Opinion Required - Fladen Multiplier Reels

Posted: Sun Sep 30, 2007 6:31 pm

Anyone had experience of the Fladen range of mulitpliers?

I am considering upgrading to a multiplier rod and reel, but being only an occasional angler, and defo not a tackle tart or someone who has to have the best etc - am looking at the mid range gear

Is the fladen range any good?

Rich confused

Guest

Viff,

I had a look at some of the Fladen multipliers the other day (I was actually looking for a dirt cheap bargain basement FS for spinning and our local factory shop really fitted the bill!I only use the thing about twice a year so I'm not that bothered about the quality).

Anyhow, while the cabinet was open, I had a nose at the mp selection.

Wasn't that impressed. Clunky, heavy, really rattle and generally not very nice and pricewise, you can definately get better for the same money or a little more.

As an occasional user, you could try the Okuma magnetix (without levelwind as it's not hard to lay your own line) or maybe the Abu mag elite.

I like the Penn Supermags (I've got 3 now) and I've had no trouble and they're a nice reel to use. At £150 they are a bit pricey for what you want but they are robust and if things do break, the aftersales is quite good compared to some others.

Guest

DuncBooth5 wrote:

Viff,

I had a look at some of the Fladen multipliers the other day (I was actually looking for a dirt cheap bargain basement FS for spinning and our local factory shop really fitted the bill!I only use the thing about twice a year so I'm not that bothered about the quality).

Anyhow, while the cabinet was open, I had a nose at the mp selection.

Wasn't that impressed. Clunky, heavy, really rattle and generally not very nice and pricewise, you can definately get better for the same money or a little more.

As an occasional user, you could try the Okuma magnetix (without levelwind as it's not hard to lay your own line) or maybe the Abu mag elite.

I like the Penn Supermags (I've got 3 now) and I've had no trouble and they're a nice reel to use. At £150 they are a bit pricey for what you want but they are robust and if things do break, the aftersales is quite good compared to some others.

you could ask around for a second hand 7HT or an old Slosh. They would be more than adequate and a much better reel for the money.

Regular Joined: Jun 30, 2007 Posts: 250

well you could use them as a weight! big grin

Guest

Nemesis_SLR wrote:

well you could use them as a weight! big grin

I've given my Okuma magnetix a good work out and it's holding up ok. I wouldn't want to use it week in week out, but if you're only using it occasionally then it should be fine. To be honest if you went out and bought a top quality reel it would last you forever provided you looked after it and you could always get a reasonable price for it selling it later on. You've also got to ask yourself whether you will be able to get spares in 10 years time. You can get spares for the main makes, but I bet the magnetix and and all the spares won't exist in 10 years time.

Posted: Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:23 pm

I've got two that I used for uptiding. I used them for 1 season and then bought a pair of 7000c's. The Fladens are now surplus to requirements and if I catch you shagging my missus I'll make you use them when you go fishing.

That'll teach you a lesson.

Guest

And tonight we kick off with the debate on everybody's lips. Sheddy............

Why? big grin

Posted: Tue Oct 02, 2007 8:56 am

i had a low end multiplier by fladen and it was exactly the same as shakespeares XK4000 reel (i think thats the one?) eityher way it was absolute poo!

it lasted about 10 outings at most by which time id repaired it several times.

if your going to buy a mid range multiplier buy something like a penn 525 gs. you can pick up some very good deals on ebay also.

Guest

If you want a cheap muli then i'd say go for a 2nd hand 7ht they are ever so user friendly,they wont blow up on you like the slosh'es.penn 525mags or the abu's i ahve all the said above reels and use most of them on different time's even the new 7ht turbo's.imho the old 7ht is the 1 i would go for mate,prob pick 1 up 2nd hand for about 30quid mate>better than those cheap multi's with them the gears are made out of krap metal and tbh wont last 1 session mate.with the penn reels they spin to fast for a beginner,same as the abu's and sl30osh mate.
pop into a tackle shop speak to the bloke behind the counter but dont let him sway you into parting with money you dont want to.
hope this helps
howie big grin

Regular Joined: Jun 30, 2007 Posts: 250

howie no offence to you buddy but i have never had any problems with my sloshes, penn or my abus as long as you set them up right they will run beautifully!

Guest

Have to agree with Nemesis on that- if one is blowing up ones Abu 6500's /sloshes or Penn 525 etc then one has either taken all the braking off, set it up wrong or one's technique is poor (or a combination of all three)- I've not had any problems with any of those reels and thats not taking anything away from the 7HT- great reels in their own right

Guest

Ops sorry guy's but you have mis under stood me,what i ment is that a newbie to the multi will be better of using the 7ht as the are more user friendly than the others.unless you have big hands then you will find it hard to wrap you thumb around the slosh as that reel sit's high on the rod.on 7ht,penns,abu's the sit lower on the rod so you can wrap your thumb over the spool(hope you follow me guy's)the abu reels even when out the box loaded with line will run to fast for a newbi,even with the end plate tightend down but not that tight to cause damage.Same applies to the penns,but on the 7ht the dont spin that fast(unless you doctor them)so what im saying is that a 7ht will be better for a newbi to use and that you can pick up a 2nd hand reel for about 30quid.unlike the abu's or penn reels 2nd hand they will fetch more money.So a newbi will be loads better of using a 7ht to start off with
guess i did'nt explain my self correct in the first place
this is all i ws trying to say
If any of yopu are coming to this meet in nov i will bring several reels down to the beach and il show you all what i mean,plus the 7ht you wont have to thumb unlike the rest of the reels.Il show you all in nov then you will understand what im trying to say to you all
tight lines
howie
sorry for the mix up whew!

Guest

trust me guy's their is nothing wrong with my casting or the reels that i use If a newbi wants to get into using multi then the best reel to go for is the 7ht.
all my reels that i have got(tackle tart that i am)i use for different times and they all run different,some fast some slow and some stupidly fast,spin the handle disingage the button and watch it spin on the table for over 2 mins all the reels are all balanced,oiled,and greased and are well used.

Guest

Absolutely agree Howie- straight out of the box the 7HT is a top reel and ready to go- but as long as you fit both blocks on the 6500's and stick the mags on full before casting even as a novice you should be ok- then you can modify the set up.

take your point about the slosh and hand size- I've said it on another thread- casting reel up I find the gear housing irritating because my hands are small so I find it more comfortable casting reel down but again underfilling the spool and sticking the big blocks in tames it.

Honestly I've never had to thumb either reels- not much anyway.

I have to get special permission to come down to the meet but theres plenty of notice so I'm hoping to make it.

Cheers