Reel Suggestions

[UglyStick]

What casting reel would everyone suggest to serve double duty for tog and when fishing 6-8oz bucktails for fluke? Price isn't really a concern but I would like to try and keep it in the $200 range plus or minus.

[MrAC1980]

I'm going to get hazed, but i dont care, I service them all so I kinda know.
Avet SXJ - 165ish range brand new
Daiwa Lexa 300H - you can find them for under 150 brand new
Abu NaCL 50 - you can find them for around 225ish.

[rvr2c]

Agree with mrac1980, sxj, sx more line capacity and if you wanted to move up to the mxj or mxl, same specs as the sx series just more line cap.

Penn has some nice gear, squall 25 series, fathom 25.

[UglyStick]

I'm going to get hazed, but i dont care, I service them all so I kinda know.
Avet SXJ - 165ish range brand new
Daiwa Lexa 300H - you can find them for under 150 brand new
Abu NaCL 50 - you can find them for around 225ish.

Anthony - I know you repair reels and have a ton of experience with their reliability...

What's your experience with salt corrosion screwing up the level wind parts?

I have looked at the NaCL before when shopping for Musky reels but when I look at the Abu site now, it looks like they aren't making them anymore.

[MrAC1980]

I haven't had any troubles with them. Just rinse them off like any other reel and they should be trouble free. Yes I think Abu stopping making the NaCL but you should still be able to find them if you look around. The high speed is more common then the low speed models. They are both good. But you should def consider the Lexa 300H (gotta be the H, dont waste your time on HS or HS-P models).

[Castaway]

I haven't had any troubles with them. Just rinse them off like any other reel and they should be trouble free. Yes I think Abu stopping making the NaCL but you should still be able to find them if you look around. The high speed is more common then the low speed models. They are both good. But you should def consider the Lexa 300H (gotta be the H, dont waste your time on HS or HS-P models).

Why is the H model better than the others?

[MrAC1980]

The H models have the best of power and speed. The 7.1 reels have no balls as compared to the H or P models do. I've owned them all, even with extended power handles.

[bunker dunker]

I bought a penn squal 15,these reels are tuff and not to expensive.i got the open face and can flip bucktails no problem.i have this reel for stripers,tog,fluke,sea bass,porgies and have great success with it.

[UglyStick]

I bought a penn squal 15,these reels are tuff and not to expensive.i got the open face and can flip bucktails no problem.i have this reel for stripers,tog,fluke,sea bass,porgies and have great success with it.

Thanks Ed - I'll take a look at the Penn...

Anyone else ??? Come on guys, what's everyones favorite?

[Gerry Zagorski]

I'm using Avet SXJ and SX for just about everything inshore... I happen to like the MC cast control feature as well.... It's about a $40 upgrade but worth it for me since I like to cast around and it helps reduce backlashes.

SXJ is a little smaller and lighter then the SX so a bit less line capacity but they both have the same drag rating which is 14 pounds at full.

If you are looking for the bait casting types which are lighter, star drag not lever drag and have more drag 20 and 22 pounds, then I too have heard good things about the Diawa Lexa and Abu Garcia Revo.

[SplitShot]

Like Gerry, I use avet sx and sxj for most of my inshore fishing... and in the past year I added the Nacl, which I love for fluking and also the Saltiga for blackfish and bass :D

[SandsharkPolar]

Get a Abu NaCL 50 before they're all gone. They are the smoothest reel I ever used. You might be able to find one on clearance.

[ALS Mako]

been using the penn fanthom 15 levelwind and love it. great all around reel. and you can't go wrong with a calcutta 400

[hammer4reel]

The Nacl has been replaced by the Revo beast.
It's a great casting and bucktail reel

[UglyStick]

been using the penn fanthom 15 levelwind and love it. great all around reel. and you can't go wrong with a calcutta 400

It's funny you mention the Calcutta 400... I have Calcutta TE 400's on all my musky rods except 1 which has a Luna - awesome reels. In all honesty, I wasn't considering a level wind for salt until hearing these suggestions.

[MrAC1980]

The penn's are heavy around 14-15oz. The Abu and Lexa's are like 10oz. For FLUKE go lighter not heavier. You wont have an issue with the levelwind, no worries.

[MrAC1980]

The Nacl has been replaced by the Revo beast.
It's a great casting and bucktail reel

Careful with the Beast, I haven't gotten great feedback yet on it. That's all I'm saying, lol.

[team heat]

I use a Shimano trinidad 14.Best reel ive ever owned.Its the older gold colored one.

[Blackfish Doug]

In a bait casting reel I love my Lexa 300 HSP the P is for power handle I don't like paddle handles that come standard with bait casting reels. I never had any issues with mine at all.All I do after every trip is a light spray of water wipe it clean & I use 3 in 1 oil on the worm gear & glide bar. If your not looking for a reel with line guide the new Maxel hybrid are awesome. This reel packs 25lb of drag not like we need that here but you never know. It's extremely light & casts beautifully plus it's a star drag I can't stand lever drag reels like most blackfisherman do.

[UglyStick]

Anthony - speaking of the Calcutta TE - how would you rate the currently available Calcutta D against the TE? And how would you rate the Calcutta D vs the Lexa (noting the Calcutta is a much more expensive reel)?

[UglyStick]

I was checking out the different options in the store today and I must admit, I really liked the Maxel Hybrid. Any feedback on it?

[hammer4reel]

Careful with the Beast, I haven't gotten great feedback yet on it. That's all I'm saying, lol.

I have been fishing a proto type for over a year already.
have not had one issue with it.
reel casts shads a mile.
super drag.

They redesigned it for the musky crowd, and its been a crazy success there