7/8 midspey?

That is the line that worked well for me on 7136, so you need the capacity of an Able #3 (Big Game) or slightly larger. This is a standard WF #12 plus 250 yards of 30# backing. That reel held a midspey 7/8 and enough 30# dacron for steelhead.

 

Thanks, but does that mean you're saying that it might be too small? According to Hardy the Zane no. 1 is meant for a regular WF8 with 200 yds of 20 lbs backing, so I figured it should be able to hold a 130 ft WF7 classic taper spey line with at least 100 yds of backing.

 

Zane is expensive so I bought #3 as it is so light I can use it everywhere from salt to light salmon, even with SH rods.

It is not difficult to make a "filler" or two from extruded polystyrene insulating foam which is cut in half and installed to the spool with couple rounds of non residue tape. Of course "line winder" is necessary to get backing out and in but it is so helpful anyway you can not get one soon enough. Or just leave room when lighter lines are used and there is still rather large arbor and light reel.

 

Thanks for the replies so far, but I've got a funny feeling that I'm the first to think it is a good idea to use a Zane for spey.
Well, if I decide to go for it anyway, I will promise to share my experiences on this forum...

Still hoping for someone who actually uses or used a Zane to chime in, it would be very much appreciated!

 

Hardy's are always a little 'tight' when trying to fill to the claimed capacity & a Spey line has approx twice the belly/ head length of a WF; I would definately err on the side of caution & buy a larger size for the Spey rod.
Usually most modern reels are too light to fully balance a double handed rod withour supplimentary weight such as lead core or lead tape being added, therefore the larger reel will assist with this also & allow more ''panic space'' between the line & cage - this is always handy when you are playing a real 'lump' & not concentrating on speading the line evenly.

Regards, Tyke.

 

FWdB

If the Zane is only WF8 and 200 yd of 20#, it will definitely be too small for a Midspey 7/8 and adequate backing. Spey lines are longer and heavier than single hand lines of the same designation.

 

Thanks Tyke and Ted, for some real valuable advise. I was actually a bit intimidated by the big capacity jump from the Zane no. 1 to the Zane no. 2. The no. 2 supposedly holds a WF10 and 300 yds 30 lbs backing. The weight of the reel (empty) is only 14 gr higher. Might be the best choice when I want to use it with a 13ft 6 inch DH with a 7wt spey line, but also with a 9ft 8wt SH saltwater fly rod.

 

zane #2

Are you thinking of buying the zane #2 ti? go for it in titanium.

 

I believe the Ti only comes in the biggest no. 3 size, and the price tag is a *bit* out of (my) reach...

 

I fished last season with a Zane 2 Speycasting for Atlantics. Excellent performance and looks cool too !
The Zane 1 is on the small side for a speyline. I would go for the 2 model. You should be aware they are not the easiest spools in the world to change.

 

Thanks Jim, the no.2 seems to be the best choice.
Wonderful picture, great fish and the photographer clearly has a good eye.