your opinions please: laying down cash for new rod/reels

Alright i'm doing it. I'm actually going to buy some nice gear.  In honor of my baja trip, and upcoming albies.

here's what i'm thinking.

albies, etc --
Trevala Medium-Heavy 6'6" paired with a Calcutta TE with a torium handle (i don't like those paddles)

rockcod, halibut, etc
Trevala ML 7' paired with a curado 300dsv

both with power-pro, the calcutta topshotted.

Let the debate begin

 Steve I have that Trevala-ml/Curado300 combo 40# braid. The low profile reel feels so good in my little paw you don't want to set it down. I used it last year for some nice double digit lings and halibut . The fast retrieve is sweet for fast running fish but it still has remarkable torque.
 I have been lusting after the 300TE but haven't justified pulling the pin yet...

GET A BADARKA! BK-C-701M. I got two. They are great kayak rods!

Steve, here's how I roll..

Trevala TVC-66M
Lenght: 6'6"
Braided Line weight: 30-80Lbs
Power : Medium
Action: Medium Fast

I used to pair it with an Avet SX BUT after a season of use, I was not too impressed with it and switched back to my old reliable - the Calcutta 401 TE . IMO: it seems like the Avet does not have a water tight frame compared to the TE. I had Alan Tani work on my Avet after only one season of use and the bearings were already shot My TE is alomost 5 years old and has been dumped once in the surf. It had sand all over it - had AT clean it up for me and it still, to this day, works like it was right off the box. For me, it was money worth spent. Oh...and the TE has a clicker too 

The Avet, IMO is a great "Boat reel" ....where it stays "high and dry".

Just my  2 cents.....

Joel, you want to sell that Avet?

I got my hands on a Baidarka 761M recently.  Not bad.  The action is slightly slower than the Trevala 66M, which I kind of like for most things except jigging with heavier jigs.

-Allen

Joel, you want to sell that Avet?

Thinking about it...if I do, I'll give you first dibs

I use the Trevela's with 401 Calcutta TE also. With no complaints.

Hi Steve:

        I have had no problems with Penn 500 wth extra spools and, Squider on a Calstar GFGR 700XL .
Go with Plumas(Feathers)  "Zukers Red", Grn and Wht. for Trolling I also used 3' Leaders of Plastic coated Wire.
       
                                             
                                                      Good Luck and
                                                     Don't drink the water
                                                     Ernie
                               


http://www.jigstop.com/store/standard-baja.php
http://www.calstarrods.com/grafighter.htm

GET A BADARKA! BK-C-701M. I got two. They are great kayak rods!

I looked at those, but wasn't too psyched on the ultra long grip...

The Avet, IMO is a great "Boat reel" ....where it stays "high and dry".

Just my  2 cents.....

That is probably the best advice i've gotten from you!!!-- i was leaning toward the Avet as its far far cheaper....

THANKS

sounds like you are a shimano guy?

seems like the newer shimano stuff is somewhat under-engineered gearing-wise compared to their old stuff (see alan tani's post on  the TLD-star 15-30), and over-engineered with respect to bearings etc.  but maybe I am a retro-grumper.

the first might not matter on a kayak so much. the second might, but only after a period of time.

I think once tani goes through an avet, it is way more kayak-worthy, but they are not kayak-worthy out of the box cause the drag is not greased, and the bearings are just oiled.

if you want real high end, what about the penn torque 100? or 200? all braid all the time... they probably still need to get bearings greased and drags greased for kayak use.

J

The only reason i seem to be a shimano guy is that i have regularly and systematically abused their cycling products for 20+ years- i have to believe that engineering trickles both ways...

Still my all time favorite reels-- and these are spinning reels -- are the Penn SS series, which might make me a Penn guy, EXCEPT I'm a "west coast leftie"!

call me a retro grouch, but i'm right handed and have been casting with my right arm for way way too long to change now... I can reel with my right, but can't cast a lick that way- and don't intend to change.  bah humbug.  So, my choices get limited with a left-hand retreive.

you are saying you like left-handed retrieve?

and the penn torque does not come in left handed?

yep that is true.

I prefer left handed retrieve myself.

newell's come in left handed. pretty retro, but they really are lightweight and the stainless steel gears are stronger than the drags so it seems real unlikely that you will ever hurt them from a kayak.

they are not very kayak-worthy out of the box tho, kind of like the avet. you have to take them apart and put grease in every single screwhole or you'll never get them apart after a season. also, better to go with ht100 penn drags cause you can grease them.

but once that is done the rest of the reel really is pretty corrosion proof.

price is low, you can get left handed newells and aftermarket handles and clamps @ www.charkbait.com

I got 4 left handed newells over the winter cause I have more money than time I guess, I hope I get a chance to use them someday.  I got them for an average of $76 each, they were used on ebay, but it took some patience to find them.

personally I think you should go with the avet but just make sure the bearings are greased and the drag is greased before you go. I think mooch just fished his out of the box instead of sending it to tani before his season started.

The Avet, IMO is a great "Boat reel" ....where it stays "high and dry".

Just my  2 cents.....

Whoa Joel -

I have never disagreed with you but "them are fighting words".    Before I say something I will regret, what did you do after each fishing trip to maintain your Avet?

Thanks! Scott

The Avet, IMO is a great "Boat reel" ....where it stays "high and dry".

Just my  2 cents.....

Whoa Joel -

I have never disagreed with you but "them are fighting words".    Before I say something I will regret, what did you do after each fishing trip to maintain your Avet?

Thanks! Scott

Scott, I think Joel is right.  Those reels suck.   

So Joel ... you ready to sell yours yet?  I hear you need some cash for a mini-X.

-Allen