Good review. I had a 1st gen avet sxj for a few years before upgrading to the second generation. Couple things I've learned over the years. If you send your reel to avet they will service and replace all the worn out bearings for under $40. When you rinse the reel off with saltwater make sure you lock down the drag before. Otherwise water gets into the reel.The reel seat should always be checked up when doing a service for loose screws(grease the screws and blue loctite) . Don't fish this reel with more than 9 pounds drag. You can fish higher drag but shouldn't be on a daily basis. This will eventually crunch the side bearing. Bearings are cheap from avet or aftermarket sources. Also never never move the drag cam knob without the reel lever in the freespool / zero drag position. This can damage it. The clicker issue is like you noticed a design flaw. Avet addressed this with the new design and has free parts for the older reels. If you really want a small beastly reel. Look at the raptor version. You can fish higher drag numbers, it has a reel clamp and comes in a two speed. I don't personally have a need for a reel that powerful, expensive and small. I know some people really like it for slow pitch jigging on tight structures. Out here in south California a regular avet sxj with 40-50lb braid and 30lb leader is enough for the jigging I do. My sxj mostly lives a live bait rod for 20-25lb line live sardine fishing. Cheers.
I have he same reel that I use for fluking. So it gets used every fluke weekend weather permitting. At the end of the first season it was very rough and skipping. I took it to the Real Seat for service and the bearing was badly corroded and the gear was damaged. They told me that they stopped selling Avets because of these types of issues. They replaced the parts and regreased it and told me I should get two seasons with better or more grease. One season and still good. I would have used the same setup for tog but got a jigging world reel for togging as I often tog on a party boat and the reel gets wet. I always rinse my reels with fresh water after each use and this reel doesn't get wet on my boat. I know many people haven't had issues with them and for me this is the reel that gets the most use.
I just picked one up for $170 I was going to use it for blackfishing, and a heavier option for fluke and seabass. It feels like a quality reel I haven't put it under load yet but I can't wait. I have it paired with a jigging world shogun mh rated 4-16oz it's a killer combo. Great video brother!!!
For the record I called Avet about my clicker and they sent parts out free of charge right away. And the reel seat bolts did come loose but I put little bit loctite on and have been fine since 🤙
Great video.. I use mine for everything from fluke and sea bass, to stripers and have caught mahi , king mackerel as well as 40 pound bluefins at the ridge. Great reel, i have had mine for 2 years with no problems at all.
Hopefully we’ll all be able to go out for tuna soon if we get some better conditions. I’m finishing getting my tuna gear ready in hopes they’ll be here soon. A buddy of mine was telling me he has been watching your videos. He was telling me about the back to back tuna trip where you went out early one morning, came home and went back out that night and how one of your buddies took your shift so you could go out. We were both wondering what do you do for a living that you are able to go out that often?
Use mine for any and everything. Lots of bays throwing ¼ oz heads w 3" swim bait to a 7x light for spotted & sand bass, halibut to small whiteseabass then out to yellowtail and calico bass. Easily 100 cast a day on avg... just don't get bearings wet. I have 3 inshop getting fixed now...yea I know.
Nice review. I'll be going out Manasquan Inlet to Axel Carlson. I just ordered all new equipment for my new boat so I cant wait. 2 St. Croix mojo jigs with Avet Sxj G2 MC and 3 St. Croix mojo Salt with Avet MXL G2. Should be solid for anything I want to go for!
Just thought I’d add I use a PENN fathom 30 and have yet to have an issue with it for about 5 or so years. I could go a little smaller bec it’s bulky. I use a PENN slammer 3 4500 now for tog jigging and it’s a beast
I tear down my SX for maintenance and it wasn’t smooth again. So I sent it to avet and pay for the the maintenance and swap out the bearings. When I got it back, it felt a lot better but not as smooth before I’ve open it my reel. Sold it on eBay.
I have the sx 5.3 and I must say it definitely is high maintenance. I don’t beat it up and I clean it all the time and service it every year. I have the same problem with the clicker and the reel seems super grindy. I got to get it looked at but im a little disappointed.
