I am in the market for a bottom fishing reel and have realized there are quite a few out there. I don’t want to spend more than $300 on the reel. So far I am considering the Avet HX 4.2, Penn 113, and Penn Fathom. Any others I should consider? What would y’all consider the minimum drag required to pull a grouper off the bottom?
If your max budget is $300.00, then you will want a Penn 113HN Baja special with 300yds of solid 80lb spectra and a short topshot of 100lb mono.
20lbs of drag will get most fish.
A grouper over 20lbs over gnarly bottom will take more like 30+ lbs drag to keep out of the rocks.
A little known/understood trick to use is to NOT fill your reel all the way up with line. It will put out more drag pressure and have a taller gear ratio then (more torque).
This is why I recommended 300yds of 80lb braid on the 113HN with only about 15ft of 100lb topshot mono. This will be about 2/3 full on the spool. You do not need more line that that for our fishery in 40-300ft (for the grouper you mentioned). I would recommend the same thing for an HX4.2, which would be better suited for snapper and finesse grouper fishing because of how the drag is more usable and smooth throughout its range. The 113HN will put out more max lock down drag, however.
Oil the clicker and back the drag all the way off after each trip, or else they’ll seize up. You also will need to replace the anti reverse dogs every so often as yo-yo’ing the reels (dropping to the bottom and taking them in and out of gear as the spool’s still turning) will wear them out. These reels used to sell for 179.99, but Penn decided to be more proud of them lately for some reason…
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Luke 8:22-25
I felt it necessary to also mention two reels that are just barely outside your price range but well worth the money- if you want to try them.
Accurate Fury 600NN, 600N or 600 (310 msrp) and the Release LG (400.00 msrp).
Both are American made. The 600NN is an extra narrow frame, and the 600N is a little wider- about the same width as the 113HN. A 600 is a standard width- about the same width as a standard 113H senator or the HX4.2, and the Release LG is a bit wider than all the above. The Release LG is significantly stronger, and lighter, but it’s wider body may not be as comfortable as say, the 600NN, for bottom fishing.
Any of the accurates come in models with X in them also, and they are high speeds. I would go with the standard speeds, which are 4:1. Fill the 600NN or 600N all the way up. When you drop down to 150ft, you’ll have dropped the spool level enough to give you that stronger drag power when needed.
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Luke 8:22-25
Thanks for the info, Phin! I am leaning towards the Penn 113HN. Think I will swing by Haddrell’s to see how some of these reels look and feel before pulling the trigger though. I am tired of using big Penn 6/0’s all day. They get the job done, but it will wear you out! Hoping to also use this reel to rip big sheeps out from pilings this year too.
A grouper reel is a little different from a sheepie reel…
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
I have an Accurate Boss Fury 600N with 80 metered braid I’d let go of. It looks and works like its brand new and it just got back from Accurate to have the antireverse bearing installed. It’s an awesome reel, I just don’t need it and am looking to thin the herd.
quote:
Originally posted by RapchizzleI have an Accurate Boss Fury 600N with 80 metered braid I’d let go of. It looks and works like its brand new and it just got back from Accurate to have the antireverse bearing installed. It’s an awesome reel, I just don’t need it and am looking to thin the herd.
price?
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
bottom fishing = level wind penn 320 gti with 65 or 80 lb braid - same drag as a red penn 113, smaller, lightweight, used by charter boats everywhere, when used with your thumb and the right rod, will beat any bottom fish in SC that’s legal to keep.- I’ve been using them for years and never had a failure and crush the fish with them.
levelwind is very nice bottom fishing.
Fishcrazy,
I have 2 of those Baja Specials that I bought from Phin. .They are mounted on Star Aerial 7’ rods and all spooled up with 80lb Spectra.
$250 each or $450 for both!
NN
07, 23 Key West, Twin 115 Yammys
“Coastal Bound”
Rapchizzle check your pm.
DoubleN-Now I am leaning towards the release SG reel. I do appreciate the offer though!!
23Sailfish-I have never caught a sheepshead over 1 lb around pilings so figured I should be prepared for when that 2 lber bites. But thanks for the advice.
