Reel Repair by Alan Tani

For those who have used both, does Avet have a reel that would rival the Penn TRQ in terms of quality, performance, reliability...? 

As someone that has multiples of both Torques and Avets, can you be a little more specific?  Is there a certain size range you are concerned about?  I have thoughts but would like to know a little more about what you are thinking. - john

Avet Raptor v Penn TRQ, they are both high quality reels.  In my opinion the Avet has a very slight edge over the Avet Raptor.  The only negative
I have with the Avet is you will have to take the reel apart and grease the CF drag disk before using one.

I was first considering buying a Penn Fathom II 25LD 2 spd, and a 40LD 2spd.  Now, I'm thinking I want to go for the Torque in those models, spend the extra money and get something better. 

I am wondering if Avet makes anything comparable in durability, and performance to those particular Torques.

Quote from: Keta on April 03, 2026, 11:29:23 PMAvet Raptor v Penn TRQ, they are both high quality reels.  In my opinion the Avet has a very slight edge over the Avet Raptor.  The only negative
I have with the Avet is you will have to take the reel apart and grease the CF drag disk before using one.

"In my opinion the Avet has a very slight edge over the Avet Raptor."  Do you mean the Avet has an edge over the TRQ?  If so, what edge does it have?

D'oh!  Yes.

I like he controls on the Avet a tiny bit better than the TRQ.

We are getting into some fine differences here, especially since Jim put the Fathom line (another great, capable reel) into the mix.  They will ALL do the job, are great companies, and pretty much everything else falls into the catagory of "whatever helps you sleep at night".  So...(and this is ONLY my opinion/experience).
Fathom Series/Torque Series:  Many are quick to say they are basically the same reel, and they do share a LOT of mechanics within similar sized reels.  The biggest differences seem to be (and I am not one that thinks its a big deal) the Fathoms are a great value since they are produced offshore, and I "believe" (don't quote me on this) that the Fathom frames are cast, whereas the Torques are "Made in USA" and appear to be billet machine frames (similar to the Internationals, and hence why I think when you check the Penn website the Torques are under the same catagory as the International series).  I've caught fish on both, but you will see a price difference when purchasing NIB.  And in all my years I have yet to see a frame induced failure, but then again I only catch small fish (just ask the Ohana!)
Avet - Also American made (whatever that may mean).  Also appear to have billet aluminum frames.  Yes, they feel drags should be dry (I ignored that a long time ago).  Now the subtle meaningless nuances:
Avet's can usually be found at smoking deals in SoCal, particularly around the time of the Spring sportfishing shows.  The Raptor series makes silly amounts of drag, but advertised drag numbers vs. what the heck the angler can actually hold onto and use are two different animals.  Ordering parts from Avet - well, for me it has been hit or miss, sometimes it has been in a couple days and sometimes it has been closer to a couple months (keep in mind I live about 90 minutes away.)
Penn - Absolutely top notch support and service, and you can see that here - lots of support, lots of information, guys that get out and are doing it alongside us and are involved in the Ohana.
My biggest pet peeve?  (Also meaningless in the grand scheme of things but it bugs ME) is that on many of the models Penn uses riveted reel feet to the frame, whereas Avet (and Accurate, also very nice quality reels) use machine screws.  NOW - it's not a matter of strength - airplanes, skyscrapers and ships are held together with rivets for a reason.  And coming from manufacturing myself, I can understand the economics when making many thousands of a product to drill and rivet will take a fraction of the time of drill, tap, and bolt on (and create less weak points; rivets don't pull threads when overtorqued).  But the number of reels I service where this becomes an entry point for corrosion (all the saltwater coming off your line is basically sitting down on the reel seat) makes me (again, this is only ME) makes me want to take them off, inspect, clean, grease, and...sleep well at night.
What I haven't touched on - ergonomics.  Different handles, different arms, etc.  That is 100% a matter of personal choice.
So...TBH I don't think I have answered your question?  ALL of these reels are FINE, Well made, well supported reels (hence why I have some of all of them) and I don't think I could ever say one is absolutely better than the other.  They are all good choices for quality, performance, and reliability - get out there and handle them and see what FEELS good for you.  Even better, all of these manufacturers have sponsored trips over the year on the San Diego boats.  While you might have to scramble to find an open spot for any of their trips this year, usually they all bring plenty of "loaner" gear to use and try, and the Chartermasters will be there to answer questions.  Hope I didn't muddy the water too much.  And I didn't even touch on the other 3 "Big Names" that also, all make fine quality products at a variety of price points from disposable up to legacy. - john

I'm very happy with my JX and HX Raptors! I prefer them over the Fathoms, don't have Torques... they're like fathoms with an Avet frame. I have all 3 sizes HX's... HXJ/HX/HXW.

