Avet EX Series Lever Drag Conventional Fishing Reels

No. Avets use a patented silent mechanical dog and gear anti- reverse system, direct to the drag plate. Because of the powerful drag capabilities of our reels, roller clutch bearings simply don’t hold up to the pressure translated through the gear reduction to the handle where a roller clutch bearing would be. The Avet silent dog and gear mechanism has proven to be the strongest and most reliable anti- reverse thus far.

Your Avet reel is a precision machined instrument. For maximum durability, reasonable care must be given for ultimate performance of the reel. Please view these images of a reel that was not cared for properly, to get a better idea of why we recommend the following basic care instructions for an Avet reel: salty reel image After each fishing trip the reel should be cleaned. Rinse the reel in fresh water to remove accumulated salt deposits. The best way to rinse an Avet reel is to submerge the reel in cool fresh water, shake it under the water for 5-6 seconds, remove and shake out the excess water. Do not let the reel soak under water, or use warm or soapy water, as you don’t want to start removing lubricants. You simply want to flash rinse the saltwater from inside before it evaporates and leaves salt behind. Just rinsing the outside of the reel does nothing for the inside which is the most important, where salt does the most damage. Understandably, it can be a hassle removing the reels from your rods, especially if you use them daily like the hundreds of guides and charter captains do. Many of our captains and pro staff use a simple and effective method that works very well. Taking an inexpensive tall plastic kitchen sized trash can filled with water, they dunk the butt end of each rod with the reel attached, shake it up and down for 5-6 seconds, and done! This is actually faster, and uses less water than haphazardly spraying the gear down with a hose, and it takes care of any salt inside the reel as well as outside. Dry excess moisture from the reel and sparingly lube exposed mechanisms using your included avet lube, or any high quality lube designed for saltwater applications. You should use a high quality spray lubricant sprayed onto a rag to wipe down the outer surfaces of the reel to protect it and displace any moisture, and to help protect it the next time it’s used. Do not spray lubricant directly on the reel. Spray lube acts as a penetrating solvent and will dissolve and flush away the grease and lubricant vital to the working mechanisms. Also, the drag surfaces are just inside of the gap between the spool and frame on the drive side of the reel. Spraying lubricant/protectant in this area will foul the drag surfaces and will make the drag jerky. Your avet reel should be stored in a cool dry place. Do not store in a sealed plastic bag or airtight container, as the reel may develop condensation. Always be sure to store your reel with the lever drag in the free position to release pressure from various components of the reel. This will also allow the drag surfaces and internal parts to dry if they are wet. Periodically examine your reel for loose screws or fittings and take action if necessary. Your Avet reel should have a full tear down clean and lube service at least once every season, more with heavy use.

Your Avet reel should be serviced at least once a season. This is based on the average fisherman fishing 15-20 days per season. If you fish more than this, you reel should be serviced twice per season. We highly recommend getting your reel professionally serviced by the Avet service department. The service costs $35. This covers cleaning and lubes, replacement of any needed bearings, inspection, and shipping back to you. You can learn more about the Avet Maintenance Program HERE

Every series (or diameter) of Avet reel features a narrow version, denoted with the letter “A” (example: MXJ, JX, HXJ), which means “jig”. Narrow spools are often preferred for fishing techniques that involve continuous casting and retrieving. The narrow spool facilitates easier and less frequent line leveling while retrieving and the lighter spool and less line mass makes it much easier to cast. Narrow reels also more stable while retrieving. Having the handle closer to the center-line of the rod reduces “cranking wobble.

Yes. Avet reels are all designed, machined and assembled in our factory in Chatsworth California. Every part including all internals are made in house with the exception of the bearings which are sourced from several suppliers around the Los Angeles area.

The overall “motion” and control function is simple, and somewhat similar to any bait casting reel. With most baitcasters, you flip a tiny lever or switch to engage the reel from free spool. A lever drag is similar, only you use the lever, sliding it from free spool to the strike position. Instead of using a star knob to adjust drag tension while fighting a fish, you simply move the same lever forward or back to increase and decrease drag. You can move the lever back and forth all you want, and still get back to the original drag setting by placing the lever in the strike position. A star drag is nearly impossible to find the original drag setting once it has been moved.

There are many advantages to a lever drag reel over a typical star drag type reel. First and foremost, are the “strike pre-set” and the ability to always go back to the exact original drag setting, no matter where you have increased or decreased the drag with the lever during a fight with a fish. Lever drags are simple to use, with one lever control that puts the reel into free-spool, increases or decreases drag pressure, and instantly locates your original drag setting by sliding the lever to the strike position. Lever drag reels are typically simpler in design and contain fewer small parts, and are easier to maintain. Also, because the drag system works in direct contact with the spool, rather than through the gear train like a star drag, the drag is smoother and more consistent, allows more surface area for the brake discs, dissipates heat more efficiently, and doesn’t have to go through gearing with load and wear on gear teeth to operate. Another distinct advantage of an avet lever drag reel is the drag will never wear out. It is a given routine that star drag washers need to be replaced regularly, because they wear out. This is because with a star drag reel, the drag washers are housed inside the main drive gear of the reel. This means that from the spool, the drag has to go through a gear reduction before the drag washers turn. If you compare a similar star drag reel and a lever drag reel, both having a 6:1 gear ratio, the star drag reel will require six times the amount of pressure on the drag washers as the lever drag reel does to achieve the same amount of drag pull at the line. Because the lever drag reel has six times less pressure on the drag surface itself, this means less wear, less heat, and far less maintenance.