[jig]

I alway want at least 300yds. With appropriate drag (IMO 20# plus) you should be able to conquer most GOM fish. IMO the biggest issue with line capacity is that with less line, you get down on the spool quicker. THis increases your drag effect significantly. I went to JB 60# hollow as a minimum for this reason.

 

[johndtuttle]

If you fish JB 60 and crank the drag up to max you can get by with less capacity for sure. Better hold on though .

 

[NCbluewater]

I have the TN-40N and it's a great jigging reel, I wonder why they stopped making it. But given the option I would go with a lever drag only because you can pre-set your drag and know (pretty close) to what it is when you change it during a fight. But unless you need a two speed reel you're paying a weight penalty to get the lever in most reels.

To get a single speed lever drag reel with a good ratio and decent weight I went with the Accurate BX-500N, I have 2 of these and so far I have been very satisfied.

What size fish are you getting on that 500N and what depth of water?

 

[MikeF]

Most of my fishing is less than 125' and the biggest I've landed on the Accurate is a 70#+ AJ.

 

[Bucktail]

Bret is right on with the Ocea Jigger 4000P, i just assumed that you were constrained by having to buy a reel available in the US and not ebay/overseas.


That is correct. I do need to buy this from Shimano American to get the deal.

 

[ed101]

Most lever drag reels have binding issue, except for the twin drag models, which increases cranking friction at high drag, like 20+ lb. For prolonged jigging, it could be flavored to use Star drag.

 

[day0ne]

Most lever drag reels have binding issue, except for the twin drag models, which increases cranking friction at high drag, like 20+ lb. For prolonged jigging, it could be flavored to use Star drag.

Most lever drags have a binding issue when their design specs are exceeded. Buy one designed for the drag you use and you won't have a problem. Trying to make a reel do something it wasn't designed to do can cause problems for sure.

 

[ed101]

Most lever drags have a binding issue when their design specs are exceeded. Buy one designed for the drag you use and you won't have a problem. Trying to make a reel do something it wasn't designed to do can cause problems for sure.

Binding issue exists even it is used within design specs in some models. You get an Avet specified at max 20lb, you set it at 15lb and cranking friction is significantly higher than setting at 10lb. Star drag does not have this problem. As mentioned, both designs, Star or Lever, having their pros and cons.

 

[till]

Not sure thats the best example though, avet don't make a better star drag, just a lousy lever drag.

Never had a problem with drag binding on my TAC8 on any reasonable drag load on that.

 

[fuelish1]

Star drags are prolly harder to accidently bump off the settings though...I dont owna lever drag, but the one's I've fiddled with in stores seems that the lever moves pretty easy.....

 

[day0ne]

Binding issue exists even it is used within design specs in some models. You get an Avet specified at max 20lb, you set it at 15lb and cranking friction is significantly higher than setting at 10lb. Star drag does not have this problem. As mentioned, both designs, Star or Lever, having their pros and cons.

Strange, my Avets go to at least 22-23 lbs before any noticable binding starts. Two LX's and a JX. The SX won't do 20 lbs

 

[day0ne]

Star drags are prolly harder to accidently bump off the settings though...I dont owna lever drag, but the one's I've fiddled with in stores seems that the lever moves pretty easy.....

Never been a problem for me and I have at least 20 lever drags of different makes. The fact that when you move a star drag, you have no idea what the drag is and you can't get it back where it was easily makes me lean toward a lever drag. Strike is always whatever you set it at on a leverdrag and you can always return to it. I will say that most star drags cast better than most lever drags IMO

 

[till]

Actually when I had an avet sx, the drag knob used to turn a little every time you put it in or out of gear. It ended up you would have to note the number it was on, then remembed to check it occasionally, especially when you have a fish on.

Damnned annoying that reel and a completely useless jigger.