reel recommendations?

I’ve got a Komodo and a Lexa 300HD. The Lexa is smoother but the line guide only travels on the retrieve, not on the letting out, which often leads to line coming off at a weird angle from the spool. Those Avets look great. Any issues with not having the line guide?

It's nearly instinctive by now for me to have a thumb on the line as I reel so it lays somewhat evenly.  I've never had an issue with line lay causing anything bad, though.

I've now been to Bass Pro in SJ twice, just to handle that Avet reel. While I absolutely love everything about it, I've reluctantly come to the conclusion that I need a level wind reel. When sail trolling, sometimes I need to have one hand on the rudder and the other hand adjusting the depth of the trolled rig. This goes double when conditions are rough and/or trolling through rocky areas with depth changes...

Yeah, a level wind is nice, especially for trolling with a lot of line out.  Have you ever tried an open face reel?  I kinda like the analog feel, especially for jigging, and with some practice, casting.

Moo Moo has a review on the Piscifun Alijos vs the Lexa n Youtube. He likes the Alijo which is half the price. Buy 2 for the price of one Lexa

The Alijoz is an excellent reel - great for light duty trolling.  Piscifun reels all punch above their price tag, probably the best value brand out there right now.  I think quality is on par with mid-tier offerings from the big names.   

How about Shimano Tranx?  300 or 400.  Absolute beast and so smooth. 

How about Shimano Tranx?  300 or 400.  Absolute beast and so smooth.

The reel seat on those are not metal, they are casting reels. After a while of heavy trolling something will fail. I suggest the Daiwa Saltist LWLC, I prefer them over my Tekota's.

How about Shimano Tranx?  300 or 400.  Absolute beast and so smooth.

The reel seat on those are not metal, they are casting reels. After a while of heavy trolling something will fail. I suggest the Daiwa Saltist LWLC, I prefer them over my Tekota's.

Good to know.  I guess that’s why they’re so light.  They sure crank though.

Another vote for avet sxj. Bulletproof. I have yet to be outgunned with one for NorCal fishing.

I am going to say I really like the TR 200 and 100 Shimano reels as a good overall reel for saltwater kayak fishing, once you two things, throw that stock handle away, and install smoooth drags in it. 

If you can find a Penn 112 they can handle a lot that newer reels can't. That slow retrieve may turn some people off, but if you do the math on a smaller faster cranking reel you may find out the old Penns retrieve almost as much line at 3.3:1  vs a smaller 5:1 reel.  I have built up a couple of 112's (Old American one,  and a "MiC").  I like the 113's with some tweaking they can be beasts, but are heavy for all day jigging.  The Surfmaster is a good reel but with all the older smaller Penns they have loose tolerances and have been known to "flex" under pressure.  Both Tibroun and Newell make/made parts to fix those issues.

Abu Garcia makes some good light reels in the 5500 & 6500 series
, look for the ones with the Swedish raised medallion on them as opposed to the sticker version (Chinese made).  Hope that helps.

Avet sx definitely at the top. Lightest weight reel around. Has issues with (1)cheapo factory bearings which can be fixed by going with ceramic replacements and (2) drag preset assembly failure due to male drag cam detaching from side plate from electrolysis by persistent salt moisture. Preset assembly should be rinsed and relubricated after every trip.