Fin-Nor Ahab

Review Date
July 20, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Reviewed by: Nigel (Unregistered User) ,  30 days a year

Price Paid:  $650.00

Body of Water:
Indian Ocean

Summary:
This is a disaster of a reel, a real compromise. Don't waste your money

Review Date
April 26, 2001

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Anonymous User(Unregistered User) ,  50+ days a year , from Jamestown, RI USA

Price Paid:  $300.00 at Saltwater Edge

Body of Water:
Offshore

Favorite City:
Newport

Favorite State:
RI

Favorite Country:
USA

Summary:
Good reel for the price. Good for a 10 wt but too big/heavy for 8.

Strengths:
Fin Nor Ahab AH810 Fly reel is a very rugged, solid reel with huge drag. Holds a good amount of backing. Drag is excellent and smooth. I have used reel for Bass, Bluefish, Bonito, False Albacore, small Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna as well as Tarpon and Barracuda. The reel is recommended for 8-10 weight but it is a little heavy for 8. I preferred to use it as my 10 wt sinking line reel.It is better for larger fish that test the drag. It is a waste on Bass and Bluefish. Nice finish, drag set is easy, fairly large spool for easy reeling.

Weaknesses:
Drag knob can come off if unscrewed too far. A little heavy to cast all day.

Customer Service:
I believe company changed hands a few years back. Customer service was fine. I replaced drag knob. Company charged me for 1 but sent two. They acknowledged unscrewing and losing knob was being worked on for next model.

Similar Products Used:
Pate Tarpon, Penn #4, Tibor Gulfstream.

Review Date
August 30, 2000

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Reviewed by: Anonymous User(Unregistered User) ,  40 days a year , from Gävle, Sweden

Body of Water:
River Gaula

Favorite Country:
Norway

Summary:
I wouldn't recommend anyone to buy this reel, even though I think it is no longer available. It seemed like a good deal, but since you can't use it for fishing, then what's the point if it's cheaper than many reels that seem similar at a glance?

Strengths:
Very rugged reel, with a massive drag.

Weaknesses:
Works just fine, as long as it's not in the vicinity of water. If the drag is exposed to water, it looses all drag but gains enormous start-up inertia.

Customer Service:
First it seemed fine, I sent them a letter, detailing my problems, and they responded with ideas about a possible solution. Since it didn't work, I tried to contact them again, but since my second attempt to get some response, I haven't heard from them.

Similar Products Used:
Abel, System II, Black Shadow