180 gets a little attention

[thorhammer]

One of the nice little reels that gets unjustly overlooked IMO, the 180 is a quite capable entry level reel. I've owned several and gave all but two away as gifts. I've been thinking about the pair lately as they haven't gotten much attention in a decade. To me the main drawback to the reel is it's tiny toy handle, which I had already replaced. My man Sal has since hooked me up with a 24-155 in my favorite vintage color: the orange amber. The little guy cleaned up nicely; no need for any hotrodding, just a good cleaning and proper lube. Very pleased with free spool and turn in gear; you wouldn't know this was probably 50 years old or more (lighthouse plates but I switched to brass spool on this one). Went old school Stren 17 lb on this one....you will see why in a week or so. Enjoy.

[foakes]

Beautiful job, John.

These are nice, somewhat overlooked reels -- like many of the old Penns.

Best,

Fred

[thorhammer]

Thanks Fred! Btw those are the color handles I'm after; in any configuration that fits that size sleeve.  Would live to score some power handles or 24-66, 24-49. 


John

[sdlehr]

Nice job on that reel, John. Looking forward to your fishing report in a week or two.

Sid

[mo65]

Went old school Stren 17 lb on this one....you will see why in a week or so. Enjoy.

I was wondering how the 17lb. fished...I have a 180 with chromed brass spool and the gap is so big it even catches 20lb. mono! It's odd...widest spool gap of all my Penns.

[thorhammer]

No report yet; I'm way behind on the matching rod due to work but will let you know.


John

[bluefish69]

The 180 was my first Penn about 60 yrs. old now

Mike

[Alto Mare]

Went old school Stren 17 lb on this one....you will see why in a week or so. Enjoy.

I was wondering how the 17lb. fished...I have a 180 with chromed brass spool and the gap is so big it even catches 20lb. mono! It's odd...widest spool gap of all my Penns.

nice job John, I have a few of those and enjoy fishing them. I also gave a couple to members here as gifts... nice little reels.

Mo65, get yourself a 30-49 stand and a 29-100L spool and watch that gap get smaller.

[akadashoe]

Totally agree guys.
This was also my first reel my buddy gave me back in 1970 something.
He also showed me how to rebuild it, and that was it, I was hooked.
I used to use the stock plastic spool, but cracked it while fighting a 14 lb. flattie, so I went with the chrome spool.
Cut down on the casting ability a little, so I opted for the rare aluminum spool.
I also upgraded from the teeny double-knob handle to this lemon 24-155.
My son drools every time I break it out, so I told him it's his when I croak.   

[mo65]

I was wondering how the 17lb. fished...I have a 180 with chromed brass spool and the gap is so big it even catches 20lb. mono! It's odd...widest spool gap of all my Penns.

Mo65, get yourself a 30-49 stand and a 29-100L spool and watch that gap get smaller.

I tried a 29L-100 from my Surfmaster, and sure enough that gap vanished! Thanks Sal.  

[Dominick]

Went old school Stren 17 lb on this one....you will see why in a week or so. Enjoy.

I was wondering how the 17lb. fished...I have a 180 with chromed brass spool and the gap is so big it even catches 20lb. mono! It's odd...widest spool gap of all my Penns.

nice job John, I have a few of those and enjoy fishing them. I also gave a couple to members here as gifts... nice little reels.

Mo65, get yourself a 30-49 stand and a 29-100L spool and watch that gap get smaller.

I'm one of the recipient members.  Dominick