Zombies are coming- you have to run and can only take 3 reels with you!!!

[Joel.B]

The gun forums are choked with these threads- "ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE!!, WHAT'S YOUR GUN?"


What would be the 1911, Remington 870, M1 Garand of reels?

If you can only have three reels, which three and why? 

I have not owned a whole bunch of reels like most of you probably have. Though I can always predict which guns would be mentioned in the Zombie/gun threads, no idea which reels have top reputations as proven rugged and reliable.

[Killerbug]

I would take the Kalashnikov of baitcasters with me, my red Amb 5500.

[Ron Jones]

A 4/0 tank, a open top 20 size caster (TLD, Sealine SHV add all) and my Pflueger large arbor with all my spools!

If you let me take a 4th, I'd grab a 300 sized spinner.

Ron

[redsetta]

I would take the Kalashnikov of baitcasters with me, my red Amb 5500.

Good call Morten - that's a pretty accurate metaphor.
The first two are easy, the last more of a toss-up:

• Penn/Tiburon 113h 'Tank'
• Ambassadeur 6500
• Penn/Tiburon 501 or Penn/Newell '99' or Shimano/Tani TLD15

Cheers, Justin

[Joel.B]

- Ambassadeur

there is a reel I have seen around my whole life and I never once handled one or know anything about them.

Salt-friendly?  How much drag and what kind of gears can you get? 

To be the AK47 of reels is really saying something.

[saltydog]

Penn 112H,113H,114H all tanked out to yank there silly little heads off.

[Dominick]

Tsk Tsk Tsk.  Such violent reaction.  Try taking a zombie fishing.  They are just poor misunderstood dead people.     Dominick

[Ron Jones]

Penn 112H,113H,114H all tanked out to yank there silly little heads off.

Alright, I'll admit, I'm kind of a prepper. The only issue with this list, as much as I LOVE all the choices, is that the majority of fishing in a "ZOMBI APOCALYPSE" will be in shore off the rocks or in streams, I think the 112H is just a bit to big to be the smallest reel.

Ron

[saltydog]

Depends on how big the zombies are,I don't plan on eating them just a little catch and release from the rooftops.BRAINS anyone.

[George4741]

Joel, you didn't mention which reels you would grab as you are running out the door.

I based my salt water reel choice on versatility and simplicity/ease of maintenance.  I'm a Penn conventional star drag guy so I chose a "99" width Tiburon framed jigmaster and a double dogged, 1+7 drag, narrow Tib framed 114H.  I think they'll handle my salt water needs.  Besides, I just like them.


Most of my fishing is in fresh water and I always use very small spinners.  One that holds about 100 yds of #4 mono will do, so I chose a Mitchell 310X paired with a 5-6 ft light action rod.


My wife, who likes fishing more than I do, chose her Penn 320gt2 and Mitchell 308X.  She said two reels are enough.
 George

[redsetta]

I think the 112H is just a bit too big to be the smallest reel.

My reasoning as well Ron (I also have a 112H 'Tank') - hence the Abu.
Joel, the 5500/6500 Swedish-made Abus are great little reels - high quality and eminently upgradeable.
They don't mind a bit of water exposure either - I fish mine off the paddle board with 20lb braid (and 5-7lbs drag) and rate it pretty highly.
In terms of durability, I have a ~30-year-old 6500C (Ultra Cast) that runs smoother than my new one.
Cheers, Justin

[Alto Mare]

If we were only bringing reels and no parts, I would be comfortable with these;

They would pretty much cover everything.
the 9/0 is almost as heavy as the 6/0, just 2oz over.
Sorry couldn't make my mind up with the smaller reels, it would be a Surfmaster 100 or the 650SS.
Most guts on the conventionals are ss, they're also double dogged except the 100, but the dog and sleeve are ss.

[0119]

Well all that saltwater gear is something but with no end of the world secret store of gas, your boats will be tombs.  I'd have to take 3 Abu 4500C's for fresh and inshore. One to use and two for parts reels.  Oh and a Ruger Vaquaro .45 long colt....

[Joel.B]

"Joel, you didn't mention which reels you would grab as you are running out the door."

Well I'd have to grab the 113h YTS tank I have been slaving over- if only because I'd hate to leave  it unfinished, but I imagine it will be a pretty good piece of kit when done.

I'd grab Granpa's old Mitchell 300

and the Squidder 146 that I have also been slaving over.

So two unfinished projects and an old spinning reel.  Hopefully the zombies cannot swim and i'd be safe to tinker away on my secret Island. 

[Killerbug]

If we were only bringing reels and no parts, I would be comfortable with these;

They would pretty much cover everything.
the 9/0 is almost as heavy as the 6/0, just 2oz over.
Sorry couldn't make my mind up with the smaller reels, it would be a Surfmaster 100 or the 650SS.
Most guts on the conventionals are ss, they're also double dogged except the 100, but the dog and sleeve are ss.

What a beautiful baby the red one in the middle, is that a modified Peen?