two speed options......

[alantani]

Alan, I am looking for my first 2-speed reel.  Something affordable, and in the 16 to 20 size for black fin and snapper.  Any thoughts?  My budget is around $350.00.  Thanks.

you've got a couple of options.  if you're good for straight 50-60# mono at a 30% drag setting, my recommendation would be a used shimano tld 20.  i would like to hang a kolekar handle grip on it, but the service is straight forward enough.  if you exceed 20#'s of drag at strike, you risk catastrophic frame failure. 

a second option would be a used avet ex 4/0-2.  these are a little more tedious to service, but you can get a righteous 30#'s of drag out of these reels.  these are incredibly difficult to find.

my third choice would be an old school penn international 30 two speed.  you have to be careful here, because some of them have old drag washers in them and replacements are $35.  big handle grips add to the price.  you can easily run over budget with these reels. 

so what kind of line weight and how much drag are you looking at?  alan