trolling reel help

[fishngamereaper]

Tekota's would be a good choice. Avets rock, but a little more pricey. Penns used to be the go to, escpecially the 320's. BUT since they moved all manufacturing over seas they are putting out crappy reels.

[FC]

Avets rock, but a little more pricey.

How well do they hold up? I've only handled one and was turned off by the lack of a levelwind and the lever drag. I am starting to consider one though, it felt good and looked to be really well made.

[sirmissalot]

Avets hold up great, they are darn near bullet proof, part of this is because they are a simple design: lever drag and no level wind. You'd be surprise how much you really don't need a level wind, as long as you don't overfill the spool. They are a breeze to do maintenance on as well, again because they are a very simple design.

[fishngamereaper]

 

And made in America....Great custom service.

[Alchase]

I have 6 Penn 209s, two are from the 70s, the other four I bought 6 years ago. I have never had a problem with any of them.

I also have 4 of my Dad's old pens without the level wind, and they have a little piece of leather so you can thumb press down on the spool for the drag control, LOL.
These also work perfect, but the last time I tried to bring a salmon in on one (1970) my thumb slipped of the leather piece and I got a burn blister when the 25 lb king took a run.

[Knocker of rocks]

i use penn 209s for boat reels...  2 of them are at least 50 years old... ive of course replaced the drag system, but, they have never let me down. i use penn longbeach 60s for jigging/bottom fishing. i have something like 14 penn reels, i love em

penn reels are made to last and are bulletproof

I have 6 Penn 209s, two are from the 70s, the other four I bought 6 years ago. I have never had a problem with any of them.

I also have 4 of my Dad's old pens without the level wind, and they have a little piece of leather so you can thumb press down on the spool for the drag control, LOL.
These also work perfect, but the last time I tried to bring a salmon in on one (1970) my thumb slipped of the leather piece and I got a burn blister when the 25 lb king took a run.

You guys might enjoy these sights:
http://www.alantani.com/   
http://orcaonline.org/reel-talk/

[C-Money]

We used Penn 10's on my Uncles Charter boat. They ran Flawless season after season! They survived a lot of "things" being used mostly by novice fishermen. Uncle fished Lake Erie Walleye, steelhead, Kings, Coho, and Lake Trout. He also had a bunch of trips up to Lake Ontario for really good Salmon fishing and the Penn reels did great! Point being, If you want a good trolling reel, a level wind Penn will do you well.