Just Reels
 

MAKO by Charlton Reels

The new MAKO by Jack Chalton reels will be available starting in early 2008. Several of us were priviledged to get an opportunity to fish his "beta" models this past winter. It's going to bring Charlton quality to anglers at a price that will mean they'll actually get fished! Essentially, there are four sizes of reels, the 9500, 9550, 9600, and 9700. The first two will have both a mid arbor and a large arbor spool available. The 9700 will be available in both a B and an S version. The B will be designed for bluewater fishing with a very strong drag, a beefed up spool, and heavy duty spindle/bearing assembly. The S version is intended more for spey fishing and will feature a drag with less top end and a spool allowing for every bit as much capacity as is possible. The reels are available with type II anodizing and can be ordered in combinations of black, gold, or platinum finish (any two of those---see photos.) For an extra charge, which is actually only $25.00, you can get the same incredible porcelain-like type III anodizing that the Signature Series reels had. The drag is a multi-disc carbon fiber setup and is incredibly smooth and strong. The dragknob is set in a bearing and is the smoothest operating knob I think I've ever used. He has also incorporated what he calls his Taperloc Quick-change spool system. And it doesn't cost extra. More information will be added to the table below as it becomes available.

PLEASE NOTE: Mako Reels have been shipping, but very slowly. Jack e-mailed me on 4/17/08 to say that no new shipments would go out for at least a month. Therefore, if you do not have your Mako by now I would not expect it before June 1 at the earliest. Also, Jack is declining any new orders at this time. He simply needs to get his head above water before taking on any more orders. I'll keep your order in my order book and will send it on to Jack in the order in which I receive them if and when the time comes when he's accepting orders once again. Please call or e-mail me if you have any questions on this new development.

 

  

 

Model
Dia.
Wd.
Wt.
Capacity
Price
Spool
9500 8S
4.0
1.2
11.7
WF8F&200yds of 20#
$770.00
$277.00
9500 810
4.0
1.2
11.7
WF10F&260yds of 50# GSP
$770.00
$283.00
9550 810
4.5
1.2
13.8
WF8F&220yds of 30#
$870.00
$307.00
9550 1012
4.5
1.2
13.8
WF12F&300yds of 50#GSP
$870.00
$350.00
9600
5.0
1.2
15.0
WF12F &350yds of 30#
ST14 & 500+yds of 50# GSP
$1065.00
$393.00
9700S (Spey)
5.5
1.2
TBD
Grand Spey 10/11
$1065.00
$417.00
9700B (Bluewater
5.5
1.2
TBD
ST15+
$1675.00
$608.00


Add $25.00 for each reel for type III hard anodizing in black.
Add $20.00 for each spare spool for type III hard anodizing in black.
These capacities are conservative as most reel companies overstate the capacity and even Jack's original reels were somewhat overstated on some models. So much depends on the line and brand of backing you're using. When I tested the 9550 1012 Beta model I had a Rio WF11 Intermediate Striper line on it (a 100' line with a 40' head) and about 275yds of 30# Scientific Anglers white backing.

By the way, Jack feels the 9600 will also make a superb speyreel. It holds a 650 grain Rio Skagit head, a 100' Rio running line and over 200yds of 30#. That means it should work about as well with a typical 9/10 or 10/11 Scandinavian head and the same running line and backing.

 
Platinum on Gold


Type III Black


 
Black on Platinum
Black on Gold


Mako drag


  
Mako