Avet Pro EX 50/3 Three Speed Reels

This is the three-speed San Diego Special. Same topless EX 50 frame with SDS on the front crossbar, the same 700 yards of 130 lb, and the same open top that lets you watch your line and clear a wrap without looking away from the fish, but the third gear widens the spread at both ends. The high goes to 4:1 and 44 inches a crank, which is faster than a good many jigging reels, on a reel that is fishing 130 lb. The bottom gear is a true 1:1, for when a fish simply stops and you still have to move it.

Same job as the two-speed, more range to do it in. This is the go-to size for long-range yellowfin, trips over ten days running to Hurricane Bank, fish well over 100 lb with many in the 200 lb range, some in the 300s, and several world records over 400 lb out of the same water. Larger gears, a larger spool and more drag are the mechanical reason the size works for long-soaking a mackerel or a caballito, and for chunking. The third gear is what you add when you want to cover line quickly and still have a granny gear in reserve.

The 50 has a long record with us. Back in our charter years we had fishermen aboard from all over the country fishing Avet 50s they had bought from us, and after a run of cow-sized tuna the 50s were the reels that came through without failing or feeling squirrelly. That is the reputation this size carries, and the three-speed inherits all of it, same frame, same drag, one more gear.

Rods. The rail list is short and good: UC or , or the RGPX 76 Viper. The same rods handle local high-speed trolling for 100-200 lb bluefin and kite fishing. Dedicated trolling rods, the , or an , are the better tool for trolling specifically, but a lot of buyers still prefer a rail rod for the versatility and for getting around outboards.