Quote from: Brewcrafter on April 04, 2026, 02:45:59 AMWe are getting into some fine differences here, especially since Jim put the Fathom line (another great, capable reel) into the mix.  They will ALL do the job, are great companies, and pretty much everything else falls into the catagory of "whatever helps you sleep at night".  So...(and this is ONLY my opinion/experience).
Fathom Series/Torque Series:  Many are quick to say they are basically the same reel, and they do share a LOT of mechanics within similar sized reels.  The biggest differences seem to be (and I am not one that thinks its a big deal) the Fathoms are a great value since they are produced offshore, and I "believe" (don't quote me on this) that the Fathom frames are cast, whereas the Torques are "Made in USA" and appear to be billet machine frames (similar to the Internationals, and hence why I think when you check the Penn website the Torques are under the same catagory as the International series).  I've caught fish on both, but you will see a price difference when purchasing NIB.  And in all my years I have yet to see a frame induced failure, but then again I only catch small fish (just ask the Ohana!)
Avet - Also American made (whatever that may mean).  Also appear to have billet aluminum frames.  Yes, they feel drags should be dry (I ignored that a long time ago).  Now the subtle meaningless nuances:
Avet's can usually be found at smoking deals in SoCal, particularly around the time of the Spring sportfishing shows.  The Raptor series makes silly amounts of drag, but advertised drag numbers vs. what the heck the angler can actually hold onto and use are two different animals.  Ordering parts from Avet - well, for me it has been hit or miss, sometimes it has been in a couple days and sometimes it has been closer to a couple months (keep in mind I live about 90 minutes away.)
Penn - Absolutely top notch support and service, and you can see that here - lots of support, lots of information, guys that get out and are doing it alongside us and are involved in the Ohana.
My biggest pet peeve?  (Also meaningless in the grand scheme of things but it bugs ME) is that on many of the models Penn uses riveted reel feet to the frame, whereas Avet (and Accurate, also very nice quality reels) use machine screws.  NOW - it's not a matter of strength - airplanes, skyscrapers and ships are held together with rivets for a reason.  And coming from manufacturing myself, I can understand the economics when making many thousands of a product to drill and rivet will take a fraction of the time of drill, tap, and bolt on (and create less weak points; rivets don't pull threads when overtorqued).  But the number of reels I service where this becomes an entry point for corrosion (all the saltwater coming off your line is basically sitting down on the reel seat) makes me (again, this is only ME) makes me want to take them off, inspect, clean, grease, and...sleep well at night.
What I haven't touched on - ergonomics.  Different handles, different arms, etc.  That is 100% a matter of personal choice.
So...TBH I don't think I have answered your question?  ALL of these reels are FINE, Well made, well supported reels (hence why I have some of all of them) and I don't think I could ever say one is absolutely better than the other.  They are all good choices for quality, performance, and reliability - get out there and handle them and see what FEELS good for you.  Even better, all of these manufacturers have sponsored trips over the year on the San Diego boats.  While you might have to scramble to find an open spot for any of their trips this year, usually they all bring plenty of "loaner" gear to use and try, and the Chartermasters will be there to answer questions.  Hope I didn't muddy the water too much.  And I didn't even touch on the other 3 "Big Names" that also, all make fine quality products at a variety of price points from disposable up to legacy. - john

I was thinking that any differences between them would be small.  Interestingly, on the ifish forum someone claiming to be a reel tech said the Avets are prone to various internal failures, among other things.  The TRQs were only prone to the 2-speed button malfunctioning.  That was his experience. 

