Alvey 650BC

Cheapest but best reel in my arsenal – Bought a 500bc reel due to wanting to buy Australian instead of Swedish, Japanese reels for a change. Takes a little getting used to like my overheads and baitcasters but a beautiful piece of engineering. Simple and no features that only cause dramas on your fishing trip. It's a shame Alvey made them so strong that they will outlast owners...

Didn't last one trip – Bought this reel with tne anticipation of trouble free surf fishing for years (even decades) to come. Initially it was a nice reel. After the 5th day of average use (couple of hours per day) and no mistreatment, the drag lever played up and ruined the remaining days fishing. Attempted to find the peoblem as there aren't too many moving parts but unable to fix the drag. Definitely did not get close to my money's worth.

Happy and it's Australia – Bought my Alvey 650BC From my local tackle shop. As recommended by 3 of the top fishermen in my club. I have found I can cast further with this reel than the $500+ Spinning reel I have which was dying and less then 4 years old. Once shown the right way to use my 650BC I no longer have to nurse the reel and worry about getting water or sand in it. My last trip I caught more fish than the to men fishing near me using the same bait but spinning reels. The club boys know their stuff and I can see that this reel will be on the beach with me for a long time

Alvey reels = Frustration – Bought an Alvey 650 BC surf reel and have found it to be user the most unfreindly reel toto have had the mispleasure to come across. Massive line twist on every cast despite using two swivles and line burn on fingers due to required casting method. A very awkward design compared to conventional reels and not worth the effort or the money, get anything but an Alvey. Looks Good. Not practical as a casting reel.