Hey guys and gals, it's been awhile. I hope that all of you are doing well and the freezer is staying stocked! I haven't upgraded my surfcasting outfit in a couple years, I keep telling myself I don't need more fishing gear. Right. So for Christmas I was given a lamiglas Insane Surf 11' MH conventional rod. It is the lowest offering from Lami, but hey, I will take it, and now it needs a reel! My main goal has always been to have a nice setup of four rods out at one time. When the fish are on, it will keep you very busy. My outfit now consist of two 12ft MH Fiberglass rods that I made myself with 2 Older Millionaire 6H's from the early 80's. The third rod is a 11ft MH fiberglass with a Abu 7000 from the mid 70's. Of course all of my reels (thanks to this site) are clean, tuned, well oiled machines and I can get around 100 yards on a cast sometimes more or less, depending on the wind, which is needed a lot for the pompano I mostly target on the beach here in Jacksonville Fla. All the level winds have been removed to get the distance I need.I'd like to add a few yards with my new reel I haven't bought yet, so... The reels I am thinking of are the Daiwa Millionaire HT Mag. I feel I can't go wrong with this, but it's stretching my budget. Next up is the Omoto Chief Xtreme 630 CXS, the Avet SX MC and last, the Abu 6500 CT Mag. What I really want is the Avet XS MC, and I have read about it casting far. I wonder if it will do what I need it to do and I also wonder how the Lever drag will work with me, I've never had one. One thing I do when I fish for pompano is, I set my drag very light and put it in the rod holder and let the circle hook do its thing. I then adjust but keep the drag as light as possible all the way to the shore. Pomps (like jacks) can have a sudden burst of speed, especially when they see the shore break and they freak. A light drag is needed to let them run just a little, so the hook does not pull out. It's a tactic a very good fisherman taught me and I hardly ever lose a fish because of this. So, it looks like the lever drag would actually be easier to work than the star drag? Any help, suggestions, I'm open to it. I don't buy many new reels anymore and I'd like to get this one right.
Lets add the Penn Squall II to the list also.
Quote from: Breadfan on December 30, 2020, 02:42:30 PM
Hey guys and gals, it's been awhile. I hope that all of you are doing well and the freezer is staying stocked! I haven't upgraded my surfcasting outfit in a couple years, I keep telling myself I don't need more fishing gear. Right. So for Christmas I was given a lamiglas Insane Surf 11' MH conventional rod. It is the lowest offering from Lami, but hey, I will take it, and now it needs a reel! My main goal has always been to have a nice setup of four rods out at one time. When the fish are on, it will keep you very busy. My outfit now consist of two 12ft MH Fiberglass rods that I made myself with 2 Older Millionaire 6H's from the early 80's. The third rod is a 11ft MH fiberglass with a Abu 7000 from the mid 70's. Of course all of my reels (thanks to this site) are clean, tuned, well oiled machines and I can get around 100 yards on a cast sometimes more or less, depending on the wind, which is needed a lot for the pompano I mostly target on the beach here in Jacksonville Fla. All the level winds have been removed to get the distance I need.I'd like to add a few yards with my new reel I haven't bought yet, so... The reels I am thinking of are the Daiwa Millionaire HT Mag. I feel I can't go wrong with this, but it's stretching my budget. Next up is the Omoto Chief Xtreme 630 CXS, the Avet SX MC and last, the Abu 6500 CT Mag. What I really want is the Avet XS MC, and I have read about it casting far. I wonder if it will do what I need it to do and I also wonder how the Lever drag will work with me, I've never had one. One thing I do when I fish for pompano is, I set my drag very light and put it in the rod holder and let the circle hook do its thing. I then adjust but keep the drag as light as possible all the way to the shore. Pomps (like jacks) can have a sudden burst of speed, especially when they see the shore break and they freak. A light drag is needed to let them run just a little, so the hook does not pull out. It's a tactic a very good fisherman taught me and I hardly ever lose a fish because of this. So, it looks like the lever drag would actually be easier to work than the star drag? Any help, suggestions, I'm open to it. I don't buy many new reels anymore and I'd like to get this one right.
Lets add the Penn Squall II to the list also.
Since you are in Jacksonville, I assume you may have heard of or met Larry 'Fishman' Finch. Kind a surf fishing legend in the area. He uses Penn Torques on custom 13'6' rods. www.fishmanfinch.com He runs Atlantic Seafood and sells fresh bait there too.
If you are looking at the Omoto, you might want to upgrade to the comparable Akios model. Basically the same reel upgraded a bit. I like Abu's but a lot of people swear by the Akios/Omoto models claiming they cast better and are stronger reels.