Phin-Have you checked out the release reels? Seems like the prices may still be low due to the company being new. Either way they look like nice reels.
Have done a good bit of commercial fishing in the past when they got picky on the bandits we used the penn 113 on a 7 ft shakespeare tiger stick they worked great in a heavy current could feel the bite
quote:
Originally posted by fishcrazyDoubleN-Now I am leaning towards the release SG reel. I do appreciate the offer though!!
I would advise you trying out a Release SG prior to purchase. With a decent fish on the other end! You may change your mind…
Not trying to talk you into getting mine, just hope you end up happy with your choice.
NN
07, 23 Key West, Twin 115 Yammys
“Coastal Bound”
With the braid and the recent trip to Accurate for the ARB installation, I’ve got $370 invested in the reel. I’ll let it go for $250 shipped to the Phin residence in Summerville, SC. It sure would look good next to all those Raptors…
quote:
Originally posted by Phinquote:
Originally posted by RapchizzleI have an Accurate Boss Fury 600N with 80 metered braid I’d let go of. It looks and works like its brand new and it just got back from Accurate to have the antireverse bearing installed. It’s an awesome reel, I just don’t need it and am looking to thin the herd.
price?
http://www.sustainablefishing.org/
www.joinrfa.com
Luke 8:22-25
i would shy away from the SG for grouper reel. they are light and smooth, but lack the balls when it counts. they could work i guess, but you better get a leather thumb guard so you can add more drag… you will need it.
No love for any spinners? 
“mr keys”
quote:
Originally posted by fishcrazy23Sailfish-I have never caught a sheepshead over 1 lb around pilings so figured I should be prepared for when that 2 lber bites. But thanks for the advice.
The day I see a guy fishing pilings with a Penn 113, I’ll come over and say hello…
Look for me on the flats with my 50 internationals.
Redfish Baron Extraordinaire
Any suggestions on best bent butt set up for the really big sheepheads? I’m talking early spring nearshore reefs of course.
Thanks for all the comments, most anyways. Going to get some pics from Rapchizzle and go from there.
I have a Release SG. I would not use it for grouper fishing.
That’s why I recommended the Release LG.
The SG with 60 or 65lb braid not quite filled up would do fine nearshore and for grouper/snapper under 15lbs probably. I would not want you using it on my boat because of how the big fish always seem to know what rig is underpowered, and that’s the one they’ll bite and rock up!
A 113HN has very little in common with a 113 or 113H, FYI. Totally different pinion, anti-reverse, gear sleeve, gearing and drag systems.
113HN is basically the power and speed of a 114H in a lightweight and smaller/narrower package. A 113HN has an aluminum frame, double anti-reverse dogs, stainless instead of bronze inside and superior drag stack. The pinion also disengages fully from the spool, so you can cast easier and get to the bottom quicker vs an old school 113H.
If you want an in-between for a 113H and 114H that is a little cheaper than a 113HN (but not doubleN’s) then look at a Daiwa Sealine X. They’ve got alum inner frames and a little stronger guts than a 113H.
DoubleN has listed a mighty good price on those combo’s. I used 4 of them for several years and took good care of them before he bought them. It looks like Penn anodized the frame clear instead of black and renamed the model a “US Senator” US-113N here for $250 each. http://www.pennfishing.com/PENN®-US-Senator®/1347900,default,pd.html#start=8
Rap cheese has about as good of a deal as you’ll find on a lever drag reel by itself, if that’s your preference. His reel is very close in specs to the HX4.2 you mentioned. The Fury reels are single drag like Avet’s standard small reels.
I have not ever used a Fury, but I have a bunch of twin drag BX-600’s and other accurates and they’re great reels. The BX-600’s are my main trolling spread, and I will use them to drop down chicken rigs for b-liners and triggers sometimes also. They’ve got 40lb line on them. I also have some BX2-30N’s, etc. that have 65lb and 80lb on them, and they’re do-all’
I’ve rocked plenty of 10-20lb grouper and AJ’s up to 55lbs with the Release SG. I did have them update the anti-reverse on it though.
Edgewater 245cc
17’ Shamrock
Catalina 350