Pate Tarpon reel info

[john]

I'm looking at what is being advertised for sale as "an early Pate Tarpon Reel",direct drive, serial # in the 700's. I've only seen pics, but it appears in good shape. Looks like the reels I've seen hanging on rods from old Key West video. Can anyone offer some info? Thanx

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

They are great fly reels with the old traditional small arbor. I have one........

Good for 10-12 weight fishing.

They have brass bushings rather than the newer ball bearing but the original maker Ted Juracsik says the bushing are more dependable than the new ball bearing.

The old Billy Pate reels will last several lifetimes of fishing.

If you buy it and it looks like it has been fished some you can ship it to Tibor and they will fully recondition it for very little.

You might need to get a part from Tibor to make it right hand or left hand?

I don't think I would not pay more than $300 for a used one.

[john]

Thank You very much.

[Scott V]

That's a pretty big reel for smallmouth John.

[john]

...but Bill says it's a "small" arbor.