Here is one of Larry's videos at the where he is talking about the rod and reel he uses. The rest of the video is related to Pompano fishing.
https://youtu.be/jzJ392CbSqA?t=157
I would stick with a star drag for casting distance, the avet's are nice reels and cast ok but not as well as the others you mentioned
The akios are nice
I was thinking the same too about the Avets. Distance is key here, when you need it, you need it. I personally don't know Larry but I have been in his shop and read a lot about him. I really like the Omoto, I didn't say anything about the Akios because they are pretty much the same reel with a few differences and the Omoto Xtreme was a lot less in price of the top Akios reel by about 130.00 bucks. That may be the one for me.
Quote from: Breadfan on December 30, 2020, 05:42:40 PM
I was thinking the same too about the Avets. Distance is key here, when you need it, you need it. I personally don't know Larry but I have been in his shop and read a lot about him. I really like the Omoto, I didn't say anything about the Akios because they are pretty much the same reel with a few differences and the Omoto Xtreme was a lot less in price of the top Akios reel by about 130.00 bucks. That may be the one for me.
Looks good. These are the features listed on the omoto website:
- Shielded 2 stainless steel ball bearings + 1 roller bearing provides smooth operation
- Machined 6061-T6 aluminum frame & spool
- Carbon Fiber drag system gives smooth drag performance
- 6 pin centrifugal brake gives consistent brake pressure throughout the cast
- Patent magnetic brake system
The Squall II is similar to 525Mag. If you cant find a 525, try it. Much less than Akios, Avet, etc. and see if your distance is the tool or operator. I can sling the 525 but there are others that can achieve low level orbit. If you want to go first class, Siegler- but only if your technique limits the others. my 0.02.
I was into surf fishing few years back but then my friend bought a panga boat around 7 years ago and put my surf fishing session on hold ;D ;D
My goto rod was a custom rainshadow 12'6" SUR1505 casting rod 2-6 lure, fast taper, I paired this rod with some different reels to see what I could do with them, I used an abu 7000c, aby 6500c3, saltist 20h, calcutta 400TE and penn squidder 146, from those reels, my best distances where with the abu 6500c3 and saltist 20h, squidder was too wild to control but its a great caster, abu 6500c3 felt great but IMO the rod felt better with the daiwa saltist 20h, its pretty small, great caster and have a great drag and its topless which is nice because its easier to palm and control on the cast.
I remember when few years back the surf fishing forums always compared daiwa saltist 20h and 30h Vs Avet sx MC, so if you are interested on the avet maybe you should check the daiwa 20h too, the current version is the saltist 20h BG
I havent tried those reels akios, omoto, penn 525mag but I have heard a lot of good comments on it, another good caster on the cheap is the Daiwa SL20SH
here is my saltist 20h along an abu 5500 for comparing sizes
take a good read on this articule, they put it above the penn 525 https://www.planetseafishing.com/daiwa-saltist-20h-shore-reel/
Quote from: thorhammer on December 30, 2020, 11:41:42 PM
The Squall II is similar to 525Mag. If you cant find a 525, try it. Much less than Akios, Avet, etc. and see if your distance is the tool or operator. I can sling the 525 but there are others that can achieve low level orbit. If you want to go first class, Siegler- but only if your technique limits the others. my 0.02.
Yes sir,,,,,,I have seen them do that in nagshead nc with a 13.6ft rod and a 525mag___,,,,----'''''''"""""" ;D
Right now the hot ticket on the Outer Banks is the Penn Fathom II
You wont see any Akios reels on the beach. Casting field yes, but not the beach.
I absolutely love my Daiwa Saltist BG20H and Penn Fathoms
Quote from: 1badf350 on December 31, 2020, 10:25:56 PM
Right now the hot ticket on the Outer Banks is the Penn Fathom II
You wont see any Akios reels on the beach. Casting field yes, but not the beach.
I absolutely love my Daiwa Saltist BG20H and Penn Fathoms
Both great reels,,,,,, ;) but the mag525 is there,,,,,,,,,, ;D
Well, I bought the Avet Sx MC. I had the Fathom 2 and the Squall 2 along with the Avet on the counter. Sometimes I get mad at myself but I just couldn't see forking out that cash for a Chinese made reel. Not that they were poorly built, quite the opposite, they were beautiful reels, just couldn't do it. I have a really hard time buying Chinese stuff. But, I must say with a little tweaking, the Avet will be sweet and I really want to try out a lever drag. I think it will be fine. The reels Already own can go farther than I can cast so I suspect this will be no different. It's a really nice reel and I can't wait to get it ready. Thank you everyone for all your replies.
good luck with the pinion bearing.
if you wanted an american made surf casting reel the Siegler SM might be a better option for the surf.
I looked at those too, they were a little out of my price range. Very nice reels. Pinion bearing? I mainly fish just for pompano so I don’t see myself pushing the limits of this reel with the drag full on. I will catch the occasional 20-30 ray but other than that, small stuff.
More gear!! haha I hear ya...
These thteads always get a ton of opinions so Ill throw mine in. For pomp fishing here in Texas Ive been thinking of getting a 7000 size Blue Yonder. I hear the Sealinex are good for that too, and cheap to boot.
