If you were looking for a multipurpose reel that will mainly be used in the Canal for minor jigging moderate plugging & primary use will be drifting eels.

So what would you choose a Levelwind,non levelwind or Narrow special non levelwind and why.


5/0

I'd use a levelwind, probably a 7000 sized Abu. Besides the obvious loss of distance due to the levelwind itself, the reel is perfect. I have no trouble throwing a 4 ounce bucktail close to 100 yards with one. On the beach, I find myself using a non levelwind. My 7000's mess up at least once or twice a season, always a worn pawl. I think this is due to sand particles(tiny) blowing into the worm gear. In the canal, you won't see a lot of sand blowing around. The advantages of the levelwind are worth the extra complication both here and in boat work.

If you also use the reel from the sand, be sure to carry an extra pawl or two in a ziplock, behind the tubes in your plugbag.


I always carry extra pawls, and have been a "hero" more than once when I can revive someone's "broken" reel.

All my surf sticks have levelwinds. I use all Abu conventionals. I don't mind the minor loss in distance. I remove or disable the casting brakes and regain quite a bit of distance.
Abu's have absolutely the best levelwinds for surf reels. Like Longshot said, you may have to replace a pawl now and then. Mine usually last all year unless in rough sandy surf. My canal reels have never failed me, but I replace the pawls every year, cheap insurance, and an easy fix.
Penn Internationals are the worst levelwinds, all three sizes. The worm gear is made of softer metal than the pawl and wears out first. That requires complete dis-assembly of the reel to repair. I always have at least ten sets in my shop for customer's reels, very common repair.
Shimano's are o.k., I'm just not a big fan of the Calcutta. I think it's overpriced compared to Abu especially with Smooth Drags installed in the Abu. Also the freespool pawl on the 700 size Calcutta is prone to bending, disabling the reel until complete dis-assembly to replace a $2 part.

Hi 5/0,

I know we are talking jigging and plugging rigs here so this is a little of topic. When I got my boat a couple of years ago I felt I needed a guest rod for trolling and got one with a level wind (Tekota 700). I have been a Senator 4/0 guy for years. Well, after trying this for a season I bought a second one. I'm sold. A level wind makes things so much easier when you are trying to run the boat and troll at the same time. I retired my old 4/0's.

Merry Christmas, Al

I would go with a levelwind for the purposes stated, and I would look for one of the BG series Abu 7000s with the 5.3:1 gears.

The Calcutta and the 4.1:1 7000 Abus are too slow for jigging IMO. They're perfect for eels but you're looking for versatility.

The 6500 size Abus are too small for the Canal, especially if you're going to use mono.

If you can live with a non-levelwind, my choice would be the Newell P-229 F.

I have a levelwind and removed the brakes to gain as much distance,out of 8yrs w/ this reel I had only one part fail & it was the spool tension bearing (my own fault) other than that I trust this reel.

I like the convenience of a levelwind but most of the one's out there have lower gearing.I feel that I'M @ the crossroads of trying a non levelwind.
I don't know squat on Avets,other than their quality made,offer high gearing,ranging from 5.1 to low 6's.I like the look & feel to them,other than that I'm fling blind.

Simanno's Calcutta has only 4.7:1,the Trinidads has 3 versions,one is the Calcutta TE 700,gearing is 4.7:1 and has a levelwind.
TN 14 or 16 has gearing of 6.2:1 but no levelwind,their third one called Special narrow it has a higher spool & narrow I think that this feature would be of convenience to thumb the line on.

I'M all done with mono so that won't be a factor,this reel will be going on a Loomis 1265C Surf Series lure w eight 2-8 Oz.
Does anybody have experience with Avets or Shimanno's Trinidads what's their Pros & Cons?

Pretty good bang for the buck with a Diawa SL30SHV/SHA. Higher gear ratio and very strong drag. No levelwind.:kewl:
Oh and it can be upgraded with a mag sideplate to if so desired.

Neither... I'd go spinning .. Primarily drifting eels ? So your going to be primarily throwing light .. Lures ? like what ? some light again .. Sure you could do this conventional , but easier throwing light ,if you downsize to a 6500 wich, just my opion is too small for the canal, for the fish your hoping to catch, fishing eels .. Jigging your going to need another set up .. eels /jigging the canal off the same stick at an optimon level ? .. I don't see it ..

I am reading this thread with a smile. I use only conventional reels and have both levelwind and non levelwind. The use of levelwind makes life a lot easier when plugging, but I still use non for jigging. I use a 525 mag for that purpose. Makes it a great canal reel on a Lami.
The comments on replacing pawls are all true, but I have the following to offer. I run the sand and the dust kicked up while running does a job on any reel. I have found that the use of reel covers on my reels when not in active use saves a heck of a lot of repairs. Most pawls give out for either lack of lube or dirt. Covering the reel when transporting and a drop of oil before use saves many repairs. I am all for Abu's - a great reel for the buck!!:hihi:

abu big game with levelwind with 65 or 80lb braid
take out the brakes
stay away from the penn international when the current is cranking your reeling like crazy just to keep in contact with your plug.

I'M all done with mono so that won't be a factor,this reel will be going on a Loomis 1265C Surf Series lure w eight 2-8 Oz.
Does anybody have experience with Avets or Shimanno's Trinidads what's their Pros & Cons?[/QUOTE]

No experience with Avet, but the Trinidads are nice reels. For less money, but basically the same reel, you can get a Torium. Same high speed, but no fancy gold finish. The Torium doesn't have casting brakes either, while the Trinidad does.

The Daiwa Sealine 30SH is a good casting reel with brakes and a great drag. The Newells are also great casting reels, but no option for casting brakes.

The narrow spools are my high speed toys for playing around.THE WIDE SOOP REELS ARE MY FISHING,NO BULL TOOLS

wide spool

The narrow spools are my high speed toys for playing around.THE WIDE SOOP REELS ARE MY FISHING,NO BULL TOOLS

So the narrow spooled convench reels are easy for thumbing VS. traditional?Who makes a wide scoop spool,I've never heard of them.

Stripadan I did notice Daiwa has some high end/priced convench reels I don't know much about them,I'm leaning more towards the Trinidad,& the Avets are nice too,I still have more home work to do before I leap.

Tagger,I have 2 nice setups for spinning,one is a 10' St Croix Avid Surf it's rated 3/4 -6. Oz. w/Ahab 16A & the other is 9' St.Croix Avid Surf 3/4 to 4. Oz.W/ Ahab 12A I don't use them much in the Canal mostly Surf.if I was to get another spin I would step up & get a Silver 200 VS.
As for conventional
I have a Calcutta 700 on a 10' St.Croix Avid Surf,I like it & I use it all the time for jigging,plugging and eeling,I don't feel it's adequate for jigging & plugging do to the low gearing I want something lighter,quicker,versatile,strong and most imprortantly dependable.
I have a Abu 7K on a Loomis this reel was given to me about three yrs. ago,I have used it only a few times and really don't care for it,so I haven't used my Loomis since.
I want to get the Loomis back in the line up,so IM in the market for a decent reel
& don't mind spending the extra cash.

5/0

Anybody have any experience with accurate casting reels,they look like Modified Avet reels & seem top quality reels,there made of T-6 aluminum with stainless steel parts,cast control and offer twin drag system.
The one's I was looking @ B-197XC and B-870XNC they both have 6.1:1 gearing.

Bob,
Accurate makes very, very nice gear. Their offshore stuff is excellent. I wouldn't hesistate to buy one. The only question is how easy are parts to get and have it serviced?