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Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 9:42 am
by Reel Cowboy
I'm think ing about getting the Fin Nor Mega lite for the rod I'm building. I know this a pro Stradic group but I want something kind of unique for my first build.
Does anybody know much about them or anywhere local that might have you to take a closer look at?
http://www.finnorfishing.com/megalite.html
Thanks for the input.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 1:41 pm
by Atticus
In my experience Fin Nor shuts down a lot and then re-opens somewhere else as if they have the tax man on their rear end. This can make getting a reel fixed a big ordeal. FYI.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 2:25 pm
by Flint River Pirate
Reel Cowboy, have you considered a Stradic?

Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 2:27 pm
by bubbatoy
i do the reel repair for kevins and parts are hard to get If there at all . like atticus says they open and close alot. almost all shimano reels are good . the quantum cabo or boca seem to be doing well. bubbatoy
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 2:29 pm
by snatch-n-reel
Be a man and get a baitcaster!!!!!
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 2:55 pm
by Reel Cowboy
snatch-n-reel wrote:Be a man and get a baitcaster!!!!!
I would but I think I'd catch he!! putting one a spinning rod.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 2:58 pm
by Reel Cowboy
Flint River Pirate wrote:Reel Cowboy, have you considered a Stradic?

You know it had crossed my mind.
The ones I've used had a horrible grind right outta the box and it just ain't what I want.
Maybe a Cabo.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 3:50 pm
by Chalk
Dam a reel - tell us about the rod your building...been wanting to build a fly rod for awhile now
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 6:18 pm
by Reel Cowboy
Chalk wrote:Dam a reel - tell us about the rod your building...been wanting to build a fly rod for awhile now
http://www.bigbendfishing.net/phpBB3/vi ... 04#p165904
Here you go.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 7:06 pm
by Atticus
Try a Daiwa Tierra in the $100 range or a Quantum Cabo in the $180 range. Both nice reels with nice drags IMO.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 17th, 2008, 7:56 pm
by Chalk
On a custom rod - only a Van Staal would be fitting

Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 18th, 2008, 7:27 am
by silverking
RC,
The Fin-Nor line has suffered through many ownership changes in the last 10 years. Parts were hard or impossible to come by as a result. That said, I owned several Megalites and found them to be good reels for the money. The drag system is very smooth. I haven't played with one since they were re-introduced earlier this year.
Fin-Nor is now owned by WC Bradley, the same company that makes Quantum/Cabo and Van Staal. They've spent a lot of money and engineering to revamp all lines and I don't expect to see service issues in the future. I'm not sure who might carry them locally for you to check out. Maybe West Marine or Boater's World.
Chalk had the right idea with the VS. It's very sweet. I owned a VS10 at one time but sold it. I found it to be too heavy for a light tackle rod. On the custom rods I just had built (through BillyStix Rods in Gainesville) I splurged big-time and matched them with Stellas. I couldn't be happier.
I also own three Cabo spinners and have been very pleased with them. The ceramic drag system is smooth as silk. I landed a 35-pound tarpon with one using 8-pound mono recently in the Keys and the reel worked flawlessly. And for $190, they're about $400 cheaper than the Stellas.
Nice work on your rod. You'll be proud to fish that one. You might want to wait until you finish it so you can take it with you to the store to try different reels for the best balance and feel.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 18th, 2008, 4:41 pm
by leonreno
Daiwa reels are my favorite right now. The Exceler is a great value, and even the Regal Xi is a very good reel. They seem to work better with braid line than the other reels I own. Daiwa has a new Coastal Inshore spinning reel on their website, would like to try it. Believe it will retail for around $130.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 18th, 2008, 5:05 pm
by Flint River Pirate
leonreno wrote:Daiwa reels are my favorite right now.
That surprises me, I have had horrible luck with Diawa.
Re: Fin Nor Reels
Posted: October 18th, 2008, 10:46 pm
by Atticus
Quantum Cabo 30PTS was $159 at Sports Authority in the Tallahassee Mall today