I am going to have to dissagree. I have several avets, and they are my favorite for light tackle. For livebaiting large yellowfin, you can't beat them. I think they are head and shoulders above Daiwa, and I prefer them over Shimano. I will have to agree that Accurates are still superior. But this thread was about casting, I think there are better reels for casting poppers than avets, the freespool is amazing and tends to backlash the smaller reels. I have the MXL and LX for jigging and they can easily punk out an #80 yellowfin. Plus they are NOT made in Japan
All Avet reels are level drag which it not going to cast as well as star drag reel.
In my opinion Avet reel is not yet to the level of Accurate, Shimano, Daiwa, Duel, and Alutecnos. Give it few more years, I am sure they will match or surpass the quality of those mentioned above.
If you have to buy Avet reel to cast popper, I will think the JX Narrow might work. JMO.
Your best bet for conventional casting reel are Shimano Trinidad, Torium, Daiwa Saltiga, Saltist or Penn Torque 200 or 300.
I do have Penn Torque 200 for $340 free shipping.
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