Penn never made a 99 Jigmaster, but it is a legendary albacore killing reel, and still popular today
Penn also never made a mid width small senator that falls in between a 2/0 and 3/0, even though the parts were right there in front of them. Just take a 3/0 or 2/0 and add 99 seat, 66 posts, and 65 or seaboy 190 spool, and you've got a mid size small senator !!
What application would be best for this mini-tank?
I am usually narrow minded, but pulling up enough big fish from 600 feet with Ted has made me appreciate wide reels because it keeps the line in the "fast" (don't laugh) part of the spool longer.
Me, Wayne, Steve, and Ted went out with our buddy Tod to a spot a ways deeper than normal for Black Rock Fish (Ted will remember the name.) I've been happy with Ca ling cod smaller than the BRFs we were catching that day. We were in maybe 120 feet or so, and the torque of this reel with a 5 stack would be nice to get you out of a rock or if you happen to hook into a no joke ling in the spot.
The other place I see this reel working is in the surf off a jetty. You can get away with heavier line, and again this things torque helps get you out of trouble. If you can find a set of Newell Teflon bushings, this thing would cast more than far enough at any tide. I'd love it for La Push or Westport; or my childhood Home beach of Oceanside, Ca. Fishing it in the mouth with a bucket full of live chovies and a Corona would be a blast, there are BIG white sea bass in that water.
The Man
You guys never cease to amaze me!
I have a parts 3/0 that will get a new lease on life!
Steve
:al -john
Would the red 112H 3/0 with the 4:1 gears work? Would those spools you mentioned not fit? The 111 2/0 only comes in Senator old school black side plates with the 2.25:1 gears.
This is, effectively, a slow 112H. The 112H spool would not work in this reel I don't think. The shaft is different for the 500 pinion.
The 500 main has more surface area, but I don't think enough to make up for the lower gear ratios torque. I LOVE the 112H, this reel is just a bit more unique and better as a live bait reel.
Come to think of it, it wouldn't be horrible for bigger albacore with live bait. No need to cast, so the heavy spool is fine, reel is probably close in speed to a 99 because of the diameter, and more torque so you don't "wind without the spool moving" (Ted hates that.) More capacity than you need, but that keeps the spool in the "fast" zone (again, don't laugh.
The Man
I see this is for a Penn 112 - 3/0 black plates not a Penn 112h red plates because the parts are very different between them.
Can you build a mid width 3/0 with the 65 reel seat, 66 posts, and the 65 spool? Why use the 99 reel seat? 🤔 I don't have a 65 or 99 to test or build this.
The 65 or 66 reel seat won't work.only the 99 seat because 3screws on each side of the seat, instead of 2
Apologies for the ancient post... this is what I did.
https://alantani.com/index.php/topic,2984.msg19878.html#msg19878
Sweet little reels but not as low geared as the 2/0 and 3/0 Senators...
Cool
Ted,
Ok, I'm taking the plunge but want to make sure I order the right parts.
Seat/Stand 30-99 Mistic does not have it...(Do I have the right part number?).
Posts 37-65 from a 66 Long Beach six total. Mistic has them $3.00 each.
Aluminum Spool 29L-190 from a Sea Boy 190 Mistic has them $26.95 each.
Thanks,
Steve
Steve I sent you a 30-99 a little while ago
Quote from: Crab Pot on April 20, 2024, 06:21:09 PMTed,
Ok, I'm taking the plunge but want to make sure I order the right parts.
Seat/Stand 30-99 Mistic does not have it...(Do I have the right part number?).
Posts 37-65 from a 66 Long Beach six total. Mistic has them $3.00 each.
Aluminum Spool 29L-190 from a Sea Boy 190 Mistic has them $26.95 each.
Thanks,
Steve
Hi Steve, yes the parts you listed are correct
Quote from: JasonGotaProblem on April 20, 2024, 11:10:04 PMSteve I sent you a 30-99 a little while ago
How do you remember stuff like that Jason!
(now I need to find it)
Quote from: Maxed Out on April 20, 2024, 11:27:42 PMHi Steve, yes the parts you listed are correct
Thanks Ted!
I'll post up picks as I go.
Steve
While it can be done, it's still just a big Jigmaster... and bigger isn't necessarily better!
