The Nautilus NV Monster in all of it's glory is a Tarpon surrendering machine!
Not a NEW Product, but well worth covering again. Historically most reel models last a few years then need to be redone, out with old in with the new so to speak. The Nautilus NV Monster and the CCF-X2 have been around the block a few times since their introductions and now at 8 and 7 years old they have proven their worth and stood the test of time. This being said...
The Nautilus NV Monster is our go to Tarpon weapon of choice and for good reason! The "Monster" was introduced in 2012 NV-G Family of reels and it hasn't looked back since. It's 5” in diameter, and fairly light weight at 9.9 oz. have been a welcome site and a proven combination for getting the job done. It boast a 1% startup inertia at 15 lbs. of drag pressure, this reel will be your best friend come Tarpon season. Yes tarpon guides and fanatics, we listened! Every Tarpon guide that I personally know (I don't know them all) uses both of the reels I am talking about in this article.
The Monster is the perfect addition to your fly fishing arsenal if you fish blue water or the flats and are using 12+ weight rod. Seriously a 9.9 ounces reel is pretty light compared to other reels used for the same purposes and it will make your 12 weight rod cast like a 9 weight. Other comparable reels will weigh without backing added from 11 ounces to nearly 1 pound before adding backing. You typically can add an ounce for every hundred yards added to the reel.
Another little thing that I really like about the NV Monster is that they have a place on the inside of the reel, where you can write with a sharpie the line identification on the spool. See above photo. This is easily wiped of with rubbing alcohol if you ever need to change the lines. This is a big plus when it comes to remembering which line is on which reel and for quick identification purposes.
Regarding the drag on the NV-G family of reels, the powerful drag itself, the design and sheer performance speak for themselves and make the NV-G an ULTIMATE fly reel. The NV-G family series are also built on the tried, tested and trusted NV 5/6 through NV Monster frames, and they feature the patented and award-winning NV CCF Disc Braking System. Some say "Nothing compares!" 
Greg Dini's Nautilus Arsenal ready for work!
If you are looking for a serious saltwater reel you would be blessed to give the NV-G reels a go. Tried, Tested and Trusted, what more would you want. The reel, drag and performance has stood the test of time.  |
| The Nautilus CCF-X2 is a SOLID reel for Saltwater and Freshwater applications. |
The Nautilus CCF-X2 was first introduced in 2013 and at that time was voted Best New Saltwater Reel at the International Fly Tackle Dealer. Today the CCF-X2 is still going strong with an impressive track record since it's unveiling. The thing that I most like about the reel other than the killer cosmetics and flawless performance is that the reel can handle an 8/10 spool or a 10/12 spool utilizing the same frame. Essentially the difference in the spools is the arbor size.
The drag system is dual action drag system with twice the drag strength (20 lbs+), twice the smoothness and half the startup inertia and it's fully sealed. I have a story from personal experience with this drag system I would like to share. Two years ago Travis, the shop owner and I went to Florida to Tarpon fish in mid April. We landed in Miami and went night fishing for Tarpon with local guide Russell Kleppinger who guides for Tarpon and I will just say he really knows his Tarpon fisheries. Joining us on the trip was Kristin who is the Boss at Nautilus. The rod I was using had the Nautilus CCF-X2 10/12 on it and after hooking my first BIG tarpon the drag worked well enough but had a rough spot every once in awhile where it simply needed to be maintained to make it like new again. Well, when I asked Russell about the drag, he and Kristin began this conversation about the way the drag came to be and why Russell a year later hadn't sent the reel into Nautilus for maintenance.
STORY TIME: Russell began telling the story of how they had hooked a Tarpon one day about a year earlier and the tarpon had gone under a bridge piling and that Russell had tied a life jacket around the rod and reel and threw it overboard and then went around the other side of the bridge piling to retrieve the rod and reel back only it wasn't that easy. It took Russell almost an hour to fish the rod out of the water and get the set up back. To make the story short, here I was a year later after the reel had been submerged under saltwater for over an hour and had zero maintenance other than out side cleaning of the reel and the reel still performed well, well enough to land some nice fish. After hearing the story and seeing first hand how this powerful drag performed, I was sold on the NAUTILUS CCF-X2. We literally had the drags set to the max and the tarpon took drag like it wasn't that big of a deal. You have got to have a strong drag that will perform flawlessly when fishing for these magnificent fish. They are super strong and have stamina to spare. We pay all this money to chase fish of our dreams and the last thing I want to do is skimp on one of the most important things that can make the dream come true.
I wasn't lying when I said I was sold on the Nautilus CCF-X2 after that trip. Not only did we fish with Russell who was using the reel but we also headed south to Islamorada, Florida for more tarpon fishing the next few days and our guide Greg Dini also used them. Below is a photo of my University of Washington Huskies (color wise version) CCF-X2. As you can see it's sweet!
I got my CCF-X2 for several reasons, one for using in saltwater applications where a 10-12 reel is needed and, secondly as a spey reel for my two handed rods. I use the reel on my G.Loomis 7130 Asquith and it balances out perfectly and it has serious mojo, as seen in photo below. . .
 |
| CCF-X2 First time out steelhead fishing and we scored! It looks like the reel is Black/Pink at this angle but it's not, I mean we have nothing against pink, but it's purple. |
Be safe out there, make good choices, have fun, live life to the full, tell those in your circle you love em, tomorrow is never promised. . .
Gorge Fly Shop Team
John G.
.jpg)
No comments :
Post a Comment