I am looking at buying a new (or used) reel. Should I get a H2O manic or pro qualifier? Or maybe something else... Don't want to spend more than $70. Want the 7.1:1.

I have 5 PQ's and I love them!  Respectfully, the H2O has been a good reel for a bunch of fellas on here.  So what I would do is get go and put your hands on each of them.  Put them on a rod in there store and test their balance. Then decide which one you like. Just my 2 cents.

I like teh H20 reels, but if i was going to do another one, i would do the mettle. Ive just had better luck with them. great reels, i got mine when they are marked down some.

The mettle does not come in 7.1:1. I have a mettle and like it, but it is 6.3:1. How much of a difference is 26 vs 29 inches on a retrieve? Is it that noticeable?

im sorry i glossed over that detail. What about the menace? i like it better than the manic and it comes in a high gear ratio. i have one im not using but it was a great reel

The guy at academy said they had 7 to 1 nettles when I bought mine last weekend its the mettle mt2. Don't quote me on it but that's what I was told.