reel decision help please

[bulld0g62]

ive been looking into upgrading some of my gear and after looking around and comparing ive narrowed it down to 3 that like. This reel will be a general pier fishing reel, use every weekend. Fishing live baits or on the bottom.

The three that i have in mind are
Torium 16
http://www.tackledirect.com/torium16.html

Avet MXL
http://charkbait.com/cs/csrAvet.htm

and
A fin-nor OFC20L
http://www.srmo.com/Merchant2/merchant. ... conv-Reels

I can get them all for about the same price, but im wondering how each would be casting, fighting fish, and holding up long term. I plan on pairing whichever reel i get with a 8 or 9 ft rod, still looking into those.

Any help with making my decision?

[bulld0g62]

Not sure how different star and lever drags would be, but i dont really have a preference as long as the reel does its job and lasts. I have a jigmaster that i learned to cast with, so i have experience with conventionals too.

Ive never done any serious maintenance on a conventional, but if its an easy reel to take apart and maintain i see no reason not to learn, and if unable would take it to a shop. If im gonna spend a decent amount on a reel i want it to last.

The fin nor, ive read a few places is built like a saltist, and performs as good from what ive read, after a couple upgrades.

[PhishingPhanatic]

Out of those 3, I would go with the Avet.

[gdm phil]

if your local to lake worth your more than welcome to come by and check out my mxls. I have a nice lake by my house if u wanna try casting it as well

[bulld0g62]

thanks phil, but im a bit of a ways from lake worth.

Would you say the Avet is the most dependable out of the 3? Just wondering if you could give a little reason to the choice PP.

[bulld0g62]

seems like Avet is the more popular choice. Anyone else have any input on the torium? And does anyone have input for a 8-9 ft 1one piece? or can i find one easily looking amongst the tackle shops? Thanks for all the input so far guys

[Miamipescador]

If you are new into casting conventionals i would go with the torium. Its easier to cast, and has an actual cast control. The avet can outcast it but you can get backlashes from time to time because that spool spins FAST.

I would go with a torium 20, AVET MXL, Daiwa Saltist, or Penn Fathom for your price range, all cast great. 30 lb mono is what i fish for bottom.

For the rod you cant go wrong with an 8 foot ugly stick custom to start off with.

[bulld0g62]

If you know how cast, would you say the Avet can still give backlashes more so than the torium?

[bulld0g62]

Alright guys thanks, I think ill be ordering the Avet Mxl this weekend. I was thinking of pairing it with an 8ft star, thats what my JM is on and im comfortable casting with that length. Appreciate all the input

[crashmister]

CC is a PITA in my opinion. Magnets and salt water are a recipe for corrosion. Mag'd reels tend to need more maint. Bottom line for me anyway, if you learn to cast with cast control, you need to re-learn how to cast with out it. If you learn with out it, as in your jigmaster, you can cast anything.
Far as drag's go, I fished stars my whole life till I moved here. My first lever was the end of stars. That however is a personal preference. Depending on the reel, both seem to work pretty well.
The secret is, don't fish next to Nelson or Ron, you'll spend the day tangled..

[crashmister]

LMAO

yea Pat cuz you in the middle creating the fiddle LOL

Thought you guy's might get a kick outa that.

[bulld0g62]

Is using a lever much different? Like do you fully disengange it to cast rather than a freespool lever? And once your line is out, do you need to change the setting with the clicker on? Or is it pretty much the same except you have a lever rather than a star to turn. Sorry, just trying to get an idea how it works, being the first one ill be getting

[Miamipescador]

Alright guys thanks, I think ill be ordering the Avet Mxl this weekend. I was thinking of pairing it with an 8ft star, thats what my JM is on and im comfortable casting with that length. Appreciate all the input

Check out the ugly stick 8 foot. Pretty much exactly the same as the star at a fraction of the cost.
http://www.basspro.com/Shakespeare-Ugly ... 6872/96789

[bulld0g62]

Not bad at all, dont you have an avet paired with one?

[crashmister]

Is using a lever much different? Like do you fully disengange it to cast rather than a freespool lever? And once your line is out, do you need to change the setting with the clicker on? Or is it pretty much the same except you have a lever rather than a star to turn. Sorry, just trying to get an idea how it works, being the first one ill be getting

Whole different anamal. On a star you have the engage lever. Drag is set reel is free till you engage the lever. then the reel is locked at the star drag preset. Lever you set to free to cast, set clicker on free to fish and engage the lever drag to set and fight. Star is simpler lever has more flexibility IMHO.

[Miamipescador]

Not bad at all, dont you have an avet paired with one?

Yea i have an Avet MXL on mines.
I had the butt extended to 24" though

[bulld0g62]

So the lever drag has a freespool setting, and thats what you cast with and set the clicker to, then engage the lever to a certain point to fight the fish?

And is the stock length of the uglystik butt short? Or do prefer them much longer

[crashmister]

Jorge, I'd avoid the ugly's, Since Shakespear sent manufacturing to China, ugly's have taken a real dive in quality. Used to be all I owned, now you couldn't give me one. the Lifetime guarentee is now a year prorated. There's a reason their a fraction of the cost of the Star rod's, The components are a fraction of the cost and a fraction of the quality. Just my opinion but I think you'll be much happier with the Star Rod in the long run Bull.

[crashmister]

So the lever drag has a freespool setting, and thats what you cast with and set the clicker to, then engage the lever to a certain point to fight the fish?

And is the stock length of the uglystik butt short? Or do prefer them much longer

Since casting is a main consideration, yeah you may want to look into a longer butt. I think theres a couple rod's for sale on here might be just the ticket.

[Miamipescador]

Well ive had mine for quite a while now and no problems.
Remember most "Star Rods" are now made in china as well.

[Miamipescador]

So the lever drag has a freespool setting, and thats what you cast with and set the clicker to, then engage the lever to a certain point to fight the fish?

And is the stock length of the uglystik butt short? Or do prefer them much longer

The butt on them is like 12-14" i think. The longer butt is better for casting. 20-24" or so is probably what you want depending on your height/arm length/size of gut