Special Orders: We have limited stock of this product. You may see a backorder notification in your shopping cart, and/or receive an e-mail about it. This indicates that we are out of stock and the product will ship from the manufacturer.
The lead time on Tibor Fly Reels is estimated to be 3 years - please keep this in mind when placing a backorder.
The Tibor Billy Pate Fly Reel is the reel Ted Juracsik built his name on, introduced in 1975 as his first anti-reverse tarpon reel and still offered in three sizes covering 6 through 12 weight rods. Anti-reverse is the whole point of this family and it works differently from a direct drive reel: when a fish takes line the spool turns against the drag but the handle stays where it is instead of spinning backwards with it. That means your hand can stay on the handle through a run, and it means the fish is stopped by the drag setting and by rim pressure rather than by anything you do to the crank. Anglers who spend their days on tarpon, bonefish and other fish that make long fast runs tend to prefer that behavior; anglers who want to palm the handle itself or crank against a running fish are better served by a direct drive reel. Tibor lists the Salmon, Bonefish and Tarpon anti-reverse models as current production, and has discontinued every direct drive Billy Pate along with the Trout, Bluefin and Marlin anti-reverse sizes.
All three sizes use a classic solid frame with a removable spool and a full exposed rim for palming, which Tibor describes as rim control for additional braking. Double clickers give two distinct tones so you can hear whether line is leaving the spool or coming back onto it. Double anti-reverse dogs drive the anti-reverse action and are what Tibor calls positive and fail-safe on all models. Each reel is serialized for identification, and the reel ships with a service tool carrying a wrench and a screwdriver blade so the owner can take it apart for cleaning. The Salmon frame measures 3.5 by 1.5 inches, the Bonefish 3.5 by 1.65 inches, and the Tarpon 3.75 by 1.96 inches.
The Billy Pate is sold in one finish: a Platinum frame and drag knob with a jet black spool. Unlike the Signature and Tibor series, it is not part of Tibor's custom color program and carries no nameplate, so there are no alternate reel or hub colors to specify. Optional Salmon, Bonefish or Tarpon fish engraving is offered on the frame at no charge, and custom text or artwork engraving is available as a paid option at the time of order. Tibor will not re-finish a reel after the fact, on the grounds that removing and re-polishing the surface thins the aluminum, so the finish a reel leaves the shop with is the one it keeps.
The frame and spool are machined from solid bar stock aluminum rather than cast, which is what allows the tight tolerances and the long service life Tibor trades on. The handle is Delrin, chosen because it grips easily when wet and resists impact. Every Billy Pate is made and assembled in the USA.
Type - A large diameter impregnated main drag that Tibor specifies for ultra-smooth and long wearing performance, backed by rim control on the exposed spool rim for extra braking on top of the drag setting. Tibor does not describe this drag as sealed anywhere in its own material, and it should not be assumed to be: it is an owner-serviceable drag that Tibor expects you to lubricate periodically.
Materials - The drag runs on an impregnated cork disc. Tibor states that Tibor Graphite Lube may be used to lubricate the cork drag disc, and specifically warns against Neatsfoot Oil because it can dry the cork out over time. Cork is the reason the drag starts up so smoothly under a sudden run, and periodic lubrication is what keeps it that way.
Tibor publishes no arbor classification for the Billy Pate, so we are not going to assign one. What Tibor does publish is the geometry and what it holds: the Salmon takes 230 yards of 20 lb backing behind a WF6F line, 215 yards behind a WF7F and 200 yards behind a WF8F. The Bonefish takes 300 yards of 20 lb backing behind a WF7F, 285 yards behind a WF8F and 275 yards behind a WF9F. The Tarpon steps up to 30 lb backing and holds 350 yards behind a WF10F, 320 yards behind a WF11F and 300 yards behind a WF12F.
Tibor reels carry a limited lifetime warranty covering repair or replacement of any part that fails through a defect in material or workmanship. It is valid for the original owner only, is non-transferable, and applies only to reels bought through an authorized Tibor dealer. It does not cover damage from accident, misuse, neglect, improper maintenance or normal wear from use, and Tibor decides at its own discretion whether a fault qualifies. Colors can vary between original and replacement parts, and parts for discontinued models may be substituted with current ones. Any reel sent in for repair or service must include an 85 dollar service fee whether or not the work is covered, and non-warranty repairs are quoted for approval first. Retrieve hand is chosen at purchase: converting a current Billy Pate between left and right hand retrieve is a factory job that requires replacing the main gear and drag parts, and Tibor cannot convert discontinued Billy Pate models at all. Terms as of August 2026.
| Reel Model | Diameter | Weight | Line Weight | Capacity | Price | Stock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonefish / LH | 3.5in. x 1.65in. | 8.2 oz. | 7, 8, 9 | 285 yds. with WF9F | $625.00 | Out of Stock |
| Bonefish / RH | - | - | 7, 8, 9 | - | $625.00 | Out of Stock |
| Salmon / LH | 3.5in. x 1.5in. | 8 oz. | 6, 7, 8 | 215 yds. with WF7F | $600.00 | Out of Stock |
| Salmon / RH | - | - | 6, 7, 8 | - | $625.00 | Out of Stock |
| Tarpon / LH | 3.75in. x 1.96in. | 11.5 oz. | 10, 11, 12 | 320 yds. with WF11F | $670.00 | Out of Stock |
| Tarpon / RH | - | - | 10, 11, 12 | - | $625.00 | Out of Stock |
Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 1 reviews.
Review topics: [].
"I bought the Tarpon model for a 2-day tuna trip out of San Diego. Listening to the reel sing as the yellow fin went on a run or two brought a smile to my face. These were football-size YFT (15 - 25 lbs) and they were no match for the drag system. A great reel. Best advice I got was to clean it with fresh water after the trip for long years of service. Tarpon are next on the list."
