Yup. Avet makes one fine reel for the money. $150 will get you an all aluminum lever drag reel with carbon drag and a true freespool with 17lbs of drag. I've got an MXJ that I've been very impressed with.

I HAVE A FEW PENN REELS. 209,9 AND A 500 JIGMASTER. ALSO HAVE A COUPLE 6/0S AND A 4/0. LOVE THE 6/0 AND 4/0. THE 209 AND 9 ARE REAL PROBLEMATIC. GETTIN TIRED OF THEM. THE 6/0 AND 4/0 ARE AWESOME. CAN DO ANY AND ALL REPAIRS MYSELF. GOT THE 500 BUT HAVENT USED IT YET CUZ WE DONT BANK FISH ALOT. ITS ON A 10FT UGLY STICK. ABU GARCIA, IMO, IS THE WAY TO GO!

I fish Penns all the time, last weekend we used 309's, 500 Jigmasters through 9/0s with no problems at all, the Senators 6-9-12 are my favorites.

Penn international 965

Almost all of my bank reels are penn 950s and I love them. Great power and very loud clicker for flathead fishing

I have that 309 but ive only used it once. Your ballon rig brought new hope for this old reel. Ill start using as soon as I pick up a rod for it.

I have 4 penn 4/0 I use for the gulf. I really like them! I think I am going to get 4 more bigger reels i.e.: 6/0 or shimanos for offshore stuff...

but I honestly dont think you need anything over a 209/309 for cats.. and thats a lot IMO...

FYI when you get a rod get a long one. Makes it EZer to cast from the bank. I have used a 12' helped out a lot getting it just past the shallow water to get the balloon out. IMO.

Thanks. I was wanting at least a 10ft rod.
Im gonna hit some pawn shops to see if I can find 1. Thats the only place I ever see 10+ foot casting rods around here.

The water egale is at cabelas and Academy for under 30 bucks. I think I am going to make 1 more balloon pole and that's what I am going to get.

I have fine penn 9's paired with pro angler rods and wouldn't trade them for almost anything. Once you get use to casting them, they are awesome..

Ill have to check those out Mike.

I have old squidders and a jigmaster. Good reels if you can live without a level wind. Squidders are no longer made but parts are easy to find. Jigmasters currently are made overseas I believe; mine is an old US made. You can upgrade drags on both

I have a 209 which I cannot cast partly because it is on a very short boat rod. I used it on party boats in San Diego. They are castable as I fished with a guide who threw it out way further then I wanted when it had a 30+ pound blue on it lol.

Thinking about selling them all but not got around to it. I use 6500s for freshwater and TLDs for salt now.

If you want to learn about Penns or most casting reels goggle Alan Tanni, has a website with rebuild tutorials and discussion topics. Some real Penn fanatics there.

I have no issues casting a 209 and a 309. Both are on 10' rods right now. It does take some getting used to, but both seem to work well.