I am thinking about purchasing an Abu Garcai mag elite 6500. I am not sure if I should get a levelwind or non-levelwind reel. What are ythe advantages and disadvantages of each. I know a non-levelwind may cast a bit further because of the less friction. Is it difficult to reel in a non-levelwind reel and does it take a while to gain a "trusty thumb".

When people say that you get more distance with a non-levelwind DONT LISTEN!! Its all hogwash!! Todays reels cast fantastic!! and there is no need to fish with a reel without a levelwind,if you fish at night it makes all the sense in the world to get a levelwind model.

Who feels like winding the line on straight with there thumb,while fighting a fish???? Not me. There are to many headaches involved with a nonlevelwind reel. So, get the levelwind.

Gusto, depends on what you want to do... If you need to cast baits very long distance, and have the proper surf rods to accomodate long distance casting, don't mind thumbing the line on the retrieve, and are not reeling in all of the time, you may prefer the non-levelwind. The non-levelwind MagE will outcast the levelwind model but in most cases, it will not be worth the extra effort. Casting large weights puts alot of stress on the reel during the cast and you may not keep the spool still with just pressure from the thumb. The non-level winds allow you to get more pressure on the spool from more fingers to your whole hand depending on the reel. If you are doing anything else, from plugs to eels to regular bait fishing - GET THE LEVELWIND <img src="/Images/biggrin.gif"><!--e7-->!! It makes thing so much easier, especially at night when constantly casting and retrieving. And with the mag elite levelwind casting further than many other non levelwind reels you can get the best of both worlds, a great, long casting conventional reel with the convenience of a levelwind...

Go levelwind. I have non levelwinds on my boat and they are a pain in the neck. Just one more thing to worry about. If you don't lay that line on smooth and level with your thumb on a non levelwind , you'll actually get less distance and more overruns than a guy with a levelwind. Go levelwind. I would go ABU Big Game 6500CL. Nice casting , lightweight , corrosion resistant.

Get the levelwind it makes life alot easier. The one thing to realize is tha the mag-elite doesnot have a clicker. If you want one wiht a clicker Tres at Hatterasoutfitters.com can get one for you he has them special made. Keep i mind the levewind is one more thing to keep clean. If oyu drop a level wind in the sand you are probably done when the worm gear gets filled with sand..........

I beg to differ Bill I have a mag-elte with a level wind and one without. If i set them up identical to one another save the levelwind I throw the non level wind further........I tried it and thats what I found. But if your throwing an eel or bomber it doesnt matter too much neither are going very far either way <img src="/Images/Happy_Face.gif"><!--e1-->

I just purchased the 6500 mag with the levelwind, my friend owns the non-level. He was able to cast a little further but 100+ yards is good enough for me. He was retieving a 36" striper and was having truouble spooling it with his thumb. He is selling his non-levelwind so he can purchase my levelwind. I think that the levelwind is a much better reel. The main drawback for my levelwind is it came with a smaller handle. I had to ppurchase a power handle for it which is $10, thats the only problem i noticed. GO WITH THE LEVELWIND.