Need help please! Avet mxj raptor or JX for 40-50 lb application for yoyo in baja and local islands? Trying to keep it small. Very short leader of say 3-4 feet. Will also use the same reel for 30 lb bait application when not doing yoyo. Will not be doing much surface iron with this set up! My heart says mxj but my head says JX. The JX would be regular and the mxj would be a raptor. Thanks for the help...

JX but spend the extra $50 over the MXJ Raptor for a JX Raptor. I have a few of both the MXJ's and JX's love them all but for yo yo the JX is my choice. Use a JX for surface too, it casts forever. The JX Raptor has a faster retrieve in inches per handle turn and a slightly lower low gear than the MXJ in case you hook something big. Plus it's got a lot if drag if you need it.

I'll go along with that. I own the MXL Raptor and a couple of JX's in two speed...but not Raptor. The MXL Raptor is great, but the lower gearing of the Raptor JX is of great benefit, as I found out after having my butt handed to me by a big bluefin this past summer...4 1/2 hours and I was spanked. The gearing probably cost me the fish.