Boatless Fishing Forum, Reports, Info

Looking into shark fishing and purchasing a beefy type of reel. Would this type of reel be good for sharks?

950 yards/50 lb test.
50+ lbs of drag

They will work and some people swear by them. I had one and didn't care for it really and sold it.

what was wrong with them?

Manufactoring problems with the bearings and drag pads. Someone here said they fixed the issues byt after Avet was told of the issues I was told we know fix it yourself . After that customer service they will never see another dime from me . Personally I see no need for a 2 speed reel unless you are targeting billfish wahoo or yellowfin tuna. I own several 2 speed reels and only use the high speed to reel in if I am fishing deep and checking my bait. Get a single speed and use the extra money for a nicer rod or fighting belt.

geez thats not good. what reel would be good for a 50w?

For sharks a Tiagra or old International or just go get a 9/0 or 12/0 . The /0 series have been landing sharks since before both of us were born.

Tiagra reels are nice from what ive seen and heard. And where can i find old internationals?

Ebay, craigslist, keep an eye on the Florida Sportsman classifieds, you can find some great deals there too.

im looking on craigslist and the penns look relatively new. Do u know specific models i would be looking for?

Go with a big senator! Ive seen the internationals and tiagras get stripped so many times. Sure they have more drag than a senator but you cant hold on to much more than 35 pounds of drag which both of my 14/0's can get for half the price of a 50w. Oh yeah and i get double the line capacity.

Alright ill look around for some 12/0 or 14/0's.

Thanks!

You cannot compare a 14/0 to a 50W. The 14/0 is much large size and of course holds more line. My 80W holds more line then my 50W.

snookabuser wrote:Alright ill look around for some 12/0 or 14/0's.

Thanks!

You need to do more research before you decide to buy a 14/0. If you feel it fits your fishing application and your budget then go for it. Not because someone gave you misleading information on other reel brand. Go to 360tuna.com or bloodydecks.com forums.

I want an avet or more like an international but not sure if there really ment for sharks. A 12/0 would be fine if anything but really looking for smething more advanced.

Several things I look for in a reel. Drag, designed of the reel frame and spool, ergonomics, and line capacity. Notice the order of importance of the reel. If the reel meet these criteria then they will work fine.

bolo wrote:Several things I look for in a reel. Drag, designed of the reel frame and spool, ergonomics, and line capacity. Notice the order of importance of the reel. If the reel meet these criteria then they will work fine.

I did some research on the avet 50 wide i mentioned above (Avet EXW 50/2 Two Speed Reel). it has great line capacity (950 yards of 50 lb) in my opinion. great drag with 50 lbs of drag at strike and 57 lbs at full. The actual reel is made from 100% precision machined, type 2 anodized. it has a one piece aluminum rigid frame. It truly seems like a workhorse. Holds a little less line that a 12/0 basically. Meets the criteria of what im looking for in a reel.

Where are you going to be shark fishing? 50 lb mono is way too light IMO, I would never shark fish with less then 80, and 130 on the bigger reels.

now this is on my Avet T-RX 50W but i have 130lb powerpro with a 120lb mono topshot....my rod has extra large guides to allow the knot to roll through. I would recommend on Avet 50 pro EX that you put at least 80lb power pro backing with 100lb topshot of mono. On occasion where we fish near rocks we tie about a 15-20ft 400lb mono leader to our wire leader to help against abrasion.

Bolo does have a point about the gold reels having more of high tech drag and much stronger drag, but you cant hold on to that much drag you would only be able to hold what a 12/0 or a 14/0 max drag. plus sharks put a beating on reels and the senator is much cheaper to fix.

PhishingPhanatic wrote:Where are you going to be shark fishing? 50 lb mono is way too light IMO, I would never shark fish with less then 80, and 130 on the bigger reels.

From the beach in south florida I live in Coral Springs so the nearest beach maybe on Commercial would be ideal. And what if i took of some of the 50 and put on like a 100 lb topshot?

Get-em-wet wrote:

now this is on my Avet T-RX 50W but i have 130lb powerpro with a 120lb mono topshot....my rod has extra large guides to allow the knot to roll through. I would recommend on Avet 50 pro EX that you put at least 80lb power pro backing with 100lb topshot of mono. On occasion where we fish near rocks we tie about a 15-20ft 400lb mono leader to our wire leader to help against abrasion.

Yea, about that. Im only 15 and dont have a job or lots of income. Going to save up for a few months till my birthday when my parents can help me pay for it. the t-rx are great reels and run about $800 + new, a LITTLE out of my price range

I just looked at the t-rx and it holds the same line as the Avet 50 exw. Should i get the same setup ? and would it be just as good. The t-rx has AMAZING drag but i wouldnt need more than 30 or 40 i assume.

sharkreleaser26 wrote:Bolo does have a point about the gold reels having more of high tech drag and much stronger drag, but you cant hold on to that much drag you would only be able to hold what a 12/0 or a 14/0 max drag. plus sharks put a beating on reels and the senator is much cheaper to fix.

