Having used the search on this forum I still have not been able to find the answer for my next trip...

I have 8# and 12# flyrods and 1 Danielsson 8-12 reel.
Next year I will be doing a trip where I will encounter bonefish,permit and giant trevallies.... I was going to get a second spool for the reel but have decided it would be easier to carry 2 sets around so I can switch quicly if the GT appear.
But since it is not a SWFF only I have had to make choices between gear and my budget, I do not have enough budget for a high end reel (was looking at a Shilton SL7) since I have invested in a jigging rod.
I am looking for advice on a cheap 8# reel that will not fall apart if I hook a bonefish (and has enough backing/drag that will give me an actual chance of catching the fish) and will last for 7 days minimum ; if it is done after my trip I don't care.
Would an Okuma Airframe suit my needs?

Will use the Danielsson for GT, after I have lost all my 12# lines I can use it for bonefish..

Serge.

Hi Serge

I have a couple of Vision Koma 7/8 reels, which are well-made, for SWFF. The first one I bought on recommendation of my local tackle dealer, and recall him mentioning these were recommended by a contact who did a lotta bonefishing.
Regards


Tony

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Get the spare spool!
will be just as easy to swap the spool in a hurry than the whole set up!
load the spool with the#8 line for the bones, whilst keeping the #12 for the trevally.
By all means get a reasonable reel as back up, maybe a scientific anglers system 2 #8/9 wide arbor(see ebay for older models) which will hold enough backing for both, and will be good enough, that way you have your reel of choice in play, with the spare in reserve!
regards
bert

There really has been a lot written on here already about reels for saltwater.

No a don't think an Okuma will suit. The minimum I would go with would be a Batenkill of some kind. I saw them selling the Large Arbor on sale for around £100in Orvis the other day. They've launched a new range so I'm sure they are available at a dsicount elsewhere as well. The orginal Batenkill barstock is also fine for bones, I've used one for years. The drags on these reels do die in the salt eventually but I don't look after my reels and you'll easily get a week out of them.

However as a cheap option

What about getting a Danielsson F3W7ten for the Bones.
It is not a "cheap" reel, but not expencive either. And very high quality.
Mine have been used and abused for a couple of seasons on looong trips. And despite being wet and salty most of the time it shows no signs of wear and tear.
Buying "cheap" is often more expencive than buying right.

Btw, I'm green with envy thinking of those GT's;-)

J

As has been mentioned - beware cheap. I have trashed both System 2 and Orvis DXR (Lamson) reels in short order on bonefish.

Now I have quality reels and dont have to worry. I just keep them maintained and they will last forever.

GT's are brutes - I have seen somebody trash a Tibor Pacific trying to stop a big one....
However I guess the drag was set up wrong as I have landed plenty on a Gulfstream with no reel issues.

Hope this helps.

I've fished with a Lamson Litespeed 3.5 loaded with 150m of 30lb braid backing and either Hardy floater or Orvis intermediary (2 spools). The reel has been used exclusively in saltwater and has been attached to some nice mullet and bass over the last 4 years and still spins perfectly. I have just checked eBay and there are a number of sellers selling this reel at about the £150 mark. I bought the reel on advice from Robjents in Stockbridge and paid about £450 from memory for the reel and 2 spools (eBay next time! lol).

The advice I was given was spot-on as I don't take too much care of my tackle, i.e. I don't wash it after a SWFF trip and as I've said... The reel still spins perfectly and is almost unmarked after at least 800 hrs use and 30+ good fish.

I can't vouch for the eBay sellers but if you can bag a genuine Litespeed at the prices they advertise, I'll vouch for the quality.

Darren

Thanks everybody for the tips and advice..

I understand that a 150 euro reel will do the job but that is more than I am willing to spend because that way I end up with a reel similar to my Danielsson but only cheaper (maybe less quality).

My preference would be to buy a Shilton SL7 or Nautilus for Gt's and other BIG fish and use the Danielsson for the bonefish but at this point my budget was spent on a jigging rod that I needed more...

I understand quality reels will last longer and perform much better but that is not what I am after.
I was hoping an Okuma Airframe ( or something similar) would hold up to bonefish as it is dirt cheap and I would not mind chucking it in the bin after the trip, still might get one and see what happens

Most likely I will just use my Danielsson for both and get a spare spool for now... just have to change tactics instead changing rods when a GT comes past whilst fishing for bonefish.

Cheers,

Serge.

I don't think swapping spools when a GT turns up is an option - how long do you think you've got? They charge around like Usain Bolt on speed when they come up on the flats, even with the rod in hand you'll be lucky to get two casts in (mind you if they're going to take it they'll smash the first one ). My advice would be have two outfits, hold the #12 wt at all times and only swap to the #8 when you see a bonefish you really want to catch.

No time at all that is why my plan was to have 2 outfits... now I will just fish for the bones for a few hours and then change for GT's .
Might try to get one of my friends to tease them in close with a lure without hooks..