Drag
For most of the history of our sport, cork has been the gold standard by which all other drag materials have been judged. Since the advent of the Penn International Fly Reel (developed by then-owner Betty Henze) in the early 1990s, synthetic or composite drag materials have come into their own. Cork remains an incredibly durable, reliable material and is the basis for a number of premium reels like the Abel, Pate and Tibor. Some other manufacturers like Orvis, Bauer and Echo opt for composite or composite-natural combination drags.

Two other interesting options include felt and the unique conical-drag system preferred by Waterworks-Lamson. Felt and cork are the basis for the drag in the Tibor Back Country Wide and offer a smooth, easy, low-maintenance alternative to other materials. Originally designed to work as a freshwater reel, the BC Wide has earned a fast following for anglers chasing tailing fish on foot, a situation where lighter outfits are definitely favored. The smooth, virtually zero-resistance startup offered by the felt has also made it popular for anglers chasing bonefish on light tippets.

With regard to the conical-drag system, I haven't had enough experience with it to render an opinion, but it is an interesting concept that I think will have a place for those chasing these silvery shadows across the flats.

Capacity
In the early days of bonefishing, anglers were advised that they needed a minimum of 300 yards of backing to accommodate routine runs exceeding 200 yards. I've never personally seen a bonefish make a run of more than 100 yards (having caught them to 10 1/2 pounds). Although I could be proven wrong, today's anglers are fine with reels holding a full WF-F floating fly line and 200 yards of 20-pound Dacron backing. That's a good general standard.

Even on a reel that holds that much line, it is possible (and this is something I do on all my outfits) to bump that capacity up by as much as 40 percent by using gelspun backing. If you do that, the only way you'll ever risk getting spooled by a bonefish is if a 400-pound bull shark eats it. Another option allowing for even more backing is to trim several yards of running line off the back end of your fly line.

Weight
One of the most important considerations when determining what type of fishing you'll be doing is weight. My personal favorite fly-fishing scenario is chasing tailing bonefish on foot. In that situation — as opposed to fishing in a skiff — every ounce counts. This is where ported reels like the BC Wide, Nautilus Featherweight or Abel Super Series really come into their own, offering strong, lightweight reels that are up to the task while keeping the overall weight of the outfit you'll be toting and casting all day to a minimum. If taking your shots from the bow of a skiff, more substantial (read heavier) reels are fine.

Standard, Mid-sized or Large Arbor
Without a doubt, mid- and large-arbor reels are among the most popular styles with just about every segment of fly-fishers chasing targets in brine. While standard-arbor reels like Pate's Salmon or Bonefish or the Abel #2 Big Game are great bonefish reels, mid- and large-arbor reels offer several distinct advantages.

First, the larger outside diameter allows for faster line recovery, something you'll appreciate when a big bone decides to change direction and start zipping back toward the boat at warp factor 6. The larger diameter also stores your fly line in larger coils on the spool, alleviating some problems with line memory.

Most of the modern large-arbor designs are ported or vented spools similar to the Abel Super Series or Tibor Everglades. This not only lightens the reel, but also allows backing to dry and makes it possible to get most of the salt out of your reel when hosing it off at the end of the day.

Another consideration is whether to go with a rim-control spool or not. Most reels today feature exposed rims that allow anglers to palm to the spool, adding additional drag when needed. It all depends on your style of fighting fish.

Bottom Line
Selecting a bonefish reel is a very personal choice. Fortunately, today's bonefishermen have more choices than ever, and there are few — if any — substandard options in the field. Whether you want to get into an entry-level reel to catch your first Bahamian bone, or if you're looking for a high-end, machined, anodized large-arbor reel to chase monster bones in Downtown Islamorada, chances are there's a perfect reel for you. But don't take my word for it; these are just some of the considerations I take into account when putting together a bonefish outfit. Seek advice from your local fly-tackle dealer, your favorite fishing guide or any of the manufacturers listed here. Then you can make the reel choice.