I need some input. I'm looking for a reel to pair with a 5 wt Orvis Access. I'm looking to spend around $200, and am absolutely overwhelmed by the selection. Can anyone help with some suggestions or even just basic traits to look for in a decent reel?
drag system first. aesthetics 2nd. The Galvan rush is the same drag system as the torque series. Go to the website and look at the difference in price and machining. That's basically it. CLA reels are nice as well, maybe a little heavier though? There are other good reels out there. Abel make one for 200$???
As Cole stated, you want a reel with a very smoothe drag system. This may sound picky, but I prefer a reel where it is very easy to adjust the drag while I am fighting a fish. Thus, I prefer a reel that has a little dial to adjust the drag. Some reels have a knob that you turn to adjust the drag; unfortunately, you don't know how much you have to turn the knob before the drag gets really stiff. And when you are fighting a big fish you don't want to be screwing around trying to set the right amount of drag.
Actually, I would put the physical weight of the reel as #1, make sure the reel balances the rod. If it doesn't then everything will feel like crap. The smooth drag matters about .0001% of the time on a 5 wt, but the balance of the rod matters with every cast.
Best way is to mount the rod with the reel loaded with the type of line you use the most and run the line through the guides and make some casts, and preferrably take it fishing. I spent some rainy days last winter experimenting with various set ups and got some religion on this. Older rods can be heavier, value priced rods heavier, and the design of the rod and material choices also impact weight. If you have a rod that is marketed as "featherlight" then make sure your reel matches.
Once you are looking at reels that properly balance the rod for physical weight THEN start looking at things like drag systems.
If you're watching the $$, then I wouldn't worry too much about paying a premium for a smooth drag system, on a 5 wt I think you will do much better just focusing on "line management" technique. Smooth drag doesn't do much good when your line is wrapped around a rock, weeds, a finger, too much slack, too little slack, wrong tippet for the rod, etc.
If you're all dialed in for balance, line setup and technique, THEN splurge on the drag, nothing like a nice quality piece of equipment to enjoy on the water. I've got Galvan, Sage, Abel, Lamson and some other odd reels and number one factor for me is BALANCE.
1) Machined Aluminum over Cast Aluminum. The reason being is if you fall on a cast aluminum reel more than likely you will bend or damage the spool to where it wont work so you will need to buy a new spool or worse a new reel. With machined you are more than likely going to ding or chip the reel / spool and will only have cosmetic damage and not physical damage.
2) A very close second is weight, a balance out rod goes a long way.
3) Drag, an awesome drag is a plus but on a 5wt its not really needed. Remember it is a 5wt so there wont be to many adventures that will put you into your backing. A drag, that if a fish does get you on the reel (i strip line when I fight fish) you will have a good drag to handle a run the fish may put you on.
All the reels that have been suggested are great. Also are you looking for American made or Imported. So here are a few imported reels. Redington Rise $160, TFO BVK $240. Best bang for the buck in my opinion is the Lamson Guru, it has the same drag system as the high end Sages but at half the price and made in the US and machined aluminum. $180-190 depending on if you get the 1.5 or 2.
Great info here. Good luck, and trust me dont over think it.
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I'm actually heading back to CA (SL Tahoe) for five days leaving today, so I'll take everyone's advice and test out some different reels on the rod at SLT Outfitters before buying anything.