If i cant find anything perfect in a few months im going to end up just getting a 12/0 senator.

Get-em-wet wrote:

now this is on my Avet T-RX 50W but i have 130lb powerpro with a 120lb mono topshot....my rod has extra large guides to allow the knot to roll through. I would recommend on Avet 50 pro EX that you put at least 80lb power pro backing with 100lb topshot of mono. On occasion where we fish near rocks we tie about a 15-20ft 400lb mono leader to our wire leader to help against abrasion.

Bridge fishing for sharks is a bit different on mono and braid set up. But for the beach Get-em-wet is on the money.

We all know you can only apply 30-35lb of pressure with a fight harness. Anymore you will have to be strap to a fighting chair. However, drag material is essential, this keeps your drag from seizing or locking up. Carbon material is what most high end reel manufacture use. High coefficient and no fading what so ever. Accurate uses twin disc drag system. This applies pressure on both side of the spool. Keeping the drag from heating up and also even surface pressure. The reel frame and spool is also important. When you are fighting a big fish you do not want your reel frame to twist or spread. This will affect the performance of the reel. Last, the way the reel feels in your hands when you are fighting a big fish. When you are battling it out in the hot sun for over an hour the last thing you want is cranking fatigue due to poor reel design.

I feel ya bro im only 17. Thats another reason why you shouldnt get a reel with that much drag.

I do always with with atleast one other friend. if i ever get tired i can hand it over or get some help.

bolo wrote:

Get-em-wet wrote:

now this is on my Avet T-RX 50W but i have 130lb powerpro with a 120lb mono topshot....my rod has extra large guides to allow the knot to roll through. I would recommend on Avet 50 pro EX that you put at least 80lb power pro backing with 100lb topshot of mono. On occasion where we fish near rocks we tie about a 15-20ft 400lb mono leader to our wire leader to help against abrasion.

Bridge fishing for sharks is a bit different on mono and braid set up. But for the beach Get-em-wet is on the money.

We all know you can only apply 30-35lb of pressure with a fight harness. Anymore you will have to be strap to a fighting chair. However, drag material is essential, this keeps your drag from seizing or locking up. Carbon material is what most high end reel manufacture use. High coefficient and no fading what so ever. Accurate uses twin disc drag system. This applies pressure on both side of the spool. Keeping the drag from heating up and also even surface pressure. The reel frame and spool is also important. When you are fighting a big fish you do not want your reel frame to twist or spread. This will affect the performance of the reel. Last, the way the reel feels in your hands when you are fighting a big fish. When you are battling it out in the hot sun for over an hour the last thing you want is cranking fatigue due to poor reel design.

The drag on the avet has dual caliper drag washers with titanium brake disk.
and also Handle knob with oversized grip. Seems like it would be a comfortable grip when fighting tha big one

snookabuser wrote:

sharkreleaser26 wrote:Bolo does have a point about the gold reels having more of high tech drag and much stronger drag, but you cant hold on to that much drag you would only be able to hold what a 12/0 or a 14/0 max drag. plus sharks put a beating on reels and the senator is much cheaper to fix.

If i cant find anything perfect in a few months im going to end up just getting a 12/0 senator.

i'm not telling you to get the t-rx...i'm just telling you what i have...the Pro EX is a great reel...will be able to handle almost any shark put out there...I just wanted to go big and be able to get my catch in as fast as possible...50+ lbs of drag is a substantial amount of drag...i'll probably never use 100+lbs of drag without tying myself to to a tree first.

just make sure if you do get the EX 50W that you get line yardage...most likely you are going to have to get Braid with a topshot of mono to offset the line capacity.

Get-em-wet wrote:

snookabuser wrote:

sharkreleaser26 wrote:Bolo does have a point about the gold reels having more of high tech drag and much stronger drag, but you cant hold on to that much drag you would only be able to hold what a 12/0 or a 14/0 max drag. plus sharks put a beating on reels and the senator is much cheaper to fix.

If i cant find anything perfect in a few months im going to end up just getting a 12/0 senator.

i'm not telling you to get the t-rx...i'm just telling you what i have...the Pro EX is a great reel...will be able to handle almost any shark put out there...I just wanted to go big and be able to get my catch in as fast as possible...50+ lbs of drag is a substantial amount of drag...i'll probably never use 100+lbs of drag without tying myself to to a tree first.

The avet 50 wide exw looks like the runner up

In the end people have shared their opinions and knowledge on the subject . You will never get everyone to agree on one reel. Arm yourself with the information posted here and the information you research and make the best purchase for you . Best of luck with your new reel no matter what it is .

fishnfool73 wrote:In the end people have shared their opinions and knowledge on the subject . You will never get everyone to agree on one reel. Arm yourself with the information posted here and the information you research and make the best purchase for you . Best of luck with your new reel no matter what it is .

thanks a lot man!