Abel reels

[agnes_jack]

Just about to get lost in a new addiction!! ::) Fly fishing!!
I have purchased 2 new Loomis rods, a 12wght crosscurrent and a 10 wght crosscurrant.
and am now looking for a suitable reel.
I have been recommended the Abel combo with a 10wght and a 12wght game spool so I should get away with 1 reel for both rods.
Opinions are that it has a large quality cork drag, one peice frame etc. Anyone had one of these? any advise or other quality options would be appreciated.

Regards, Tony

[seajay39]

You had me there for a moment......
Thought you were offering some cheap abels through your shop ;D ;D

[agnes_jack]

Sea Jay
I don't think there is any such thing as a "cheap" Abel ;D ;D ;D
Have you had much to do with them??

Tony

[seajay39]

Nah. i'm just a learner with a old Shakespear :-[

Some one will be along soon with a bit of experience (Duckbill?) ::)

[cammac]

Hey tony,

abels are top shelf - price and quality!!most of the reels in that line class will have one piece machined alloy frames and decent drags. most of the USA made reels are good -Ross, Penn, Bauer etc also sa system2, and Fenwick for cheaper reels -although judging by what youve bought so far price aint too much of a worry!! lucky u! :) - Yep go the Able

Cam

[agnes_jack]

Thanks Cam!!
Sounds like the go, although expensive, it gives me 2 reels for the price of 1 and buying 2 quality reels would cost a fair bit more. I will be chasing some fairly solid beasties with these 2 setups and don't want any gear failures when I hook up.

Cheers..................Tony :D :D :D

[flyfisho]

I agree Abels are pretty hard to beat especially for pelagics, another reel in the same catagory in my opinion would have to be the syncrotech 11,12,13 reel this is a loomis product and also of the highest quality, just my two cents
also look at tibor reels in particular the gulfstream this would also suit your needs.
what sort of fishing are you planning on doing with it?

[agnes_jack]

G,day Flyfisho!
Thanks for the reply :D I looked at the synchrotec, but prefer the idea of being able to use the one reel for both set-ups. The 9 weight (I think I said 10 weight at the start of my post) will be used for barra, jacks, queenies and toga and the 12 weight for pelagics, small blacks, longtails,spanish etc. I now have one ordered from the states, should be here next week.

Regards, Tony :D

[Wesley_Pang]

Agnes_Jack,

I'm just about the biggest fan of Abel reels.

Which reels are you looking at? Super 10 (S10) and Big Game 4 (BG4) combo?

I would recommend the S9/BG4N(Narrow) combo over the S10/BG4 combo.

The S9/BG4N has a larger diameter spool and narrower width spool. If you are chasing fish that run a long way, you should consider the S11. The S9 & S11 are basically the same reel, but the S9 has a larger arbor.

Check out the Abel web site for the specs.

Family Album
Top row, Left-Right - S11, BG4N, S12, S13. Front row - S2, S5, S6, BG3N, S8.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/family_album.jpg

Forget the Syncrotech. I had a 10-12, it is too flimsy. The spool flexes. I've since sold it. I've sold all my flyreels (Tibors, Fin-nors, Scientific Angler, Ross Reels) and only own Abels now.

If you know where to shop, you can find some at more affordable prices. Camo reels are rarer and command a premium.

Abel reels are the best.

Wes

[cammac]

Boy Wesley - u must really know where to shop - thats some collection!!! :o

[agnes_jack]

G,day Wes!! :o :o :o
Yeah mate, I have ordered the super 10 with#4 bg spool combo kit. I will call this morning and see if it's not too late to look at your suggestion, you obviously know your Abels!! ;D You have definately made me more confident about my choice :) Thats an amazing collection!
Do you get your reels from the states or local dealers? My wife asked if you are divorced yet ;D ;D ;D I think mine is preparing her case as we speak, [smiley=rifle.gif] and thats just one!and a couple of rods to go with it! ;D (not really, she loves me [smiley=iloveyou.gif])

Thanks for the reply Wes, I will let you know how I go.

Regards...........Tony

[Wesley_Pang]

Agnes_Jack,

The S10/BG4 combo will do the job. No doubt about that.

It's my least favourite Abel size though. The diameter is 3.9 inches compared to the 4.125 for S9/S11/BG4N. Large Diameter and narrow width spool is the way to go.

Large Diameter is the way to go when you have to do a lot of cranking. The S11 on my 11 weight GLX Crosscurrent is my favourite outfit for Longtails. I'm going to try the S13 on the 11 weight.

I've built my collection over a few years. Most are 2nd hand.

These reels are works of art, hand-painted and no two are the same. I expect to pass them on to my kids.

Attached image. Mac Tuna on Super 2 and GLX Max Line Speed 5 weight.

Wes

[cammac]

hi Wes,


Well done mate u must be the ultimate bargain hunter - good on u!! :)

Im totally envious!!

Did u get the tuna on a 5 weight outfit Wes??!! thats amazing!! :o

cheers Cam

[Wesley_Pang]

Cam,

I've landed a handful of Mac Tuna and 1 Longtail on the GLX Max Line Speed 5 weight. This rod is a canon. I use a 7 weight SA Striper IV flyline, which I've cut back to 80 feet to fit more backing on the reels.

