MadJigga
Well-Known Member
Interesting. Harbor Chandler usually has very competitive pricing. Cheers
WTB: Abel Mooching Reels
- Thread starter smp747
- Start date
fishin solo
Crew Member
Depending on your relationship with a store some will give you better pricing....
I know...I sell them the reel
I agree, that’s why I was surprised to see that online.
You use those, I’ll stick to Abels.
MadJigga
Well-Known Member
I’ll stick with Abeis as well. I’ve used TR3’s. They are nice but I have two guide buddies that run them and have had to send them in multiple times for rebuilds over the course of a single season. They own 6 reels just do they always have 2 that are operable.
I want Abel's because I like the design more than the Islanders. Same reason I only run Galvan fly reels and not Islanders, or anything else.
Also I've tried reaching out to Islander previously when I had a couple questions regarding their manufacturing and facility and didn't get the best vibe from their responses. I know their reels are great, they're just not what I'm looking for.
Each to their own.
Also I've tried reaching out to Islander previously when I had a couple questions regarding their manufacturing and facility and didn't get the best vibe from their responses. I know their reels are great, they're just not what I'm looking for.
Each to their own.
I think changes in fisheries and the effect on your chosen tackle is also lost in some...if you fish 40# mainline off a rigger 200 + feet down, that is a ton of drag on the mainline, cranking your drag to lock just to stop reel creep is silly. Of course the reel creeps, that’s a smooth drag working. Install a mini clip on your rod holder , then clip to the line above the reel, (Harbour Chandler trick) and leave your drag at a proper fishing tension. Never have we fished so deep as sporties, but it changes how gear performs. (Hint-Use braid and a top-shot of mono, better hook-sets 200 feet down and no line drag) free-spooling reels to 200+ feet all day puts unreasonable stress and wear on any reel drag service, and clickers and pawls. One thing I'll give the old MR2 had was that free-spool lever...
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MadJigga
Well-Known Member
I run braid with a top shot. I’ll try the mini clip for sure. Cheers
right on...BTW, curious, what #test braid do you like to use? How long a top-shot?
MadJigga
Well-Known Member
60 lb braid
20’ top shot of 30 lb mono. Seems to stay snug in the clip
fishin solo
Crew Member
1st Gen has the Abel Sign on the stainless steel Cap 2nd Gen has the abel sign on the reel
MadJigga
Well-Known Member
Cheers
tuna1
Member
I have been running a set of second gen abels for 4 seasons with an average of 30 days a season great reels , very little maintenance i had islanders also great reels just need a bit more servicing during season than abels . for the price point and the lifetime ownership you could go either way but for me the abels were just 1 notch better
the first Gen reels are narrower and often had a wood handle (laminate), different hole pattern and a smaller drag surface and quieter out-going click. the 2nd gen are wider, and WAY louder. The drag pawl (dog) system also changed. the drag would bootom out and lock on the 1st gen, the second you can crank so tight that the bottom bearing will push out (so don't do that). I run both. Moochers way prefer the 2nd gen because they are loud. Rigger fishing doesn' matter since you are watching rods 24/7 anyway in my experience
Aces
Well-Known Member
Abels don’t break down or need some love after 50 days?
I think it depends on the user..EVERYTHING needs love...a Porsche needs an oil change as much as a Toyota. But my experience is the better cork used doesnt cup or scallop and require re-finishing as often.
MadJigga
Well-Known Member
I just know both my cousin and a guide buddy in Campbell River both had major issues with their TR3’s. Islander made it right but they still had downtime on the reels. Enough so that they bought more. That being said, they bought more TR3’s
