Wanted: Saltwater reel for 8 wt

[clearstream]

Purchased, at a discount, 8 wt intermediate coldwater striper line from Airflo to go with my $ 20 SA 8 wt. When I mentioned at the fly shop that I wanted it spooled on my Ross Colorado 3, they laughed me out of the shop. After spooling it, I now understand why. Maybe 50 yds of backing.

Anyone have a reel suitable for this setup that they would part with for under $50 ?

[fishin jimmy]

You know, back in the old days we used Pleuger Medalist reels for everything - and they cost new under $50. They can still be used in saltwater. Just wash them for a couple minutes after every use. Most places carry them.
You might also look at Craig's list - saw a saltwater Okuma reel up in Maine for $49 & they're willing to ship.

[clearstream]

I have an old medalist, not sure how much backing it will hold. Should probly check it out.

[JimC]

I had couple Mealists, 1492 or 1495 models I think, that got me going in the salt. Back in the early 90s I spooled them with as much first generation spectra braid as they could hold to maximize the backing and good to go. Since that time my gear's gotten fancier but I can't say that it makes things any more fun. For most stripers, even big ones, 300 yards is way overkill. Having a slug of backing on the reel is realy more about perserving the arbor diameter in a more realistic working range for big bass like when you have 50 or 75 yds out.

[clearstream]

Thanks. I win an ebay auction for an aluminum reel for 9/10 for $30. Have to see how it looks. Also looking into the Hardy Uniqua # 3 for $125.

[Mountain Angler]

Sounds like you got off to a good start with the Aorflo line. The fly shop was right when they laughed at the Colorado reel. Although laughing at you was probably not the way to go. They should have taken the time to explain whey the reel was not the way to go. The Colorado is a great trout reel with a click drag if I remember correct. The Hardy Uniqua is also a click drag system and so are the Pfleuger reels mentioned. True enough a lot of stripers and salmon have been caught on Pfleuger reels. Back in the day guys like Ted Williams used these reels to catch bone fish. There a lot of reels with disk drags and finishes designed to fish in the salt for under a hundred bucks. My advice go back to the shop and tell them what your budget is and if they are "worth their salt" they point you in the right direction. Just my opinion, but buying gear on Craig's list or E-bay without doing you home work is a good way to get screwed.

[clearstream]

Yeah, for $30, if it doesn't look right when I get it, I'll send it back. I think the uniqua has a disk drag, I know the pflueger has a caliper type brake drag. Looking at some Okuma and Great Bay Rod Co reels too.

[Salter]

Check out the Orvis Battenkill mid-arbor.About $120.00 but well worth it.I have one I've used extensively for saltwater for seven years now without a problem.Holds plenty of backing and has a real good disc drag,stainless too.