re: Flyfishing question

quote:

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arent they replaceable parts from what i understand?

if so, swapping out the friction pads is all it takes, i wouldnt say the reel was destroyed


i just stick to using the basic cheapo reels with no drag at all. my best so far is a 24" redfish

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Yes, a medium priced reel has replaceable drag discs. When I said destroyed I meant at the moment. I have never leadered a big Tarpon on a fly rod...about 70-80 pounds is the most I ever leadered. That size will almost smoke a drag. I have had BIG...125 pound plus...Tarpon on for as long as 15-20 minutes but never leadered one that size. A 40 inch snook will come close. I know that people catch multiple tarpon on the same reel and line...it is no easy thing to do without damaging the drag.


I use a 12 weight for almost all saltwater fly fishing. It is a little much for redfish and snook but it will handle big flies and wind. I have caught some MONSTER cubrera snapper and grouper in 3 feet of water on a 12 weight fly rod. I have caught 20 pound dolphin on the same rod. Its a bit overkill offshore but I can handle large flies and wind with it. The exception is bonefish...I use 5-6 weights for bones. They will flat out smoke a 5-6 weight. They say a sailfish is the fastest sport fish but nobody ever told a 5 pound bonefish that shite. I have caught permit on a 12 weight and have had them hooked on a 6. I ain't sure what is right for permit because the damned things are so picky in shallow water. On a reef they act just like the jacks they are, in shallow water all of a sudden they become picky.