Leland on the Abel A/R Super 12 Fly fishing Reel
If you're going to do battle with tarpon or billfish, and are looking for the best anti-reverse fly reel made, you're probably going to buy this superb Abel Anti-Reverse (A/R) Super 12. With incredible close tolerance machining, fully sealed ball bearings, in-house anodization with every single part (except the ball bearings!) made to exacting specifications in the Abel shop, then hand polished and assembled. Truly a reel for a lifetime of rugged saltwater fishing with the unmatched smoothness and power of a huge cork disk drag. There are very few companies making quality anti-reverse fly reels these days, and the Abel A/R, 15 years since inception, is arguably the most reliable, with fewer moving parts and over 25 % less weight than competitors' models. Once you've handled, and experienced the precision of this beautiful machine, you'll know why Abel users keep coming back for more.
Leland on Specifications
The Abel Super 12 A/R Fly Fishing Reel matches well with an 12 or 13 weight outfit and features a large arbor spool design and superlative bar stock machining. Unlike a conventional direct drive fly reel, Abel's Anti-Reverse Model's drag system allows the fish to take line while the reel handle remains stationary. Thus, no potential fast turning reel handle to injure hands or fingers, or to get caught on clothing. A large surface area cork disc-draw bar drag provides unparalleled smoothness and adjustability. Precise oblong porting insures strength and rigidity while reducing the weight to 10.9 ounces. If you daydream about battling tarpon or sailfish, even when you’re at work, you’d better start thinking about an Abel Super 12 A/R for when you’re not!
Specifications:
- Weight: 10.9 oz.
- Spool Diameter: 4.450 inches
- Spool Width: 1.125 inches
- Hub Diameter (large arbor spool): 1.980 inches
- Capacity: Line weight + Yards of Dacron Backing: 12 + 325 30#, 13 + 300 30#
- Matching Abel Standard Arbor Spool 12 A/R (optional)
- Capacity: Line weight + Yards of Dacron Backing: 12 + 495 30#, 13 + 440 30#
- Standard color: Black Coral
Leland on Abel A/R Anti-Reverse Fly Reels
Although anti-reverse reels are usually heavier than their direct drive counterparts, the magnificent Abel Anti-Reverse Fly Fishing Reel Series, with computer controlled oblong porting throughout, makes that just an afterthought; these are the lightest and most reliable anti-reverse fly fishing reels on the market, with the fewest moving parts.
When it’s down to fighting powerful fish, particularly big saltwater gamefish, there are two distinct camps when it comes to choosing fly reels. Direct drive reels are the most common choice for anglers, but in the midst of the battle, a rapidly rotating reel handle during a scorching run can do some serious damage to hands, fingers, or knuckles (or catch on loose clothing) if you’re not careful. For this reason, some folks prefer the safety of an anti-reverse design for their big game fly reels, whereas the handle remains stationary while the fish is taking out line. Surgeons, artists, musicians and others that depend on their hands to make their living often opt for anti-reverse security, as well as fishermen who are less familiar with just how much pressure one can put on a big saltwater fish.
The Abel Anti-Reverse Series has 3 model sizes; the Super 8, Super 10, and Super 12. These reels come with a Large Arbor Spool and you can order an optional, larger capacity Standard Arbor Spool. Abel FlexAbility allows you to easily interchange these spools on the same frame with a spool wrench that’s included with every reel. For example, the Super 10 A/R with the Large Arbor Spool will hold a 10 weight fly line with 220 yards of 30 pound Dacron backing, while the Standard Arbor Spool on the same reel will sport a 12 weight line with 330 yards of 30 pound backing! So, with the Super 10 A/R and one optional spool system, you could conceivably fish an array of salt water lines from 9 to 13 weights. Now we’re talking versatility; bonefish, permit, or big tarpon, all on the same reel! Add to that the famous stop-a-truck Abel drag system with a huge cork drag disk, unique sealed ball bearings, and reliable double pawl construction, and you've got the toughest anti-reverse fly reel going.
Leland on Abel Products
Established in 1987, the Abel name is synonymous with quality fly fishing products. Their fly fishing reels have set the industry standard for excellence. Steve Abel, the Abel behind the company name, was schooled as a machinist in the aerospace industry. Frustrated with the fly reels available to the demanding saltwater angler, he set out to create the "perfect fly reel;" and as Steve will gladly admit, he became obsessed with this pursuit. The time and effort Abel craftsmen have spent developing their superb reels becomes clear the first time you fish with one.
