Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

Any thoughts on this one? Got a lot of suggestions to go with star drag over lever drag for first conventional reel and this one seems like you get a lot for the money. Thanks in advance

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

What are you fishing for...hard to recommend tackle without knowing the target.

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

Sry, deep water fluke, tog, anything deep vertical jigging. People on here have told me to stay away from lever drag if I'm just getting into conventional gear and that lever drag is over kill for anything inshore or even nearshore on the east coast. Have a healthy budget which is a good thing and I do really like the lifetime warranty that Truth reels offers and made in the USA, starting to lean toward them over Maxel. May have just answered my own question :D

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

I personally prefer lever drags and no level winds. Avet SX is a fine reel. Send it in every two years for $49 and two weeks later you get your reel back rebuilt. I love em. Have two sx's and one mx

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

Check out the Saltiga... got one for blackfishing in the fall and love it.... also have Avet's and have had no problem with them either..:D

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

I love lever drags, but for bottom fishing, I'll take a star drag any day.

If money was not object and I was looking for a reel specific to what you just described, I'd being getting a Daiwa Saltiga Star Drag 15H. Has a spool lock, hi-speed gear ratio...this reel makes me sweaty.

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

I agree. I have a Saltiga and the Hybrid. The Hybrid is okay, but wish I would have bought a second Saltiga instead.

One thing I don't like about the Hybrid is if you accidentally engage the drag while line is going out, the gears make a very loud grinding noise until they engage. It is fairly easy to do since it only takes 1/8 of a turn on the handle. I hope there is no damage being done. It scares the crap out of me every time it happens.

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

Some people have a love/hate relationship with Lever Drags. They take some getting used to, and you have to know how to set the drag properly or you'll tear up some pinion bearings in the process. All the above reels are great, but if money is no object, I too suggest the new Daiwa Saltiga 15. Either the US high speed H or the Japanese low gear ratio are both good. Will most likely be the last reel you purchase for long time to come. Call around for the 15H as many shops are still offering show discount pricing and you shouldn't have a problem getting it for well under $350.

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

Funny thing I own all those reels, not fished the Maxel yet since just purchased for inshore use .
I to believe the Saltiga to be a quality reel &'probably best in it's class ! That being said I bought Penn Fathoms several years ago & used them on many bottom trips over the years primarily cod , sea bass etc. This reel has performed flawlessly to date , I have a pair , but if their other models perform as well, money well spent, or saved I should say !!

Re: Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel
 

I guess the rod you plan on using matters too. How do the maxel and saltiga compare in regards to weight?