Tibor Everglades Fly Reel Review

Mar 05, 2013 · 2 min read

Black anodized Tibor Everglades fly reel face with white script logo and machined metal spool, glossy finish

Nothing says saltwater performance quite like a Tibor. 250+ world records suggest that it's one of the finest reels on the planet. The Tibor Everglades did not disappoint. 8-Weight Challenge Full Results

WEIGHT

8.9 ounces. A little on the heavy side - which is to be expected for a reel that was designed some time ago.

DRAG

While some of the other cork drags in the test did not perform as well as expected, the Tibor Everglades performed marvelously. The drag was smooth and strong. While the test staff prefers a sealed drag, with a little maintenance, the Tibor will last you for generations.

DRAG TEST GRAPH

Tibor Everglades fly reel drag graph: blue line shows force (lbs) rising sharply to ~9-10 lbs across distance on white grid

SOUND

Tibor sets the standard for reel sound. It's perfect both incoming and outgoing.

SPOOL & RETRIEVAL RATE

While the Tibor is equipped with a nice narrow spool, it did have the smallest arbor and the slowest retrieve in the test. Unfortunately, the Tibor Everglades does not have a quick change spool.

LOOK & FEEL

Beautiful. Custom colors offer endless flexibility while the fish and custom engravings allow you to truly personalize your reel. It's heirloom quality. Tibor's are always front and center in any photo opportunity. The handle is great as well.

WARRANTY

Lifetime to the original owner + $25 fee. Price: $640

CONCLUSION

Of all the reels in our test, the Tibor Everglades is the one most likely to be passed on to the next generation. It's beautiful and simple and made in the USA. Combine that with an awesome drag and you're ready to take a photo with that 70lb GT. Did this review help you decide? Buy your Tibor here.

PROS

Beautful finish options
Top rung drag strength
World-record catching history

CONS

Small arbor and slow retrieve

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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