Islander MR2 or MR3 Reels

[mschellenberg]

On the hunt right now for 4 MR2 or 4 MR3 reels for new boat. Would prefer blue in color for all 4. Just wondering if anyone may have them or would know the best place to purchase, best deals etc...Thanks!

[Mike_W]

Islanders new are usually all in the same price range around here. Maybe check some stores on the coast.

Are you a guide?

[mschellenberg]

Unfortunately I am not a guide but maybe one day!...I have a few emails out regarding the reels with stores down there and some ok prices coming back...Fred's tackle in Chilliwack is at $549/reel for the MR3...we just started looking but thought I would post on here and even get some opinions from people on here as to what they prefer...want something that will last a long time...

[BGSH]

On the hunt right now for 4 MR2 or 4 MR3 reels for new boat. Would prefer blue in color for all 4. Just wondering if anyone may have them or would know the best place to purchase, best deals etc...Thanks!

Hey i love the islander reels, buying a bunch for next year, so far i have a gold color IR3, love it

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/shawnsami3/057-1.jpg
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/shawnsami3/014-2.jpg

[Serengeti Charters]

Had 4 for sale only a month ago, but all are sold now. 2 were blue as well. You can find better deals than $549 per reel for sure. If you go to some BC fishing forums (sportfishingbc) for example, post a want to buy in the buy/sell/wanted forum and you should be able to find a couple.

[hunter49]

Hey i love the islander reels, buying a bunch for next year, so far i have a gold color IR3, love it

http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/shawnsami3/057-1.jpg
http://i1212.photobucket.com/albums/cc453/shawnsami3/014-2.jpg

you put an islander on a tfo rod...really?

[BGSH]

lol, i have a vxp series now

[Mudslide]

you put an islander on a tfo rod...really?

Baby steps.... LOL!

[mschellenberg]

Thanks!, appreciate it!

[BigBuck$]

If you're not in a hurry watch Berry's Bait n' Tackle in Richmond. Every once in a while they put them on sale. I picked up my MR3 there for $420 a couple of years ago.

[Dust1n]

you put an islander on a tfo rod...really?

it wouldn't be too bad if he put it on the BVK...

[Don Andersen]

Or on a rod built in Canada.

Don

[Tofinofish]

I have them in stock and happy to help and AO member with a sweet deal..

Sending PM...

[BGSH]

Or on a rod built in Canada.

Don

x2 i am getting there, and i am going to pm you about a custom rod, thank you

[ericlin0122]

buy a hardy. islander is good, but hardy is better. you will dream of the screaming reel once you have hardy.

[BGSH]

buy a hardy. islander is good, but hardy is better. you will dream of the screaming reel once you have hardy.

Some of us are not billionairs though :(

[jeprli]

Or on a rod built in Canada.

Don

All respect to you sir, but would you care to explain who builds a rod entirely from canadian components? And is an islander reel entirely built in Canada? It might as well be but very hard to beleive, or so rare that very few souls know about it. I am no colector of rare fishing items but i am always looking for something different, uncommon.

As for the original post, for 550$ a piece there is a lot of choices on the market today. If you look around i am sure there are better deals for waaaay less money.
Or you guys are set on islander reels?

[Jamie]

Nice choice in the islander mr 2 and 3.
Very classy!!!
It's the only reel we fish.
Jamie

[Jayhad]

All respect to you sir, but would you care to explain who builds a rod entirely from canadian components? And is an islander reel entirely built in Canada? It might as well be but very hard to beleive, or so rare that very few souls know about it. I am no colector of rare fishing items but i am always looking for something different, uncommon.

As for the original post, for 550$ a piece there is a lot of choices on the market today. If you look around i am sure there are better deals for waaaay less money.
Or you guys are set on islander reels?

No one for rods. Period, there is a local company that imports $17.00 blanks and has them assembled in country but that's no the same as rolling graphite on a mandrel.

As for Islanders 100% machined on the Vancouver Island, I don't care for them on the looks side, but they may very well be the best built reel on the planet, forget lifetime Islanders are heirloom quality built for salt water

[jeprli]

No one for rods. Period, there is a local company that imports $17.00 blanks and has them assembled in country but that's no the same as rolling graphite on a mandrel.

As for Islanders 100% machined on the Vancouver Island, I don't care for them on the looks side, but they may very well be the best built reel on the planet, forget lifetime Islanders are heirloom quality built for salt water

Thank you for explanation Jayhad. Good thing to know about islander reels, as for rod blanks you hit the nail on the head. Kiwis make good blanks, on par with the best out there.

[mschellenberg]

Anyone use or have opinions on the ARMR2 vs just the MR2? Or the MR2 vs the MR3?

[maclennanchris]

http://www.abelreels.com/


Some day I will have an Abel......

[BGSH]

Here is the Islander website, check it out

http://www.islander.com/main.php

[Don K]

You will never regret buying an Islander reel. I have 3 ARMR2's, all gold, and a blue MR3 that I use on the coast. I also have a LX, and an IR on my fly rods. They are solid, easy to maintain and tough. I first used an MR2 about 10 years ago, maybe more? and as soon as I got back I went and bought one with a Loomis rod. I used it for a couple years, sold it and bought 3 AR's all on different length Loomis rods. I love them! Put my MR3 on a Lammiglass rod which is a totally different feel and set up. We've pulled more than our share of 30-50 lb salmon and halis on these and they are rock solid.
They are made to be used and abused, won't fail if you don't baby them. Think of them as investments, you'll have them forever.:)

[mschellenberg]

Thanks Don K...one more quick question...would you prefer your armr2's over the mr3?