Im a gear horse too lately :) I say get what ya want and if it doesnt work for what you wanted it for Im sure you can find SOME use for it haha
Quote from: GonePostal on January 03, 2021, 01:20:39 PM
More gear!! haha I hear ya...
These thteads always get a ton of opinions so Ill throw mine in. For pomp fishing here in Texas Ive been thinking of getting a 7000 size Blue Yonder. I hear the Sealinex are good for that too, and cheap to boot.
Im a gear horse too lately :) I say get what ya want and if it doesnt work for what you wanted it for Im sure you can find SOME use for it haha
I thought of the Blue Yonder, but I have had so many Abus, I just wanted something else. I’d like to know how the 7000 Yonder is though. I have an early 7000 that I magged, removed the levelwind,and polished the bushings on, it will really throw it out there. I’m really old school and my old Daiwa 6h’s I use for the surf are just great reels. I had tuned them so fast that I had to mag them and put heavier oil in the bearings because I don’t practice enough or fish enough to handle them. Plus, I think I buy the older reels because I just don’t want to succumb to the Chinese reels, even though most of them are good reels now. If you looked at my collection, you’d think you were stuck in the 70’s. The Avet will be a new challenge, I have a couple months to get ready.
^^^ Im with you 100% as far as the old school reels. Especially Penn.
Heck, my go to surf reels are Squidder 140's... Ive just been thinking of trying some of the newer reels just because I hear they are supposedly much better. I believe that depends on who you ask tho...
Im with you too on the China/US made issue as well. I have an old 9/0 senator and a new chinese made 9/0 too. The US is my favorite, hands down. But, I couldnt exactly tell you why. The newer IS a good reel and Ive had no trouble. I just prefer the older stuff I suppose.
Plus those old Penn Senators, Squidders, etc.... man, theyve been around forever and have caught tons of huge fish. But Im sorry to sidetrack your thread haha
I'm a Penn fan. I love the Squidders casting ability (which is partly whoever is holding it) but the gearing is pretty low.
In the review posted at one point magging is mentioned, which is why I would go with the Penn Mag 525.
I realize OP already bought something but I have to mention the Mag anyway. (I have 3 now).
Here in the Pensacola area we only have to cast right off the beach. No more than 25 feet to catch Pompano. You will like the Avet. No worries on the pinion bearing with your light drag. Just keep it cleaned well. They are so easy to take apart.
Keith
Quote from: handi2 on January 03, 2021, 11:05:47 PM
Here in the Pensacola area we only have to cast right off the beach. No more than 25 feet to catch Pompano. You will like the Avet. No worries on the pinion bearing with your light drag. Just keep it cleaned well. They are so easy to take apart.
Keith
Thank you Keith and everyone else. It would certainly be nice if we only had to cast 25 feet over here on the east coast. I'm sure once I clean the grease out of the bearings and put some light oil in them, the reel will perform. I'll definitely give an update on how I feel about it next weekend.
So, I cleaned the grease out of the bearings with lighter fluid, blew them out and added Rem oil, which is a very light oil. My youngest daughter and I (she is now 21) went out to the beach, it was chilly, 50 degrees with a light wind from the northeast, 5-10. Just enough wind to let you know it's there. My first cast (3oz sputnik, double dropper loop rig and bait) with the mag setting full on, about 50 yards. Clearly too much mag so I came down to setting "1", and it went about 75 yards on the second cast. Not too bad but I knew I could do better. On both cast I noticed zero fluff coming off on the spool, the magnets were really keeping this spool in check. So I on the third cast I absolutely let it rip, all I had, harder than I have ever thrown, 110 yards into a 5-10 headwind. Wow. I know it was dead on 110 because when I spooled the reel up, I spliced in my favorite line on top of some not so favorite line and ran off exactly 110 yards. On the last cast, the knot was just on the tip off my rod. So, that was a very good start for a reel that I had no idea of how it was going to perform. Even with all that, I really feel like the magnets are too strong and it's holding back on distance. Of course there is a flip side top that. I cast that rod 25 times and never once did it even hint at backlash. Maybe just a bearing upgrade, can't hurt, right? We didn't catch anything, the water was a little cold and about the only thing out this time of year is whiting and sharks, but nine today. I'd like to do a full on review of this reel on how it preforms to just pompano with the light settings of the drag I use. They will be back in the spring, in the meantime, I will keep tweaking this reel to see if I can get anymore out of it. So far, I am very happy with it. It was a lot of money I had to fork out for something that I was unsure of. On a funnier note, I handed the rod to my daughter, who has a nice conventional set up herself, but she is not and never has been the smoothest of casters, and I have her reel magged to the max so she can get away with it. I thought even she could throw this a mile! Wrong. Huge birds nest and a I'm sorry not sorry smile came from her face. We had a good laugh on that one.
Hybrid ceramic spool bearings have been ordered from Boca Bearings. Lets see what this reel can do!