Penn 117L

basto · August 02, 2012, 12:27:40 AM

Thanks guys for your replies, but I can see good and bad, but not overall better.
Just trying to be positive about the new one.

Shark Hunter · March 20, 2015, 05:10:05 AM

Quote from: Makule on August 01, 2012, 08:29:54 PM
Quote from: basto on July 31, 2012, 11:44:24 PM
Yes, I can understand that people like to think the one they own is the better, but I am genuinely interested if anyone has any facts.

Generally speaking, the older reels were "over engineered". That is to say, they were often made with heavier gauge materials. The capacity/strength of very large fish was not entirely well-known since relatively few were caught, hence, such tools were made to withstand perhaps more than needed.

The downside is that the materials and technology used were not always as good as what's available today. Spools were three-piece brass, and definitely not a strong as the cast one-piece bronze spools. Gears were hardened steel and, while strong, did rust. Bushings were brass/bronze and did not have as high resistance to wear as BB.

On the third hand, machines used to make the reels were certainly not as advanced as they are today, and can achieve precision unmatched even by the very best machinists of old.

On the fourth hand, economic pressures were certainly relevant, but apparently did not dictate production as they seem to do today. Factories such as Penn did not mass produce reels in the same manner that some foreign companies do today. Each reel was handcrafted from start to finish, and that also means every person who looked at and/or touched the reel made quality checks (and there were lots of people who worked on a reel as part of the whole process).

On the fifth hand (you didn't know I had so many hands, did you), the workmanship and pride in their work were unmatched. Americans took pride in what they did, machinists were exceptionally skilled, and the quality of the product came first. Each reel was treated as an individual piece to be made as if it would be their own. Machinists and assembly personnel believed that a poor product would reflect on them personally and took their jobs personally. This single factor made up for shortcomings in materials and technology to a very large extent. While it's impossible to go beyond the capabilities of the various materials, one was assured that each reel worked as it should, to it's maximum ability. I doubt one could find a single "lemon" during Penn's earlier production years.

Just looking around at some old posts. Albert pretty much hit the nail on the head here.

This post was right before I joined. I haven't seen Albert around lately.

Keta · March 20, 2015, 05:36:10 AM

Another reel that sells for more than I'm willing to pay for is the 140.

Shark Hunter · March 20, 2015, 05:41:50 AM

Lee,
Imagine that 12/0 plate you have twice that size. This reel is Ginormous!
I have several of these and they are literally as big as your Head!
Its just a narrow 16/0. The biggest Senator ever Made.

Keta · March 20, 2015, 05:48:40 AM

Yup, I've seen one but never had my hands on one.

Maxed Out · March 22, 2015, 02:23:39 AM

Quote from: Keta on March 20, 2015, 05:48:40 AM
Yup, I've seen one but never had my hands on one.

Lee, If you've ever gone bowling then you've handled something similar in volume and weight to the penn 16/0. Loaded with line the 16/0 will weigh somewhere around 14-15 pounds and you will need both "hands" as you suggested.

Alto Mare · March 22, 2015, 02:29:35 AM

Best tool to fish with, if you use it on one of these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pompanette-Fighting-Fishing-Chair-/301291587726

Maxed Out · March 22, 2015, 02:34:35 AM

Now that's one serious fishing chair.

..........I'm at the other end of the spectrum with a bean bag armchair

Shark Hunter · March 22, 2015, 02:39:37 AM

Nah,
Just Man vs Fish for me.

Alto Mare · March 22, 2015, 02:51:10 AM

Quote from: Shark Hunter on March 22, 2015, 02:39:37 AM
Nah,
Just Man vs Fish for me.

Not really, you are still using tools. Go get that shark while swimming in the water, that would be Man vs Fish, you're allowed to have a knife between your teeth

....I"ll choose the chair.

Maxed Out · March 22, 2015, 05:25:10 AM

Quote from: Alto Mare on March 22, 2015, 02:51:10 AM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on March 22, 2015, 02:39:37 AM
Nah,
Just Man vs Fish for me.
Not really, you are still using tools. Go get that shark while swimming in the water, that would be Man vs Fish, you're allowed to have a knife between your teeth ....I"ll choose the chair.

Ha ha now that's funny Sal, sounds like you've been watching those re-runs of the original Tarzan show.... I do like the way you think !! Wasn't that Johnny Weismuller ?? The sheath for his knife was his teeth.

Shark Hunter · March 22, 2015, 06:30:20 PM

I don't think the chair would fit in my Kayak too good.
I'll be on my feet in the sand with a harness and belt.
I'm sticking with the plan.

With as many sharks being seen and caught lately, I'm not going out swimming too far.
There was a 600 lb Mako caught in Panama city just a week or so ago. A day or two right after that 10' Great White.

Tightlines667 · March 22, 2015, 09:05:30 PM

Quote from: Shark Hunter on March 22, 2015, 06:30:20 PM
I don't think the chair would fit in my Kayak too good.
I'll be on my feet in the sand with a harness and belt.
I'm sticking with the plan.
With as many sharks being seen and caught lately, I'm not going out swimming too far.
There was a 600 lb Mako caught in Panama city just a week or so ago. A day or two right after that 10' Great White.

Wow! I can't imagine what it would be like to tangle with a 600lb mako from shore. That must have been one intense battle.