new mooching reel from amundson

[mikep]

The TR3S pop up on marketplace for 700-850 pretty regularly. For me the TR3 is a game changer, I absolutely love mine. I was a big mr2 guy for a long time but the maintenance was starting to get to me. Buy Canadian an islander is for life.

 

[Squire]

The TR3S pop up on marketplace for 700-850 pretty regularly. For me the TR3 is a game changer, I absolutely love mine. I was a big mr2 guy for a long time but the maintenance was starting to get to me. Buy Canadian an islander is for life.

I’m still an Islander fan, just not a fan of the price tag; and I don’t do FaceBook. I’m going to continue using my MR3s but test out the TMX5 when fishing deeper to see how it performs. I made up a little ‘creep clip’ on a piece of downrigger line but haven’t fastened it to a rod holder yet. I will use this on one side with the MR3 and the TMX5 on the other to start the season.
I started out with less expensive mooching reels and ended up with Islanders so I’ll see where my experiment takes me.

 

[kingblazer84]

Well, the extra bling of the TMX5SE didn't look as blingy in person(IMO) so that made the decision easier lol.
I walked out of HC with a fully spooled TMX5, another Okuma Salish mooching rod, a couple of plugs, some other bits and pieces and a Yeti mug the wife threw on the counter, all for less than the TMX5SE.

the salish is an amazing rod I love mine and my TMX5's work great and fit most peoples budget nicely

 

[macro]

I'm surprised that no one mentioned the main difference on the SE reel....

Max drag power: 38lb

I've never not had enough drag with the regular.. In fact as soon as I'm on a fish I back the drag off and palm the reel...

I think there is a video of guys tuna fishing with the SE though. That could be pretty cool...

 

[macro]

the normal TMX5 is the best option in the alloy reel budget department ... but you got to look after them ... no offence if your a guide or just hard on Gear just stick to M1's or Shimano moochers .....
putting good gear in the hands of a noddy/ greenhorn or a drunk is not recommended ...
watch how many plonkers lay/ drop a rod against the gunnels then wonder why there rod snaps ... don't get me started .. to long in the tooth

I've had handles spin off / bend / break on the diawas and shimanos. The tmx's have held up well for me. Guests are hard on gear. I try to keep them on the techniums and not the titans for that reason too.

 

[Derby]

I have a couple of MR3s and my son has an MR2 but I'm looking for something without the line creep. In an Islander that’s the TR3 at $1K which I find a bit off-putting; the special colour combinations are $1130.
The TMX5SE is on sale at HC for $750 spooled with new line which is a considerable difference. The regular TMX5 is $410 spooled so two for less than an MR3 today.
I think you’re right in that there is no differencto the internals of the TMX5SE over the TMX5 as the ‘improvements’ appear to be the machined cutout pattern in the spool, larger knurled drag knob, machined paddle knobs and fancy colours. Hard to see $350 of value there but it’s also hard to see $130 of value in contrasting colour components on a TR3

one thing about Islander reels that can be said.. they hold there value I prefer the tr3 personal having fish pretty much all reels in the market.The Islander pretty much takes a licking and keeps on ticking if there is a problem the parts are made in Canada . The cost of admission can be expensive. My 2 cents and over 40 years of industry experience other reels come and go Islander is stead fast in the quality and there commitment to this industry.

 

[Squire]

one thing about Islander reels that can be said.. they hold there value I prefer the tr3 personal having fish pretty much all reels in the market.The Islander pretty much takes a licking and keeps on ticking if there is a problem the parts are made in Canada . The cost of admission can be expensive. My 2 cents and over 40 years of industry experience other reels come and go Islander is stead fast in the quality and there commitment to this industry.

I hear you on the come and go part of reel manufacturers. I’m hoping Amundson will be making the TMX5 longer than Rapala made the Shift and Concept reels.

 

[Derby]

Amundson reels have been around for while now and they do seem to be a solid company

 

[Fizzishin]

In my experience, the drag dial on these reels are nfg when your fingers are cold/wet. Nothing to grip onto. Sticking with my Daiwa 275 and a Peetz.

 

[Hot-Streak]

A guy at my club has the Flow 5 and I have a TMX 5. I handled it and it seemed fine. Same internals as a TMX5 (drag wise) and the rounded haldes had a nice grippy rubber. Overall liked the feel BUT I prefer a reel with a free spool.

Trotac has them for about $230 and for the price I would go with the Flow 5 over a Shimano GT4000.

My buddy has a TMX5 and this new Flow 5 and says the flow 5 feels a bit heavier and clunkier but drag is the same. For the price its a decent option.

I went with 2 R3EF reels because they also have a carbon drag like the TMX5 but also have a free spool. I'll see how I like them this season compared to my 2 Trophy (with islander springs/paddles) that have a cork drag.

TMX5 will remain my option for 3rd rigger/middle rod that I fish shallow

 

[wildthing]

The TR3S pop up on marketplace for 700-850 pretty regularly. For me the TR3 is a game changer, I absolutely love mine. I was a big mr2 guy for a long time but the maintenance was starting to get to me. Buy Canadian an islander is for life.

how you not fished in like 4 years.......reelin in ....lol

 

[wildthing]

In my experience, the drag dial on these reels are nfg when your fingers are cold/wet. Nothing to grip onto. Sticking with my Daiwa 275 and a Peetz.

best you wear gloves and carry a dry towel as to NFG on the drag knob maybe your big mitts are to big ....lol never had a problem other than it being screwed down to tight / locked up or total opposite where it spin's undone ..... both caused by human operator error .. use what you have confidence in and what appeals to you and fit's your budget thats my tips from 50 years of fishing

 

[Samnjoe]

My wife got a 58 in Rivers on a Shimano 4000. Running 4 rods and the other 3 were MR3's.
Big fish prefer old cheap reels.

 

[Weatherall]

I can say I just put a season on the Trend Flow 5. It's a great reel, and certainly an upgrade from Shimano or Diawa reels. It's a little heavier, but the drag is awesome. Great reel for the price.

 

[kingblazer84]

I can say I just put a season on the Trend Flow 5. It's a great reel, and certainly an upgrade from Shimano or Diawa reels. It's a little heavier, but the drag is awesome. Great reel for the price.

good to hear I bought 2 brand new ones a couple weeks ago for my bucktail rods cant wait to test em out

 

[chris73]

I find the travel for the drag adjustment a little too far. Takes many full turns to loosen the drag so you can freely strip out and then many turns again to tighten it up.