Buy the best rods and reels you can..

Small lever drag reels are SWEET!

 The only Avet I own is on my deep water halibut rig. After trying to fish in 300 plus FOW it is no fun. So the JX doesn't get used often.

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I've never regretted my investments in quality rods and reels.  I'd say the extra $ spent will almost always come back to you in more seasons of service, more hooked and less lost fish, and just overall greater fishing enjoyment.

After trying to fish in 300 plus FOW it is no fun. So the JX doesn't get used often.

Why is it no fun?  After tangling with many a fish in over 200 feet of water, I'm not sure what issue you're describing.

Wanna sell you JX?   

-Allen

I've had an Abu Garcia reel for over 25 years and it's never failed.  It's been gone through at Ollie Damon's twice, but is still my favorite reel.  Fresh and salt water, and am looking forward to another season with it this year.  Been considering a new RVO TORO NaCl60 to replace the latest saltwater casualty, a Cabela's saltstriker (which lasted one season).  Time will tell...

What happened with the Saltstriker? I was thinking of picking one up this week while they are on sale. Seems like they have good reviews. Is this the one you had?

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Bargain-Cave/Fishing/Reels%7C/pc/105591780/c/105740280/sc/105742980/Cabelas-Salt-Strikerreg-Spinning-Reels/728574.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fbargain-cave-fishing-reels%2F_%2FN-1102770%2FNs-CATEGORY_SEQ_105742980%3FWTz_l%3DSBC%253Bcat105591780%253Bcat105740280&WTz_l=SBC%3Bcat105591780%3Bcat105740280%3Bcat105742980

Merz,
I had 4 of them and have had no issues. It looks like they do not have all the sizes they used to have. The SS-65 is at the bottom of the Columbia .  I used it all the time for sturgeon.  I have used both the 40 and 30 on the salt and the 30 is currently on my steelhead rod.  The 30 gets a lot of use bass fishing, too. I have a 50 as well, but have not used it much.

I've had a Zebco Cardinal 6 since the '70's. It's my favorite spinning reel. Been in the shop once in that time, still casts great & caught lots of fish. I'm looking for a backup that can compare with this one on the salt. Any suggestions?

I've had a Zebco Cardinal 6 since the '70's. It's my favorite spinning reel. Been in the shop once in that time, still casts great & caught lots of fish. I'm looking for a backup that can compare with this one on the salt. Any suggestions?

I love seeing vintage gear well used like that. The fish juju on that reel with close to 40 year of catching fish on it must be off the charts.

It is a left hand 6.0 single speed.
It is the heavy weight and long retrieve that suck. 

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It is a left hand

There's your first problem!   

6.0 single speed.

And there is your second.

I don't understand high speed reels for Northwest salt water apps.

-Allen

It is a left hand

There's your first problem!   

6.0 single speed.

And there is your second.

I don't understand high speed reels for Northwest salt water apps.

-Allen

I bought it as a back up for me and primary for a buddy who is a lefty. I got a good deal on it so if I decided to unload it wont be to tough.
As long as I keep my weight under 20 oz or so the Talica does just fine and it is loaded with 500 yards of 50 so I think I'm covered.

It seems that most of the wiz bang pretty reels that keep following me home are high speed reels.
We'll see how the Trini 16NA preforms this year.

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That reel just looks cool.  I'm just not impressed with bling.

If you don't consider red anodized billet aluminum bling then I'm not sure what bling is .....
The nice thing about most of the high end reels is that they preform amazingly!

....also I'm glad the industry doesn't need to make all their high end reels gold. Though the white handle on the new trinis are a little over the top.

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Not if you have white sunglasses and a white G-Shock to match it, bro.

Not if you have white sunglasses and a white G-Shock to match it, bro.

LMAO

I do love my white Costas. Though mostly because they have great glass.

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Really can't beat Costa del Mar

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