Penn Peer Monofil 109 question

[john2244]

I purchased a very nice GREEN Penn 109 today. Based on the box and 25B catalog the reel seems to be a 1962/63 model.
The drag is "frozen on" to some degree and I am sure that will not be a problem to resolve.  My question is when I engage the gear everything is fine as far as the dog working correctly but when I dis-engage the gear the dog also will dis-engage and the handle will turn backwards.  Any ideas as to what to look for before I open up the reel?
Thanks for your help,
John

[alantani]

i thought these were supposed to do that?

[john2244]

Well Alan, maybe it is. I have never had a handle go backwards unless I moved second lever, like on a squidder or one of the mariner reels. This reel seems to be in new condition and the drag is working much better now.  I have never owned one of these reels and this one is for my collection.  I will open it up in a day or so and let you know.
John

[akfish]

Yes, the eccentric lever switched between drag and direct drive (aka "knuckle buster"). Steelhead fishermen liked to fish the reel in direct drive. You can do the same thing with a 310 and a Squidder.

[borchcl]

Many of these 109 MF penns were used for fresh water trolling using "NO-BO" trolling line or S/S wire for trolling "Spoonplugs" which ran at a prescribed depth. The system was the brainchild of the late Buck Perry, and it was a very efficient way to fish. I still have several and use them to pull 'Spoonplugs" on occasion.
Charlie

[dogdad1]

So YOU'RE the guy on eBay!  Saw that sweet reel and was going for it too, til I got a nose-bleed from the price...

Very nice catch, glad it went to a good home.