Best in class reels not high end

[mackereljoe]

At one time Alan gave the 15/30 best in class title. With all the new reels that came out since, wondering if still have the title.  With my limited budget and quiver my new favorite for #20 lexa 400 hd, #30 PG V40, and #40 still the PG 454 YTS.  I tried replacing the PG 454 many times and it just not the same.  Recently tried the V50 but it just does not have the "it" factor.   With Bryan 5 stack drag system I'm falling in love again with jigmaster guts reels for #30. It seems like I'm going backwards in time.  Just wondering what others favorite #20, 30 and 40 reels.

[MarkT]

These are my go to reels for 20-30-40.

20#  Penn 525 Mag with a Torque handle
30#  Avet SX Raptor
40#  Penn Fathom 25NLD2

[alantani]

i still really like them, but new reels are still expensive. 

[boon]

20# Shimano Calcutta 400B with Carbontex and bearing upgrades
30# Okuma Metaloid though I would totally love an Andros, or a Trinidad.
40# Shimano Talica

[conchydong]

 I must admit that for light duty trolling, I have my Japanese built TLD single speeds (15, 20 and 25s) that are over 20 years old and have been super reliable with minimal maintenance. For spinners I have Penn 7500's and 9500's that are just as old with a little more maintenance but built like a tank. My heavier trolling are older Penns 50TW, 50S, 50SW and a 30S that are like a old fashioned Timex watch.
I also have a TLD 50 that I put a Willfish frame on and it has also been a great reel. I have Penn Senators from 3/0s to 12/0s that have special uses that are great also.

I consider those best in class for the price point and durability.

[steelfish]

At one time Alan gave the 15/30 best in class title.......... Just wondering what others favorite #20, 30 and 40 reels.

well, I dont know if this reel fall in the 40# class or a 50# class, but it was also rewarded by the "best in its class"..  the mighty Baja Special reel
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=14.0

........... it is because of these features that i call the penn 113hn baja special the best in it's class. 

Penn 320gti, it was the second best in its class, or the most versatile according to Alan

i would still call the shimano tld star 15/30 the best reel in this class, but the penn 320gti, 320gt2 and 321gti have to be the most versatile!

[mackereljoe]

This is really good info for me since got a lot a new friends that have gotten hooked on fishing and seeing some already bought rigs that's evidently victims of upselling.  Thanks.