I am considering this reel primarily for boat based applications as well as maybe some shore based. I have a Penn 975 levelwind which I really like and the Tekota seems like it will do the same things at a lower cost.

I would use it for butterfly jigging, eels, chunks, liveline, and in a pinch light trolling or even larger plastics. Basically I do all this with the 975 now. From the shore, I would cast bait, eels, jigs, plugs, etc...

Any experience with this reel? I also have a Torium which I use butterfly jigging as well, but I like the level wind on the Tekota.

I have a Tekota on my Arra 1205 and like it...there was a taller surfcaster who is watching over us all that also liked this reel.

I have several of these reels and purchased them the year they came out at a tackle show. They are a very comfortable multi function boat real. The only problem is the drags cost $14 each and you will need to replace them each season. Keep it clean and serviced and it lasts and provides great service.

I have braid on mine and they are mounted on St. Croix boat rods. I troll with them (deep divers, etc) and have caught everything, even a nice tuna (by mistake) and I had to chase it down.
I have used them bottom fishng at times too..as well as for fluking and tog too.

The best part about the reel is the level wind. It works well and it is great to hand the rod to a novice angler after a fish has blasted off with the lure and the tell him "reel man, reel", that is all. No need to worry about line management issues. Also it has a great handle and smooth set up. And the price is right. They are no comparison to the torsa...that is a work of art IMO, probably one of the finest fishing reels ever made, one crank of the handle and your in love with that one, outstanding reel...but it is very pricey. The torium has the big high retrieve gear and is similar. The tekoda is a lower profile reel and the drag is not as powerful as the toruum or any of the gold reels. It is more comfortable that the pen 475 but I would not use the teckoa from the shore. It is not a casting reel IMO. It excels as a mid range boat reel for sub 50# fish for bottom fishing and trolling. I think the 475 casts better but I have to say I have not really fished with the tekoda from the shore much.

I load it with 50# braid and then top it off with 30' of 60# leader material, use a double uniknot to connect the two and a doulock clip on the leader. When the fish is boat side, all the briad is on the reel with a layer of heavy mono leader on top, nice and tight, then I reach over, grab the mono and lift the fish into the boat...I never have to touch the braid and neither does the angler. It works very well for trolling. For bottom fishing I trim off some leader. I just reversed the braid that was on the spool...It's been used heavy for 2 seasons and I hope to get 2 more out of the "new" end. Great real for the $ IMO but it will eat up a few drags if used heavy. Also, they don't like to get fully submerged .

Several of my fishing friends have bought them after fishing with me. Most anglers love them but say they shyed away because of the level wind but once the fished with them they were convinded... It works great esp with braid.

I have a couple Tekotas on my boat and used them for livelining pogies. No issues and this is my 2nd year.

The guy I fish with alot has I think a 700 and loves it. Caught everything from bass, small sharks to small tuna (up to 80 lbs). I would upgrade the drags to carbontex- smoothdrag.com and look at Alan tani's site. There's a comment about a maintenance issue.

Thank you guys, this will actually be for a friend who is a beginner, which is one reason I like the levelwind for him. It sounds as if this may be a very good fit for what he needs. He won't be fishing for tuna, really bass and blues. It sounds like the drag could be an issue for heavy use, but it won't get that kind of abuse.

Thanks again...