Why does a fly rod and reel cost so damn much?

[Mr. Sandman]

Sorry, I just don't get it. For the same price i can buy a top of the line offshore big game tuna reel, or the best spinning reel made OR I can get a decent fly reel. There really is not much to fly reels, what is the reason for the over pricing? A spool on a fly reel many times is over $100. I just don't get it. Also 500-600 bucks good fly rod, even 300 is high if you ask me? Come on, seems like outright price gouging.

I am looking for a good 10 weight rod with a large arbor reel that has a good drag for both surf and boat and I don't want to take a second mortgage on my home to get it. Any suggestions? I am interested in quality but want some value. I am flexible on pricing but it has to be reasonable.

I was looking at orvis but sticker shock is making me think I don't want to get into fly fishing and I would rather buy another penn 50W two speed.

[spence]

I think it's partially the yuppie factor, and also the notion that nice fly reels were using bar stock construction long before spinning.

I've read that a lot of people think the Temple Fork rods are a great value. You should be able to set something up for 300 + line.

-spence

[Roger]

It doesn't have to be expensive. Sure you can pay lots of money, but there are very inexpensive rods that 90% of fly fisherman will not come close to realizing the potential of. The problem with fly rods is that a poor one will turn you off to fly fishing. A good rod, like the TFO series 1 can be had for $100.

Reels are the same way. The abu 6500 of fly reels is the Pfluger Medalist. It's $30 and has all the drag you need for stripers and bluefish. A good number of tarpon were caught on that reel too. Just rinse after use in the salt.

More bulletproof reels with good anodizing, tuna capable drags and machined from bar stock can be purchased for around $250. That's not too far out of line from machined baitcasters.

It's the same with fly lines. The low end $30 lines sold now were the top of the line 25 years ago. At that time they were $30 too! They still work as well as ever.

The bottom line is that you can choose to spend lots of money on fly fishing, but nobody HAS to spend lots to fly fish.

[Goose]

because its for yuppies

[afterhours]

echo has a nice rod for about $150, designed by ted rajeff who worked for g loomis for 20 years. picked one up for my brother inlaw, damn nice rod for the $$. you can find reels on ebay.

[saltydog]

It all depends on what application you are using it for! for $30.00 reels to $650.00
DON'T FORGET YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR. I would never bring a Pfluger TUNA fishin. or even try to use one on a BONE FISH.
APPLICATION is what they are made for. an you should look for what you are using it for. so if a $30 reel is what you need then thats what you should get. same w/ rods APPLICATION. an there are TONS of rods & reels around to choose from. sogo out an TEST them out to see whats you NEED.
GOOD LUCK GOOD FISHIN

[Skip N]

You can get a great rod/ reae setup for a couple hundred bucks. Its no different than surf rods and reels. Some cost $30 and some cost $300. And remeber with fly rods most big name companys offer lifetime warrantys...how can you beat that? There are other great rods other than Orvis. I have a few Redington and LL bean rods that i paid no more that $150 a piece for and they are fantastic. Look around and dont think Orvis is your only option.

[striperondafly]

Temple fork 10 wt and a Teton Specialist 10LA - I have this combo, love it, and it didnt break the bank.

[Navy Chief]

I caught quite a few 10-15 lb Blues and Stripers last season with a 8 Weight Browning Rod that my ex got off E-bay for $35. I spent another $23 for a Pflueger reel and had a blast. Got cheap floating and sinking lines at Wallyworld. The setup is pretty light and the big blues gave me a hard time, but hey, every fish deserves a chance.

It won't work for Tuna though. But I'm not fishing for tuna.

[ferret]

They are expensive cuz they are fragile and lifetime warranteed.

[Mainiac]

I've used a pfluger 1498 and a 9' Cabelas f/t 8/9wgt on everything from schollies to 25 lbs. atlantic salmon and steelhead.I believe i paid around $200 for the outfit and it has served me well for 15 yrs.

[NEXT2NUN]

Check out the sale Cabelas is having on Sage and Redington. Some really good deals!!

[Pete_G]

I hadn't stopped by this forum in a while, so that's why I'm digging this thread up.

Temple Fork is our best selling fly rod these days. Overall they have been great for the industry; people can now get into fly fishing with quality gear at a good price and a lifetime warranty.

As for reels, that one is a little tougher. Here is where picking the right product matters. Stripers and blues don't kill fly reels. Even albies and bonito usually don't. But real tuna do. If your drag can't dump heat it's going to die, just like conventional and spin gear.

The other thing that kills fly reels is corrosion. In most cases, the higher priced reels are definitely built to withstand the salt better. Remember the Redington AL 9/10? Decent little reel but it had bearings in it that rusted if you looked at them wrong.

Tiogas are still one of the best reels going for the money. You can drag it across the rocks, thru the sand, forget to wash it and it keeps on going. $150 for a 9-10 sized reel that will last almost as long as the $600 ones. Just don't attach it to a real tuna.

[fishweewee]

Anyone in the market for a Charlton 8500 1.2 with spare spools? (Excellent condition).

[reelecstasy]

I shopped around at the expo for a rod.. Ron Arra set me up with a 9' 9wt Lamiglass...and at a price I could never say no to, membership has it's privileges...

[jeffsod]

High prices could possibly be attibuted to two factors:
1. Volume
2. Lifetime Warranty

I am guessing that there are no where near as many fly rods sold as freshwater or saltwater spin fishing rods. Economies of scale.

Someone has to pay for the replacement of all those rods that get busted in car or storm doors.


I think as Peter mentioned the Tiogas are a great proven reel for the money. I have the lighter version and am happy with it.

Of course my first reel was a $50.00 Pflueger 1495 &1/2 and that has landed me a number of really nice Stripers largest being about 24lbs on the flats of Monomoy. Those fish didn't seem to mind it was only a cheap reel.

[Swimmer]

Would you respect the the rod and reel the morning after if it cost less?