Reel Repair by Alan Tani

General Maintenance Tips => General Questions and Trouble Shooting => Topic started by: multifuel on February 08, 2013, 02:04:12 AM

Title: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: multifuel on February 08, 2013, 02:04:12 AM
Well I just sold my last 2 avet pro exw 4/0 2speed reels. I do not need such a heavy duty reel and found my self using my tld 25 ( w/ a Tani Handle) and a single speed GLD 30- both with 30lb mono. These are the trolling reels i catch fish on as well as penn 4/0's , the last us made ones and use them for bottom fish as well.

I live in Treasure Coast of FL, mostly sails, Mahi, A-J's and grouper. I am thinking of getting into jigging so am thinking a high speed may be the ticket. I am liking the Squalls, and the few GLD 30's that aren't 2 speeds seem to be over 240 bucks! I paid 190 for mine 3 years ago and have to say, it is my fave hands down. More than any other I like it for it's sewing machine silkiness and wonderful ergonomics. It is a tad big but compared to the avet's it is no issue. I like it MUCH more then the the TLD.

Ok- i know this is super objective and very personal so please let me know with one caveat- I do not want any more tld 25's. ok, with that said please weigh in. I am especially interested in the jigging but I have never done it nor know anyone that is doing it in my sphere of fishing friends. Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: alantani on February 08, 2013, 02:08:49 AM
so many choices.  do you have to stick with a lever drag reel?  single or two speed?
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: multifuel on February 08, 2013, 02:39:34 AM
Hi Alan- Single is fine. I had the Avet's and they are just too much for what I catch. I have the 2 113 Senators and the GLD/TLD as my 4 trollers with 2 penn 750 ssm's for casting when I can.

I find myself favoring bottom fishing and as I said, am thinking of trying jigging. I prefer LD's to star's and the 2 4/0's are fine however I like the lever drags.

I am hoping to keep it under 300 bucks a reel- I sold the avets for what i paid for them to a friend that fishes deep water and bigger fish than i ever have so he will get use from those avet's.

I think with 60 to 80 pound braid I would prefer at least 500 yrds. or more so that I can troll with them.

I was liking the Saltist's last year, Squall's this year have my attention. If the gld's were a tad more diminutive it would be already spooled up and on my rods! I really like it more than the TLD. The Avet clicker also left alot to be desired- barely audible and trolling at 6+ knots i've had it go and didn't even know it. Luck it held so much line or it would have stripped- that was really the straw that made me sell them off. So, whatchya thinking???!!!
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: alantani on February 08, 2013, 03:06:34 AM
maybe the squall  http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=4628.msg36014;topicseen#msg36014
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: multifuel on February 08, 2013, 03:52:25 AM
Yes, I read that earlier. I am interested in news on the Okuma's, Solterra and and Cedros, Saltists, Squalls, maybe even the avet LX or even HX. I would like to know from anyone using the larger squalls or solterras that can compare them as I have never fished either. how are they trolling? is clicker good? what dont you like? Issues of these nature. See, I am easy!

I know avet has a great product- I am trying to find something light weight that could handle up to the occasional 70+ pounder (or aj or wahoo) but mostly under 35lb mahi. I want to troll it and maybe try the jigging. I have used speedmaster's before so with what i normally catch the higher ratio is not a put off to me. Quite honestly I have never really benefitted from the big Avet reels capabilities. I havent even fished them in a year, so adios and hello something new! Again, all opinions appreciated. I have looked at a lot of reviews and have some direction, just looking for more input from people that are fishing them. I hope to keep it under 250 but 300 +/- 20 dollars is really my budget. Less than 200$ would be ideal.

Are Solterra's better than a TLD? Has anyone a GLD 30 to compare that to? I love the action of my gld and am sorely tempted to just buy two more and be done with it BUT that is too easy and doesn't get me closer to the jigging. I may just buy an old speedmaster and hotrod it up per your site's tutorial and get that on a rod.

