I need to know the Pro's and Con's of each reel Ie: drag specs, beach Durability, and which one is truely better? Also, I'm need to know whether I should stick out and try to find an unlimited gator, or if I should just buy an 80-130.
The 80 130 are good they can handle a lot of sharks around bridges just fine they're ok on the beach when sitting in the sand too, as for the unlimited personally you need to have experience to work that stick correctly and hope your one tough s o b when you hook the big one on that rod, not good for the beach, I'll let someone else chime in on the reels
i've bowed up on one a couple times and it was a stiff sob i think it was cut too...
get an 80-130. you want the rod to actually bend. 
the more flex you have in a rod, while still having a stiff backbone, the less work you will be doing to fight the fish.
both reels seem to hold up well. i dont like the clicker on the everols. very quiet and i've never heard a duel.
what size reel are you looking at? the 12/0? or 14/0? unless your fishing in tight structure like bridges or within 100yards of some gnarly reefs, you wont ever need to run more than 35-40lbs of drag, especially with the amount of line the reels can hold now days with braid backing. go watch vids of all the guys pushing reels to the max, using 60-100lbs of drag on land based sharks. they either winch them in or pull the hooks/break knots on monsters when the spool is clearly more than 3/4 full.
The more I keep looking a senator is looking more and more better.
The more I keep looking a senator is looking more and more better.
12/0 senator is a great universal reel IMO. i've caught plenty of sharks on mine and several in the 8-9ft range without a hiccup. it hardly worked for those fish.
spool it up with 800yards of 130lb hollow core and splice in 80-100lb topshot. I recently got an 80w and set up a 130lb class setup, but its sole purpose is soaking 10-15lbs of ray off the beach or targeting Mako and Tuna. I can only hope something gives it a run for its money off the beach.
I've heard great things about the avets how does it hold up on the beaches?
not sure. talk to CatchinJiants and Barret rods. they like the avets and probably fish them harder than anyone else here.. I have an Okuma Makaira. so far so good. but i haven't dunked it or dropped it in the sand ... yet. Josh (blacktipH) has had his for quite some time and seems to like it more than the avets.
But as far as price goes, I wouldn't use a Makira on the beach!
i would choose an 18/0 everol over a 12/0 W duel......but if the everol is smaller than 18/0 i would choose the duel................remember a world record wont count on a duel......somebody told me that
But as far as price goes, I wouldn't use a Makira on the beach!
not sure what you mean. the Avet Pro 80W and Makaira 80Wii are ver close in price and you'll spend twice as much on an everol. you can get a 14/0 Senator if you really want a larger reel but not spend over $600...
I get an awesome discount on 80w avets.... But I think a senator might be the winning choice, because I can do maintenance on it fairly easy. I used to work at shop. I got over 30lbs of drag on my 4/0 I wonder how much I can get on a 14/0. I'll gladly tell you guys how if you want to pm me, I'd rather not leave it or random guests gotta be a member! I figured this out on my own, well with the help of working on other reels. Btw got the idea from a spinning reel
i would choose an 18/0 everol over a 12/0 W duel......but if the everol is smaller than 18/0 i would choose the duel................remember a world record wont count on a duel......somebody told me that
I used to think the same thing, but after some research and talking to some of the marlin tournament guys I found out that world records are legal with the duels.
Just an average fisherman.
i would choose an 18/0 everol over a 12/0 W duel......but if the everol is smaller than 18/0 i would choose the duel................remember a world record wont count on a duel......somebody told me that
I used to think the same thing, but after some research and talking to some of the marlin tournament guys I found out that world records are legal with the duels.
it make sense.....they are reels just like any others
what was the controversy over the duels?
Chank, if you get a good discount on the avets then go with an avet. i thought you were set on an everol or duel. both in the $1500-$2000 range depending what you get.
i have no desire to get 30lbs of drag on a 4/0. that reel is not meant to do that. a 6/0 with alum. frame maybe. but still a lot for a small reel.