Skillfully machined from solid blocks of high molecular density cold finished 6061-T6 aluminum and 303 stainless steel, Abel reels maintain an ideal balance of durability, weight and performance. Every possible facet of Abel reels are beautifully ported, or ventilated, by CNC (Computer Numerical Control) lathes and mills without compromising structural integrity. In fact, every machinable part, right down to the stainless screws, is produced in Abel’s Camarillo, California facility to insure the utmost in quality control. All parts are hand polished before assembly. The result is a light, yet extremely robust reel that can survive a lifetime of fishing. Though their outward appearance exudes precision, with an Abel reel, it's what is inside that really counts.
At the center of every Abel Big Game and Super Series Reel is a large cork composite disk actuated by a draw bar through the center of the reel. This cork drag system is elegantly simple, with very few parts, yet, is highly effective. As the drag knob is tightened, the back of the spool is drawn against the cork drag disk. This large drag surface can create a substantial amount of friction and thus can effectively slow a powerful fish. The resultant heat is the reason that many reel drag systems fail. However, the Abel open draw bar utilizes the entire spool and frame to dissipate this heat quicker than any other drag design.
Cork is the only durable drag material that is compressible, offering a very low start-up inertia and silky-smooth transition with a wide range of adjustability The results speak for themselves; fly reels that have been the most successful in landing fish over 100 pounds, and, therefore, operate more smoothly and survive the greatest amounts of stress, have draw bar drags. That’s why, according to the International Game Fish Association, Abel Fly Fishing Reels landed more World Records in 2006 than any other brand.
The Leland Team has fished Abel reels all over the world, from New Zealand to Nantucket, and they have consistently landed fish without problem, time and time again. Whether pursuing ocean giants or fishing your favorite trout stream, you can count on your Abel Reel.
Abel on their Anti-Reverse Fly Fishing Reel Series
2009 marks the 15th year Abel has made Anti-Reverse Reels. Abel Anti/Reverse Reels are lightweight, utilize a unique ball bearing design, and have fewer moving parts than our competitors. Unlike a traditional single action fly reel, on an anti/reverse reel the handle does not turn when a fish takes line out. Result: no more cracked knuckles, snagged sweaters or words junior isn't supposed to hear. Each A/R reel comes with its own finger wrench for removing the spool. Abel Anti/Reverse Reels utilize a unique ball bearing design, have fewer moving parts and weigh about 25%less than our competitors ’ reels. Now machined with the same oblong ventilation holes as Super Series and Big Game models, they weigh even LESS!
Unlike a traditional single action fly reel, on an anti/reverse the handle does not turn when a fish runs. Each A/R reel comes with its own finger wrench for removing the spool. Yes, fish caught on an anti/reverse reel are eligible for IGFA World Records.
- Reel frame, spool, drag knob and foot are 6061-T651 cold finished aerospace grade aluminum.
- Teflon sealed bearings are ISO9001:2000 and AS9100 Certified FAA TSO C149 Aircraft Bearings.
- Cork Drag System is made entirely in our factory. We use a superior high grade Portuguese cork with a little neat’s-foot oil on it.
- All Anti-Reverse reels are built with our recently upgraded double pawl system with increased reliability, back-up strength and unique sound.
- Industry’s only sealed ball bearing design.
- Lighter, more dependable and fewest moving parts of any Anti-Reverse reel on the market.
- Each A/R reel comes with its own finger wrench for removing the spool.
- FlexABELity: Interchange both Large Arbor and Standard Arbor spools.
Abel on Abel
Our Mission Statement:
To design and build the best, most dependable gear in the world and give world class customer service.
WE’RE NUMBER ONE!
According to the International Game Fish Association (IGFA), Abel Reels were used to set 56 Fly Fishing World Records during 2006. Abel’s World Record catches were for both fresh and saltwater fish in a variety of species and tippet classes.
Abel reel frames and spools are machined from cold finished 6061-T6 aircraft quality aluminum. Cold finished aluminum is significantly more expensive than extruded aluminum; but the cold finishing process dramatically increases the molecular density. It creates a stronger metal. Reels are then precision machined (not die cast) on C.N.C. lathes and mills. They are then both machined and hand de-burred, hand polished, cleaned and inspected. The end result is a lightweight reel that’s tough as a Marine drill sergeant and destined to be fished by you, your children, grandchildren and theirs!