I fish 'cuz I like fishing, not to have fish. I'm not religious about reels. I find the Avets to be very reliable and powerful. My Fathoms are basically backups for my Raptors... which don't need backing up! For big 2-speeds I'm Okuma Makaira all the way! I've done 18 10 day trips over the last 12 years plus a dozen trips to Cedros Island so your mileage may vary.

Quote from: Jim O on April 04, 2026, 04:04:57 AMI was thinking that any differences between them would be small.  Interestingly, on the ifish forum someone claiming to be a reel tech said the Avets are prone to various internal failures, among other things.  The TRQs were only prone to the 2-speed button malfunctioning.  That was his experience. 

The reel experts there are passing on bad information (ie. BS)  you will get far better and mostly unbias information here. 

Other than saltwater penitration in the  CF drag washers and pinion bearings Avet reels have no more or less issues than other companies reels.  One aledged "expert" over there made a incorrect statement that you have to replace the spool if the CF drag washers fail because they are glued to the spool.  First, the Raptor series CF drag washers are not glued to the spool. Second, the drag washers on non Raptor Avets can be removed and a new one glued back on the spool. 

Mark T does several longer trips a year and uses a lot of Avet reels with mo problems and I have several Avets that are 26 years old and still working great.

I hope we are not adding confusion here but the info is from people that know reels and are not spewing nonsense.

Personaly, I do not like CF washers glued to spools and dry CF drags.

If I was not tied up dealing with the tree destroying my house and if diesel was not almost $6.00 a gallon I would drive over to GP and let you check out my gear to compare "feel".

Quote from: MarkT on April 04, 2026, 04:19:06 AMI fish 'cuz I like fishing, not to have fish. I'm not religious about reels. I find the Avets to be very reliable and powerful. My Fathoms are basically backups for my Raptors... which don't need backing up! For big 2-speeds I'm Okuma Makaira all the way! I've done 18 10 day trips over the last 12 years plus a dozen trips to Cedros Island so your mileage may vary.

Interesting.  So you haven't experienced your Avets malfunctioning like some claim? Thanks.

Quote from: Keta on April 04, 2026, 01:47:27 PM

Quote from: Jim O on April 04, 2026, 04:04:57 AMI was thinking that any differences between them would be small.  Interestingly, on the ifish forum someone claiming to be a reel tech said the Avets are prone to various internal failures, among other things.  The TRQs were only prone to the 2-speed button malfunctioning.  That was his experience. 

The reel experts there are passing on bad information (ie. BS)  you will get far better and mostly unbias information here. 

Other than saltwater penitration in the  CF drag washers and pinion bearings Avet reels have no more or less issues than other companies reels.  One aledged "expert" over there made a incorrect statement that you have to replace the spool if the CF drag washers fail because they are glued to the spool.  First, the Raptor series CF drag washers are not glued to the spool. Second, the drag washers on non Raptor Avets can be removed and a new one glued back on the spool. 

Mark T does several longer trips a year and uses a lot of Avet reels with mo problems and I have several Avets that are 26 years old and still working great.

I hope we are not adding confusion here but the info is from people that know reels and are not spewing nonsense.

Personaly, I do not like CF washers glued to spools and dry CF drags.

If I was not tied up dealing with the tree destroying my house and if diesel was not almost $6.00 a gallon I would drive over to GP and let you check out my gear to compare "feel".

Actually, things are becoming more clear to me.  If you are open to it, I'd be willing to drive to K-Falls at your convenience.  You can PM me abut this.  I understand you are busy with other things, and don't even know me.  I'm just floating the idea.

As for the Avets, I PMed Alan yesterday about them.  Not sure I should post his private PM to me, but essentially, you and he are in complete agreement.   

Quote from: Jim O on April 04, 2026, 05:44:36 PMInteresting.  So you haven't experienced your Avets malfunctioning like some claim?

I have Avet reels that are over 20 years old and they are still fishing.

The Avet bashers have either abused their reels and damaged a pinion bearing, dropped them under heavy drag setting and damaging the pinion bearing or passing on word of mouth misinformation.  If the drag lever is not in freespool and the drag preset knob is adjusted all reels can damage a pinion bearing.