Rounding out the classic reels in our shootout is the Abel Super 7/8. These reels haven’t changed much over the years, and that’s either a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your perspective. Generally, we fall on the side of innovation, but let’s see if the tweaks that have been made to the Super Series are enough to keep it competitive.
Abel is perhaps one of the most storied names in saltwater fishing. Few reel companies have the pedigree that companies like Abel do. While Abel is certainly famous for its cork drags, they’ve come a very long way when it comes to creating a reel that competes with the best of the best modern fly reels. Enter the SDS.
It should come as no surprise by now that classic reels don’t perform as well as modern reels in our shootouts. In our 8-weight Reel Shootout, the Super 8 finished in the middle of the pack. But, trout is a different game. Let’s see if the smaller Abel fairs better.
