What reels to buy in the 50-80lb class??

[VanW]

Originally Posted by bc22

Fin-Nor makes a good reel, but they are even more behind in the times than those i've already mentioned.

Why do you say that? Are you talking about the Santiago?

[bc22]

Originally Posted by VanW

Why do you say that? Are you talking about the Santiago?

The "new/next" generation offshore reels mantra is "braided lines, powerful smooth drags, reliability, light weight and good looks".

Think of it as a reel with superior power to weight ratio with supermodel good looks and built like a tank!

FinNor's Santiago reels (although i've personally not used one myself) are clearly a trolling rod ONLY as a 30 weighs 70+oz! Avet 30/2=47oz!
Stats show good strong drag ability for the Santiago, but i wouldn't want to be holding one for very long if i had a choice to use an Avet or Accurate. Also the topless designs of Avet and Accurate are vastly superior for line control when you are flylining baits or pitching a bait to a bill fish or any large game fish.

Yes the Accurates are premium coin, but at less than $400 for an Avet 30/2, you could almost buy 2 Santiago's or 2 Penn VSX 30s.

On the east coast where the rod sits 95% of the time in the gunnel rod holders and then into an angler's fighting chair, weight is less an issue but on the west coast using stand up gear, flylining baits especially on a long range boat, or butterfly jigging weight really does matter.

sorry for long wind.
ps. again, it's just more fun fishing with light tackle

[keith91]

My dad has been a Penn fan for a long time and has a 50VSW and a 30VSW. He also had 2 50SWs. After I got my Avet 30Ws and used them, he sold his 2 50SWs and we got 2 more Avet 30Ws. He now wants to get rid of his 30VSW for another Avet 30W. We will keep the 50VSW since this is our WWWB rod and need a 50W for capacity of 80-100lb setup. The 50VSW has performed well and we have not had any issues with it, but I also tore it down before it saw water and redid the entire wheel with a new handle. But my dad, brother, and I all prefer to use the Avet 30Ws over the Penns for several reasons. The big complaint we had about the Avets were the clicker knob, but Avet changed that design and we upgraded all of ours.

The Avet 30 reels are just great and even though they are close to the same size as the Penn 30 reels, the fact that you have a topless frame on the wide version is much nicer and lighter than the Penn. This is really important since we fish stand up and a lot of people do fish stand up on the east coast as well.

Plus the fact that you can now get a Avet 30W for $429 is just a great deal. Not sure what advantage a Penn has, especially when it will cost you over $100 more for a 30VSW which is heavier, has less drag, and comes in just one color.

Anyway, to each his own, so whatever floats your boat.

Kg

[bradmd]

Just looked at the accurate reel website.........I dont see any specs on drag for accurate reels. Why dont they give any max values for amt of drag like other reel manuf do? You'd think that would be important.

[bc22]

bradmd, not sure why accurate does not post drag ratings for their gear as most others do, but it is well known to most that their drags are very smooth and very very strong for their size. I would say they would compare similarly to Avet if not stronger drags.
Perhaps Accurate is going for the mystique and aura effect by with holding such info.

FYI: Christmas sale at charkbait.com has an additional $40 gift cert. on top of the sale priced Avet pro 30's which makes it a no brainer.

[bradmd]

Originally Posted by bc22

FYI: Christmas sale at charkbait.com has an additional $40 gift cert. on top of the sale priced Avet pro 30's which makes it a no brainer.

Hmmmm. I just bought a avet pro 30 from them two days ago and dont remember seeing that.........was there a special code I had to enter to get the gift card? That would suck b/c I didnt know about the code. I even did a web search for discount codes prior to buying.

[Pargon]

When you said that money was not an issue, that means to me Accurate. They are the best reels around. Particularly in the 50 and 80 pound classes you are dealing with the real possibility of the fish of a lifetime, and the best is just the best. I've used Internationals for years and really like 'em, but I wonder if their traditional ability to supply parts for older reels will continue with their "new" offshore ownership. Jack and boys at Accurate are the reel deal. I've been switching over as $$ allow.
David Jones

[dannyscat]

Originally Posted by twobyfour

I have 2 newer 30's and 6 50's all 2 spd.. What happened to them? Just wondering what to look out for..

the spool locks on them under high drag settings ,lots of maintenance required ,unlike my tiagras.

[eddy2419]

Originally Posted by dannyscat

the spool locks on them under high drag settings ,lots of maintenance required ,unlike my tiagras.

The drag binds with the disc?