Wanting to find a project reel to build for surf casting here in the panhandle.Any suggestions??I have plenty of time..so no rush to build.Just want a surf fishing tank that'll sling some lead ;D
The jigmasters seem to have the most aftermarket parts available. some of it depends on what you are fishing for.
A Shimano 15/30
A Aussie built "Sea Martin".
A pretty simplistic design that'll cop a flogging at the beach and you'llbe the only person with one on any stretch of beach.
Depends on what and how your gonna fish it. Up here in the NE I was using Newell 200 series. Really smooth and light. Great reel for both bait and lures. If you need magnetic cast control then there are any options. For this I was using squidders with mags installed. Good reel for bait and weight. If your looking to build one then maybe the jigmaster is the way to go. Lotsa parts available. If you build one share your success with us. Whatever you choose good luck!
Bob
Old school -- Squidders, , Surfmasters, Jigmasters
Current -- Squall or Slosh
For me, it boils down to simplicity and strength and ease of cleaning after being in the salt spray -- or maybe getting dunked.
Good Luck -- and share with some pics your chosen project.
Best,
Fred
Also for old school, if you are looking for a lever drag, TLD5 or TLD10 are great choices.
New School Lever Drag: Squall
Don't see how you could go wrong with one of the classic Penn Mag Powers (970, 980, 990). They show up fairly regularly on fleaBay, and are terrific reels; just ask Sal! ;)
~A~
my casting reel for baitfishing is a saltist 20h... not the best but cast like a champ and its all metal also really simple on the insides to clean regulary
Well ladies and gentlemen i do believe after some long hard thinking i will go with the jigmaster ;D Any hotrodding ideas??Just love those old MADE IN USA PENNS
Great starting point. You could go mild $ to wild $$$
SS Sleeve, 5 stack drag kit, steel gears and Tib Frame.
I agree with Daron -- and you should consider a power handle and crank since the SS sleeve, steels gears, and upgraded greased drag stack will handle most anything in the surf -- just need a good power crank with the proper angle for comfortable control.
Best,
Fred
I have three sizes of Jigmasters. 500 size, 99 size and 501 size. They all cast well but the narrower reels seem to cast better...
Once i get m 309 lw hotrodded a bit and completed ill be searching for a jig master.Question??Whats the cost of the narrowed frame kit?And will it cast decent?Should i mag it??
A good solution would be to find a 501 -- then install an Accurate or Tiburon frame -- providing the spool was aluminum.
Otherwise, you will just need an old 500, narrow frame, and narrow aluminum spool -- and of course your other upgrades -- such as a better handle, sleeve, greased CF & SS drag stack, etc.
One can spend an unlimited amount of $$$ on a Jigmaster -- but I would determine where I want to end up at, develop a plan, and stick to it. That way you will have exactly what you want -- with the minumum expense to get there. A lot will be dictated by how, where, and what you fish for.
Best,
Fred
Thanks Fred!Ill be on the hunt in a few weeks.Moving into a new house and will have a nice lil shop for my obsession of tinkering and tuning these old workhorses ;D
970 if you want to cast.
Line? Weight? Distance?
0.40mm 200gm >150yards.
Use up the rod handle unless your hands / thumbs are big.
Takes ceramics. Makes it really quiet.
Clutch will pull > 10lbs.
Use a 349H star and GLS 40 handle. Can fit a SS 4/0 sleeve if you must.
Sweet.
Rgds.
Malcolm
Quote from: TheReelGuy850 on January 27, 2015, 04:45:58 PM
Thanks Fred!Ill be on the hunt in a few weeks.Moving into a new house and will have a nice lil shop for my obsession of tinkering and tuning these old workhorses ;D
Im just a couple of hours from you in Pensacola, FL. Gulf Breeze to be exact. I have bunches of Jigmaster parts and reels if you need any help.
Keith Rawson
If you want distance try a 440 newell, a no letter or a g. 40lb mono and 4 or 5 ounces of lead. The jigs masters a fine but don't spin as well as a newell. I just got done with fixing up a 970 and was a little disappointed in the distance, I'm thinking I should take the magnet out. If you using 40lb mono it's easy to pick out the birds nests,everyone gets em, don't care who you are. A long rod's a must for distance 12' is nice but 10' works well too(if you hook something big have your chiropractor on speed dial, the long rod will kill you).
I fish the local pier most Saturdays and a couple of the fellas fish just for thresher sharks. They use heavy 8' rods and bone stock penn 113h with 80lb braid, A 10oz sinker and let it fly. It's either a thing of beauty or an epic birdnest.
A lot of good choices, and a good case could be made of all the reels on here.
Sheridan
for distance w/ 2-4 oz lead, I would have to go with the surfmaster 100 or squider 146 n yes ya better mag 'em!
When I was living in Florida and fishing the surf regularly, I used a 10+ rod with a ABU 6500 with 50lb braid and a shock leader to match the weight I was casting. That was before I had a Newell. If I was to do it again, between the castability and the lower maintenance required on a Newell 200 or 300 series with much better drag, I would use a Newell 229 or a 332 with 50lb braid and a shock leader! On the Florida coast you did not have to worry about structure for the fish to wrap you in. So I was able to use a beefed up ABU 6500 with a Full Aluminum Frame and new drags did the job. Biggest was a 5' Blacktip Shark. If I had a Newell with better drags, it would have been a much faster landing. MY 2 cents
Andy
Great choice on the jiggy ReelGuy850...the possibilities are nearly endless for that reel...so take your time and surf the custom builders forums here. As far as that 309...check out this thread about my 309 project...might see some ideas to try. 8)
http://alantani.com/index.php?topic=18587.0
My two cents... Go with a squidda. More manageable than the Jig and better freespool, but slower retrieve. If you want low budget, a 140 with bakelite spool works fine, just put some dacron backing under your mono (20-30lb). Use the tension knob to keep free-spool reasonable, and thumb the side of the spool (not the line). Keep the cast smooth; off-the-ground cast is a good start.
First upgrades, a bigger handle and aluminum spool. The standard Jigmaster handle is a good fit. With the AL spool you can add mags cheap if you decide you want them. You can always sell it later if you go to a different width.
Next, if there is any roughness or looseness in the internals, you can put in a stainless sleeve and carbon drags.
Next upgrade, Newell bars, and optionally, base. Decide which width you want. I think the 145 (medium) is the best one. The bars and base are a little pricey. The 146 is especially coveted, but IMHO is priced too high in the auction market, and line capacity is a little low. The spools alone go for $50. The 145 feels just right for surf.
I have 2 Daiwa Slosh reels I'm going to sell. Both of them have the solid machined aluminum frames. These reel have excellent freespool. One of them has the disengaging spool. It really spins.
I'll post a picture when I can.
Keith