What affordable reel to couple with Trevala S-MH?

Before moving away from the salt I ran an avet sx 6/4 for 3 years without a single problem or replacement. I did an annual tear down cleaning and greasing, and rinsed the reel in fresh water after each trip. More often than not, I hear the exact same thing from other avet owners. Sure, I've heard horror stories about corroded avets, but I've heard just as many stories about shimanos and daiwas.

I'm not buying the whole "avets are more liekly to corrode" tale you hear from so many folks. Take care of your gear and it will take care of you.

If u dont go with the 300ej go with the daiwa lexa 300 same price more capacity an more drag 22lbs of drag on that badass baitcaster reel

the cardiff is cheap enough on the purchase, and its not a bad reel...i have one but i don't take it in saltwater.  I'm not sure it would survive too long in that type of condition. 

I usually use it in the delta/rivers and i did use it to land my big sturgeon, so it's a fairly decent reel.  i personally prefer my revo inshore for the price..i got mine for less than $120 on ebay a couple years back.

My first and still favorite combo for rockfishing has been a MH Tevala and a 401A Cardiff.  I've never had any issues with the reel with just a rinse and occasional lube.  I think its pretty solid for around 100$, large spool capacity, clicker, and a nice profile to it.  IMHO its a perfectly good saltwater reel. 

My Avet has been my favorite reel this year though, at 60$ more, its a pretty good deal.  Feels powerfull when you crank it up, especially if your fishing depth like Salmon in Monterey.  But, it did crap out on me pretty quickly after catching 3 WSB on it.  I need to send it in for repair, with two berrings shot in it.  I'm told it only takes about 2 weeks turnaround for the repair though, so i'll let ya know how it goes.

Penn Surfmaster 100.

If someone can explain to me why a $200 reel is better, I'd like to hear why.

The old Penns are indestructable, and easily serviced. 

Oh I can understand they don't cast as well as modern reels, but we don't do much of that, do we?  At least not for WSB and rockfish.

I've got a couple of the MH Trevalas. Have run Revo Toros and Abu 6601 C4s with braid, and a Penn GTI 321 with mono on them depending on target species.  All worked well but the lighter reels sure make a nice rig with the Trevalas.

I like the Cardiffs as well. Have used the 201 and 301 (i.e. the models for right-handers  ).  Have not used the 301 in salt, but the 201 has held-up to light salt use with rinsing. Used them both in the past more for river bank fishing, along with the 5601 and 6601 C4s. I'd go with the 400/401 cardiff if it will be used for WSB for the greater line capacity.  The Abu 6600 series C3s and C4s are comparable reels in that class.  Can't go wrong with the Avets, Daiwa Sealines, or Shimano TRs either.  Lots of options - wish more of these options were available in lefty models.

Have fun Chad!   

Penn Surfmaster 100.

If someone can explain to me why a $200 reel is better, I'd like to hear why.

The old Penns are indestructable, and easily serviced. 

Oh I can understand they don't cast as well as modern reels, but we don't do much of that, do we?  At least not for WSB and rockfish.

The only issue I keep coming across is that penns were designed to fish mono, and the "loose tolerances" that make them such hardworking reels don't sit well with the braid that many people fish with now. I've taken all the braid off of my brace of penns (squidder & jigmaster) and will spool them with mono if I ever get around to it.

I probably would not own an avet if i hadn't been given one as a gift, but I'm enjoying it.

Although probably too light for cbass, I have really put my two Abu C series reels through the wringer and they just keep cranking. managed to land my only kayak cbass on the smaller one, but I was seeing backing

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 feel the important factors for our reels include:

- Smoothness of drag
- Initial Price (YOU WILL LOOSE IT)
- Light and compact enough to jig all day.
- Ease of service (or components that need very little)
- Line capacity is hardly an issue (using braid makes WSB the only real "runner" a non issue)

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

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

ditto... I have one with a bower handle and one with the larger dual handle you get with the revo toro (that is on the bottom of shelter cove...see bullet #2 i listed)

I'll put in another recommendation for the SX. I've used mine for about 4 seasons of RF now going at least once a week often twice. I wash it every trip and service it about 4 times a season which takes me about 30-45 min each pass. I bought the reel after my Abus failed for the millionth time. I couldn't be happier with it and I fish it very hard. Funny thing but my next reel is likely going to be another SX to go with my MXL and my LX. My brother also fishes an SX, MXJ, and MXL with great sucess. His reels are flawless after 3 or 4 seasons though he does service them often. As stated earlier follow Alan Tani's reel tutorial to the T and it will last forever.

As for the Revos be careful. Although not an inshore I have taken down a toro and there was a lot of plastic and small parts inside. The reel also had a problem going from freespool into gear when the handle was turned. Serviced the toro and it still had the same issue which means something is likely worn out. The reel was otherwise in great condition, had never been apart, and didn't seem abused.     

Yeah Sean, the old Penns are kind of the AK-47 of reels.  Sand goes in, sand goes out.  And the Surfmaster has no bearings to worry about.

I am not a very good or careful fisherman, and I can count on my reels getting dunked and probably sand in them, too.

Mono rules.  It's cheap and good!  Deepest I fish is like 50 feet anyhow.

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

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.

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

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