Avet or ?

[Almud]

Typically an Avet fan. Have HX and smaller reels. Makira SEA and Penn VISX recommended by many. Should I listen or look at EX50/2 or T-RX50/2. Want a reel to try for BFT that is bigger than HX Raptor. Avet pricing is very competitive right now.

 

[fyermn]

You may want to look at the Avet EX30. It can handle larger fish than the HX raptor, but it is not as heavy as the EX50.

 

[#WHERESTHEKELPPADDY]

You want to catch BFT on the kite? Or on a. Sportboat?

 

[Almud]

On sportboat. Flatfalls and flyline. Will use the boats kite gear.

 

[aguachico]

50 is a big reel for a sporty and winding flatfalls. It's good for macs and kites. I would use my HXW or a 30 with 100#. Penn and Okuma are nice reels.

 

[hucklongfin]

I use the HXW Raptor for FF'ing for BFT.

 

[DannyNoonan]

Makaira's and Penn VISX's are wonderful reels...

I happen to like Avets quite a bit too - I have over a dozen, and other than a pinion bearing or two encountered while pushing a JX a little too hard, they've been terrific reels...

A Pro30 (EX30) is a solid 100# reel - mine's filled with 80# solid, spliced to 130 hollow, with a topshot of 100# fluoro. An SDS50 (EX50) is a workhorse 130# reel - there's a reason you see many of them on extended long range cow trips...

I'd suggest a Pro30 - plenty of muscle for 200# class BFT. If you thought you'd also be pursuing cow YFT - on the 12+ day long range trips - and, you could only have one of the two reels, I'd suggest the 50 size.

 

[dEDGE]

My entire arsenal consists primarily of Avet reels—HXW all the way down to an MXJ and everything in-between. But for big BFT I have a 20VISX loaded with 100# braid and a short 100# fluoro topshot. The 20 is identical to the 30, only narrower. In my opinion, the VISX is much more capable than an Avet EX. You can also consider the 16VISX, slightly smaller and more manageable. Good luck!

 

[Almud]

Picked up a 20VISX today. Thanks for the input.

 

[FishRock]

The 20 is identical to the 30, only narrower.

SteveO,

One point of correction, the 30 is identical to the 20 only wider.

 

[gettingbentwithbo]

A valiant 800 would be killer for flat falls.

 

[Derby]

I'm an Avet guy....LH not many other options. I have a ton: SX singles to HXW raptors

After HXW Raptor size I'd buy a Penn VISX if they made them lefty.

Sadly Penn doesn't think lefties matter

Don't even bother with Shimano.