Kraken XLA Series Reel

Je suis du Canada, j habite la province du Quebec qui borde la frontière Américaine... J ai vu vos moulinets sur Instagram et cela m'a donné envi de commencer la pêche à la mouche... Après plusieurs mois de recherche j ai décidé de me faire confiance à Allenflyfishing!!! Depuis je suis heureux d avoir avec moi mon super moulinet!!! Merci

I've just received my new Kraken XLA 4 in the post today. It's my fifth Allen reel, and I'm sure once I've used this new one, I'll be as happy with its performance like all the others I own.

I'm going to Lord Howe Island with my son this January, which is off the east coast of Australia. It's a fly anglers paradise, but is also stunningly beautiful which is a bonus. I needed this reel to use on Lord Howe's kingfish and other hard fighting species. Every fish pulls really hard here, and with numerous reefs around the island and with the fish seemingly on steroids, you need quality gear here. For Lord Howe Island I needed a reel with extra grunt, a smooth solid drag, a fast retrieve and excellent line capacity. After reading previous reviews here, the Kraken XLA 4 fitted the bill perfectly.

In my hands for the first time, the very first thing that struck me was the weight. I was expecting the reel to weigh more. Secondly, was the quality of the build and the finish. I knew this wouldn't be a surprise as my other reels are awesome in this department too. I got the reel in the gunmetal colour, and it's really nice. I'm not a big fan of flashy reels, and this reel is gunmetal is not overly flashy at all, but still a head turner if that's important to you.

The cranking handle might look different, but it's not a big deal and I don't see why it should stop anyone purchasing this reel. If you want a fast retrieve, you'll definitely have it with this set up.

I use Allen reels exclusively these days. I gave this reel a five star rating despite not having used it yet, simply based on what I've discovered with this reel and my previous Allen reels. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending this reel to anyone.

This reel has been pretty solid so far. I prefer it over the original Kraken as I am a sucker for extra large reels especially for Spey and switch rods. It's easy to fight larger fish with a smooth drag and it picks line quickly. I've fought one King with and several rainbows over 25" with this reel here on the Naknek River without here on the any issues. My clients enjoyed using this reel as well. That's important to me. The machining is rad with the green being my favorite color. Nice job

I build my own rods. I decided to build myself a heavy 11 wt 1 piece Tarpon rod. I got the rod built, slapped on this reel and headed to the mosquito lagoon flats. I was so pumped at how this reel performed. It's drag is smooth as butter, the green and blue color are so awesome, and I was having people notice this combo (because of the reel) sticking off my poking platform back at the boat ramp. I will never use another reel brand the rest of my life. Can't wait for my 7 wt redfish reel order next week.

A little weighty, but smooth as silk. Best fly reel I have ever used. Superior line pick up & drag.


Tim
"Check Yur Fly" Custom Fly Design©

The first real trial for my size 3 XLA was in the marshes of Louisiana sight fishing for giant reds. These fish had the power to test the drag, and the speed to make me crank and put the line pickup speed to the test. Between them and the jacks, snook, and tarpon I catch in Tampa bay, this reel never disappoints. The handle is a little unconventional, due to it not being at the edge of the arbor, but I hardly notice that anymore. I would definitely recommend this reel.

I recently purchased the Kraken XLA #4. This is easily the sweetest reel I've ever owned, used, SEEN! Flawless drag, smooth as silk!!! Why any one would ever waist money on any other product is beyond me. I actually dropped it right on some sharp and very large rocks. Not by choice of course. What happened you wonder? NOTHING! Not even a chip, or scratch. And the reel continued to operate flawlessly. Once again, Allen delivers with performance & top notch quality!!!! For way less than any other reel at its level. Sage ? Never again. My Allen gear has out lasted and out performed all my other gear( including T.F.O., Sage, and others), and keeps going. I trust that the Kraken XLA will be no different. I will be getting more of these reels in the future along with some sweet Allen rods to put them on!!! Well done again guys!!! Very well done.

Timothy Matt

Smooth like silk (both on the take up and the rip out)
I don't know if I can find the words for how smooth this reel is.
Line pick up...............
Just give it a spin.
Very good product

This is my first Allen reel, and if it tells you anything I just ordered a Kraken for my 9wt. The customer service and communication has been second to none, and I work in customer service in the fishing industry. Top to bottom, the craftsmanship of this reel is absolutely amazing. I'm using the size 5 (it's a serious big boy) for Striped Marlin, Big Dorado & Tuna. After testing the drag out with a buddy I'm pretty sure there isn't a fish that it couldn't put the wood to. Watch out Tarpon, you've met your match! Buy it, I promise you won't regret it.

Before this, I had not owned or used a reel with such a large arbor. It took me a day or two to get used to the size of the reel, and it took me only one fishing trip to absolutely fall in love with it. I mounted my Kraken XLA size 3 on one of my 8wts and took it with me to the Bahamas on a bonefish trip. The big arbor is fantastic for picking up a bunch of line quick when a bonefish makes a long run and then runs back towards the boat. The sealed drag handled the searing runs of the bones without a hiccup. This drag is seriously one of the best I've seen on a fly reel at any price. I wouldn't hesitate to put a big amberjack, shark or tarpon on this reel. Balances well on an 8wt, looks killer, and flat out performs.