Looking to purchase a new reel. Having a hard time deciding between the MR2 and the MR3.

MR2: has free spool option but smaller spool diameter
MR3: no free spool but larger spool diameter

Anyone have experience with these reels. Will be used 90% in a downrigger and 10% motor mooching. Seems like the free spool option would be nice but can't see using it that way much if ever.

Can't afford em'

My MR2 has the free spool. I almost never use it. It has failed to reengage twice, once costing me a fish, or at least that’s my story.

Seriously, with the free spool you will have a disaster the first time your buddy accidentally flips it in freespool. Yep, seen it done.


For DR fishing just leave the drag engaged at just enough pressure to avoid the dreaded "professional overrun"

I vote for the three. Both have enough line capacity to land an Orca on 6 lb test.


BTW, a few years back in the Charlottes I saw a guide drop a Sage, with MR2 attached, overboard. The guy was totally cool. With zero hesitation he jumped overboard, dove down and got it back. Guess he felt he needed to as it was a guest's set up.

For me no freespool is a non starter, i like to freespool to drop the gear. I also like the look of the MR 2, when i bought mine all the mr3s were that ugly blue. Love my silver mr2s.

Islanders are way overpriced, overhyped...ive seen more of them blow up than any other salt moocher/knucklebuster style reel. They are pretty though...

For what its worth, I've never heard of or seen an Islander blow up. Fished them and around them for a long time. What kind of problems have you seen Summerrun?



I've had the Indigo Blue MR3 for three years and it has, with maintenance on the drag surface only, performed flawlessly. I break it down 2-3 times a year and gently clean off the drag surface and apply new cork lube, that's it. That maintenance alone keeps the lowest possible setting on the drag near freespool...light enough to let line pay out to the point where you can backlash if you aren't paying attention.


I prefer the MR3 over the MR2 because, other then the crank, the center drag knob is the only thing you operate on the reel.
Spooled with 30# mainline, the large arbor diameter and full spool allows me to retrieve line about as fast as my buddies sporting 5:1 Avets.

If you get one, always keep it in the case while transporting or under way in the boat, etc. You can scrape the finish off quite easily if it's dancing on the floor. They are expensive, but it'll likely be the last salmon reel you'll ever have to buy.

go with the large arbor, noticeably faster than regular size. I use an mr3, my last reel was a Trophy XL, another milled aluminum knucklebuster thats only available in canada as far as I know. It's now my guest's reel in the boat, most people seem to prefer that to the islander because of the freespool. Neither will let you down with regular maintenance.

It's got like what... ONE moving part?

How do they "blow up"?

I use the MR3 for both Mooching and on the Down Rigger, The drag will let line out using 3 oz led with no problem, and its good for DR also. B sure to take apart and clean a couple of times per season. Only takes a few minutes. Store with Drag loose and it will be your last reel and your favorite

Ask Gilly, Vedder and others...nothing "complicated" just a spring or other assorted jimmiemabob that goes tits up on a regular basis and puts em out of commission for a few weeks. They are smooth as butter when running at 100% and as purty as Pam Anderson butt naked but for the $ I dont get the worship factor.

I just compare them to my $50 shimano knucklebusters that have caught upwards of 200 Kings with NO issues up until one finally gave out last year after 10 years of service.

I started out fishing shimano Knucklebusters around 30 years ago after watching Charlie White presentations, i have 4 of them. I have replaced the drag washers on all of them and also the anti reverse lever spring on each one after it broke, doesn't happen often but it will happen. No such thing as "bulletproof" in any reel, but with higher quality and less moving parts, you have fewer mid-trip breakdowns. I NEVER fish without a backup reel!

I have a couple of Shimano single actions. The new style GT ones and have had to return one two different times because of a drag issue. For some reason the drag would never get tight enought to not have line walk while in the downrigger. There is nothing quite like the sound of a 40# plus king pulling on the drag of an islander. One you experience that it is hard to not want one. If I could find a couple of Hardy single actions I would buy them but they are really hard to come by. Also the drag on them is unusual in that when you tighten the drag it makes it harder to reel too. Makes it really sporting with big kings.

Gabe, I have an MR3 and have never regretted having this unit. To me, the choice was easy, MR3. You can completely loosen the nut and have a complete free spool OR you can slightly tighten it for a pseudo drag. As soon as the fish is on, I back the nut off in a split second. To me, the MR2 is too small.

No reel worship here, just advocacy for a tool that gets the job done nicely on a pretty wide range of fish.
Within it's class of similarly designed reels the Islander's are priced pretty competitively.
Islander MR3 $599.00


Tibor Pate's $550.00


Abel Super series $660.00


Nod to the Tibor Spey, up to $900.00



Sure these reels suit varying purposes, but the materials & workmanship are very similar.

I've got a pair of 2000GT's that don't quit. Those are about $80 apiece and a lot more in my price range. A couple years ago out of Esparanza with a guide, he had 3 Islanders on board that were all F'd up...

I own a mr3 and have never had any problems with it. I never saw a purpose for the free spool mode on the mr2's.

What sort of idiot would do that

me, but only once!!

Well guess it is an MR3 for me. The large spool makes the deal.

I have two MR2's and they are great. I like the freespool option, for real fun I switch to the Hardy Longstone. I can see advantages to both the MR3 and MR2, either way you will be happy.