Which reels? Dilemma

[Sea Dweller]

Ok, everyone... I have posted in the past my limited saltwater background, and most of my conversing on here has been in regards to my 16/0s.

Well, last September on the recommendation of a friend who has far more fishing experience than I have I bought a Penn Fathom 40 (non LW) and bought a Penn Prevail 12' surf rod for it. Well, my friend had a shorter Star Rod that he gave me since we have done most of our fishing together at piers and bridges. I have no complaints at all about this reel and if I keep it, I plan on adding a set of Black Pearl's lower geared SS gearsets.

My dilemma comes as follows... I was randomly looking around the Internet thinking that while I have his nice good and black reel, I would kind of like something a little more vintage and I ran across Penn's US113 offerings with the solid aluminum frame. I like the idea of the Baja Specials and while this is not exactly the same, it is in the same spirit. I like all of the hot rodding of the Tank but overall I like the look of the US113 better. While looks should not overshadow performance, I feel the Tank looks just a little bit less vintage than what I am wanting. Well, I told my friend that I what was bouncing around in my brain and he told me that he is about to buy an Avet 80W, would I like to buy his Pen Torque 300LD? If so, he would sell it to me for $300 fully spooled with 40lb BBG.

I had originally been looking for a classic looking star drag and now I have the option for a golden lever drag reel... But seeing the price of the 300LD, I think I would be silly to pass this deal up!

So my options are:
1 to keep my Fathom, upgrade the gearset and then get the Torque and that way I have one pier/bridge setup and one surf rig with the rods I already have...
2 keep my fathom, upgrade the gearset and then get the US113 that I was originally looking at and then get a nice Fenwick 30-60 rod for it...
3 get the Torque, sell the Fathom and then get the US113...

I would love to hear everyone's opinions on the topic. I have done a lot of reading about the old Senators and the hotrod ding done with them, but I have not looked too much into the Fathom and its capabilities and I know absolutely zero about the Torque series so all opinions are welcome!

Thanks guys!

[bestout]

let me know if you want to sell the fathom

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

My opinion would be very different then what you are looking at, to me it seems your choices are based on your perference in a reel. I would go with what you want to have and know you will be happy with in the long run.

[Sea Dweller]

My opinion would be very different then what you are looking at, to me it seems your choices are based on your perference in a reel. I would go with what you want to have and know you will be happy with in the long run.

Well, I see myself getting a 4/0 of some sort, eventually or sooner I could not yet say... But I do not know enough about the performance of the Fathom compared to the Torque. I can afford to get one reel right now. So I am looking for whether the 300LD is a worthy upgrade to the Fathom as far as capabilities go. I know dollar value it is obviously a more expensive piece, but that does not always translate into an upgrade in results.

A more specific question: I have heard great things about the castability of the Fathom,by hat is why I bought it. But I have heard different opinions on how well the lever drag Torque will do in this regard. Any insight will be most appreciated!

[fIsHsTiiCkS]

I have tested out a fathom before and really enjoy that reel. Now I can safely say the fathom will out cast the 300LD, if you are looking at a torque with the same like capacity as the 300LD version then I would look at the Torque 40B as they are ideally a beefed up fathom and the new version to the 300 series reels. You can pick one up around $350 new and prob less used. The black series is much cheaper than the gold and only difference is color.

That said it seems to me the 4/0 is more what you would be looking for, hope any of this helps

[Sea Dweller]

The 4/0 is definitely one that I want. It matches my 16/0-are wick combo and I love me some old school. I got the fathom because I heard such great things about its casting performance. The thought of the 300LD was simmering around because I was thinking that at the price point it was being offered was a great value. I just did not know if that value came with a performance upgrade over the Fathom.

I definitely want an old school casting rig, but I also do like to dabble in the more modern. If the 300LD only has the fact that it is LD to hold over a geared Fathom, then even at a great value it will probably not be worthwhile for me to pick up. And I can out that $300 toward the US113+line.

[sundaytrucka]

The 300LD torque price you are looking at is a little on the high side. I have seen NIB 100LDs selling for $220, at the Long Beach rod and gun club fishing swap meet, those are 100s, not 300s, even then I feel he would have gone lower than $220, and that is new in the box.

Fathoms are good, torques are cool, and the 113 has a style all its own. As mentioned above, go with what you want to fish with.

[Shark Hunter]

Mr. Sea Dweller Sir,
Are you speaking of 16/0's as in the Senator 118?
You say you want an old school reel, but are talking about Fathom's and Torque's.
I know nothing about either one, but I do know a few things about Senators.

[Sea Dweller]

I have two 16/0 // 118 reels. The first and best of the two I bought off a charter captain out of Hawaii a few years ago and the second one I got as a parts reel for the sum of $100. The parts reel has all bent cross bars, the stand is caved in, but the spool is in great condition which is more than worth the $100.

I bought the Fathom 40 star drag to be a surf casting reel for small sharks and other fishes.

I had not done a lot of research on most of the newer reels or smaller gear after my initial foray into land based shark fishing. But I ran across info on the new(ish) US113 Senators with the one piece frame. I was thinking that this on a Fenwick 30-60 class rod would be a really cool 'small game' compliment to my big Senators. When I told my friend that I was looking at the new 4/0 is when he mentioned his Torque 300LD. My cursory research showed me that they go for close to $600 new and I knew it was in like new condition. It was not exactly what I am wanting but I wanted to be open minded in case this was one of those deals to jump on.

I know basically nothing about lever drags, and only barely more about my Fathom. So I was trying to figure out if one was decidedly superior for my intended purpose of long distance surf casting. I think that I will ending up getting the US113 reel so at this point it is really only deciding if I should keep the Fathom or sell it and get the 300LD. From what I *think* the responses/consensus is... The Fathom will probably be the better caster and while it *only* has 25lbs of drag, I am not sure the Torque's better performance is enough to warrant.

I *think* my best choice is Fathom/US113. But I am remaining open minded on the off chance that someone has a key piece of information that I did not know or had not considered.

[Shark Hunter]

I Understand. Let us know which one you decide on. I'm in the same boat as you.
I fish a 12 and 14/0 from shore and use a spinner for a bait reel or a Surfmaster for out in the kayak.

[Sea Dweller]

After seeing the Avet 80w that my friend just got... I think I am going to stick with the Fathom for right now and focus on my BIG tackle LoL. Now to get a new 130 rod for my 16/0 because I am afraid to damage my Fenwick with those awesome Mildrum rollers... A sweet classic that was my first shark rod.

[Shark Hunter]

Post up a pic of that fenwick. I'd love to see it with the 16/0 on it.
I sent you a PM.