Live Bait Caster 259, 259L

[mo65]

   I love the 259, great work Darin!

Thanks, Mike! I bet these low gear models would be good for your river fishing? Didn't you post one with a 99 Tib frame?

   You betcha Darin. So far, the #5-60 gearing seems to be the best for catfishing, plenty of torque but not too slow. Felt handle pressure seems easier to crank under load. Here's the link to that 259/99 reel...one of my most favorites.

          https://alantani.com/index.php?topic=20574.0

[Penn Chronology]

Darin
That reel has a 3 screw base 99 width Newell base?
That's cool.
Ron Jones

I believe the Newell 99 width base was actually designed for converting a Jigmaster ( not a Model 259) to a 99 width. That said, the base is a two screw Jigmaster hole pattern and will also work on a Live Bait Caster #259. Here are a couple of Jigmasters I built a very long time ago, the picture is also very old. The reel on the left is a Jigmaster with a 99 Newell kit, reel on the right has a standard width Jigmaster 500 Newell Kit. These kits have been around for many years. The spool of my 99 width Jigmaster is a Accurate spool. The handle of the reel on the right is a tough find today, it is called a Nitro-Fish handle. I have not seen one in many years. Both these reels are still in my collection.

[Darin Crofton]

Darin
That reel has a 3 screw base 99 width Newell base?
That's cool.
Ron Jones

I believe the Newell 99 width base was actually designed for converting a Jigmaster ( not a Model 259) to a 99 width. That said, the base is a two screw Jigmaster hole pattern and will also work on a Live Bait Caster #259. Here are a couple of Jigmasters I built a very long time ago, the picture is also very old. The reel on the left is a Jigmaster with a 99 Newell kit, reel on the right has a standard width Jigmaster 500 Newell Kit. These kits have been around for many years. The spool of my 99 width Jigmaster is a Accurate spool. The handle of the reel on the right is a tough find today, it is called a Nitro-Fish handle. I have not seen one in many years. Both these reels are still in my collection.

So great seeing this old pic from years ago, thanks for sharing, Michael, and I dig that black Nitro handle for sure!

[dillwt11]

First 259 on left has no part numbers on anything, the right one has part numbers but an unusual handle, its the same size as a 4/0 24-66 but no part numbers and a very football shaped grip. Is this what an early 24-66 looks like? Never have seen one quite like it. The one middle  I picked up at a flea market today and it has a numbered 24-155 handle which I assume is the correct one. Matches the early no part numbered one on the left as far as size goes.

[Bill B]

Nice brace of 259's.....Bill

[dillwt11]

Thanks, at first they seemed rare, but now I seem to trip over them. Love the side plate. Much nicer than the plain 1/0s.

[Crow]

Nice collection !

[dillwt11]

Thanks, probably a very small collection compared to most on this site. But I have caught the bug. No telling where it will end.

[foakes]

Very good collection!

Best,

Fred