Abel Super 7/8N Fly Reel Review

Mar 05, 2013 · 2 min read

Black anodized Abel Super 7/8N fly reel with vented spool, neon chartreuse backing line and wooden handle

The Abel Super 8, along with the Tibor Everglades, made up the "classic" portion of our 8-weight challenge. These reels have not only stood the test of time, but have countless world records to their credit. How do they stack up against more modern competition? Let's find out. 8-Weight Challenge Full Results

WEIGHT

7.45 ounces - about average.

DRAG

6.56 lbs. The best part about Abel's drag is its simplicity. The entire reel is made up of less than 20 parts - all of which are easily replaceable by the user. This is in stark contrast to many modern drags which must be returned to the factory. Unfortunately, while the drag was fairly smooth, it did exhibit some significant start-up inertia. This might be reduced through additional lubrication of the cork.

DRAG TEST GRAPH

Blue oscillating line graph of drag force vs distance for Abel Super 8N fly reel on white grid, values ~5-8 lbs

SOUND

You can't make reels as long as Abel has if you don't sound great. It did not disappoint.

SPOOL & RETRIEVAL RATE

The Abel Super Series had some trouble in this department. While the spool is nice and narrow, it's also one of the smallest in the test. It also lacks a quick change spool as well (Abel makes a QC version of compensate for this). Retrieval rate was about average, but better than expected for a classic reel.

LOOK & FEEL

This is where Abel truly shines. Want a reel hand painted by Derek Deyoung? No problem. Solid? Ported? or with a yellow reel seat? No problem. There are so many options to choose from that Abel had to make a "reel builder" on their website. But how do they look? Beautiful. Abel finishes a great reel with a classic wooden handle (or virtually anything else you might like).

WARRANTY

Lifetime to the original owner + $20 fee + return shipping. Price: $700

CONCLUSION

If you're buying an Abel, you probably already know you you want one. Just get it. Your kids will enjoy it when it's handed down. Like our reviews? Get it here.

PROS

Exquisitely crafted, tons of customizable options
Easy to fix at home, supremely simple drag mechanism
Made in the USA

CONS

More start-up inertia than we'd like to see

Written by

Ben Freeman

Ben Freeman founded Trident Fly Fishing in 2012 to cut through the marketing fluff and provide anglers with the technical info they actually need. He’s built his reputation by putting gear to the ultimate test in the world’s most unforgiving fisheries. With fishing stamps from over 22 countries and 17+ states, Ben’s passport is a roadmap of bucket list angling—from landing a 25lb Golden Dorado in Bolivia and 150lb Arapaima in Guyana to sight-casting for Roosterfish off the beaches in Baja. Whether it’s battling 60+mph winds to land a 20lb Rainbow at Jurassic Lake or a full day of casting 8in streamers in Mongolia, Ben has spent decades ensuring his gear performs when a trip of a lifetime is on the line.

At Trident, Ben serves as the lead gear geek, specializing in the deep-dive mechanics of rods, reels, and lines. Over the past 15 years, he's reviewed 250+ fly rods and 150+ fly reels and is likely one of the most prolific rod reviewers in the world. But he doesn't just curate the catalog; he scrutinizes every taper and drag system through the lens of a traveling angler who knows what it's like to have gear fail a thousand miles from home. For Ben, the mission is simple: leverage his experience across nearly 100 species to ensure that when you head into the wild, you’re equipped with gear that has been vetted by someone who has actually been there.

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