MiceNReets

It’s gotta be all about the money. My guess or they’d stand by the gear they keep pushing on everyone for so long. I stopped listening to pros talk about gear and started buying it myself to try it out. If I don’t like it then I just sell it and on to the next rods and reels that have me curious. A pros review on gear they use is like watching the 100s of YouTube videos of people buying the slx (for example) and reading the box and telling you it’s a great reel because you can make the spool free spin for xx amount of time or the handle turns so smooth and effortlessly. however at least the pros bring fish in the boat as they try to sell you that reel. But still it’s all marketing.

LoL. I thought the same but wasn’t sure if I should comment. Well said. Well said... ?

I just tie a dog bone to the end of the line and let the chihuahua grab it and pull. He ain’t too strong so I use that as my method to set my drag before I leave the house for a good fishing sesh.

I agree with above. If you don’t want anything custom then it’s cheaper to get a new frame or side plate. That’s what I did to a few reels.

The okuma helios reels are excellent reels. Feel like they’re worth more than the price tag and very underrated. I’ve put my helios reels through everything the past 5 years and they’re as good as the day I got them. Even the ones that have gone through the thickest of thick stuff. You can’t go wrong getting a helios SX or the TCS/green line. ??

How have these held up after a season of use?

Those Mitchell Avocet RTZ reels are very nice. I have a 1000 size and it works excellent.

I wish you put the edit a little sooner. The microwave didn’t work. It just caused damage. ?