WHich Avet do I want? Small fast narrow cheap .....

[Joel.B]

I want to try a used Avet- something for yo-yo and casting , 30-40#

I like narrow reels, about size of Torium 16 or smaller

WHich models should I be looking at and what is fair prices to pay?   I prefer used reels that are a little banged up already as I have hard time fishing with minty/pretty reels....

[Bryan Young]

Your only choices are the SX lines. If fishing 30#, the SX is fine. If 40#, the the SX raptor.

You can fine new SXs for $130-$150 and used ones for $100-$150 (color dependent).   The Raptor are like $450 reels, and are made similar to the EX series except in a small package with tons of stopping power.

[Normslanding]

Bryan, Your priorities of Avet, narrow, 30-40#, and heavy enough drag. I would look at HXJ. And in a single speed you should a find used one. The SX, MX, stock will do approx. 9 # of drag at strike. The JX will do about 12#'s. The HX series will give you a little more. The Raptors will do more but the cost will go up. Also they are in higher demand, and will be harder to find. Good hunting.

[SoCalAngler]

I'd go with a JX.... wait I do, but I use a JX 6/3 for yoyo and bait down in Baja. Where I fish, say for yellows, it is not unheard of to get picked up by a AJ in the 60 lb range or bigger. Or when fishing for Dorado to get picked up by a pesky Sailfish or Striped Marlin and even sometimes a Blue. A two speed offers me the cranking power for a quick release on the billfish and for large Grouper, AJ's and Pargo. The SX IMO is a 30 lb reel max unless you go with a Raptor. A JX will handle 40 fine and a 2 speed is not needed but for the fishing I do it is sure nice to have.

Edit. The JX and LX get 15 lbs of drag at strike and 20 at full, plenty of drag for 40 lb. I set my JX to 10 lbs at strike and if I need/want more drag I'll just move the lever past past strike.

[Joel.B]

I'd go with a JX.... wait I do, but I use a JX 6/3 for yoyo and bait down in Baja. Where I fish, say for yellows, it is not unheard of to get picked up by a AJ in the 60 lb range or bigger. Or when fishing for Dorado to get picked up by a pesy Sailfish or Striped Marlin and even sometimes a Blue. A two speed offers me the cranking power for a quick release on the billfish and for large Grouper, AJ's and Pargo. The SX IMO is a 30 lb reel max unless you go with a Raptor. A JX will handle 40 fine and a 2 speed is not needed but for the fishing I do it is sure nice to have.

I am going to Baja (Pacific side) for about 10 days oct-nov.  I only want to take two maybe three set-ups. One light duty caster for Lagoon and surf.  One to yo-yo, cast baits.  Maybe a medium troller but I'd rather not. I want to move light and quick- minimum gear.  Besides I left enough gear down there over the years I can borrow whatever I need if the Big Tuna or Wahoo show up.   I try to avoid the big grouper and BSB, I dont kill them and only catch them by rare accident anymore.   

[Bryan Young]

Normslanding, those other Avets I don't consider small reels.

[SoCalAngler]

I'd go with a JX.... wait I do, but I use a JX 6/3 for yoyo and bait down in Baja. Where I fish, say for yellows, it is not unheard of to get picked up by a AJ in the 60 lb range or bigger. Or when fishing for Dorado to get picked up by a pesy Sailfish or Striped Marlin and even sometimes a Blue. A two speed offers me the cranking power for a quick release on the billfish and for large Grouper, AJ's and Pargo. The SX IMO is a 30 lb reel max unless you go with a Raptor. A JX will handle 40 fine and a 2 speed is not needed but for the fishing I do it is sure nice to have.

I am going to Baja (Pacific side) for about 10 days oct-nov.  I only want to take two maybe three set-ups. One light duty caster for Lagoon and surf.  One to yo-yo, cast baits.  Maybe a medium troller but I'd rather not. I want to move light and quick- minimum gear.  Besides I left enough gear down there over the years I can borrow whatever I need if the Big Tuna or Wahoo show up.   I try to avoid the big grouper and BSB, I dont kill them and only catch them by rare accident anymore. 

My father lives south of Loreto and fish the area 2-3 times a year. Fishing the yoyo or dropper loop you never know what you will hook there. Been rocked by so many no-see-ums at times it will make your head spin. I use a spinner from the beach and the JX spectra backed with long 40 lb toppers for about 90% of the boat fishing.

[tpilk]

I current fish an SXJ (300yds of #30), which is a fine balance considering the drag rating. I also have an SX Raptor with 300yds of #50. It also balances nicely depending on your capacity needs (total line, or line -topshot combo). It does well up to about 14-15lbs of fighting drag, then you begin to feel a little resistance on the free spool. I also have a standard SX, which doesn't get used much with the other two in the arsenal.

I do have an MXL Raptor as well, but after the SX's, it feels "big" and the small reels are lots more fun when conditions/species allow (note my qualifier-when conditions/species allow).

If you go with Charkbait, you'll get a spool full of hollow-core for free. The SX Raptor can take well over 300 meters of #50 (w/room for a topshot) and around 300 of the #60 (hollow-core lays flatter, resulting in more capacity.

A couple of after-purchase points....all of my reels are MC. I use it on the MXL, but on the SX family, it's just not needed, as they are so easy to cast (IMO). Consider all your needs - capacity, drag, etc. Had I done that, I probably never would have purchased the standard SX, as the SXJ and the Raptor cover my needs better. I also think I would have gone with the MXJ Raptor over the MXL, once again, based on my specific needs. The narrower "J" spools are great.

Hope that helps