Mooching reels - Trophy, R3ef, Amundson

[Adrenafin]

I have 2 tmx5, luhr jensen legacy, daiwa m1, shimano 2000gt, islander mr3. Out of the bunch my favorite is the luhr jensen... great sounding clicker, smooth, good drag with minimal creep and no issues over several seasons. I like the amundsen tmx5 but they require by far the most maintenance. The old shimano 2000gt with replaced drag washer is great and never getting rid of it. Daiwa m1 is good but have had to replace springs. And the islander... big money and creeepy. Should have got the mr2LA i think.

The luhr jensen's on sale right now at cabelas....

 

[brutus]

I have 2 tmx5, luhr jensen legacy, daiwa m1, shimano 2000gt, islander mr3. Out of the bunch my favorite is the luhr jensen... great sounding clicker, smooth, good drag with minimal creep and no issues over several seasons. I like the amundsen tmx5 but they require by far the most maintenance. The old shimano 2000gt with replaced drag washer is great and never getting rid of it. Daiwa m1 is good but have had to replace springs. And the islander... big money and creeepy. Should have got the mr2LA i think.

The luhr jensen's on sale right now at cabelas....

How old are your mr3 ??? I was told after I unloaded mine that the creep issue was resolved , mine where first gen, basicly bought 2x when they came out(pos) compared to my mr2

 

[Adrenafin]

Probably first gen

 

[Squire]

My MR3s are newer models and they seem to develop creep as the cork dries out. Once I do my maintenance and really let the oil soak into the cork, the issue disappears for a while.
I discovered this after I bought a TMX5 to deal with the creep of the MR3. The next time I used the MR3 (right after winter maintenance), the creep was mostly gone in that it required way less tightening of the drag to stop it.

 

[brutus]

My MR3s are newer models and they seem to develop creep as the cork dries out. Once I do my maintenance and really let the oil soak into the cork, the issue disappears for a while.
I discovered this after I bought a TMX5 to deal with the creep of the MR3. The next time I used the MR3 (right after winter maintenance), the creep was mostly gone in that it required way less tightening of the drag to stop it.

Ya mine where like wtf, I had to crank the drag knob so tight when fishing deep, fine when fishing top 40-50 feet

 

[brutus]

https://www.facebook.com/share/16RNjaU7nm/?mibextid=wwXIfr, 4 mr2

 

[Macdeep]

Cork is so high maintenance. My islander fly reel is awesome, unless it’s raining, or until it gets wet (cork gets wet) and then it’s far from smooth. More like jerky ask all f***. And I maintain the drag a few times a year, but it’s a summer toy only, and have to make sure it doesn’t get dunked when handling fish.

Sadly, unless there’s something I’m missing, I’ll never trust a cork drag.

Something about carbon discs that just make sense.

 

[brutus]

Cork is so high maintenance. My islander fly reel is awesome, unless it’s raining, or until it gets wet (cork gets wet) and then it’s far from smooth. More like jerky ask all f***. And I maintain the drag a few times a year, but it’s a summer toy only, and have to make sure it doesn’t get dunked when handling fish.

Sadly, unless there’s something I’m missing, I’ll never trust a cork drag.

Something about carbon discs that just make sense.

I do maintenance on mine once a year, that’s it, never rinse them the ole season, and they smoth as can be,maybe islander is cheating out onnquality of cork,a rod builder I know told all the good cork goes into making shoes now a day. Haven’t bought a reel in over ten years, last one was my wife mr2 la and it’s smooth too

 

[Macdeep]

I do maintenance on mine once a year, that’s it, never rinse them the ole season, and they smoth as can be,maybe islander is cheating out onnquality of cork,a rod builder I know told all the good cork goes into making shoes now a day. Haven’t bought a reel in over ten years, last one was my wife mr2 la and it’s smooth too

Ya, good to hear. Perhaps I need to send mine in for a proper service / inspection. I find the drag is butter smooth if the reel is kept dry and the drag is well lubricated, and only applied to ~1/2 strength - something appropriate for trout or pinks. But if I'm fishing chinook or winter steelhead and want the drag set to stun/kill, then it gets really jerky. Once it gets wet, all bets are off. Perhaps something is off...

Anyway, back to mooching reels

 

[Macdeep]

Well, picked up a pair of used Trophys with the cork drag. Learning about how to treat the cork - seems like one the the issues I've had with my Islander fly reel is I've put too much lube on the cork... Interested to see how the Trophys compare as far as performance while fighting fish.

Anyone know if there's an option with either the Trophys or the Islanders for switching out the cork drag for a disc drag? Or getting new cork? I assume the gear with the cork is an expensive part... Ive read that you can lightly sand the cork and then re-oil it to restore it if it's compressed or glazed. Not sure it's an issue, but will see how she goes.

Could also use a link to the Islander drag spring - I have a feeling these Trophy's have been fished hard and could use some new guts / upgrades. So far the bearings etc look good, quiet and smooth, but lots of salt and hazing around the reel seat, outside of the spool and frame. Definitely older-ish reels, but I'm sure they will handle plenty more fish!

 

[Hardy Guy]

Just wipe the glaze off with a rag and maybe bit of break clean. Re oil with several drops of super lube oil. The cork should last for years. Parts are not made for the trophy anymore. You can get drag spring from islander or me. Handles can be a weak link but are easy to change. Ic the bears are not grinding you are fine.