Maxel Hybrid Star Drag Reel

[SplitShot]

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..

[Walleyed]

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.

[kurtisb]

Originally Posted by SplitShot

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..

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.

[MrAC1980]

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.

[Capt. Lou]

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 !!

[Jigman13]

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

[kurtisb]

Originally Posted by Jigman13

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

Maxel is 13 oz, Saltiga is 14.3.

[dannysq]

Just got a maxel. Love them, super durable and strong little reels. I have both maxel and truth, by far prefer my maxel.

[Blackfish Doug]

I own the new Maxel hybrid& I have yet to use it. I also own the Truth & have yet to use it as well. But I do own 3 Saltigas 20,30 & the 50 I fish them hard & never ever failed me at all. I have owned Avets I don't like the lever drag I can't get used to it. But I can see it as a good top water reel but I don't do enough of top water stuff to need one. As far as the weight of the Saltigas they are a little bit heavier then the average reels but my rods are so light it doesn't matter. A good balance if you ask me a little bit of weight on the back of the rod is good. If I was looking into the Saltigas I would look for the older used models they are like the old timex watch's they take a licking & keep on ticking.

[Mike S.]

Originally Posted by Capt. Lou

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 !!

The saltiga is incredible. I adore my 15. However you are spot on with the fathoms. What you are getting for the price is fantastic. I have used my fathom 12 for everything from porgy to pollock in 300ft of water. Great reel by Penn.