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Random Quote: He who dies with the most toys wins.
I recently picked up a couple avet 4/0 wides (brand new, in the box) I had them spooled with 50lb mono. The drag on these reels seems to be a little "jerky". I haven't had a chance to fish them yet, it's just an observation I've noticed while playing with them in the living room. The drags on my old TLD's 30's and 50's seem to be much smoother.
Do these reels require some break-in for the drags?
ANother thing it might be is the line slipping and cutting down into itself (inbetween the wraps on the spool as it's not super tightly packed yet)
Pack em' tight all the way to the bottom of the spool. Wet the line as you do it. Mono doesn't usually give as much problem as super braid but **** happens when you hook a big fish with loose line.
When I had clients who insisted on using their tackle, I made darn sure their line was tight by dumping it all then re-spooling it. I always preferred clients use my tackle because I knew it was loaded right, serviced right and would perform right.
yeah, the line has to be packed tight. any chance the drag feels jerky because the line is getting stuck as you pull it out? unless the drags are caked in salt, they should function fairly well. and you have brand new reels.
__________________ eddie's brother, grady white 258 journey
yeah, the line has to be packed tight. any chance the drag feels jerky because the line is getting stuck as you pull it out? unless the drags are caked in salt, they should function fairly well. and you have brand new reels.
I think that might be what's happening. After I take them out on a trip, we'll see how it goes. I haven't heard anything but good on Avet's.... it's just about typical that I get the lemons!
Also, with the Avet, the drag needs a "run in" when new to feel right on some of them. After spooling (tight, without to much overlap for braid) I put a loop in the end and drop it on my trailer ball, have the admiral drive away to the corner (I know it sounds ridiculous, slowly BTW, you dont want allot of heat.) 2 or 3 times with a fairly heavy drag application. (its about 100 yards Id imagine. They feel much better and smooth. I think it faces the drag washers to the drags.(also, consider Alan's greasing method.
__________________ "a doughnut is only one step above a rent rod"
sounds like it might be a good idea to let out all the line on your reel next time your out on the boat and reel it back in making sure it is even and tight.
Those people must have had those reels completely soaked in Saltwater for weeks and not have ever rinsed them off in Freshwater. I have opened up all my buddies Avets and never seen any of these problems ever. But then again we dont have waves going over our boat and completely soaking the reels. If I was on a trip and that happened it is common sense to open the reels up and clean them properly .
What alan sees is what would happen over here in Hawaii. Our reels get covered and soaked in saltwater because it gets rough. I am following his advice and greasing. Thanks alan.
Mirrorlure - 4/15/2007 8:07 PM Alantani , Those people must have had those reels completely soaked in Saltwater for weeks and not have ever rinsed them off in Freshwater. I have opened up all my buddies Avets and never seen any of these problems ever. But then again we dont have waves going over our boat and completely soaking the reels. If I was on a trip and that happened it is common sense to open the reels up and clean them properly .
you're missing the point. the people that bring me these reels are salt of the earth kind of guys. they are honest. they are hard working. they are consciencious. if you show them a different way, they will have the intelligence to evaluate it themselves, and decide for themselves. they do not need people to tell them how to walk, talk or think. they can make decisions for themselves. and when people try to bs them, they take offense.
and then there's avet. i believe that this company has thrown down the gauntlet. i used to believe that they have thrown on blinders to the benefits of greased carbon fiber. i now think that i know the reason why. as an example, the avet sx delivers 8-9 pounds of drag before losing freespool. i can, I HAVE, hotrodded this reel so that it can deliver 18#'s of drag and still have good freespool. the problem is that there is so much lateral load on the right side plate bearing that you can't turn the handle. that lateral/axial load starts to become noticeable at 9#'s of drag. the accurate 197 delivers 20#'s. yes, it's twice the price, but it allows me to fish with spectra. i believe that the entire line of avets, sx/mx/jx/lx is suitable for straight monofilament only. i believe that spectra is WASTED on these avet reels.
that's right. it is my belief that the avet sx/mx/jx/lx reels have so little drag range (because of the the lateral/axial load on the right side plate bearing) that they are suitable for straight monofilament only. it basically says that, right on the avet box. i've been mulling this over for quite a while. this question, what makes a reel suitable for spectra? versus an old school reel that is suitable for straight monofilament only. most reels have not kept up with advances in fishing line technology. how would i rate various reels? all of accurate's reels get top marks in this regard. progear reels get top marks. penn and shimano gold get top marks. these are all reels that deliver twice the drag that would be used if they were loaded with straight mono. avet's larger reels also get top marks, but not their small ones. case in point, the avet sx delivers 9#'s of drag, the accurate 197 delivers 20#'s.
that leads us to the reason that i think avet is so afraid of a greased carbon fiber drag washer. i think that they are concerned that grease might decrease their drag range. the sx is barely holding on at 9#'s. if it lost anymore, people might give up on the reel altogether. but as a company, i think that they had to respond to pictures like this......
this reel was nothing but rusted bearings and a salted up drag. so what they did was this......
what's wrong with this picture? look carefully and you will notice that the drag washer does not have a retaining ring.
that's right. as of 6 moths ago, avet decided to glue in the drag washer. it is no longer user serviceable. your non-greased avet carbon fiber drag washer will not grow a salt garden underneath because it's glued in. oh, but what if they missed a spot? what if salt accumulates on the surface. what if avet's red petroleum based grease gets on the drag washer? well, you can get out a toothbrush and soap and scrub up your drag washer. but if there are high spots in the washer, you may have to send the reel back to avet, they will have to glue on a new drag washer. and if the reel is out of warranty, there will be a fee. yes, the drag washer is no longer user serviceable. i just found this out last week.
so what? well, you all know that i consider that the ability to service your own reels to be as basic a skill as being able to field strip an m-16. and now you know what's gotten me so mad!
__________________ eddie's brother, grady white 258 journey
Thanks for the important info Alan. No more smaller Avets for me. At least the ex series have seperate drag/disc assemblies. Those i'll stick to. I can't believe that they would glue it in though..... that perplexes me a little. I guess they are trying to hide what you have found. I love Avets but to just put a band aid over a wound that needs stitches.... hmmm doesn't sound right to me.
Holy cow, what has happened with Avet. Incredible how they could glue in the drag washer !
Alan and I had a bried conversation regarding braided spectra on the smaller Avet reels. I use braid on all my Avets and other inshore reels, but not necessary for line capacity, but because of braids other characteristics. The super small diameter and stiffness allow me to fish deep water with much less weight than mono and also with much greater feel. These are very very imporant to me and my fellow CT fisherman.
Oh something to add: I went to the Avet website and noticed that they do NOT have an email address. I was going to send them this thread, but there is no way to do so.
This is sad.
__________________ . . . . . . BALLYHOO PIN RIGS For SALE HERE 10 pack:
alantani
I have been following your threads for quite some time and find them interesting and educational... I am in the midst of a decision to purchase 4 offshore reels, 2 30 class wide and 2 50 wide.. With an array of offshore tackle available I can't seem to figure out which brand to go with. I have always been a Penn fan, internationals are proven performers, but after hearing so many good things on Avet reel, I wonder if I shoud try something else.. I certainly dont want to trial and error, especially since I am looking to drop over 2k... How are Avets comparing to Penns, I realized drag #s look good on paper, but not quite impressed with line capacity. I am strictly a mono guy.. Also I like the senator conversion you posted a few weeks ago, do you have any links where I can buy these parts? Thanks
Roman
DRAG QUALITY on AVET 4/0 reels 
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