Favorite Wreck Reel brand?

[lulubelle]

I need to buy a wreck reel instead of always borrowing one and am having a hard time deciding on which type/brand. I'm also interested in your opinion about length and type of line. I'm assuming a length of 200-300 feet, but that is as far as I have gotten.

I have used a number of different types. Some homemade, some name brand, etc. The ones with an open space under the cross bar on one side of the spool can be a bit of a PITA to use as a wreck reel as they seem too easy to tangle.

Thanks!

 

[Rainer]

400' Salvo, Halcyon, or Light Monkey.

 

[divingtpapa]

I have a 400 foot Manta, and I really like it.

 

[ECpirates96]

Lullabelle what price range are you in? If you are up to $200-$250 the side reels above are great. I am using a couple of OMS becuase I bought them right and they do what I need but the side handle reels are the reels of choice. Good luck.

 

[Cave Diver]

400' Salvo, Halcyon, or Light Monkey.

Ditto.

 

[Kevrumbo]

Halcyon Pathfinder Reel 400' guideline;

Also Halcyon Coldwater Spool 100' as an option:
Advantage: smaller than a full size Reel and easier to pass around anchoring points for line tie-ins or wraps.
Disadvantage: less linear length of guideline (100') vs. a full-size Reel (400'); slightly less convenience in manually winding up line on the spool vs. cranking/reeling line in with a full-size Reel; easy to fumble or drop spool with heavy gloves on while winding up line.

 

[lulubelle]

Halcyon Pathfinder Reel 400' guideline;

Also Halcyon Coldwater Spool 100' as an option:
Advantage: smaller than a full size Reel and easier to pass around anchoring points for line tie-ins or wraps.
Disadvantage: less linear length of guideline (100') vs. a full-size Reel (400'); slightly less convenience in manually winding up line on the spool vs. cranking/reeling line in with a full-size Reel; easy to fumble or drop spool with heavy gloves on while winding up line.

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll take a look at the Halcyon. I already carry a 100 foot finger spool. But on/in our wrecks and in our currents, there are too many different scenarios where it isn't adequate.

What about line thickness/type/strength? I have a number of dive buddies who have made their own reels because they weren't happy with the line that came with theirs.

 

[lulubelle]

Lullabelle what price range are you in? If you are up to $200-$250 the side reels above are great. I am using a couple of OMS becuase I bought them right and they do what I need but the side handle reels are the reels of choice. Good luck.

I'll be in whatever price range I need to be to have a good reel. I've managed not to have any gear "re dos" yet because I do a bit of research and borrow a lot of different types of something to try before I buy.

I definitely want a side handle reel. But a couple that I have used have a small opening on the left between the reel and the metal bar going over the top which seem mighty easy to tangle if you are doing anything beside carrying a flag on a drift dive where there is constant and perfect tension on them.

 

[lulubelle]

400' Salvo, Halcyon, or Light Monkey.

Thanks, I'll check them out. Do you think the 400 feet is the minimum length desirable? I am only doing limited penetration on wrecks within recreational depths and don't want to carry anything bulkier than what I need.

What I do know is that a 100 foot spool is not even long enough to shoot a dmsb from depth in ripping current...so I don't want to undershoot what I need either.

 

[lulubelle]

I have a 400 foot Manta, and I really like it.

Thanks, I'll take a look. I've heard nothing but positive from folks who have these.