Big Game Reels

On a star drag you set the drag pressure with the star next to the handle, allowing you to make on the fly adjustments for increasing or decreasing drag entirely by feel. A lever drag lets you preset your strike and full settings ahead of time (we set them with a scale), then a lever slides between free-spool, strike, and full, so you get the same repeatable pressure every time you push to the same spot. That repeatability is why lever drags are the West Coast standard for offshore fishing, where a big tuna is pulling hard and you want to know exactly what your drag is doing. Star drags are simpler, lighter, and less expensive, and they shine for bait fishing and lighter tackle where you adjust on the fly. Most Avets are lever drags; Avet also makes star-drag versions in the MXJ and MXL sizes.

Spinning reels are great for casting...