Members kux99 Posted April 26, 2011 Members Posted April 26, 2011 I am currently looking for an 8wt large arbor fly reel and can't spend too much money on it. Cabela's has their RLS fly reel on sale on their website for $84.99, originally priced at $135.00. Anyone have any experience with this reel? Mainly going to use it for bass, wipers/stripers, and carp. How is the drag system on it? Is it smooth? Does it have the power to hold running carp or wipers/stripers?
troutfiend1985 Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 I am currently looking for an 8wt large arbor fly reel and can't spend too much money on it. Cabela's has their RLS fly reel on sale on their website for $84.99, originally priced at $135.00. Anyone have any experience with this reel? Mainly going to use it for bass, wipers/stripers, and carp. How is the drag system on it? Is it smooth? Does it have the power to hold running carp or wipers/stripers? You know I haven't had any experience with Cabelas reels, I have a couple of their fly rods and I like them just fine. I know that for an additional 15 dollars you can get a G. Loomis Venture, which can easily handle a carp and has an increadibly smooth drag. I think flyrise by Ross is only 115 right now, or you could always go for the Lamson Konic 3.5 which runs 140. Either of those 3 should be a great investment. I have a lamson Guru right now and love it, but the same drag is in the Konic to my understanding. I had a Venture 7, and that was a great reel. It's heavy, but that drag IMO makes up for the wieght. The Loomis is a great reel even though it's not a large arbor, I can vouch for that. If you're worried about backing, use the more expensive backing that is thinner. Having said that, the Konic is probably better, but again it depends on what you can afford here. I haven't tried out the RLS, but I've heard good things about it. However if I were you, I would try it out before I bought it to make sure that this is what you are looking for in a reel. Good luck. “The greatest menace to freedom is an inert people” J. Brandeis
Ham Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 I have a Cabela's RLS on my 4 weight. I'm caught a few pretty decent trout on it and was very happy with drag system.I'm going to try to get two more reels today IF they still have them at the sale price, BUT a fly reel is going to last you years. You might want to get one of the other reels that guys know will do the job on the fish you mentioned. Every Saint has a past, every Sinner has a future. On Instagram @hamneedstofish
stlfisher Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 I have an RLS and it works great. I wouldn't hesistate to recommend it. There are bunch of pretty decent reels in that price range.
FlyFishinFool Posted April 28, 2011 Posted April 28, 2011 If you want to use the reel for stripers (or even carp), then spend the extra $5 and get the next larger reel. The 7-8 reel only holds 150yds of 20lb backing, and you will want to use 30lb dacron backing with those fish. If you want to use gelspun or braid backing, then the 7-8 reel is acceptable, but still use the 30lb backing. * ´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> `•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((º> .¸¸.•´¯`•.¸ ><((((((º> I look in my fly box and think about what should guide my choice of the best fly: the amount/angle of sun on the water, the water temp & clarity, what bugs are hatching, what the fish might be eating, and what worked last time. Then I remember what an old man told me... " Ninety percent of what a trout eats is brown, fuzzy, about 1/2 inch long and underwater."
Members kux99 Posted April 30, 2011 Author Members Posted April 30, 2011 I ended up going today and got the konic 3.5. The konic was lighter than the RLS and holds more line. Thanks for the all the comments!! The Cabela's RLS is still on sale on their website if anyone is interested.
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