Trying again...does anyone have experience using the Alvey reels offered by Cabelas. I believe they originated in Australia for saltwater but they have a model or two that might be good for freshwater. Just wondering how they compare to a regular spinning reel?

I have an old one that I picked up at a sale in Florida. It has a solid light blue fiberglass rod with it and a very large spool with an enormous first guide out from the reel. I purchased it as an oddity to hang on my garage wall but have no idea what it was designed for? Any knowledgable anglers out there with information?

BassnRoun:
From what I have found,they are supposed to work like a spinning reel. The literature said they swivel to put the open side of the reel to the front and that allows the line to strip off without the reel turning. It is then supposed to lock back into position to allow you to reel the line in just as though it was a level wind.
If I ever get $50-$60 bucks just burning a hole in my pocket, I think I will try one unless someone here has experience that says they don't work well.
Thanks for the input...

Fishbox...your reply regarding turning the reel led to my going out to the garage and checking mine out. The reel appears to be approx 6" in height and is stainless on one side and brown plastic on the right side where the handles are. There is a lever on the left hand side that disengages the reel from its retrieving position and swings around to allow for line to flow out smoothly off the spool. It appears that the reel itself has a very large guide extending from it that is so large there would be absolutely no friction on the line as it flows from the spool. The rod is two piece, about 7' long with very heavy duty guides that are ceramic sleeved. I do not think you would cast this reel, although it would work. It appears to be a setup for bottom fishing, straightlining or perhaps trolling bait. The drag is a friction type button on the cranking side (right) that you merely turn clock/counter clockwise, as needed. I usually spend some time in Florida in the winter and may take it with me as a novelty to try out on the Jettys.

What were you thinking about fishing for with them? It appears to me to be a specialty rod for a specific type of fishing or fish?......./Mike)

BassnRoun:
From the description of the reels on cabelas site, the one you have is probably one of the saltwater versions. I think that all of the ones listed there are for saltwater, but I thought maybe the smallest one (5") might be good for catfishing or maybe even for casting heavy slabs when the stripers are schooling.
Here's a link I found that might be interesting.
http://www.ausfish.com.au/alvey/10.shtml

Fishbox...tnx again. 600+ feet! What a cast! I will now take mine to Florida when I return. What an outfit for fishing from the beach. I should be able to double the distance reached with my current salt water spinning reels...../Mike)

yeah I have a Alvey reel as well...pretty fun to play large fish on because of the 1/1 ratio...I practice casting alot at the driving range and I use a pendilum cast I dont see any improvement in distance...VS large spinning (not cheap surf reels though,,,,Shimano Long Cast are what I use) reels or a good level wind...also a couple of things...if you are going to get the most out of the diamiter of the drum on the reel you really need a 50mm butt-ring (no jokes) other wise the transition from large to small negates the advantage gained.... most rods that you get in the USA have 30mm or may be a 40mm ring....

LSC...My reel's first guide out from reel is probably 6" in diameter. Obviously designed for absolutely no line friction. I had not thought about the gear ratio. You are right...even if it would cast out several hundred feet, you would have to spend the night to reel in a large fish. ha