Im looking for a jigging and bottom bouncing reel for grouper, snapper, triggers etc. i was thinking about the jx but i was wondering about the light drag on that reel. Is it too light for grouper/snapper? any help will be appreciated! 
I’ve got the HX5/2 that I got from Phin and a big fan. The avers are quality reels and I would definitely recommend them. Solid construction, good quality materials and they’ll take some serious abuse.
What do you use it for?
Bottom fishing, jigging, sharking, light trolling, all of the above.
If it is going to be for jigging, Avet is not the best choice. It does not have an A/R bearing in the shaft. That makes for a lot of slop and back slap while jigging. It will bind in free spool as well if you go over rated drag settings. Otherwise, one of the best all around reels.
courtland what reel would you suggest for jigging?
Accurate
While it would be nice to have an accurate or another dedicated jigging reel, I like my Makaira10. Okuma did a good thing when they incorporated Tiburon engineering to their line-up.
quote:
Originally posted by Rhotchkicourtland what reel would you suggest for jigging?
You will get more for your money initially in a spinning reel. I am liking the new Saragosa. IMO, you are not going to get a good conventional jigging reel until you get around $400.
I will reiterate. The Avet is likely the best reel at it’s price point. Just not the best jigger.
How much you want to spend?
quote:
Originally posted by CourtlandIf it is going to be for jigging, Avet is not the best choice. It does not have an A/R bearing in the shaft. That makes for a lot of slop and back slap while jigging. It will bind in free spool as well if you go over rated drag settings. Otherwise, one of the best all around reels.
The catch here is that the OP is asking about a grouper reel as well as a jigging reel. The grouper aspect begs for strength while the jigging aspect begs for comfort.
Avet’s system lacking one-way bearings also makes for an anti-reverse system that doesn’t catastrophically fail on a fisherman even if a reel is abused and not cleaned or cared for properly. Accurate has left the one-way bearing system behind and gone to dogs as well. Shimanos and Accurates’ bearing systems for their anti-reverses blow out at high pressure, especially if there’s a little contamination from corrosion or dirt. When I say high pressure, I’m talking about over 30lbs of shock at a particular time during fishing. Ideally, you would put a stack of the bearings in the reel and seal each side with X rings AND put a dog system in there as a back up.
When will someone come up with a way to add one or the other system to whichever reel?
I have Accurates, Alutecnos Gorilas, and Avets. Each has their place. The strongest are the Avet raptors, and they’re what I want for grouper. For vertical jigging, I want the others though. Instant anti-reverse is more comfortable for jigging, but it is a liability for grouper fishing IMO.
You can load a standard JX or HX only 2/3 full of line and have higher drag than the company lists for the reels with full spools of line. I recommend those reels to people trying not to spend over 400 bucks on their setups.
The JX is good for only 19lbs of pressure
The mak 10ii is my go to for any bottom fishing and accurate 500n for jigging (conv). I have never tested the avet raptors, but the proof is with the pics posted on this site. I am new to the cf boards, but as you build the arsenal - add a different setup for the style of fishing. I am use terez/gosa 6000 for jig/cast, accurate/BH for vert jig, and mak 10 for bottom. They all work great for the application.
The new Saragosa is a beautiful reel. Not to mention fully sealed. I have even heard it compared to a Van Staal. Matched up with a Trevala, 44lbs of drag in the 20000 an 25000 models.
experience noun \ik-#712;spir–#601;n(t)s
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the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation
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that thing you get just moments after you needed it.
I looked at the saragosa and it is a very nice reel but can i bottom fish with it? what are yall’s thoughts on the shimano talica 16?
Of course you could bottom fish with it. The 20000 feels great on the heavier Trevala. The Talica has a really high gearing and picks up a ton of line. I haven’t ever seen the 16 just the 20.
experience noun \ik-#712;spir–#601;n(t)s
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the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation
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that thing you get just moments after you needed it.
Saragosa and Talicas make great vertical jigging reels.
The new gosa and stellas incorporate X ring seals like Van Staals always have I believe. Great upgrade over older models.
www.scmarine.org
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Luke 8:22-25
I had an avet hxj 5/3 two speed on an oti fathom blade rod… HATED IT as a matter of fact i hated the entire setup…
If jigging i much prefer spinning. I just bought the new saragosa 8000 sw from courtland I have 50lb braid on it. I live trevala’s because they are priced fair and have a great over the counter warranty. Its currently on a tfs58xh trevala but i am going to either put it on a star jigging or tvs66mh trevala that i shortened 6 inches.
For bottom i have four avet hx 4.2’s and they have been great bottom rigs the tld 30’s are always rigged backup and also have a torsa 16 on tvc66h rod that is longer than i like for jigging but is an awesome bottom fishing and heavy jig setup. Cant wait to try it
i think the accurate 400 is an awesome jigging reel… Also the release small game looks like it might work in the sub $300 range
I have an 8 and 10k Stella on a couple of jigging rods and love em. Hooked on that jigging for sure, even when we have live bait I can’t get myself to quit jigging.
Have an 8k Saragosa on another light jigging rod I use for dropper rigs.
I really like using spinning gear myself and so far,so good. I certainly don’t have the resume that folk’s like Phin, Courtland or others on here have tho. Yet:smiley:
!
NN
07, 23 Key West, Twin 115 Yammys
“Coastal Bound”
As evidenced by the various posts, everyone has a little different take on things. If you are in the Hilton Head area my shop will loan out gear to those seriously inquiring about buying. There is no better way than actually using it.
Whether personally or shop owned, you can try just about anything from Shimano, Diawa, Avet, Accurate, Penn, etc… Just stop by and talk to Josh, tell him I said so.
One of the reasons I recently got my charter license was so we could offer on the water tackle demo’s. We will do open boat trips for 3 people with all of the mid to high end gear you would want, on the boat, ready to fish. A portion of the charter fee will be useable as a credit towards the purchase of the products within a specific period of time. These could be nearshore wrecks, 100’ bottom fishing or offshore casting and jigging. All depends on what Mother Nature gives us, which isn’t much lately.
quote:
Originally posted by CourtlandAs evidenced by the various posts, everyone has a little different take on things. If you are in the Hilton Head area my shop will loan out gear to those seriously inquiring about buying. There is no better way than actually using it.
Whether personally or shop owned, you can try just about anything from Shimano, Diawa, Avet, Accurate, Penn, etc… Just stop by and talk to Josh, tell him I said so.
One of the reasons I recently got my charter license was so we could offer on the water tackle demo’s. We will do open boat trips for 3 people with all of the mid to high end gear you would want, on the boat, ready to fish. A portion of the charter fee will be useable as a credit towards the purchase of the products within a specific period of time. These could be nearshore wrecks, 100’ bottom fishing or offshore casting and jigging. All depends on what Mother Nature gives us, which isn’t much lately.
Talk about service! If I ever buy high end reels, I know who I’m going to.
Agree, that’s a first class and very unique service 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose