Choosing the Right Fly Reel for Tarpon: Expert Advice

Question
Hello Boris, with 50 years of saltwater fishing under your belt I guess I've found the right guy to answer my question. After a disappointing three day tarpon trip to the keys last year I sold all of my gear on ebay upon returning home. Now, I'm getting tarpon fever again but I can't decide what fly reel to get. I have a Sage 11wt rod that I kept. But I sold my Abel super 12. I've been looking at the Tibor Gulfstreem, the Able super 12 and The Old Florida Nautilus. I have read that the Nautilus has a new type of drag system that I like. So if you had to choose between the three, which one would you take with you on your next tarpon trip?

Answer
Hello Ken,
Too bad about the disappointing tarpon trip; try May or June in the Islamorada and/or the Bahia Honda bridge areas.  My choice, that is what I would buy, is the Nautilus.  The reel has much going for it and the company stands behind their products.  But I would research it more if I were you.  Are you familiar with the web site<www.danblanton.com/bulletin.php>?  Their archives, though time-consuming to wade through, contain much info on the Nautilus as well as many other reels.  Hope you get them next time!  Boris