Levelwind or non, what would you choose?

[Stewie]

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.