[Jigman13]

We run all Internationals and Tiagras from 30w to 80w offshore; all 2 sp.

We absolutely SMOKED an Penn 80w last Aug on a #750+ blue marlin. We landed the fish though after almost 2 hours (boatside release). It was a testament of quality. We had to send the reel in to be rebuilt as it was unusable after that fish. The guy at Penn just said "Jesus Christ, what did you do?!" LOL

There's a reason the upper echelon of for-hire offshore captains use Penns and Shimanos. I've also heard some positive things about the Makairas, but I have zero experience using them, and I have a really hard time wandering from things that are tried, trusted and true.

In terms of used or new--all depends on budget. If you can find used its obviously cheaper, but you're buying an unknown that may need to be majorly serviced. During a pandemic, that service could take months at either a private reel place or the manufacturer. Are you buying for this season or next season?

If you buy new, it's ready to fish outta the box--just get it spooled professionally.

We just wont use an Avet trolling offshore. If you want lighter, look into the Talicas. The 25 holds like 750 yards of 80 lb braid and has 45 lbs of drag. That's stopping power. You can turn a #200 eyeball or BFT over with that no problem--at half the weight of a Tiagra 30.