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Alutecnos makes the highest quality 50+ conventionals available today.
I wonder why you don't see those on the Long Range Tuna fleet decks? I mean, these giuys are spending thousands for Accurates, Lots of Penn's (hotrodded), AVET's, Tiagras.
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"a doughnut is only one step above a rent rod"
To fish 50 pound, you need 12-16 pounds of drag, to fish 80, you need 20-25 pounds of drag.
Very true and wise.
Also consider capacity. If you use braid for your mainline:
50's -> 500y of 65 or 80lb braid with a 50-100y 50lb mono topshot
80's -> 500y of 100lb braid with a 50-100y 80lb mono topshot
IMHO braid is the main reason why new reels are shrinking in size (better handling and leverage) but have larger drags.
All reels mentioned (30's) are capable of the required drag and have the capacity you'll need, but you really can't beat the Avet EX 30 (narrow) with the current special prices (http://www.tackledirect.com/avet-pro-ex30-reels.html).
I think the Avet Pro 30 is the best reel for fishing 100lb setups and under.....unless money is no object and can afford Accurates or other really high end reels.
The Avet 30 wide will hold 600yds of 80lb JB with room for a 100yd topshot of 80lb mono. I know since I have my 80lb class setups spooled with this (the mono is 80lb Momoi Hi Catch). If you want a 100lb setup, then use 100lb JB with a 50yd 100lb mono topshot.
The topless frame of the Avet 30W make it light and much more user friendly than Penn and Tiagra 30Ws. Plus it is cheaper and they are much easier to work on. Yes they don't have greased drags, but I tear all my reels down before they see water, so I just grease them myself. I also like their handle better than the Penns and Shimanos since it is offset.
Anyway, I have not found another reel for the price that can beat the Avet 30W for the fishing we do.
I am not sure how the avet drag works, because I have never seen one in person. But I am assuming that you just push it forward and go. That 100lbs of drag is scary. With the senator I alway just tighten the drag all the way down with a fish on. I would want the same in a lever drag, just push it forward and reel. After the comments we will probably look into the accurates.
All lever drags have a preset knob on the side similar to what you are use to with the star drags. Put the lever at the strike mark and check the drag if it is to tight or loose back the lever off to free spool and adjust the knob. Back to strike and repeat. The lever will then be used to fine tune around that "strike" point.
Now the right values and proper lever location while trolling is a different discussion.
charkbait has Avet 30/2 on sale for $389! pro 30 is a great 80-100# reel.
The Avet pro 30/2 is also topless which IMO is the only way to go.
If you want to go super light, wait a month or so and get the new HX/2 raptor series which will do 40#+ of drag which is more than enough for 100# but this new hot rod reel will cost more than a pro 30/2. Should consider the new raptor if you're holding the rod all day, but if you're trolling then the pro 30 is the way to go.
For performance, durability, value, looks, availability, and service it is very tuff IMO to beat Avet as they have the full meal deal down pat.
charkbait has Avet 30/2 on sale for $389! pro 30 is a great 80-100# reel.
The Avet pro 30/2 is also topless which IMO is the only way to go.
If you want to go super light, wait a month or so and get the new HX/2 raptor series which will do 40#+ of drag which is more than enough for 100# but this new hot rod reel will cost more than a pro 30/2. Should consider the new raptor if you're holding the rod all day, but if you're trolling then the pro 30 is the way to go.
For performance, durability, value, looks, availability, and service it is very tuff IMO to beat Avet as they have the full meal deal down pat.
The standard 30/02 is too small IMO especially if your going after tuna or other hard running species. For $40 more you get approx 50% more line capacity. That's why I run 30 wides as keith above mentioned. After that I would jump to the 80. The 50 is a tweener reel IMO, but I would consider a used one if the price was right.
At $429 the 30 wide is a pretty hard to beat deal. Holds plenty of 80 braid and top shot and the drag is extremely smooth out of the box. The drags are dry and I continue to fish them that way. we fish them at strike to around 20# which gives us around 30 at full.
I agree with Backtothesea with the wide for trolling or for tuna. The drags also work well dry and are smooth as he said. I have trouble finding time to fish yet alone maintaining my gear on a periodic basis, so I chose to take Alan's advice and grease the drags to minimize corrosion issues. Many people choose to leave the Avet drags dry and many choose to grease them....whatever way works for you is the best way.