Mac Tuna & Big Game Pt.5 - My only black reel.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/pt5_vermin_3.jpg

Longtail Tuna & Super 5
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/5wt_lt.jpg

I'm keen to tackle a Longtail on the S2 & BG Pt.5

Wes

[Matt]

Wes, you must be one of the most passionate Mack tuna fly fishermen I've ever met ;D Let me know when Sherman needs a spot filled. ;)

C'ya on the water,
Matt.

[cammac]

Well done Wes,


god it takes me long enought to get macs that size in on my 8 weight - what kg tippet u using? i normally fish 6 kg

cheers Cam

[wessel]

Now that is a collection that will travel as handluggage 8-)

Nice job on the Macks.

Wessel

[duckbill]

Oh Wes, you are the vermin guru

We are not worthy ;D ;D ;D

As far as camo abels are concerned, I wouldn't touch them with a 20' barge pole, you can catch some weird diseases from them and end up loving mactuna to the point of kissing them

[drb]

Wes, you must be one of the most passionate Mack tuna fly fishermen I've ever met ;D Let me know when Sherman needs a spot filled. ;)

C'ya on the water,
Matt.

tell us how you get all those mack tuna wes....please ;D ;D

[gcourt]

Wes
First Mack tuna,what next FRIGATES ;D
Cheers
Courty

[Wesley_Pang]

Courty,

You must be confusing me with Duckbill - The Frigate Fornicator ;D ;D ;D.

I've caught a Longtail with most of my Abels.

Super 13
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/s13_lt.jpg

Super 12
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/hold_abel12.jpg

Big Game 4 Narrow
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/abel_4n_lt.jpg

Super 11 - a favourite
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/gummy_lt.jpg

Super 8
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/s8_lt.jpg

Big Game 3 Narrow
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/bg3n_lt.jpg

Super 6
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/s6_lt.jpg

Super 5
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/5wt_lt.jpg

Just need to find a few Longtails to blood the BG Pt.5 and S2.

Duckbill,

I know you own your very own Camo Abel.

Here you are using my "Precious, Precious" Super 11
http://members.optusnet.com.au/wpang/Images/duckbill_camo.jpg

Wes

[Matt]

You still berleying them up with Baked Beans I see.. You'll have to show me that baked bean fly again. ;D

Matt.

[Maxg]

Bluntly over priced, you get the same value, good manufacture, like USA, sealed cork drag and LA spool, with a Nautilus, at a lot less money.
Have a chat to Chris at Fly World.
The fancy camo finish on reels is nothing to do with fly fishing or the the performance, it's just another costly gimmick.
www.########.com.au

MaxG.

[Maxg]

Just to prove you don't need fancy reels and rods to catch fish try this.
Maxg

[atlantic_salmon]

you get hold of some of my brothers attempt at rum mate, up at 1.52am putting up dodgy pictures??? can you send some over, will pm my address for you... cheers

[Garpikehunter]

Good choice going with the Abel. I don't own one, but they are very awesome reels.
Tibors are everybodies favorites down here in Florida, USA. They are also fantastic reels. Not really sure about their availability in Australia, but they may be something for you guys to consider in the future. I own a Ross reel & a Van Staal, which are also top notch. With the Van Staal you can purchase another another large spool, so you potentially have 2 reels for the price of one really great one. Nice option eh.

Enjoy!

[fishface]

check this one out hardy angel

[fishface]

close up

[fishface]

another

[huiop1]

Tony,i was reading one of your old posts re a transducer for a humminbird 100 series.I need a new one.Can you tell me where to get one at the right price
Regards Kev.

[GLXMAN]

Hi Tony,

Appears you are purchasing the "high end" fly gear, Loomis was a good choice BTW,

May I suggest a Mako reel, do a google and you will find easy

Abel are great reels and do have some "bling" but IMHO, the Mako technology and drags are a lot better
Regards,
Gary

[Pond123]

Abel and Tibor are OK reels. They are very old technology though and have been superseded by more innovative manufacturers like Nautilus. The only real ‘innovation’ that Abel have come out with in the last few years is the ability to have your reel painted in a lurid paint scheme. Some people like this but I personally do not. They also charge a hell of a lot of money for them, but seem to spend a small fortune on advertising. I suspect the cost of the reel is directly related to the marketing budget.

Also, not so sure about the ‘two size of spool’ feature. I find that I usually have more than one rod set up when I am out on the flats etc. You need to be able to switch between them at very short notice. This is not possible if you have to swap reel frames around before using a rod…..

Finally, I have mates in the trade who work for one of the UKs largest fly fishing retailers. They advise that they get a lot of people returning Abels with problems. Not sure how true this is, but it would be a bit disappointing if you had travelled a long way to go fishing and then, for example, the drag on your reel broke and you only had one reel chassis. Single point of failure and all that……

[four_button_arnie]

Lads.....you guys could make a living bringing dead people back to life, this thread has been 6 foot under for a long time now....:P

Josh

[Scott Mitchell]

Resurrection ....................

http://www.scotto.com.au/cmsimages/Abels.jpg

I have been fishing Abels for over 10 years & caught most of the serious line burners out there - Never been let down by an Abel 8-)

No other fly reel looks as good - Scotto :P

[fishsmith]

Resurrection ..................Cont.. Thats a nice collection of Abels there scott......