Just kicking tires at this point but need to make a decision within a few days.
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: wallacewt on February 08, 2013, 04:37:06 AM
for jigging the depth of water and current is the most crucial item.
the heavy the jig= stronger reel
last sunday i was jigging with 3oz jig(flutter type) 20lb braid,
6601c4 abu,40m deep.
no wind,no current,landed some good fish also.
the name of the game is to keep your line straight up and down if possible,
if you are after bottom fish.
multi coloured braid helps a lot.(depth to fish)
i wont jig if i have to use braid over 15kg,to hard for me.
rambo or easy peasy,both are exciting.
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: day0ne on February 08, 2013, 07:12:39 AM
If you are talking about "speed jigging", then you are talking about a small narrow reel that may not be suitable for trolling. Speed jigging with a 30 sized reel would be a killer and you wouldn't be able to do it for very long. I jig with reels the size of an Accurate 500N or a 600NN. Small, narrow and lite. While a lot of people don't like jigging with Avets because of the back play in the handle from the dogs, a JX would be a nice size or a MXJ Raptor. An HXJ is also a good reel but getting kind of big . Of course none of the above reels fit your budget, so I would take a look at the new Accurate Fury single speed in either 500n or 600n size. They are in your budget. BTW, jigging realy doesn't require a high speed reel. 4:1 to 4.8:1 is considered ideal by a lot of people (unless the spool is real small). If you still want to do both with 1 reel, take a look at a Penn Baja Special. It's star drag, and heavy for "speed jigging" but a great reel.
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: SoCalAngler on February 08, 2013, 08:41:19 AM
Single speed reels for 30-40 lb test in your price range you may want to look at, Avet JX or LX, Daiwa Saltists LD 30 or 35, Accurate Furry, Penn Squalls or Fathoms (I like the Fathom line better but are star drag), Okuma Cedros star drag (yeah I know you don't want a star drag but I thought I'd throw a couple in). These are aluminum framed reels but if you wanted to go graphite you could drop the cost even more and fishing 30lb you should have no problems with frame twist.

I stopped listing reels sizes because I was not sure if you were going to spectra back your reels.

Edit: I have fished them all except the Furrys and you can't really do wrong with the reels listed. I don't do alot of speed jigging but I have done some and not having instant anitreverse did not bother me a whole lot.
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: multifuel on February 08, 2013, 09:25:16 PM
Thank you- this is exactly what i am after!
I have not heard of the Accurate fury's- i am very seriously thinking of getting the 600x  2 of them now that i have looked at them. Going to narrow down my choices to the top 3 and then make a decision from that.

So far the Accurate Fury 600, Squall 60

I am also going to get a dedicated jig pole and reel based on you guys feedback and some other readings- seems the best idea and hey, one more rig to spend money on :'(.

Well, i am excited, the fury's look very nice and the price point is very palatable for what i perceive to be a great reel. Thanks again and would love more opinions!
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: Newell Nut on February 08, 2013, 11:15:19 PM
Another reel that you may want to look at for jigging is the Newell S 533 5.5 which takes up 44" per turn of the handle. Light weight and very strong. They can be picked up on ebay in excellent condition for 140 to 180. You can get a new one for 300. A few shops still have them. If interested let me know and I can give the person to contact.
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: day0ne on February 09, 2013, 01:41:29 AM
Quote from: multifuel on February 08, 2013, 09:25:16 PM
Thank you- this is exactly what i am after!
I have not heard of the Accurate fury's- i am very seriously thinking of getting the 600x  2 of them now that i have looked at them. Going to narrow down my choices to the top 3 and then make a decision from that.

So far the Accurate Fury 600, Squall 60

I am also going to get a dedicated jig pole and reel based on you guys feedback and some other readings- seems the best idea and hey, one more rig to spend money on :'(.

Well, i am excited, the fury's look very nice and the price point is very palatable for what i perceive to be a great reel. Thanks again and would love more opinions!

Why pick such large reels for jigging? An Accurate 500N would be a better choice or even a 600N. The weight will kill you.
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: rx7240sx on February 09, 2013, 02:19:23 AM
how about a avet jx or a shimano trinidad 20n
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: rx7240sx on February 09, 2013, 02:22:59 AM
i have a solterra 15 i use for mahi and kingfish it has done fine so far
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: wallacewt on February 09, 2013, 02:55:22 AM
(http://)(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb326/wallacewt/IMG_1588_zps37387faf.jpg)
this is the flutter jig i used last sunday.
3oz-18" leader-8olb-treble hook-elastic band,(breaks on hookup.)
braid clips to 18" leader,
drop to ocean floor,wind up 2ft,twitch-twitch,slowly lift rod above your head,high as you can go,
let it flutter back down, repeat
speed jigging-hava drink-crank like mad-rip rip-hava drink-crank like-rip-drink-pass
rod to someone else-mt bottle. :D :D
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: multifuel on February 09, 2013, 05:19:59 AM
Quote from: day0ne on February 09, 2013, 01:41:29 AM
Quote from: multifuel on February 08, 2013, 09:25:16 PM
Thank you- this is exactly what i am after!
I have not heard of the Accurate fury's- i am very seriously thinking of getting the 600x  2 of them now that i have looked at them. Going to narrow down my choices to the top 3 and then make a decision from that.

So far the Accurate Fury 600, Squall 60

I am also going to get a dedicated jig pole and reel based on you guys feedback and some other readings- seems the best idea and hey, one more rig to spend money on :'(.

Well, i am excited, the fury's look very nice and the price point is very palatable for what i perceive to be a great reel. Thanks again and would love more opinions!

Why pick such large reels for jigging? An Accurate 500N would be a better choice or even a 600N. The weight will kill you.
I am not looking for a jigging reel here per se, this is to replace my 2 trolling reels ( the avet 2 speeds) i just sold. I got rid of them due to weight and the quietest clicker that I (n)ever heard! for the jigging combo i am looking at a spheros1800 or the saltist. whatever it will be is light and fast and strong, lots of choices there.

I wont muck up this thread by asking about jigging, i can handle that. Just wondering with the newer LD's on the market in the 4/0 size what our fellow fishermen(persons?) think about their various rigs.
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: multifuel on February 09, 2013, 02:39:48 PM
I bought a Jigging set up lst night- A Daiwa Exceler EXC6500T (140$) with an OTI Jigging rod on sale for 199$

I keep reading and the Fury and Squall are on my short list. I would be buying two so thats what stopping me. Then again maybe one of each!?? Charkbait has a deal for both now and while I have found them cheaper by the time I bought line the 20 dollars saved isn't.

I probably will lock a choice down before Monday the 11th, maybe I will get both. Kinda dont like using 4 different reels on my trolling set up though. Already am using a tld on one and a gld on the other- Have i mentioned how much more I like the Penn? :) - everyone that uses compares thinks it is a better reel. Man i shoulda bought two when they were 190$. Could have sold my TLD and looking back that would be highly satisfactory to me.
OK- so for 600 bucks or so for two reels, what would YOU spend your money on for a Lever Drag that is a troller and maybe some other action- DEFINITELY under 100 pound catch weight fish, I have never caught anyting bigger (Are you listnening Murphy!) but AJ's, Sails, Groupers all in mind. Thanks again!
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: SoCalAngler on February 09, 2013, 06:18:56 PM
Since you like the GLD's how about 2 GLD 20's (around $190 each) or 20II's. I feel a two speed reel offers me much more felixiblity, good for trolling, will move big AJ's or grouper away from deep structor with low gear and more.

I fish alot of smaller 2 speeds for my fishing down in Baja but my application is a mixture of live bait, yoyo iron and trolling where smaller reels are much more comfy to fish. In my mind it was worth spending more for 2 speed reels than having several to cover the type of fishing I do. Just a thought.
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: wallacewt on February 10, 2013, 01:04:28 AM
reels for jigging.
you can use just about any reel for jigging.
the problem starts when its big heavy jigs, deep water, strong current.
big fish take small jigs as well.
ive seen jigs nearly a metre long online,imagine that! ::)
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: multifuel on February 10, 2013, 02:30:33 AM
Quote from: SoCalAngler on February 09, 2013, 06:18:56 PM
Since you like the GLD's how about 2 GLD 20's (around $190 each) or 20II's. I feel a two speed reel offers me much more felixiblity, good for trolling, will move big AJ's or grouper away from deep structor with low gear and more.

I fish alot of smaller 2 speeds for my fishing down in Baja but my application is a mixture of live bait, yoyo iron and trolling where smaller reels are much more comfy to fish. In my mind it was worth spending more for 2 speed reels than having several to cover the type of fishing I do. Just a thought.
I dont want the weight, 40+ oz.-  Why i sold the avet's.
I do live lining w/ sardines and pilchards, trolling and bottom fishing ( and now trying hi speed jigging) so that is what i am hoping to accomplish. What light weight reels are you using that I can pick 15-65lbs range and fish comfortably all day. I am hoping to go as light weight with drag to mid 20's. the smaller avet (jx-lx) dont have enough muscle. I had those exw 4 0 2speeds on some heavy full rollers from pinnacle and they were HEAVY and i really dont need all that. My go-to deep water has been the gld30 1 speed and tld25 on so roller tip penn trolling rods that are great. I have never caught anything ever over a 100 lbs and just dont need a 2 speed heavy reel. (Murphy this is a direct challenge!) so something under 30 oz's and on a much lighter action pole should prove more useful and FUN! So the challenge is what new LD is available that is not heavy,20+ lbs of SMOOTH drag and built well under 300 preferably 220 -ish? the accurate fury reels are tantalizing, and if they were a little less i would have pulled the trigger. I have a few in mind, just gathering as much data as possible from the people that use them so i can make my best choice as possible. I know so much is preference but that is what i am trying to ascertain- what LD are you using and why do you love it ( or something else!) and if you had to buy two new trolling reels that are LD's what would that be?
Title: Re: Looking for new lever drag
Post by: multifuel on February 11, 2013, 01:07:58 AM
Well- ordered 2 Squall 60's from charkbait with some extras.
On ebay the best i found was 149$ and this included the shipping. It was 30 more BUT with the braid already on it for 500 yards It was worth it. I have Tsunami med action rods which i bought today but a friend has it and i have fished it, caught a sail on it last summer and I liked the action and it has a round/ball aluminum gimble which is awesome if you have never tried them, dont even need a fighting belt as it doesn't stab you.

Well, it came down to the accurate fury or the Penn, and the penn won by sheer affordability and great reviews. Now hopefully will get it wet next weekend!

Thank you all for your input, it was appreciated! This site is an excellent resource. I discovered Alan from my Seaswirl owners website several years ago and bought 3 'mano handles from him, which as you know are an awesome upgrade.