Penn 309 upgrades??

[txangler81]

I wish someone would make frames for these and at least a brass gear to replace the delrin worm gear.

[Vintage Offshore Tackle]

Want to breathe some life into my old 309 lw.I know I can upgrade my drag. But any other suggestions to make her a bottom fishing tank?

I agree with Fred that you don't want to spend a ton of money trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, and that you would probably be better off spending the money on a heavier duty reel and reserving your 309 for lighter applications, but if you have a sentimental attachment to the 309 and want to use it, one option mght be to add a Newell aluminum base which has near zero flex and would add some rigidity to the reel and keep your side plates and levelwind parts in better alignment under load.  I could deliver a good used base to you in Florida for $24 including the four longer mounting screws, but not including the rod clamp.  If that might work for you, I would be happy to send you some photos.

Thanks,

Randy

[TheReelGuy850]

Thanks for the input guys.I don't wanna go too wild.the reel has some sentimental value to me so I wanna keep it around and fish the mess outta it!   ill be using the reel for snapper, gag, mangrove snapper and kings on the n.w fla coast.

[broschro]

I love my 309 as well its now my oldest sons,he has caught some nice trigger fish, sea bass, chicken snapper, and others. i keep it set up with a two hook rig that we in north Florida call a mayport rig. if you are targeting big bottom dwellers such as Grouper, sow snapper,and Amberjack, you will definitely want to go with a 6/0 or the 4/0 Tank imo.lost a few big ones on my 4/0 to.

[surfcaster]

You can put jig master gears & drag upgrades in it, change the sleeve & handle.
etc etc

[broschro]

has anyone tried the JM gears in one yet?

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

The main gear is the same as the JM already

[Alto Mare]

The 309 is a nice reel, upgrade the drags as we've been doing, a ss sleeve and you should do just fine. A smoother reel could be pushed a little more.

[mo65]

After reading this thread...I suddenly have the desire to take my old 309 and see what I can do with it. I'll agree that it's not a Senator...but I think some guys are underestimating this workhorse. Mainly in the gearing department...there's a big difference between a 309 and a 209 here. The 309 has a big #5-500...the 209 has a little #5-155!  

I'll also agree it's a 30lb. reel, and I'd have no reason to try taking it further. But, instead of having a reel ready to explode at 10lbs. of drag, a few upgraded parts could make it a buttery smooth one. Bryan's 5+1 kit comes to mind. Or maybe just a stock 3 washer/delrin under gear setup. Also one of Alan's ss gear sleeves would keep the handle tight. I'm on a mission......