what's coming off the bench......

[Darin Crofton]

Alan, you like those big Avets? Are they heavy compared to the Penn 50 vsx you just serviced? Keep up the good work, I really enjoy this thread!

[alantani]

these 50 class reels are all the same size - heavy!  doesn't matter, they're all heavy.  and when you lay it on the rail, it doesn't matter whether it weighs 2 pounds or 20 pounds.  the important thing is the drag range.  this one falls short.  

[Darin Crofton]

Gotcha, thanks for the reply! Jeff is going to build me some uc viper rail rods soon, so was just wondering.

[alantani]

Gotcha, thanks for the reply! Jeff is going to build me some uc viper rail rods soon, so was just wondering.

the viper is the perfect 100 pound stick, easily holding up under 30 to 50 pounds of drag.  and you want a reel that will match that level of performance.  we are talking about the makaira 20, the penn international vsx 20, or the newer visx 20.  one of those three.  don't get talked into anything else. 

[Darin Crofton]

That Okuma looks real good, will get me a couple of those for chunking for yellowfin in Venice, LA.
At home though, the Viper will have a hot rodded 6/0 for pulling big grouper from the depths...
Thanks for all your help, AT!!!

[alantani]

if you're not going with 30 pounds of drag, the viper is a waste.  go with the centaur for 25 pounds of drag and the viper for 30. 

[Darin Crofton]

right on, I have two 600h Daiwas that have the insert drags, ss sleeves and getting dd bridges on them this week, will set them at 35-40#'s, and can use them on the viper
also, my 6/0 Penns will eventually get the same treatment and can use them as well, probably set them at 35#'s, how's that sound?
we have some really big grouper off our coast and the Viper seems like a perfect rod for them, I'll need to polish up on the rail technique though 

[alantani]

30 pounds is a good setting for these combos.  not sure what the fish will think, but the rod and reel will be balanced. 

[Darin Crofton]

haha, thanks again, I'll let you know how it goes...

[alantani]

this is a two speed avet pro 50.  out of the box, it delivered only 35 pounds of drag at strike and 40 pounds at full before losing freespool.  i changed the bellevilles around and i'm going to put it back together now.  we'll see what i can squeeze out of it.

[Reel 224]

Alan: Is that reel a single plate with double drag discs that I'm looking at in that photo? If so it looks like plenty of surface for drag pressure for ample drag I would think.

Joe

[alantani]

yup, two drags and a massive stainless steel rotor.  you'd think...... 

[Reel 224]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm!  I would be interested in the outcome of your salutation....................Joe

[Tightlines667]

I remember being dissapointed by the drag range on the last avet ex80 I worked on, but I can't remember the numbers I ended up with.

[Reel 224]

A simple answer would be put more pressure on it, But the design may not be made that way if it's only center pressure. Seems to me it would have to be even pressure all around. We will see what Alan comes up with.

Joe