reel for 5 wt.?

[BirdFish]

I need a new reel for my 5 wt. Any suggestions? I have used Pfluggers and can't complain. They are fine for most of the small stream fishing I do. I realy don't want to spend much money since I seem to drop 'em on the rocks several times a year. Thanks.
Dave

[MJ]

Okuma. I have a 6wt and a 4wt in the Sierra model, and both have shown themselves to be well up to the task (at least so far.) I believe I paid $35 per, with an extra spool going around $15 or so. They seem pretty solid. The 4wt survived a fairly nasty drop without damage.

[petegas]

Orvis Battenkill. good stuff, they discontinued the click and pawl and are going all disc drag on their reels, but still an excellent reel for the money.

[Steamtrain]

I agree with Petegas that the Orvis Battenkill is an excellent reel for the money. The bar stock version is about $100.

Good Luck!

[fessiewig]

I'll join the group on the Orvis Battenkill. I'll add just a little more to that. I just picked up the new Orvis Battenkill Mid-Arbor reel. It's sweet and just over a "C-note".

[StrBender]

I have the Battenkill BBS II and love it! I paid the new price $99 for it. Just got back from a week on the merrymeeting and had no problems with it. Then again I didn't catch anything LOL. But I have caught some nice trout at home with it!

[dcs2]

Consider the Tioga. I have owned one for several years and always wondered if that big drag knob had any real use. This summer I had a chance use it in Montana against lots of big fish. The precise adjustment of the drag allowed by the knob really helped. The Battenkill is also good. I use it for my 2,3,and 4 wt. rods.

[mer]

I realy don't want to spend much money since I seem to drop 'em on the rocks several times a year.

How about a price range here? What may be not too much money for one, may be way too much for someone else. If you like the Pfleugers, stick with them. Don't go fixin' what ain't broke.
:)

[BirdFish]

I want to stay under $100 for a reel. I will also be picking up 2 extra spools since I like to have a floating line, a sink tip, and a full sink line to cover the conditions I fish.
Dave

[fessiewig]

Birdfish,

Do you troll lakes and ponds? If not, a full sinking lie is very difficult to control in moving water.

[BirdFish]

I don't use the full sink line much, but I do use it in some lakes, trolling it behind my float tube and casting it into deep spots. There are rare occassions that I use it in rivers in some deep holes, and it is difficult to control. I mentioned this in a a post a while back, wondering if anyone uses a stripping basket on a river.
Dave

[fessiewig]

Yeah, I remember that post. Cool, as long as you find it useful that's what counts! :D

[ScoobyFly]

Okuma! Great reel for the price! No problems with it at all and I have fished mine hard over the past few years from the Carolinas to New Hampshire. Mountain Fly has them is stock too. Good luck.

[HarryM]

G. Loomis makes a nice reel, the "Venture 5" for $99 and $60 for the spare spool. They have a big center hub drag adjustment knob that is easy to adjust when a bigger take than expected hits.

[petegas]

i'd also suggest the possibility of looking on Ebay, my father is a Hardy fanatic and found many of their Marquis models which he uses on his 5 wt. rod for under 100, im sure many other reels could be had there at a fair price as well.

[Flyfish99]

I have both the Okuma and Battenkill BBSIII. Both will do the job, but the Orvis is a great reel. Currently selling for $99, spare spools $45. I have mine set up with 3 spools, one each with a 6wt wf, 5 wt wf, and 5 wt sink tip.

Either way you go, you will be OK, but the Orvis is a lot more pleasant to use.

[Steve H.]

I too recommend the Okuma reel. But consider the Integrity 5/6 instead of the Sierra. The Integrity is about $50-60 depending on retailer and spools are $23. Just a few dollars more than the Sierra, but much better!! (I've fished with them both.) Actually I own the Integrity 7/8 and love it.

[BirdFish]

Thanks for all of the feedback. I think I'll go check out the Okuma Integrty 5/6. I like the idea of a wide arbor and the price sounds right, too. Thanks!
Dave

[Tommy Boy]

Not to muddy up the waters, but look at the L.L. Bean quest reel. They retail for $45 dollars. Spools are $15!! I got one when I was about 8 and still am using it almost 175 days a year. I have two so far and maybe 8 spools. They are nice except for the fact that they have no drag (or is mine burnt out?) They are easily palmable as I found out on a 30" striper this summer (was only supposed to be little schoolies there! :roll: )
And of course, one good thing about bean's is the warranty. (Mine hasn't needed returning yet though!)

I have been fiddling with a tioga at the fly shop I work at. I can only vouch for the saltwater LA 10, which I use for stripers/lmb, but it is a very nice reel. I will probably purchase a freshwater reel from them eventually.

[Tangled Tippet]

I would suggest the Battenkill line myself. I have a 5-6 disc drag, and a 3-4 click and pawl , love em both.The disc is sweet with the drag pulling off smoothly.But my 3-4 has a sound to it that is like music to my ears.Both have a very durable finish and the mechanics are bullet proof.

[BirdFish]

Yesteday I purchased an Okuma Integrity 5/6 large arbor reel with 2 extra spools. Thanks for all of your feedback!
Dave