Rod/Reel Set-Up

Whoa! Thank you all for chiming in. That really helps me narrow it down a bit, considering all the options out there. One more question. Braid or Mono on a conventional reel? I've heard some say braid can dig onto the spool or the line itself.

tiger lite if on a budget, or trevala as others have said.

for reel, try a shimano TR100G.  they are composite reels but a very strong durable workhorse.  can be had for about $70

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bomb proof!  and when the level winder breaks, remove it, goop the holes shut and get another 10 years or so.  After season or two, you can opt' to upgrade the drag washer to carbon and then it's butter on butter.

I've spooled 40lb power pro braid on mine and it's lasted over five seasons. fill it up and then after each season, pull off a 100ft or so and you've got new line for the year.
  It's what i do.

Personally i have an avet and do not care for it all that much i prefer my trd lever drag over them and ugly sticks is never a bad choice they dont break

Just picked up an avet, I'm curious your "meh" ness.............

Personally i have an avet and do not care for it all that much i prefer my trd lever drag over them and ugly sticks is never a bad choice they dont break

Just picked up an avet, I'm curious your "meh" ness.............

Just find it a pain to wind evenly side to side. Its a great real and havnt had any issues just is a bit of a pain when your pulling in a big leapord or ray

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Personally i have an avet and do not care for it all that much i prefer my trd lever drag over them and ugly sticks is never a bad choice they dont break

Just picked up an avet, I'm curious your "meh" ness.............

Just find it a pain to wind evenly side to side. Its a great real and havnt had any issues just is a bit of a pain when your pulling in a big leapord or ray

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Gotcha, I picked up the sxj so it is taller and more narrow for that winding evenly reason.  Thanks for the analysis.

I am a big fan of the Shimano Trevala. M, ML, or MH. All great rods. We have the Shimano TR200 reels, Calcutta 400's, 2 Avets, 2 Abu NACL's, and a few others. My favorite combo is the Trevala/Calcuatta, Trevala/NACL 50, and the Trevala/Avet. I also like the Tiger lite MH. The tiger MH is just too bulky unless you are winching up a 40" ling in my opinion.

The only consideration with the Avet it is NOT a level wind reel, so just be aware of that. That said, the Avet SX/Trevala is a bomb setup!