Looking for a lever drag level wind reel

[mustang65fbk]

Hello all, this is my first post so I apologize if it's been mentioned before but I'm looking for a lever drag reel with a level wind as I can't stand star drag reels. I do a majority of my fishing at my beach cabin on the southern part of Whidbey island near the possession buoy or at point no point fishing for silvers or kings off a down rigger or live bait and this reel will be setup with a 9'6" Fetha styx chrome down rigger rod. I'm trying to get something for around the $200 range. I've found the shimano charter special, okuma solterra, penn 320-330LD, penn 975LD and a few that they use over in Europe like Rovex or Fin-nor so far. Are there any others out there that you would recommend and if not, which of the above would you recommend? It seems to me that star drags are either too tight or too loose and I'm not a fan of them. Thanks again and have a good day.

[Ed J]

check out the avet MXL 5.8 it will beat the reels you mentioned hands down.

[Steelheadin360]

I have around 2 dozen of the charter specials and love them!

[Shad_Eating_Grin]

I have around 2 dozen of the charter specials and love them!

I know it's not the intended use, but.... are those charter specials usable for casting a buzz bomb off a saltwater beach?

Looking for a level wind reel (for buzz bombing) whose internal parts won't fall apart from rust and corrosion after a season of use in the salt.

[countryboy87]

Two words... Penn Reels... The old ones not this new Asian crap...

[Bobber_Dogging_Gal]

Hello mustang65fbk and welcome. When it comes to star drag reels, I used to use words I probably shouldn't *lol* That is until I tried a Mitchell Riptide reel on an Okuma Tundra pole. I truly like the Riptide. It's the only star drag level wind that doesn't drive me bananas. I also use a Penn Captiva spinning reel spooled with braided line on an Elite Uglystik. Great for distance casting Buzzbombs or other lures.

[schu7498]

From my experience the shimano charter special is going to be the best quality lever drag in that price range.

[geekgiant]

Another +1 for the charter special.

If you're wanting the do-it-all PNW reel, Avet MX or MXJ would be the choice though.

[Matt]

I run two charter specials on my boat. They are certainly not the best reels made but they are pretty damn bullet proof. Very easy to work on with parts readily available online as well which is bonus. I have rebuilt my own.

[Steelheadin360]

I know it's not the intended use, but.... are those charter specials usable for casting a buzz bomb off a saltwater beach?

Looking for a level wind reel (for buzz bombing) whose internal parts won't fall apart from rust and corrosion after a season of use in the salt.

You're not gonna be able to cast super far with them. They lack the magnetic brake and spool brake that most "casting" reels have. They work fine for chucking big lead sturgeon fishing but IDK if they would work well for buzzbombs. I would probably stick to a good spinning reel for that. I use the Okuma Avenger Bait feeders in the salt and have for two years now and they are holding up well even after seeing lingcod abuse. For a good cost effective "casting" reel I would look at the Abu ORRA