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[Ry the fly guy]

I have purchased a brand new g.loomis classic steelhead from craigslist for a lot cheaper then I expected to pay and and it greatly increases my budget for a reel. Anyways my top 4 reels are probably the islander searun, islander steelheader, the raven T series and finally the JW young and sons super light weight. I have a $500 budget and would love to hear your suggestions.
-Thanks!

[leapin' tyee]

I have a $500 budget and would love to hear your suggestions.
-Thanks!

What about Kingfisher ?

[DRP79]

Don Campbell makes a hell of a reel for little more than half your budget.

[mvelasco]

On the low I believe the steelhead is good bang for buck. As mentioned the Milner will surpass your expectations as well and backed with a great warranty.

[fisherforever]

Just talked to Don Campbell 5 minutes ago, he is no longer taking orders.

[Ry the fly guy]

I really like islander plus their office is only an hour away from where I live but I am looking into the kingfisher

[Ry the fly guy]

Do not get the searun

Isn't the searun better quality? I can't find I thing about it online though.

[CnR]

What about Kingfisher ?

+1

Although they're all over $500 new I'd also include the PFC DeMarco or Riverkeeper Lil' Frogwater in a bearing reel.  For bushing it's Milner all the way.  You should be able to find a used Milner just under $500, but the others are much harder to come by.  Expect a healthy wait if you do decide to get any of these beautiful bench made precision reels new. 

[CnR]

Isn't the searun better quality? I can't find I thing about it online though.

Same quality reel.  Different clicker mechanism.  Uses a lever mechanism on the rim instead of button lever on the back plate.  SeaRun is slightly smaller, but slightly heavier as well. Either model can be upgraded from ABEC 3 to ABEC 7 bearings, which is not needed for west coast rivers IMO.  Both are solid time tested reels.

[Geff_t]

Stay away from the searun. If you have your heart set on a Islander then go with the steelheader.
I have owned both and got rid of the searun as fast as I could as I found that it definitely was not built with the same quality that you would expect from Islander.
I own a few Milners and absolutely love them. The quality is top notch and are built to last more than a life time.

[bigblockfox]

its mostly preference but i love the kingfisher. i have a steelheader and imw but the kingfisher sees the most action. bushing ftw

[Wool]

Anything Milner.

[losos]

Just type center pin reel in Ebay search engine. There are many different reels below $500 including Kingpins , JW young and son and T series from Raven.

[EZ_Rolling]

I have 2 steelheaders love both of them

[Kenwee]

Milner Kingfisher or the Manx. Best CP reels made locally in BC.