Abel ROVE Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary Edition

Description

Limited to only 250 total reels, the Abel x Grateful Dead 60th Anniversary reel features artwork designed by Chris Benchetler commemorating 60 years since the legendary band was founded in 1965. The 60th anniversary edition reel is the 4th design in the Abel x Grateful Dead collection that started with a Steal Your Face edition in 2013, followed by Dancing Bears artwork in 2014, and a 50th Anniversary reel in 2015. Available in the Abel ROVE model reel in either a 4/6, or 7/9 size, this reel is destined to become yet another highly coveted reel in the series celebrating the lengthy Abel x Grateful Dead collaboration.

*All Abel x Grateful Dead reels are hand-anodized by our in-house team of artists. Because each reel is custom finished and made to order, delivery may take up to 7 months, though we will make every effort to ship sooner when possible.

Features

•    Field-Serviceable Cork Draw-Bar Drag — Proven unsealed cork disc drag delivers massive stopping power with low startup inertia. Open design flushes clean in the field in minutes with no tools or parts required. Apply neat's-foot oil to restore smoothness after heavy use or saltwater exposure.
•    Caged Frame Design — Fully enclosed frame eliminates any possibility of running line or backing escaping between frame and spool during a fight. Critical for spey rods with thin running line and for big-game saltwater fishing.
•    Double Pawl Engagement — All sizes feature dual pawl engagement for consistent, reliable drag onset across the full pressure range.
•    Structurally Integral Machining — Reinforced frame geometry designed to withstand the mechanical stresses of impacts, drops, and prolonged hard use without bending or deforming.
•    High-Capacity Large Arbor Spool — Massive backing capacity (up to 490 yards of 30# in the 11/12+) for deep-running saltwater species and long anadromous fish. Large arbor reduces line memory and speeds retrieval.
•    Laser-Engraved Drag Plate — Choose from freshwater flies, saltwater flies, combination, or blank. The plate rotates as the spool turns — an animated Abel signature detail.
•    User-Convertible Drag System — Convert left-to-right retrieve in the field without tools.
•    Quick-Change Spool — Fast, tool-free spool swaps for rapid line changes on the water.
•    Made in Montrose, Colorado, USA — Machined entirely from bar-stock aluminum. Lifetime warranty for the original registered purchaser.

Specifications

Size Chart

FAQ

Who is the Abel Rove for?
The Abel Rove is for anglers who demand a reel that can handle anything — from high-mountain trout streams to Seychelles GT flats — without worrying about it breaking, jamming, or failing in a remote location. It's a high-end choice for traveling anglers, guides who need gear that survives hard use across seasons, switch and spey rod enthusiasts who want the extra weight and backing capacity a larger reel provides, and anyone fishing environments where conditions can turn rough without warning.

What sizes does the Abel Rove come in?
The Rove is available in five sizes: the 4/6 (3.67", 6.9 oz) for trout and lighter freshwater; the 5/7 (3.98", 8.2 oz) for larger trout, bass, and light two-handed setups; the 7/9 (4.23", 8.5 oz) for steelhead, salmon, bonefish, and redfish; the 9/11 (4.70", 10.5 oz) for permit, baby tarpon, and heavy saltwater; and the 11/12+ (4.97", 10.8 oz) for large tarpon, giant trevally, and the largest saltwater gamefish.

What makes the Rove different from Abel's other fly reels?
The Rove is Abel's purpose-built adventure reel — designed for durability, high backing capacity, and field serviceability above all else. It uses the proven cork draw-bar drag system (not sealed carbon fiber), a caged frame that prevents line from escaping during fights, and a structurally reinforced machining design engineered to absorb impacts. Compared to the TR, it's heavier and more rugged. Compared to the SDS, it's less specialized for extreme saltwater but more versatile across environments. Abel describes it plainly: this is your beat-me-up, take-anywhere reel — not your delicate alpine meadow reel.

Is the Rove drag system sealed?
No. The Rove uses an unsealed cork draw-bar drag, which is a deliberate design choice. Like the Shilton SL's cork system, the open design makes it exceptionally easy to service in the field — flush it with fresh water, dry it, apply a thin layer of neat's-foot oil if needed, and it's ready to fish again. Abel chose field serviceability over sealing so that a remote destination never becomes a disaster because of a drag system you can't fix on the spot.

Is the Abel Rove a good choice for switch and spey rods?
Yes — and this is one of the Rove's strongest use cases. Switch and spey rods typically require a reel 1–3 sizes larger than the rod's line weight to achieve proper balance on the extended butt. The Rove 5/7, for example, balances perfectly on an 11' 6-weight switch rod, while providing the high backing capacity needed for anadromous fish. The caged frame also prevents thin running line from escaping during two-handed casting.

What are the downsides of the Abel Rove?
The Rove's biggest trade-off is weight. At 6.9–10.8 oz depending on size, it's significantly heavier than most modern machined reels in its class — a Nautilus GTR 8/9, for example, weighs 6.7 oz vs. the Rove 7/9 at 8.5 oz. For full days of wading and casting, especially on lighter rods, some anglers find the Rove fatiguing. Its unsealed cork drag also requires more regular maintenance than a sealed system — fine in the field, but not as set-and-forget as competitors like the Lamson Litespeed M or Nautilus GTR. Finally, at $745–$1,050+ depending on size and finish, the Rove sits at the top of its tier, and the added weight is a genuine consideration for anglers prioritizing rod balance and arm fatigue over maximum durability.

Warranty

Abel® products carry a lifetime warranty that covers the repair or replacement of parts due to defect in material or workmanship.

*Our warranty is valid for the original owner only, i.e., it is not transferable and is in effect only for products purchased through an Authorized Abel Dealer. Abel will determine if the product is covered under this warranty due to faulty material or workmanship. Parts for older or discontinued models may be replaced with parts for current models. Colors may vary between original and replacement parts. eBay® and any other similar auction or discount arenas do not carry any warranty.

For repairs not covered by the warranty, a quote will be provided upon request for approval before proceeding with any repair(s).