The HX Non MC Raptor is a great all around bigger game reel. It's tall, narrow, has a ton of drag without being bulky and still comes with harness lugs in case you want to troll on a long range boat or strap in. This has been a go-to for a lot of people fishing night time bluefin, you get over 500 yards of 80lb braid so it holds enough to land most of the bigger fish. If you're not casting long distance the non MC model saves you a bit of money.
On a long range boat these are very useful for heavier live bait fishing and casting wahoo bombs, but you'll have to have a trained thumb since this model does not have the MC cast control. It's about the same size as a classic Penn 4/0 but packs a bigger punch. The low gear ratio on the Raptor model drops to 1.9:1 from 2.1 so you get a bit of extra cranking power when you need it.
These reels come with a clamp and can be optioned with the larger power handle from the factory.
| Model | Line Class | Gear Ratio | Line Capacity | Drag | Retrieve | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HX 5/2 Non-MC Raptor | 50-100lb | 5.4:1 & 1.9:1 | 80lb - 500yds | 40lbs Strike | 47" - 17" | 29oz |