DIY reel?

[JTani]

Anyone ever made a reel before? I want to replicate the OMER pelagic reel. The design itself looks relatively simple, only hard part for me would be working with metal I have no experience in that. I assume aluminum would be cheapest and easiest to work with?
If any of have done this before let me know what/how you did it, or I would appreciate if you post some pictures.
Thanks,
Jordan

[mx5coco]

ive wondered how a fly reel would do

[JTani]

I ended up finding a OMER pelagic reel brand new for $60.

[manoa matt]

I've also wondered how a fly reel would work as I'm a fly fisherman too. After looking at the construction of most spear gun reels I was not impressed. Even some of the cheapest fly reels are still better constructed than some high end gun reels. All either type do is hold line, you are not reeling in the fish with it. I just see the reel as the weakest link in the connection between me and the fish regardless of manufacturer. I dive with a float line, but I only do reef diving and don't shoot anything over a couple pounds.

[JTani]

I've also wondered how a fly reel would work as I'm a fly fisherman too. After looking at the construction of most spear gun reels I was not impressed. Even some of the cheapest fly reels are still better constructed than some high end gun reels. All either type do is hold line, you are not reeling in the fish with it. I just see the reel as the weakest link in the connection between me and the fish regardless of manufacturer. I dive with a float line, but I only do reef diving and don't shoot anything over a couple pounds.

Im the opposite I agree that the reel is the weakest point which is why I use my reel when I reef dive and tag up when im hunting pelagics. I was looking up the Potts reels they seem to have a simple design that's very effective. I may try my hand at copying one.

[sp9hzx]

On Italian forums you will find lots of DIY ideas,also reels.
Rgds:)

[mudman]

Most decent flyreels cost more than the higher end gun reels, and the drags on the better reels would need to be broken down cleaned and re-lubed after immersion at depth, or they will lock up, lots of different metals in the drags & frames

[dr.ed]

I've also wondered how a fly reel would work as I'm a fly fisherman too. After looking at the construction of most spear gun reels I was not impressed. Even some of the cheapest fly reels are still better constructed than some high end gun reels. All either type do is hold line, you are not reeling in the fish with it. I just see the reel as the weakest link in the connection between me and the fish regardless of manufacturer. I dive with a float line, but I only do reef diving and don't shoot anything over a couple pounds.

fROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND; FLY REELS HAVE COrussion problems (sorry cap lock on). This is on search.

[manoa matt]

Most fly reels are for fresh water, however there are saltwater fly reels that do not suffer from the corrosion problems. Most drag systems are simple click type and there is not a lot of parts. White lithium grease will be more than adequate and not wash out. Every component should be rinsed after a dive. It can be done successfully.

[mudman]

you are partially correct, Most cheap freshwater reels use a click and pawl drag system and would be useless in the salt. the larger capacity Saltwater reels are usually machined aluminium bodies and have varied drag systems, with brass or stainless components , cork/conical etc. There are some with sealed drag systems that might work but at depth, water would more than likely penetrate the seal. These kind of reels would also take them out of the picture because of costs starting in the $350 range and going north from there. Since a gun reel is really just a storage system for your line, you would be paying for an expensive drag system for no reason. All you want is an over run drag to prevent it from over spinning when a fish is running. Either buy a gun reel or make one but dont waste your time with a fly reel. Like Matt said, it can be done........ but why?

[Behslayer]

My two cents. The best drag system for a spearfishing reel, which will not corrode, melt, or cause problems, is an Amara/Kevlar Drag...... ie your glove.

[JotaPS]

You may find some step by step info on DIY reels on

http://www.bluworld.com/Faidate/mulinello_arbalegno.pdf

Even if you don’t understand a word of Italian, the figures are pretty much self-explanatory and quite helpful. In fact, this should be my next DIY project…

Cheers

[LIMITLESS]

Thanks, deff gunna get to wrk on this!!

[SDDiver5]

Hmm this is interesting. I would enjoy a project like this. Especially with access to tons of tools now that I moved!

[phil herranen]

My two cents. The best drag system for a spearfishing reel, which will not corrode, melt, or cause problems, is an Amara/Kevlar Drag...... ie your glove.

Have you taken apart a pots reel? The drag is simple efective and foolproff and instantly freespools when you let go of the drag loop . But on all other normal reels your hand is the best drag you can use .
Phil

[Behslayer]

Never had the chance, but I'd like to see how it's set up. I've taken apart lots of others. There are some tricks for Drags, ie using different materials, multiple Washers, but at the end, Spearfishing Reels are not really fighting platforms like Fishing Reels, rather line storage.

[phil herranen]

Never had the chance, but I'd like to see how it's set up. I've taken apart lots of others. There are some tricks for Drags, ie using different materials, multiple Washers, but at the end, Spearfishing Reels are not really fighting platforms like Fishing Reels, rather line storage.

I will try and get some pics or do a see through for you . On a potts reel you do use the drag , no screws, nuts ,washers, very simple but at the same time very efective ,there is a lot more to it than just a couple abs caps
Phil

[Behslayer]

That would be nice Phil. I've only seen them in photos and a video. I didn't see a drag Knob. They looks real nice though.

[JTani]

That would be nice Phil. I've only seen them in photos and a video. I didn't see a drag Knob. They looks real nice though.

I've been looking into the potts reels as well, Mike Hatcher once showed me the one mounted on his BW gun. It is really simple and effective the drag is genius, because its more like a brake rather than a drag. There's no know its just a rope.

[Behslayer]

So the Rope I saw is the drag?

[phil herranen]

So the Rope I saw is the drag?

Yes it wraps around the spool on each end ,and is pre tensioned so it won't backlash. You hold the rope and the harder the fish pulls ,the more drag you get ,but if you let go of the rope and grab the gun it freespools and you can swim to the top . If I use a reel on a personal gun it will be a potts .
Phil

[Sierra Bravo]

I made this one. works pretty well but has some issues i would address if I built another one.

[LIMITLESS]

How does it attach to the gun?

[kdefty]

made this one with some scraps of delrin plastic. havent used it yet.
http://i1229.photobucket.com/albums/ee474/kdefty/1105111227.jpg