Penn 16/0 3 piece spool

[Shark Hunter]

I am going to the source here. I just scored another 16/0 on ebay for $550 + $25 shipping. My guys on sharks on the sand say I have a 3 piece spool model that won't hold up. What's the deal? Is this true?
Hook me up Sal. I want to take this beast to the beach.

[Makule]

Those three piece spools were definitely not made for mono.  During the time, linen (Cuttyhunk) line was used, and maybe Dacron.  Even Dacron did stretch a little and some spool breakage would occur on the big reels that were exposed to high pressure (as you are proposing).  The typical drill was to take out the line after fighting a large fish, let the line "rest" (come back to its original state), and then rewind it back on the reel.  Not doing this may sometimes result in the spool being distorted after a while as the line tried to return to its original state.

I have used the old spools with mono, but only with 200 to 500 yards, and the spools held up.  These were on reels in the 4/0 to 9/0 sizes.  The pressures encountered with fighting fish in that class doesn't compare to what one would expect from the stuff you'd hang on to with a 16/0.

If I were in your shoes, I'd keep the reel as a historical item or sell it to a collector (as I've done with all of my three-piece spool reels).  For work reels, I only use the one-piece spool Senators.  Keep in mind that even though the one-piece spools are much stronger, I've also had one on a 12/0 break from the pressure of the line being cranked in under lots of pressure.  No, this was not boat fishing, but from shore as you are planning to do, and the pressure from the much greater length of line held by a 16/0 would be a lot higher (translation: if the pressure is enough to break a one-piece spool 12/0, that same pressure would easily break a three-piece spool 16/0).  You can do a lot of damage with a good one-piece spool 16/0.  You'd have a very difficult time replacing the three-piece spool if, and when, it does break (and then the reel would be useless as a tool and as a collector's item).

On this island, we have seen a ton of Senators come and go over the (few) years I've been around.  I've also had my share of them from 4/0 up to 14/0.  I've never come across a three-piece spool 16/0, and only a few one-piece spool 16/0.  The three-piece spool models broke so people threw them away.  By the time Penn started coming out the with one-piece spool models, people had already started using such things as the Internationals, Everols, Finors, instead, because they didn't trust the Senator spools, brakes, or frames, for really big game.

[raumati01]

How do you know if you have a three piece spool? I've got 14/0s I'd like to spool up with mono.

[Shark Hunter]

Here is the difference between a one piece and a three piece. The three piece has the red handle.

[raumati01]

Thanks for that

[UKChris]

It is the little bump you see between the spindle and the flange of the spool that is the joint area for the separate pieces (not the fact the handle is red ). One-piece spools are smoothly curved at this point.

[Shark Hunter]

I know. I was just making sure he knew the red handle was the three piece. Usually the handle has been changed out at some point anyway. This one hasn't. Red handle indicates it was made in the fifty's.

[basto]

if red handle reels were made in the fifties, can you tell me when the other coloured handle Senators were made?
I have a 113h and a 114h with amber (yellow) handles and I think they were made in the seventies, but always wondered about when the green, white etc handles were made.
Basto

[redsetta]

G'day Basto,
I've heard the following, but can't authenticate the source:
Amber = '30-'40s, red = '50s, green = '60s, white = '70s, black = '80s and rubber = '90s onwards.
This thread may be of some interest:

• http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=19.0

Cheers, Justin

[basto]

Wow!! Thanks Justin...that blows me away! This means my 2 Senators are much older than I thought. The more I learn about these old reels, the more respect I have for them.

[Alto Mare]

Can't depend on colors, shape of the knob has some to do with it also. The knob on the right is older. Many changed the knobs along the way and most are not accurate.
I'm going to guestimate that your reels are about 50 years old.

[basto]

Hi Sal

I must say, I think these knobs and handle arms would outlast anything that replaces them, specialy anything with a bearing in it.
Do you think the hand grip material would be the same as the sideplate material?

[Alto Mare]

Hi Sal

I must say, I think these knobs and handle arms would outlast anything that replaces them, specialy anything with a bearing in it.
Do you think the hand grip material would be the same as the sideplate material?

I agree with you. There is one out there that can copete with those, that one comes from Alan. I believe his knob shaft is made out of stainless.
I'm not sure if the material would be the same as the sideplates, but it would make sense if it was. They were frugal those days.

[raumati01]

There's some great info on this thread, I'm surprised considering the sheer amount of stuff that on the net that no one has set up a site about Penn reels, their history and how to tell how old they are from different features on the reels.

[Shark Hunter]

I am learning as I go. This is definitely the place for it. There is a wealth of knowledge here.
I am glad to meet these fine Gentleman! They will pass their passion on to the next generation, as will I.