AVET SX Reel

[BingoRB]

I have been using the AVET SX now for two seasons. The first season, the reel didn't last fifteen trips before it needed bearings. When I called the company they said I was cleaning it wrong and should submerge the reel in fresh water rather than spray it down. So throughout year two that is what i did. Now again a year later the reel needs bearings. This time they tell me when I call the company that the bearings should be replaced annually and that the reel is not suitable for blackfishing due to the drag setting that is required to pull the fish out of the wreck. I laughed at the guy when he said this since he said the west coast guys use the reel for tuna. I find it funny to have dumped a hundred bucks into a reel that cost 180. Has anyone else experienced problems with this reel? Have you had any sucess on getting the company to make good on repairing these POS reels? They seem to not want to acknowlege that these reels are faulty and do not hold up.

I have attached a picture of my handle bearing that was replaced "along with the other two internal bearings" at a local AVET dealer. Please feel free to comment both good and bad as I am planning on mailing this dialogue in with my repair.

[EC NEWELLMAN]

Roger, I will put you in contact with a lawyer/fishermen who had similar issues with Avet products that he mailed back to the company.

Needless to say and I am not going to get into the story online, after giving them a 'good talking to', they fixed his reels, and mailed them back at no cost.

I believe the reels were then sold.

[inthebite]

Good reels ,crappy bearings. I had all mine replaced last year with an aftermarket brand (recomended by my reel repair guy). I will try to get the manufacturers info from him. He has some in the field now for a few years with no issues.

[italianfisherman]

my mxl i had problems with couldnt pull a ling up. called them was toll to send it back i did they sent it back & the same problem called again, was toll its not made for strigth up & down fishing.. i sold the reel to someone who new about the reel & will not by another avet. customer serv sucks like the reels..

[fetchdup]

Not trying to defend Avet here. They certainly seem to have issues with their product and their service. That said the Avet is not a good choice for blackfishing. The reel is only designed to deliver nine pounds of drag. For Stripers or Blues this is fine, but not quite what you want when trying to turn the head a large Blackfish. Aside from that, lever drags suck for bottom fishing and the all alluminium construction make this a very high maintanance reel. Fix it up and use it for striper fishing,or better yet sell it.

[Capt Richie]

Yes just dropped $80 into a SX...

The offshore reels are fine..But for some reason the inshore are nothing but problems..

I have the same problems with Shimano Calcutta's...love both the reels but to much $$$ to keep them working..

[EC NEWELLMAN]

My buddy who is a member of the site just came over and again passed along the story. It was six reels, which had bearing issues. Seems when you take them out, and get them wet, you have to literally break down the reels and clean them out.

As he said, and this was from the company, "do not use WD-40 since it takes the lubricant oil they have in the bearings. Place into a bowl of warm water from a minute and then pull out and dry....NO SOAP"....

Since I just spoke to him, I will give you the very short story:

They wanted his credit card number when they called him up, before repairs. He told them "is that how you talk to customers" and refused, then sought a legal remedy since he had a bill which showed they were bought within the last year.

Reels were fixed (bearings replaced), and he will never buy their products again.

Just passing the story along here.

[Seven]

Any aluminum reel is high maintenance in saltwater. I cannot tell you how many Abus and Shimanos I have seen that are completely locked up. Breaking down an Avet takes a minute. Much easier than P Newells, slightly easier than Progears. As far as bearings go, soak em in nail polish remover, take em out and lube them. Do this regularly. Regarding drag, you are screwed. Maybe thumb it. Want a beast, buy a Daiwa 50H.

[Hawkboat]

Want a beast, buy a Daiwa 50H.

Finally someone makes some sence Even a 30 or 40 will do for blackfish. Saltist about 180 new....now Saltiga is the way to go.. cost almost double but smooth as new born babies butt.

[Capt Richie]

Want a beast, buy a Daiwa 50H.

Finally someone makes some sence Even a 30 or 40 will do for blackfish. Saltist about 180 new....now Saltiga is the way to go.. cost almost double but smooth as new born babies butt.

DG20 is all you need for blackfish an at $170 well worth it...