Reel Repair by Alan Tani

Hey Yall,
New here. Live in the bay area, do a lot of rockfishing and halibut/striper fishing as well, both from the surf, piers, and party boats. I'm also thinking of buying a kayak in a few months.
My question is, what is the best bang for my buck for around 150-175? I want it to hold around 300 yards of 15lb mono. I'm thinking of either an Avet 5.3 or a torium16, but I'm not sure how well either will do with the wide range of stuff I want to do with it. I know Avet's cast well, what about toriums?
Any and all advice greatly appreciated, along with offers to sell me used reels
-Dan

Hi Dan,

I would go with a narrow Jigmaster with bushings of possible.  They can be dunked, easy to clean out and put back together for $50 or less each.  Yeah, these things are older design, but proven to be diehards and reliable.  Sorry, I don't have one for sale.

Bryan

QuoteI would go with a narrow Jigmaster with bushings if possible...

x2

Do they cast well with minimal backlash? One of my reasons for eyeing the more expensive reels is the cast control features. It also seems a bit big for putting 15lb test on..I want something that can really chuck in the surf when I decide to throw hairraisers/plugs/iron for stripers.
Thanks for the help yall!

G'day cf,
Over the years, I've used Calcuttas, Daiwa Millionaires and Curados from my kayak and paddle board, but tend to use my 99-sized Newell Jigmaster these days as it stands up to dunking, sand/grit etc far better.
They cast well and there are no bearings to rust/fail.
More parts/features often equates to more trouble in compromising environments such as surfcasting or off a kayak etc.
Cheers, Justin

Penn 525 mag. It will hold a little over 300 yds of 15lb and cast great. 

Quote from: Bryan Young on May 23, 2012, 09:03:15 PM
Hi Dan,

I would go with a narrow Jigmaster with bushings of possible.  They can be dunked, easy to clean out and put back together for $50 or less each.  Yeah, these things are older design, but proven to be diehards and reliable.  Sorry, I don't have one for sale.

Bryan

The problem with jigmasters and thin line is the gap between spool and frame, the line keeps getting snatched between the two whenever you put some effort into a cast which pretty much every time means you have ruined line and wasted fishing time, another cheap option is a Shimano 15/30 one seriously durable reel and casts great and it does not have that problem

if you can find an affordable one, I would recommend a Pro Gear PG255 (235 yards of 20# mono) but since he wants a cast control, Abu 7000 would be a good choice, and can also be used if wants to learn to cast distances.

with 15 # mono, the line will get caught inbetween the spool and the inside ring. 

look at the Daiwa Sealine  X Series (20 or 30) in a size that fits your needs..
 
Not expensive..  ($100/120 area)

Sealine®-X HA/SHA Features:

   * Free-Floating Spool, separates the spool from the gear train on outcast for less friction, longer casts and faster lure drop
   * Three CRBB Super Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearings
   * Massive, six-element sealed drag, ultra-smooth and consistent
   * Tough marine bronze and stainless steel gears
   * High-tensile aluminum spool, super-strong yet super light in weight
   * Two-position power handle with oversized Soft Touch grip
   * Rod clamp included

20 size holds 350 yrds of 14#....

I would add some Carbontex drags Pre-use service and fish it!!!!


.

for a levelwind, i'd go with an ambassaduer 4600.  for a non-levelwind conventional, that daiwa sealine 20 sounds great!

Duly taking notes here..thanks all! I think the sealine will be my likely choice - then I can spend more on a rod
-Dan

I just inherited a narrow Jigmaster that looks to be in good shape.  However, it came spooled with 20# mono and yes, upon taking it out on its first trip with me, became an unusable PITA because of line-spool catching.  Is there no remedy other than spooling with a thicker dia mono?  Someone told me to tighten up the adjustable knob on the left side plate.  Not sure I'd have much use for this reel with anything stronger than 20/25#.

Thanks,
Keith   

Quote from: Nessie Hunter on May 25, 2012, 04:39:55 AM
look at the Daiwa Sealine  X Series (20 or 30) in a size that fits your needs..
 
Not expensive..  ($100/120 area)

Sealine®-X HA/SHA Features:

   * Free-Floating Spool, separates the spool from the gear train on outcast for less friction, longer casts and faster lure drop
   * Three CRBB Super Corrosion Resistant Ball Bearings
   * Massive, six-element sealed drag, ultra-smooth and consistent
   * Tough marine bronze and stainless steel gears
   * High-tensile aluminum spool, super-strong yet super light in weight
   * Two-position power handle with oversized Soft Touch grip
   * Rod clamp included

20 size holds 350 yrds of 14#....

I would add some Carbontex drags Pre-use service and fish it!!!!


.

X2  The X-HA has a better handle IMO. Then add one of Alan Tani's 3/0 grips and you'll be set.

Leo

Penn Squall 15, 25N or 30. The Squall 15 holds 300 yards of 15#. The 30 holds 300 yards of 30# etc.

Casts fantastic, graphite frame for corrosion resistance, cast control, stainless gears, great value.

Basically the modern and improved Penn 525.

The deal maker/breaker for me is Yak use. Stay away from Avets for that unless you love working on your reel to keep it well lubed and protected.