes, all of which will fish just fine and perform as well. A couple by Shakespeare, one South Bend and a Browning version. You will note a trend re drags utilized. would love to find good homes for them… way too many reels and not nearly enough time to fish!