TR3s are $974 on the website right now, still looks like they are half. Get two other reels for the price of one of those is tough, love supporting local as much as I can but thats pushing it imo. All personal at the end of the day
You get what you pay for in many ways.
I'm not the biggest Islander fan but they are still the best reel I've run. The cost just erks me.
I own most of the Islander renditions from the last 15 years. The tr3s are the best Imo, however I find clumsy guests get their fingers in the drag adjustment while reeling and slam the drag on (I don't notice till the fish turns close to the boat and tears the hook out). The ceramic bearings and sealed drag are a big upgrade. Don't care for the look. Prefer the classic mr3 look. And what's with charging an extra $200 for a black one instead of blue or red. Come on ffs.
I wore out the tmx5s in 40 days used as spares over a season. They work but they are far from refined. Rebuild cost 1/3 of original bill. Any one wants a new one I think I might have one somewhere from 2021.
4 trophy reels circa 2010-12 we're far from robust. I'm sure they have improved but they ate parts quickly. Quality ducked then but painless when they go blooop
Maybe a reef circa 2015 (might have the name confused). That thing was crap.
I have high hopes for the coast reels. Esthetics aren't great but I'll grab a pair and see what the buzz is about. I like to support locally made stuff and the price point is reasonable
Never could choke down able reels cost to try a pair. Don't think they even make em now.
If you use a reel 15 times a year like most folks then the Chinese stuff is fine. If you use them lots, they might not save you any money over 2-5 years of service. A tr3 comes with a lifetime warranty (I believe anyhow), or a couple years of charter. They also don't depreciate much. My Mr3s are still worth the $400 I paid back in 2009 (yes I get inflation disagrees with that statement)
www.cabelas.ca
