eBay-ing 8/9Reel - What to Get and How Much $???

[MattyFlavor]

I posted a thread in the LiG Board, but wanted to gleen the expertise of this board... (Mods, if this is not okay feel free to delete).

Here's the scenario:

I am a beginner/low-intermediate FF'er. I have an 8/9 Lamiglass that needs a reel. After looking through online and retail outlets, it dawned on me that I may do considerably better on eBay.

My question is this:
:help:
What brands/models for this weight class and my general needs are better than others? (Go for X, stay away from Y, etc.) How much, or rather, how little can I get away with spending reasonably? Keep in mind that I am a cheap (son born out of wedlock) and really want to maximize my value.

I know the FF Board won't let me down (the LiG thread has digressed a bit). As my New England roots might say, "You guys are wicked smaht..." :wave:

Thanks in advance!
(Here I am thinking about the prospect of my first summer steel or fall chinook on the fly rod... :dance: )

[Gizmo Man]

The first thing you need to decide is how much do you want to spend on a reel.

If you are looking for a good, inexpensive reel, it is hard to beat a pfluger 1495 1/2. Used them for years. They cost about $30.00 new and spare spools are about $15.

If you are looking for a fashionable reel at a cheap price, then do the auction or watch the classified.

Everyone will have an opinion as to what you need. The old my ford is better than your chevy thing.

Tell us how much you want to spend then you will have the best in the price range you set options discussed.


Hope this helps.

Giz...

[Riverkeeper]

Did you see THIS THREAD? (http://www.ifish.net/forum/showflat.php?Cat=0&Board=UBB2&Number=864699&Search page=1&Main=864699&Words=+rjs&topic=&Search=true#P ost864699)

Might want to check those out and see if one would suit your needs.

[Stew]

You will not go wrong with the Scientific Anglers Systems reels. Ebay seems to always have them at a very good price :cheers:

[Two Fister]

I'm with Stew on this one. I've had a Sci Anglers System 2 reel for years that has never let me down. They're kind of heavy, but they take a beating. I have a couple of the cheaper Orvis reels and they are OK as well, but they definitely are not as stout as the SA.
TF

[lilnorthfork]

Yup... SA System 2 or 2L (L for light).
I was lucky enough to pick up a bunch of the System 2L's when a distributor in CA was first expirementing with ebay for liquidating overstock... before they learned the concept of 'reserves'. :jester: Anyhow, they still seem to be floating around ebay for less than half of retail. Not a piece of art but a fully functional reel with an adequate drag system.
For a little more money, a CA flyshop used to (maybe still does) regularly sell NIB (New In Box for you ebay newbies) Teton Tioga's for about a third off retail. The Tioga 10 is really an 8/9 reel. I bought one for a 10 wt. and found it held about 50 yds. of backing with a 10 wt. WF line. :whazzup: I called Teton to ask what the deal was and the guy said send it in and they would replace it with the new-on-the-market Magnum model at no cost... I love that kind of service.
I spent a fair bit of time buying and selling those SA reels so got to know ebay fairly well... let me know if you want help finding and buying a reel without donating a significant portion of your life staring at a computer... at least not on ebay. :grin: Two pieces of ebay advice... first, don't get outbid by $5 because you want 'the killer deal'... unless you enjoy spending long hours watching auctions instead of fishing; and second, snipes. :grin:
lnf

[cphatts]

I would second both the Pfleuger Trion and the SA System II. I own both and really like each. The Pfleuger is cheaper than the SA, but neither are too expensive compared to some models out there and both perform excellently.