The reel overall is just plain hard to beat. And I agree if I ever wanted to step to a bigger reel, then it will be the Avet 80.
With all due respect to what has been said so far, because a lot has been very accurate, the majority of offshore reels made today are very very good. If I were you, I would look for the best deal available and take it. If money is an issue, it is ok to mismatch different setups. Penn Internationals, Accurates, Shimano Tiagras, Avets, Alutecnos... any of these will do the job and then some. Find the best deal you can and do not hesitate. Sure I would prefer some over the others, but in reality, I would fish any of them with complete confidence...
IMO, Shimano, Diawa, and Penn are behind in the times. They make solid product but Accurate and Avet are leading the pack to the next generation of solid reels that are designed to utilize braided lines, heavy drag, super strong gears, and very light weight. They (avet) are even less money than most other conventional top of the line reels offered by the big 3. The weight factor may not be huge if used for trolling, but let me tell you that on the west coast when you're holding the stick all day and into crazy wide open bites on quality fish the weight of the rod and reel matters. I even no longer fish the tried and true e-glass sticks for big tuna but use light weight but very capable Calstar Grafighters and don't worry for a second. It's just simply more fun fishing with "light" tackle.
Compare stats between Shimano/Diawa/Penn and Avet/Accurate for a 30/2 reel and you'll see the +10oz difference. Penn 30VSX is 60oz. with 30# drag at strike; Shimano 30/2 is 52oz and 25# drag at strike; Avet 30/2 is 47oz. with 35# drag at strike and it cast well too.
How about the 50/2 reel? Shimano's is whopping 84oz with less then 29# drag at strike; Avet 50/2 SDS (gotta love the topless) is 63oz and packs 50# drag at strike. I've fished the Shimano 50/2 spd and it is a solid reel, but it's not my first choice to grab in a fish fight.
In the position he was in, it is more like 20 lbs at best. Try strapping yourself into a full HD harness set up, and add 45 lbs of drag, like you would fishing for giants with 130 lb test - having done it, I can tell you it is not possible for any regular sized guy (I'm 5-11, 230, in good shape) to fish with 100 lbs of drag on standup gear.
In the position he was in, it is more like 20 lbs at best. Try strapping yourself into a full HD harness set up, and add 45 lbs of drag, like you would fishing for giants with 130 lb test - having done it, I can tell you it is not possible for any regular sized guy (I'm 5-11, 230, in good shape) to fish with 100 lbs of drag on standup gear.
This is spot on.. 100lbs of drag is gonna tear up some rods or someones back, or get someone yanked off the boat.. If your gonna fish that much you better leave the rod in the rod holder.. I'm a Penn man myself.. I started offshore with the 6/0 senators as well and they are certainly capable of catching fish.. I have upgraded over the years as I have gotten ionto it more and now have a full arsenal of Internationals.... I fish offshore about 15 to 20 times a year.. Luckily for me I have never had a reel failure and hope I never do.. Just do some maintenance on them every now and then, and they're good to go.. Also, there are many many places to buy parts and people who can service them in my area.. Don't see how you can wrong with the Penn's.. I fish with guys who are diehard shimano guys.. They are just to big and bulky for me.. I also fish with a guy who is an avet freak.. These reels seem to hold up well and are more in line size wise with the penn's.. The only thing I have noticed about them is the drag levers will fall from strike to freespool on rough days when the boat is pounding, causing birdsnest or the reel to spool itself.. Seems when you adjust the lever and get close to freespool, the lever will almost fall by itself.. Having said that, this guy fishes alot more than I do, and catches more fish than I do, so his reels have more "hours" on them than mine. Good luck
Just get Penn's and be done with it. They last forever and parts will be available even if they go out of business.
If they are the older Penn they are ok ,but my friends are getting rid of new Penn 30 and 50 due to unreliability. Tiagra 30 wide or Avet 30 wide with 80 braid and a topshot
If they are the older Penn they are ok ,but my friends are getting rid of new Penn 30 and 50 due to unreliability. Tiagra 30 wide or Avet 30 wide with 80 braid and a topshot
I have 2 newer 30's and 6 50's all 2 spd.. What happened to them? Just wondering what to look out for..