Quote from: MarkT on April 21, 2024, 01:21:32 AMWhile it can be done, it's still just a big Jigmaster... and bigger isn't necessarily better!
Good point Mark, but the spool is only 1/8" larger diameter than jigmaster. The 66 main gear can also take a 5 stack, the seat has 3 screws on each side instead of 2, and 6 frame posts instead of 4. The lower gear ratio(2.5/1)gives it more torque than a 4/1 jigmaster. Like granny gear on a 5 speed manual tranny. Only similarity to a jigmaster 99 is the width
While 2.5:1 may be fine when you're bent over on a big fish, it's not so good when bringing up your rig to change the bait or make a move. There's a lot they did 60+ years ago that hasn't stood up to the changing times.
Quote from: MarkT on April 21, 2024, 01:21:32 AMWhile it can be done, it's still just a big Jigmaster... and bigger isn't necessarily better!
If I didn't have a 3/0 parts reel I wouldn't be doing this.
But I do so I am.
Should make a great shallow reel.
Steve
Just because it's unnecessary doesn't mean it's a bad idea. Story of my life.
Quote from: MarkT on April 21, 2024, 03:17:43 AMWhile 2.5:1 may be fine when you're bent over on a big fish, it's not so good when bringing up your rig to change the bait or make a move. There's a lot they did 60+ years ago that hasn't stood up to the changing times.
You and I have had this conversation. Times haven't changed, marketing executives have found out new ways to convince you to spend money :)
The Man
Ted, I think this is gonna be one of my next projects. I love the looks of this. The proportions just fit aesthetically.
Maybe it's just me, but it seems like the old conventional's (Penn and Ocean City) geared at around 2.5:1, are in better operating condition than the higher geared reels.
Got all my parts today to build my 2.5 Senator (as I'm calling it) but the inner rings were wrong.
Good news though....Jason, I found the 30-99 stand you sent me!
(Minor miracle, if you'd seen my garage you'd be impressed)
To be continued!
Steve
Quote from: Crab Pot on May 07, 2024, 12:18:11 AMGot all my parts today to build my 2.5 Senator (as I'm calling it) but the inner rings were wrong.
Good news though....Jason, I found the 30-99 stand you sent me!
(Minor miracle, if you'd seen my garage you'd be impressed)
To be continued!
Steve
I'm glad. That was my only one. I figured you were the type to be able to put this one together and it wouldn't go to waste. I'm glad I guessed correctly, I was just off by a few months.
Takes me that long to get inspired!
Just finished my 2.5 Penn Senator.
Free spools better than it's 3/0 donor ever did.
Last picture is a 2/0, the new 2.5/0, and 3/0 for size comparison.
Thanks Ted for the inspiration.
Ton's of possibilities for this reel but I think it's going to kill a lot of shallow Rock-Cod in the near future.
Steve
Very nicely done Steve. Not too big, and not too small.....it's just right !!
Seems like one wouldn't really need a 500 size Jiggy. With the availability of braid, a 99 size or Maybe even a 501 size would be wide enough to hold alla line your gonna need.
Then again, I have an 808 extra wide, Randy/Tiburon Jiggy, so what do I know. 500yds of 65# braid...
Quote from: Gfish on May 13, 2024, 12:43:45 AMSeems like one wouldn't really need a 500 size Jiggy. With the availability of braid, a 99 size or Maybe even a 501 size would be wide enough to hold alla line your gonna need.
Then again, I have an 808 extra wide, Randy/Tiburon Jiggy, so what do I know. 500yds of 65# braid...
I've never found "need" to be the right word to use when describing vintage penn mods. Unless I'm saying "I need to stop."
None of it is a need. All of it is a want. That's half the fun.
I'd rather add a YTS kit to a 113h... with 4:1 gears!
It looks like a fun project but I am having problems just finding the parts to build my own. :P My version is a Longbeach 66 with a 5 stacks with factory parts. Punch of a senator without the price. 8) I think it will pull many monster cats from below.
Quote from: MarkT on May 13, 2024, 04:33:23 AMI'd rather add a YTS kit to a 113h... with 4:1 gears!
I have two of those Mark, Pro Gear YTS!