Trying to figure out what lever drag to buy and why. I read a lot of people are going for the Avets and also the Everols. Is there anything wrong with Penns? Just trying to make a WELL educated purchase for my next purchase. lol
Oh, and thinking of going for a 80w sized reel. Should I shoot for a 130 class reel?
Thanks
Avet 80w is the best shark fishing investment i've ever made. Worth every penny with the 2 speed, line capacity, and heavy drag. Makes everything so much easier. If you have the money, obviously go for the 130w!!!
Love my Avets, nothing wrong with the internationals, but Avet is a hundred bucks cheaper, which you can put into the braid to match the capacity of the huge senators.
If you have the money go for 130, you'll have a hard time finding a fish that it can't handle.
I am an everol owner (4/0, 6/0w, 9/0 and 12/0) and absolutely love them. However, the price on a new Avet is hard to beat. If you are set on new then go Avet, if you dont mind used id go everol. Both are more than capable of landing monster fish and I see them as much better than the internationals (my opinion). The biggest reason i like everols above other leverdrags is their drag system, u dont have to preset strike and full. You have every lb of drag at your choosing at anytime. I prefer to ease into drag pressure as opposed to slamming it on a fish. But if you like the strike position idea. there is a simple metal slider u can set for a strike position. Best of both worlds
if u wanna spend big bucks go accurate 130 
Definitely don't have the money for a $2000 reel. 
But do have a little to spare on a good setup. I'm not set on something new, but I do want something close to new.
Everols sound awesome, but they tend to be pricey, hard to find, and not knowing how easy it would be to get worked on if something breaks.
I like the Avets, but unless buying new, hard to find in my area, and again not knowing about getting them repaired if something breaks.
Penns seem to be plentiful, and seems like all tackle shops work on and know the internationals. Also wold imagine parts would be easier to find? But I don't know for sure because I have no first hand experience with large reels.
Tiagras?? Eh... whatever. lol
If a shop can work on an international there shouldnt be an issue working on avets or everols. But to be honest ive fished my everols since late 2008 and have replaced one part on my 12/0, thats it. I hooked a boat with a 225 merc and almost got pulled off the pier. Well i was unable to turn the clicker off and i thought i burnt the whole assembly. Actually after removing a small screw thats located on the clicker twist knob, theres a small spring that sits on a metal bar that goes in the reel. It burnt up the spring a little (disintegrated about 2mms of it). it still worked after adjusting but didnt put enough pressure to make the clicker really loud. I took an old penn spring from a pile of parts i have and its as good as new. So, what im saying is if you need a reel that you plan on fixing, get an international and get ur checkbook ready.
Lol, ok. I didn't know if one was more difficult to get parts for, or just to work on for that matter.
The only reason I was/am leaning toward the Penns, is because I've never heard anything bad about them. But that's why I asked the question I did. I have little experience with these reels and want to make an educated purchase.
Everols do sound awesome though!
Hit up ebay and get a avet 50w trx put braid on it and your set those reels put out a 100lbs of drag if u wabt them too and not high maintenance really good reels
if you are interested in an avet 50w trx my friend dan aka DanTheMan is selling his
rory dan is selling a 50 trx not a 50w
whatever close enough...i always mess it up cause i have a 50w
I want something with more line capacity than that.