Thoughts on reels

So I've been contemplating a new reel.. Was curious to hear peoples thoughts on Daiwa Saltist (STTLD 35H) and Avet MXL 5.8.. Any input or experience with either would be greatly appreciated!!  Halibut, bottom fishing, salmon jigging/mooching would be majority of its use..

I've been drooling over those saltists for a while.  I don't have one, but they are really nice.  I don't think you need to go any bigger than the 20 size though.  22 lbs. of drag is plenty for anything you would target from a kayak and you really don't need a ton of line capacity.  The 20 size is also nice and compact.  Open bail reels tend to get pretty bulky if you use bigger sizes.

the Avet is so nice looking, and its an Avet...

I've got the Avet 5.3 SX and I love it. The drag was more than enough for big sturgeon but I mostly use it as my ling/rockfish jigging  reel. It's a sick reel.

I do reel repair in the winter months "off season", so I would suggest you take a look at spare parts for any reels in your arsenal.  Penn parts are ubiquitous but not always the most robust design.  I had some poor experiences with ordering Daiwa parts.  Avets are easy enough to get parts and maintain...they all need maintenance, keep that in mind for the years after your purchase.  And do the maintenance on them so the reels can serve you for many years.  Good Luck.

The penn fathom (I have the 25 left handed), this is after I dropped a good bit more on an avet mxl left handed. 
Used both, the avet may be better as far as internals.   But price, drag, casting (I thought I could do good with the avet), plus its a faster anti - reverse.   Ive got two and probably get another this summer.  Now the avet?  Solid reel, great customer service (I tried something and broke a piece and theh wouldn't let me pay for it). 

My money?  Penn, but I fish lefty and theres not many reasonable options for me.  My big fisb is an 85lb butt, hoping to break that this summer.

I think you have to start with - Do I want a lever drag or not? The Avet is a pretty nice reel and it's made in the USA - which means putting Americans to work. That said, it wouldn't be my first choice for bottom fishing. It might be OK for halibut but bouncing over rocky and undulating terrain would steer me towards a level-wind reel. Either conventional or baitcast style. It just becomes difficult to engage the spool on those lever drag reels and then go back to free spool without getting a total rats nest when your bait touches the bottom when compared to something like a push button level-wind.. There is a learning curve that I don't care to learn for bottom fishing with a lever drag on undulating terrain.. Thumb on the button - drop to bottom - turn crank and engage spool which the Avet reels don't do (by design). When I think Avet, I think trolling, mooching... Just about any decent level-wind will do everything you have listed. I've had my eyes on those Penn Fathom level-winds and I bet they would fit the bill for you.

just think about that buttery smooth avet with that hot gold finish, pushing the lever drag forward on a drag screeming run, putting the brakes on some large denizen of the deep then cranking it up in style.  while supporting American business.  possibly a bald eagle flying overhead.  'murica. 

I have an Avet MXL 5.8 and I barely use it. Maybe they should put an eagle stamped on the side instead of the tuna or whatever is there.

I run a lever drag reel for all my bottom fishing and freaking love it!
I think you will be happier with an MXJ as the narrower spool stacks better and has less twist when you are cranking on it.
Hell the SX will do everything you need out of a kayak. I have a JX and almost never fish it. Just too big.

I have found myself going towards the small strong reels. I don't feel you need level wind or push button if you have a seasoned thumb.
The other bomb proof option that has caught more Washington kayak halibut than any other reel is the Takota 500.

I don't feel you need level wind or push button if you have a seasoned thumb

That's pretty much the clincher. Although seasoned isn't the best description, more like cautious or careful. I just like the simplicity of turning the lever to engage the spool. They are good reels, just not for me in some conditions.

The little Avet SXJ is more than enough capacity if you use braid. I love mine. I also have a Diawa Advantage and wouldn't trade it for anything.

Avet sure is purdy

My go to now is the Tekota 500.. The saltist was on my list because I found a killer deal on the 35 series, $169.  As far as the Avet goes I've always coveted them.  Don't know why as I have yet to use one, but they look so nice and they are made here.  It's funny because I don't think I've ever seen as much one side vs the other when you look into Avets.  Some people absolutely love them and swear by them, others are the complete opposite..

Penn Fathom or Defiance. Then the Okuma Solterra ( level wind lever drag) just remember the Okuma is right hand only.

Love the looks of those Saltists and Avets but Penns selection of lefties keeps growing.