Bob, I was thinking of the no stretch possibly being a part of the problem. And I do remember reading your report on the fish going down tail first. I guess if the bass is big enough it doesn't matter how it goes down. 
Mboy, I know you like the Avet reel alot. Is the dial on the side for adjusting the fighting drag or just the freeline aspect of the reel? I thought I read somewhere where the Avet drag was preset. 
The little dial on the side (like most lever drags) is for adjusting the drag range of the lever.
You keep the reel in free spool, adjust the knob, then bring to strike.
If you need more drag, back into free spool, and turn the knob up some more. Recheck and repeat until strike is where you want it to be.
If you need more then strike when fighting fish, slide handle forward for some more drag.
Like most other (if not all) other lever drags, you are NOT supposed to turn the knob while the real is in gear or you can damage the drag.
The Avet does not have a free spool braking type device for cast control. Their is the 1st click of the lever drag that is preset for there cast control but most do not use it.
A lot of people use earth magnets glued into the reel to slow down the freespool (which is absolutely insane on the Avet reels). I have not had to mag mine yet, but may play around with the idea soon.
When rinsing off lever drag reels,just about all of the should be in free spool so the water can wash the salt out of the drag.
The ONLY exception I no of is on the Shimano Charter special Lever drags (and the the TLD's). The reel should be in gear when rinsing with fresh water after use on those because of the design of the reel (drag seal).
Probably more then you wanted to know
