Reel Choices

[Captain Fred Archer]

I have been around and heavily involved on a hands-on basis in the reel business for a mighty long time. I ran Shimano and had a heavy hand in all aspects of their lever drag reels from day one. I also had a great deal to do with the development of the Accurate reels from their very earliest days, when the twins graduated from engineering school. And I was involved with Penn when they developed their latest, very much improved lever drags too.

They are all good reels, but to me, based on my experience in development, design, and performance on the water, there is no question that the Accurates are the best big game reels of the bunch, period. Plus they are made right here in the good, old USA, a mighty important thing nowadays that I would hope most would take into account. How they could be excluded from this poll while those who have skipped all of the development costs and have attempted to outright copy them is very puzzling and frankly, very disappointing. They are GREAT reels that were pioneered and developed with the typical time, research, development, and start-up costs of any new, leading edge product. It's a shame that they aren't on the list of choices and I hope that they get added.

[NJPete]

This past December as a Christmas present i was given an Accurate 80. I do not have any experience with their 50s or 130s but based on the 80s there is no question that they are by far the best reels i have. Incredibly smooth, unbelievable drag, very loud clickers.

[jwalker]

I have been around and heavily involved on a hands-on basis in the reel business for a mighty long time. I ran Shimano and had a heavy hand in all aspects of their lever drag reels from day one. I also had a great deal to do with the development of the Accurate reels from their very earliest days, when the twins graduated from engineering school. And I was involved with Penn when they developed their latest, very much improved lever drags too.

They are all good reels, but to me, based on my experience in development, design, and performance on the water, there is no question that the Accurates are the best big game reels of the bunch, period. Plus they are made right here in the good, old USA, a mighty important thing nowadays that I would hope most would take into account. How they could be excluded from this poll while those who have skipped all of the development costs and have attempted to outright copy them is very puzzling and frankly, very disappointing. They are GREAT reels that were pioneered and developed with the typical time, research, development, and start-up costs of any new, leading edge product. It's a shame that they aren't on the list of choices and I hope that they get added.

Hey Fred,
Penn Internationals are also made in the good U.S.A. as you know, if that is a consideration when purchasing a new Reel and obviously at a much more manageable price point for most.
Accurates are tough and made very well.

[Ozimo2]

I have been around and heavily involved on a hands-on basis in the reel business for a mighty long time. I ran Shimano and had a heavy hand in all aspects of their lever drag reels from day one. I also had a great deal to do with the development of the Accurate reels from their very earliest days, when the twins graduated from engineering school. And I was involved with Penn when they developed their latest, very much improved lever drags too.

They are all good reels, but to me, based on my experience in development, design, and performance on the water, there is no question that the Accurates are the best big game reels of the bunch, period. Plus they are made right here in the good, old USA, a mighty important thing nowadays that I would hope most would take into account. How they could be excluded from this poll while those who have skipped all of the development costs and have attempted to outright copy them is very puzzling and frankly, very disappointing. They are GREAT reels that were pioneered and developed with the typical time, research, development, and start-up costs of any new, leading edge product. It's a shame that they aren't on the list of choices and I hope that they get added.

I didn't add them because no one out here has any experience
with them. And, like the Avet - it's not as popular as the other major mfgrs, IMO.

And, I am replacing two 7.5/0 and two 9/0 Everols which were only single speed.

[BTH284]

Hands down IMO shimano for single speed 50 and up. The old penns were the heat back in the day. But the technology that came along it was only a matter of time before the shimano Tiagras caught up. I remember when the 80 and 130 first came out. No bio handle, no racheting drag lever. Still a great reel back then.

[N2theBlue]

I didn't add them because no one out here has any experience
with them. And, like the Avet - it's not as popular as the other major mfgrs, IMO.

And, I am replacing two 7.5/0 and two 9/0 Everols which were only single speed.

if you were using everols you can't be too concerned about popularity. I don't even know of a tackle shop that carries them. No one where has experience with Accurates? Anywhere there is big game fishing there is at least one boat with Accurates.