What affordable reel to couple with Trevala S-MH?

I also put power handles on all the Abu C4s - makes a big difference IMO rather than the stock handles.  Just a preference.

I got one with a power handle and one without.  I used to like the power handle, but for whatever reason I'm switching preferences.  Next time one of you all wants to upgrade.  I'll send you a power handle in exchange for your double handle.

-Allen

I've got a few double handles floating around in the garage.  I'll send you one when I find them.

Chad--what price range = affordable? 50-100 or 100-150 or 150-200
And how do you feel about levelwinds? Love em, hate em, or doesn't matter

Id say Im not comfortable spending more then 120-130 bucks. I also use and abuse my gear. I've lost poles ITW and its no fun with my cheap ass little set ups. So I could only imagine how fun Losing expensive rigs are. As far as level winds=Doen't matter so much. I've had them break OTW. I see how there nice to have but.......meh

I like my Abu Record 60 with 40lb braid.

I stopped using my Revo Toro for RF because it does not like the constant freespool button pushing, and now sometimes gets stuck in freespool.

I've landed sturgeon with the little Record 60....not sure if a faster moving fish would smoke it, though.

In your price range I would get a daiwa sealine 20. Get it serviced by alantani before you use it and it will last forever. I have two that I have used hard for eight years now with nothing more than a light spray when I get home.

The Abu's and Calcutta etc are also good but have mor problems in the long run. I also have had the free spool problems that rockhopper mentioned.


-Eliot

Abu 6500 C3......$90 smooth drag and I have pulled every fish with them (incl WSB and dinos). I personally think "drag" requirements are a non issue. How much "drag" does it take for a fish to pull you? I am sure a physics person can run the numbers but I bet its only a few pounds

I have gotten a sleigh ride from a striper on 8# test and 3# of drag and you would be correct if the fight was always horizontal. However, there is a situation where you will want 13-15# of drag and that is bottom fishing for yellow tail or ulua. In this situation you will be using a 30# leader and will push it to the limit to turn the fish from "rocking" you. 30# is about maximum from a kayak to break the leader. I agree you don't need more than 15# of drag.

Well, I think you NEED more than 15# of drag.  Getting more than 15# of drag is another issue.  And I use more than 30# leader.

And not just vertically.  Think about when you have them horizontal and you put your kayak perpendicular to them and you're putting the heat on a fish.

-Allen

Really? For NCAL fishing? You can catch sturgeon, WSB, salmon and halibut on 20# tackle. What are you targeting with 40-60# tackle?

Abu 6500 C3......$90 smooth drag and I have pulled every fish with them (incl WSB and dinos). I personally think "drag" requirements are a non issue. How much "drag" does it take for a fish to pull you? I am sure a physics person can run the numbers but I bet its only a few pounds

I have gotten a sleigh ride from a striper on 8# test and 3# of drag and you would be correct if the fight was always horizontal. However, there is a situation where you will want 13-15# of drag and that is bottom fishing for yellow tail or ulua. In this situation you will be using a 30# leader and will push it to the limit to turn the fish from "rocking" you. 30# is about maximum from a kayak to break the leader. I agree you don't need more than 15# of drag.

Well, I think you NEED more than 15# of drag.  Getting more than 15# of drag is another issue.  And I use more than 30# leader.

And not just vertically.  Think about when you have them horizontal and you put your kayak perpendicular to them and you're putting the heat on a fish.

-Allen

Really? For NCAL fishing? You can catch sturgeon, WSB, salmon and halibut on 20# tackle. What are you targeting with 40-60# tackle?

Scott, you were talking about Yellowtail and Ulua.  So was I.  Definitely not NorCal.

-Allen

I use Cardiff's exclusively for my saltwater fishing. I have one 301 and two 401's. I like the 301 for tossing swimbaits because of the way it fits in my palm and let's me finger the line while I retrieve. Also, the levelwind disengages in freespool for longer casts. The 401 is my go-to for trolling or fishing bait. It's got the clicker (301 doesn't) and the level wind does not disengage in free spool like the 301. Still casts really well (IMHO) but not as well as the 301.

In order from smallest to largest: Daiwa Coastal, Abu Revo Inshore, Quantum Cabo, Abu Revo Toro, Abu 6500, Shimano Cardiff, Shimano Calcutta, Penn 113, Shimano TR, Okuma Convector, Daiwa Sealine, Abu 7000i, Abu BG, Shimano Charter Special, Avet SX.   
That's in order of smallest to biggest--in terms of reel size compared to the rod weight/balance. These are all reels that I have owned & used on my Trevalas (usually the 6'6" MH or 7' ML).
Next I'll sort them by price.

I'm also a fan of the Cardiff's based on the type of fishing we do off the kayaks and for the value. I have donated a Calcutta/Trevala to the ocean and it sucks, so at least a reel for $110 doesnt hurt as bad. And with all abuse it takes, i'm not worried about beating them up. I have also had the two Cardiffs I own serviced by Alan Tani, and they are reliable and easy to maintain. I rinse them off and after drying, put a couple of drops of corrosion x into the bearings and they are good to go...

Alan Tani retired a few weeks ago btw. I'll try to post his list of recommended reel repair guys--He posted a list of new guys on another site. But I think he'll leave up his site w/all that great info.

Alan Tani retired a few weeks ago btw. I'll try to post his list of recommended reel repair guys--He posted a list of new guys on another site. But I think he'll leave up his site w/all that great info.

What??? That fricken sucks! I had a box at home with four or five reels in it that I wanted him to rebuild for me Totaly bummed to here this news.


-Eliot

Damnit! I just got online now to send him an email regarding a couple reels. I shouldn't have waited this long to send them in. jim

His other Jedi's are capable too of fixing your gears.

His other Jedi's are capable too of fixing your gears.

Maybe so but I was really hoping for Yoda himself. 

Who are his other Jedi's? Any in particular that you can recommend?


-Eliot

Here's some info from Alan that he posted on another site. Copy & pasted below. Alan let me know if I should edit or delete this if not ok.

""i am going to spend some time with my family. i am going to clean up the parts inventory that i have in the garage. i'm going to get back to writing tutorials. i still have the website to keep going. i'm going to try to put a bullet through a bullseye at 400 yards. and i'm going fishing.

if you need reel work done, contact one of these guys -
jim nomura, 408-250-5820 or [email protected]
bryan young, 408-364-6256 or [email protected] or
jonathan han, 408-482-4146 or [email protected]

these three guys have been working with me for the last 3-4 years and are up to speed. i started working with jim when my father-in-law was hospitalized. they all do excellent work and their charges are the same as mine, maybe even cheaper.""