Penn Bayhead #109

Chad J · July 08, 2025, 04:00:49 PM

Does anyone have pics of the 150yd Bayhead #109? I found one image without a picture on the side plate. Was it ever produced with a picture on it?

oc1 · July 08, 2025, 05:09:17 PM

Is it marked "109" on the headplate? Like I said over on ORCA, I find it hard to believe there would be both a Bayhead Model 109 and a Peerless Model 109.

Chad J · July 09, 2025, 01:12:31 PM

Quote from: oc1 on July 08, 2025, 05:09:17 PMIs it marked "109" on the headplate? Like I said over on ORCA, I find it hard to believe there would be both a Bayhead Model 109 and a Peerless Model 109.

None of the Bayheads were marked on the headplate. It is printed in Penn Catalog #8.

1badf350 · July 09, 2025, 08:43:24 PM

There's one in this thread
https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,17663.0.html

oc1 · July 10, 2025, 05:16:37 AM

Thanks Chris. Now I'm confused enough to forget about it.

jgp12000 · July 10, 2025, 06:05:42 AM

Is the Bayhead also a "knucklebuster"?

Benni3 · July 10, 2025, 12:20:09 PM

Quote from: jgp12000 on July 10, 2025, 06:05:42 AMIs the Bayhead also a "knucklebuster"?

Nope,,,

this one has drap,,,knucklebusters,,,,when the fish takes off it will bust your knuckles trying to grab the knob and this 109 has the walffel clicker,,, plastic knob and no pitcher on sideplate 1938 maybe,,,

Chad J · July 10, 2025, 08:46:07 PM

Quote from: 1badf350 on July 09, 2025, 08:43:24 PMThere's one in this thread
https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,17663.0.html

That's the only one I've been able to find. I'm curious if any were made with a pictured side plate.

Deepennz · July 13, 2025, 09:44:27 AM

Hi,
The Bayhead 109 was only produced for 2 years - 1939 and 1940. I have both year models.
The 1939 Bayhead 109 has the the parallel lined, Bayhead logo of the first, 1938 Bayheads. This is the model that Mike C writes about, with the stamped line capacity "150yds"
The reel that Milne has is the 1940 version, with a more stylistic logo and the "150YDSNo9" stamped foot. Interestingly, this 1940 reel still has the waffle clicker.
Neither of these 150 yard, smaller diameter reels came with picture tail plates. In 1939/40, at $3.50. these were the cheapest Star Drag, Chromed brass spooled reels that Penn produced, for a reason. No Frills!
In 1941 Penn discontinued the Bayhead (all models) and replaced it with a reel with lighter dimpled sideplates, plastic spooled,"250yds" reel and Penn 85 logo. At $2.50 each, these became the "new" cheapest star drag reel.
A Star was born!
Interestingly, in 1941 the Bayhead "109" number was given to a totally new Levelwind, stardrag reel- the Penn 109.
Cheers
Martin

jgp12000 · July 13, 2025, 10:51:33 AM

Thank you for the history

Chad J · July 16, 2025, 07:51:35 PM

Quote from: Deepennz on July 13, 2025, 09:44:27 AMHi,
The Bayhead 109 was only produced for 2 years - 1939 and 1940. I have both year models.
The 1939 Bayhead 109 has the the parallel lined, Bayhead logo of the first, 1938 Bayheads. This is the model that Mike C writes about, with the stamped line capacity "150yds"
The reel that Milne has is the 1940 version, with a more stylistic logo and the "150YDSNo9" stamped foot. Interestingly, this 1940 reel still has the waffle clicker.
Neither of these 150 yard, smaller diameter reels came with picture tail plates. In 1939/40, at $3.50. these were the cheapest Star Drag, Chromed brass spooled reels that Penn produced, for a reason. No Frills!
In 1941 Penn discontinued the Bayhead (all models) and replaced it with a reel with lighter dimpled sideplates, plastic spooled,"250yds" reel and Penn 85 logo. At $2.50 each, these became the "new" cheapest star drag reel.
A Star was born!
Interestingly, in 1941 the Bayhead "109" number was given to a totally new Levelwind, stardrag reel- the Penn 109.
Cheers
Martin

Yes, thank you.
That clears things up perfectly.