Avet MX-L Raptor Line Suggestions

[BobbyTee]

Hi All,

Brand new here... and just ordered my very first conventional reel today. MX-L Raptor. I am very excited and can't wait to use it!

I plan on using it to cast from shore or surf or pier. Will be mostly for bottom fishing sharks, rays, big reds, etc...

I was considering putting 300 yards of 50# KastKing braid then whatever left with 20# or 25# or 30# mono... Does that sound like it would be a good match? I'm concerned that 20 might be too light for what I'm trying to do.

The Topshot mono will be replaced with heavier mono (maybe 40 or 50#) if I'm taking it offshore...

Advice greatly appreciated.
Bobby

 

[SSUfish]

20, 25, 30 is very fishable with the MXL. If you got the Raptor...it can handle much heavier line without issue. I fish mine with 40lb and have never had an issue. With drag rated at 21lbs strike, 31lbs max...you could fish much, much heavier.

 

[SouthBayKiller]

Mine has 300+ yards of 65lb braid and is usually got 40lb mono on it. It can handle heavier line, but the gearing maxes out at 40 or maybe 50 for me. I took a 75lb yellowfin on 40 on it on a private boat (no rail) and it was a bitch, but it worked.

 

[BobbyTee]

Awesome, thanks for the responses...

I'd like something as heavy as 40lb mono topshot, I'm just worried about the castability... Like I said, this is my very first conventional reel. All my others are baitcasters or spinning. So I have no idea how well this thing casts.

I'll be mostly using it for pier and surf and just every once in a blue moon going offshore.

So I'm more concerned about casting distance primarily. Would 40lb mono topshot hinder my casting a lot? Should I settle for 30lb or even 25lb?

Yea, I got the Raptor model... the extra $50 or $100 doesn't make much of a difference for me at this point in my life and I wanted to make sure I don't regret my decision and wish I got the "better" model.

 

[Baller]

Castability is fine with that reel, but you will need to practice. I use one for surface iron fishing. I practice atleast once a week to keep my skills sharp.

 

[AKSalmon]

All Raptors have Magic Cast which means that casting without backlashes is a breeze. And like all Avets, that reel has excellent free spool. I suspect you'll be amazed how easy it is to cast -- and how far.

 

[BobbyTee]

right on! I can't wait! I heard nothing but amazing stuff about Avet reels!

I think I'll do 50# or 65# braid backing of like 300 yds then 30# mono...

I think that'll be good for most everything biting from surf or pier in Gulf of Mexico...

Does that sound about right?

 

[BobbyTee]

Also, any brand recommendations for monofilament topshot?

 

[AKSalmon]

As for the mono top shot, I like something soft to make casting a bit easier; others like something with lots of abrasion resistance. Your best bet is to go to a sporting goods store and feel a couple brands. That said, you can't go wrong with Trilene Big Game which is also cheap for a name brand mono.

 

[Lundalakan]

I'd go with 65 spectra.

 

[BobbyTee]

sounds like 65 spectra and Trilene Big Game 30# it is.

 

[Paparockcal]

I used to live in Bayou Vista, in one of the stilt houses but now I'm out in Canyon Country north of Los Angles. I'm just trying to get back into saltwater fishing West Coast style but I fished off Galston many many years. You have one of the reels I am currently looking to buy myself and have made an excellent choice for the money. I learned to cast with a lot less capable reel! You will do fine with as others have said if you practice. I started of in my big back yard, then a park, and then if nothing else the jetties. Take your time and don't try to power cast but easy your way into casting for distance. It will come with patience and practice. Remember you are only competing with yourself and everyone started off with short casts. Your learning curve will increase quickly. Bird nests are never fun to pick out. Good luck and great fishing in my old home waters!!!

 

[Jimmieridge]

Make sure you have enough mono to cover the length of your cast. Picking backsashes out of mono is not fun but backlashes in braid is impossible. That reel is also excellent for snappers offshore as well. 30 lb mono will get more bites and hold bottom better than the 60 lb most headboats use.

 

[ATA22]

Hi All,

Brand new here... and just ordered my very first conventional reel today. MX-L Raptor. I am very excited and can't wait to use it!

I plan on using it to cast from shore or surf or pier. Will be mostly for bottom fishing sharks, rays, big reds, etc...

I was considering putting 300 yards of 50# KastKing braid then whatever left with 20# or 25# or 30# mono... Does that sound like it would be a good match? I'm concerned that 20 might be too light for what I'm trying to do.

The Topshot mono will be replaced with heavier mono (maybe 40 or 50#) if I'm taking it offshore...

Advice greatly appreciated.
Bobby

It is a good match, In my case I have 400 plus 50lb braid with short 10 yards of 40lb test.

 

[Tunahead]

I fish 20 or 25 Izorline XXX top/65lb braid
on my MXL on a Calstar 700ML. Great reel!