I have a penn international 16VSX 2-speed that is a workhorse. I can just barely fit 500yds of 100lb powerpro on it. I normally fish with a 16oz wally whale with a strip of chum belly or a 17-21oz solvkroken cod jig. The reel is heavier than all get out though. I have never had a single problem with it and I doubt that I ever will. It does get tiring jigging with it all day because of the weight, and at times I have found myself wishing I got a 345GTI instead. The drag on the internationals is second to none IMO, super smooth. Out of your price range though by a good margin.
Those Avet's are very nice, definitely worth the money.
