Abel Trout

Review Date
January 16, 2009

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: jr1964 ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $270.00 at Abel website

Summary:
I have the TR2 and use it for Bass, Trout and Bluegills. The reel performs very well and the drag isn't as much of a issue as some may have you believe. The reel doesn't like sand and grit so if falls in the sand or dirt just use some bottled water to clean it off and your back in business. The abel trout will handle light tippets well, the reel will train you to palm the spool after you spend a few days on the water and have a few fish give you good runs.

Customer Service:
excellent

Similar Products Used:
Orvis CFO and Abel Creek

Review Date
January 14, 2004

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: scott(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year

Price Paid:  $245.00 at The Ozark Angler

Body of Water:
pacific ocean

Favorite State:
okinawa

Favorite Country:
japan

Summary:
This is an extremely high end reel, that
is costly, but worth its weight in gold.

Strengths:
Quality,and durability.

Weaknesses:
None

Customer Service:
Fine service I am told but I have never needed it.

Similar Products Used:
Hardy, J W young&sons,Orvis

Review Date
September 14, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Anonymous User(Unregistered User) ,  30 days a year , from LA ,CA

Favorite City:
Eas Sierras

Favorite State:
CA60

Summary:
A great reel for an angler with a great ego or a great amount of discresionary income.

Strengths:
Quality of fit and finish is second to none. A good basic high end piece of equipment for people willing to pay for it. I won mine in a raffle at a flyfishing fundraiser, and have grown very attached to it. You will never have to worry if your drag is too loose or too tight on this model. Just palm the reel as you see fit for the conditions at hand.

Weaknesses:
The tolerances are tight, so treat it like an instrument, not a tool. Dropping it in the water and grit and sand while you untie the mess around the tip of your rod due to the wind is NOT a good idea.

Customer Service:
Great. I won mine and decided to upgrade to a color camo model. Jeff Patterson, the Sales Rep was very helpful in getting me set up with a beautiful Corral Camo model. The fit and finish are sooo tight.

Similar Products Used:
Galvan, Ross, SA.

Review Date
June 25, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Rory Santana(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year , from Miami

Body of Water:
Florida Keys

Favorite City:
Keus

Favorite State:
Florida

Favorite Country:
USA

Summary:
Great reel that matches well with the new light rods we use now. Cost may seem but over the years of service it will provide will surely make it a better value than cheaper reels.

Strengths:
Light & stong. Great finish and corrosion resistance. Excellent reels. I have 3 TR-3 with spare spools for every day fishing. However have also used them to catch dozens of bones to 11 lbs and tarpon to 50 lb. I use 4 to 8 wt lines on them. I also have Tibors, Seamasters, Big Game Abels, but this is my choice for fun!

Weaknesses:
Rather not have click on the retrieve. Would like a larger one, i.e. TR-4 or TR-5 with a "in fight" adjustable clicker.

Customer Service:
Reels never need service

Similar Products Used:
Old Scientific Angler System reels and HARDY MARQUIS FLY REEL

Review Date
June 24, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: John Clifford(Unregistered User) ,  30 days a year , from Bellevue WA USA

Summary:
I purchased the TR2 after examining several 4-6 wt reels in this price range. Although many other reels were very nice, they didn't have the quality of design and workmanship possessed by the TR2 (wobble in the spool, plastic parts, tools needed and screws removed to change spools). The quality of materials and workmanship, the simplicity of spool changes, and the feel of the product convinced me. No plastic parts, all machined (with no tooling marks), and a simple design that promises extreme ruggedness and reliability.

If I ever need a larger fly fishing reel, I'm leaning towards the Abel Big Game series... only because I'd like to have a disc drag for larger fish.

Strengths:
Well-made, well-designed, great aesthetics, great sound, feels silky smooth. Simple and rugged, and its simplicity means durability.

Weaknesses:
I have absolutely no complaints. Other buyers might be concerned about the lack of a disc drag on a reel in this price range, but I have had no problems in controlling trout by palming the reel.

Similar Products Used:
None