Popularized off the Northern California and Western Canadian coastlines, ‘Mooching’ is a very successful open water technique utilizing a single action, disc drag type of reel with monofilament line.  Introduced in 2013 after a year of what must have been the most brutal field testing we’ve ever experienced, for 2017 Abel has upgraded the Mooching reel to be even better. The large arbor Abel Mooching reel has become a favorite among guides demanding a product that stands up to their daily abuse throughout the season without a need for maintenance. 

Winner of the best new freshwater reel for 2018 by Fly Fisherman Magazine and Best of Show at the 2017 ICAST/IFTD industry trade show, the SDF comes on the heels of our move to Colorado: the trout-based surroundings inspired us to take it up a notch.

Based on the SDS (Sealed Drag Salt), the SDF (Sealed Drag Fresh) is a scaled-down version of the award-winning saltwater titan featuring similar porting and a stainless steel / carbon fluoropolymer drag system. The SDF boasts an enormous amount of drag, an adjustment range almost three times greater than its predecessor, and virtually zero start up inertia.

We took what was learned from our SDS design, made sure to include the unmistakable Abel fit and finish, and created the best freshwater reel we have ever seen.