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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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).

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.