[tackleholic]

I recently picked up an Avet Hoo-X, 2 speed. It's a beautiful reel. I can tell however that the drags were installed dry or on the dry side, by the way it feels. Question is, is it preferable to fish these with wet drags or were they designed to be fished dry. I have both cal drag grease and shimano drag grease that I use to relube my sealine's, torium's, penn and shimano reels. I'll most likely be fishing 80 braid with a topshot of 40-50 mono. Any tips would be appreciated. Also, anything I should watch out for like flying part?

[Rockman]

Tacleholic, congrats on your new HX.
This has been a very controversial topic. We (myself and the Avet brothers)conducted some very extensive testing with both greased and non-greased drag/s and after the smoke (literally) cleared, Avet has maintained "NO" grease needed.
I did write an (overly extensive results) article on Bloody Decks that you might find interesting. I've been on the Avet prostaff since they started in the business of building reels, fish Avets exclusively and never once have needed or used any grease on drag washers. I will also admit that I have taken some shots for my firm stance, but I truly believe that a good high quality carbon fiber washer should not need grease. The more the drag/s get worn in, the better they respond. My break-in procedure (condensed version)is as follows:
Fill the reel with line/spectra
Adjust drag to a high setting (based on line strength)
Put the reel on a heavy rod
Attach line to trailer hitch
Check for kids (late pm works better)
Ask wife /friend to drive down the street
Do this two or three time at different speeds from slow to faster.
Yes the reel will get hot to very hot. It's OK, their made to get hot.

As far as parts flying out and having to wear eye protection...... not to worry. The reels are very simple and don't need much attention. Keep them clean and after fishing put a drop of oil down the two-speed plunger.
Sorry for getting too extensive, but I hope this helps.
Rock

[alantani]

yeah, but the real reason to grease the drag washer is prevent this........

[santa]

Hey Rockman, Is Avet thinking about retrofit kits (maybe magnets) to upgrade some existing reels so the casting can be dialed in like the new casting system?
Just picked up a new MX(GREAT reel) B4 the system came out and am interested in such a system(can't afford another new reel right now). Gimme a PM if the info is secret/proprietary. Thanks

[Rockman]

Santa, I spoke to the Avet folks today and got some prices for the MC upgrade. Since the whole frame (with the exception of the side drive plate and spool) has to be replaced, it is a little pricy ....about $140.00. They will send it to you and the change-over is very simple. Just remove the three screws on the right side (drive side) plate pull the spool out of the frame and bolt the new frame on.
Hope that helps.
Rockman

[tackleholic]

Rockman,

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, I took it apart yesterday to check it out after a multiday trip, had to clean all the chrome parts before corrosion set and the drags were dry, didn't see any evidence of saltwater intrusion in the gears or anywhere near the drag, but I kept it sprayed down with freshwater. Good reel, pulled in about 4-5 smallish tuna, 3-4 smallish yellowtail, and a decent wahoo with it. Love this reel. Used it mainly with jigs, but found it to be an excellent reel to lob a butt hooked sardine, heck of a lot easier to cast a bait than any of the tld or other lever drag reels I use and I can imagine it'd be spectacular if paired with a proper bait rod like a 700m instead of a heavier jigstick. If I do lube the drags, it'll probally be just an ultralight coat.

[santa]

$140.00! OUCH! Since it's a new reel and $140.00 is 2/3ds the original cost, I'll stick with the traditional (thumb) cast system. Thanks for the info Rockman. BTW got my first drag screeming run last Tues. fishing the 7 bouy in Morro Bay. Drag set @ 4, cranked down all the way and just touched my thumb to spool to finesse it when the 65lb braid snapped like 2lb. Oh well, just wasn't ment to be.

[FishermanDan]

Sounds like you ran into a Morro Monster! Sometimes you just can't stop em, no matter the reel/drag. Any telling if it was a Shark or Ray?

[santa]

Not a clue. Bet it was a ray as I was soaking whole frozen squid on the bottom.

[Ken Jones]

There's a reason they're called freight trains.

[Bat-Ray-Dave]

I run across them in the bay. I love seeing 50lb peeling off of the reel. You can just feel how much power they have.

[FishermanDan]

[illcatchanything2]

[FishermanDan]

Wish I could say, but I can't. I did see though, that FD caught a few sardines in the bay. That and the low tides @ sunset go hand in hand with the good Leo Bites. Last year this time was pretty darned good. This year, however, the bay experienced soem dredging, that would have effected the fishing. My thought is that the bite was postponed, and will come later. If I had to guess, I'd say theres a good bet the bite is on. If you can catch some fresh sardines they will likely produce a shark or two, if they are in. The frozen ones also work well. Big baits rule. Cast just past and to the left of the 7 Buoy, . If you make it, don't forget...fish the lowest tide(especially at/after sunset)!

[Kumho]

Yah, like FishermanDan said, lively sardines catch sharks, BIG sharks.(I recall the time when I caught a thresher shark on one at Pacifica pier)