Live Bait Caster 259, 259L

[sdlehr]

Please post your questions about the chronological history of this reel, or your reel, in this post.

[basto]

Hi Sid
I think the Long Beach 259 live bait caster and the Long Beach Deluxe are two very different reels.
The 259 came in one size and the Deluxe came in three sizes.
cheers
Basto

[Penn Chronology]

I think the Long Beach 259 live bait caster and the Long Beach Deluxe are two very different reels.
The 259 came in one size and the Deluxe came in three sizes.
cheers
Basto

Basto, you are correct. There is no Deluxe in a Model 259 Live Bait Caster. The Long Beach Deluxe is a different animal.

[basto]

Thank you for your reply. Can you tell me approximately when this one would have been made?


regards
Basto

[Tightlines667]

I would say late 1950s to early 1960s.. just kneejerk based on the chromed counterweight style (which actually looks to be early 1960s), and the fact that it's numbered (post ca. 1950).  The 259M (Metal spool) model was added to the lineup ca. 1950.  As you may know Mike's books ends in 1957, so I myself would have trouble telling you more detail.

According to Mike's book it was introduced with a lightweight spool in 1940, and discontinued in 1942, when it did not reappear in the catalogs until 1949.  Penn parts lists years of manufacture as early 1940s-late 1950s. 

Maybe Mike can fill in more details.

[basto]

Thanks for the info. The reason I asked was the seller advertised it as from the seventies, but when I saw the tail plate I was doubtful of that age.
Any how, I bought it and am looking forward to it`s arrival.
cheers
Basto

[Penn Chronology]

The 259 has some quirky history flow. It is an old reel that goes back into the pre-war era. According to the catalogs, it is discontinued in 1958. Since this reel is dimensionally a Jigmaster 500 and the Jigmaster is introduced in 1959, I have always felt Penn removed the Live Bait Caster from the 1959 catalog purposely, so as not to compete with the "New Kid on the Block", the Jigmaster 500. I do have one picture of a Penn Live Bait Caster in a 1960's style Blue Flip Top Box with the 259 printed box end. According to the catalog history flow, that box should not exist. So saying exactly when the Live Bait Caster was no longer marketed is not a sure thing.

I can say, that the Live Bait Caster never made it to the 1970's.

This reel is one of my favorites. I have it mounted into two Neptuna cradle rigs, that were intended. by Neptuna, for Jigmasters (one of them I fish with) and I still fish with a top mount Live Bait Caster. They are a bit slower on the retrieve than a Jigmaster (which I like because of the extra torque) and the frame is stronger. I feel this is one of Penn's greatest reels and does not get the credit for that.

[sdlehr]

Hi Sid
I think the Long Beach 259 live bait caster and the Long Beach Deluxe are two very different reels.
The 259 came in one size and the Deluxe came in three sizes.
cheers
Basto

Thanks, Basto. I've corrected the heading. I started setting up headings with info from Scott's website. They don't classify this reel properly. Thanks for helping make this more precise.

Sid

[basto]

Hi Sid
Glad to help.
Basto

[basto]

The 259 has some quirky history flow. It is an old reel that goes back into the pre-war era. According to the catalogs, it is discontinued in 1958. Since this reel is dimensionally a Jigmaster 500 and the Jigmaster is introduced in 1959, I have always felt Penn removed the Live Bait Caster from the 1959 catalog purposely, so as not to compete with the "New Kid on the Block", the Jigmaster 500. I do have one picture of a Penn Live Bait Caster in a 1960's style Blue Flip Top Box with the 259 printed box end. According to the catalog history flow, that box should not exist. So saying exactly when the Live Bait Caster was no longer marketed is not a sure thing.

I can say, that the Live Bait Caster never made it to the 1970's.

This reel is one of my favorites. I have it mounted into two Neptuna cradle rigs, that were intended. by Neptuna, for Jigmasters (one of them I fish with) and I still fish with a top mount Live Bait Caster. They are a bit slower on the retrieve than a Jigmaster (which I like because of the extra torque) and the frame is stronger. I feel this is one of Penn's greatest reels and does not get the credit for that.


Thank you for this information. I too admire this reel and would also like to acquire the other reel in question, the Long Beach deluxe, which I suspect is even a little stronger than the 259.
All the best
Basto

[Aiala]

I love this reel, too! Here's mine, dressed up with bars instead of posts and a red anniversary spool:



Sweeeeeeeeet!   

~A~

[Bryan Young]

Here's mine. Slightly modified.

[basto]

Hi Ailia and Bryan
I can certainly see the relationship to the Jigmasters here.
Basto

[Penn Chronology]

Insert Quote

I love this reel, too! Here's mine, dressed up with bars instead of posts and a red anniversary spool

Aiala, that is the prettiest Model 259 I have ever seen.

Insert Quote

Here's mine. Slightly modified.

Bryan, I never saw one narrowed; but, why not. The 501 parts are a perfect mod. I may do that myself some time I the future.

If Penn takes notice of all these Live Bait Caster mods, there may be a revival of this model!

[twotone]

I took Bryan's lead with his 99 SilverBeach mod, and now I have another build! Whether its Bryan's or Aiala. Maybe both!