Originally Posted by
EdBerg
There are also the Penn Fathoms 2 speed lever drags and you could pick one up around the $250+ mark if you shop around. It really depends on what type of fishing you want to do. The physically smallest lever drag overhead reels that I have come across in your approx price range are the FTH-15LD in single and 2 speed, they have about 9kg plus of drag and also have a thrust bearing and double dogs in them. I have wound 350m of Powerpro 40-50lb braided line on them, (I have one of each), they are also pretty good to cast. If you wanted a star drag overhead then there are way too many models and brands to choose from.
As for the ratios, the higher the ratio means that it retrieves more line per turn of the handle at a cost of more effort to turn that handle. If you use a good pump and wind technique using the rod to lift the fish up then wind in the slack, than that isn't an issue, if you are trying to winch up a big fish without pumping then a lower ratio or a 2 speed reel would be better. Think of the ratios as in the gear box in the car; 1st gear more power less speed, 2nd gear more speed less power.
I prefer medium to high ratio reels myself as it gives me more speed to retrieve a lure and doing a pump and wind helps bring up a big stubborn fish.
As for rods, I generally build my own, but as for off the rack rods I prefer the Ugly stik rods and I have a small collection of them. They are versatile and robust composite rods that generally aren't prone to snapping if you high stick whilst fishing which tends to happen with the pure graphite rods. In fact you would have to be doing some pretty stupid to snap one in use.
I have just bought another one from NZ which does 10-50lb and is a 2 piece Tiger stick, and cost about $120 delivered. (I bought 2 of them actually, one for my son in law). They don't sell that particular model here in Oz hence the reason I got it from NZ.
Hope this helps.
Cheers