Avet SX

[mrfishy]

I'm thinking about getting one of these for drum fishing and casting to mahi ect. I was also wondering if these can hold up to grouper fishing? My saltist gets 9lbs max drag and according to the specs this reel gets 14lbs max at full and 9lbs at strike.(with freespool) What are your overall opinions on these reels?

Thanks for any input
michael

[gradyfish265]

Not sure how big the grouper are that you plan to catch, if they are around 20lbs, they should be fine. I use SX reels for Striped Bass fishing and have put numerous 30-40lb Stripers in the boat with 15lb test. We even messed around one day and played catch and release with some 30-40lb bluefin tuna on the troll using them. Had to thumb the reel a little to stop the fish using 65lb powerpro, but they came to the boat. I also use them when I wreck fish to pull blackfish out of wrecks, but my largest is just over 10lbs, I'm sure your grouper are a little bigger.

[mrfishy]

what kind of rod do you have matched up with it? I was looking yesterday and the thing is so small it looked like it would be tough to get a rod that properly "fits" it.

[gradyfish265]

I have them matched to 2 different pair of rods, 2 SX's are on Crowder Rods. They are ESU7020 7' 15-30 lb rods and cost $120 a piece. For the fishing I do they are great rods, not sure if you might want a rod with more backbone or not. They have heavier rods as well. My other 2 SX reels are matched to custom built rods that cost about $150 each, but are similar in line class and all. The reel will not mount on some rods like St. Crois and Fenwicks, you need the reel seats of larger rods to mount the SX reel, or you will end up paying $15 to buy a new seat mount. Before you buy a rod, place the reel on it. I've fished SX reels on friends boats with heavier rods when blackfishing and they worked great, light weight and very affective. Not sure what type of a rod you are used to, or what is used for grouper fishing. Not sure if guys use big rods that are beefed up, or a thinner rod that is fairly stiff yet light. I guess it really comes down to what you are used to.

[gradyfish265]

I have them matched to 2 different pair of rods, 2 SX's are on Crowder Rods. They are ESU7020 7' 15-30 lb rods and cost $120 a piece. For the fishing I do they are great rods, not sure if you might want a rod with more backbone or not. They have heavier rods as well. My other 2 SX reels are matched to custom built rods that cost about $150 each, but are similar in line class and all. The reel will not mount on some rods like St. Crois and Fenwicks, you need the reel seats of larger rods to mount the SX reel, or you will end up paying $15 to buy a new seat mount. Before you buy a rod, place the reel on it. I've fished SX reels on friends boats with heavier rods when black fishing and they worked great, light weight and very affective. Not sure what type of a rod you are used to, or what is used for drum fishing. Not sure if guys use big rods that are beefed up, or a thinner rod that is fairly stiff yet light. I guess it really comes down to what you are used to. I'm very pleased with the Crowder rods, and for the price they are a lot better then some other big name rods I've owned. As long as the reel has the line capacity you are looking for, then the reel size is not your issue. If you are worried about how it will match to a rod, you may need to fish a thinner rod that is light with a lot of backbone, the Crowder's are that style. Some of the G Loomis rods are that way as well, but at a big price tag, but you may need to find a rod that is similar in style to match well to the reel. Recently, I have become a fan of narrow reels, they tend to wobble less as you reel. Even offshore I do not fish wide's anymore except for 30's. I'm assuming you will probably fish heavier mono or braided lines, this may also determine what type of rod you may want to buy.

[mrfishy]

thanks for all the info Gradyfish, I was thinking about maybe putting it on trevala rod but I'm a big fan of crowder rods. I will definately look into those I'm just torn between getting 1 or 2 of them

Thanks again for all of your help

BTW thats a beautiful grady you have I just saw it in another post

[gradyfish265]

Thanks very much!!! I was torn between buying one or two, now I own 4SX's for inshore...4 pro exw30's...2 50sds's... and a hoo-x for offshore

[austin ensor]

ive got an sx...... i have caught a ft. mako on it!!! drag holds up good

[sunbeammate]

i would still go with the mx. you can do so much more with it.

[gradyfish265]

A high speed JX might also be a nice match, a narrow reel with more capacity then the SX. It fits in well between the SX and MX reel.