These reels come lubed very poorly from the factory. If you had pre-serviced your reel before using it, it wouldn't have any corrosion inside. A light coat of grease on all inner surfaces will sluff off the saltwater and not allow salt build up. They run their drags dry too so they need to be greased with Cal's. A drop of oil on the clicker after every few trips will keep it from seizing up.
Hey Chris,love the video's,how are you and your family doing during these tuff times?Hope everyone is staying safe.Dennis aka Rod father LONG ISLAND NY
Good review. I had a 1st gen avet sxj for a few years before upgrading to the second generation. Couple things I've learned over the years. If you send your reel to avet they will service and replace all the worn out bearings for under $40. When you rinse the reel off with saltwater make sure you lock down the drag before. Otherwise water gets into the reel.The reel seat should always be checked up when doing a service for loose screws(grease the screws and blue loctite) . Don't fish this reel with more than 9 pounds drag. You can fish higher drag but shouldn't be on a daily basis. This will eventually crunch the side bearing. Bearings are cheap from avet or aftermarket sources. Also never never move the drag cam knob without the reel lever in the freespool / zero drag position. This can damage it. The clicker issue is like you noticed a design flaw. Avet addressed this with the new design and has free parts for the older reels.
If you really want a small beastly reel. Look at the raptor version. You can fish higher drag numbers, it has a reel clamp and comes in a two speed. I don't personally have a need for a reel that powerful, expensive and small. I know some people really like it for slow pitch jigging on tight structures. Out here in south California a regular avet sxj with 40-50lb braid and 30lb leader is enough for the jigging I do. My sxj mostly lives a live bait rod for 20-25lb line live sardine fishing.
Cheers.
Hope you are getting some awesome content right now. Some amazing things are going on wish best luck brother
nice vid. Have all my 50's and jigging reels from Avet. Very happy with them. Hopet his wind lies down soon!
THanks Ciro. I sure hope so also.
I have he same reel that I use for fluking. So it gets used every fluke weekend weather permitting. At the end of the first season it was very rough and skipping. I took it to the Real Seat for service and the bearing was badly corroded and the gear was damaged. They told me that they stopped selling Avets because of these types of issues. They replaced the parts and regreased it and told me I should get two seasons with better or more grease. One season and still good. I would have used the same setup for tog but got a jigging world reel for togging as I often tog on a party boat and the reel gets wet. I always rinse my reels with fresh water after each use and this reel doesn't get wet on my boat. I know many people haven't had issues with them and for me this is the reel that gets the most use.
thanks for the input Thomas.
what rod do you pair with it when your fluking?
I just picked one up for $170 I was going to use it for blackfishing, and a heavier option for fluke and seabass. It feels like a quality reel I haven't put it under load yet but I can't wait. I have it paired with a jigging world shogun mh rated 4-16oz it's a killer combo. Great video brother!!!
For the record I called Avet about my clicker and they sent parts out free of charge right away. And the reel seat bolts did come loose but I put little bit loctite on and have been fine since 🤙
perfect!! Thanks for adding that dude.
Great video!!! I’m looking to upgrade my conventional rods with some Avets, thanks for all the valuable information 🙏
Thanks man. Good luck.
Thanks, Reaper for the review. Looking now for a conventional real and with so many choices, this is good info.
Thanks for watching!
Great video Capt. great reels also
Thanks Doug
Great video.. I use mine for everything from fluke and sea bass, to stripers and have caught mahi , king mackerel as well as 40 pound bluefins at the ridge. Great reel, i have had mine for 2 years with no problems at all.
Hopefully we’ll all be able to go out for tuna soon if we get some better conditions. I’m finishing getting my tuna gear ready in hopes they’ll be here soon. A buddy of mine was telling me he has been watching your videos. He was telling me about the back to back tuna trip where you went out early one morning, came home and went back out that night and how one of your buddies took your shift so you could go out. We were both wondering what do you do for a living that you are able to go out that often?
Thanks so much for watching Chris. Yea we turn and burn as much as we can. For now I'm gonna keep my profession private.
