levelwind vs. non-levelwind

[young gull]

I have been looking at some of the higher end conventional reel's and was wondering if level/non level is a matter of choice or does one serve a diffrent purpose over the other.
I am looking to add a new bunker chunking rod to the collection.(just something diffrent to try out)
                    Thank you,
                            Ed

[robsrodnreel]

ya know, ive been looking for the same as well and have basically come to the conclusion that im not getting a level wind just b/c of the lack of choices.

[captmatt]

Hey Ed, I am kinda partial to the level wind reels for the simple reason that lots of times I have first timers on the boats and it keeps the line in good order. I would think you should try one , I dont think you will be disappointed  

[Hotrod]

I recently set up 2 of my older penns non level wind, and was a little sceptical at first..  but after using them I realized they were just fine..   I'm using 30lb Power Pro on them and they've become 2 of my favorite reels.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi All,

Level Wind for me anytime. There are many people returning to them, even for trolling. Ask guys like Pete Barret what they use for trolling Stripers (even with wire) ... well, I will tell you. He uses Shimano Tekota 800s. I use the same.

The only conventional reels I use that are not level winds in my arsenal are my Penn Internationals and my trusted Penn 500s.

Level winds work well with mono, braid and even wireline.

Case closed in my book,

Capt. Ed

[Capt Craig]

I have conventional reels with level wind and with out. Depends on what I'm fishing for.

When I am chunking in the spring for BASS and Drum up in the Delaware Bay I use regular conventional, no level wind. Same for chunking in the fall for BASS.

 Because I get some novice anglers fishing for Fluke, Sea Bass, Weekfish and Croakers etc I like to use reels with level wind because of their ease of use. This allows the angler to concentrate on getting the fish to the boat and not how the line is spooling onto the reel.

All my trolling gear, 50's and 30's are straight conventional.

The rest of my gear I use spinning equipment. This is used for its easy casting. When we get Blues under birds and I also like the spinning tackle when eel'n for Bass in the rips.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Young Gull,

No experience with the Tyrnos but have many models of the Tekotas.

Sorry,

Capt. Ed

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Young Gull,

What would you use it for?

It has been a poor selling reel for Shimano. The best application folsk have found for it is pitching baits back to Marlin. The basic complaints I have with it for that application is that the top bar should not be there and the handle is too small for this application. I find the Penn Baja Special better than this reel for pitching baits.

It was meant to be a trolling reel but the lever drag and trolling don't mix in my book.

I think there is limited use and there are much better reels to be had.

Tell me the application and I'll tell you what folks are talking about these days.

Thanks,

Ed

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Young Gull,

I will preface this that I use Avet; Accurate; Shimano; Penn; and a bunch more reels. I am loyal to a good product not a company.

Have you looked at the Penn 16VSX? This is probably what you are looking for. It can stop big stripers, nice tuna and can be used for chunking or trolling.

The only other reel I am more high on right now are the Penn Torque series. I look forward to jigging the Torque.

For Shimano, there are choices. The old-reliable TLD; Torium or Trinidad series.

Take a look at the specs of the Penn 16VSX. Don't be fooled - many large fish have been boated with this reel.

Thanks,

Ed

[Reel Time]

i have seen discusions before about lvl wind vs non lvl wind,, basically boils down to there being 1 less thing to go wrong with a non lvl wind when going for big fishes.

 im not sure how often a lvl wind messes up, but i have had 1 lock up on me during a fluke trip, broke the lvl wind out and it works fine now.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Reel Time,

I agree with you that the weak link traditionally is the level wind mechanism itself.

The tradeoff that I get is that newbies (and a lot of people in the heat of battle) forget or do not guide the line on evenly by hand. As you know, as it accumulates in the middle, nothing can be done if the line hits the cross bar support (if there is one on the reel).

So, I pick my poison. I do service the reels and oil the level wind mechanism after each use.

Good feedback and I look to learning and speaking with you more!

Capt. Ed