AVET REELS GET THUMBS DOWN BY CAPE COD GUIDES

HUNTER II · 05:31 AM

Went to a Striped Bass / Tuna Seminar today and had a chance to talk with two of the top guides on Cape Cod. Both independantly had the same mantra regarding AVET Reels - avoid them at all costs. Their basic concern was in the bearing that are used are subject to premature failure. Their other concern was with the drag systems in that AVET recommends dry drag, but the reels really need a wet (greased) drag to perform at their top level.

I was ready to buy an HX for jigging tuna and I'm still leaning in that direction but I am going to look a little harder before I leap.

Any opinions/experiences with AVETs in general and the HX in particular would be appreciated.

Mitchw123456 · 03-02-2008, 07:28 PM

Hmm my Avets still perform flawlessly after a couple years with dry drags. I disassambled them the other night at work again to do a little spring cleaning and honestly didn't have to do a thing with them. I actually fish with my reels, they don't live in a closet. I generally average around 600 hours a year offshore on my personal boat along with a couple chartered trips a summer and they are still lik e brand new.

gman · 03-02-2008, 08:06 PM

its like anything, if you look hard enough you will find failures of every reel made ... penns, shimano, avets. Seriously I owned 2 small avets teh MLX's, I didn't care for them but they seemed like good little reels.

I can tell you one thing those dam TREX reels have massive amounts of drag

dt4539 · 03-02-2008, 08:14 PM

I used my Avet reels for inshore fishing - king mackerels, sharks, cobia & I haven't any issues with them.

Snagged · 03-02-2008, 08:37 PM

Avets are the most bang for your buck. No they're not the best there is, but they are plenty good enough for many saltwater fishermen.

wacker · 03-02-2008, 08:51 PM

I am pretty darn happy with my LX, They don't cost much and mine has been in some pretty good battles offshore. Can't please them Yanks any how.

SpecialK · 03-02-2008, 09:36 PM

I won't pretend to have half of the experience as most on the forum.
I will say the fish that have been caught on my JX, the largest being a 45# YFT, the reel preformed perfectly. I have it set to 17#of drag on strike and it was smooth as butter...
Just my .02
-K

tass · 03-02-2008, 11:04 PM

Speaking as a man with four avets and have used them extensively for years, I would say your cape cod guys are spitting in the wind. I have had no problems with those reels. You have to remember everyone will have their favoriites but for me it would be hard to top an avet and as you can see that opinion is widely shared.

Ragman · 03-03-2008, 12:04 AM

HunterII - if you haven't already, read Alantani's Avet reel break down post where he greases the drags.

It seems to answer the two issues the Cod guides raised.

papio · 03-03-2008, 01:17 AM

I'm glad the Avets work well for all of you who uses them but for me the two that I once owned were pieces of $$h-t. One bad experience is one thing, but two lemons convinced me that if you don't mind wasting your money, then the Avets are okay.

03-02-2008, 07:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Mitchw123456 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 220	Hmm my Avets still perform flawlessly after a couple years with dry drags. I disassambled them the other night at work again to do a little spring cleaning and honestly didn't have to do a thing with them. I actually fish with my reels, they don't live in a closet. I generally average around 600 hours a year offshore on my personal boat along with a couple chartered trips a summer and they are still lik e brand new. Last edited by Mitchw123456 : 03-02-2008 at 07:31 PM.

03-02-2008, 08:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Snagged Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,033	Avets are the most bang for your buck. No they're not the best there is, but they are plenty good enough for many saltwater fishermen. __________________ Jerry Uh oh, Snagged again!

03-03-2008, 12:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
Ragman Moderator Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 924	HunterII - if you haven't already, read Alantani's Avet reel break down post where he greases the drags. It seems to answer the two issues the Cod guides raised. __________________ Tom www.oceantackle.net *Go Hard or Go Home!*

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03-02-2008, 08:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
gman Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 994	its like anything, if you look hard enough you will find failures of every reel made ... penns, shimano, avets. Seriously I owned 2 small avets teh MLX's, I didn't care for them but they seemed like good little reels. I can tell you one thing those dam TREX reels have massive amounts of drag

03-02-2008, 08:14 PM	#4 (permalink)
dt4539 Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 47	I used my Avet reels for inshore fishing - king mackerels, sharks, cobia & I haven't any issues with them.

03-02-2008, 08:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
wacker Junior member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 22	I am pretty darn happy with my LX, They don't cost much and mine has been in some pretty good battles offshore. Can't please them Yanks any how.

03-02-2008, 09:36 PM	#7 (permalink)
SpecialK Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 291	I won't pretend to have half of the experience as most on the forum. I will say the fish that have been caught on my JX, the largest being a 45# YFT, the reel preformed perfectly. I have it set to 17#of drag on strike and it was smooth as butter... Just my .02 -K

03-02-2008, 11:04 PM	#8 (permalink)
tass Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 46	Speaking as a man with four avets and have used them extensively for years, I would say your cape cod guys are spitting in the wind. I have had no problems with those reels. You have to remember everyone will have their favoriites but for me it would be hard to top an avet and as you can see that opinion is widely shared.

03-03-2008, 01:17 AM	#10 (permalink)
papio Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Antonio, Tx. V Posts: 213	I'm glad the Avets work well for all of you who uses them but for me the two that I once owned were pieces of $$h-t. One bad experience is one thing, but two lemons convinced me that if you don't mind wasting your money, then the Avets are okay.

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