Reaper Fishing NJ that’s fine, I respect that. Hopefully the wind will calm down and we can all get out soon
Great informational video Capt !! Thank you !!
Thanks for watching Charles.
Very great video. Just wondering if you charter your boat if so how much.
He does not do charters
Thanks so much Roy. We do not charter.
Would this reel stand up to downrigging for salmon in the Great Lakes?
I have the G2 in SXJ, Same thing happened to me the threaded holes to the reel seat striped out. I threw bolted it.
Use mine for any and everything. Lots of bays throwing ¼ oz heads w 3" swim bait to a 7x light for spotted & sand bass, halibut to small whiteseabass then out to yellowtail and calico bass. Easily 100 cast a day on avg... just don't get bearings wet. I have 3 inshop getting fixed now...yea I know.
Great inshore fluke and sea bass reels. Nice review. Check out the sxj G2’s as an upgrade.
Thanks for watching Jared. Will do!
which rod do you pair with it?
Awesome video! Thank you for the information
Thanks so much Justin.
Nice review. I'll be going out Manasquan Inlet to Axel Carlson. I just ordered all new equipment for my new boat so I cant wait. 2 St. Croix mojo jigs with Avet Sxj G2 MC and 3 St. Croix mojo Salt with Avet MXL G2. Should be solid for anything I want to go for!
Just thought I’d add I use a PENN fathom 30 and have yet to have an issue with it for about 5 or so years. I could go a little smaller bec it’s bulky. I use a PENN slammer 3 4500 now for tog jigging and it’s a beast
Thanks for the input Andrew. We use the Penn Fathom 40s for chunking tuna. We love em
Thanks for the learning lessons. What lube do you suggest?
I mostly use the Penn Reel Grease but I think they're all the same.
Great video. From the Isle of Wight in UK.
Great honest review. 👍
what lb braid were you using
I tear down my SX for maintenance and it wasn’t smooth again. So I sent it to avet and pay for the the maintenance and swap out the bearings. When I got it back, it felt a lot better but not as smooth before I’ve open it my reel. Sold it on eBay.
Great video. I was just on Tackledirect website shopping for that exact reel. Would you use this for Fluke and what rod would you pair it with?
I would for sure use this for fluke. Maybe on a 6'6-7' MH conventional rod. Shimano or Tsunami have tons of options.
That reels looks like it has a small spool. Do you still need to thumb the line if you're using braid for togs?
negative.
@@reaperfishingnj8623 Thank you! Love your videos, keep them coming.
Will this be good for vertical jigging for GTs or slow pitch?
I would think very good for vertical jigging!!!!
I have the sx 5.3 and I must say it definitely is high maintenance. I don’t beat it up and I clean it all the time and service it every year. I have the same problem with the clicker and the reel seems super grindy. I got to get it looked at but im a little disappointed.
Didn’t even realize the name of my reel since the name faded away
ha.
Reaper Fishing NJ reviewing my reel I’m happy now :D
Gr8t review. Looking at a reel that size between the avet sx g2 and the Penn fathom 15ld
Thanks so much.
So does that mean if I show up at your dock with a couple avets for you (not that I know where it is) you'll let me go on a trip with you?? Haha
These reels come lubed very poorly from the factory. If you had pre-serviced your reel before using it, it wouldn't have any corrosion inside. A light coat of grease on all inner surfaces will sluff off the saltwater and not allow salt build up. They run their drags dry too so they need to be greased with Cal's. A drop of oil on the clicker after every few trips will keep it from seizing up.
THanks so much for the info!! I did not know that.
Good for jetty’s?
nah. i'd go spinning reel for jetties.
great video
I like Avet all metal body, unlike Accurate make of plastic of side cover, Also Avet is much smoother and powerful enough tackle any fish
Smoother then accurate? Lol
👍
Jones Kenneth Garcia Charles Lee Dorothy
Hey Chris,love the video's,how are you and your family doing during these tuff times?Hope everyone is staying safe.Dennis aka Rod father LONG ISLAND NY
Thanks so much Dennis. We are just fine. Hope you and your family are ok as well. Stay safe brother. This will all be over soon enough.